India

New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Trump administration's announcement to suspend Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program, the core pathway to employment-based green cards, for eight major technology and outsourcing companies, including India's Infosys, Tata, Wipro and HCL, will serve as a disadvantage for US itself, a media report said.

The action also covers Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe. It prevents the companies from filing new permanent labour certification applications and halts the processing of pending applications under the programme.

According to a report published in Khalsa Vox, immigrant-founded or co-founded unicorns—many with Indian roots—have created enormous value and employment in the US.

"Therefore, closing off permanence does not magically produce equivalent American talent overnight; it signals that even those who play by the rules may never fully belong."

Antariksh Singh noted in the report that companies facing higher uncertainty will accelerate offshoring or nearshoring of work, which is the opposite of the stated goal.

"Talent that once chose America will choose places that offer clearer paths to settlement. Competitors benefit."

The report also said that the decision taken by President Donald Trump-led US administration, though does not cancel existing H-1B visas, "but it freezes the pathway to permanent residency for thousands of Indian professionals who have spent years building careers, paying taxes, and putting down roots".

Maintaining that Indians already dominate the employment-based backlog, it mentioned that those nearing the six-year H-1B limit without an approved path to extension now face the prospect of having to leave just as their lives in the United States stabilise.

"Families, children's schooling, mortgages, and community ties hang in limbo. The rhetoric of 'indentured servants' only deepens the insult to highly educated engineers, programmers, and researchers who came through legal channels and fill genuine skill gaps," Antariksh Singh said in Khalsa Vox.

Meanwhile, American Vice-President J.D. Vance accused employers of using the H-1B programme to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.

"The H-1B visa program is meant to allow companies to bring in really the best of the best from outside the United States of America for positions that are completely impossible to fill with American workers," he said.

He singled out Microsoft, alleging that the company had laid off 6,000 American workers while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards.

Vance said the US administration wanted companies to change their hiring practices rather than leave the American market.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Oct 11 (IANS) Kutch Copper Limited (KCL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, on Sunday outlined an ambitious growth strategy centred on sustainability, decarbonisation, and resource efficiency as it seeks to strengthen India’s copper production capacity and support the country's energy transition.

The company, which operates a greenfield copper refinery in Mundra in the Kutch region, with a current copper smelting capacity of 0.5 million tonnes per annum, plans to increase this capacity to 1 million tonnes per annum in the future, positioning the facility to become the world’s largest single-location custom copper smelter.

In its maiden sustainability report, the company has highlighted its commitment to integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into its business strategy. Its key focus areas include renewable energy adoption, responsible water management, emissions control, resource conservation, and community development.

As part of its decarbonisation roadmap, KCL plans to integrate 115 MW of renewable energy into its operations. The initiative is expected to help reduce the carbon footprint of its manufacturing activities while supporting the company’s long-term sustainability objectives.

The company believes copper will play an increasingly important role in achieving national and global climate goals, given its growing use in renewable energy systems, electric mobility, power transmission, and other clean energy technologies. With demand for the metal expected to rise alongside infrastructure development and industrial expansion, KCL aims to increase production capacity while maintaining a strong focus on responsible manufacturing practices.

Water conservation is another key component of the company’s sustainability strategy. According to the report, KCL operates using nearly 100 per cent desalinated water and follows a Zero Liquid Discharge approach. These measures are intended to minimise dependence on freshwater resources, conserve water, and reduce the environmental impact of its industrial operations.

The company has also reported progress in controlling industrial emissions. KCL said it currently treats 99.8 per cent of sulphur emissions through advanced environmental technologies.

Beyond its manufacturing operations, KCL is investing in community development initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive growth in surrounding areas. Its programmes cover healthcare, education, livelihood enhancement and broader social development, with the objective of creating long-term benefits for local communities.

The sustainability roadmap forms part of the Adani Group’s broader investment in the copper sector. The group has committed $1.2 billion to the project, underscoring its ambition to expand domestic copper production and strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem.

The expansion comes at a time when copper is becoming increasingly important to the development of green infrastructure, including electricity grids, renewable energy installations and electric vehicles. Strengthening domestic production capacity could help support India’s growing demand for the metal as the country pursues its infrastructure and clean energy ambitions.

