Latest news with #SumedhaSharma
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
From Millenium City To Mini Venice: Gurugram Locals Share Videos Of Waterlogged Roads
An intense spell of rainfall brought Gurugram to a standstill on July 31, as videos circulating on social media showed several areas of the city submerged in knee-deep water, leaving commuters stranded and traffic crippled. Heavy rain on Wednesday as well as Thursday paralysed the city, flooding roads and triggering severe traffic congestion. Within just four hours, parts of Gurugram were waterlogged, causing long delays and widespread frustration among residents. A user posted a montage on X, showing people wading through flooded streets, vehicles struggling to move, and entire stretches of road submerged in water. 'Just what 40-50 mins of rain can do,' read the side note. Just what 40-50 mins of rain can do #GurgaonRains #GurugramRains #Gurgaon #gurugram — Aashish kumar (@hardluckstrome) July 31, 2025 Another clip showed a waterlogged road outside Gurugram's civil hospital. The tweet read, 'That is what world class civil hospital of medical hub Gurugram looks like in #GurgaonRains. Competing with its five-star counterparts with Venice vibes.' That is what world class civil hospital of medical hub #Gurgaon #Gurugram looks like in #GurgaonRains #gurgaonrain. Competing with its five star counterparts with Venice vibes. #GurugramFlooded #GurugramNews @ArtiSinghRao @cmohry — Sumedha Sharma (@sumedhasharma86) July 31, 2025 More such visuals of flooded streets were shared with a person, 'This is not Rivulet or Venice city, Several roads of Millennium city Gurugram were submerged.' This is not Rivulet or Venice city, Several roads of Millenium city Gurugram were Submerged Heavy Rain brought #Gurgaon to a grinding halt, Inundating major roads and Paralyzed Traffic across #Gurugram city, near National Capital #NewDelhi. #GurgaonRains #GurugramRains — Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) July 31, 2025 NDTV spoke with supermodel Lakshmi Rana, a resident of Gurugram, about the situation. Asked whether Gurugram has become one of the worst cities during monsoon, she said, 'Absolutely, it's been an absolute nightmare. Just getting to work has become a daily ordeal,' and added, 'I can only imagine how much worse it is for people without the resources I have, people who don't have their own car or driver. It's just exhausting.' 'If I'm safe at home, I can enjoy the beauty of the rain. But the moment I need to step out, it becomes terrifying. I worry if I'll make it to work on time, if my car will break down midway, or if I'll be stranded somewhere. There's so much uncertainty,' Rana said. Blame Game As the visuals of submerged roads in Gurugram went viral, Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli blamed official negligence for the recurring issue. While acknowledging that the BJP is in power for a third consecutive term, he said, 'When it suddenly rains, we take actions to resolve the issues that come up. In many flooded lanes and roads, grass and mud is found stuck. Despite allocation of funds and sanctioning of cleaning work, there is a lapse on part of officials. We will work on it.' His comments came just a week after former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar downplayed the issue. 'Water fills up quickly in the underpass, but after 2 hours the water comes and whenever there is heavy rain, not just in India but also abroad, if waterlogging happens, after 1-1.5 hours it comes out, which means the system is fine,' he told NDTV. As monsoon continues and more rain is expected, many residents are left wondering how long Gurugram, once seen as a symbol of modern urban development, will keep buckling under the weight of its own infrastructure.
