ArdorComm Media Group

Contact Us
Thursday, April 23, 2026 5:23 PM
logo
Menu
logo

Author name: admin

Defence Ministry Body, Kendriya Sainik Board, Allocates Rs 932 Crore in Grants to Over 3.7 Lakh Armed Forces Beneficiaries in Last 5 Years

/ Governance Community

Over the past five years, the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), a body under the Defence Ministry, has allocated Rs 932 crore in grants to more than 3.7 lakh beneficiaries associated with the armed forces. These funds were distributed through various welfare schemes, including education grants for wards, daughters’ marriage support, and assistance for serious diseases. Recipients encompass ex-servicemen, widows, and dependents, benefiting from 10 welfare programs operated nationwide with the collaboration of 34 state KSBs and 410 district Sainik Boards. Among the grants provided are penury grants for non-pensioners up to Havildar rank, education grants, disabled children grants, orphan children grants, medical grants, daughter’s marriage grants, vocational training grants, and serious diseases grants. The Secretary of KSB, CMDE HP Singh, revealed that approximately Rs 932 crores have been disbursed to over 3.7 lakh beneficiaries in the last five years. In the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, grants totaling around Rs 250 crores have been distributed to over 99,000 beneficiaries. Singh highlighted the increase in grants for medical treatment, vocational training for widows, and assistance for serious diseases. Additionally, institutional grants have been extended to various centers and hostels across the country. The KSB, functioning under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare in the Ministry of Defence, aims to enhance the financial and social status of ex-servicemen through an inclusive and participatory approach. The KSB Secretariat advises state and district Sainik Boards on welfare matters, offering guidance on schemes and fund management for the well-being of ex-servicemen and their dependents.

Defence Ministry Body, Kendriya Sainik Board, Allocates Rs 932 Crore in Grants to Over 3.7 Lakh Armed Forces Beneficiaries in Last 5 Years Read More »

US FDA Staff Expresses Concerns Over Merck’s Chronic Cough Drug Efficacy

/ Health & Wellness Community

Ahead of an upcoming meeting of independent experts, the U.S. health regulator’s staff has raised doubts about the adequacy of data supporting Merck’s chronic cough drug’s meaningful benefits, according to documents released on Wednesday. Merck’s shares dropped nearly 1 percent to $101.2 in afternoon trade following the news. This concern emerged after Merck submitted additional efficacy data for the drug, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously rejected in January of the previous year. A panel of expert advisers to the FDA is scheduled to meet on Friday to assess the efficacy of Merck’s drug, gefapixant. The panel will specifically consider whether the data provided by Merck demonstrates that the reduction in cough frequency achieved with gefapixant is clinically significant for patients. Currently, there are no approved therapies for chronic cough in the United States. Globally, approximately 10 percent of the adult population is estimated to be affected by this condition, with about half of these individuals lacking an identifiable cause for their cough despite diagnostic tests. Gefapixant functions by blocking receptors that stimulate nerves, thereby suppressing the urge to cough. The drug underwent evaluation in two late-stage trials, where a higher dose demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the average number of coughs per hour over a 24-hour period compared to a placebo. While the European Union and Japan have granted approval for Merck’s drug under the brand name Lyfnua, the FDA staff’s concerns highlight uncertainties about its efficacy in the U.S. market.

US FDA Staff Expresses Concerns Over Merck’s Chronic Cough Drug Efficacy Read More »

IIT Madras and SRIHER Collaborate on MD-PhD Dual Degree Program for Advancing Medical Research in India

/ Education Community

IIT Madras and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce a MD-PhD Dual Degree program. The collaboration aims to blend medical expertise and research capabilities, with SRIHER granting the MD degree and IIT Madras conferring the PhD degree through its Department of Medical Sciences and Technology. The program, set to commence in the upcoming academic year, emphasizes core clinical, interdisciplinary, and translational research to train proficient research scientists. Prospective postgraduate students at SRIHER, admitted through NEET, can apply for the PhD program at IIT Madras after their second year. The initiative seeks to cultivate ‘Physician-Scientists’ to drive India’s advancement in medicine and health research, aligning with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in these fields. The MD-PhD graduates, recognized for their significant contributions, have historically garnered 37 percent of Nobel Prizes in Physiology, exemplifying their pivotal role in establishing crucial cause-and-effect relationships such as those between smoking and cancer or sugar and diabetes.