India has set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Against this backdrop, KCL’s proposed capacity expansion and sustainability initiatives are intended to align industrial growth with improved environmental performance. The company aims to build a production platform that combines large-scale manufacturing with responsible resource management and community engagement.

---IANS

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Hyderabad, Oct 11 (IANS) On Opposition drawing a parallel between the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and the current bans on protests, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said that it is not the Emergency but a precaution. He added that various anti-national and international powers are trying to cause disturbance in the nation.

Speaking to IANS, Reddy said, “They (Opposition) are calling out issues which are not the real issues at all. They are creating false issues to disrupt the system."

The Union Minister also noted, "The Congress does not need to teach a lesson in the name of democracy and Emergency. In 1975, Congress took away the rights of the common citizens; put thousands of people in jail, banned the media, put bans on all political, societal activities."

"Rahul Gandhi should learn first what was at stake when the real Emergency happened. What did the people go through during the Emergency, what they bore…,” he added.

Reddy also said, "I would like to invite Rahul Gandhi to Telangana and show him how the Congress govt, Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government doesn't allow for a single program to happen. In Telangana, whenever we (Bharatiya Janata Party) try to do a public program, the state government prohibits it," Reddy said.

"Even for simple, peaceful programs we have to seek permission from the High Court first. Rahul Gandhi should come to Telangana and see how the Congress here (in Telangana) treats the Opposition, especially the BJP. What prohibitions are put forth, he should check," the Union Minister added.

Reddy also commented on the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan' and said, "On the birth anniversary of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party is conducting a one-month 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' with various programs across the country."

“Specifically in this context, we are serving the public, organising medical camps, going before the people, creating awareness on different topics, bringing awareness, and informing people about the developmental activities that PM Modi has continuously carried out over 25 years of service to the nation," he added.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Oct 11 (IANS) Cybercrime Police of Hyderabad have arrested two persons who allegedly collected about 70 mule accounts and provided them to cybercriminals.

These accounts were allegedly involved in 450 cybercrime cases across India involving transactions amounting to about Rs 60-70 crore, police said on Sunday.

The accused have been identified as Gumma Ramesh, 39, and Mudale Anil, 19, both residents of Ramanthapur in Hyderabad.

The arrests were made in connection with a case in which they committed fraud in the name of fake old currency through social media on Facebook.

The victim had complained that unknown persons cheated him on the pretext of offering Rs 45 lakh for an old one-rupee currency note and collected an amount of Rs 7,93,351. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under sections 66 C, 66D of the IT Act and sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 340(2) of BNS.

During interrogation, the accused persons confessed their involvement in the commission of the offence.

According to S. Chaitanya Kumar, in-charge, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cybercrime Police Station, the accused told police that as the income earned by them was insufficient to meet their personal expenses and other financial needs, they had decided to provide mule bank accounts and SIM cards to cybercriminals in exchange for substantial commissions.

Ramesh, who was previously residing in Bidar district, Karnataka, shifted to Hyderabad due to financial difficulties and was working as a cab driver. He allegedly developed contacts with cyber fraudsters. Subsequently, he, along with an absconding accused, approached students, delivery partners, and other persons in and around the Ramanthapur area and induced around 60-70 persons to provide their bank accounts and SIM cards in exchange for commissions.

After collecting the bank account passbooks, ATM/debit cards, internet banking credentials, and SIM cards from them, he couriered the same to persons in Haryana State for use in committing cybercrime offences.

Through the collection of SIM cards and bank accounts, the main accused are suspected of having defrauded hundreds of victims, with transactions amounting to approximately Rs 60-70 crore.

The second accused, Anil, opened three savings bank accounts in different banks in return for a commission from Ramesh and also handed over the account-related credentials to him.

--IANS

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Itanagar, Oct 11 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh is emerging as a major hydropower hub of India, with four units of the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, developed at a cost of Rs 30,071 crore, commissioned and the remaining units expected to be commissioned shortly, officials said on Sunday.

