The Indian government has initiated numerous projects under the Buddhist Development Plan to promote Buddhism across several states. Smriti Irani, Minister of Minority Affairs and Women & Child Development, inaugurated 38 projects with an estimated cost of Rs. 225 crore. These projects, sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, are aimed at development in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
Additionally, Rs. 30 crore in financial aid was announced to strengthen the Centre for Advance Studies in Buddhist Studies at the University of Delhi. It will focus on academic collaboration, research, language preservation, transcript translation, and skill enhancement for the Buddhist community.
The government’s commitment to minority development, particularly in Buddhist communities in border regions, is evident in the Buddhist Development Plan. This initiative aims to modernise theological education, offer modern and vocational courses, and enhance professional skills in areas like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
The Buddhist Development Plan integrates ongoing schemes like PMJVK, PM-Vikas, scholarships, and programmes administered by NMDFC and other ministries. Awareness campaigns will ensure the accessibility of these schemes to Buddhist communities. Irani stressed collaboration among institutions like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and the Centre for Advance Studies in Buddhist Studies to preserve cultural heritage and provide modern education.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ₹1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial Masterplan in Gujarat during his visit to Ahmedabad. The project aimed at revitalising Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings and philosophy, revamping infrastructure, providing modern amenities, and establishing a world-class memorial at Sabarmati Ashram.
PM Modi highlighted the historical significance of March 12th, commemorating the day when Gandhi initiated the Dandi March in 1930. The project expands the ashram to 55 acres, restoring 36 existing buildings and conserving 20 old structures.
New facilities will include administration buildings, visitor centres, and interactive workshops focusing on Gandhi’s principles, such as spinning and weaving. The master plan features a library and archives building to preserve Gandhi’s ideas and accommodate visiting scholars.
Additionally, the project includes an interpretation centre to enhance visitors’ cultural and intellectual experiences in multiple languages. PM Modi also inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram, Gandhi’s first ashram in India.
The initiative aims to preserve Gandhi’s legacy and promote his ideals for future generations. By enhancing visitor experiences and preserving historical sites, the project seeks to immortalise Gandhi’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle and his philosophy of nonviolence and truth.
President Droupadi Murmu embarked on her first state visit to Mauritius, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. She was honoured as the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day celebrations, strengthening the enduring ties between the two nations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), President Murmu’s visit demonstrates the commitment to enhancing bilateral relations across sectors and fostering inter-human connections.
The visit, highlighted as a “new milestone” by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, includes the inauguration of 14 India-assisted projects. Murmu’s itinerary features bilateral meetings with Mauritian leaders, including President Prithvirajsing Roopun and PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, to enhance institutional collaboration.
Additionally, Murmu will explore historical and cultural landmarks such as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and the Aapravasi Ghat. She will interact with young people in Mauritius, the Indian diaspora, and cultural institutions, signifying the broad spectrum of India and Mauritius’ development cooperation.
The visit also includes the signing of bilateral agreements meant to strengthen institutional cooperation and initiatives to increase capacity between the two countries. President Murmu’s visit reflects the common past and future goals of India and Mauritius through participation in cultural activities and interactions, strengthening their longstanding partnership.
Welcome to The Billionaire’s Trove: Top 3 Luxe Holdings, presented by AsiaOne Magazine. Embark on an exclusive journey into the lavish world of the wealthiest billionaires. In this captivating series, we unveil the most extravagant assets owned by these business titans, from architectural marvels and private islands to groundbreaking tech enterprises and historic artworks. Get ready for an unprecedented glimpse into the portfolios that define the pinnacle of success and opulence. Each feature in The Billionaire’s Trove series offers an intimate look at the leaders behind the wealth, the companies they’ve built or acquired, and the staggering net worth that position them among the world’s elite. Join us in celebrating the extraordinary achievements and exclusive lifestyles that accompany being at the forefront of economic influence and innovation.
Mukesh Ambani
Mr. Mukesh Ambani is an Indian billionaire business magnate and the Chairman, Managing Director, and largest shareholder of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), a conglomerate holding company headquartered in Mumbai, India. Reliance Industries is India’s most valuable company by market value, with interests in petrochemicals, refining, oil, telecommunications, and retail. Under his direction, Reliance has made significant investments in clean energy, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. The company aims to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2035, with extensive investments in renewable energy.