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Agritech investments and incubators: Nurturing the next generation of food innovators in Dubai
Dubai's agritech landscape is experiencing a transformative evolution, moving beyond traditional desert innovation narratives. Today, a dynamic ecosystem of startup success stories, robust incubators, and strategic investments is reshaping the food technology sector. The food security imperative Despite ranking as high as =21st globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) according to the most recent 2022 data, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — continue to import over 85% of their food. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on external supply chains as of early has prompted long-term measures to reduce import dependency, unifying GCC regional strategies to develop agricultural, livestock, and fishery projects that strengthen food security and sustainability. The UAE's approach has been strategic, with agriculture and fisheries now contributing 1.8% to gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of Gulf companies in these sectors growing by 20%. Government-backed incubation ecosystem At the forefront of Dubai's agritech incubation ecosystem stands in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator, which has been instrumental in nurturing innovation. 'Start-ups are the inherent problem-solvers we need to unlock sustainable growth,' stated Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM launch of in5 Science in 2023, in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, represents a significant milestone in the UAE's science-focused entrepreneurship landscape. This initiative aligns with the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, creating substantial opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science these efforts, Food Tech Valley has emerged as another crucial player supporting agritech startups and facilitating connections between innovators and the early movers actively leveraging this ecosystem is Sokovo Nature Farms—an agritech innovator integrating advanced technologies into sustainable food systems from the heart of Dubai. 'We at SOKOVO Nature Farms are deeply aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable food production,' Sumedha Sharma, CEO of SOKOVO Nature Farms, tells Sharma credits the emirate's supportive ecosystem, particularly Food Tech Valley, explaining how it has played a crucial role in positioning the company as a trusted source of 'locally grown, high-quality produce.'Strategic investment and funding mechanismsThe Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has established itself as a key financial enabler in Dubai's agritech sector, according to official statements. The bank's specialised AgriTech Loans Programme supports advanced farming technologies and precision agriculture practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to innovation. At the Future 100 Forum, Shaker Zainal, Chief Business Officer at EDB, noted that in 2023, EDB's financing to the industrial sector rose by 80%—rising from AED 2.4 billion in 2022 to AED 4.3 billion—bringing the total loan book to AED 8.7 billion since the rollout of its strategic agenda in 2021. Further reinforcing this commitment, EDB's 20-week AGRIX accelerator programme, supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with cutting-edge solutions, workshops, and hands-on training in sustainable farming practices. The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has proven particularly effective in driving startup success, with MBRIF members securing more than AED 2.8 billion in financing and playing a role in the creation of over 800 jobs in the UAE, according to Majed Al Suwaidi. Digital agriculture and data-driven Innovation The role of digital agriculture in Dubai's food security strategy is foundational. As global food technology trends evolve, six rising foodtech megatrends have been identified by the France-based Digital Food Lab, including the resilient farm, sustainable proteins, the smart supply chain, and food Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder of FarmERP, highlights the transformative potential of digital agriculture: 'Digital agriculture is not just complementary—it is foundational to the UAE's food security strategy. The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets a clear direction: produce more with fewer resources, ensure resilience to climate volatility, and enhance local production capabilities.'FarmERP's implementation in the UAE demonstrates tangible results. According to Borkar, a prominent agritech startup in the UAE managing berry production achieved 'a considerable improvement in yield consistency and a high reduction in water usage' through the FarmERP Agribusiness Cloud platform. Another case involving a leading fresh supply chain company resulted in 'real-time visibility into procurement, logistics, and payments while empowering farmers through a mobile app in the Arabic language.' Breakthrough technologies and desert Innovation Dubai's agritech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable technological breakthroughs, particularly in desert agriculture. Indian entrepreneur Chandra Dake introduced innovative sand technology, enabling agricultural cultivation in both desert and saline-alkali environments through his company, Dake 'breathable sand' technology, commonly referred to as 'magic sand', reduces water requirements by 80% while delivering optimal yields. Dake's company is also developing a forest of 11 million trees across Dubai's barren desert, representing the world's first desert-based afforestation project of this scale funded through private investment. 