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startups have raised Rs 286 crore in funding from investors, a top official of the organisation said. While speaking at an event, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) director General Arvind Kumar said the organisation, formed under the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, has given early-stage seed capital of Rs 30.87 crore to 136 startups and financially incentivised 359 others through a stipend amount of Rs 3.57 crore. «Amongst these supported startups, 134 have also been able to raise external funding from an investor community comprising angels and venture capitalists of about Rs 286 crore, which is not only a validation of their business but also the testament of the progress made by these startups,» Kumar said during the STPI Sangam event on Friday. «I am proud to share that 44 per cent of STPI's startup portfolio consists of women entrepreneurs, many of whom come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. We are not just honouring startup success stories today; we are also reflecting on how we can improve, refine our policies, expand our outreach, and ensure that our startup ecosystem reaches its full potential,» Kumar said.

Jairam Ramesh on Sunday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that it is the party's continuous attempt to damage bonds of social harmony. He added that it is BJP's strategy to «demonise» minority communities by «spreading false propaganda.» «The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is part of BJP's strategy and continuing attempts to damage the centuries-old bonds of social harmony in our uniquely multi-religious society. Demonise minority communities by spreading false propaganda and creating prejudices, dilute Constitutional provisions that guarantee equal rights and protections to all citizens, regardless of religion,» Jairam Ramesh said in a statement. He added that's it is also BJP's strategy to «defame traditions and institutions of minority communities to keep our society in a state of permanent polarisation for electoral gains.» Ramesh further highlighted the «flaws» of Waqf (Amendement) Bill, noting that it «deliberately deprive» the community of the right to administer its own religious traditions and affairs.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. For startup employees wanting to rant about their bosses or run a digital reconnaissance on a company before joining it, Grapevine has been a go-to platform for the past few years, allowing it to amass a significant number of users. Now, Grapevine and other similar platforms just a few years in existence are nursing grander ambitions—to transform into a LinkedIn for startups.

vintage watches. Delhi-based fashion consultant and writer Varun Rana has snagged two timeless timekeepers from him. His most prized possession, however, is a 1988 HMT Varun. His hunting grounds are watch repair shops which, he is sad to note, are fast disappearing. Be it watches, jewellery, accessories, or clothes, what is old is new, thanks to a focus on fashion’s wasteful ways. The retro is relevant. It’s often said that a vintage shopper rarely divulges their sources. But ET spoke to second-hand shoppers and specialists to reveal the secrets of vintage shopping. WHAT IS VINTAGE?

Speaking to ANI, Thakur said, «Congress believes in the politics of appeasement, Divide and Rule. At the direction of Rahul Gandhi, the play staged by Karnataka Congress leaders clearly shows that to gain Muslim votes, a 4 per cent reservation is being given in government contracts.» He claimed that the Karnataka government's decision to provide 4 per cent reservation to minority contractors is against the law and added that they will have to face consequences. «This is against the law, and they would also have to face the consequences. Congress has not learnt anything even after so many defeats,» Thakur said. The Karnataka state cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide 4 per cent reservation in tenders to Minority contractors.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Sassoon Docks, tucked away in the bustling heart of South Mumbai’s Colaba, is a living testament to the city’s maritime soul. Just a stone’s throw from the Gateway of India, it is more than a mere port—it is the fish-scented, beating heart of Mumbai, where history, hustle, and heritage converge in an unforgettable sensory symphony.

Match Day marks a significant moment. Match Day comes at the end of Match Week, which began on Monday, March 17. The week ends on Friday with Match Day, which comes on March 21 this year. It is on this day when final year medical students receive an email notifying them whether or not they have been accepted into a residency.

The order, dated comes in response to growing concerns over a potential demographic shift in the region due to illegal immigration, particularly from Myanmar. Mizoram, sharing a 510-km porous border with Myanmar, currently hosts 33,505 Myanmar refugees, predominantly from the Chin ethnic group, alongside 2,217 from Bangladesh, as per Home Minister K Sapdanga. The influx, triggered by Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, has strained resources and sparked fears of a broader regional impact. In Manipur, former Chief Minister N Biren Singh has repeatedly blamed illegal immigration from Myanmar for fueling ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, displacing over 50,000 people since May 2023. There are around 8,000 refugees from Manipur who have taken shelter in several districts of Mizoram after the ethnic violence broke out in the neighbouring state in May 2023.

Karnataka Assembly on Friday passed the bill providing 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts amid protests by BJP. The SC/ST contractors enjoy a 24.1% reservation in government contracts and the government later extended the benefit to communities coming under Category 1.

