Latest news with #Jaiswal
India Gazette
a day ago
- Climate
- India Gazette
Monsoon ready: Delhi Traffic Police gears up with ground action and tech integration
By Anamika Tiwari New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): As Delhi braces for the upcoming monsoon season, the Delhi Traffic Police have rolled out a proactive strategy to tackle long-standing issues of waterlogging, traffic congestion, and road safety. With multiple city agencies coming together, the police are strengthening their preparedness across all fronts. 'We are trying to do much better this year than before,' said Shashank Jaiswal, DCP Traffic Headquarters, while outlining the department's detailed monsoon plan and city-wide initiatives. According to Jaiswal, last year's waterlogging trouble spots have been thoroughly identified, and ground teams, along with officers, are actively inspecting these locations for potential risk. The department is working in close coordination with key civic agencies such as the PWD and NDMC. Letters have already been sent to all concerned authorities to initiate joint preparations well ahead of the rains. This year, the focus is not just on response but on early identification and coordinated prevention. Jaiswal also highlighted the challenge of accident blackspots across the city, calling it a variable issue. 'Some areas witness frequent accidents, while others are prone to fatal ones. We try to eliminate the root causes. For example, if a pedestrian crossing is missing, we collaborate with the relevant agencies to resolve it,' he said. While there isn't a fixed number of blackspots, the Traffic Engineering Department and the Road Safety Department are monitoring them regularly. The team also responds to public complaints and emergency calls in real time to resolve emerging safety issues. To ease congestion in the capital, the Delhi Traffic Police are counting on the upcoming rollout of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). 'This system will help reduce the amount of time vehicles spend at red lights by adjusting signal timing based on real-time traffic flow. We're also looking at improving road safety by ensuring clear lines of sight at intersections to prevent accidents,' Jaiswal said. When asked about accountability and internal discipline, Jaiswal affirmed a strict approach. 'Whenever there are complaints against any official, we take strict action. At the same time, we also motivate our staff to avoid such behaviour. In serious cases, we proceed with dismissals,' he said, emphasising that integrity remains a top priority. 'We've deployed motorcycles for faster response, and our control room is constantly monitoring traffic jams in coordination with field teams to resolve them quickly,' the DCP said. Recognising the pressures of field duty, the department is also prioritising the well-being of its personnel. Yoga sessions and counselling are now part of the routine to keep staff mentally and physically fit. 'We're also running regular training programs to improve their skills and readiness,' Jaiswal said. As the city prepares for the monsoon, the Delhi Traffic Police's comprehensive approach, from infrastructure mapping and tech integration to staff welfare, aims to make commutes safer and smoother. Commuters are advised to stay updated with traffic advisories and plan their journeys accordingly. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
A decade later, MTDC revives plan to operate seaplanes from Gangapur dam in Nashik to Mumbai
1 2 3 Nashik: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is once again planning to launch a seaplane service from Gangapur dam in Nashik to Mumbai in a bid to boost tourism in the region, especially ahead of the Kumbh Mela. The initiative was first proposed a decade ago, in 2015, but it could not be started due to some technical reasons. "We have already invited expressions of interest from private firms to operate the seaplanes. We are looking for a positive response," Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, general manager of MTDC, told TOI. He further said that the corporation has decided to start the service on seven other routes in the state as well. The seven routes are Mumbai to Ganpatipule (Ratnagiri), Mumbai to Koyna dam (Satara), Mumbai to Ujani dam (Solapur), Mandwa (Alibaug) to Ganpatipule (Ratnagiri), Panshet (Pune) to Ujani (Solapur), Ujani (Solapur) to Koyna Dam (Satara), and Koyna (Satara) to Panshet (Pune). MTDC officials said the service will begin soon after the bidding process is completed. Jaiswal said, "We aim to introduce seaplanes in Maharashtra to improve air connectivity to key tourist destinations, including heritage sites, wildlife reserves, beaches and major cities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo This initiative seeks to enhance travel convenience and create a structured framework for seaplane tourism operations in the state." The project aims to enhance the accessibility of major attraction points, promote regional connectivity, and provide premium aerial tours showcasing the state's natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural heritage. The idea aligns with the state's vision to elevate its tourism offerings, attract domestic and international visitors, and foster economic development through sustainable and innovative travel solutions.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
India says over 1,000 nationals deported by US since January
