ITV

Tag: Nitin Gadkari

  • Charged on spirits, ThunderPlus unveils ethanol power

    Charged on spirits, ThunderPlus unveils ethanol power

    MUMBAI: Looks like India’s electric future just got a shot of “liquid courage.” In a move that’s set to energise the country’s green mobility drive, ThunderPlus and Trinity Cleantech have launched the world’s first ethanol-powered, mobile 150 kW DC fast charger, the ME energy rapid charger 150, in Hyderabad.

    Forget heavy grid setups and endless approvals, this clean, portable powerhouse can be up and running in just 72 hours, and it runs entirely on ethanol, a bio-fuel made from plants. The result? Up to 80 per cent lower CO2 emissions and half the operational costs of diesel generators.

    “This innovation is all about collapsing timelines, cutting diesel dependence, and giving India a cleaner, instantly deployable charging solution,” said ThunderPlus director and CEO Rajeev YSR. “We proudly call it liquid electricity.”

    Unveiling the charger, Olectra Green Tech Ltd. managing director Mahesh Babu hailed it as a “game-changer” for India’s electric bus and fleet ecosystem. “It’s a breakthrough that slashes costs and wait times while boosting sustainability. Perfect for roadside assistance and depots as the grid catches up,” he said.

    Trinity Cleantech executive director Raj Kumar added that the product is made under a patented licence from Germany’s ME Energy GmbH and is ready for rollout across India. “It offers a scalable, economical path for companies serious about decarbonising their operations,” he noted.

    Inspired by Nitin Gadkari’s ethanol mission, the launch was attended by leaders from India’s clean mobility sector, including Chandramouli Vemula from SIDBI, who praised it as a perfect fit for the nation’s green-finance goals.

    The rapid charger 150 isn’t just for EVs stranded on highways. It’s also ideal for remote depots, logistics hubs, mining zones, and even construction sites where grid access is tricky. Beyond transport, it could replace diesel gensets in residential and commercial spaces, offering both power and charging in one eco-friendly package.

    With over 1,000 chargers across 60 cities, ThunderPlus has already become one of India’s fastest-growing EV charging companies, working with giants like Tata Motors, Olectra, and Mahindra. Trinity Cleantech, meanwhile, continues to push the boundaries of clean energy innovation.

    Together, the two firms are proving that India’s future runs not just on electricity, but on ethanol-fuelled ingenuity. It’s not just a new charger on the block; it’s the start of a cleaner, cleverer India on the move.

  • India at the Chaupal as News18 sets the stage for big voices and bold views

    India at the Chaupal as News18 sets the stage for big voices and bold views

    MUMBAI: The nation’s most powerful voices are pulling up a seat at the table or rather, the Chaupal. News18 India, the country’s No. 1 Hindi news channel, is gearing up to host its flagship summit Chaupal 2025 – Ab Bharat Ki Baari on October 16, 2025, in New Delhi.

    For years, News18 India Chaupal has been where India’s ideas meet India’s icons, a melting pot of politics, policy, and perspective. This year, the conversation turns to self-reliance and global ambition, as India continues to make waves across sectors, from infrastructure to innovation.

    The lineup reads like the guest list for democracy’s most high-profile brainstorming session. On the dais: Nitin Gadkari, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jayant Chaudhary, and Smriti Irani. Adding to the mix are Tenjem Imna Along from Nagaland, K. Kavitha, Imran Masood, and Mukhtar Naqvi ensuring every corner of Bharat has a voice in the dialogue.

    But Chaupal isn’t just about politics. It’s a culture of conversation and the guest list proves it. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, actor Bobby Deol, South African High Commissioner Dr. Anil Sooklal, German Ambassador Dr. Philipp Ackermann, French ambassador Thierry Mathou, and artistes like Suzanne Bernert, pianist Andreas König, Odissi dancer Sharon Lowen, and filmmaker Rafael Stemplewski will bring their unique global and cultural perspectives to the mix.