IIT Madras and SRIHER Collaborate on MD-PhD Dual Degree Program for Advancing Medical Research in India Read More »

Reliance JioCinema Secures Exclusive Deal with Pokemon for Extensive Children’s Content Offering in India

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Reliance JioCinema, the entertainment division of India’s Reliance, has entered into an agreement with The Pokemon Company to feature children’s shows and movies on its platform, sources familiar with the deal revealed. This move is part of Reliance’s strategy to enhance its content library in the face of increasing competition from streaming rivals like Walt Disney Co in the domestic market. The recently signed deal designates JioCinema’s streaming app as the “exclusive” India platform partner for over 1,000 episodes and approximately 20 movies from the popular Japanese anime series Pokemon. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. To broaden the appeal of the content, the shows and movies will be dubbed into three Indian languages. Pokemon, a global multimedia franchise with a substantial market presence in trading cards, games, TV shows, and movies, is partnering with Viacom18, the entertainment joint-venture of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani that operates JioCinema. Despite requests for comments, Viacom18 and The Pokemon Company, owned by Nintendo and its affiliates, did not respond. This collaboration is part of Ambani’s broader effort to expand Reliance’s presence in the Indian streaming market, which is projected to reach a value of $7 billion by 2027 according to research firm Media Partners Asia. While JioCinema competes with streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, its recent focus has been on challenging Disney’s Hotstar app, particularly by offering free streaming of cricket matches. As part of this content expansion, JioCinema is set to introduce approximately 3,000 hours of children’s content, including productions from Entertainment One, Animaccord, Cartoon Network Studios, and DreamWorks. These additions will be facilitated through Viacom18’s existing content agreements or integration with its other streaming platform, Voot Kids, which has been discontinued. Notably, although some Pokemon content was previously available on Voot, the new partnership with JioCinema represents a more extensive collaboration. In May, JioCinema announced a multi-year partnership with NBCUniversal, which confirmed that “kids and family programming,” including content from DreamWorks, was part of the agreement. Entertainment One, Animaccord, and Cartoon Network Studios did not respond to requests for comments. Additionally, in April, Viacom18 secured a deal with Warner Bros Discovery Inc. to bring more Hollywood and international content, such as popular series “Succession” and “Game of Thrones,” to JioCinema.

Reliance JioCinema Secures Exclusive Deal with Pokemon for Extensive Children’s Content Offering in India Read More »

Ferrari Unveils Ambitious 2024 Plans: 250 New Hires, Employee Share-Ownership Program, and Enhanced Bonuses

/ Human Resource Community

Ferrari, the renowned luxury sports car manufacturer, has unveiled its ambitious plans for 2024, signaling a positive direction for the company. In the first half of the upcoming year, Ferrari intends to expand its workforce by hiring 250 individuals. This decision follows recent disruptions caused by worker strikes at Stellantis, GM, and Ford plants in North America between September and October. In contrast, Stellantis is streamlining its workforce in Italy through voluntary redundancy programs. Ferrari’s initiative includes significant enhancements for its employees. The company will introduce a new share-ownership program and improved bonuses. Approximately half of the new hires are slated to join the workforce in January. Ferrari, with a predominantly Italian employee base of over 5,000, will kick off an employee share-ownership plan early in 2024, initially targeting its Italian staff. As part of this program, every employee will be granted company shares with a maximum value of 2,065 euros ($2,208) at no cost. Those who retain the shares for a minimum of 36 months will receive additional shares, amounting to up to 15% of the initial value of the allocation. The use of treasury shares will extend this plan to encompass Ferrari employees outside Italy. Furthermore, Ferrari has successfully negotiated an agreement with the FIM, UILM, and FISMIC unions to extend a competitiveness award program for Italian employees from 2024 to 2027. This annual competitiveness bonus may see an increase to 17,000 euros, up from 13,500 euros in 2022 and 12,000 euros in 2021. Notably, employees will have the option to voluntarily convert a portion of their bonus into Ferrari shares, with a maximum limit of 3,000 euros. These strategic moves underscore Ferrari’s commitment to fostering a positive working environment and reinforcing its position in the luxury sports car market.