DELHI — More than a thousand Indians have "come back or [been] deported" from the United States since January, India's foreign ministry has said. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that around 62% of them came on commercial flights, without providing more details. This comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's campaign against undocumented migrants to the US. Trump had earlier said that India "will do what's right" on the deportation of illegal migrants. In February, the US had deported more than hundred Indians on a US military flight, with reports saying some of them were brought back shackled. "We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues," Jaiswal said during the ministry's weekly briefing, adding that India verifies nationalities before "we take them back". In total, the US is said to have identified about 18,000 Indian nationals it believes entered the country this month, the US Embassy in India issued a warning that overstaying in the US could lead to deportation or a permanent ban on entry in the country, even for those who entered also spoke about the Trump administration's updated policy on student visas which is likely to impact Indian students planning to enrol in US US had announced on Thursday that it had halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students as it considered expanding the screening of their social media activities."While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time," Jaiswal also said that 330,000 Indians students had gone to the US for studies in 2023-24 - which makes India the largest source of international students in the Thursday, expanding its new visa policy, the US further announced that it was working to "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields". — BBC
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Why Indian students are crucial for US as New Delhi urges visa assessment on merit
Over 3.3 lakh Indian students study in the US. As the Trump administration tightens visa norms and adds scrutiny like social media checks, India has urged that students be judged strictly on merit read more As the United States recalibrates its visa policies for international students, India has expressed hope that applications from Indian students will be assessed on merit and processed in time. With over 3.3 lakh Indian students in the US in 2023–24, India remains the largest source of international students to the country — making any changes to visa processes deeply consequential. India hopes for merit-based visa assessments The Indian government has responded firmly but diplomatically to recent developments surrounding US visa procedures. At a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'While visa policy and issuing of visas is a sovereign function, we believe that all applications submitted by Indian students should be considered on their merit so that our students can reach universities in US on time to join their academic programmes.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jaiswal reiterated that the welfare of Indian students abroad is a top priority for the Indian government. He confirmed that in the academic year 2023–24, approximately 3,30,000 Indian students were pursuing higher education in the United States. This makes India the largest contributor to America's international student population, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total 1.1 million international students enrolled in US institutions during that time. The statement came in response to reports that the United States has temporarily suspended new interview appointments for various student visa categories — F (academic students), J (exchange visitors) and M (vocational students). This pause reportedly comes as the US State Department awaits instructions on expanding scrutiny of visa applicants' social media histories. Jaiswal noted, 'We have seen reports suggesting the U.S. government updated guidance regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants… While we note that issuance of visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit and they will be able to join their academic programmes on time.' Screening measures tighten under Trump The backdrop to the Indian government's appeal includes policy shifts within the United States, spearheaded by US President Donald Trump's administration. On May 27, American embassies and consulates were directed to halt the scheduling of new appointments for student and exchange visas, citing national security priorities and a desire to increase vetting. The US State Department clarified that its screening process uses 'all available information,' and new requirements compel applicants to disclose social media activity dating back to 2019. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These measures are being introduced even as political pressure increases on universities, especially in the context of alleged antisemitism and criticism of US foreign policy in student spaces — issues that have drawn particular focus from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Though the official rationale is enhanced vetting, the move fits into a wider pattern of immigration enforcement tightening. The current administration has already increased deportations and cancelled student visas in certain cases. For Indian nationals specifically, Jaiswal disclosed that 1,080 Indian citizens have been deported from the US since January this year. The US embassy in India has also issued a warning to students: skipping classes or discontinuing their programmes without notifying their institutions could result in visa revocation. India ranks among top sources for student visas Despite the recent slowdown in new appointments, historical trends show that India remains a priority market for US education. Embassy data indicates a strong upward trend in student visas issued to Indian nationals over the last five years. While the combined total for 2018–2020 was below one lakh, that number rose significantly in following years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2022 : 115,115 student visas