
Gadchiroli's Gondwana University to tie up with Australian varsity for new mining courses
Nagpur: In a historic step,
Gondwana University
(GU) will sign a MoU with Australia's
Curtin University
on May 7, to start various three-year diploma courses in mining from this July session. As
Gadchiroli
takes strides towards becoming the next steel city of India, GU is laying the foundation to provide qualified manpower for the mining industry.
With a promised Rs25 crore donation from Lloyds Metal and Energy Ltd, work has already started on the residential facility which will have an annual intake of total 90 students for three diploma courses.
Dr Prashant Bokare, vice-chancellor of Gondwana University said, "We will have an intake of 30 students each for
diploma in mining technology
, steel technology and computer science (related to mining). Approval for the courses has been received from Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) and the curriculum will be prepared with academia-industry partnership."
The curriculum will be jointly designed by Lloyds Metal, Gondwana University and Curtin University. Curtin University runs Western Australia School of Mines (WASM) which offers 17 courses and graduation and post-graduation level specialisations in mining, apart from opportunity to do advanced research in this niche field.
"All our enrolled students will spend six months at WASM. We will then train them for six months at Lloyds Metals. The remaining two years will be in-classroom learning. So, the three years diploma will be a comprehensive academic and experience-oriented course," Bokare said.
The entire project's cost is around Rs200 crore, of which the state govt will fund half. "For the share from the private sector, Lloyds Metal has already committed Rs25 crore. The company's MD B Prabhakaran immediately gave the green signal after hearing about the initiative," Bokare said.

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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
PCMC's 200 crore green municipal bonds listed on BSE; CM and deputies attend ceremony in Mumbai
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Tuesday listed its Rs200 crore green municipal bonds on the Bombay Stock Exchange ( ) in Mumbai. The listing ceremony was attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and state chief secretary Sujata Saunik. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now PCMC has become the first civic body in Maharashtra to raise funds through green municipal bonds, and it is also the first municipal corporation in the country to issue green bonds exclusively for a sustainable mobility project. The funds raised through these bonds will be utilised for the 'Harit Setu' project in Nigdi Pradhikaran and for the sustainable mobility development project from Gawlimatha to Indrayani Nagar Chowk on Telco Road. Both promote non-motorised transport and sustainable development. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis stated that there was a very good response to the green bonds, and they were subscribed within a few minutes. "The strong investor response is a testament to the trust placed in Maharashtra govt and PCMC's governance," he said. He added that the infrastructure built using funds raised through these bonds will help boost sustainability in Pimpri Chinchwad. Last week, the bonds were floated via private placement on the BSE's Electronic Bidding Platform and attracted bids worth Rs513 Crore, oversubscribing the offer by 5.13 times. The bonds were issued at a coupon rate of 7.85% for a period of five years. PCMC commissioner Shekhar Singh said the decision to raise funds through green bonds was taken after past experience when the civic body raised Rs100 Crore through municipal bonds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "For some projects, the funding available from budgeting stretches up to five to six years due to limited resources with the civic body. We were thinking of ways to expedite our projects, and one such option was to have funds available for a two or three-year timeframe. That is where the idea of green bonds came up," he said. He said there has been increasing stress on financial resources that municipal corporations can allocate for different projects, and municipal bonds provide one such option where the civic bodies can leverage their financial strength. Singh said the Harit Setu project is a master plan for the city for the next 10-12 years, and it is a recognition of the fact that traffic congestion is not just about widening roads. "If we do not think of non-motorised or public transport options, I do not think we will be solving the traffic congestion," he said. The project has already won the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycle Infrastructure in 2023, and the civic body has also received a grant of USD 400 from the FICCI challenge for it. Pimpri Chinchwad was the only city from India and was among the nine global cities that won the FICCI award. Singh said that the corporation has also applied for a 25% grant for the Harit Setu project under the Urban Challenge Fund, a Central govt initiative introduced in this year's Union Budget. PCMC is set to become the first municipal body in the country to avail this assistance, having fulfilled the eligibility condition of raising over 50% of the total project cost through instruments like green bonds, he said. Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Tuesday listed its Rs200 crore green municipal bonds on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai. The listing ceremony was attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and state chief secretary Sujata Saunik. PCMC has become the first civic body in Maharashtra to raise funds through green municipal bonds, and it is also the first municipal corporation in the country to issue green bonds exclusively for a sustainable mobility project. The funds raised through these bonds will be utilised for the 'Harit Setu' project in Nigdi Pradhikaran and for the sustainable mobility development project from Gawlimatha to Indrayani Nagar Chowk on Telco Road. Both promote non-motorised transport and sustainable development. Speaking at the event, Fadnavis stated that there was a very good response to the green bonds, and they were subscribed within a few minutes. "The strong investor response is a testament to the trust placed in Maharashtra govt and PCMC's governance," he said. He added that the infrastructure built using funds raised through these bonds will help boost sustainability in Pimpri Chinchwad. Last week, the bonds were floated via private placement on the BSE's Electronic Bidding Platform and attracted bids worth Rs513 Crore, oversubscribing the offer by 5.13 times. The bonds were issued at a coupon rate of 7.85% for a period of five years. PCMC commissioner Shekhar Singh said the decision to raise funds through green bonds was taken after past experience when the civic body raised Rs100 Crore through municipal bonds. "For some projects, the funding available from budgeting stretches up to five to six years due to limited resources with the civic body. We were thinking of ways to expedite our projects, and one such option was to have funds available for a two or three-year timeframe. That is where the idea of green bonds came up," he said. He said there has been increasing stress on financial resources that municipal corporations can allocate for different projects, and municipal bonds provide one such option where the civic bodies can leverage their financial strength. Singh said the Harit Setu project is a master plan for the city for the next 10-12 years, and it is a recognition of the fact that traffic congestion is not just about widening roads. "If we do not think of non-motorised or public transport options, I do not think we will be solving the traffic congestion," he said. The project has already won the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycle Infrastructure in 2023, and the civic body has also received a grant of USD 400 from the FICCI challenge for it. Pimpri Chinchwad was the only city from India and was among the nine global cities that won the FICCI award. Singh said that the corporation has also applied for a 25% grant for the Harit Setu project under the Urban Challenge Fund, a Central govt initiative introduced in this year's Union Budget. PCMC is set to become the first municipal body in the country to avail this assistance, having fulfilled the eligibility condition of raising over 50% of the total project cost through instruments like green bonds, he said.


Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Nifty formed a bullish engulfing candle
With the surprising RBI monetary policy, the Nifty reclaimed the 25000 level, a significant milestone indicating a positive market sentiment. The central bank reduced the repo rate to 5.5 per cent, which further boosted the market. The Nifty gained by 252.35 points or 1.02 per cent last week, reflecting the market's positive response to these developments. The BSE Sensex is up by 0.91 per cent. The Midcap-100 and Small-cap-100 indices outperformed, gaining 2.77 per cent and 3.91 per cent, respectively. On the sectoral front, the Realty is the top gainer with 9.51 per cent, followed by the Metal index with 2.32 per cent. On the downside, the Media is down by 0.32 per cent, and the Nifty IT declined by 0.07 per cent. The India VIX is down by 9 per cent to 14.63. The market breadth is mostly positive. The FIIs were net sellers as they sold Rs3565.88 crore, and the DIIs bought Rs25,513.43 crore worth of equities. After consolidating for 18 days above the 61.8 per cent retracement level, the Nifty sharply bounced to above 25000 levels. The 61.8 per cent retracement level of 24545 has become a rock-solid support. The bears tested it at least seven times in the last three weeks, but their efforts were in vain. The Nifty is still in the defined range of 24500-25100. As the index tested the resistance line, the potential for a breakout is high, especially if it closes above 25116 with a strong move and volume. If the Nifty achieves this, the immediate target is at 25360. In most bull case scenarios, the index may test 25694, which is a 61.8 per cent extension of the recent swings. On a weekly timeframe, the index has formed a bullish engulfing candle, which is positive. The only concern is the volume last week. On an over one per cent advancing day, the volumes are low. Even on a weekly basis, the volumes were lower in the last three weeks. The Nifty holds nine distribution days, which is the highest number in recent times. Any further addition of distribution days means that the bulls are not convinced about Friday's move. The Bollinger Bands are contracted