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh it means they could be left with too little food and money for survival. No cuts have happened yet. But the UN World Food Programme said if it is not able to raise funds, it will have no option but to halve food rations to $6 a month from previous $12.50 in the country's southern coastal district of Cox's Bazar, where the Rohingya live in sprawling camps. It was not immediately clear if the WFP's decision was directly related to the Trump administration's action, but during a recent visit to the refugee camps, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized the US and other countries in Europe for halting or reducing their aid budgets. UN food agency says no choice but to reduce rations To be sure, a large portion of funds needed for supporting Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has come from the US Agency for International Development, but the country's government and dozens of aid organisations also look after their daily needs. Yet, any drop in humanitarian aid could have extreme impact on the lives of Rohingya refugees.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The oil-and-gas industry is landing blow after blow against climate activists. The Trump administration has cranked out approvals of major projects to ship liquefied natural gas from the Gulf Coast and killed a host of climate-related initiatives.

Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government the total expenditure incurred by Indian embassies on arrangements for the prime minister's foreign visits in the past three years. He also asked for visit-wise details of expenses under major heads such as hotel arrangements, community receptions, transport arrangements and other miscellaneous expenditures among others. The data on country-wise expenditure on foreign visits by the prime minister, including the expenditure on official, accompanying, security and media delegations, in 2022, 2023 and 2024 was shared in a tabulated form in his response. According to the data, an expenditure of Rs 22,89,68,509 was incurred on the visit of the prime minister to the US in June 2023, while the expenditure incurred was Rs 15,33,76,348 on the September 2024 visit to the same country.

If you’re planning to visit Japan soon, be prepared to adapt to this unique system, where cleanliness is maintained through personal responsibility and a deep respect for the environment. But why does Japan follow this system?

According to UN-backed report, released Thursday, Finland maintained its position as the world's happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year, with its extensive lakes and robust social welfare system cited as key factors by residents and specialists. Afghanistan, facing severe humanitarian challenges since the Taliban's 2020 return to power, remained at the bottom of the global happiness rankings. The US descended to position 24, its poorest showing since the report's inception in 2012, when it had achieved its peak ranking of 11th place. One of the biggest reason for the fall in happiness of Americans, according to the report, is eating meals alone. «The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 percent over the past two decades,» the authors stated, highlighting that shared meals «is strongly linked with well-being». Data from 2023 showed approximately 25% of Americans consumed all their daily meals alone.

African penguins at the New England Aquarium in Boston. These senior seabirds have scored the ultimate retirement gig: chilling on their private island, blissfully removed from the chaotic flippers of the younger crowd. In this exclusive retreat, six distinguished penguins in their 30s (ancient by penguin standards) enjoy the slow lane.

state and local governments, deepening his drive to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The order, first previewed by the White House on March 10, calls for a review of all infrastructure, continuity, and preparedness and response policies to update and simplify federal approaches. It said «common sense» investments by state and local governments to address risks ranging from wildfires to hurricanes and cyber attacks would enhance national security, but did not detail what they were or how they would be funded. «Preparedness is most effectively owned and managed at the state, local, and even individual levels, supported by a competent, accessible, and efficient federal government,» the order said. «When states are empowered to make smart infrastructure choices, taxpayers benefit.» The order calls for revising critical infrastructure policy to better reflect assessed risks instead of an «all-hazards approach,» the White House said in a fact sheet on the order.

Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday that the Hindus will rule in India and the Mamata Banerjee government will soon be dislodged in 2026 polls, as he challenged the Trinamool government on Ram Navami. The LoP also stressed that there is an attempt to appease minority vote bank and consolidation by Trinamool Congress ahead of 2026 assembly polls and attempts to prevent Ramnavami by police in various parts of the state are done by Trinamool Congress. “In Hindustan, Hindus will reign and in Bengal, those who will work for welfare of the Hindus will stay in power. Delhi has been won by BJP and now it is the turn of Bengal. Mamata Banerjee was defeated by me. She will again be defeated in Bhawanipore in 2026 by a BJP candidate,” Adhikari asserted. «Otherwise the situation in the state will soon become similar to Bangladesh if the Mamata Banerjee government remains in power.» “Every time before the election, Mamata Banerjee goes to Furufura Sharif in order to consolidate the vote bank of a particular community. In 2016 she Within ten months, there will be an assembly election which is knocking at the door. Within ten months, assembly elections will take place,” Adhikari said. He urged the Hindu Sanatanis and SC-ST to come together and vote for the BJP. “Bengal should be saved. Hindutva is being attacked and all should come together,” he said. He claimed there will be huge celebrations during Ram Navami this year.

Christopher Luxon on Tuesday in the national capital. Nadda presented the visiting Kiwi PM with a shawl, bouquet and the book, «Modi @ 20». BJP in-charge of the Foreign Affairs Department, Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, was also present during the meeting. Earlier, the New Zealand PM took to X and shared his photo from outside the India Gate. «A big first day in Delhi», he wrote on X.