India This Week India This Week 1 A We e k ly N e w s p a p e r Fe a tu r i ng New s an d Tren d s f ro m the In d ian Sub- Co n tinent Pub li s h ed From th e U S Ca pi ta l Web Site: WWW.Indiathisweek.us Volume 35 No.4Washington DC. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800; 301-445-1868 E-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Friday January 23, 2026 EU, India on Cusp of ‘Mother of All Deals’: Historic Free Trade Agreement Near, Says EU Commission President at Davos D a v o s [Switzerland], January 20 (ANI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the European Union and India are close to finalising a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as a potential “historic trade deal” that some have dubbed “the mother of all deals.” Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, von der Leyen said that while some work remains, the negotiations have reached a decisive stage. “There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals— one that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,” she said. Highlighting the scale and significance of the proposed agreement, von der Leyen underlined Europe’s determination to expand trade ties and strengthen international cooperation, with India playing a central role in the EU’s broader global trade strategy. She announced that she will travel to India next weekend following the conclusion of the Davos summit, noting that the visit is aimed at advancing the proposed trade agreement and further strengthening economic relations between Europe and India. “There is important work to be done to deepen cooperation and reinforce our economic partnership,” she said. Placing the India deal within Europe’s wider global outlook, von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s openness to global engagement. “Europe will always choose the world, and the world is ready to choose Europe,” she said, stressing that the EU remains committed to doing business with partners worldwide. She added that Europe’s trade strategy is anchored in creating a stable and well-regulated environment that attracts investment, boosts trade, and supports sustainable economic growth. Beyond trade and investment, von der Leyen identified energy as a critical pillar of Europe’s growth agenda. She said the EU is working to build an energy union capable of delivering homegrown, reliable, and affordable energy to underpin economic expansion, while calling for an “urgency mindset” to tackle energy challenges and secure a sustainable future. Touching on broader strategic priorities, the European Commission President noted that Europe has made unprecedented progress in defence over the past year, with member states increasing defence investments to record levels. She also pointed out that three leading European defence technology startups have achieved unicorn status, reflecting growing innovation and strength in the sector. In a significant boost to India-EU ties, President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa and President Ursula von der Leyen will attend India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guests. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two EU leaders will undertake a three-day State Visit to India starting January 25. During the visit, they will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27. The leaders are scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and will variables. Notably, ten of the twelve pillars of global competitiveness identified by the World Economic Forum are stronger in countries with low religious restrictions and low social hostility. The benefits extend beyond national economies into the corporate sphere. Organizations that respect religious diversity and accommodate employees’ beliefs consistently report higher morale, lower legal risk, and greater stakeholder trust. These factors translate into improved retention, stronger productivity, and enhanced reputational standing in the marketplace. New research further reinforces these findings. A 2025 study by hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi. An India-EU Business Forum is also expected to be organised on the sidelines of the summit. India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The 15th IndiaEU Summit was held virtually on July 15, 2020. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), bilateral engagement has expanded and deepened across multiple sectors, particularly following the historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February last year. The MEA said the participation of EU leaders in the Republic Day celebrations and their presence at the upcoming summit are expected to further strengthen the IndiaEU Strategic Partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Religious Freedom Fuels Economic Growth By Elisha Pulivarti, U.S.