&w=3840&q=100)
If India becomes strong in every sector, world will listen to it: Gadkari
The road transport and highways minister was addressing a gathering at a programme to mark 'Akhand Bharat Sankalp Din' organised by the Rashtra Nirman Samiti (social organisation) in Nagpur.
"We recall this day because on this day in 1947, the country was divided into two - India and Pakistan. We all as a mission accept that our country's partition was unnatural, and one day our country will become 'akhand' (unified), this is the resolve we take today in this programme," he said.
Gadkari praised India's unity in diversity and also lauded the country's armed forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to make India a 5 trillion-dollar economy, the third largest economy of the world as well as "atmanirbhar" and "vishwaguru", he noted, adding all these resolutions will be achieved with efforts of every Indian.
" If we become strong in every sector, then certainly the world will listen to us. Those who are strong in economics, defence, science and technology and those who are progressing in agriculture and business, and a country whose citizens are patriots and cultured, that country can only become vishwaguru," he said.
Gadkari praised the Rashtra Nirman Samiti for invoking the thought of "Akhand Bharat" among the people.
"When we are taking the resolution for 'Akhand Bharat' today, we should also resolve to make a super power country which is progressive, prosperous and powerful," he said.
Gadkari also raised concerns over road accidents, and underlined the importance of creating awareness among the youth about following the road safety rules.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
7 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Telcos' operating profit likely to grow 12-14% this fiscal on data surge: Crisil Ratings
Synopsis India's telecom industry is projected to see a 12–14% rise in operating profit, reaching ₹1.55 lakh crore in FY26, driven by higher data consumption and rising ARPU, Crisil Ratings said. ARPU is set to rise to ₹220–225 from ₹205, aided by 5G rollout and premium data plans. Lower capex post-5G rollout is expected to boost free cash flow to ₹70,000 crore, improving credit profiles. ANI The operating profit of telecom companies in India is expected to grow 12-14 per cent to about Rs 1.55 lakh crore this fiscal, driven by more data consumption and rise in average revenue per user, Crisil Ratings said on Monday. The "robust" operating performance, along with declining capital expenditure intensity of leading players post 5G rollout, is seen improving free cash flow, supporting credit profiles of leading players in the industry. The telecom industry benefits from high operating leverage, Crisil Ratings said adding that its analysis suggests that every Re 1 increase in ARPU adds Rs 850-950 crore to the industry's operating profit. "Operating profit (Ebitdar or Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and payment of lease rentals) of India's telecom companies will grow a strong 12-14 per cent to about Rs 1.55 lakh crore this fiscal, driven by surging data consumption and a consequent increase in the average revenue per user (ARPU)," Crisil Ratings said in a release. The analysis of three telcos, with about 93 per cent of subscriber market share, indicates as much, it added. The operating profit metrics last fiscal, grew at about 17 per cent, lifted predominantly due to tariff hikes. This fiscal, however, the growth will be supported by strong intrinsic factors, as per Crisil Ratings. ARPU is expected to climb to Rs 220-225 this fiscal from Rs 205 last fiscal, largely on account of rising data consumption, according to Anand Kulkarni, Director of Crisil Ratings. "Wider availability of 5G network, with penetration expected to touch 45-47 per cent by March 2026 from about 35 per cent as of March 2025, is fuelling data consumption for applications such as social media, video streaming, gaming, generative artificial intelligence and digital marketing," Kulkarni said. The data usage is expected to increase to 31-32 GB in FY26 from about 27 GB in the previous fiscal. "Additionally, the Indian telcos have been rebalancing their offerings by reducing plans with low data limit or offering 5G services only on plans offering higher data limit. This trend is expected to move consumers to premium plans, boosting telco ARPU," Kulkarni added. With rising demand for data-driven services, telcos have introduced premium plans that bundle over-the-top (OTT) services, a strategy that also helps telcos upselling and raise their ARPUs. Moreover, internet penetration in rural and semi-urban areas is expected to increase by 4-5 per cent rising to 82 per cent by fiscal 2026. Users shifting from voice-only plans to data plans will further boost ARPU. Typically, a voice-only plan with validity of 28 days is priced about Rs 100 lower than an entry level data plan of the same validity. Increase in ARPU results in surge in operating profit, given that about 60 per cent of the overall cost of telcos are fixed in nature, Crisil Ratings explained. "Thus, telecom industry benefits from high operating leverage and our analysis suggests that every Re 1 increase in ARPU adds Rs 850-950 crore to the industry Ebitdar," it said. The expansion in operating profit will also improve free cash flow because of lower capex requirements. Nitin Bansal, Associate Director, Crisil Ratings noted that capex intensity, at 31 per cent average over the past two fiscals, is expected to moderate to 24-26 per cent this fiscal as a large part of 5G network rollout has been completed by the leading telcos. Further, most of the spectrum purchase was completed in fiscal 2023 and next significant spectrum renewal are due in 2030. "This will result in healthy operating free cash flow of around Rs 70,000 crore this fiscal, a large part of which will likely be utilised for debt reduction," Bansal said. As a result, net leverage is estimated at about 2.7 times this fiscal, a cool off from 3.4 times in fiscal 2025. "This augurs well for the credit profiles, especially for the leading telcos," Bansal added. Crisil Ratings' assessment does not factor in any tariff hike this fiscal and the release added that any tariff hike will have an upside for ARPU, resulting in further improvement in free cash flows this fiscal and the next.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