A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office said that investments of more than Rs 52,000 crore have been approved for five additional hydropower projects in the state.

These projects are expected to generate nearly 4,000 MW of renewable energy, strengthen India's clean energy capacity and contribute to achieving the country's net-zero emissions goals.

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on behalf of the people of the state, on Sunday joined crores of Indians in celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 years of continuous service as head of the government on October 7.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, and continued through his service as Prime Minister of India from May 26, 2014 onwards. His third consecutive term, beginning on June 9, 2024, reflects the deep and lasting trust placed in his leadership," an official statement said.

It said that the Cabinet also noted the remarkable infrastructure transformation in Arunachal Pradesh.

The official said that The Sela and Nechiphu tunnels have enhanced all-weather connectivity, strengthened strategic mobility and promoted tourism.

Donyi Polo Airport, the state's first greenfield airport, can handle one million passengers a year, while Tezu Airport has been upgraded with a new terminal building.

The official noted that under the Vibrant Villages Programme, 455 villages across 11 districts were selected in Phase-I, with 1,022 km of roads worth Rs 2,205 crore approved to connect 126 border villages.

A further 122 villages along the Myanmar and Bhutan borders have been included in Phase-II, making frontier communities partners in development and national security.

The State Cabinet also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the support in recognition, preservation and promotion of Arunachal Pradesh's rich indigenous, tribal and Buddhist heritage, cultures and traditions.

As many as 20 indigenous products have secured Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

The State Cabinet also expressed its collective profound gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for launching the next-gen GST 2.0 reforms and the GST Bachat Utsav during his visit to Itanagar on September 22, 2025, the first day of the pious occasion of Navratri.

"The state achieved 100 per cent saturation under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, covering more than 8.57 lakh beneficiaries," the statement said.

Around 55,000 families received pucca houses registered in the names of women, while 2.28 lakh houses received functional household tap connections, making Arunachal Pradesh the first state in the Northeast region to achieve 100 per cent saturation under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

More than 2.26 lakh families are covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY) providing cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year.

More than 1.14 lakh farmers from Arunachal Pradesh have been enrolled under PM-KISAN, with more than Rs 150 crore transferred directly to their bank accounts.

Nearly one lakh women have been mobilised into 15,999 Self-Help Groups; more than 16,000 have become 'Lakhpati Didis', with 36,000 more identified to reach this goal.

The Union Budget for 2026-27 announced a scheme to develop Buddhist circuits in six Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, while rare manuscripts and medical manuscripts are being documented and digitised under the Gyan Bharatam Mission.

Under the special assistance to states for capital investment, Rs 4,900 crore has been allocated to Arunachal Pradesh under the Pride of Hills component.

The State Cabinet collectively renewed its commitment and resolve to build upon these achievements to form a strong foundation for the national resolve of a "Viksit Bharat by 2047".

"It extended heartfelt congratulations to PM Narendra Modi, expressed profound gratitude for his life of service and tireless dedication, and reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh's resolve to work under his guidance towards a prosperous, secure, self-reliant and developed India," the statement said.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Oct 11 (IANS) An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday after a power bank reportedly caught fire onboard.

The crew reportedly used a fire extinguisher to contain the fire, following which the flight was diverted to Hyderabad.

The flight landed safely at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. All passengers and crew members are safe.

IndiGo flight 6E 6115, operating from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a customer’s personal electronic device, the airline said.

The cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control. In line with established protocols, the pilots diverted the flight and landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, it said

An airline spokesman said an alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey to Chennai. “We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers due to this unforeseen situation and are making all efforts to minimise it, including offering refreshments and sharing timely updates,” IndiGo said in a statement.

"At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority," he added.

The Airbus A321-251N aircraft departed from Delhi at 1.30 p.m. against the scheduled departure of 1.10 p.m. It was scheduled to land in Chennai at 4 p.m.

The fire broke out in the overhead luggage compartment due to a malfunctioning power bank. The incident triggered panic among passengers.

A video of the incident, recorded by a passenger on a mobile phone, has emerged, showing passengers attempting to put out the blaze by dabbing it with their bags.