– India SME Council, Inc. Religious freedom is often framed as a moral or human rights issue. Increasingly, however, global research shows it is also a powerful driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and longterm prosperity. S t u d i e s consistently demonstrate that countries with higher levels of religious freedom—marked by low government restrictions and minimal social hostilities— outperform others on key indicators of economic development. These nations attract greater investment, foster innovation, and experience more stable and sustainable growth. The United States, much of Europe, Singapore, and several other economies illustrate this pattern. By contrast, restrictions on religious freedom are closely linked to negative social and economic outcomes. Higher levels of religious hostility and government interference correlate with increased violence, reduced foreign investment, weakened institutions, and economic stagnation. Entire sectors can be disrupted when social trust erodes and instability rises. R e s e a r c h examining global economic Remember: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Jesus Christ performance finds that religious freedom is not merely associated with prosperity—it is one of the strongest predictors of growth. Empirical modeling shows it to be one of only three statistically significant predictors of GDP growth worldwide, even after accounting for political, social, and economic Professor Min Maung, “Do State Relations Affect Entrepreneurial Financing? A CrossCountry Analysis,” uses updated data and advanced econometric methods to confirm a positive and measurable relationship between religious freedom Religious Freedom see page 6
2 Friday January 23, 2026 Lucknow achieved 100% scientific processing of municipal solid waste under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban L u c k n o w (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 21 (ANI): The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is addressing challenges in waste management and environmental sustainability through a multi-pronged strategy focused on scientific waste disposal, resource recovery, and sustainable urban development, enhancing both public health and environmental quality in the city. The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, is a fast-expanding urban hub with nearly 40 lakh residents and 7.5 lakh establishments. According to an official release, in line with its scientific and sustainable approach to waste management, Lucknow has inaugurated its third fresh waste processing facility at Shivari Plant. With this, it becomes the first city in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100% scientific processing of municipal solid waste, officially earning the distinction of a ‘zero fresh waste dump’ city.The newly commissioned plant has a processing capacity of 700 metric tonnes per day. Together with the two existing facilities, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation is now equipped to scientifically process the entire daily waste generated, over 2,100 metric tonnes, eliminating the need for open dumping and marking a significant milestone in sustainable urban waste management. The city generates around 2,000 metric tonnes of waste daily. To manage this, LMC and Bhumi Green Energy have set up three waste-processing plants with a capacity of 700 MT/day each. Waste is segregated into organic (55%) and inorganic (45%) fractions. Organic waste is processed into compost and biogas, while inorganic waste is sorted for recycling or converted into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) for use in the cement and paper industries. Lucknow‘s door-to-door waste collection efficiency has improved to 96.53%, and source segregation levels are above 70%, the release stated. As reported by the Municipal Corporation, approximately 18.5 lakh metric tons of legacy waste in the city have been scientifically processed, of which around 12.86 lakh metric tons have been processed. The resulting RDF, C&D waste, biosoil, and coarse fractions have been utilised in environmentally friendly ways, such as recycling, co-processing, and lowlandfilling. As waste is processed, several valuable by-products are generated. Around 2.27 lakh metric tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) have been dispatched to industries across India for co-processing in cement and paper manufacturing. Inert materials such as coarse fractions (4.38 lakh MT), bio-soil (0.59 lakh MT), and construction & demolition waste (2.35 lakh MT) have been repurposed for landfilling and infrastructure development in low-lying areas. Gradually, this led to a significant transformation. Over 25 acres of land have been reclaimed at the site, which is now being developed into a fully functional fresh waste treatment facility with a daily processing capacity of 2,100 metric tonnes. The site now houses windrow pads, internal roads, sheds, dedicated weighbridges, and a complete waste processing ecosystem. The way forward is for the LMC to establish a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plant at Shivari. The proposed facility will convert RDF from waste into electricity. The planned 15 MW WtE plant will use 1,000-1,200 metric tons of RDF daily, helping reduce the cost and distance of transporting RDF to cement factories located nearly 500 km away. Lucknow‘s waste management model reflects a strong commitment to circular economy principles, maximising resource recovery, minimising legacy waste, and promoting the reuse of recyclables. The initiatives of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation stand as a model of inspiration for other cities and agencies, both within India and internationally. (ANI)
