Latest news with #Mani
India.com
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Indian Railways: Engineer who designed Vande Bharat Express is unhappy with Amrit Bharat Train due to….
Indian Railways: Engineer who designed Vande Bharat Express is unhappy with Amrit Bharat Train due to…. Indian Railways is planning to run 100 Amrit Bharat trains on major routes of the country. The government is promoting it heavily as a low-cost high speed train. By Joy Pillai Edited by Joy Pillai Advertisement Indian Railways: Engineer who designed Vande Bharat Express is unhappy with Amrit Bharat Train due to.... The Indian Railways has inducted its newest Amrit Bharat trains into its fleet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently flagged off four non-AC Amrit Bharat trains, giving the gift of high-tech trains to the people after the Vande Bharat trains. The Railways is planning to run as many as 100 Amrit Bharat trains on major stations. It is a non-AC sleeper class train which has 12 sleeper class coaches and 8 general class coaches. However, former General Manager of the Integral Coach Factory, Sudhanshu Mani, the person who made the Vande Bharat Express, is not happy with the Amrit Bharat trains. According to Mani, there should be no place for such non-AC trains in developed India. According to media reports, Mani said that the time has come to decommission non-AC sleeper class trains as they do not match the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developed India. Advertisement === 'Earlier such things were being said that the railways will make only AC trains. I liked this idea because with this, even a poor man can travel in AC. It was like Garib Rath. Today the poor do not have money, so they should be given the facility of traveling in AC at a low fare. Tomorrow, when the country develops and the poor also have money, then you can raise the rent,' he said, How Will The Loss Of Railways Be Compensated? As per Mani, poor people also deserve better facilities. Now it is shameful to talk about non-AC trains in developed India. He advocated for government intervention to improve the travel experiences of marginalised people, suggesting that the government can give the poor a chance to travel in Garib Rath or at a lower fare. Talking about the loss to Railways, he suggested that it can be compensated by trains like Vande Bharat. Advertisement === Increase Vande Bharat Trains Speed The former railway official suggested that passengers can pay a higher fare if the speed of Vande Bharat trains is increased. Currently, the average speed of Vande Bharat trains is 70 to 90 km, which can be increased to 100 to 150 km. The Amrit Bharat train is a push-pull train. This means these trains have engines on both the front and back sides. The Railway Ministry promotes Amrit Bharat trains as low-cost, high-speed trains.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anganwadi workers stage protest seeking withdrawal of FRS
Anganwadi workers, owing allegiance to the Andhra Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, affiliated to CITU, staged a protest at MVP Colony, here on Monday, as part of the call given by the State committee. Addressing the gathering, union honorary president K. Venkatalakshmi said that the implementation of face recognition system (FRS) was causing problems to the anganwadi workers and the State government was not responding to their pleas. Similarly, the 'Poshan Tracker' and 'Bala Sanjeevani' apps were giving mental tension to the workers as they were not trained on how to use the apps nor were they provided good quality mobile phones. The anganwadi workers were also not being given the benefits of various welfare schemes as they were not considered as government employees. She said that the government was aware that anganwadi workers were not government employees, but was doing injustice to them by not implementing schemes like 'Thalliki Vandanam'. The government also failed to issue G.O. regarding 'minis' (anganwadi workers working in mini centres), she added. Union honorary president Mani, general secretary Devi, leaders Padma, Sridevi, Shoba, Eswaramma, Tulasi, Chinnamalu and Suryakala were among those who participated. The leaders presented a memorandum of their demands to the Nodal Officer Jhansi after the protest.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Bullied then, champion now: Mani strikes gold
1 2 Chandigarh: In a quiet corner of a skating rink at SOREM school, a 25-yr old tall young man gently adjusts a child's helmet before helping him balance on roller skates. His voice is calm, his smile reassuring. Few would guess that this coach, Mani Singh, a national gold medallist in table tennis, once struggled to find his own footing in the world. Mani brought home a gold medal in Table Tennis at the Special Olympics Bharat National Table Tennis Games held in Chandigarh from July 14-18 in Men's Singles (09 category). Based on the skill test, the categories are decided according to the level of the player from 1–13 categories (in descending order). It is a win that has brought pride not only to his family and school, but also to a community often overlooked. Behind the medal, however, lies a story marked by silence and endurance. Diagnosed with an intellectual disability, Mani found the early years of schooling difficult. The pace of learning didn't match his needs, and though he tried, he often fell behind. Repeating classes became a routine. What hurt more were the reactions around him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo "Classmates made fun of how he spoke, how tall he was," says his mother, Kusum. "Eventually, he stopped talking. He didn't want to go to school. We saw our child retreat into himself." There were attempts to help, new schools, but nothing quite worked. Many mainstream institutions were ill-equipped to understand, let alone support, children like Mani. For the family, the times were testing. It was only when a well-wisher recommended SOREM, a school dedicated to children with special needs, that things began to shift. Here, Mani found a space where he wasn't expected to fit a mould but was allowed to grow. "He was hesitant at first, but the change came through sports," says his mother. He was introduced to table tennis and other sports that have now become Mani's passion. Mani began participating in every sport he could, badminton, skating, cycling. He previously won a gold medal at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2019 in Abu Dhabi for the 10K Time Trial Cycling event. "I called my parents the moment I got the medal," Mani says with a grin. "They were so happy. I couldn't stop smiling." His discipline, quiet determination, and love for sports have become the foundation of his life. After completing Class 12 at SOREM, Mani has been offered a position as a skating coach at the same school that once helped him rediscover his confidence. He now coaches other students, helping children like himself find their own footing. "I didn't enjoy anything before," says Mani softly, "but now I love every sport. I like helping others play too." Beyond medals and certificates, Mani's achievements speak to something more profound, the importance of inclusive spaces and patient guidance. It's about not reducing a person to a diagnosis. "He's travelled to camps, climbed mountains in Kullu-Manali, and handles himself with so much more independence now," says his mother. "We used to worry about his future, but now we look forward to it." Mani dreams of representing India again and hopes for a government job in the sports field. But more than that, he dreams of a world that understands that every journey is different, and all are worthy of support. His story is a reminder, when children with disabilities are given a fair chance, they don't just participate, they excel.
India Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Fewer slabs, simpler rules? Next GST Council meet may trigger overhaul
From simplification to slab cuts: What to expect from upcoming GST Council meet?India may be heading for changes in its goods and services tax (GST) system since it was introduced eight years upcoming GST Council meeting, likely to be held in August 2025 after the monsoon session of Parliament, could bring key reforms in the way GST is structured and to a report by The Economic Times, the Prime Minister's Office has given an in-principle nod for a complete review of the GST system. The finance ministry has already started internal consultations and will soon begin discussions with state governments to build support for the proposed ON RATE RATIONALISATION AND SIMPLIFICATIONThe Centre is working on a plan that includes changes in tax rates, fewer slabs, and simpler rules. These changes aim to reduce confusion, make tax compliance easier, and give relief to businesses and Mani, Partner, Indirect Tax at BDO India, said one of the key expectations from the 56th GST Council meeting is the long-pending decision on GST rate rationalisation.'Important items that could be discussed include GST on health and term life insurance premiums, charges by food delivery platforms, GST on drones, and charges collected by municipalities for granting extra floor space index (FSI),' he also mentioned that the Council may finally take a call on whether services provided by intermediaries to foreign clients should be treated as exports.'This issue has been a major point of conflict, especially for back-office service providers and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). A favourable decision will help resolve many ongoing tax disputes,' Mani UP THE GST TRIBUNALAnother key expectation from the meeting is clarity on the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).Currently, in the absence of GSTAT, businesses are forced to take tax disputes directly to High Courts, which has added to the backlog of pending cases.'The Council needs to assess the progress made on GSTAT and take the necessary steps to fast-track its implementation,' said RESTRUCTURING ON THE CARDSOne of the biggest changes under consideration is reducing the number of GST slabs. At present, there are five main tax rates, nil, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, along with two special rates of 0.25% and 3% for certain goods like precious all GST goods, about 21% are taxed at 5%, 19% at 12%, and 44% at 18%. Only 3% of items fall under the top 28% are examining the possibility of removing the 12% slab and shifting its items to either 5% or 18%. This move is expected to make the system easier to understand and manage.A senior government official told ET that now is a good time for such a reform. 'Macroeconomic conditions are strong and stable. A simplified GST could boost the economy further,' the official GST reforms are also part of India's effort to gear up for future free trade agreements (FTAs) with developed countries. A smoother tax system will help Indian businesses scale up more easily and take advantage of new global CESS AND FISCAL PLANSThe GST compensation cess, which is charged on items like cigarettes, large cars, and soft drinks, was introduced to make up for any loss of revenue states might face after GST was rolled Centre had agreed to compensate states for five years till June 2022. But due to the Covid pandemic and a sharp fall in revenue, it borrowed Rs 2.69 lakh crore to support states. To repay this amount, the cess has now been extended until March 31, 2026.A separate group of ministers is working on how to handle the extra funds in the compensation cess account and what should be done with it once the dues are cleared.- EndsMust Watch advertisement
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kerala's dairy giant Milma reaches Gulf shores, eyes US and Maldives
KOZHIKODE: That was once a staple in local supermarkets across Kerala and other parts of the country is now making its mark on the international stage. The Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), popularly known as Milma, the beloved dairy brand, has officially begun its global journey, with over three tonnes of its diverse products recently shipped to various Gulf countries. This significant move follows a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Milma and the Lulu Group, aiming to expand Milma's distribution beyond Indian borders. For years, Milma ghee has found its way to shelves in the Gulf. But this latest shipment marks a new chapter, broadening the product portfolio available to the expatriate community and other consumers. The initial consignment, weighing over three tonnes, includes a delectable array of items such as paneer butter masala, instant pulisseri mix, ready-to-drink palada payasam, flavoured milk, and clarified butter (ghee) and instant milk powder. The Lulu Group is directly managing the distribution, ensuring these products reach consumers across its extensive network of malls and retail outlets in the Gulf region. 'This is our first step,' Milma chairman K S Mani told TNIE, highlighting the cooperative's ambitious plans. 'We are also making products as per the requirement of Maldives. We have accepted the first order for long-life milk from Maldives.' Mani revealed that Milma is working on customising special milk flavours for the Maldivian market, tailoring them to local tastes and preferences. 'We will be taking the support of merchant exporters able to distribute our products in places we are completely clueless about,' he said, emphasising the strategic partnerships crucial for navigating new international markets.