The fire was extinguished by the cabin crew using fire extinguishers. The exact time and location of the incident are yet to be confirmed.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) Many academicians and scholars of Pakistani origin, working in the universities of United States and the United Kingdom have raised their voices regarding detention of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan.

They have demanded the withdrawal of charges against both lawyers and their immediate release from police custody.

Dubbing this as a serious issue concerning freedom of expression and the rule of law, several professors and educationists have called for the withdrawal of charges against the lawyers and called for their immediate release from detention.

The list of signatories, in support of the two lawyers, criticised the Pakistani establishment for conspiring and plotting to put them in jail despite Supreme Court setting them free.

The two lawyers were reportedly sentenced to 17 years in prison in January 2026 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over social media posts, critical of alleged rights abuses.

The academicians said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended their sentences and granted them bail on September 17, 2026, but police took them into custody within hours in a separate case.

The lawyers are said to be currently under detention.

According to a report in Dawn, the academics said Mazari had spoken out against enforced disappearances, represented victims and their families, and publicly challenged the establishment while Chattha had defended people facing blasphemy charges and represented prisoners on death row.

"Criminal law must not become a weapon for silencing dissent or intimidating lawyers for their advocacy," the statement said.

According to the signatories, Pakistan, as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, was obligated to protect the right to criticise state institutions.

"They said a 17-year sentence for social media commentary was inconsistent with that obligation, citing the position taken by international legal bodies, including the International Commission of Jurists," the daily reported.

They have also urged the federal government, judiciary and other state institutions to fulfil Pakistan's constitutional and international legal obligations and ensure that the two lawyers were not subjected to further arbitrary detention.

Some of the noted signatories included Ayesha Siddiqa of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Fahd Hamayun of Tufts University, Hashim bin Rashid of the University of Pennsylvania, Maria Rashid of the University of Wolverhampton, Raza Rumi of the City University of New York, Reem Khurshid of University College London, Yunus Samad of the University of Bradford and Zoha Waseem of the University of Warwick.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The BJP on Sunday accused Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of lying about the Centre attacking Tamil language and culture, questioning his intention behind attempts to spark north-south and language divisions and spread anarchy by attacking the electoral system.

Addressing the media in New Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi shared information on several initiatives of the central government for honouring Tamil culture, including the launch of Kashi Tamil Sangamam and promoting unity.

“Rahul Gandhi promotes divisibility, but our government focuses on promoting unity,” said Trivedi, reminding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gifted Russian President Putin a Russian edition of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukural by Saint Thiruvalluvar and also decided to set up a defence corridor in the state to promote industry.

On the day of PM Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu, Trivedi said Gandhi is spreading lies that the Centre is attacking Tamil Nadu’s language, culture and history.

In earlier rallies and at a Chhatron ki Goonj event in Chennai on the eve of PM Modi’s visit, the Congress leader had alleged that the Centre was treating Tamil identity as secondary to its traditions.

Trivedi also slammed the Leader of Opposition for batting for foreign forces inimical to India’s economic interests and joining hands with external forces to influence the integrity of elections in India.

He said that US President Donald Trump had said in 2024 that USAID was spending crores of rupees to increase voter turnout in India, and in 2025, when the Election Commission started purification of suspected voters, some people in India have started opposing the process.

Trivedi also sought answers from Gandhi for comparing the recent security curbs against an illegal protest against the SIR of electoral rolls in Delhi to the Emergency, claiming that by doing so he had insulted those who faced atrocities during the draconian, dark phase in the nation’s democracy.

He accused Gandhi of harbouring the dangerous ambition of turning “democracy into mobocracy” and said the LOP is disrespecting those who fought for their rights and suffered incarceration during the Emergency.

“How can curbs over a one km area be compared with the Emergency? During the Emergency, fundamental rights were suspended, and Opposition leaders were put in jail without any hearing,” he said.

The youth need to be reminded that during the Emergency, Parliament’s five-year term was extended by one year to bypass elections, and the Defence of India Rules were imposed that empowered imprisonment of people without any bail or hearing for uttering anything against the then government, he said.

“Today, the people are commenting and using foul language against the government and the Prime Minister and still not facing any Emergency-type consequences,” he said.