'We are not only reclaiming deserts but also transforming desert sand, which is otherwise deemed unfit … into a material of significant utility,' Dake was quoted in the media. The India-Dubai agritech corridor The collaboration between Indian entrepreneurs and Dubai's agritech ecosystem represents a significant dimension of the sector's growth. Indian innovators such as Dake and Borkar are bringing technological expertise and innovative solutions tailored to the UAE's unique agricultural success in the UAE market exemplifies the potential for India-Dubai collaboration in food security. 'At FarmERP, we have strategically evolved our technology to align with these specific local challenges and opportunities,' Borkar tells 'Our solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), remote sensing, and satellite analytics to deliver real-time decision support. We've developed specific modules for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse operations—agricultural models gaining traction in Dubai and across the UAE.'As Dubai seeks to amplify its agritech capabilities through global partnerships, Indian agritech players emerge as natural collaborators. 'India's deep expertise in agriculture, engineering, and technology plays a valuable role in supporting SOKOVO's mission to advance the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051 and Vision 2040. By collaborating with Indian agritech partners—particularly in areas such as automation, sensor technology, and nutrient management—we can enhance the efficiency and scalability of our vertical farming operations. These partnerships allow us to adopt cost-effective, proven technologies that strengthen our ability to produce clean, local, and reliable food year-round,' says Sharma. In turn, this supports the UAE's broader goals of reducing import dependency, diversifying the economy, and building a resilient, homegrown food ecosystem, she adds. Looking forward As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for agritech innovation, the convergence of government support, private investment, and technological excellence creates a compelling environment for the next generation of food innovators. The ecosystem's maturity, demonstrated through visible startup successes and measurable economic impact, suggests that Dubai's agritech sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of feeding a projected global population of 10 billion by public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations reflect a comprehensive approach to food security, embracing sustainability, technology, and innovation as core pillars of the UAE's economic diversification strategy. Disclaimer - This article is a part of a featured content series on Business in Dubai. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Agritech investments and incubators: Nurturing the next generation of food innovators in Dubai
Live Events ET Spotlight (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Dubai's agritech landscape is experiencing a transformative evolution, moving beyond traditional desert innovation a dynamic ecosystem of startup success stories, robust incubators, and strategic investments is reshaping the food technology ranking as high as =21st globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) according to the most recent 2022 data , the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — continue to import over 85% of their food. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on external supply chains as of early has prompted long-term measures to reduce import dependency, unifying GCC regional strategies to develop agricultural, livestock, and fishery projects that strengthen food security and UAE's approach has been strategic, with agriculture and fisheries now contributing 1.8% to gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of Gulf companies in these sectors growing by 20% At the forefront of Dubai's agritech incubation ecosystem stands in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator, which has been instrumental in nurturing innovation. ' Start-ups are the inherent problem-solvers we need to unlock sustainable growth,' stated Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM launch of in5 Science in 2023, in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, represents a significant milestone in the UAE's science-focused entrepreneurship landscape. This initiative aligns with the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, creating substantial opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science these efforts, Food Tech Valley has emerged as another crucial player supporting agritech startups and facilitating connections between innovators and the early movers actively leveraging this ecosystem is Sokovo Nature Farms—an agritech innovator integrating advanced technologies into sustainable food systems from the heart of Dubai. 