    “News18 India Chaupal serves as a premier platform for impactful dialogue and national discourse,” said Network18 Group chief strategy officer, Puneet Singhvi. “It brings together the country’s top voices to strengthen governance, democracy, and nation-building.”

    Adding to that Network18 (Broadcast) and MD, A+E Networks | TV18 CEO Avinash Kaul said, “Staying true to its legacy of fearless journalism, Chaupal unites voices that shape India’s narrative. It continues to evolve as one of India’s most distinguished thought leadership forums.”

    Since its inception, Chaupal has been more than a summit, it’s become a symbol of meaningful exchange. The 2025 edition promises high-decibel debates, insightful exchanges, and the kind of unscripted moments that remind viewers why democracy thrives on dialogue.

    So, whether you’re a policy wonk, a culture buff, or just someone who loves a good debate, mark your calendars. News18 India Chaupal 2025 goes live on 16 October, from 11 am onwards bringing India’s biggest names under one roof to ask, answer, and argue what’s next for Bharat.

  • Brake it to make it Times Now hits the brakes on India’s reckless driving

    Brake it to make it Times Now hits the brakes on India’s reckless driving

    MUMBAI: On India’s 79th Independence Day, Times Now chose to free the roads from a different kind of tyranny, the chaos of reckless driving. Through its auto vertical, Times Drive, the channel flagged off ‘Brake The Habit’, a nationwide road safety initiative that’s turning bus shelters and billboards into stern speed-breakers for public conscience.

    The campaign was officially unveiled by union minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who praised the effort as a timely nudge against habits that kill. The statistics are chilling   according to the MORTH 2022 report, India sees over 4.61 lakh accidents annually, most linked to over-speeding, drunk driving, red-light jumping, and increasingly, the deadly distraction of mobile phones behind the wheel.

    Planned as a six-month drive culminating in Road Safety Week in January 2026, the campaign goes beyond finger-wagging. It blends print, outdoor, digital, and Times Network’s broadcast platforms to hammer home the message. Billboards across metros bark warnings against overspeeding, while digital activations invite citizens to vote, opine, and even share stories of lifesaving interventions that prove responsible driving is cool, not boring.

    Young drivers are firmly in the crosshairs. With colleges and universities as key partners, the campaign is designed to catch drivers before bad habits harden into deadly reflexes. Early phases focus on online and on-air pushes, building towards a big on-ground crescendo during Road Safety Week.

    But this isn’t just about scare tactics. ‘Brake The Habit’ also celebrates empathy spotlighting acts of road courtesy, timely rescues, and human kindness that too often go unrecognised. It reframes road safety not as a chore but as a shared responsibility and even a source of pride.

    As Gadkari reminded, and as Times Now underlines: safety starts with the driver, not the car. With one reckless swipe or a single overshoot of the speedometer, lives can change forever. By hitting the brakes on bad habits, the campaign hopes India’s drivers can accelerate towards something far more liberating roads that are safe for all.

     

  • India@100 plans its big leap at BT summit with bold vision for 2047

    India@100 plans its big leap at BT summit with bold vision for 2047

     MUMBAI: A century in sight, and India’s got a blueprint to boot. As the nation marches towards its 100th year of independence, Business Today Multiverse is setting the stage for a future-forward conversation. The BT India@100 Summit, to be held on August 8, 2025 in New Delhi, will convene some of India’s sharpest minds from business, policy, and governance under the theme ‘India@2047: Blueprint for a Developed Nation’.

    Headlined by union minister Nitin Gadkari, who will deliver the keynote on India’s long-term growth roadmap, the summit aims to decode what it will take for the country to join the ranks of high-income, innovation-led economies.

    The speaker line-up reads like a policy powerhouse: Arvind Panagariya, Arunish Chawla, NK Singh, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, among others, will explore everything from economic resilience and institutional reforms to AI, urbanisation, trade, and sustainability.

