INDIA IN VANCOUVER-WEEKLY
    NEWSLETTER
     Issue No-14- 07/07/2023
    Consulate Weekly Newsletter

In the opening remarks at the SCO Summit, PM Modi said, "As the Chairperson of the SCO, India has made continuous efforts to take multi-dimensional cooperation to new heights." He added we have based all these efforts on two fundamental principles. Firstly, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which means the whole world is one family. The second principle is SECURE, which stands for Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection.

                       CONSULATE NEWS

From Maharashtra and Gujarat in the West to Assam and Bengal, from Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab in the North to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the South - come take a tour of India and witness a one-of-its-kind multi-cultural dance show in the Lower Mainland! ~
NAMASTE CANADA
~ ~ September 2, 2023
~ ~ Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey

           INCREDIBLE INDIA- TAMIL NADU

Known as the temple city of India, Tamil Nadu is one place in South India where the elaborate architecture and brilliant sculptures of its ancient temples, leave all its tourists spellbound with their astounding beauty.Tamil Nadu is a southern state of India which is supremely rich in culture and heritage. Known to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the people of Tamil Nadu belong to the prestigious Dravidian Family.

                      KNOW YOUR MILLETS

Sorghum

Sorghum is a crop from the Gramineae family that is high in carbohydrates and has the scientific name Sorghum bicolor L. It is one of the staple crops for millions of semi-arid residents, is also known as “The KING OF MILLETS'. Its main ingredient is starch, which is digested more slowly than in other cereals and also has a low protein and fat digestibility. The onset of non-communicable diseases is significantly influenced by oxidative stress and excessive free radical production. The expression of the phase II enzyme is controlled by sorghum derived phenolic chemicals. These operate as the body's natural defense against oxidative stress by converting highly reactive electrophilic species (RES)into harmless and excretable metabolites.

                    NEWS FLASH

                    NEWS SEGMENT

GST has been a gamechanger for India’s economy

Ahead of the launch of the goods and services tax (GST) on 1 July 2017, this newspaper on 6 June 2017 had published my piece titled ‘Indian GST: Unparalleled Tax Reform’ in which I had highlighted the unique features of India's GST regime such as the Dual GST structure; Integrated GST mechanism; invoice matching; single digital interface and the establishment of a GST Council.

Digital India’s 8-year anniversary

Over the past eight years, the Digital India initiative has achieved remarkable progress in advancing technology and empowering millions of Indian citizens through digital means. The program, aimed at creating a digitally inclusive society, has revolutionized governance, connectivity, and service delivery, marking significant milestones.It has made impressive strides, across all its three core pillars digital infrastructure creation, digital delivery of services, and digital capacity building through literacy, setting a strong foundation for all future endeavors.

India's space programme stands to transform planet's connection to Final Frontier 

Hailing India's ambitious space programme, The New York Time has said the country, currently home to about 140 registered space-tech start-ups, "stands to transform the planet's connection to the final frontier" and can emerge as a "counterweight" to china.

India doubles its share of global commercial services exports between 2005 and 2022: World Bank & WTO report

 India has doubled its share of global commercial services exports to 4.4% in 2022 from 2% in 2005, according to a World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) report. "China and India doubled their share of global commercial services exports from 2005 to 2022, from 3.0% to 5.4%, and from 2.0% to 4.4%, respectively," it said.

India's headcount in various sectors sees a positive surge, with a 12% increase

According to data from business services provider Quess, there has been a positive surge in headcount growth in various sectors in India this year, despite ongoing global turbulence. From January to May 2023, there was a 12 percent increase in headcount compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by improvements in the country's financial and investment cycle.Among the sectors, the professional services industry experienced the highest growth, with a doubling of headcount compared to last year.

India set to be no. 1 wearables market in 2023
 

Of the total 504.1 million units of wearables forecast to be shipped worldwide this year, India is expected to account for 130-135 million, or around 26%, as per market research firm IDC India. Last year, India had shipped around 100 million units of wearables - behind China and North America - making up nearly a fifth of the 492-million-unit global shipments,IDC said.