Antilia
Antilia is a private residence in Mumbai, India, that stands out as one of the most extravagant homes globally. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, one of India’s wealthiest individuals, Antilia is notable for its opulence and its unique design. Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic, Antilia was designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm Perkins and Will, along with the Australian-based construction company Leighton Holdings.
The building is 27 stories tall but, due to its high ceilings, its height is equivalent to that of a 40-story skyscraper. Antilia includes multiple luxurious amenities such as three helipads, a 168-car garage, a ballroom, terraced gardens, a temple, guest suites, a health level with a gym, a “snow room” that emits snowflakes from the walls, a home theatre that seats 50, and several swimming pools.
The building has a multi-story garden that includes hydroponic plants, which helps in keeping the interior temperature cool and acts as an energy-efficient feature. The construction of Antilia is estimated to have cost approximately $2 billion, making it one of the world’s most expensive private residences.
The Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians (MI) cricket team, owned by India’s wealthiest businessman, Mukesh Ambani, through Reliance Industries’ 100% subsidiary IndiaWin Sports, is one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Mumbai Indians were founded in 2008, the inaugural year of the IPL. The team is one of the most successful in IPL history, having won the title five times as of my last update in April 2023. Their victories came in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, making them the first team to win the championship five times. Mumbai Indians is among the most valuable IPL franchises, with a significant fan base and substantial commercial partnerships. Their brand value is attributed to their on-field successes, star-studded team, and strategic marketing.
The team holds several records, including the highest number of championship wins in the IPL. Individual players have also achieved significant milestones while playing for MI, including Lasith Malinga, who is the all-time leading wicket-taker in IPL history.
Stoke Park
Stoke Park, located in Buckinghamshire, England, is a prestigious country club, hotel, and spa known for its rich history and luxurious facilities. Stoke Park’s history dates back to the Norman Conquest, with the recorded history of the estate beginning in the Domesday Book of 1086. The mansion at the heart of the estate, Stoke Park House, was completed in 1795 and is one of the first country houses in England to be built in a Palladian style. The mansion was designed by James Wyatt, a renowned architect of the 18th century, for John Penn. The estate encompasses a magnificent 300-acre parkland, which was landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the famous landscape architect who is credited with creating the English garden style.
The estate has served as a filming location for several notable films and television shows. Perhaps most famously, it appeared in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” (1964), where it doubled as the fictional Royal St. Mark’s Golf Club. It has also been featured in “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “Layer Cake” (2004), and the romantic comedy “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001).
India received the Measles and Rubella Champion Award for its vigorous efforts in combating these diseases. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan accepted the award on behalf of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on March 6.
The Measles and Rubella Partnership, including agencies like the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, commended India’s dedication to reducing global measles deaths and rubella illness.
India’s commitment to public health and leadership in controlling infectious diseases among children was acknowledged, particularly through its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and proactive MR vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. Despite challenges, India has made significant progress in reducing measles and rubella cases and preventing outbreaks, with 50 districts not having any measles cases and 226 districts reporting no rubella cases in the last year. The MR vaccine has been part of India’s UIP since 2017, aiming for the disease’s elimination.
The award recognises the efforts of frontline health workers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities nationwide. India’s robust surveillance systems and public awareness initiatives have played a crucial role. The government remains committed to eliminating measles and rubella from the country, prioritising the health and well-being of its population.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Agra Metro Rail Project’s priority corridor, linking UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Sikandra Tomb for tourists. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Agra Metro from the Taj Mahal Metro Station and rode to the Taj East Gate Metro Station.
The first corridor comprises 14 stations, with six completed, including elevated stations like the Taj East Gate and underground ones like the Taj Mahal. Initially, the service will operate between these six stations from 6 am to 10 pm, with fares ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 30. The service opens to the public on March 7.
The Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (UP SSF), which has 150 personnel deployed, is in charge of managing 28 CCTV cameras per station as part of security measures. Additionally, local craftsmanship is showcased at the stations, with added selfie points.
Key features of the Agra Metro project include two corridors covering 30 km, with 27 stations (20 elevated, 7 underground), and an estimated cost of Rs 8,379 crore. The first corridor spans 14 km from Taj East Gate to Sikandra, while the second connects Agra Cantt Station to Kalindi Vihar. The trains can accommodate 973 passengers, feature regenerative braking for electricity production, and are monitored from the PAC Depot control room.
On Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro section in Kolkata, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transportation history.