    But the star of the summit? Business Today’s 100 Ideas for India@100, a curated, deeply researched list of actionable reforms across 10 sectors. Think GST 2.0, land and labour reforms, clean air, safe cities for women, digital infrastructure, and future-ready education. These ideas stem from collaborations with experts like Manish Sabharwal (Teamlease) and Rajesh Shukla (Price), and inputs from think tanks like ICRIER, CSIS, ASER, and former policymakers Anil Swarup and Subhash Chandra Garg.

    With just 22 years to go until 2047, the summit isn’t just another talking shop, it’s a call to action. Sessions will challenge government, industry, and civil society to co-create India’s future. As one speaker put it: “It’s not just about growth, it’s about transformation.”

    And as the country eyes a 10 trillion dollars economy, Business Today is aiming to shape the national dialogue on how to get there with ambition, equity, and accountability.

    Because the journey to 2047 won’t be built on headlines, it’ll be built on hard choices, bold moves, and ideas that stick.

  • KDM wins Zee Bharat Ki Udaan Award for powering faith with 1080 charging points at Maha Kumbh

    KDM wins Zee Bharat Ki Udaan Award for powering faith with 1080 charging points at Maha Kumbh

    MUMBAI: In a country where missing a Whatsapp call from family during a spiritual pilgrimage could cause panic, KDM made sure that devotion met innovation. The lifestyle and mobile accessories brand has been conferred with the Zee Bharat Ki Udaan Award for its Bharat Ka Charger Maha Kumbh initiative—recognised for powering up millions of mobile phones at the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

    KDM was felicitated by Union minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during Zee Bharat’s flagship programme ‘Bharat Ki Udaan’. The award highlighted KDM’s unique contribution at Maha Kumbh 2025, where it installed 1,080 mobile charging stations equipped with its indigenous KDM-T Technology. These stations helped over 23 lakh pilgrims keep their phones and connections alive through the 45-day religious congregation.

    The initiative seamlessly plugged into the government’s vision for a ‘divya and digital’ Maha Kumbh and aligned with the broader Digital India narrative. Beyond the buzzwords, KDM’s solution addressed a pressing need—connectivity for devotees, many from rural areas, who relied on their phones to stay in touch with their loved ones amid the chaos and crowds.

    ‘KDM Bharat Ka Charger’ employs Kinetic Dynamic Mobile Charging Testing Technology (KDM-T Technology), a fully Made-in-India solution designed to prevent overheating, overcharging, and voltage issues—ensuring safety alongside service.

    Acknowledging the honour, KDM founder N D Mali said, “Extremely honoured and privileged to receive the ’Zee Bharat Ki Udaan Award’ from the hands of Shri. Nitin Gadkari ji which is making me feel charged, inspired and motivated to take Bharat Ka Charger campaign ahead… This award motivates us to continue our efforts to charge both mobile and the economy with KDM Bharat Ka Charger”.

    Mali added that the company’s vision—“Har Ghar KDM” by 2030—targets reaching 10 crore households while creating direct and indirect employment for 50,000 women.

  • Rising Bharat Summit 2025 fuels bold vision for India’s global future

    Rising Bharat Summit 2025 fuels bold vision for India’s global future

    MUMBAI: The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025 unfolded as a dynamic exchange of ideas, direction and determination in New Delhi, spotlighting India’s youthful energy and its ambitions to become a developed nation by 2047.

    Centred on the theme ‘Youthful Aspirations, Dream Big, Achieve More, Rise Together,’ the summit brought together an influential line-up of ministers, policy shapers, global experts and cultural icons to present India’s vision across governance, trade, diplomacy, technology and social equity.

    In a charged keynote, prime minister Narendra Modi spoke of urgent, performance-based governance. “The Waqf Amendment Bill ensures true social justice, ending appeasement and protecting Pasmanda Muslims from land mafias. In our first 100 days, we’ve delivered tax relief for youth, reforms in space, nuclear, and gig sectors, and launched WAVES to boost creativity. India cannot afford delays, our progress must be driven by performance,” he said.