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4 Friday January 23, 2026 US Senator Daines concludes ‘productive’ India visit, advances bilateral ties New Delhi [India], January 20 (ANI): US Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, concluded a productive visit to India on January 17-19 which included meetings in Delhi with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, members of parliament, and US and Indian business leaders, a statement by the US Embassy in Delhi said. Reflecting on his visit, Daines said, “I came to India to reaffirm our two countries’ shared values and strategic partnership and to advocate on behalf of Montana’s pulse crop farmers. I appreciated Minister Goyal for listening to our farmers’ concerns and will continue to work with President Trump to press this important priority.” US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor added, “As we work to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level in cooperation, I will ensure that senior government officials will regularly travel to India. As a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with extensive experience in Asia, Senator Daines’ meetings with official and private sector stakeholders in New Delhi were instrumental in advancing our bilateral relationship.” During meetings with senior Indian officials and parliamentarians, Sen. Daines discussed growing US-India defence cooperation, mutual efforts to secure supply chains, and the importance of the US-India strategic partnership to ensuring our shared security and preserving a stable and open Indo-Pacific region. While in India, Daines pursued the interests of the Trump Administration and the people of Montana, including urging favourable pulse crop provisions in any future trade agreements between the United States and India. Montana is the top pulse crop producer in the United States, and India is the world’s top consumer. Daines sought to accelerate the active and ongoing talks toward concluding a fair and reciprocal bilateral trade deal. Daines spoke with representatives of the business community to highlight the many opportunities to deepen cooperation on advanced technologies and expand trade and investment ties to enhance prosperity in both the United States and India, as per the statement. India’s hypersonic missile to debut at Republic Day Parade showcasing maritime prowess By Niranjan Mishra | New Delhi [India], January 20 (ANI): Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) long-range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Glide Missile is set to make its debut in the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavyapath on January 26.The LRAShM missiles have a range of 1,500 km and will boost India’s capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. Its display at the Republic Day parade will showcase India’s self-reliance in the defence sector.Speaking to ANI, Project Director A Prasad Goud said that DRDO is working on hypersonic glide missile and hypersonic cruise missile technologies.” This missile is being developed by DRDO for the requirements of the Indian Navy. Its basic advantage is that it is hypersonic, so enemy radars cannot detect it. Its range is about 1500 Km and can carry different payloads, then defeat the warheads on ships deployed in the ocean. It travels at hypersonic speed and high aerodynamic efficiency. This will increase India’s capability in the ocean waters. DRDO is working on hypersonic glide missile technology and hypersonic cruise missile technology,” Project Director Goud said. Sharing the features of this missile, Goud said that the missile has a range of about 1500 Km and can carry different payloads, and can defeat warheads on ships deployed in the ocean. “It travels with hypersonic speed and high aerodynamic efficiency. Its aerodynamic efficiency is very high because we are able to glide very long distances,” he added.”This missile can reach targets of 1500 kilometres in a very short time, maybe within 15 minutes. We will be able to destroy all classes of warships using this particular missile. This will increase India’s capability in the ocean waters,” said Project Director Goud. He also emphasised that the “hypersonic missile” is the future and India has the technology to enhance capabilities with a range of 3,000 to 3,500 kilometres.” Future of missiles is Hypersonic Missile. DRDO is currently working on two technologies: hypersonic glide missile technology and hypersonic cruise missile technology. Our Advanced Lab Technology (ALT) is involved with hypersonic glide technology. India is continuously moving forward rapidly in this direction. Today, we have the technology to enhance capabilities with a range of 3,000 to 3,500 kilometres,” he added. Furthermore, the Republic Day parade will also showcase the Dhanush Gun System, Akash (L) Launcher, Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher System, and Akash missiles, among others.In addition to the celebrations, approximately 10,000 special guests (including spouses) from different walks of life have been invited to witness the Republic Day Parade. The guests include those who have carried out exemplary work in income and employment generation, best innovators, researchers & start-ups, Self Help Groups and best performers under key government initiatives. Arrangements have been made for the special guests to visit the National War Memorial, PM Sangrahalay and other prominent places in Delhi. They will also get an opportunity to interact with the respective Ministers.Additionally, in the backdrop of this expanding India-EU engagement, the President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavyapath on January 26 as Chief Guests. (ANI)
