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| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (102803) | |
2631. Meghalaya: Shillong's Concert Boom Drives ₹4,000 Crore Tourism Investment
- On February 10, 2025, the Meghalaya government announced a ₹4,000 crore investment in tourism infrastructure, leveraging Shillong’s booming live music scene to boost economic growth. The city, known as India’s "Rock Capital", has evolved into a major concert destination, attracting both tourists and investors.
- The city's rise as a music hub has significantly benefitted hotels, restaurants, and transport services, especially during high-profile concerts. Shillong has previously hosted performances by Bryan Adams, Akon, and Clean Bandit, and is now set to welcome Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour, Mr. Big’s Farewell Tour, and Nick Carter’s Who I Am World Tour in February 2025. These events are expected to further boost local businesses and drive tourism-related revenue. The Cherry Blossom Festival’s success has already demonstrated Shillong’s potential as a leading cultural tourism destination.
- To support the growing influx of visitors, the government is expanding Shillong Airport’s runway to accommodate larger aircraft from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The investment plan includes the development of new hotels, homestays, and event venues to sustain the growing demand. Additionally, the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) is providing performance opportunities and financial support to local musicians, ensuring that homegrown talent benefits from the city’s concert-driven economy.
Click here to find 103 similar incidents of North East India -> Tourism Industry
2632. Meghalaya: Mobile App to Revolutionise Domestic Worker Employment Launches at NEHU
- On February 11, 2025, a groundbreaking mobile application named "Maidful" was launched at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to connect domestic workers with employers, addressing concerns over job security, fair wages, and employment transparency. The app, which operates in Khasi and English, aims to formalise domestic employment and improve conditions for workers.
- Developed through a collaboration between NEHU’s Department of Nanotechnology and IIT Bhilai, the app was funded under an IBITF project. It features profile verification for both employers and workers, ensuring safety, transparency, and structured hiring processes. The bilingual interface makes job opportunities accessible to a wider population. Principal Investigator Davidson Pyngrope highlighted that employers can browse profiles based on specific requirements, while domestic workers can secure stable and fair employment.
- The outreach programme at NEHU attracted 40 domestic workers from surrounding villages, allowing for community feedback and app refinements.
Click here to find 45 similar incidents of North East India -> Employment Generation
2633. In Five Years, No Industries in J&K Found Violating Pollution Control Norms
- On February 11, 2025, official data confirmed that no industries in Jammu & Kashmir have been found violating pollution control norms in the last five years, reflecting successful pollution reduction efforts in the region. This progress is part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019 to improve air and water quality by regulating vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and waste management.
- Water quality monitoring has been actively conducted across 124 locations, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater sources, ensuring pollution sources are identified and addressed. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) oversee regular industrial inspections to ensure compliance with emission and waste disposal standards. Air quality has also improved significantly—PM10 levels in Jammu have dropped from 170 µg/m³ in 2021-22 to 101 µg/m³ in 2023-24, while in Srinagar, levels improved from 111 µg/m³ to 96 µg/m³. While still above the national standard of 60 µg/m³, these improvements mark steady progress in reducing air pollution.
- The implementation of BS-VI fuel norms, promotion of electric vehicles, industrial transition to cleaner fuels, prevention of open waste burning, and adoption of mechanical road sweepers have played a vital role in pollution reduction. Construction sites are now closely monitored for dust control, and awareness campaigns educate citizens on maintaining clean air. Despite progress, traffic congestion and construction dust remain challenges, with the government aiming for a 40% reduction in pollution levels by 2025-26 to make the air even cleaner.
2634. IIT Madras and ISRO develop SHAKTI-based semiconductor chip under Make in India
- On February 11, 2025, India is swiftly achieving excellence in the technologies of future. With the successful development of indigenous semiconductor chips in aerospace applications, India is now standing at the forefront.
- . The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joined hands in the development of the chip. The chip, named IRIS (Indigenous RISC-V Controller for Space Applications), is based on the SHAKTI microprocessor and is part of India’s push for self-reliance in semiconductor technology.
- The SHAKTI microprocessor project is led by Professor V Kamakoti at the Prathap Subrahmanyam Centre for Digital Intelligence and Secure Hardware Architecture (PSCDISHA), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras.
2635. Adani Defence & Aerospace, DRDO Unveil Vehicle-Mounted Counter-Drone System
- On February 11, 2025, Adani Defence and Aerospace in collaboration with DRDO unveiled India's Vehicle-Mounted Counter-Drone System at Aero India.
- Dr B K Das, Director General (Electronics & Communication System) of DRDO launched the platform in the presence of defence experts, and industry partners. It features a high-energy laser system for precise drone neutralization, a 7.62 mm gun for aerial threat engagement, and advanced radar, SIGINT, electro-optical sensors, and jammers for real-time target acquisition, tracking, and neutralisation within a range of 10 km.