Targeting Gandhi for lying about electoral wrongdoings and spreading anarchy with his protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, Trivedi said, “Rahul Gandhi first said the EVMs are managed. Now, he says the electoral rolls are manipulated. I want to ask him if EVMS were indeed managed, then where is there a need to manipulate the voters’ list. Both of his claims can’t be true at the same time.”

--IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 11 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a first-year resident doctor allegedly committed suicide in Mumbai's Sion hospital, police said on Sunday.

According to officials, the deceased doctor has been identified as Shivsharan Patil.

According to preliminary information, Dr Patil's body was found last night in the bathroom of his hostel room. The hospital administration and the police were subsequently informed.

It is suspected that he died by suicide after taking an overdose of anaesthesia.

Dr Patil was a first-year postgraduate student in the Department of Surgery at Sion Hospital, police said.

Investigation into the incident is currently underway.

A similar case was reported in August from a hospital in Gujarat's Surat where a first-year resident doctor allegedly committed suicide.

The incident took place at Surat's New Civil Hospital, following which four senior doctors were suspended after a state-appointed enquiry into the case found evidence of ragging and mental harassment, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya had said.

A forensic post-mortem was also ordered as part of the enquiry. According to the preliminary report of the Anti-Ragging Committee, four senior doctors found directly responsible for causing mental harassment have been suspended with immediate effect.

The Head of Department of the department concerned at New Civil Hospital, along with teaching staff, were also served show-cause notices for allegedly failing to fulfil their responsibility of ensuring the safety and proper management of junior doctors.

"No suicide note was found," the minister said. However, statements recorded from the deceased doctor's fellow students indicated that the doctor had allegedly been repeatedly subjected to mental harassment and torture by senior doctors.

Pansheriya said the findings had prompted the Gujarat government to take strict action against those found responsible. "Harassing junior doctors is not our culture," he said, while warning senior doctors against ragging and mental harassment.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 (IANS) The Bhubaneswar Police on Sunday arrested two brothers for allegedly taking trucks from owners under contractual arrangements and selling them elsewhere without paying the outstanding EMIs, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees to the vehicle owners.

The accused brothers were identified as Manoj and Ashok Mahapatra.

Police said their family allegedly operated an organised gang involved in vehicle fraud across several districts of Odisha.

"The accused siblings would identify people who had purchased or were planning to buy new trucks. They would lure the owners by promising to pay the EMIs to finance companies and offering rent for the vehicles. After taking possession of the trucks, they would abscond," Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saravana Vivek M said.

He also told the reporters that so far four FIRs have been registered against the accused persons and their other family members over allegations of committing similar frauds.

The latest case, in which Manoj and Ashok were arrested, was registered at Mancheswar police station in Bhubaneswar on August 14.

According to the police, complainant Biswaranjan Patra, a representative of a private company, handed over a BharatBenz truck registered in the company's name to Niranjan Mahapatra, the father of the arrested siblings, under an agreement on May 20, 2026.

As per the agreement, accused Niranjan was required to pay the remaining 33 EMIs, amounting to around Rs 37.5 lakh, to the finance company.

He had also agreed to pay Patra Rs 15,000 per month.

On July 31, Niranjan and his two sons, Manoj and Ashok, took possession of the vehicle after paying only Rs 10,000.

However, they allegedly failed to pay any EMIs subsequently, causing financial losses to the complainant.

During the course of investigation, the policemen also found that the case was not an isolated incident.

Police investigation has revealed that Niranjan's entire family was running an organised gang. They would take vehicles from different people under contractual arrangements, sell them elsewhere and abscond without paying the EMIs.

The family allegedly took vehicles from different owners under contractual arrangements, sold them to others and absconded without clearing the loan instalments.

The gang reportedly operated across several districts, including Ganjam, Kandhamal, Sundargada, Boudh and Bhadrak, as well as the cities of Brahmapur and Rourkela.

The accused allegedly changed their locations frequently to evade detection.

On Sunday, Mancheswar police produced the brothers in court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Police have sought 15 days' remand of the accused for further investigation.

--IANS

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