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India This Week Religious Freedom Fuels Economic Growth Religious Freedom from page 1 and economic outcomes. Countries that improve religious freedom see gains in foreign investment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development. The research identifies several mechanisms through which religious freedom supports growth. First, it builds trust and social capital across diverse communities, reducing transaction costs and encouraging cooperation. Second, it lowers the risk of conflict and instability, making economies more attractive to domestic and international investors. Third, it supports entrepreneurship and the free exchange of ideas— critical ingredients for innovation, particularly in emerging markets. I m p o r t a n t l y, religious restrictions and hostility remain significant barriers to economic progress. The evidence suggests that religious freedom is not simply correlated with economic success; it is a causal factor that enables societies and The Poetic Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- January 16, 2025 Monsters in Sheep’s Skin They come in sheep’s clothing, Voices soft, fists concealed, Crying power to the people While plotting what must be stolen and sealed. They claim they fight the rulers, That they stand with the broken and poor, They swear they are the people’s shield, Guardians of a prosperous future assured. They tear down thrones and legacies, Not for justice, not for truth, But to erase every rival voice And poison the faith of the youth. They burn the nation’s inheritance, What centuries struggled to save, Shatter monuments, memory, and meaning, Digging history’s unmarked grave. Every ruin they justify loudly, As restoration, as rights reclaimed, They promise freedom and dignity— Yet leave the people shocked and shamed. Death and destruction are their tools, Looting disguised as reform, They ransack the land in daylight While speaking sweetness to disarm. Once seated upon stolen power, The mask finally falls away, And those who raised them to the throne Are the first they betray. Obedience is no longer requested— It is demanded, enforced, ensured. Dissent is met with iron fists, And mercy is no longer endured. Cruel monsters crowned by deception, They sold utopia with charm, Delivered ruin wrapped in slogans, And stripped the people of life and arm. When the crowd at last awakens And sees words do not build a just land, It is already too late— The thieves command. They do not hesitate to kill or destroy, Conscience is foreign, kindness unknown, Innocent blood is merely collateral To preserve the power they’ve grown. Gullibility is not an asset, but a curse When truth is ignored or unseen, We elect those who speak sweet lies— It’ll be hard to dethrone monsters from power. businesses to thrive. For business leaders and policymakers, the implications are clear. Investment and expansion decisions should take religious freedom into account as a strategic consideration. Inclusive workplace policies that respect religious expression improve performance and resilience. Operating in environments with high religious restrictions increases legal, reputational, and operational risks. At a broader level, businesses that support religious freedom contribute to more stable, innovative, and prosperous societies. The growing body of evidence leaves little doubt: religious freedom is good for business and good for society. As research continues to validate these conclusions, leaders across sectors must recognize religious freedom not only as a human right, but as a strategic economic asset. Protecting and promoting it lays the groundwork for sustainable growth, social stability, and shared prosperity. INDIA THIS WEEK Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Dr. Babu Stephen Chief Editor: Rajan George Contributing Editors: Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online Remember: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” Jesus Christ Friday January 23, 2026 Women in live-in relationships should be granted status of “wife” to ensure their protection: Madurai Bench of Madras HC Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 21 (ANI): The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that women in live-in relationships should be granted the status of “wife” to ensure their protection, citing the ancient concept of Gandharva marriage. This landmark decision came while dismissing a petition for anticipatory bail filed by a man accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman under false promises of marriage. Justice S Srimathy emphasised that courts have a duty to safeguard vulnerable women in modern relationships, as live-in relationships lack the legal protections afforded to married women. Srimathy made these observations while dismissing a petition seeking anticipatory bail filed by a man who was apprehended by the Manapparai All Women Police Station in Tiruchirappalli district. According to the prosecution, the man was in a live-in relationship with a woman and had physical relations with her on multiple occasions after promising marriage, but later allegedly reneged on the promise. Rejecting the plea, the judge emphasised that courts have a duty to safeguard vulnerable women in modern relationship arrangements. The judge noted that men often exploit this legal grey area, initially embracing modernity but later questioning the woman’s character when the relationship sours. The court invoked Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which treats