Latest news with #Bhopal
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BEML's new unit in MP's Raisen to drive indigenous rail manufacturing for global markets
Advt Advt Bhopal: In a major stride towards self-reliant infrastructure development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation of a state-of-the-art railway coach manufacturing unit in Madhya Pradesh 's Raisen district on facility, to be set up with an estimated investment of Rs 1,800 crore by Bharat Earth Movers Limited ( BEML ), will produce coaches for Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and metro trains, marking a significant milestone for Madhya Pradesh and the country's rail manufacturing Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, speaking ahead of the ceremony, said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of strengthening indigenous manufacturing under the ' Make in India ' campaign."For the first time in our state, train and metro coaches will be manufactured and supplied across the nation and the globe," he said, calling it a proud moment for Madhya unit will be established in Umaria village of Goharganj tehsil, near Obedullaganj in Raisen project will be spread across 148 acres and is expected to generate employment for nearly 5,000 people, including direct and indirect plant will initially produce 125 to 200 coaches annually, with a planned scale-up to over 1,000 coaches within five facility is strategically positioned to support Indian Railways' ambitious plan to deploy 500 new Vande Bharat trains by 2030 and meet the growing demand for metro coaches in tier-2 will also reduce reliance on imported rolling stock and promote domestic engineering excellence. Chief Minister Yadav noted that the project will have a ripple effect on the regional economy, spurring the growth of ancillary industries in Raisen and Bhopal include suppliers of bogies, interiors, air-conditioning systems, and other components essential to coach manufacturing. A dedicated rail coach technology institute is also being considered to support skill development and technical training in the a premier public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, brings decades of expertise in aerospace, mining, and metro coach expansion into Raisen represents a strategic convergence of defence-grade precision and civilian infrastructure new unit will complement BEML's existing manufacturing hubs in Bengaluru, Palakkad, and Kolar Gold Fields, and is expected to become a key contributor to India's rail export foundation stone ceremony will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan present on site. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to join the event virtually."This project is not just a factory-it is a future-ready, globally competitive ecosystem," said Chief Minister Yadav. "It places Madhya Pradesh firmly on the railway manufacturing map and strengthens our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat."The coach manufacturing unit is poised to become a cornerstone of India's infrastructure growth story, blending technological innovation with regional development and national pride.--IANSsktr/pgh
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup: Railways win big, Indian Navy win 3-2
CHENNAI: Railways continued their dominant run in MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup as they beat SAI NCOE, Bhopal 5-2 in a Pool A match held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday. Gursahibjit Singh was the standout performer for Railways, notching a hat-trick with goals in the 7th 8th and 59th minutes (both field goals). Darshan Gawkar and Shivam Anand struck another in the 26th minute. Mohit Karma and Munish Malik scored for NCOE. In the 2nd match of the day, Indian Navy (INN) registered a 3–2 win over Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC). Selvaraj K scored twice for the Indian Navy. Results: Pool A: Railways 5 (GS Singh 7' 28' 59' D Gawkar 21' S Anand 26') bt NCOE, Bhopal 2 (M Karma 32' M Malik 37'). Pool B - Indian Navy 3 (Selvaraj K 49' 55' A Topno 54') bt IOC 2 (Ragunath V R 45', G Singh 60').
