
Biotech startups surged from 50 to 11,000 in one decade: Jitendra Singh
Empower your mind, elevate your skills
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh Monday called for a wider public understanding and inclusive participation in India's biotechnology mission, stating that every Indian is a stakeholder in the country's bioeconomy.Speaking here during the nationwide celebration of World Bioproduct Day - The BioE3 Way, Singh reiterated the government's commitment to realising a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.The minister said that India's biotechnology ecosystem has grown from just around 50 start-ups a decade ago to nearly 11,000, a leap made possible by policy backing and institutional partnerships.Singh said the BioE3 Policy lays the groundwork for India to lead in sustainable bio-manufacturing by aligning bioeconomy goals with environmental sustainability, economic growth, and equity. Bioproducts aren't limited to laboratories anymore. They're about livelihoods, from biodegradable packaging to eco-friendly personal care, from rural employment to green jobs," he said.He said that the future industrial revolution will be driven by bioeconomy, and India has taken the lead.Singh also drew attention to the disparity in India's past policy priorities, especially in agriculture, which he said was historically informed by Western models.Stressing the untapped potential of India's natural resources and traditional knowledge systems, he said, "Foreign researchers come to India for what they don't have - our resources and diversity. We should learn to value them first."
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United News of India
39 minutes ago
- United News of India
Think twice before messing with Marathi: Maha Cong chief
Mumbai, July 15 (UNI) While calling for preservation of Marathi language, culture and identity, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal today said that everyone in Maharashtra is Marathi and warned that anyone who tries to mess with it, will have to face them. Speaking at the "We are Marathi, We are Indian' workshop organised by the Congress in Mira-Bhayandar town of neighbouring Thane district, he said that Marathi must be preserved—not just because it is a language, but because it is a culture, an identity and the spirit of Maharashtra. Congress is not opposed to Hindi language but strongly resists the compulsory imposition of a third language, he said. "However, vandalism and violence in the name of Marathi will not be tolerated. We will not resort to violence; instead, we will teach and preserve Marathi. Everyone in Maharashtra is Marathi anyone who tries to mess with it, will have to face us," he warned. Speaking further, Sapkal said the forced promotion of Hindi originates from former RSS chief Golwalkar's book 'Bunch of Thoughts'. Mentioning that the BJP and the RSS do not respect the Indian Constitution, he said that India is known for unity in diversity, but the BJP wants to impose the idea of One Nation, One Election, One Language. "This toxic ideology stems from a Bunch of Thoughts. BJP and RSS aim to push the narrative of Hindi, Hindutva, and Hindu Rashtra. It is with this intent that the BJP government has deliberately triggered this controversy," he alleged. Explaining the choice of Mira Road as the venue for the event, Sapkal said, "... This is a battle of ideas. I have come to Mira Road to assert: 'We are Marathi, We are Indian'. Saying 'I won't speak Marathi' is sheer arrogance, but assaulting someone for not speaking Marathi is equally wrong." The forced imposition of Hindi will damage the education system, and could even lead to the repeal of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, he added. UNI SP SS


News18
40 minutes ago
- News18
7,000 Afghans Being Relocated To UK Due To 'Massive' Data Breach. Here's What Happened
Last Updated: In a massive blunder, the personal data of 20,000 Afghan nationals seeking to apply for relocation to the UK was leaked by the British Army, prompting them to form a secret scheme. Nearly 7,000 Afghan nationals will be relocated to the United Kingdom after a massive data breach by the British military exposed the personal information of close to 20,000 individuals, endangering them and their families. The British Army is believed to have caused a massive blunder, which is estimated at around £7 billion ($9.1 billion), according to local media reports. Details of the blunder will be known publicly after a judge lifted a super injunction sought by the government. So far, 4,500 Afghans have arrived in the UK, and a further 600 people and their immediate families are yet to arrive, the BBC reported. The existence of the leak and scheme was kept secret after the government obtained a super injunction. The government revealed on Tuesday that the secret scheme – called the Afghan Relocation Route – had cost £400 million ($520 million) and is expected to cost a further £400-450 million. The scheme is being closed down, but relocation offers already made will be offered. What Happened? After the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government, the