Kautilya

Research

Indian Researchers Discover New Gecko Species in Arunachal Pradesh

The new species, which belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus commonly known as bent-toed geckos, was discovered by Zeeshan Mirza of the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru, Harshal Bhosale and Mandar Sawant of the Bombay Natural History Society in Mumbai, Faizan Ansari of the Madras Crocodile Bank in Chennai, Gaurang Gowande of Ferguson College in Pune, Pushkar Phansalkar from Pune, and Harshil Patel of the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in Surat.

By Kautilya / February 1, 2021

Diplomacy

Nepal Decides to Award Hydropower Project to India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam

Nepal has decided to award the contract for construction of 679 megawatt Lower Arun Hydropower Project to India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). This was decided at a meeting of the Investment Board Nepal (IBN), chaired by Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The project was awarded to the SJVN under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) delivery method.

By Kautilya / February 1, 2021

Heritage Temples and Places

ASI Finds Ancient Structure Near Lingaraj Temple in Odisha

WORKERS AND officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) engaged in a preservation and excavation exercise near Shree Lingaraj Temple, the most prominent temple of Bhubaneswar, have stumbled upon an ancient stone structure — possibly a platform on which one among the oldest shrines in Odisha once stood.

By Kautilya / February 1, 2021

Diplomacy

India-Africa Trade Council Takes Off

The India-Africa Trade Council will open 13 trade offices in major metro cities of India to facilitate engagement. The offices will work directly with embassies in Delhi and bring opportunities to places like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Diplomacy

India, B’desh Foreign Secretaries Review Bilateral Ties, Discuss PM’s Visit to Dhaka

Foreign Secretaries of India and Bangladesh on Friday carried out a comprehensive review of the overall bilateral ties and held discussions on preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka in March.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Infrastructure

Vikram Solar Commissions 140 MW Solar Project for NTPC

The solar project spread across 700 acre also includes 33/132 kV switchyard. The expected energy yield of this project in Uttar Pradesh is 319 million units and is likely to power 1,45,662 houses per year.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Diplomacy

Indian-Greece Ties

The Greek Foreign Ministry describes the Indian-Greek friendship as “excellent, with relations being multifaceted, harmonious and warm, as the two peoples are linked by close ties of friendship and mutual cooperation, and represent ancient cultures.”

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Defense

IOC to Make Aviation Fuel for Trainer Aircraft in India from Next Year

In a bid to make flying training more affordable in India, the government has decided Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will produce AvGas under the “atmanirbhar Bharat abhiyan.” Aviation Gas (AvGas) is currently imported for trainer aircraft and increases the operating costs for flying training organisations (FTO) and loss of foreign exchange. This, in turn, leads to higher charges for wannabe pilots.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Economy

India Mulls New Law to Ban Cryptocurrencies, Create Official Digital Currency

India plans to introduce a law to ban private cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and put in place a framework for an official digital currency to be issued by the central bank, according to a legislative agenda listed by the government.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021

Economy

A Strong V-Shaped Recovery of Economic Activity Confirmed in the IIP Data

The Economic Survey has observed that in-spite of an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and consequential challenges, the industrial and infrastructure sector of Indian economy are on a fast V-shaped recovery path. This strong V-shaped recovery of economic activity is further confirmed in the IIP data. The Economic Survey was tabled in the Parliament today by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.

By Kautilya / January 31, 2021