This section features the deepest metro station in India, the Howrah metro station, situated 30 metres below ground. Covering 4.8 kilometres, it’s a crucial part of the East-West Metro corridor, linking areas like Salt Lake Sector V, an IT hub. The project cost approximately ₹4,965 crore, with 10.8 kilometres of the total 16.6-kilometre corridor underground, including the river tunnel.
The underwater journey spans 520 metres and takes just 45 seconds, promising rapid and efficient transportation. Ticket prices range from ₹5 to ₹50 depending on the distance, with fares escalating from ₹5 for the first two kilometres.
The inauguration also included the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport line and the Taratala-Majerhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line, expanding Kolkata’s metro network.
During the inauguration, PM Modi rode the underwater metro with school students amidst enthusiastic crowds chanting slogans. He also laid the foundation stone for connectivity projects worth ₹15,400 crores, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure. This development not only enhances Kolkata’s connectivity and urban mobility but also signifies a leap in India’s transportation technology and infrastructure.
On Sunday, Flipkart introduced its UPI service, Flipkart UPI, aiming to boost digital payment solutions for its vast user base of over 500 million customers and contribute to India’s digital advancement. Axis Bank powers Flipkart UPI, which is initially available to Android users. Registration involves obtaining a unique @fkaxis handle, enabling fund transfers and checkout payments within the Flipkart app.
Post-launch, Flipkart plans to integrate loyalty features such as Supercoins, cashback, and brand vouchers to enhance customer engagement. Dheeraj Aneja, Senior Vice President at Flipkart, emphasises their commitment to fostering a digitally empowered society through Flipkart UPI.
The UPI offering facilitates seamless online and offline transactions both within and beyond the Flipkart marketplace. It streamlines recharges, bill payments, and merchant transactions, enhancing overall payment efficiency.
In 2023, UPI recorded over 117 billion transactions totalling Rs 182.84 trillion, highlighting its rapid growth and widespread adoption. Flipkart acknowledges the dynamic landscape, emphasising collaboration among banks, payment service providers, and fintech firms.
Sanjeev Moghe, President & Head of Cards & Payments at Axis Bank, lauds the partnership’s evolution, from launching co-branded credit cards to introducing Flipkart UPI. The collaboration highlights Flipkart’s commitment to driving innovation and expanding its UPI ecosystem.
On March 1, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates visited the iconic Statue of Unity in Gujrat. During his visit to India, he labelled the Statue of Unity as an ‘engineering marvel’ and extended gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and CM Bhupendra Patel for their invitation and hospitality.
Gates shared a video capturing his presence in front of the towering 597-foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The video swiftly amassed more than a million views, eliciting reactions across social media platforms. Gates admired the statue’s grandeur, highlighting its significance in his post. Social media users hailed Gates as a prominent advocate for Indian tourism, emphasising his role in promoting the country’s cultural landmarks.
Before he visited the Statue of Unity, Gates captivated the internet by collaborating with Dolly Chaiwalla, a vendor from Nagpur, in a video showcasing traditional chai-making techniques. Gates underscored the innovation ingrained in Indian culture, appreciating the intricacies of preparing a simple cup of tea.
From exploring monumental landmarks to engaging with traditional practices, Gates’ endeavours in India reflect his profound interest in Indian culture and society. His activities have sparked widespread attention online, showcasing his dedication to experiencing and celebrating the diverse facets of Indian life during his visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹35,700 crore in Jharkhand. He emphasised Jharkhand’s crucial role in India’s development, highlighting the inauguration of the ₹8,900-crore fertilizer plant in Sindri, Dhanbad district, as a significant step.
PM Modi expressed confidence in Jharkhand’s potential to contribute to India’s progress, referring to it as a source of power for the nation’s development. With a 12.7 LMT urea production capacity annually, the fertiliser factory hopes to support domestic production for the benefit of farmers throughout the nation.
The Sindri factory, which was resurrected after Gorakhpur and Ramagundam, is India’s third fertiliser facility. Additionally, he emphasised the need for urea production to be self-sufficient, pointing out that it has increased from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to 310 lakh metric tonnes at present.
PM Modi also announced coal, power, and rail projects in Jharkhand that totalled more than ₹26,000 crores, demonstrating the government’s dedication to the state’s advancement. He hailed the investment as the realisation of his pledge to bring the Sindri plant back to life and as a major step towards India becoming self-sufficient in urea manufacturing.