new establishment regards anyone who worked with British or other foreign forces during the previous two decades as a traitor. The UK government set up a programme to rapidly process applications to move Afghans to the UK, although it came under heavy criticism. In February 2022, a British defence official mistakenly released the details of thousands of Afghan nationals. The Ministry learned of the breach in August 2023 and created a new resettlement scheme after nine months. A source told Sky News that a small number of people on the list are known to have been killed, although it was not clear if this was a direct result of the data breach. It is also not confirmed whether the Taliban has the list, but the Ministry of Defence had lost control of the information. What Did UK Govt Say? Speaking in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary John Healey offered a 'sincere apology" to those whose details had been included in the leak. He said the leak was a result of a spreadsheet being emailed 'outside of authorised government systems", which was a 'serious departmental error". However, Healey told MPs an independent review had found it was 'highly unlikely" an individual would have been targeted solely because of it, and that the review judged the secret scheme to be an 'extremely significant intervention" given the 'potentially limited" risk posed by the leak. However, the data leak evoked serious concerns over the lives of the concerned Afghan nationals. 'This is an incredibly serious data breach, which the Ministry of Defence has repeatedly tried to hide from the British public," said Adnan Malik, head of data protection at Barings Law, a firm representing around 1,000 of the victims. 'It involved the loss of personal and identifying information about Afghan nationals who have helped British forces to defeat terrorism and support security and stability in the region. A total of around 20,000 individuals have been affected, putting them and their loved ones at serious risk of violence from opponents and armed groups." view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 18:19 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Yogi govt takes step to curb fertilizer smuggling from UP districts to Nepal
1 2 3 Lucknow: CM Yogi Adityanath's strict directions to curb black-marketing and pilferage of fertiliser prompted the agriculture department to step up vigilance at the international border, where sporadic incidents of alleged smuggling of urea are often reported. The focus, sources said, is essentially on seven Nepal-bordering districts, Pilibhit, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj. The price of urea in Nepal is almost 10 times higher than in India. A 25 kg urea sack in India costs around Rs 266. This, however, soars to over Rs 2500, a top official in the agriculture department said, requesting anonymity. The stark price differential has created a lucrative black market, tempting local networks to siphon subsidised fertiliser meant for Indian farmers. "Our top priority is to step up vigilance at the international border (Nepal border)," the official said. He revealed that incidents of fertilisers being transported clandestinely on bicycles recently came to notice. Likewise, strict monitoring has been ordered in 28 districts, including Saharanpur, Bareilly, GB Nagar, Ghaziabad, Banda, Lalitpur, Mathura, and Chandauli, which border other states. The challenge, not surprisingly, potentially highlights systemic vulnerabilities: porous borders, insufficient local monitoring, and the need for better coordination between agriculture, border security, and intelligence units. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo It also calls for increased digital tracking of fertiliser movement and strengthening the cooperative societies and BPACS involved in distribution, many of which remain non-operational due to a lack of manpower. A recent govt order issued by principal secretary (agriculture), Ravindra, highlights the concern. The GO addressed to all DMs of the seven districts bordering Nepal suggested steps to check the smuggling of fertilisers from the international border. Ravindra emphasised disallowing registration certificates for fertiliser sales within 5 km of the international border. He also stressed establishing strong coordination with police and the state investigation bureau to take strict action against anti-social elements engaged in pilferage of fertilisers. Fertiliser is covered under the Essential Commodity Act 1955, which aims to control the production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce in certain commodities in the interest of the public. The state govt has also asked the agriculture, police, and administrative authorities to beef up inspections by forming dedicated teams and keeping a hawk eye on the movement of fertilisers through border check posts. At the same time, the agriculture department has been asked to validate the requirement of fertilisers at the district level. A senior official said that a close watch is being kept on the "unusually high" sale of fertilisers in the districts.