WEF summit: Maha CM meets global investors to explore investment opportunities

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Davos, Jan 20 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the second day of the World Economic Forum summit on Tuesday, held a series of meetings with global investors and leaders to explore investment options and cooperation.

CM Fadnavis met Sung Kim, President, Hyundai Motor Company, Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, Hayashi Nobumitsu, Governor of JBIC, David Burt, Premier of Bermuda and Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen, said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

CM Fadnavis in his post on X said, “Had a valuable interaction with Sung Kim, President, Hyundai Motor Company, at #WEF2026 in Davos. Our discussions covered Hyundai’s future investment plans, prospects for establishing export-oriented operations in Maharashtra, and potential collaboration in the areas of electric vehicles, hydrogen mobility, and sustainable transportation.”

The Chief Minister said that Kim highlighted the importance of the Indian market for Hyundai and reaffirmed the company’s strong support for the Make in India initiative.

“He also expressed appreciation for Maharashtra’s EV policies and shared plans to launch five new EV models in the near future. We further discussed Hyundai’s active engagement in the CSR domain, with a focus on education, training, and skill upgradation. Also received an invitation to the inauguration of Hyundai’s Pune plant,” he said.

He added that these engagements underscore Maharashtra’s leadership as a preferred investment destination at the forefront of India’s growth story.

He also informed about his meeting with Hayashi Nobumitsu, Governor of JBIC, which aimed at strengthening India-Japan Partnership, Powering Maharashtra’s Green Future.

“Had a productive meeting with Hayashi Nobumitsu, Governor of JBIC, reaffirming the deep social synergy and mutual trust that define India-Japan relations. Maharashtra is fully prepared to be a key partner in this journey, supported by robust power availability, seamless connectivity, and large-scale infrastructure investments,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that with urban transport transformation as a top priority and a requirement of nearly 20,000 EV buses, mass mobility opens a powerful avenue for Japanese collaboration and green investment in Maharashtra.

“Maharashtra warmly welcome JBIC’s interest in working closely with the Maharashtra Government to build sustainable, future-ready cities and unlock new business opportunities for both nations,” he said.

He highlighted Maharashtra’s strong opportunities for Japanese green investment, particularly in urban mobility and EV buses.

Fadnavis, during his meeting with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, said the discussion focused on strategies to unlock the potential of a green industrial corridor in Maharashtra to attract global investment, along with initiatives to digitise MSMEs to enhance competitiveness and drive export growth.

“Our continued collaboration will support Maharashtra’s sustained growth and development through strategic and impactful initiatives,” he added.

He also met David Burt, Premier of Bermuda, saying that “Our conversation went beyond policy, reflecting shared aspirations for inclusive growth, innovation, and people-to-people ties. Shared Maharashtra’s readiness to collaborate with global partners who believe in trust, transparency, and long-term value creation. Such engagements reaffirm the power of dialogue in shaping strong international partnerships.”

The Chief Minister said that Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen appreciated Maharashtra and expressed gratitude for the ease of doing business in the State under his leadership and team.

“They are also expanding the business with huge increased investments,” he said.

–IANS

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According to the press report, the accused lured the victim, who had gone to collect wood, by offering her a guava and took her to a room near the garden, where he committed the crime. The girl was reported missing by her family on August 26, and her body was recovered two days later, on August 28, from a tree in the waterlogged garden.

Taking note of the media report, the apex human rights body observed that the contents, if true, raise serious concerns of human rights violations. The NHRC has issued notices to the Bihar Director General of Police and the Patna District Magistrate, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks, including information on any compensation provided to the next of kin of the deceased.

Based on CCTV footage, the Bihar Police said that the girl was raped and then murdered, and the accused, Bhola Rai (48), who committed the crime, has been arrested.

Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC, an autonomous statutory body, is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights. Its primary role is to protect and promote human rights, defined as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

The apex human rights body has the power to take suo motu (on its own motion) action based on media reports, public knowledge or other sources, without receiving a formal complaint of human rights violations.

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Vote for Bihar’s future: Leaders make last-minute appeals ahead of first phase polling

New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS) As the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 begins Thursday, top political leaders from across the spectrum took to social media platforms to urge voters to turn out in large numbers, framing the day as crucial for the state’s future.

RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav made a heartfelt appeal to the people of Bihar, especially first-time voters, women, farmers, traders, and students, to exercise their democratic right.

“My salutations to all the fate-makers of Bihar. Today is an important day for voting. The future destiny of Bihar will be determined by the single button you press,” Yadav posted.

“I appeal to all voters — GEN-Z voting for the first time, mothers and sisters, traders, farmers, migrants, students, and every citizen — to vote under all circumstances. Bihar will prosper only when you all vote,” he added.

“Your vote will create the right opportunity for Bihar’s progress. Vote first, remember, all other work later,” Yadav wrote, calling voting a duty towards democracy and humanity.

Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, chief of the Jan Suraaj Party, urged voters to choose change over legacy politics, asserting that the people finally have an alternative.

“For years, people in Bihar had to vote for BJP due to lack of choice or against Lalu Ji out of fear,” Kishor said.

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The BJP’s Bihar unit, too, made a series of posts appealing to voters, focusing on development and welfare promises.

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–IANS

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Schoolgirls hospitalised after miscreants throw chemical-laced colours during Holi in Karnataka’s Gadag

Gadag (Karnataka), March 14 (IANS) In a shocking incident, at least seven schoolgirls were hospitalised after a gang of miscreants poured chemical-laced colours on them while celebrating Holi in Lakshmeshwar town of Gadag district of Karnataka, on Friday.

Out of the seven schoolgirls, the condition of four girls turned critical as they developed breathlessness and chest pain. They were shifted to the Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) for further treatment, while the remaining girls are receiving treatment at the local government hospital in Lakshmeshwar, according to the preliminary information.

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According to the police, the schoolgirls were waiting at the bus stand near Suvarnagiri Tanda, Lakshmeshwar town, to board a bus and go to school as all of them were supposed to write their exams today.

A gang of miscreants arrived on bikes, stopped near the bus stand, and began throwing colours at them. As the school bus arrived in time, the girls managed to board it. However, the gang chased the bus on bikes, boarded the vehicle, and specifically targeted the seven schoolgirls, pouring chemical-laced colours on them, sources said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the liquid contained a mixture of cow dung, eggs, phenol, and colours. Upon exposure, the girls unknowingly ingested small amounts of the substance, causing them to experience breathlessness and other symptoms.

The students fell sick and were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

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The accused managed to escape on bikes, and the police are gathering information from locals and other passengers on the school bus to track them down. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the case.

–IANS

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