Latest news with #Shah
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Time of India
Emeren Group to go private in $103 million deal
Renewable energy firm Emeren Group said on Thursday it will go private in a $102.6-million deal with a company backed by its chairman, Himanshu Shah . Shurya Vitra , a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, will buy Emeren for $2 per American Depositary Share in cash. Shah has committed to providing the funding needed for the acquisition through an equity investment in Shurya Vitra. An uncertain economic environment and elevated capital costs have pushed some small- and mid-cap firms to go private, which allows them the flexibility to navigate the difficulties without the pressure of public markets . Shurya Vitra's offer is priced at a 12.4 per cent premium to Emeren's last close, and a 23.5 per cent premium to its share price in March before it disclosed it had formed a special committee to evaluate a buyout proposal received earlier that month. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Left govt in Kerala slams Amit Shah's ‘feel ashamed to speak English' remark, defends linguistic diversity
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM-led LDF government in Kerala has reacted sharply to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that soon a time would come when those speaking English in the country would 'feel ashamed'. Higher Education Minister R Bindu said Shah's statement reflected the "narrow-minded politics" that he represents and that it would only serve to curtail students' knowledge and global outlook. "Amit Shah's statement should also be seen in the context of attempts to impose Hindi across the country. This is a major transgression on India's linguistic diversity," she told reporters. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said no language is inferior or superior to another and asserted that, as an international language, English is an important medium for communication and exchange of knowledge. "The government of Kerala is committed to encouraging learning of all languages and protecting the right of students to select the language of their choice," Sivankutty said. He added that linguistic diversity was the strength of the nation and should be protected. Speaking at a book release function in Delhi on Thursday, Shah said, "In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed, the creation of such a society is not far away." Shah also said that the time has come to reclaim India's linguistic heritage and lead the world with pride in native tongues.
The Wire
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Five Reasons Why Amit Shah's Threat of English Speakers Being 'Ashamed' is Dangerous
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that 'time is not far away for a society where people speaking in English in this country feel ashamed' has sparked a major controversy, after Asian News International and other media houses deleted their media reports and social media updates about the speech. While such statements have appeared before in Indian politics, Shah's position as the de facto 'number two' leader in the ruling BJP and as the union home minister lends extra weight to his words. With the dark shadow of Hindutva's longstanding ideological 'Hindi-Hindu-Hindusthan' slogan, Shah's comment is not just a cultural observation. It carries deep political and global implications, touching on issues of national identity, social mobility, intellectualism and India's international image. Here are five reasons why Shah's statement is significant. Fuels linguistic chauvinism and division India's strength lies in its linguistic diversity. There is no one national language, but 22 of them. By framing English as a foreign imposition and linking it to shame, Shah's statement fans the flames of linguistic chauvinism. This is especially dangerous in a country where language has often been a flashpoint for regional and communal tensions. English often serves as a neutral bridge language in India, especially in higher education, business, and inter-state communication. Non-Hindi speaking states, especially those in the South, East and the Northeast, are likely to see Shah's statement as yet another attempt by the Hindutva regime to impose a narrow, Hindi-centric identity on the entire country, further deepening regional divides and resentment. Colonial legacy as an excuse for furthering Hindutva Shah's statement aligns with the BJP's long-standing agenda of promoting Hindi as being central to the Indian identity. By framing English as a symbol of colonial legacy and 'shame,' he appeals to nationalist sentiments and consolidates the party's core base. His rhetoric helps create the narrative that true patriotism is tied to embracing Indian languages, a euphemism for Hindi in the BJP's view. While there is merit in shedding colonial hangovers, English has evolved into a global lingua franca and a practical tool for international engagement. Shah's framing of English as a source of 'shame' risks using a sensitive issue for ideological and political gains. It can polarise public opinion and distract from the much-needed debate about the quality of public education, as exemplified by the rewriting of textbooks in the BJP ruled states. Threatens India's global competitiveness India's rise as an Information Technology and services powerhouse is built on its large pool of English-speaking talent. This linguistic advantage has been an envy of a country like China. Casting English in a negative light sends a regressive message to the world and risks undermining India's attractiveness to global investors, multinational companies and academic collaborators. It will discourage young Indians from acquiring the very skills that make them globally competitive, damaging the country's future economic prospects. Shah's statement, if seen as official policy of the Hindutva regime, will create concerns about India's openness and modernity, and affect India's image as a cosmopolitan, globally connected nation. Impact on social mobility