The Deputy Chief Minister advised officers to study the strong global demand for organic and forest products. He encouraged them to motivate tribals to grow coffee and other natural produce. Additionally, he told officials to stay connected with tribal families, understand their needs and inspire youth to become entrepreneurs. He also asked them to create new income paths and build confidence among tribal communities.

Pawan Kalyan highlighted the success of linking horticulture crops with the employment guarantee scheme. He asked officials to expand this model and explore more work options for tribal regions. He stated that better planning can offer steady income and reduce unemployment among youth.

The Deputy Chief Minister also emphasised tourism growth. He suggested promoting eco-friendly tourism without harming natural resources. Furthermore, he said film crews, serial teams and OTT content makers should be encouraged to shoot in agency areas for local employment. He assured that the government will fully support these initiatives.

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The Meghalaya government has extended the VAT exemption on fruit wine from three years to 10 years. Excise Commissioner Masteidwar Mar said the move aims to support small producers and improve quality standards in the state’s growing wine sector.

Wine Boutiques and Regulations

At the Meghalaya Wine Economy Summit 2025, Mar announced amendments to Rule 377 of the Excise Act. These changes allow entrepreneurs to open wine boutiques. The boutiques can sell only registered homemade wines, either from dedicated outlets or standalone food establishments. The new rules are expected to give visitors a chance to explore Meghalaya’s wine culture while promoting boutique businesses.

Centuries-Old Winemaking Tradition

The Meghalaya Fruit Wine Makers Association highlighted the state’s long history of fruit-based fermentation using millet, rice, and local fruits like sohiong. Association president Danny Daly Kharsapam said winemaking in Meghalaya is “as old as the hills.” He mentioned Captain Hunt, who in 1947 pioneered cherry wine and cherry brandy production in Mawphlang. Hunt’s wines were popular among Assam tea planters and were sold at Kolkata’s Pegu Club before production declined in the 1980s.

Revival and Commercialisation

Traditional winemaking survived in small pockets and regained attention with the 2004 wine festival in Shillong. The North East Food Show 2019 showcased the sector’s potential. Last year, the state amended Assam Excise Rules to legalize commercial fruit wine production. This step allows structured manufacturing and market expansion, creating opportunities for rural income growth and economic diversification.

Future Prospects

Kharsapam said the association will support training, innovation, and market linkages for local producers. With the VAT exemption now extended to 10 years, Meghalaya’s fruit wine industry is poised for significant growth. The initiative will strengthen entrepreneurship and promote the state’s unique wine culture.

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The event brought together more than 30 participants from institutes across India. Each student presented a case study based on real industry experiences or internship-based insights. First, the participants submitted abstracts and detailed case studies online. Then, selected candidates moved to the final presentation round. Throughout this process, Sagar impressed the evaluators with originality, clarity, and deep analytical thinking.

His case study, “Viveka—Building a digital platform that teaches people to ask better questions,” focused on the entrepreneurial journey of an IIM student. The study examined how a simple idea, when supported by a strong vision, can evolve into a powerful digital learning platform. Sagar highlighted how the founder aimed to improve critical thinking and problem-solving abilities among learners. As a result, the judges praised the relevance and depth of his work.

Moreover, Dr. Ramandeep Saini, Director Principal of CBSA, stated that Sagar’s achievement demonstrates the strong emphasis the institution places on innovation and research. He added that the recognition motivates many students to explore real-world business challenges. Similarly, Campus Director Dr. Rajdeep Singh congratulated Sagar and encouraged him to continue his journey with confidence.

This achievement shows how CGC Landran continues to nurture future leaders. It also highlights the importance of platforms like Internovate 2025, which promote academic excellence and practical learning.

The post Sagar Sinotiya Wins National Recognition at Internovate 2025 appeared first on India Podcast.

Rijiju interacted with entrepreneurs exhibiting their products and praised the pavilion for capturing the spirit of Arunachal Pradesh—creativity, resilience, and cultural pride.

The pavilion stood out for its vibrant display of the state’s exquisite orchids, highlighting Arunachal’s rich biodiversity and its commitment to conservation, the Trade and Commerce department said in a release.

According to the department, the pavilion showcased the state’s unique cultural heritage, local products, and innovative ventures, offering visitors an engaging glimpse into Arunachal Pradesh’s economic potential and cultural charm.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the participants and encouraged entrepreneurs to continue promoting the state’s natural and cultural assets on national and global platforms.

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Sanjay Kumar highlighted that the fund will specifically focus on startups working in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, the fund will encourage the growth of innovative solutions and advanced technologies in Hyderabad. Experts believe that this initiative will help the city emerge as a leading hub for AI startups in India.