Ferrari Unveils Ambitious 2024 Plans: 250 New Hires, Employee Share-Ownership Program, and Enhanced Bonuses Read More »

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Achieves Rs 2 Trillion GMV in 8 Months, Resulting in Rs 45,000 Crore Savings

/ Governance Community

In less than eight months of the current fiscal year, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of over Rs 2 lakh crore. This exceeds the GMV recorded at the end of the previous fiscal year (2022-23). The average daily GMV has also experienced substantial growth, reaching over Rs 850 crore in the current financial year. A noteworthy aspect of this achievement is the substantial contribution of Central entities, including Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), which constitute an impressive 83% of the total GMV. The active participation of State Governments, making up the remaining 17%, highlights the widespread adoption of GeM’s transformative impact on public procurement. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, and Uttarakhand, have placed significant procurement orders. The collaboration between Central and State entities showcases a harmonious synergy that has propelled GeM to unprecedented success. GeM’s expansion into the services sector has played a pivotal role in driving its accelerated adoption, with the services segment experiencing exponential growth over the last three years. The services sector’s contribution to the total order value on the platform has surged from 23% in FY 21-22 to nearly 46% in the current financial year. This accomplishment reflects not only the platform’s rapid growth but also its crucial role in transforming public procurement throughout India. GeM’s commitment to fostering efficiency and transparency in procurement processes has enabled government agencies to access a diverse range of products and services in a streamlined and cost-effective manner. With a catalog featuring nearly 312 service categories and over 11,800 product categories, GeM caters effectively to the dynamic requirements of government buyers at all levels. Since its inception, GeM has surpassed a cumulative GMV of Rs 5.93 lakh crore, with over 1.8 crore transactions. GeM’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility is evident in its integration with e-Gram Swaraj, streamlining Panchayat-level procurement and optimizing costs at the grassroots level. This approach showcases GeM’s influence on India’s procurement landscape, particularly in addressing the unique contexts and limitations of marginalized seller segments such as small and medium enterprises, women entrepreneurs, startups, and artisans. Nearly 49% of the total order value transacted through the platform has been awarded to MSEs. In just seven months, over 45,000 MSEs have registered as sellers/service providers on GeM. GeM’s success lies in its commitment to cost savings, contributing to government savings of over Rs 45,000 crore since 2016. According to the Economic Survey 2021-22, GeM’s prices were 9.5% lower than other online platforms for 10 out of 22 commodities. GeM’s transformative journey reflects transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity driven by cutting-edge technology and innovation.

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Achieves Rs 2 Trillion GMV in 8 Months, Resulting in Rs 45,000 Crore Savings Read More »

Record 35% Surge in Indian Students Boosts US International Enrollment to 40-Year High

/ Education Community

The number of Indian students attending US colleges has seen a significant 35% increase, contributing to the highest single-year growth in international student enrollment in over 40 years. A joint study by the State Department and the Institute of International Education revealed that the overall international student population in the US surged by 12% during the 2022-23 academic year, with more than 1 million students from abroad – the highest since 2019-20. CEO of the Institute of International Education, Allan E Goodman, emphasized that the US remains the preferred destination for international students worldwide. The report indicates a robust educational relationship between the US and India, with nearly 269,000 Indian students enrolled, surpassing previous records and ranking second only to China. Most of these students pursued graduate programs, particularly in science, technology, and business fields. While China still tops the list with 290,000 students, its numbers have decreased for the third consecutive year, reflecting a shift in demand. The study attributes this decline to strained international relations, competition from UK and Canadian universities, and extended travel restrictions in Asia during the pandemic. US universities have strategically focused on recruiting in India, given the predicted population growth, with students from India now outnumbering those from China in 24 states. Graduate programs in the US remained the primary attraction for international students for the second consecutive year, experiencing a 21% growth, while undergraduate numbers saw a modest 1% increase. The reversal of the previous decade’s trend, where undergraduate enrollments dominated, is credited to the popularity of math and computer science programs, witnessing a 20% surge. Engineering and business programs followed suit, collectively constituting over half of all international students in the US. This surge nearly restores international student numbers to pre-pandemic levels, reaching close to the 2018 peak of 1.1 million students. Despite comprising only 5.6% of all college students, international students play a significant role in US higher education, contributing to global exchange and providing substantial revenue through higher tuition rates. Following China and India, other nations sending the most students to the US include South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Nigeria. The study also highlights a record number of students from countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain in the previous school year. While international student numbers are on the rise, many US colleges continue to grapple with declining domestic enrollment. Overall college enrollment remains sluggish, and a separate study by the National Student Clearinghouse indicates a 3.6% decrease in freshman enrollment for fall 2023.