India a key destination to strengthen global supply chains for Taiwanese tech firms

Leading Taiwanese technology firms are looking at relocating their manufacturing bases to India to bring down their exposure to the Chinese market amid the self-governed island's increasingly tense relations with China. Deputy Minister for Taiwan's National Development Kao Shien-Quey said there is huge scope for collaboration between New Delhi and Taipei in areas of emerging and critical technologies including manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics equipment.

When PM Modi takes a position, its effect is seen in global politics, says EAM S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that US visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was different as compared to other prime ministers who visited the country as PM Modi has a different image. He said that when PM Modi tries something or takes a position, its effect is seen in global politics.Addressing the ‘Student Samvaad’ in Delhi, EAM Jaishankar said, “If you see the recent US visit of PM Modi, you saw that there were many prime ministers who visited the US but this visit of PM Modi was different.

India's transition to less polluting fuels faster than in other countries

The government reportedly is moving to encourage electricity grid battery production in India, which can make renewable energy supply a more stable source of power.

This will be India's decade, stars are well-aligned

The Indian economy will add another India in next seven years (in nominal terms) with the country's GDP doubling to $7 trillion by 2030, building on a remarkable expansion in the past few years, said Rahul Jain, managing partner of BCG India.

The unstoppable investment destination of next decade

In its assessment of the global economy, the IMF forecast an uncertain future due to the instability in the banking sector, rising inflation, lingering repercussions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and three years of Covid. Global growth is expected to decelerate from 3.4% (2022) to 2.8% (2023). A particularly strong growth downturn is projected for advanced economies.

QS World University Rankings: Taking Indian higher education higher

India has 45 institutions in the QS World University Rankings, making it the seventh-most represented country. However, there is room for improvement. The Indian Institute of Science slipped out of the top 225 due to new metrics and changes in weightage. Indian institutions perform well in citations per faculty but lag in teaching quality and internationalization.

Harley 2.0: Not just Make in India, but Make With Indians

It has been nearly three years since the iconic American bike maker Harley-Davidson, and local heavyweight Hero Moto announced an ambitious partnership aimed at co-developing mid-sized motorcycles and selling them in India, and possibly abroad at some point in time.

How India became a model for globe in tackling natural disasters

Cyclone Biparjoy hit the Gujarat coast, packing wind speeds of over 110kmph. The death toll from freak incidents linked to the severe tropical storm was reported to be in the single digits. Even a few decades ago, a cyclone like this would have wreaked havoc, leaving hundreds dead. But of late the focus has been not so much on the threat they pose but on the ability of the authorities to limit the toll such events can extract.

CLSA's India bullish indicator at 20-month high as stocks soar

Global brokerage firm CLSA believes that Indian companies are anticipated to achieve the strongest two-year earnings growth compared to their global counterparts. The upcoming earnings season will play a crucial role in limiting further cuts to earnings estimates, as per CLSA's analysis. The brokerage house has already reduced Nifty EPS estimates for FY24 and FY25 by 1% and 1.4% respectively

India shoots for the Moon with Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander

India is preparing to launch a spacecraft carrying a lander to the Moon on 14 July. If the mission is successful, India will become only the fourth country ever to make a controlled lunar landing, after the United States, the former Soviet Union and China. The 6-billion-rupee (US$73-million) mission, called Chandrayaan-3, is the second attempt by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to land a craft safely on the Moon.

Why India Could Be The Next Big Destination For Global Investors

President Joe Biden recently hosted Narendra Modi in a lavish state visit, the Indian prime minister’s first, with both nations seeking to realign their strategic interests at a time when China’s global influence continues to grow.

Make in India push: Aircraft maker Boeing to source parts worth $1 bn from India, eyes jet assembly unit

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is planning to boost its engagement with India by stepping up sourcing of key components and high value parts from the country, besides evaluating the viability of setting up a final assembly unit in India.

