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Japan commits ODA loan to India in urban Transport, health and agriculture sectors

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The Government of Japan has committed an Official Development Assistance loan worth JPY 275.858 billion, about ₹16,420 crore, to India for four infrastructure and social sector projects. The agreement, signed on March 24, 2026, in New Delhi, covers metro rail expansion in Bengaluru and Mumbai, healthcare upgrades in Maharashtra, and horticulture development in Punjab. The funding will be implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency and is part of the broader India-Japan strategic partnership.

A fresh tranche of Japanese funding is set to shape some of India’s most critical urban and social infrastructure projects, from metro rail expansion in its largest cities to strengthening healthcare systems and farm incomes.

The agreement, finalized on March 24, brings together officials from both governments at a time when India’s infrastructure pipeline is expanding rapidly across states.

The Notes for the loan were exchanged between Alok Tiwari, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs under India’s Ministry of Finance, and Keiichi Ono, Japan’s ambassador to India. Loan agreements were also signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the country’s primary development finance arm. [1]

Bengaluru and Mumbai metro expansion projects funding details

A significant portion of the funding is directed toward urban transport, with two metro rail projects accounting for the bulk of the allocation.

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 will receive JPY 102.480 billion. The expansion aims to meet rising commuter demand in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region by extending the mass rapid transit network.

Officials say the project is designed not only to improve mobility but also to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions, contributing to climate mitigation efforts in one of India’s fastest-growing urban centers. [2]

In Mumbai, the Metro Line 11 Project will receive JPY 92.400 billion. The line is expected to address similar pressures in the country’s financial capital, where traffic density and air pollution remain persistent challenges.

Both metro projects are positioned as long-term investments in urban sustainability, linking transport infrastructure with environmental goals. [3]

Maharashtra healthcare system upgrade and Punjab agriculture project

Beyond transport, the loan package includes funding aimed at strengthening public health systems in Maharashtra.

The Project for Strengthening Tertiary Healthcare Delivery, Medical Education System and Nursing Education System in Maharashtra will receive JPY 62.294 billion. The initiative includes the construction and upgrading of tertiary care hospitals, medical colleges, and nursing schools.

The goal is to improve both access to advanced medical care and the quality of medical education, with a broader focus on advancing Universal Health Coverage across the state. [4]

In Punjab, JPY 18.684 billion has been allocated for a project focused on sustainable horticulture. The initiative aims to help farmers diversify into high-value crops, supported by infrastructure development and capacity-building programs.

Officials say the project is intended to strengthen agricultural value chains while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. [5]

India Japan development cooperation and strategic partnership

The latest funding builds on decades of development cooperation between India and Japan, which dates back to 1958. Economic collaboration has become a central pillar of the bilateral relationship, with Japan emerging as one of India’s key partners in infrastructure financing.

Projects funded through Japanese ODA have historically included metro systems, industrial corridors, and environmental initiatives across multiple states.

The current loan package reinforces that trajectory, linking infrastructure expansion with broader goals such as climate resilience, public health, and rural income growth.

It also reflects Japan’s continued focus on supporting large-scale, long-term development projects through concessional financing mechanisms, often implemented via JICA.

The four projects, spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Punjab, are expected to move into implementation phases following the signing of loan agreements, marking another step in the evolving India-Japan strategic and global partnership.

Also Read:

Japan Launches High-Seas Gamble to Break China’s Grip on Critical Minerals

India and Japan Partnership in ‘Specified Skilled Worker’: Details of areas

Tractors Hit Bengaluru Roads Again Amid Flooded Streets After Heavy Rain

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Heavy rainfall on Wednesday flooded several areas of Bengaluru, prompting authorities to deploy tractors to assist residents in waterlogged neighborhoods. The weather office has predicted continuous rain throughout Wednesday and Thursday.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) arranged two tractors to transport residents in the severely affected Yelahanka area, particularly at the Kendriya Vihar apartments, where water levels rose to around three feet. A help desk was set up on Tuesday evening to provide essential supplies such as drinking water, milk, bread, and biscuits to affected residents.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath visited the flooded areas, including the Kendriya Vihar Apartments, and monitored the relief measures. “Two tractors have been arranged to help residents move in and out of the apartment complex,” the BBMP said in a statement. Over 20 officers and staff are working on-site to address the situation.

Girinath also visited the Ramanashree California Layout, where officials were instructed to pump out the water. He noted that from Monday to Tuesday, the city received 30 mm of rain, with an additional 60-70 mm recorded on Tuesday alone.