    Home minister Amit Shah, addressing electoral concerns and national unity, added, “I want to reassure our southern states that the delimitation process will be fair and proportionate. The opposition is creating fear to divert attention from its own failures… The idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is rooted in efficiency and unity, values our youth must uproot politics of appeasement.”

    Commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal responded to global trade shifts stating, “We remain committed to fair and balanced trade relationships… Our trade policies, guided by the ‘India First’ principle, reflect growing strategic maturity.”

    On India’s evolving geopolitical stance, minister of external affairs S. Jaishankar said, “We see opportunities even amid global uncertainties… The global community increasingly acknowledges Pakistan’s role in terrorism, and India stands firm in defending its national interests.”

    Technology and infrastructure also took centre stage. IT and I&B minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked, “This year, we will see India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip. In AI, India has the talent and vision to lead… Our approach is not just timely, but responsible.”

    On infrastructure and road safety, minister Nitin Gadkari shared, “The rules apply to everyone, including myself… Real progress comes from a sense of shared responsibility.”

    International insights came from professor Jeffrey Sachs, who said, “India is in a unique position… With its scale, talent, and resolve, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy, not by imitation, but on its own terms.”

    The summit also welcomed an eclectic mix of national figures including justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Scott Kelly, Abhinav Bindra, Aravind Srinivas, Børge Brende, Sunny Deol, and Kajol, reflecting the convergence of innovation, governance, space science, sports and culture.

    The 2025 edition of the Rising Bharat Summit stood as a clarion call for collaboration and purpose. It celebrated a confident, inclusive India, placing youth at the centre of policy, progress and global ambition.

  • TV9 Summit 2025 puts India’s global rise in the spotlight

    TV9 Summit 2025 puts India’s global rise in the spotlight

    MUMBAI: TV9 Network hosted the third edition of its flagship ‘What India Thinks Today Summit’ on 28 and 29 March 2025 at the iconic Bharat Mandapam. With the theme ‘India in the New World Order’, the two-day summit carved out a dynamic global platform for thought leaders, ministers, cultural icons, and business visionaries to chart India’s path in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

    Prime minister Narendra Modi headlined the event with a powerful keynote address, calling the summit a vital forum shaping the nation’s future. “The ideas exchanged here will define India’s future,” he stated, adding, “What TV9 thinks today, other channels will follow.”

    The event began with an impactful session featuring Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who made a headline-grabbing announcement, “A big decision on toll within a week, public concerns will be addressed soon.”

    Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Yami Gautam brought cinematic flair to the stage, offering personal insights into fame and success. Meanwhile, actors Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh stirred excitement with a preview of their upcoming thriller, Pune Highway.

    A moving moment came when 28 winners of News9’s Indian Tigers and Tigresses India’s largest youth football talent hunt were felicitated and posed for a group photo with the prime minister himself.

    TV9 Network MD & CEO of Barun Das, reflected on the global vision,“We at TV9 Network have initiated our engagement last year in the News9 Global Summit at Stuttgart, Germany, which will be bigger and better in October, later this year. We also have two more geographies on our radar, the UAE and the USA for News9 Global Summit. These are initiatives that precede TV9 Network’s Global expansion under the guidance of our chairman, Rameshwar Rao.”

    The second day adopted a dual-track format, diving into national issues and the global economic landscape. Union ministers including Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw, G. Kishan Reddy, and Chirag Paswan shared insights on governance and policy. chief ministers Rekha Gupta, Bhagwant Mann, Mohan Yadav, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed challenges such as secularism, welfare policies, and the Uniform Civil Code.

    The summit also brought out a spectrum of political perspectives from figures like Smriti Irani, Randeep Surjewala, Imran Pratapgarhi, and RSS’s Sunil Ambekar. Healthcare was in sharp focus, with Navneet Saluja of Haleon (Sensodyne) dissecting India’s approach to public health, and Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal delivering a keynote on global business readiness.