Startups successful due to digital infra created by govt’

Startup20, the engagement group India has established during its presidency of the bloc this year, will be adopted by Brazil to scout businesses and ideas internationally,while the G20 Leaders’ Communique will henceforth include a startup communique

Indian companies in 'good credit shape'

 Indian companies are in a good financial position due to the country's strong   economic growth and the improved balance sheets of corporations, said S&P Global Ratings in a note. Despite challenges such as global economic conditions and higher borrowing rates, rising domestic demand and sector recoveries are outweighing the negatives. S&P predicts that India's economic growth will be the highest in the region, and strong onshore liquidity is helping to counterbalance tough external funding Conditions.

44 Indian airports use 100 per cent renewable energy

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has said that 44 of its airports have successfully transitioned their entire power consumption to 100 per cent renewable energy. This significant accomplishment marks a major milestone in India’s aviation sector, as it strives to promote sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions.

First overseas IIT campus to be set up in Zanzibar

India will establish its first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus outside the country in Tanzania. The move is in line with India's National Education Policy 2020 and aims to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries. The IIT campus in Zanzibar will begin offering programs from October and will be responsible for planning pedagogical strategies. The initiative is seen as a step towards internationalizing Indian education and expanding India's reputation and diplomatic relationships..

PM Modi's Special Visit To France Significant For Bilateral Ties; MEA Explains

After receiving the highest form of diplomatic honour during his state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head to France later this month. He has been invited as the guest of honour by French President Emmanuel Macron for France's National Day, also called Bastille Day, on July 14 in a rare show of respect. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of India-France strategic ties, making the occasion extra special.

Indian Teenager Agastya Sinha Inspires Learning Transformation, Receives Diana Award and is Shortlisted to the Top 100 Global Education Innovations 2024 by HundrED

Agastya Sinha, a 17-year-old student from The Shri Ram School Moulsari, has received the esteemed Diana Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in social action. He has also been shortlisted to the Top 100 Global Education Innovations Collection 2024 by HundrEd, a Finnish Organization. The list comprises the most impactful and scalable practices in education today. Agastya's passion for the science of learning and his dedication to revolutionizing education has earned him this international recognition.

Pune-based radio telescope helps detect universe’s vibrations

The Pune-based Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) was among the world’s six large telescopes used to analyse pulsar data collected over 25 years.The results of monitoring pulsars – Nature’s best clocks – using six of the world’s most sensitive radio telescopes, including India’s largest telescope, the Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) located near Pune, provide a hint of evidence for the relentless vibrations of the fabric of the universe caused by ultra-low frequency gravitational waves.

IIT-B develops perovskite solar cell with 26% efficiency, likely the highest in the world

The National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) has developed a perovskite solar cell (PSC). The cell has been demonstrated an efficiency of over 26 per cent. To compare, with the best of the conventional solar cells in the market, you will be lucky to get an efficiency of 22 per cent.

Meet the women of Indian origin on Forbes' list of America's most successful businesswomen in 2023

The Silicon Valley engineer and Cisco veteran joined computer networking company Arista Networks as CEO in 2008 when the business had no sales. The now publicly traded company, which she still runs, recorded $4.4 billion in revenue in 2022, up 48 percent from the prior year, despite component shortages and supply chain challenges. Arista plans to launch a new suite of AI-based network services this year. Sethi and her husband, Bharat Desai, who met while working for IT firm Tata Consultancy Services, launched IT services firm Syntel in their Troy, Michigan, apartment in 1980. In 2018, they sold it to French IT firm Atos SE for $3.4 billion.

Meet the Indian scientists who recently had minor planets named after them

ASWIN SEKHAR is India’s first professional meteor astronomer. Kumar Venkataramani is an astronomer at CalTech who observes comets and asteroids. Ashok K. Verma is a senior flight dynamics engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Rutu Parekh is a planetary geologist studying icy surfaces on various celestial bodies, including Mars. Until recently, the four scientists had only one professional commonality―their involvement in advanced space research.

Kerala-Born Indian American Researcher Awarded International Conservation Research Award

Indian American researcher Dr. Girish Panicker has been awarded the 2023 International Conservation Research Award for his outstanding achievements in conservation research.

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