sexual relationships based on deception or false promises of marriage as a criminal offence. While live-in relationships may be viewed as a “cultural shock” in India, the judge noted that they have now become common. Many young women enter into such relationships believing them to be a modern choice, only to later realise that the law does not automatically extend protections similar to those available in marriage. Justice Srimathy stressed that men who renege on marriage promises cannot escape legal consequences, stating, “If marriage is not possible, men must face the force of law, adding that Section 69 of the BNS currently serves as a crucial provision to protect women in such situations. Concluding that a prima facie case under Section 69 of the BNS was made out against the accused, the court refused to grant him anticipatory bail. The judge further pointed out a disturbing tendency among men who willingly engage in live-in relationships to later question a woman’s character when the relationship deteriorates. According to her, men may consider themselves “modern” while being in a relationship, but are quick to shame or blame women once things begin to fall apart. (ANI)
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India This Week Friday January 23, 2026 Election Management Has Evolved Significantly; BLOs Are the Backbone of Democracy: CEC Gyanesh Kumar at IICDEM 2026 New Delhi [India]: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday said that the work of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) has evolved significantly over the past decades, while underscoring the crucial role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) as the foundational pillar of India’s electoral democracy. He was addressing the inaugural session of the International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Welcoming international delegates, the CEC highlighted India’s unparalleled democratic scale. “The work of EMBs has evolved significantly over the past decades. India, as the world’s largest democracy, conducts elections on an unprecedented scale, encompassing 28 states and eight Union Territories, with a population of 1.5 billion,” Kumar said. Taking delegates through India’s electoral journey, he explained how Indian elections have become the largest democratic exercise on the planet. “Each polling booth in India has roughly 970 electors, and the responsibility of ensuring that all eligible electors are included in the electoral roll is vested with the Booth Level Officers. A BLO is the foundational pillar of electoral democracy in India,” the CEC stated. Referring to the most recent Lok Sabha elections, Kumar said that over 640 million citizens exercised their franchise across more than one million polling stations, with nearly two crore personnel involved in the massive exercise. He added that the Constitution divides elections into two broad segments — preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections — and stressed that accurate and inclusive electoral rolls are essential to strengthening democracy. Citing Bihar as an example of electoral efficiency, the CEC noted that recent elections in the state began with purification of electoral rolls. “Out of 75 million electors, the number of appeals was zero. Amid intense public scrutiny, the rolls were finalised and elections were conducted successfully,” he said, crediting the efficiency of BLOs, Electoral Registration Officers, and the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) inaugurated the three-day IICDEM-2026, which is hosting nearly 100 delegates from around 70 countries and close to 1,000 participants. The inaugural session was attended by delegates from 42 Election Management Bodies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 27 countries, experts from over 70 national institutions, senior ECI officials, and 36 Chief Electoral Officers from across India. In a specially organised reception NF Railway partners with SBI to enhance safety and transparency in cash handling Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 21 (ANI): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has taken a major step towards strengthening financial efficiency, safety and transparency by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI) for providing cash pick-up facilities at 400 stations across the NFR network. The MoU was signed at the NFR Headquarters in Maligaon, Guwahati, in the presence of Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway, along with senior officials of the State Bank of India and NFR. The initiative marks an important milestone in improving cash management practices across the railway system. Under this arrangement, SBI will provide a secure and organised mechanism for cash pick-up from designated stations and ensure the timely deposit of station earnings into respective SBI branches. The system will bring uniformity in cash handling, enhance accountability and enable real-time tracking of cash movement through GPS-enabled vehicles, thereby reducing risks associated with theft, loss or misappropriation. The new facility is expected to result in significant savings in vehicle-hiring and security manpower costs, while also enhancing the safety of station staff. By relieving staff from manual cash transportation, the initiative will allow greater focus on core operational and commercial functions, reinforcing NFR's commitment towards modernisation, transparency and improved