Ashwini Vaishnaw

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...

December 11, 2024 8:18 PM

8.6 lakh candidates enrolled in ‘IndiaAI Future Skills’ initiative: IT Minister

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that 8.6 lakh candidates have enrolled in the IndiaAI Future Skills platform, a program aimed at democratizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) education and skilling. The IndiaAI Mission, built on seven foundational pillars, seeks to make AI technology accessible to all, fostering inclusivity and innovation. Vaishnaw underscored the transformative potential of this mission in democratizing AI and its applicati...

November 27, 2024 3:11 PM

Editorial checks in traditional press missing in social media era: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Editorial checks in traditional press played a crucial role in bringing accountability which is missing in the era of social media, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said on Wednesday. Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister highlighted the need to strengthen existing laws governing social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms and build a societal consensus. "We are living in the era of social media and OTT platforms. However, the democ...

November 25, 2024 11:01 PM

Cabinet approves National Mission on Natural Farming with ₹2,481 crore outlay

The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The mission will operate with a total financial outlay of ₹2,481 crore, with ₹1,584 crore contributed by the central government and ₹897 crore from state governments, covering the period up to the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26). Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the init...