'We at SOKOVO Nature Farms are deeply aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable food production,' Sumedha Sharma, CEO of SOKOVO Nature Farms, tells credits the emirate's supportive ecosystem, particularly Food Tech Valley, explaining how it has played a crucial role in positioning the company as a trusted source of 'locally grown, high-quality produce.'The Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has established itself as a key financial enabler in Dubai's agritech sector, according to official statements. The bank's specialised AgriTech Loans Programme supports advanced farming technologies and precision agriculture practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to the Future 100 Forum, Shaker Zainal, Chief Business Officer at EDB, noted that in 2023, EDB's financing to the industrial sector rose by 80%— rising from AED 2.4 billion in 2022 to AED 4.3 billion —bringing the total loan book to AED 8.7 billion since the rollout of its strategic agenda in reinforcing this commitment, EDB's 20-week AGRIX accelerator programme, supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with cutting-edge solutions, workshops, and hands-on training in sustainable farming Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has proven particularly effective in driving startup success, with MBRIF members securing more than AED 2.8 billion in financing and playing a role in the creation of over 800 jobs in the UAE , according to Majed Al role of digital agriculture in Dubai's food security strategy is foundational. As global food technology trends evolve, six rising foodtech megatrends have been identified by the France-based Digital Food Lab, including the resilient farm, sustainable proteins, the smart supply chain, and food Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder of FarmERP, highlights the transformative potential of digital agriculture: 'Digital agriculture is not just complementary—it is foundational to the UAE's food security strategy. The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets a clear direction: produce more with fewer resources, ensure resilience to climate volatility, and enhance local production capabilities.'FarmERP's implementation in the UAE demonstrates tangible results. According to Borkar, a prominent agritech startup in the UAE managing berry production achieved 'a considerable improvement in yield consistency and a high reduction in water usage' through the FarmERP Agribusiness Cloud platform. Another case involving a leading fresh supply chain company resulted in 'real-time visibility into procurement, logistics, and payments while empowering farmers through a mobile app in the Arabic language.'Dubai's agritech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable technological breakthroughs, particularly in desert agriculture. Indian entrepreneur Chandra Dake introduced innovative sand technology, enabling agricultural cultivation in both desert and saline-alkali environments through his company, Dake 'breathable sand' technology, commonly referred to as 'magic sand', reduces water requirements by 80% while delivering optimal yields. Dake's company is also developing a forest of 11 million trees across Dubai's barren desert, representing the world's first desert-based afforestation project of this scale funded through private investment.'We are not only reclaiming deserts but also transforming desert sand, which is otherwise deemed unfit … into a material of significant utility,' Dake was quoted in the media The collaboration between Indian entrepreneurs and Dubai's agritech ecosystem represents a significant dimension of the sector's growth. Indian innovators such as Dake and Borkar are bringing technological expertise and innovative solutions tailored to the UAE's unique agricultural success in the UAE market exemplifies the potential for India-Dubai collaboration in food security. 'At FarmERP, we have strategically evolved our technology to align with these specific local challenges and opportunities,' Borkar tells 'Our solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), remote sensing, and satellite analytics to deliver real-time decision support. We've developed specific modules for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse operations—agricultural models gaining traction in Dubai and across the UAE.'As Dubai seeks to amplify its agritech capabilities through global partnerships, Indian agritech players emerge as natural collaborators.'India's deep expertise in agriculture, engineering, and technology plays a valuable role in supporting SOKOVO's mission to advance the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051 and Vision 2040. By collaborating with Indian agritech partners—particularly in areas such as automation, sensor technology, and nutrient management—we can enhance the efficiency and scalability of our vertical farming operations. These partnerships allow us to adopt cost-effective, proven technologies that strengthen our ability to produce clean, local, and reliable food year-round,' says turn, this supports the UAE's broader goals of reducing import dependency, diversifying the economy, and building a resilient, homegrown food ecosystem, she Dubai positions itself as a global hub for agritech innovation, the convergence of government support, private investment, and technological excellence creates a compelling environment for the next generation of food innovators. The ecosystem's maturity, demonstrated through visible startup successes and measurable economic impact, suggests that Dubai's agritech sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of feeding a projected global population of 10 billion by public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations reflect a comprehensive approach to food security, embracing sustainability, technology, and innovation as core pillars of the UAE's economic diversification strategy.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