and education English in India is often seen as a gateway to better education, jobs, and upward mobility. By stigmatising English, Shah's statement risks alienating millions who aspire to learn the language for practical reasons. It could also influence policy decisions on language in education, potentially restricting access to global opportunities for students from non-elite backgrounds. This could deepen social divides between urban and rural populations, and between those with and without access to English medium education. Encourages anti-intellectualism and cultural backwardness Equating English proficiency with cultural shame is a form of anti-intellectualism from Shah. It delegitimises those who are comfortable in English, often the best-educated and most globally connected Indians, and suggests that cosmopolitanism is un-Indian. This closes minds, discourages openness and promotes a parochial, inward-looking mindset at a time when India needs to engage with the world, not retreat from it. To sum up, Shah's statement is not just divisive; it is dangerous. It threatens social mobility, sows linguistic discord, risks India's global standing, fosters anti-intellectualism and distracts from the real challenges facing the country. Shah's ideological rhetoric of 'shame' is out of place, and is actively harmful to the country.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amit Shah arrives in Bengaluru to inaugurate Adichunchanagiri University campus
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Karnataka's Bengaluru on Thursday evening, to a warm welcome from BJP leaders and supporters. On Friday, Shah will inaugurate the Bengaluru Campus of Adichunchanagiri University, further highlighting the Centre's focus on strengthening higher education infrastructure in the region. In a post on X, Shah wrote, "Reached Bengaluru (Karnataka). Tomorrow, I will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Bengaluru Campus of the Adichunchanagiri University." During his visit, Shah also met senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa. Sharing a photo from their meeting on X, he wrote, "Met senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B S Yediyurappa in Bengaluru." Meanwhile, Shah will embark on a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh on June 22 and 23, underlining the central government's commitment to bolstering internal security and development in the region. The visit is expected to strengthen coordination between the Centre and the state in combating left-wing extremism and accelerating growth, especially in vulnerable and backwards districts. Shah will begin his visit at Atal Nagar in Nava Raipur on June 22, where he will lay the foundation stones and inaugurate key central government institutions to enhance regional administrative and scientific capabilities. Among the major projects is the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), the newly constructed campus in Raipur, part of a broader national initiative to strengthen forensic infrastructure and criminal justice systems. On June 23, Amit Shah will visit Narayanpur, one of the state's most Naxal-affected districts. He will meet security personnel stationed in forward areas to boost morale and assess operational requirements. Shah will interact with local villagers and tribal communities to evaluate the impact of central development schemes such as the PM Awas Yojana, road connectivity projects under PMGSY, and skill development initiatives. The Home Minister will also review progress on rehabilitation colonies and welfare programs for families affected by insurgency.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed: Shah
New Delhi: Stressing the importance of Indian languages as the soul of the nation's identity, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the time has come to reclaim India's linguistic heritage and lead the world with pride in native tongues. Speaking at the book launch of 'Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon', authored by former civil servant, IAS Ashutosh Agnihotri, Shah said, 'In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed -- the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change. I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian.' 'To understand our country, our culture, our history, and our religion, no foreign language can suffice. The idea of a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages. I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too,' he said. Outlining the 'Panch Pran' (five pledges), coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said that these five pledges have become the resolve of 130 crore people of the country. 'Modi Ji has laid the foundation of the 'Panch Pran' (five pledges) for the Amrit Kaal. Achieving the goal of a developed India, getting rid of every trace of slavery, taking pride in our heritage, staying committed to unity and solidarity, and igniting the spirit of duty in every citizen -- these five pledges have become the resolve of 130 crore people. That is why by 2047, we will be at the pinnacle, and our languages will play a major role in this journey,' Amit Shah said. The Union Home Minister emphasised that a change is needed in the training of administrative officers. 'A radical change is needed in the training of administrative officers... Rarely are they trained to introduce empathy in our system. Maybe because the British era inspired this training model. I believe that if any ruler or administrator rules without empathy, then they cannot achieve the real objective of governance,' Shah said. He also praised literature, saying that it is the soul of our society. 'When our country was consumed in an era of pitch black darkness, even then literature kept the lamps of our religion, freedom, and culture lit. When the government changed, no one opposed it. But whenever someone tried to touch our religion, culture and literature, our society stood against them and defeated them. Literature is the soul of our society,' says Union Home Minister Amit Shah,' he said.