public service delivery. ceremony, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, welcomed the international delegates. Emphasising public trust in electoral institutions, Sandhu said, “At the heart of every election is a citizen, believing that their choice will be respected, and it is the collective responsibility of EMBs to protect it.” E l e c t i o n Commissioner Vivek Joshi said IICDEM-2026 brings together EMBs, researchers, students, and practitioners who approach elections from diverse perspectives, contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions worldwide. Director General of IIIDEM, Rakesh Verma, said the theme of India’s chairship — “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world” — reflects a comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of what democracy must deliver in the 21st century. Participants were also shown glimpses of the upcoming docuseries “India Decides,” produced in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery. Managing Director Arjun Nohwar said the series captures the complexity and scale of India’s general elections through the functioning of one of the world’s most demanding electoral institutions. The three-day conference includes plenary sessions, EMB leaders’ meetings, working group discussions, and thematic sessions focusing on global electoral challenges, international standards, and innovations in election management. IICDEM-2026 is expected to be the largest global conference of its kind ever hosted by India in the domain of democracy and election administration. receive the benefits on the spot. This program started on December 17th, and so far, approximately 1.75 lakh people have registered. Their grievances and problems are being heard,” he added.As per the release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the services under Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) are available not only in English but also in all 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. In addition, applicants can use AI assistance to understand the UCC process and complete their registration. Even before implementing the UCC, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had gßå¡iven clear instructions to officials to keep the registration process for various services under the UCC extremely simple and the website user-friendly, so that anyone can register independently without difficulty, a release said.In line with these directions, ITDA has developed the UCC website in English as languages of the Eighth Schedule Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Sindhi, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali, and Manipuri.This enables applicants not only to access information about UCC rules, procedures, and required documents in their own language, but also to submit applications in the same language. AI support can also be used throughout this process, a release added. Chief Minister said that his government has been guided by the principle of “simplification leading to solutions” from day one.”While implementing the Uniform Civil Code, special emphasis was placed on ensuring that citizens face no difficulty in registration. The UCC has emerged as a successful example of technological excellence. This is evident from the fact that not a single complaint has been received regarding the UCC process in the past one year,” Dhami said, as per a CMO release. (ANI) “Women safety increased after UCC implementation”: Uttarakhand CM Dhami R i s h i k e s h we are ensuring that people well as in all 22 scheduled (Uttarakhand) [India], January 21 (ANI): Hailing the Uniform Civil Code’s first year completion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said that UCC implementation empowered women, asserting that their safety has increased. CM Dhami said that the state has ensured that people receive benefits on the spot under various beneficiary schemes run by the Central and state governments.Speaking to reporters, Dhami said, “Whatever doubts, questions, and apprehensions people had regarding the UCC have all been cleared. The rumours have also ended, and in more than five lakh cases, not a single case of violation of privacy has been found. After the implementation of the UCC, women, in particular, have been empowered and their safety has increased, as has the safety of others.””Currently, whether it’s related to the UCC or our various beneficiary schemes of the Government of India and the state government,
India This Week 9 Spanish President to visit India soon, says its Foreign Minister Albares New Delhi [India], January 21 (ANI): Spain‘s President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon is set to embark on a visit to India soon, the country’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Wednesday. He also expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be able to visit Spain. Delivering his opening remarks during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the national capital today, Albares said that Spain is keen to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative and work bilaterally through the European Union. He also “President Sanchez will be very soon here in India for an official visit, and I hope that Prime Minister Modi will be able to visit Spain as well. We are going to continue working bilaterally through the European Union and as well in the multilateral sphere and we will be very happy to join the IndoPacific Ocean