As heavy rain batters Delhi-NCR, videos of severe waterlogging, submerged vehicles in Gurgaon go viral
Heavy rain lashed the Delhi-NCR region on Wednesday evening, leading to severe waterlogging in parts of the national capital and Gurgaon. Videos showing flooded roads, stranded vehicles and residents wading through knee-deep water have gone viral on social media. In one such clip, vehicles, including an electric rickshaw, are seen stuck in a flood-like situation, while two-wheeler riders struggle to push their bikes through the inundated streets. Sharing a video from Gurgaon's Golf Course Road, journalist Sumedha Sharma wrote, 'For the unversed, this is the very road where apartments are sold for over 100 crores. #GurgaonRains turns Golf Course Road into a river. Venice vibes and doorstep thrill surely deserve this price. The #LuxuryLiving hub.' For the unversed this is very road where apartments are sold for over 100 crores. #GurgaonRains turns Golf course road into river. Venice vibes and door step thrill surely deserves this price. The #LuxuryLiving hub #Gurgaon #Gurugram #GurugramRains #gurugramrain — Sumedha Sharma (@sumedhasharma86) July 9, 2025 Another video shows a car stuck in a waterlogged stretch as a group of people attempt to move it. Slamming the authorities, X user Divya Gandotra Tandon wrote. 'Middle-class Indians pay:- Income Tax: up to 30% (plus cess)- GST: 5% to 28% on goods/services- Petrol/Diesel Tax: ~50% of the fuel price is tax (central + state)- Road Tax: one-time, varies by state (up to 10-12% of vehicle value)- Property Tax: paid annually to municipal bodies – Toll Tax, Cess, Swachh Bharat, etc. and THIS is what we get? This is Gurgaon on 9th July, 9:30 PM flooded like a swimming pool. Where does our money go? No drainage, no planning, no accountability.' Middle-class Indians pay: – Income Tax: up to 30% (plus cess) – GST: 5% to 28% on goods/services – Petrol/Diesel Tax: ~50% of the fuel price is tax (central + state) – Road Tax: one-time, varies by state (up to 10-12% of vehicle value) – Property Tax: paid annually to municipal… — Divya Gandotra Tandon (@divya_gandotra) July 10, 2025 Watch viral videos here: दिल्ली के पटपड़गंज इलाके का हाल। बारिश में कई जगह लोग अभी भी जाम में फंसे हुए हैं। कई जगहों पर वाहन डूबे हुए हैं। बेहद खराब स्थिति है। #DelhiRains — Hemant Rajaura (@hemantrajora_) July 9, 2025 Flyover झरने बने, गाड़ियां तैरने लगीं, लोग डूबने लगे, कुछ ऐसे हैं Gurugram के हालात, देखिए तस्वीरें#Monsoon #WaterLogging #Rainfall #GurugramRain #DelhiRains — Gurugram News गुरुग्राम न्यूज़ (@TheGurugramNews) July 9, 2025 शीला दीक्षित इसलिए हार गईं थी,क्योंकि हर मोहल्ले में फ्री स्विमिंग पूल नहीं बनवाए। रेखा गुप्ता जी ने तो हर सड़क को स्विमिंग ज़ोन बना डाला है।अब दिल्ली में अच्छे दिन नहीं, गहरे दिन आ गए हैं। 🤣#घोरकलजुग #DelhiRains — अपूर्व اپوروا Apurva Bhardwaj (@grafidon) July 10, 2025 Very Bad 😞 😞 situation Afer 5 hours I reached my home safely walked around 4km this way in water lodging. Thanks god.#Gurugram#ModiInNamibia#DelhiRains — Amit vashist (@Amitadarsh17) July 9, 2025 This is Gurgaon for u 🤡, bhaiya be like khaini masal leta hu😭#DelhiRains — Minii 🇵🇸 (@lolminii) July 9, 2025 Kashmiri Gate, Delhi#DelhiRains — Anmol Pritam (@anmolpritamND) July 9, 2025 Cyber Hub (the heart & face of Gurgaon) drowned in just 2 hours of continuous rain 🌧️ DLF charges a boatload of money from corporate offices & cafes located here but it fails to provide even a basic drainage system. Crony Capitalism!!#DelhiRains #GurgaonRains #Monsoon2025 — Mr. Ansari (@realansari_) July 9, 2025 दिल्ली के पटपड़गंज इलाके का हाल। बारिश में कई जगह लोग अभी भी जाम में फंसे हुए हैं। कई जगहों पर वाहन डूबे हुए हैं। बेहद खराब स्थिति है। #DelhiRains — Hemant Rajaura (@hemantrajora_) July 9, 2025 Just 20 minutes of monsoon rain and the waterlogging at ITO, Delhi #DelhiRains #Delhi @pra0902 — Avijit Ghosh (@cinemawaleghosh) July 9, 2025 गुरुग्राम-सोहना रोड पर सुभाष चौक के पास जलभराव में डूबे वाहन#DelhiRains — Hemant Rajaura (@hemantrajora_) July 9, 2025 Waterlogging and traffic disruptions were reported from several key areas, including Arvind Marg, GK Marg, Rail Bhawan, Akshardham, Ashram, ITO, Pul Prahladpur, MB Road, MG Road, Old Rohtak Road, Shadipur, Madhuban Chowk, and National Highway 8. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 'An eastward-moving cloud cluster is likely to cause moderate rainfall at most places, with heavy rainfall at isolated locations, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds gusting up to 50 kmph during the next two hours.'