Khaleej Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
India's democratic high: Why 74% still believe in the system
At a railway station in Bhopal earlier this year, an elderly man stood patiently in line, not for a ticket or tea, but before a kiosk that helped citizens register for various government services through a state-run digital portal. 'Yeh sarkari hai, aur kaam karta hai,' he said, marveling at the touchscreen, and the fact that the services were available at the tips of his fingers. 'It's government-run, and it works.' That quiet remark captures something more profound than mere satisfaction with service delivery; it speaks to a deeper faith in the machinery of democracy. The recent Pew Research Centre report confirms that sentiment. Conducted across 24 countries, the study reveals that India ranks among the top five nations where citizens are most satisfied with how democracy functions, with a striking 74% of Indians voicing approval. That puts India just behind Sweden, and ahead of countries like the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Mexico all of which reported high levels of satisfaction with both their democratic systems and economies. Pew's report draws a direct line between economic optimism and satisfaction with democracy. In India, a majority of respondents also said the national economy is in good shape, a perception fueled by government-led infrastructure growth, digital public goods like UPI and Aadhaar, and welfare programs that reach deep into rural pockets. Take a town like Barabanki, for instance. The recent boom in solar-powered irrigation, new roads, and mobile banking channels have given farmers tangible benefits through government initiatives and technological progress. What we're witnessing is the power of visible progress. When citizens see roads being built, subsidies arriving on time, or corruption being tackled even if unevenly, they begin to associate democracy with tangible outcomes. This isn't blind faith. It's faith earned incrementally. India's democratic strength lies in its bottom-up energy. Gram sabhas in villages, civil society activism, social media mobilizations, and youth-led protests create a feedback loop between the people and power. This active engagement, even when it turns oppositional, is a sign not of democratic weakness but of vitality. Furthermore, India's diversity, far from being a liability, reinforces the democratic instinct. Every election, no matter how local, becomes a referendum on identity, governance, and aspiration. And each peaceful transition of power, however contentious the campaign, renews the citizen's belief in the process. With glowing numbers comes the responsibility to ensure that democratic satisfaction isn't a transient echo, but a foundation for deep, equitable, and enduring governance. That said, while 74% expressing satisfaction is cause for celebration, that kind of a headline must not drown out the voices of the 26%. As the world grapples with a democratic recession, India's 74% satisfaction rate is both a badge of honor and a burden of responsibility. It reminds us that democracy, for all its imperfections, still works when people believe in it, particularly when that belief is matched by performance. Back at the Bhopal station, the old man wasn't celebrating the state; he was acknowledging that, at that moment, he was seen. For him, that was democracy in action. And for the rest of us, it's a reminder that no number, 74% or otherwise, means more than the everyday faith that people place in the promise of their voice being heard. Satisfaction is not the endpoint. It's a checkpoint. And India, for now, seems firmly on the path of progress and development.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Vidisha man's BP shoots up after 69L electricity bill shocker
B hopal: A 65-year-old man in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district suffered a spike in blood pressure and had to be hospitalised after receiving an electricity bill of Rs 69.75 lakh. The bill, generated after the installation of a smart meter, was later corrected to Rs 635, but not before it triggered panic and outrage across the city. Murarilal Tiwari, a resident of Home Guard Road, lives with his wife and uses minimal electricity. Despite a smart meter reading of just 219 units, he received the massive bill last month. He submitted a written complaint, but no action was initially taken, and a penalty of Rs 1 lakh was added to his latest bill. "My heart almost stopped beating when I got an SMS about the bill on May 30. My blood pressure shot up, and I was shivering," Tiwari told TOI. "We barely use a fan, and I couldn't understand how the bill could be so high." Tiwari said electricity department officials visited him on Tuesday and informed him that the bill was corrected. "I thanked them. Now I'm at ease. My son is in the Army, and my wife and I are dependent on him," he said. His case is not isolated. Tiwari's neighbour, Mahendra Singh Raghuvanshi, received a bill of Rs 68 lakh. In Agya Ram Colony, a slum area, several labourer families, whose usual bills are between Rs 100 and Rs 200, were also handed electricity bills running into lakhs. Residents allege that smart meters were installed without prior notice or consent and that their complaints went unanswered until the issue gained media attention. Electricity department officials blamed a software error during the transition to smart meters for the inflated bills. District collector Anshul Gupta told TOI, "Due to incorrect entry of the Final Reading (FR) from meters removed during smart meter installation, inflated bills were generated for 106 consumers." "All the bills were reviewed and corrected. Consumers were individually informed, and a special camp was held at the zone office to resolve complaints," said the collector. The smart meters were installed under a central govt scheme aimed at improving billing accuracy and transparency. MD Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Ltd - Kshitij Singhal said that all wrong bills are being corrected. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SBI Life crowdsources future-facing AI solutions from India's Next-Gen Talent pool at the 2025 Hack-AI-Thon finale
