Ashwini Vaishnaw

February 7, 2025 10:54 PM

Cabinet approves continuation and restructuring of Skill India Programme

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the continuation and restructuring of the Central Sector Scheme 'Skill India Programme (SIP)' until 2026, with an outlay of Rs 8,800 crore from 2022-23 to 2025-26. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision underscores the government's commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce by integrating demand-driven, technology-enabled, a...

February 4, 2025 8:56 PM

India has over 300 mobile manufacturing units, exports surpass Rs 1.29 lakh cr: Ashwini Vaishnaw

India has risen to become the world's second-largest mobile manufacturer, growing from just 2 units in 2014 to over 300 operational units nationwide today, Union Minister for Railways and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said on Tuesday. About 99.2 per cent of mobile phones sold in India are now made locally, as the manufacturing value has soared to Rs 4.22 lakh crore, with exports crossing Rs 1.29 lakh crore in 2024. In 2014-15, only 26 per cent of the mobile phones sold in the country w...

January 22, 2025 7:59 PM

Ashwini Vaishnaw Highlights New India Vision at WEF 2025

Minister of Railways, Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, outlined India's vision for transformative rail initiatives and sustainable infrastructure growth during discussions with global industry leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos. The discussions at WEF 2025 focused on India's approach to integrating international best practices and technology to achieve economic growth and sustainability. Vaishnaw held meetings aimed at enhancing collaborations with industry leaders a...

January 21, 2025 2:21 PM

WEF meet kicks off in Davos with Crystal Awards for Beckham, Furstenberg, Yamamoto

The 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting kicked off with the theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age", at Davos in the Swiss Alps on Tuesday with three celebrities -- football legend David Beckham, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, and architect Riken Yamamoto -- being awarded the prestigious Crystal Awards in recognition of their contributions to social, environmental, and creative progress. The awardees were facilitated for their efforts in advancing community regeneratio...

January 16, 2025 4:59 PM

PM approves formation of 8th pay commission for central government employees

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission to revise salaries and benefits for central government employees. Speaking at a press briefing on cabinet decisions in New Delhi, Vaishnaw highlighted the historical significance of pay commissions since India's independence in 1947, noting that seven such commissions have been formed so far. “For your awareness, our Prime Minister has approv...

January 15, 2025 3:32 PM

Meta apologises for Zuckerberg’s India election remark, calls it an ‘inadvertent error’

Social media giant Meta on Wednesday apologised to the Indian government for its Co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s remarks on the 2024 General Elections, calling it an "inadvertent error" and reaffirming that India remains an “important country” for the company. The company was set to be summoned by a Parliamentary panel over "incorrect and irresponsible" remarks made by Zuckerberg, which were criticised for "spreading misinformation." In a post on the social media platform X, Meta In...

January 13, 2025 4:57 PM

India Expands IT Hardware Manufacturing; Total Electronics Production rses to Rs. 9.80 lakh crore

India’s electronics manufacturing sector has reached a historic milestone with the inauguration of Syrma SGS Technology’s state-of-the-art laptop assembly line in Chennai, inaugurated by Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. A Major Step in 'Make in India' The new assembly line will initially produce 100,000 laptops annually, with production capacity expected to scale up to 1 million units within the next 1-2 years. This initiative is part of the gove...

January 9, 2025 6:40 PM

Ashwini Vaishnaw celebrates successful trial run of train on Chenab bridge

The Northern Railway recently conducted a speed trial on the Katra-Banihal railway section, supervised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Residents near Sangaldan railway station expressed optimism that the development would address connectivity issues and enable them to travel more easily to different parts of the country. This trial, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), is expected to enhance travel convenience for those living in the Gool tehsil of Ramban dist...

January 3, 2025 3:10 PM

Vande Bharat sleeper trains set to revolutionize long-distance rail travel with 180 km/h speed and luxury

The introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains marks a transformative leap for Indian Railways, extending its world-class travel experience to long-distance commuters. Following the success of Vande Bharat Express chair car trains on short and medium distances, the sleeper variant is now being tested to offer a similar combination of speed, safety, and luxury for longer routes. These trials, conducted at a peak speed of 180 km per hour, signify a new era in rail travel for commuters. The suc...

December 11, 2024 10:27 PM

India committed to ethical AI and combating fake news: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized India's commitment to tackling ethical challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) and combating fake news on social media. Addressing the Parliament, he called for robust debates and responsible innovation to address these global concerns, while proposing accountability measures for social media platforms. He stressed the need for a balanced approach, saying, "Freedom of speech and accountability must coexi...