Prime Minister Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor Thackeray’s contributions to Maharashtra’s development, recalling his steadfast dedication to public welfare and cultural pride. “I pay homage to Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. He is widely respected and remembered for his commitment to public welfare and Maharashtra’s development. He was uncompromising when it came to his core beliefs and always contributed towards enhancing the pride of Indian culture,” PM Modi wrote in his tribute.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised Thackeray’s dedication to nationalism and Sanatan culture. Shah’s tribute highlighted Thackeray’s relentless pursuit of the nation’s welfare, even in challenging times. “The revered Balasaheb Thackeray, who was lifelong dedicated to the ideals of Sanatan culture and nationalism, always placed the nation’s welfare above all else. Even in adverse circumstances, Balasaheb never compromised on his principles, and his ideological firmness will continue to inspire us forever,” Shah shared on X, extending his respects to the late leader.

Eknath Shinde, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena chief, called Thackeray the “Hindu heart emperor” in his tribute. He expressed deep reverence for the legacy of the legendary leader, writing, “Humble tributes to the venerable Hindu heart emperor, Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, on his birth anniversary, in his sacred memory.”

Aditya Thackeray, the grandson of Balasaheb, shared an emotional post remembering his grandfather. He honored the late leader with the words, “Hindu Hriday Samrat, there will never be another like him. On his birth anniversary, a humble tribute!”

Balasaheb Thackeray, who founded the Shiv Sena party in 1966, was a fierce advocate for the rights of Marathas and Hindus. Known for his fiery speeches and strong political presence, he played an influential role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape and remains an iconic figure in the state’s history. His birth anniversary continues to be an occasion for remembrance and celebration of his enduring legacy.

The post Leaders Pay Tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray on His Birth Anniversary, Honoring His Legacy appeared first on FolksTimes.

The launch event was attended by over 250 parents, children, and officials from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, who shared their aspirations for the new centre. This move is part of Reliance Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving early childhood education across the state.

Reliance Foundation’s strategic partnership with the Maharashtra government aims to enhance the learning and development of young children by providing not only capacity-building efforts but also creating Anganwadi Learning Labs as demonstration, training, and innovation spaces. These labs are designed to support age-appropriate development and improve early childhood care in Anganwadi centres.

Kailash Pagare, I.A.S., Commissioner of ICDS, Government of Maharashtra, emphasized the importance of the partnership. He said, “Reliance Foundation has partnered with ICDS Maharashtra on the Early Childhood Care and Education Initiative. Through this collaboration, we are leveraging their expertise and resources for all-round development of children. We strongly believe this initiative will improve the quality of ECCE services in Anganwadi centres, ensuring a strong foundation for our children’s future.”

A spokesperson from Reliance Foundation expressed pride in their partnership with the government and highlighted the crucial role of Anganwadi workers and parents in early childhood development. “We are privileged to partner with the Government of Maharashtra to empower frontline Anganwadi workers, who play a crucial role in early childhood development, and recognizing the role of parents, especially a mother, in a child’s early years. The launch of the Anganwadi Learning Labs is an important moment in this direction,” the spokesperson said. “Reliance Foundation will continue to work with the government to build on these initiatives.”

As part of the ongoing efforts, Reliance Foundation will provide capacity-building programs on play-based learning techniques for 700 Anganwadi workers and supervisors, alongside parental and community engagement activities aimed at child development. The newly revamped Anganwadi spaces will also feature age-appropriate books, digital learning infrastructure, and child-friendly WASH facilities in alignment with Saksham Anganwadi guidelines.

These efforts aim to enhance children’s “school readiness,” along with improving numeracy, literacy skills, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through rigorous training programs and continuous support, Reliance Foundation intends to reach over 10,000 children across Maharashtra.

This initiative is part of Reliance Foundation’s broader vision to provide world-class early childhood care and education to over 10 million children from disadvantaged communities across India. The Foundation is working closely with state governments on various models for capacity building, community engagement, and creating enabling environments to lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development.

The post Reliance Foundation Launches Anganwadi Learning Labs to Strengthen Early Childhood Education in Maharashtra appeared first on FolksTimes.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), Indian Army, shared details of the exercise on X (formerly Twitter). It will be held at the Devlali Field Firing Ranges, which is part of the School of Artillery in Maharashtra.

AgniWarrior 2024 aims to enhance professional military interactions between the artillery units of the Indian Army and the Singapore Armed Forces. The exercise will involve the exchange of best practices and will also provide a platform for cultural exchanges, strengthening ties between the two nations.

This bilateral event follows the visit of Singapore’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, to India last month. Dr. Ng co-chaired the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

During the meeting, both ministers agreed to bolster defence cooperation and achieve new milestones, especially as 2025 marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. They also extended the bilateral agreement on Joint Military Training Army for an additional five years.

Recognising the potential for collaboration, both countries emphasized enhancing industry cooperation in niche domains, including automation and artificial intelligence. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that India-Singapore relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024.

With a history of mutual trust and respect, the two nations have consistently deepened their cooperation across various sectors, reflecting their strong and enduring partnership.

The post India-Singapore Bilateral Exercise AgniWarrior 2024 Begins in Maharashtra appeared first on FolksTimes.

Tesla’s proposed strategy for India involves initially importing kits for assembly through the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route, making the vehicles more affordable for Indian consumers. The price for Tesla’s upcoming EV is expected to be around INR 20 lakhs, significantly lower than their existing models. This move is a part of Tesla’s mission to make electric vehicles accessible to a broader audience in India.

Elon Musk recently met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a strong partnership between Tesla and the Indian government. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for Tesla’s operations in India, with plans to set up a manufacturing plant potentially in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, or Tamil Nadu. The government is reportedly considering new policies to incentivize such investments, which would require Tesla to commit to sourcing components locally and possibly establishing a robust service and support network across the country.

Tesla’s initial entry might involve importing fully built units to test the market and gather data on how their EVs perform in Indian conditions. Over the next two years, Tesla aims to establish a full-fledged manufacturing plant, which would not only cater to the Indian market but also serve as an export hub for right-hand drive markets.

The Indian EV market, though currently small, is rapidly growing, with the government targeting a significant increase in EV adoption by 2030. Tesla’s entry is expected to accelerate this growth, introducing competition and innovation into the market, which is currently dominated by local players like Tata Motors.

These tweets underscore Elon Musk’s commitment to bringing Tesla to India and his recent interactions with the Indian government. Tesla’s entry is poised to be a game-changer for the Indian EV landscape, offering a mix of affordability and cutting-edge technology.

The post Tesla to Launch Affordable EVs in India: Manufacturing Plant Plans and Government Collaborations appeared first on FolksTimes.