9 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US immigrant population falls by 2.2 million as Trump fuels fear: Decoded
Immigrant population in the United States may have dropped by roughly 2 million people in the first six months of the year, according to new government data. The figures offer an early signal that President Donald Trump's latest immigration crackdown could already be reshaping the numbers. Steven Camarota, director of research at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, said in an analysis the estimated decline of 2.2 million foreign-born people in the Current Population Survey was the largest single-year drop in three decades. 'Either something has fundamentally changed in America, or the response rate has dramatically changed,' he said. Demographers suggest it could be both. But they also caution that the data has its limits. What do the recent immigration numbers show? An analysis of raw data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey suggests the total foreign-born population fell by 2.2 million between January and July. Camarota and Karen Zeigler of CIS wrote that illegal immigrants may account for 1.6 million of that decline, citing evidence of increased out-migration and tighter enforcement. 'We preliminarily estimate that the number of illegal immigrants has fallen by 1.6 million in just the last six months,' they explained. Findings from their analysis include: 1. A total fall of 2.2 million foreign-born people, the steepest six-month decline recorded in the survey's history 2. All of the decline was among non-citizens, while the number of naturalised US citizens rose slightly 3. A 10 per cent reduction in the estimated illegal immigrant population, taking it to 14.2 million 4. A one million fall in employed foreign-born workers between January and July, alongside an increase of 2.5 million US-born workers Why are experts questioning the data? Julia Gelatt, associate director of US immigration policy at the Migration Policy Institute, said many households might now be fearful of admitting they are non-citizens. 'Because of the atmosphere – the mass deportation campaigns, the constant announcements – immigrants might be more reticent to answer,' she told USA Today. She added that respondents may be too scared to tell survey takers if they or their household members are immigrants. 'They may be afraid to say they are a noncitizen,' said Gelatt. Jed Kolko, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, agreed that caution was needed. 'Even with fewer immigrants coming to the US and more people leaving or being deported, an annual rate of 4 million is an extraordinary number that is way outside the range of immigration estimates that leading researchers have made,' Kolko told the US-based media outlet. Which Trump policies are driving the decline? The sharp drop in numbers coincides with a series of sweeping policies rolled out since Trump returned to the White House in January. Visa revocations have risen sharply, often over minor infractions. Indian students in particular report their visas being cancelled under scrutiny of SEVIS and OPT programmes. Some holders say they were told to self-deport rather than apply for renewals. A recent poll suggests one in six Indian H-1B visa holders feel threatened with deportation. Expanded enforcement powers under Executive Order 14159 have accelerated removals without court hearings and introduced penalties for undocumented immigrants. Other orders have suspended refugee admissions, restricted birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens, and ended categorical parole programmes, including CBP One appointments. A new law, dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' allocates $45 billion to expand detention through 2029. Alongside this, the Justice Department has been exploring denaturalisation of naturalised citizens linked to alleged fraud or security concerns. Sanctuary cities are also under pressure, with threats of lost federal funding and even suggestions of military intervention if they do not cooperate. Meanwhile, lawmakers say oversight of detention centres has been obstructed by rules requiring one week's notice before visits, a policy now facing a constitutional challenge. What are the limits of the survey? The Current Population Survey samples about 60,000 households each month, compared to the larger American Community Survey that draws on 2 million households. Because of its smaller sample, experts say it may exaggerate shifts in the population. Even Camarota, whose team published the analysis, conceded that stepped-up enforcement could be prompting some foreign-born respondents to avoid the survey or not identify themselves. 'It is possible that the observed decline in the foreign-born was due, at least in part, to a greater reluctance by immigrants to participate,' he wrote.
