Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) NCP SP president Sharad Pawar said on Friday that the Vice Presidential elections are crucial to maintaining the dignity of the institution and also ruled out division of votes among the opposition. “The poll outcome is of least importance to me. However, I am confident that the Vice Presidential election will be useful in maintaining the dignity and status of the institutions and preserving the respect of the opposition in the democratic system,” the veteran leader sai…

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) India and Africa must work to double bilateral trade by 2030, focusing on value addition, technology-driven agriculture, renewable energy, and healthcare, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Friday.Delivering the keynote address at the valedictory session of the CII India Africa Business Conclave here, the minister pointed out that bilateral trade between India and Africa is already fairly balanced — with India’s exports at $42.7 billion and imports…

Bengaluru, Aug 29 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court, on Friday, listed the petition by fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, demanding a direction to the concerned banks to provide a statement of accounts on the remaining debt amount owed by him and others to September 15. The United Breweries Holdings Limited (UBHL) Director, Daljit Mahal, has also filed a plea in this regard.The petitions have sought a direction to release statement by banks on the remaining debt owed by Vijay Mallya and UBHL and …

Thane, Aug 29 (IANS) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said that reservation to the Maratha community cannot be given by reducing the quota of OBC or other communities or harming their interests He said that the government’s role is to provide whatever fits within the framework of the law, adding that the government also provides the facilities that the OBC community is getting to the Maratha community. Commenting on the indefinite fast started by pro-Maratha activist M…

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 29 (IANS) Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday announced that the state’s upcoming International Ayurveda Research Centre in Kannur will serve as a “contribution for generations”, strengthening the global reputation of the traditional system of medicine, while advancing research and education.The project, for which an amount of Rs 400 crore has been sanctioned, is nearing completion of the construction of its first phase.The facility will house a 100-bed hospit…

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is preparing to intensify its battle to get a Central government accommodation for its National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Lutyens’ Delhi, a party leader said on Friday.While a matter related to the issue is likely to come up before the Delhi High Court in the coming days, the party leader said that since vacating his official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road on October 4, 2024, after stepping down as Chief Minister, Kejriwal has been staying a…

Visakhapatnam, Aug 29 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh will emerge as global hub for food processing, said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday. He said that with five climatic zones rich in both aquaculture and horticulture production, Andhra Pradesh has the best advantages in the food processing sector.He was speaking at the India Food Manufacturing Summit organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) here.Stating that India is fast emerging as a global food processing hub, he said th…

Tokyo, Aug 29 (IANS) Hailing the robust India-Japan economic and trade partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said with renewed efforts, both nations can diversify their trade basket, make it more balanced, and open up new frontiers as well.In an interview with Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun, the Prime Minister said we must aim bigger and remain ambitious.”The synergies across governments, businesses and people can create scale and speed in our economic partnership. As the w…

Guwahati, Aug 29 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, claiming that the party has lost relevance in Assam and will be wiped out in the state Assembly elections in 2026.Addressing the Panchayat Representatives’ Conclave here, HM Shah quipped: “The Centre and the Congress were thinking what would happen in the Panchayat elections in Assam, but when the time came, the reality became clear. In the upcoming elections, even if you search with binocula…

Gangtok, Aug 29 (IANS) Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, on Friday, accused the US of attempting to “bully India” through its latest decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, and urged citizens to rally behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vocal for local” campaign to strengthen domestic industry. “America is trying to bully India. PM Narendra Modi has said we will not come under any pressure and will work for the welfare of our people. The call to go ‘vocal for local’ …