Record 35% Surge in Indian Students Boosts US International Enrollment to 40-Year High Read More »

I&B Ministry Proposes Comprehensive Broadcasting Bill to Modernize Regulatory Framework

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry is proposing a new Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill to regulate broadcasting services, including DTH, OTT, and digital news platforms. The draft Bill, released for public consultation, aims to replace the outdated Cable TV Networks (Regulations) Act 1995 and other governing policies. The proposed legislation includes content evaluation committees, a more participative Broadcast Advisory Council for self-regulation, differentiated codes for programs and advertisements, and statutory penalties. Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur described the draft as a “pivotal legislation” to modernize the regulatory framework for the dynamic world of broadcasting, adapting to emerging technologies. The bill introduces contemporary definitions and extends regulatory purview to cover OTT content and digital news. It mandates self-regulation through Content Evaluation Committees and proposes a Broadcast Advisory Council with independent experts. The draft allows differentiated codes for various services, requiring self-classification of content and access control for restricted content. Statutory penalties, including advisory, warning, censure, or monetary penalties, are proposed, with provisions for imprisonment and fines for serious offenses. The bill also suggests fairness by linking monetary penalties to the entity’s investment and turnover. It includes provisions for infrastructure sharing among broadcasting network operators and carriage of platform services. Overall, the proposed unified law is seen as a positive step for business ease and appropriate regulation.

I&B Ministry Proposes Comprehensive Broadcasting Bill to Modernize Regulatory Framework Read More »

Apple Agrees to $25 Million Settlement Over Alleged Discriminatory Hiring Practices in 2018-2019

/ Human Resource Community

Apple has agreed to pay $25 million to settle allegations that it engaged in discriminatory hiring practices from 2018 to 2019. The settlement follows a lengthy investigation by the Department of Justice, which concluded that Apple violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by favouring immigrant workers over U.S. candidates for certain positions. The probe also found instances where Apple discriminated against non-U.S. residents. Despite vehemently denying any wrongdoing, Apple acknowledged a failure to adhere to DOJ standards and opted for a settlement to address concerns. In response to the settlement, Apple defended its hiring record, emphasizing its employment of over 90,000 people in the United States and significant nationwide investments. The $25 million settlement, a relatively modest sum for Apple, will be divided into $18.25 million allocated to a fund compensating victims of alleged discrimination, while the remainder covers fines related to Apple’s hiring practices during the specified timeframe. This comes as Apple reported $383 billion in revenue for its last fiscal year ending on September 30.

Apple Agrees to $25 Million Settlement Over Alleged Discriminatory Hiring Practices in 2018-2019 Read More »

UGC Unveils Regulations Allowing Top Global Universities to Establish Campuses in India

/ Education Community

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently released regulations allowing foreign universities ranked among the top 500 globally to establish branch campuses in India. This comes shortly after Australia’s Western Sydney University announced plans for an independent campus in Bangalore. The new regulations empower these foreign institutions to determine their admission processes, fee structures, and facilitate the repatriation of funds to their parent campuses. The guidelines stipulate that two or more foreign universities can collaborate to establish campuses in India, provided each institution individually meets the eligibility criteria. Additionally, a foreign university is permitted to set up multiple campuses in India, with a separate application required for each proposed location. The final regulations, released after a 10-month period of public feedback on the draft, include several modifications. Notably, foreign universities must ensure that international faculty members appointed to teach at Indian campuses stay in the country for at least one semester. The processing time for applications by the standing committee has been extended from 45 to 60 days, and recommendations must be presented to the UGC within 60 days. The regulations also specify that foreign universities cannot establish learning centers, study centers, or franchises that act as representative offices for promotional activities in India or any other jurisdiction outside the country without prior approval from the UGC. Moreover, the regulations prohibit the offering of programs online or in open and distance learning modes, except for online lectures, which should not exceed 10% of the program requirements. Foreign institutions are exempt from annual fees to the UGC, only requiring a one-time application fee. They are expected to use their own infrastructure, land, and resources to establish campuses. Additionally, foreign universities may offer full or partial merit-based or need-based scholarships and fee concessions to Indian students on their campuses. While these regulations align with the National Education Policy of 2020, which aims to create a legislative framework for top global universities in India, previous attempts, including those by the UPA government, faced opposition from parties such as the BJP and the Left when they were in the opposition.

UGC Unveils Regulations Allowing Top Global Universities to Establish Campuses in India Read More »