- The Vehicle-Mounted Counter-Drone System ensures long-range protection, agility, and precision, making it a formidable asset for modern defence forces. It offers seamless protection through advanced sensor capabilities, including automatic detection, classification, and neutralisation of drones," it said in a statement
2636. Isro and IIT Madras develop indigenous semiconductor chip
- On 11 february 2025 the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have achieved a breakthrough in indigenous technology with the successful development and booting of an aerospace-quality, SHAKTI-based semiconductor chip.
- The ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications) chip was developed from the ‘SHAKTI’ processor baseline. It can be used in IoT and compute systems.
- This development is part of ISRO's effort to indigenise semiconductors for its applications, command and control systems, and critical functions, aligning with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in space technologies.
- The project is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, under the ‘Digital India RISC-V’ initiative (DIRV), promoting indigenous development of microprocessor-based products with best-in-class security and visibility for users adopting RISC-V technology.
2637. BEML & STX Engine forge strategic partnership for Advanced Defence & Marine Engine Solutions
- On 11 february 2025 Bharat Earth Movers Limited , a leading Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a strategic partnership with STX Engine, a renowned South Korean company, to co-develop, manufacture, and market Battle Tank engines, marine engines, spares, and engine aggregates
- .The agreement also includes servicing and maintenance of engine components to cater to Indian defence needs while exploring export opportunities to friendly nations.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between Shri Shantanu Roy, CMD, BEML Ltd., and Mr. Sangsu Lee, President & CEO, STX Engine, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations
- "This collaboration is a testament to BEML’s commitment to strengthening India’s indigenous defence and maritime capabilities, in line with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’
2638. Arunachal: Namsai's Golden Pagoda Marathon Attracts Global Athletes, Promotes Fitness and Tourism
- On February 10, 2025, the Golden Pagoda Marathon Tropical Namsai 2025 was successfully held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, drawing athletes and fitness enthusiasts from India and abroad. The event has positioned Namsai as an emerging hub for adventure sports and tourism.
- Organized by Edify Sports in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department, the marathon aimed to promote fitness, cultural exchange, and economic growth. It witnessed participation from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and various parts of India, making it a global sporting event. Deputy Chief Minister flagged off the race at the Golden Pagoda, highlighting the government’s focus on fitness and sports development to inspire youth and combat addiction through active engagement in athletics.
- The marathon hosted 952 participants across four race categories: 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, and a 5 km fun run, attracting professional athletes, local runners, and students. The event also incorporated eco-friendly practices by collaborating with Nature’s Orbit Collective Foundation to ensure a zero-waste, plastic-free race. In line with its sports development agenda, the state government is investing in new football stadiums and strengthening partnerships with football organizations to expand Arunachal Pradesh’s presence in competitive sports.
Click here to find 103 similar incidents of North East India -> Tourism Industry
2639. Union Budget 2025-26: SARDP-Northeast Budget Proposal Rs 19,499 Crore
- On 10th february sentinel reported that the Union Government proposed an allocation of ₹19,499.09 crore in the Union Budget 2025-26 under the Special Accelerated Road Development Program (SARDP-Northeast) to improve road infrastructure across the Northeast region (NER). The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will oversee these projects, aimed at enhancing regional and border connectivity.
- The funding is divided into two components: ₹11,000 crore from the National Investment Fund and ₹8,499.09 crore under Gross Budgetary Support (GBS). These funds will be used for the development of national highways, frontier highways in Arunachal Pradesh, capital and district connectivity, and improving roads leading to international borders. The GBS ensures that at least 10% of the total budget of central ministries is allocated to NER’s infrastructure projects.
- Compared to the ₹19,445 crore allocated in 2024-25, the budget for 2025-26 has been increased by ₹54.09 crore, reflecting the government's continued commitment to modernizing the Northeast’s transport infrastructure. This increase is expected to boost economic activities, improve trade routes, and enhance accessibility in the region.
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2640. DoNER Ministry teams up with Amazon to boost bamboo trade
- On February 10, 2025, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) announced a collaboration with Amazon and two other companies to explore market opportunities for bamboo in domestic and international markets. This initiative aims to boost the bamboo trade, support self-help groups (SHGs), and promote value-added bamboo products.
- Union Minister highlighted that 38% of India’s bamboo production comes from the Northeast, making it a key resource for industries like furniture manufacturing. He stated that Tripura and Nagaland would serve as pilot states for end-to-end bamboo processing, with plans for expanding exports to Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. DoNER Secretary emphasized that the government is focused on enhancing product quality, facilitating aggregation for farmers, and ensuring access to international markets.
- The ministry’s partnership with Amazon and other firms will enable Northeast-based SHGs to design and market world-class bamboo products, including furniture and boards. The initiative seeks to capture the domestic market first, followed by international expansion, with a vision to position Indian bamboo products as a competitive export commodity.
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