The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry today released its report on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India in New Delhi. The report highlights how SMEs are adapting to the digital transformation, adopting sustainability practices and challenges.

The report states an increase in adopting technology through the use of e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, cloud computing, and automation tools. This has reportedly brought a reduction in their annual operational costs, increased customer base, and expanded market presence. The study said that sustainable practices by SMEs can mitigate their ecological footprint, optimize resource utilisation, and minimise waste generation. The study highlighted the key challenges SMEs face such as a lack of skilled resources, technological expertise, and a limited knowledge of business-specific technology solutions.

Global Village, the renowned multicultural family destination that brings together culture, entertainment, dining, shopping, and attractions, kicked off its 28th season on Wednesday, promising visitors a "More Wonderful World."

Fernando Eiroa, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, expressed his excitement: "For nearly three decades, Global Village has been a regional and international phenomenon, solidifying Dubai's status as a global entertainment and tourism hub. This achievement owes much to our exceptional teams and partners, who tirelessly contribute to showcasing the world's diverse cultures at Dubai's Global Village.

In Tamilnadu, spiritual leader Bangaru Adigal passed away at Chengalpattu today. He was 82. He was the founder of Adhi Parasakthi Siddhar Peedam. He was awarded Padmashri in 2019. He has followers in more than 15 countries.

Bangaru Adigal who was always clothed in red was also an educationist and had institutions of higher learning. Born in a humble family, he had a great spiritual awakening which resulted in lakhs of followers around the world who also wore red.

In Qatar Masters, the 24-year-old Indian chess grandmaster, Karthikeyan Murali, became the third Indian player to beat the world's number one player, Magnus Carlsen in classical chess. Karthikeyan Murali is the third Indian after Harikrishna and Viswanathan Anand to have beaten Carlsen.

Karthikeyan's win occurred in the seventh round of the tournament, where he skillfully wielded the black pieces. With this significant triumph, he joined the ranks of other leading players such as SL Narayan, Javokhir Sindarov, David Paravyan, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nodirbek Yakubboev, all of whom held a remarkable score of 5.5 out of 7.

The Jhulaghat transit in the Baitadi district connecting Nepal and India has come into full operation from today. Being under construction, the suspension bridge over the Mahakali River was partially operational. Until yesterday for the repair of the bridge, people's mobility was halted from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Today onwards, the transit is operational from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. aiding people's movement across the border.

During the festivals of Dashain and Tihar, there are Nepalese people who return home to join their families as well as Hindu pilgrims from India who visit the shrines of Bhagwati Ningalashaini, Tripurasundari, Bhagwati Melauli and Udayadev located in western Nepal. With the full operation of the crossing during the Dashain festival, locals are happy.

Union Heavy Industries Minister Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today flagged off the 'Green Plate EV Rally' at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The event was hosted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The rally showcased a fleet of over 100 electric vehicles (EVs), including 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, cars and buses.

The Ministry said the event was aimed at raising awareness, enhancing customer confidence and exhibiting the capabilities of the Indian automotive industry.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the government’s constant support for EVs in India with around 9.4 lakh EVs running currently.

The Arunachal Pradesh State Cabinet on Wednesday (18th October 2023) approved the constitution of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in the State for three Tiger Reserves of the State namely- Namdapha, Pakke and Kamlang. This decision will result in the creation of 336 regular posts in the state.

The cabinet observed that this will lead to protection of Tigers and their habitats, protection of wildlife habitats and prevention of other illegal activities in these tiger reserves.

In addition to it, the state cabinet also approved to provide a lump-sum monthly honorarium to all the Third Language Teachers of various tribes who have developed their own scripts. There are 1043 Language teachers engaged presently in Arunachal Pradesh and this decision of the cabinet is seen as an encouragement of the third language subject of respective tribes, right from elementary level onwards.

In Punjab, efforts to make the state completely drug-free are going at different levels currently. The state government also started the mission ‘Hope Initiative’ in this regard from Amritsar yesterday. The Ardas for the success of this mission was performed in the premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Akashvani's correspondent reports. led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, thousands of youth from across the state yesterday participated in Ardaas at Sri Harmandir Sahib to make the state completely drug-free. These youth wearing yellow turbans, patkas and duppatas, prayed to the almighty to give strength to them for fulfilling this sacred mission aimed at wiping out the curse of drugs from this border state. This anti-drug ‘Hope Initiative’ has been embarked with a three fold strategy of Pray, Pledge, and Play which is first of its kind mass movement against drugs to break the backbone of this menace.

The berthing of the maiden vessel at Adani Port’s Vizhinjam transshipment terminal’s, the Zhen Hua 15, delivering cranes for the port’s development, marked a big milestone for the Adani Group as well as the country. The arrival of this vessel marks the project’s steady development, which is slated for commercial operations by next year. Strategically located on the southwestern coast, the Vizhinjam Port is set to transform the country’s port infrastructure by creating the capacity to handle ultra-large ships. Let’s understand the importance of Vizhinjam Port. 

It might sound like science fiction, but “marine cloud brightening” is being seriously considered as a way to shield parts of the ocean from extreme heat.

We’re using water cannons to spray seawater into the sky. This causes brighter, whiter clouds to form. These low marine clouds reflect sunlight away from the ocean’s surface, protecting the marine life below from the worst of climate change.

Australia’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – a collaboration between several universities, CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science – is exploring whether cloud brightening could reduce coral bleaching. As an oceanographer and engineer I lead the program’s research into cooling and shading techniques.