    On the international front, former UNGA President Abdulla Shahid spoke about the Global south’s rise, while cultural voice Pandit Dhirendra Shastri addressed the event as a ‘Hindu Crusader’.

    Economic deliberations gained momentum with a virtual address from chief economic advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran, followed by in-depth panels on AI, e-mobility, infrastructure, sustainability, and education. Eminent voices like K.T. Mahhe (Sreenidhi University), Abhishek Singh (IndiaAI), Hisashi Takeuchi (Maruti Suzuki), Rajesh Nambiar (NASSCOM), and Nilesh Shah (Kotak AMC) enriched the conversation.

    Backed by marquee sponsors including Sensodyne, Sreenidhi University, HP Lubricants, Tata Motors, and Government partners from Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, the summit was a showcase of collaboration and vision.

    With sessions now available on News9’s Youtube channel and News9 Plus, this landmark summit continues to ripple across conversations, shaping how India is perceived—and how it positions itself—in the global order.

  • Business Today MindRush returns with top leaders decoding disruption at Vucanomics 2025 in Mumbai

    Business Today MindRush returns with top leaders decoding disruption at Vucanomics 2025 in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Global disruptions, economic turbulence, and CEOs dancing through chaos—sounds like the perfect storm waiting to hit Mumbai! Hold onto your hats because Business Today’s MindRush 2025 is about to turbocharge the narrative. Gathering the sharpest minds and slickest suits, BT MindRush will speed into Mumbai on 22 March, transforming global upheaval into growth opportunities faster than you can say ‘Vucanomics’.

    Taking place at the swanky Sofitel in BKC, the 13 edition of this flagship event will see India’s corporate titans swapping survival tips and secret sauces for thriving amidst turmoil. “Vucanomics 2025: Thriving in Turmoil – Turning Global Disruptions into Growth” isn’t just catchy; it’s an entire blueprint for business brilliance.

    Headlining this leadership carnival will be luminaries like India’s road transport czar Nitin Gadkari; diplomatic heavyweight S. Jaishankar; and NSE India boss Ashish Chauhan. Throw in Kumar Mangalam Birla, Harsh Mariwala, Praveer Sinha, Kishor Patil, and PwC India’s Sanjeev Krishan, and you’ve got more star power than a Hindi cinema blockbuster.

    From fiery keynote speeches to razor-sharp panel discussions, BT MindRush will dish out lessons in leadership, innovation, and grabbing disruption by the horns. This year’s edition won’t be for the faint-hearted, promising ‘ample networking opportunities’—corporate speak for ‘bring your best elevator pitch or stay home.’

    The crème de la crème will also get their moment in the spotlight with the prestigious BT India’s Best CEOs Awards. These won’t be your run-of-the-mill trophies—winners will be selected through the intense BT-PwC India’s Best CEOs survey, honouring those who have turned volatility into victory.

  • India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table 2025: Big bets & bold claims

    India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table 2025: Big bets & bold claims

    MUMBAI: If Budget discussions were a high-stakes poker game, this year’s India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table saw ministers going all in with big bets and even bolder claims. From Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s tax relief assurances to Piyush Goyal’s firm rejection of a BRICS currency, and Nitin Gadkari’s ambitious Rs 15 lakh crore infrastructure monetisation vision—this was no ordinary policy talk.

    Sitharaman set the tone early, brushing aside concerns of a structural slowdown while underscoring the government’s commitment to taxpayers. “In every Budget, there is a clear sense that we respect taxpayers,” she declared, championing income tax rebates and relief measures under the new tax regime. She also expressed confidence that higher disposable incomes would fuel consumption and savings, giving sectors like FMCG and banking a much-needed boost.

    Meanwhile, Commerce minister Piyush Goyal wasted no time in dismissing the idea of a BRICS currency. “We don’t support any BRICS currency… It is impossible to think of a BRICS currency,” he said, leaving no room for ambiguity. He also addressed rupee depreciation, maintaining that India must work towards a stronger currency to reduce import dependence.