issued to Indians 2023 : 130,730 student visas issued 2024: 86,110 student visas issued Even with a noticeable dip in 2024, India retained its position as the top recipient of US student visas, surpassing China, which received about 82,000. In a written reply to Parliament during the 2024 Monsoon Session, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided a breakdown of Indian students studying abroad. Out of a total of 1,335,878 Indian students globally, around 427,000 were in Canada, followed by 337,630 in the United States. US economy makes billions off Indian students Beyond individual achievements and economic contributions, international students overall play a vital strategic role in the American higher education ecosystem. According to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), international students contribute over $45 billion annually to the US economy. In another analysis the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) reported that Indian students studying in the US spend a total of over $25 billion annually, broken down into roughly $15 billion in tuition fees and another $10 billion in living expenses. These students are concentrated at leading universities with average yearly expenses ranging from $87,000 to $142,000 per student. Their presence strengthens bilateral ties and international goodwill, as many foreign students go on to become future global leaders, Nobel laureates, CEOs and policymakers. The US continues to maintain global dominance in research and innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and economics, thanks in no small part to the influx of foreign talent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Analysts have long warned that policies aimed at restricting international student entry could lead to a brain drain — with top-tier global talent opting for other countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, or emerging hubs in Europe and Asia. Indian Americans punch above their weight The significance of the Indian student presence in the US extends well beyond enrolment figures. According to Chartered Accountant and financial advisor Sarthak Ahuja, the Indian-American community, despite making up just 1.5 per cent of the US population (around 5.1 million people), contributes over 5 per cent of US' tax revenue. This speaks to their relatively high income levels, educational qualifications and professional engagement. In a widely viewed social media video, Ahuja highlighted several key statistics that showcase Indian Americans' influence: 10 per cent of all patents filed in the US have Indian-origin contributors 10 per cent of US doctors are Indian, treating 30 per cent of the patient load 11 per cent of unicorn founders in the US are of Indian origin 60 per cent of hotels in the US are owned by Indian Americans 70 per cent of colleges in the US reportedly have Indian-origin leadership 78 per cent of Indian Americans hold college degrees, compared to the 36 per cent national average 76 per cent work in high-skilled occupations Indian-American children also dominate US national spelling bees — winning over 80 per cent per cent of competitions in recent years. Indian cuisine has also punched above its weight: although Indian restaurants represent just 1 per cent of eateries nationwide, they comprise 3 per cent of all Michelin-starred establishments in the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ahuja also pointed out the philanthropic impact: in 2023 alone, Indian Americans donated $1.5 billion to causes within the US and an additional $800 million to India. The Pew Research Center also reported that the median income of Indian-American households in 2022 was $145,000, well above the $100,000 median for Asian Americans as a whole. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
India says over 1,000 nationals deported by US since January
More than a thousand Indians have "come back or [been] deported" from the United States since January, India's foreign ministry has said. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that around 62% of them came on commercial flights, without providing more details. This comes in the wake of President Donald Trump's campaign against undocumented migrants to the US. Trump had earlier said that India "will do what's right" on the deportation of illegal migrants. In February, the US had deported more than hundred Indians on a US military flight, with reports saying some of them were brought back shackled. "We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues," Mr Jaiswal said during the ministry's weekly briefing, adding that India verifies nationalities before "we take them back". In total, the US is said to have identified about 18,000 Indian nationals it believes entered the country illegally. Earlier this month, the US Embassy in India issued a warning that overstaying in the US could lead to deportation or a permanent ban on entry in the country, even for those who entered legally. Mr Jaiswal also spoke about the Trump administration's updated policy on student visas which is likely to impact Indian students planning to enrol in US universities. The US had announced on Thursday that it had halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students as it considered expanding the screening of their social media activities. "While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time," Mr Jaiswal said. Mr Jaiswal also said that 330,000 Indians students had gone to the US for studies in 2023-24 - which makes India the largest source of international students in the country. On Thursday, expanding its new visa policy, the US further announced that it was working to "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields". Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook
