Maha CM calls emerging technologies key to India’s youth

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Wardha, Oct 17 (IANS) Emphasising the transformative potential of modern higher education, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday delivered a compelling address at the 17th Ceremonial Convocation of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research (AIHER) in Sawangi (Meghe).

Speaking to a gathering of distinguished academicians, institutional leaders, and graduating students, CM Fadnavis outlined a vision for strengthening Maharashtra’s knowledge economy through multidisciplinary learning, strategic innovation, and targeted medical research.

CM Fadnavis highlighted key emerging technologies—specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, and Quantum Computing—as primary catalysts that will redefine every sphere of modern life. He stressed that institutions of higher learning must evolve continuously to keep pace with global technological advancements.

“Universities and educational institutions must fully embrace innovation until they become true hubs of cutting-edge research,” CM Fadnavis stated, calling for public-private partnerships to strengthen the state’s educational infrastructure and academic output.

Turning his attention to the healthcare sector, CM Fadnavis underscored the urgent need for medical research and innovation to combat the global rise of non-communicable diseases.

He made a strong case for targeted research on Cancer and Diabetes while focusing on the integration of advanced medical technologies and the cultivation of empathy and compassion in care.

He identified the surge in diabetes and cancer cases as a major public health challenge. While asserting that scientific breakthroughs are vital for developing effective cures, he reminded medical graduates that technical prowess must be complemented by empathy and human compassion in patient care.

Highlighting a milestone for the institution, CM Fadnavis praised the academic achievements of the graduating cohort, noting that female students secured nearly 80 per cent of the convocation medals.

Describing this accomplishment as noteworthy, he stated that women’s leadership and excellence will serve as a cornerstone in achieving the nation’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The high-profile convocation marked a historic chapter for AIHER. During the ceremony, CM Fadnavis was formally conferred with an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree in recognition of his public service and governance.

CM Fadnavis commended AIHER for its legacy of extending high-quality education, medical research, and professional opportunities from rural Vidarbha to the national stage.

–IANS

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Security forces demolish 12 Maoist memorials in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Raipur/Bijapur, Feb 17 (IANS) Security forces conducted multiple successful operations in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, demolishing a total of 12 illegal Maoist memorials as part of the ongoing efforts to eradicate Maoist influence and promote peace in the region, officials said.

In one key action during area domination in the Pillur forest, personnel from the CRPF Battalion located seven Maoist memorials near the villages of Bade Kakler and Pulgundam.

The team established a strong cordon and carried out a thorough search of the area.

Alert soldiers recovered two beer bottle IEDs filled with cordex wire close to the Maoist memorials.

The Battalion’s bomb disposal squad safely neutralised and destroyed the IEDs on the spot.

Following this, all seven Maoist memorials at the locations were completely demolished.

Separately, under the Gangaloor police station area, troops from the CRPF Battalion razed a 12-foot tall Maoist memorial constructed in the Mallur forest.

Additionally, during area domination operations by the CRPF 222 Battalion in the same Gangaloor police station jurisdiction, security forces demolished three Maoist memorials near Palanar village and one in Peddakorma village.

These actions form part of a broader strategy to eliminate all symbolic structures, insignia, and remnants of Maoist violence that have been used to instill fear among villagers, pressure local populations, and maintain organisational influence over Maoist cadres.

By systematically identifying and legally destroying these monuments and symbols of violent ideology, security forces aim to send a strong message against Maoist propaganda and dominance.

The demolition of such structures goes beyond physical removal, serving to break the psychological hold of fear on local communities and reinforce the legitimate presence of government and administration.

Officials emphasised that these measures prevent Maoists from re-establishing symbols of intimidation in the future, fostering an environment of lasting peace, trust, and development in the Bastar division.

This intensified campaign aligns with the Union government’s commitment to completely eradicate Naxalism through sustained anti-Maoist operations, ensuring the region is freed from extremist influence and opens up for progress and security.

Similar drives have seen dozens of memorials razed across Bijapur, Sukma, and Bastar in recent weeks, backed by local inputs and strategic mapping.

–IANS

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RSS concludes annual meet in Belagavi, confident of embezzlement probe reaching a turning point

Belagavi (Karnataka), July 12 (IANS) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday voiced confidence that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple “will reach a turning point”, during the conclusion of its annual ‘Akhil Bharatiya Pranth Pracharak’ meeting in Karnataka’s Belagavi.