The initiative underscored SBI Life's focus on innovation, young talent, and building future-ready insurance solutions MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SBI Life Insurance, one of India's most trusted private life insurers, marked the finale of its national innovation initiative — Hack-AI-Thon 2025 — a strategic platform to crowdsource artificial intelligence-driven solutions to real-business challenges faced by the insurance sector. The event culminated weeks of dynamic ideation and collaboration, with 16+ top teams (50+ participants) presenting AI-led innovations, focused on enhancing customer experience, operational efficiency, and digital service delivery. The event was designed to tap into next-gen talent, foster a culture of co-creation, and accelerate digital transformation. The participants, including developers and AI enthusiasts, represented top institutes across Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, and Delhi to compete on challenges ranging from predictive analytics and process automation to fraud detection and customer engagement. After rigorous jury round and evaluation, the Innovation Brigade team comprising of Ms. Asha Vidyadharan & Mr. Rameez Khan from Bhopal emerged as the winner of Hack-AI-Thon 2025, impressing the panel with their innovative solution at the Hack-AI-Thon 2025 Grand Finale. Similarly, Black Bird from Indore was chosen the 1st runner-up and from Trichy as well as Semantics from Pune were announced the 2nd runners-up. Each of the winning solutions stood out for their innovative thinking, technical viability, and potential to address real-world challenges in the life insurance sector. Speaking on the grand finale of SBI Life's Hack-AI-Thon 2025, Mr. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communication and CSR, SBI Life Insurance, said, "The Hack-AI-Thon was conceptualised to engage the next generation of problem solvers in shaping the future of insurance. It is encouraging to see how young minds approach complex industry challenges with such clarity and purpose. At SBI Life, we believe that innovation must serve a meaningful purpose, and this initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering technology-led thinking that is human-centric and impactful." He further added, "We have always believed that the true role of insurance goes beyond financial protection—it is about enabling individuals to move forward with confidence, to dream, to build, and to live fully. Hack-AI-Thon is an extension of this belief, as it invites young minds to co-create solutions that make protection more accessible, intuitive, and aligned with people's evolving needs and life goals. It is this blend of innovation and intent that we believe will help shape a more inclusive and empowering future not only for the insurance sector but the nation as a whole." After winning the Hack-AI-Thon 2025, the Innovation Brigade team said, "Participating in SBI Life's Hack-AI-Thon 2025 was a truly enriching experience, with outstanding coordination and expert mentorship at every step. Despite the tough pan-India competition, we are proud to share that we emerged as winners of the event." The Grand Finale jury comprised seasoned experts from technology & insurance, who evaluated teams on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and impact. Select ideas from the Hack-AI-Thon will be explored further for piloting or integration within the company's digital roadmap. With this initiative, SBI Life Insurance reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer-first thinking through digital transformation. About SBI Life Insurance SBI Life Insurance ('SBI Life' / 'The Company'), one of the most trusted life insurance companies in India, was incorporated in October 2000 and is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001. Serving millions of families across India, SBI Life's diverse range of products caters to individuals as well as group customers through Protection, Pension, Savings and Health solutions. Driven by a 'Customer-First' approach, SBI Life places great emphasis on maintaining world class operating efficiency and providing a hassle-free claim settlement experience to its customers by following high ethical standards of service. Additionally, SBI Life is committed to enhance digital experiences for its customers, distributors and employees alike. SBI Life strives to make insurance accessible to all, with its extensive presence across the country through its 1,110 offices, 26,355 employees, a large and productive network of about 240,304 agents, 60 corporate agents and 13 bancassurance partners with more than 41,000 partner branches, 141 brokers and other insurance marketing firms. In addition to doing what's right for the customers, the company is also committed to provide a healthy and flexible work environment for its employees to excel personally and professionally. SBI Life strongly encourages a culture of giving back to the society and has made substantial contributions in the areas of child education, healthcare, disaster relief and environmental upgrade. In 2024-25, the Company touched over 50,000 direct beneficiaries through various CSR interventions. Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange ('BSE') and the National Stock Exchange ('NSE'), the company has an authorized capital of Rs. 20.0 billion and a paid-up capital of Rs. 10.0 billion. The AuM is Rs.4,480.4 billion. For more information, please visit our website, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. (Numbers & data mentioned above are for the year ended March 31, 2025) Photo: View original content to download multimedia:
