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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sitharaman visits project site for infra-red observatory in Ladakh
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday, visited the project site for national large solar telescope (NLST) near strategic Pangong Lake in Meral area of Ladakh. The finance minister also took to X and related the information. 'Smt @nsitharaman visits the project site for National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), located near the Pangong lake in Merak, Ladakh at an altitude of around 4200m', she wrote on X. NLST is a proposed ground based 2-m class optical and near infra-red (IR) observational facility and the site provides significant periods of coronagraphic skies (high transparency), it read further Dr Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) was also present. On Sunday, Sitharaman had laid the foundation stone for a mini planetarium and Astro Globe at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in the Changthang region of the strategic region. The initiative, sanctioned under the special development package comes at an estimated cost of ₹276.65 lakh and aims to promote scientific education, astro-tourism, stargazing, night sky programs, and generate local employment, said an official spokesperson. At the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre's Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Telescope facility in Hanle, Prof Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), and Dr K.K. Yadav from the Astrophysical Sciences Division, BARC presented the telescope's current achievements and future plans. Applauding the efforts of IIA and the local community, Sitharaman remarked, 'This project symbolizes a collaborative spirit between the scientific and public community, a true matter of national pride.' She urged the development of programs tailored for the common public to spark interest in astrophysics through hands-on learning and proactively putting out content generated through these scientific centres. During her visit to Hanle, Sitharaman engaged with delegations of anganwadi workers, contractor associations, and BJP members from Nyoma, attentively listening to their concerns. At Rongo, she visited an animal husbandry site where she met with mostly female pashmina goat and yak herders. She distributed goat-shearing machines to support their livelihood. As part of the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, Sitharaman interacted with campaign beneficiaries. She also presented a ₹50 lakh cheque to Nyoma nomads under SBI's Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. The departments of sheep and animal husbandry hosted a live demonstration of the nomadic lifestyle. The department of social and tribal welfare showcased a mobile Anganwadi centre for nomadic children and displayed millet-based dishes prepared within the centre.
New Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Changes sought in ODA rules to ease building plan approval
BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Odisha Chapter has sought amendments in the Odisha Development Authorities (Planning and Building Standards) Rules to simplify plan approval process for low-risk buildings and make construction regulations more people-centric. IIA Odisha chapter chairperson Swopnadutta Mohanty said the draft Odisha Development Authorities (Planning & Building Standards) Rules, 2025 was submitted to Housing and Urban Development secretary Usha Padhee, on Monday. 'The proposed rules seek to ease procedural hurdles faced by the public during plan approval. Rather than burdening citizens with multiple layers of restrictive regulations, the draft rules aim to empower them through simplified and accessible procedures which will encourage them to comply with the building plan norms during construction,' Mohanty said. Under the draft planning and building standard rules, the department has been proposed to allow plan approval of plots up to 5,500 sq ft in size and buildings up to three-storey by registered architect in single-window service, Mohanty said. Currently, the empanelled architects are allowed to give plan approval for plots up to 3,000 sq ft.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bareilly industrialist IIA nat'l chief
Lucknow: Bareilly-based industrialist Dinesh Goyal was elected as the national president of the Indian Industries Association for the year 2025-2026 on Friday, said IIA election officer SB Jakhotiya. Goyal, 62, is a chartered accountant by education. He has held several posts in IIA in the past 15 years, including that of general secretary and senior vice-president, besides being a member of the Indian Institute of Packaging and Forest Research Institute – Research Analysis Group, Dehradun. Goyal is also chief advisor (industries) at Rohilkhand Incubation Foundation, MJP Rohilkhand University, and earned many corporate excellence awards for his work. Goyal will take charge as IIA chief in July. "My main priority would be to promote MSMEs in a global competitive environment and help in formulating policies/schemes suited to the MSME sector by interacting with the state and central govt," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Green ‘lungs' to breathe fresh air into Lko's pollution hotspots