The top RSS leadership also expressed “deep anguish” over the alleged financial irregularities in the counting of offerings from the Ram temple’s donation boxes.

In a post on X, the Sangh said: “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s annual ‘Akhil Bharatiya Pranth Pracharak’ meeting concluded today in Belagavi, Karnataka. The meeting was attended by 226 functionaries, including the revered Sarsanghchalak (chief) Dr. Mohan Bhagwat ji and the esteemed Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale ji.”

It mentioned that the meeting reviewed the training camps conducted at various levels of the Sangh after March 2026.

“This year, a total of 83 ‘Sangh Shiksha Vargs’ and 12 ‘Karyakarta Vikas Vargs’ were held across the country, in which a total of 18,842 ‘swayamsevaks’ received training on subjects including ‘shakha’ management, Sangh work methodology, rural development, family awakening, disaster management, environment, and more.”

It further said, “The meeting discussed in detail the implementation of action plans at the ‘shakha’ level and also deliberated on the plan for maximum ‘shakha’ expansion in the month of September. Additionally, there was a review of the programs completed during the centenary year and planning for the remaining scheduled programs.”

The Sangh further said that the discussions were held on strategies to actively engage people who came into contact through various centenary year programs in “social work and the fivefold transformation”.

The meeting also discussed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s travel plan for the year 2026-27.

Moreover, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh underlined that the meeting addressed various topics related to the current scenario, primarily including information in the context of the census and challenges arising from demographic imbalances.

“There was concern over the growing adverse effects of drugs, along with the need for prioritized efforts toward de-addiction, and discussions on planning programs for the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Maharaj ji,” it mentioned in the post.

Regarding the probe into the alleged irregularities of Ram Temple donations, it said, “During the meeting, all attendees expressed sorrow over the incident of irregularity in the counting of donations in the donation box at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and voiced confidence that the ongoing SIT and police action, in response to the request from the Tirtha Kshetra Nyas, will reach a decisive stage.

“The expectation from the Tirtha Kshetra Nyas is to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future that strikes at the deep faith and devotion of all ‘Ram bhakts’ toward the Ram Mandir,” it added.

–IANS

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IndiGo cancels 12 flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Kerala airports

Kochi, Dec 6 (IANS) Even as IndiGo cancelled more than 200 flights on Saturday as well, it disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of passengers in Kerala, including patients and Sabarimala pilgrims.

At least 12 flights were cancelled on Saturday at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Cochin International Airport as part of the nationwide disruption, local media reports said.

Accordingly, as many as nine flights, including international flights in Thiruvananthapuram and three in Kochi were cancelled, the reports added.

Several passengers complained about the rude behaviour of the IndiGo officials and said that the refund would take at least two days, adding to their woes.

Margaret, a heart patient and resident of Kochi, was left stranded at Kochi airport for more than 17 hours and said on Saturday that the airline is yet to respond to her appeals to inform the flight to the US about the cancellation.

She had to travel to the US from Kochi on Friday. Her British Airways flight to the US was scheduled from Mumbai on Friday night, and IndiGo was the connecting flight arranged by British Airways.

Margaret said that British Airways could make alternate arrangements only if IndiGo informed them about the cancellation.

“It showed as delayed, not cancelled, and British Airways could not make an alternate arrangement. IndiGo authorities informed me this morning about the cancellation and said British Airways will contact me for the next move,” she said, adding that she is yet to receive an update from the airline regarding her connecting and US flights.

A passenger at Thiruvananthapuram airport said that she received the information about the cancellation from IndiGo only after reaching the airport.

“I am going to Chandigarh via Mumbai. The airline informed me about the cancellation only after I reached the airport,” she added.

A 75-year-old passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport said that the IndiGo officials told him that the flight had been cancelled and asked him to collect the refund, adding that this is not the way to deal with a passenger in such a crisis period.

On Saturday, IndiGo reportedly cancelled more than 200 flights, worsening the air travel crisis even as thousands of passengers remained stranded at airports across the country awaiting their departures.

The disruption followed a similar spell of more than 1,000 cancellations by IndiGo in the past couple of days, which had already unsettled travel schedules nationwide.

In response to the growing pressure on domestic travel, Indian Railways announced temporary measures, including additional coaches on select routes, to help ease passenger movement during the crisis.

— IANS

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