    Transport minister Nitin Gadkari, always one to bring numbers to the table, outlined his Rs 5 lakh crore plan for highway monetisation while acknowledging roadblocks like land acquisition and environmental clearances. His projections were ambitious—toll income hitting Rs 1.4 lakh crore in two years, scaling up to Rs 15 lakh crore with further monetisation—but execution remains the challenge.

    Beyond taxation and infrastructure, the event also dived into global economic headwinds. Finance and Revenue secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey flagged rising trade disruptions and protectionist policies, reassuring attendees that India remains committed to open markets. Meanwhile, Electronics & IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had exciting news on the tech front—India’s foundational AI model will be ready by the end of the year, with 10,000 GPUs already deployed for research.

    For investors, the insights kept coming. Market veteran Vijay Kedia predicted continued market consolidation, advising investors to focus on government-driven themes like tourism. Value Research CEO Dhirendra Kumar urged a gradual investment strategy, while Mosaic Asset Management’s Maneesh Dangi remained bullish on IT and services.

    With 10 power-packed sessions, 15+ industry leaders, and over 200 corporate executives and experts in attendance, the India Today – Business Today Budget Round Table 2025 delivered high-impact discussions and valuable takeaways. With NSE as an exchange partner, the event ensured that the country’s economic pulse was taken with precision.

    As India steers through global uncertainties, the discussions reinforced the government’s commitment to taxpayers, economic stability, and infrastructure growth—while also highlighting challenges like trade tensions, currency fluctuations, and policy roadblocks that remain very much in play.

     

  • Nitin Gadkari to headline Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024

    Nitin Gadkari to headline Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024

    New Delhi: Times Network Digital is set to host the Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024 on November 27, 2024 in New Delhi. Under the theme, ‘Driving the future: Accelerating India’s Electric Mobility Revolution,’ the conclave will honour winners across 20+ categories and convene a stellar line-up of global automobile manufacturers, energy providers, tech innovators, and policymakers to explore scalable green mobility solutions. The chief guest, union minister Nitin Gadkari, will deliver a special address focussing on the future of EV’s and the adoption of scalable green mobility solutions to drive India’s towards a sustainable and future-ready transportation ecosystem.

    Times Drive Green, a Times Drive initiative powered by Times Network Digital champions clean fuel vehicles and sustainable mobility, covering EVs, hybrids, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and supporting infrastructure like batteries and charging networks. Through its website and YouTube channel, it informs consumers and facilitates dialogue among industry stakeholders and policymakers, driving the shift from internal combustion engines to scalable, clean mobility solutions aligned with India’s sustainability goals

    The Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024 will feature a series of expert panel discussions, addressing critical themes shaping the future of electric mobility in India. Diverse topics will include New-Age Mobility Innovations & Future Trends: Fuelling the Future from EVs to Hydrogen and Hybrid Solutions, Policy and Financial Incentives for Green Mobility: Paving the Way with Regulatory and Financial Roadmaps, and EVs: The Key Challenges and Opportunities Ahead.

    The conclave will bring together industry experts including Preetesh Singh, Specialist CASE, Nomura Research Institute; Maxson Lewis, Founder & CEO, Magenta Mobility; Madhumita Agrawal, CEO & Founder, Oben Electric; Randheer Singh, CEO and Founder, ForeSee Advisors; Akshay Kashyap, Vice President, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles; Ajay Agarwal, Co-Founder,Driveo Electric Mobility; Ashim Sharma, Senior Partner & Group Head Business Performance Improve Consulting, Nomura Research Institute; Rajeev Chauhan, BYD VP, BYD, E-Passenger Vehicles; Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility; Shailesh Hazela, CEO & MD, Stellantis India, and Gaurav Gupta, Deputy MD, JSW MG Motors.

    The Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024 will be live streamed on Times Now’s YouTube channel, 6pm onwards.