“The northern parts of Bengaluru have been hit hard by the heavy rains. Lakes are full and overflowing, causing flooding in low-lying areas like Yelahanka. This has been a recurring issue, and we are working on measures to drain the water,” Girinath said.

A virtual meeting was held by the Chief Commissioner earlier in the day, where he instructed all officials to visit the affected areas and work on finding long-term solutions to the flooding.

IBM Acquires Bengaluru-based Prescinto, Expands Into Renewable Energy CMS Software

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IBM has announced its acquisition of Bengaluru-based Prescinto, a leading provider of asset performance management (APM) software for the renewable energy sector. While the financial details were not disclosed, this strategic move aims to strengthen IBM’s Maximo Application Suite (MAS), a platform focused on asset lifecycle management.

This acquisition will enhance IBM’s foothold in the rapidly growing energy and utilities market, where companies are increasingly looking to optimize their wind, solar, and energy storage assets. By incorporating Prescinto’s AI-powered tools, IBM plans to offer enhanced monitoring, analytics, and automation capabilities for renewable energy operations.

According to IBM, the global utilities asset management market is projected to grow from $4.3 billion in 2022 to $12.4 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%. The rising demand for these solutions is fueled by the global shift toward renewable energy, as companies seek to reduce emissions and lower energy costs.

Prescinto’s technology helps energy firms streamline operations by providing real-time tracking of energy production and storage assets. The platform identifies performance bottlenecks and delivers actionable insights, allowing companies to maximize returns on their renewable energy investments.

IBM’s Maximo Application Suite is already widely used across sectors such as water, natural gas, oil, and nuclear energy. With Prescinto’s capabilities, IBM aims to better support its clients’ sustainability and net-zero goals by offering more advanced tools for managing renewable energy assets.

Founded in 2016, Prescinto operates in 14 countries, managing 16 gigawatts of renewable energy assets. The acquisition aligns with IBM’s strategy to lead the digital transformation of the energy sector.

Recently, IBM’s Maximo platform was ranked first in IDC’s 2023 global market share report for asset lifecycle management, holding a 10.8% share. This acquisition is expected to further solidify IBM’s leadership in the sector.

Alia Bhatt Surprises Fans in Bengaluru, Appears at DJ Alan Walker’s Concert

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Bollywood star Alia Bhatt stunned fans with an unexpected appearance at Grammy-winning DJ Alan Walker’s concert in Bengaluru. As videos of the moment flood social media, one clip captures Bhatt greeting the crowd with a cheerful “Namaskara (Hello) Bengaluru. Surprise, surprise!”

Dressed in a sleek blue off-shoulder dress, Bhatt waved to the ecstatic audience while Walker, in his signature grey hoodie and black mask, stood by. As they posed together, the track ‘Chal Kudiye’ from Bhatt’s upcoming film Jigra played in the background.

Bhatt’s appearance comes at a time when global artists are increasingly making their mark in India. British rock giants Coldplay are set to perform in Mumbai this January, adding to the international music buzz in the country.

Meanwhile, Bhatt is gearing up for the release of Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala. The film, which also stars Vedang Raina, follows the story of Satya, a sister determined to save her brother Ankur. Set to hit theaters on October 11, Jigra has drawn comparisons to the thriller The Next Three Days, reimagining the plot with a sibling bond at its core.

Bengaluru to miss spectacular view of Geminid meteor shower tonight

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Sky watchers can witness a meteor shower peaking between Tuesday night and well into the early hours of Wednesday, Dec 12-13 night as the Geminid meteor shower comes around this time of the year when several meteoroids, left behind by ‘rock comet’ 3200 Phaethon, enter the earth’s atmosphere.

While Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is organising an event to watch the night sky with naked eye between 10pm tonight till 4:30am Wednesday under expert advice and supervision after paying Rs. 500 per head, the winter night has become suddenly cloudy by evening that many may be left disappointed.

Following the Cyclone Mandous in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh coast, Bengaluru is under constant spell of rain in the last four days and the morning Sun soon disappeared on Wednesday.

However, people in other ares with clear sky can see meteors unless hindered by pollution and a cloudy sky, with a bright moon to add to that. However, if you are in luck, you will be able to observe around 30 to 40 meteors lighting up the night sky each hour, especially between 2am and 3am. Telescopes are not necessary for this event as they limit the view of the sky.

 

PM Modi shares glimpses of Mysuru Dasara celebrations

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared glimpses of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations and lauded the commitment of the people of Mysuru to preserving their culture and heritage in a beautiful way. The Prime Minister recalled fond memories of his visit to Mysuru, the most recent one on the occasion of 2022 Yoga Day.