The Hindu
9 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Lok Sabha discusses Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission: Indian on moon will herald Viksit Bharat in 2040, says Jitendra Singh
An Indian astronaut will herald Viksit Bharat by landing on the moon in 2040, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday (August 18, 2025) as the Lok Sabha took up the discussion on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space sojourn. Initiating a discussion on 'India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station — Critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047', Mr. Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook space sector reforms after assuming office in 2014. Mr. Singh, the Minister of State in the PMO, said after opening up the space sector for private players in 2020, India's space economy has already reached $8 billion and would touch $45 billion in the next decade. Parliament Monsoon Session: Follow highlights on August 18, 2025 He said India will undertake an uncrewed space mission involving a robot 'Vyommitra' in 2026, followed by its maiden human spaceflight – Gaganyaan – in 2027. "India will set up its own Bharat Antariksh Station in 2035 and in 2040, an Indian astronaut will set foot on the moon," Mr. Singh said. "Modi ji's dream of Viksit Bharat in 2047 will be heralded a few years in advance from the moon. An Indian on moon will announce the heralding of Viksit Bharat," Mr. Singh said. The discussion remained inconclusive as the House was adjourned due to vociferous protests by the Opposition. Also Read | Shubhanshu Shukla returns to India; likely to meet PM Modi All Indians proud of Shukla's space mission aboard ISS: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor Congress leader Shashi Tharoor lauded Grp. Capt. Shukla's feat on Monday (August 18, 2025) and said all Indians are proud of his recent mission that will help serve as a powerful symbol of India's ambitions in human spaceflight. He also said Grp. Capt. Shukla's 'historic flight' has inspired a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and space studies — all essential for sustaining India's long-term space goals. 'Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation's own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. 'Shukla's mission provided ISRO invaluable hands-on experience and data that cannot be replicated in simulations. His first-hand observations on pre-launch procedures, spacecraft systems, and the psychological and physiological effects of microgravity are crucial for de-risking and refining the Gaganyaan mission,' Mr. Thaoor said in a post on X. The Congress leader said the mission allowed for the testing of Indian systems and protocols in a real-life space environment. The numerous scientific experiments, including studies on human health in space and plant growth, will provide technological and scientific validation that will directly help design the life-support and medical systems for Gaganyaan, he noted. 'Shukla's mission, conducted in partnership with international agencies, reinforced India's role in global space diplomacy. It demonstrates India's willingness and capability to engage in multilateral space efforts and opens doors for future joint research and investment. 'Commander Shukla's historic flight serves as a powerful symbol of India's ambitions in human spaceflight. It has captured the nation's imagination, inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and space studies — all essential for sustaining India's long-term space goals. Well done!' the former Union Minister said in his post. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier urged the opposition parties to participate in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Grp. Capt. Shukla's successful mission to the ISS and India's strides in the space sector. 'Our hero astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla has returned home after a successful mission to International Space Station. Parliament will honour him with a special discussion on his historic milestone and India's growing space ambitions in our journey towards Viksit Bharat,' Mr. Rijiju said in a post on X. He urged the members to participate in the same spirit as they had during a debate on Operation Sindoor. 'I hope that all the members will celebrate the achievements of the scientists in the same manner in which they lauded the valour of the armed forces in Operation Sindoor,' Mr. Rijiju said. The government has proposed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the subject, 'India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station — Critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047' — to mark Grp. Capt. Shukla's space sojourn.