Initiative and have brought the letter to you to mark that moment.” And we will also express our wish of upgrading our relationship to a strategic association that is the highest level of relationship that we have with friends like is the case in India,” he said.Albares also thanked Jaishankar for expressing solidarity for the victims of the rencent train accident in Barcelona that killed over 40 people.” And thank you very much for your message of solidarity to the Spanish people in this very painful moment,” he said. Albares said that the logo for the dual year of culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence represents India and Spain‘s shared vision.”It has been a pleasure for me to present jointly with you our common logo for the Dual year. It fully represents our shared vision for this year and for the future of our relationship that has been increasing in the last few years,” he said. “I know that both countries, are working on a packed program of events that are going to mark this year, and I really look forward to having it presented in Spain as well. And I’m also very glad that it involved the participation of the public through the crowdsourcing method,” he added. Albares said that as the world order is going through a churn, it is essential that Spain develops relations with a reliable country like India.” In these very complicated times in the world, it’s very important for Spain to foster our relationship with such a reliable country like India, a country that believes in international law, that upholds the principles of the United Nations Charter, and that believes in multilateralism,” he said. He said that a positive sign would be the signing of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement.” A very good sign would be the final agreement of the FTA with the European Union that we very much would love to see being put forward finally. It’s the right time for that. Spain and India, are the two fastest growing economies in the world and our enterprises are benefiting from that. We will discuss later on the possibility of continuing increasing our trade relations, the presence of Spanish companies in India, the presence of Indian company in Spain,” he said. Albares stated Airbus and Tata’s cooperation as the real WEF 2026: Google Keen to Partner with Telangana on Agriculture and Climate Change Initiatives D a v o s , Switzerland, January 20 (ANI): A delegation led by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, under the ‘Telangana Rising’ banner, held extensive discussions on addressing climate change, its impact on agriculture, and the adverse effects of pollution in urban areas. During a meeting with Google APAC President Sanjay Gupta, CM Revanth Reddy presented the state’s CURE, PURE, RARE framework for regional economic growth and outlined plans to make core Hyderabad pollution-free. He also highlighted potential areas for collaboration, including traffic management, cybersecurity, and support for startup innovation. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Google for establishing its first-ever example of the cooepration both nations aim to foster.”I think that the partnership between Airbus and Tata is the real example of what we have to foster and what we have to be achieving. I hope that the pace of highlevel visits that we have been having in the last years. And once again, I want to thank you for your presence as a special invitee in last year’s Ambassador’s Conference in Spain will continue,” he said. He then said he looked forward to further engagements during his visit.”So looking forward to this working session. Once again, thank you very much for the solidarity for the Spanish people in this very difficult moment for my people looking forward for the working session,” he said. Albares arrived earlier in the day on Wednesday. A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that Albares will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Jaishankar on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday stated the European Union is close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement with India and noted that some describe it “the mother of all deals”. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, she stressed Europe’s intent to expand trade and international cooperation. (ANI) 5 Family HAircut $ Over 40 Years Of Experience Men • Women • Children ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES Google for Startups hub in Hyderabad. The delegation discussed the overuse of fertilizers and emphasized the need to educate farmers and implement preventive measures to address soil and agricultural challenges. Sanjay Gupta confirmed Google’s commitment to fully support Telangana in traffic control, cybersecurity, agriculture, startups, and climate change initiatives. Minister D. Sridhar Babu detailed the state government’s skilling programs, including the Young India Skills University, BFSI skilling initiatives, partnerships with Khan Academy and Physicswallah, and AI curriculum integration. He also highlighted efforts to provide free electricity to government schools and high-speed internet through the T-Fibre program. • Beard Trim $500 • Shampoo $1000 • Blow Dry $1000 st $ 00 • Perm from 20 $ 00 • Color from 20 • Highlights from $3500 • Spa Pedicure from $1700 1 Hair Cut Salon & Barber Shop 7364 McWhorter Place Annandale, VA Hours: Monday -Saturday 10am -5pm
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