National

Nuclear Energy Essential for India’s Net Zero Objectives: Jitendra Singh

Published

11 months ago

March 5, 2025

Union Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, underscored the vital importance of nuclear energy in India’s journey towards clean energy and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Speaking on Tuesday, he urged for increased private sector involvement, necessary regulatory reforms, and ongoing public engagement.

The Union Minister also unveiled a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) R&D Mission, aimed at developing five SMRs by the year 2033. These versatile reactors have the potential to be utilized in industrial regions, remote locations, and in challenging sectors such as cement and steel production.

During a post-budget webinar hosted by NITI Aayog, Dr. Singh reiterated that nuclear energy is essential to India’s objective of reaching net-zero emissions. He pointed to the 2024-25 Union Budget’s blueprint for expanding the country’s nuclear power capability, which sets an ambitious target of 100 GW by 2047.

Highlighting the surging energy demands, Dr. Singh emphasized that India’s electricity requirements are projected to increase four to five times by 2047. While renewable energy resources are growing, they cannot sufficiently satisfy base-load demand on their own, positioning nuclear power as a pivotal element of India’s energy strategy.

“Achieving the 100 GW nuclear power milestone will necessitate a dedicated and strategic approach, targeting an annual addition of approximately 4 GW moving forward,” Dr. Singh stated, expressing optimism about reaching this goal through meticulous planning and implementation.

A significant change in India’s nuclear policy is the proposal to involve the private sector in the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants. The Union Minister acknowledged that updates to the Atomic Energy Act, Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, and Electricity Act will be necessary to facilitate this engagement. “Opening the nuclear sector will deliver a robust policy message to industry stakeholders, enhancing investor confidence and fostering long-term investments,” he added.

Dr. Singh also noted that NPCIL and its subsidiaries aim to account for nearly half of the 100 GW target by leveraging both domestic and international collaborations. Meanwhile, NTPC’s joint venture, Ashwini, is already progressing on the construction of four 700 MWe PHWRs at Mahi-Banswara.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.