With a view to combating air pollution, nearly 1.5 lakh saplings will be planted around industrial units, malls, and residential projects across the state capital. These green buffers are intended to function as 'lungs' for the city, especially in high-pollution zones, officials said. According to JP Maurya, regional officer of Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), Lucknow, the target for the city is 1,49,000 saplings. These will be planted around 15 major industrial and commercial entities, including factories in the automobile, dairy, pesticide, biomedical, and torch manufacturing sectors, as well as some shopping malls and housing projects. Each entity has been assigned specific plantation targets, and the drive will commence in the first week of July, coinciding with the onset of the monsoon, Maurya said. 'The saplings will be provided free of cost. The forest department is supplying the saplings which we will distribute to the industries. This initiative is part of the state government's broader push to increase green cover,' he added. According to UPPCB data, most of the factories contributing to pollution are located in the rural and semi-urban belts of the city, including areas like Dewa Road, Mohanlalganj, Nadarganj, Sultanpur Road, Bakshi Ka Talab, Bijnor Road, Baghamau, and Kursi Road. Messer Banaskantha Cooperative Milk Union Limited (Amul Milk) on Sultanpur Road has been directed to plant the highest number of saplings (35,000) within its premises. 'We have already started the drive from today (Thursday) on the occasion of World Environment Day. Once we receive the rest of the saplings, we will plant them around the campus,' Dinesh Chaudhary, regional head of the dairy plant in Lucknow, told HT. Likewise, another factory, UP Asbestos Limited in Mohanlalganj, has been given a target of planting 5,000 saplings. 'We are yet to receive the saplings. We plan to plant them around the factory premises,' Sunil Mehta, a representative of the unit, said. 'It is mandatory for these entities to plant trees equivalent to at least 35% of their campus area, or an equivalent number at another designated location. Non-compliance will lead to issuance of notices and further action by UPPCB,' Maurya said, adding each sapling will be geo-tagged to enable tracking and monitoring. Calling it a wonderful initiative, Chetan Bhalla, national vice-president of Indian Industries Association (IIA) said, 'This move will not only increase green cover, but will also help elevate the image of the city when foreign delegates visit these units for business purposes. Like better roads and connectivity to industries, green cover is equally significant. 'IIA promotes plantation drives and apart from the government's initiative, we individually organise such campaigns,' he added.
Business Wire
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ISACA Launches Groundbreaking Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) Certification
BUSINESS WIRE)--AI literacy tops the list of the 15 fastest-growing skills professionals need to stay competitive in today's environment, according to a new LinkedIn report. Designed to meet the needs of audit professionals who are facing an evolving tech and compliance landscape with AI at the forefront, ISACA has introduced the ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) certification —the first advanced audit-specific artificial intelligence certification designed for experienced auditors. AAIA allows experienced auditors to demonstrate their knowledge on AI governance, risk, operations and tools. The certification showcases IT audit professionals who can navigate the complexities of AI, demonstrating they have the skills to respond to risks, identify opportunities, and ensure compliance while safeguarding organizational integrity. Built on ISACA's trusted expertise in IT audit and the rigorous standards behind renowned credentials like Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) from ISACA, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) from Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), this certification validates expertise in conducting AI-focused audits, addressing AI integration challenges, and enhancing audit processes through AI-driven insights. In addition to being able to audit systems that utilize AI, IT audit professionals can leverage AI tools and techniques to streamline audits, reduce manual effort, and boost operational efficiency for faster, more accurate decision-making, while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, compliance and innovation. Those with an active CISA from ISACA, CIA from IIA, and CPA from AICPA are eligible to pursue the AAIA, which covers the key domains of AI governance and risk, AI operations, and AI auditing tools and techniques. 'ISACA is proud to have served the global audit community for more than 55 years through our audit and assurance standards, frameworks and certifications, and we are continuing to help the community evolve and thrive with the certifications and training they need in this new era of audits involving AI,' says Shannon Donahue, ISACA Chief Content and Publishing Officer. 'Through AAIA, auditors can demonstrate their expertise and trusted advisory skills in navigating AI-driven challenges while upholding the highest industry standards.' Exam preparation options include the AAIA Review Manual, as well as the AAIA Online Review Course and Questions, Answers, and Explanations Database (QAE), both of which allow one year of access to allow for time to fully prepare for success on the exam. Additional AI Resources, Training, Credentials A recent survey from ISACA found that 85 percent of digital trust professionals, including auditors, say they will need to increase their skills and knowledge in AI within two years to advance or retain their job, and 94 percent say AI skills will be important for digital trust professionals to have. With this in mind, ISACA also has recently released a range of AI courses and resources. This also includes another new AI certification in Q3—the Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM) credential, which can be earned by CISMs and CISSPs. Learn more about AAIA at More information about ISACA's other credentials can be found at About ISACA For more than 55 years, ISACA ® ( has empowered its community of 185,000+ members with the knowledge, credentials, training and network they need to thrive in fields like information security, governance, assurance, risk management, data privacy and emerging tech. With a presence in more than 190 countries and with nearly 230 chapters worldwide, ISACA offers resources tailored to every stage of members' careers. Through the ISACA Foundation, ISACA also expands IT and education career pathways, fostering opportunities to grow the next generation of technology professionals.