The government hopes that supporting new ventures will create multiple employment opportunities. Moreover, the fund will assist entrepreneurs in setting up businesses, developing products, and scaling operations. IT specialists noted that these efforts will contribute to economic growth and global competitiveness.

Sanjay Kumar stated that Telangana aims to become a leading global AI hub. Furthermore, he emphasized that the support provided by the government will attract more startups and strengthen Hyderabad’s position as an innovation-driven city. Officials are optimistic about the long-term impact on the technology sector.

The post Telangana to Launch ₹1000 Crore Startup Fund appeared first on India Podcast.

During the meeting, the Finance Minister emphasized the government’s focus on innovation, job creation, and ease of doing business within the MSME ecosystem. Industry members highlighted concerns about credit access, delayed payments, and the need for simplified compliance norms.

Sitharaman assured that the government will continue to prioritize MSMEs in its policy framework. She noted that the sector plays a pivotal role in boosting exports, manufacturing, and self-employment opportunities across India.

The consultation also covered topics such as digital transformation, export promotion, skill development, and green initiatives to ensure MSMEs remain globally competitive.

FM meets MSME stakeholders ahead of Union Budget 2025 as part of a broader effort to align fiscal policy with industry needs and promote sustainable economic growth.

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Over 35 DeepTech and semiconductor startups joined Goyal at a Bengaluru roundtable with more than 30 venture capital firms. The session was hosted by T.V. Mohandas Pai of 3one4 Capital and Prashanth Prakash of Accel Partners, with support from DPIIT, TiE Bangalore, and IVCA.

The discussions covered funding challenges, long development cycles, and technology commercialization. Startups like Agnit Semiconductors, QpiAI, and Dozee shared experiences on building advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and quantum computing.

Investors from Celesta Capital, Blume Ventures, and Peak XV spoke about developing sustainable exits and boosting global competitiveness. The meeting ended with an agreement for ongoing collaboration between DPIIT, TiE Bangalore, and industry leaders to drive policy support for innovation.

The post Piyush Goyal Pushes for DeepTech Growth to Drive Aatmanirbhar Bharat appeared first on India Podcast.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will begin his London tour on November 2 to attract international investments. Minister Narayana’s Dubai visit will start a day after the CM’s tour and continue until November 6. His office has already finalized a detailed schedule for the meetings and discussions in Dubai.

During his visit, Narayana will interact with leading industrialists and entrepreneurs, presenting the business-friendly atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh. He will explain the state’s industrial policies, infrastructure facilities, and upcoming development zones aimed at fostering sustainable growth.

The Minister will also invite global investors to attend the upcoming CII Summit scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam. He is expected to encourage investors to announce new projects and partnerships during the summit to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s economic expansion.

The post Minister Narayana Embarks on Dubai Tour to Attract Investments for Andhra Pradesh appeared first on India Podcast.

The CoE will focus on capacity building, research, and startup growth under a five-year roadmap from 2025 to 2030. Karnataka already hosts major institutions like ISRO, IISc, and DRDO, making it an ideal hub for space innovation.

The centre will incubate startups, provide prototype funding, and help convert ideas into market-ready products. It will also train professionals through short courses and advanced certifications, promoting research in satellites, AI, and data analytics.

Anil Prakash, Director General of SIA-India, said the CoE will create global partnerships, launch a State Space Innovation Index, and promote public–private collaboration. He added that the initiative will strengthen Karnataka’s position as a launchpad for India’s next-generation space enterprises.

The post Karnataka Launches India’s First Space-Tech Centre appeared first on India Podcast.

Sivanath emphasized employment generation as crucial for achieving Viksit Bharat and Swarnandhra 2047 goals. He added that self-help groups (SHGs) will receive skill development training in collaboration with NIRD. Furthermore, essential machinery will be supplied for seed banks, tribal clothing, jewellery design, product expansion, and vermicompost preparation.

He requested support from the district administration to establish common facility centres at A Kondur and Jakkampudi, areas with significant SC/ST populations. Meanwhile, NIRD Director General Dr G Narendra Kumar explained the Rural Prosperity & Rural Resilience programme. He highlighted that SHGs will gain training under the “One Family-One Entrepreneur” initiative. Additionally, micro-enterprises will expand through SHG clusters, receiving orders from major companies to boost economic growth.

Collector Lakshmisha confirmed steps to build the centres and prepare a Detailed Project Report for A Kondur. He noted that 25 out of 40 aspirational block indices have reached saturation. Consequently, A Kondur will develop following the successful models. Several district officials attended the programme, and discussions focused on practical steps for rural empowerment.

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