sharply on Friday, marking another rare technical development. During the 2022 correction, the index retraced 80 per cent and consolidated for a period. This time, it is already retraced 75 per cent. Let us wait and see how it will behave this time. The Nifty is facing resistance at the sloping trendline drawn from the all-time high. If it is able to violate decisively, as the underlying is bullish bias, it can test the 25350 and above levels. If a breakout is not a reality, expect more consolidation within the range. The RSI has entered the bullish zone on the weekly and daily time frames, a positive sign. The Weekly MACD is also bullish, further reinforcing the positive outlook. Importantly, there are no divergences visible on any time frame, providing additional reassurance about the market's direction. In the coming week, it's crucial to maintain a positive outlook, given the underlying bullish trend. Waiting for a decisive breakout is the best strategy, as there is no opportunity for a short position. Keep an eye on the many mid and small caps coming out on a weekly basis, as they offer better momentum and relative strength. The interest rate-sensitive stocks may continue to be in the limelight, and the Realty sector stocks are showing more strength. The PSU banks and Financial may continue to outperform, so stay positive and keep a watchful eye on these sectors. (The author is partner, Wealocity Analytics, Sebi-registered research analyst, chief mentor, Indus School of Technical Analysis, financial journalist, technical analyst and trainer)


Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business Standard
Hinduja Family Philanthropy: 250% Crop Yield Surge with Watershed Initiatives
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 6: Small farmers in rural West Bengal's core are experiencing a dramatic change due to the efforts of water management by the Hinduja Foundation (philanthropic arm of the Hinduja family). This farsighted plan has remarkably enhanced agricultural productivity, thereby creating an astonishing 250% increase in crop yields in a very short span of time. This outstanding achievement is the outcome of focused watershed interventions, designed in partnership with the Ambuja Foundation, that have been made to enhance water supply, improve soil health, and empower local farmers to escape the poverty cycle. The Power of Watershed Interventions For decades, farmers in West Bengal's Murshidabad district have coped with unpredictable rainfall and water shortage, severely constraining their capacity to cultivate high-value crops and maintain their livelihoods. Seeing the prospect of rewriting this story, the Hinduja Foundation introduced a series of watershed interventions to maximise water use and improve agricultural resilience. These were check dams, river lift irrigation schemes, or rainwater harvesting works designed according to the specific measurements and climatic characteristics of the local area. These systems cover more than 400 ha of cultivated land, which is an astonishing number in itself. Transforming Rural Livelihoods The numbers speak eloquently enough. Farmers have testified to stepped-up cropping intensity in the region by an incredible 250%, allowing them to raise more than one crop per year and their revenues manyfold. The average annual income per acre has gone up from Rs25,000 to Rs150,000, making farming a more and more remunerative and sustainable occupation. Prakash Hinduja, the managing trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, emphasized the significance of this initiative: "At the Hinduja Foundation, we are committed to making a sustainable development impact long after we have departed. We build rural empowerment and resilience, as demonstrated by our programs in Murshidabad." Building a Sustainable Future In addition to the economic advantages, watershed projects provide long-term environmental benefits. This project helps restore nature's ecological balance, making agriculture more sustainable in the long term with the prevention of soil erosion, recharge of aquifers, and enhancement of total water-holding capacity in the region. Switzerland-based Prakash Hinduja reinforced this by stating, "Water is needed for farming, and our activities are intended to enhance productivity while making farmers successful sustainably. This exactly suits our family vision of developing long-term value for communities." A Model for Pan-Indian Impact The Hinduja Foundation's work in Murshidabad is more than a local success story. It is a scalable model for similar interventions across India, particularly in regions facing water stress and climate challenges. By building the infrastructure for effective water management, the foundation is laying the groundwork for a more resilient nationwide agricultural sector. "We are envisaging a better future for all farmers in India," said Prakash Hinduja. "We are supporting innovations in water management technologies to enhance farmers' local community productivity, incomes, and resilience. This is the essence of the commitment to sustainable development embodied by the Hinduja Family." With the world tackling the acute water scarcity and global warming crises, Hinduja Foundation's West Bengal program presents a shining example of agriculture in the India of the future: one of sustainability, rural strength, and rich harvests that last.