Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first domestically produced semiconductor chip is set to be unveiled in 2025. The minister made this declaration during the 85th foundation day celebrations of the Keshav Memorial Educational Society in Hyderabad on July 19, 2023. This development is expected to position India as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry.

During his speech, Vaishnaw highlighted the progress India is making in semiconductor chip manufacturing. He noted that the country is already home to the design of complex chips in cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Gurugram, and Chennai. He stated, “Now, we are starting the manufacturing of semiconductor chips. We have already approved six semiconductor plants. Their construction is going on.”

The minister emphasized the transformative potential of this venture, indicating that it will not only bolster India’s technological capabilities but also contribute to the global supply chain. The six approved plants are currently under construction, paving the way for the launch of the first Made in India chip by 2025.

AI Training and Economic Goals

In addition to the semiconductor announcements, Vaishnaw discussed the India AI Mission, which aims to enhance the country’s artificial intelligence capabilities. He revealed that free datasets and resources are being made available, with plans to train one million individuals in AI technologies. This initiative reflects India’s commitment to advancing its technological landscape and workforce.

Looking ahead, Vaishnaw expressed confidence in India’s economic trajectory, suggesting that the nation could rank among the top two economies globally by 2047. He remarked on the shifting dynamics of the global economy, stating that western nations, which have historically dominated, are now being challenged by emerging powers in the “eastern hemisphere.”

The announcements made by Vaishnaw are indicative of India’s ambitions to strengthen its position in the high-tech sector and to foster a stronger economy through innovation and manufacturing. The upcoming semiconductor chip is a crucial step towards achieving these goals, marking a significant milestone in India’s technological evolution.

Passengers aboard an Air India Express flight faced a distressing experience after their journey from Dubai to Kozhikode was abruptly cancelled due to a technical issue. The flight, numbered IX 346, was scheduled to depart on Friday, March 15, 2024, but was grounded just before takeoff, leaving travelers stranded in scorching conditions.

The cancellation occurred at around 09:00 local time, shortly after passengers had boarded the aircraft at 08:15. While waiting for takeoff, many passengers reported feeling increasingly uncomfortable as the cabin temperature soared, with air conditioning reportedly switched off during efforts to rectify the technical problems. The discomfort was particularly acute for elderly women and children on board, who struggled under the intense heat.

Passengers remained on the plane for several hours, receiving limited updates about the situation. It was not until 12:15 that they were informed of the flight’s cancellation due to the technical issue. Many expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the airline, which added to the ordeal.

In the aftermath of the cancellation, Air India Express representatives stated that arrangements had been made to accommodate the affected passengers. A spokesperson confirmed that while the air conditioning was temporarily turned off to address the issues, efforts were made to ensure passenger comfort as much as possible. Passengers were subsequently offered hotel accommodations, along with the option to board a replacement flight scheduled for 03:30 the following morning.

Despite these measures, some passengers chose to cancel their tickets and request refunds instead, citing the stressful and uncomfortable experience. This incident highlights the challenges airlines face in managing technical difficulties while ensuring passenger safety and comfort.

As the airline navigates the repercussions of this incident, passengers are left hoping for improved communication and assistance in future travel disruptions.

Senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta officially took the oath of office on July 18, 2024, becoming the new Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the Union Territory of Ladakh. His appointment follows a formal recommendation from President Droupadi Murmu, who appointed him to the position just four days prior.

The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Ladakh Raj Niwas in Leh, where Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, administered the oath. During the event, Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal read the warrant of Gupta’s appointment, marking a significant transition in leadership for the region.

Gupta is the third individual to serve as Lieutenant Governor since the Union Territory was established following the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeds Brigadier B D Mishra, who held the position since February 19, 2024. R K Mathur, the first LG, was appointed in 2019.

With a political career spanning several decades, Gupta has held various significant roles within both the government and the BJP. He served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for a brief period in 2018 before resigning when the BJP withdrew support from the coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti. Gupta also boasts a notable tenure as the Mayor of Jammu, serving three consecutive terms from 2005 to 2010.

His political journey began in earnest when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time from the Gandhi Nagar constituency in the 2014 Assembly elections, defeating incumbent Congress minister Raman Bhalla. Following the BJP’s victory in those elections, Gupta was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the House, further solidifying his influence in the region.

Gupta, a resident of the Janipur area in Jammu, has also held leadership positions in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and served as secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). His earlier political activism included spending approximately 13 months in jail during the Emergency as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

As Gupta begins his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he steps into a role that has significant responsibilities, especially in a region characterized by its unique governance structure and recent political history. His experience in local governance and party leadership will be crucial as he navigates the challenges ahead in Ladakh.

The Trump administration has implemented a new directive requiring Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to personally approve all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters. This decision, announced on July 18, 2023, introduces an “elevated review” process for activities including leases, rights-of-way, construction, operational plans, grants, and biological assessments. The Interior Department stated that this enhanced oversight seeks to eliminate “preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy.”

By mandating Secretary Burgum’s approval, the administration aims to ensure that evaluations of potential projects on millions of acres of federal lands and offshore areas are thorough and deliberative. However, clean energy advocates have voiced concerns that this increased bureaucratic oversight could hinder projects that need to commence quickly to qualify for federal tax credits set to expire under a tax-cut and spending bill signed by President Trump on July 4.

The legislation phases out credits for wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources while bolstering federal support for fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas. Stephanie Bosh, senior vice president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, criticized the directive, stating, “At a time when energy demand is skyrocketing, adding more layers of bureaucracy and red tape for energy projects at the Interior Department is exactly the wrong approach.”

In a significant shift, the recent legislation seeks to dismantle the 2022 Climate Law, which had been established under President Joe Biden. On July 7, Trump signed an executive order further restricting subsidies for renewable energy, referring to them as “expensive and unreliable energy policies from the Green New Scam.” This order was part of a compromise made with conservative House Republicans who were dissatisfied that the tax-cut bill did not eliminate all clean energy subsidies immediately.

Despite some Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski and John Curtis, advocating for a delay in the phase-out of certain credits to allow ongoing projects to continue, the new law is expected to significantly curtail growth in the wind and solar industries. Democrats and environmental groups warn that this will likely lead to increased utility bills for Americans and jeopardize hundreds of renewable energy initiatives intended to strengthen the nation’s electric grid.

The need for renewable energy is growing, driven by rising demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and other sectors. The Interior Department asserted that Burgum’s order will “level the playing field for dispatchable, cost-effective and secure energy sources,” such as coal and natural gas, after what they termed “years of assault under the previous administration.”

Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management, Adam Suess, emphasized that “American energy dominance is driven by US-based production of reliable baseload energy, not regulatory favoritism towards unreliable energy projects that are solely dependent on taxpayer subsidies and foreign-sourced equipment.”

While Democrats express concern that the new tax law will hinder the integration of renewable energy into the electric grid, Republicans argue it supports the production of traditional energy sources, including oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power, thereby increasing reliability. The Senate compromise allows wind and solar projects that begin construction within a year of the law’s enactment to receive full tax credits without a deadline for when they must be operational. Projects that begin later must be operational by the end of 2027 to qualify for credits, while incentives for technologies such as advanced nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower will remain in place through 2032.