Quoting a tweet by a citizen, the Prime Minister tweeted;

“Mysuru Dasara is spectacular. I commend the people of Mysuru for preserving their culture and heritage so beautifully. I have fond memories of my Mysuru visits, the most recent one being during 2022 Yoga Day.”

Mysuru-Dasara-2022

 

 

President of India Inaugurates Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited; Also Lays The Foundation Stone for The Zonal Institute of Virology

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The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru today (September 27, 2022). She also laid the foundation stone for the Zonal Institute of Virology (South Zone) virtually on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that inauguration of the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility is indeed a historic moment not only for HAL and ISRO, but also for the whole country to have a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture Cryogenic and Semi-cryogenic Engines. She said that HAL has contributed immensely to India’s self reliance in defence. It can be said that HAL has been the force behind the forces. HAL has time and again demonstrated its capabilities in research, development and manufacturing of various Aircraft Platforms.

The President said that ISRO has been the pride of the nation. When this institution started operations in the 1960s, India was still a young Republic, facing challenges of severe poverty and illiteracy. But there was immense potential. The rapid pace, with which ISRO has grown, caught the attention of even the most advanced and technologically developed countries. Sincere efforts and dedication of ISRO have made India emerge as the sixth country in the world to have Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Capabilities.

The President said that HAL and ISRO together contribute to strategic defence and development. Both the organizations have played a major role in the development of various equipment and programmes which have reinforced the security and development of our country. HAL with its high end facility of manufacturing defence related equipment has proved to be an invaluable asset for our country.

The President said that the glorious past of HAL and ISRO gives us an assurance that these organisations will continue to play a significant and positive role in the future as India enters the Amrit Kaal. By 2047, when we will celebrate the 100 years of Independence, the world around us will have changed drastically. Just as we were in no position 25 years ago to imagine the contemporary world, we cannot visualise today how Artificial Intelligence and automation are going to transform life. We have completed 75 years as an independent country. We are looking ahead at the next 25 years as the period to re-imagine India and make it a developed country. It is our joint responsibility to ensure that the India of 2047 will be a much more prosperous and strong nation.

Speaking about the Covid pandemic, the President said that the resilience and extraordinary effort of our doctors and scientists helped us deal with the crisis. She noted that the Indian Council of Medical Research has provided exemplary support for effective COVID management and is expanding its research infrastructure. National Institute of Virology, Pune under Indian Council of Medical Research, is also taking all possible steps to increase R&D in the field of virology. She was happy to note that the National Institute of Virology has been designated as one of the collaborating laboratories of the World Health Organization. She said that the expansion of National Institute of Virology through Zonal Campuses across the country catering to the demands in the different geographical regions is praiseworthy.

Two Karnataka II PUC students drown while taking selfie

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 Sep 19 (IANS) The Karnataka Police, the Fire Force and Emergency personnel have retrieved the bodies of two students who fell into a water body on Monday in Raichur district.

The deceased students have been identified as Sujith and Vaibhav. Both students of II PUC (Class 12) in Vidya Nidhi College.

According to police, the students went for a picnic near Kalamala in Tungabhadra left bank canal. They slipped while taking selfies near the canal and drowned in the water.

Two K’taka students drown while taking selfie/Ians

The Raichur Rural police and fire force personnel had rushed to the spot and taken up operations. Further investigation is on.

Indian, US, Spain surgeons win global robotic surgery innovation awards

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Robotic surgeons from the US, India and Spain were named the top three winners in the KS International Robotic Surgery Innovation competition, as robotic surgery slowly becomes mainstream.

The winners were selected by an international jury form Oxford and Stanford Universities, and New-Delhi based AIIMS, from the fields of urology, gynaecology, general surgery, hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, colorectal, head and neck, paediatric and joint replacement surgeries.

The winning entry of Dr Jihad Kaouk, department of urology, Cleveland Clinic in Ohio was titled Single Port Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation Extraperitoneal Approach’ in the unique competition organised by Michigan-based robotic surgery evangelist Vattikuti Foundation.

Dr Kaouk and his team modified the technique of robotic kidney transplant developed at the Vattikuti Urology Institute and Medanta Medicity.

Kaouk used a da Vinci single port robot for truly minimally invasive surgery.

Indian, US surgeons win global robotic surgery innovation award

“The early results of patients who had undergone robotic kidney transplant through this technique could go home in only 2 days,” the foundation said in a statement.

For Robotic Infraclavicular Approach for Minimally Invasive Neck Dissection,’ the second award went to Dr Sandeep Nayak, Director, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute, Bengaluru.

Dr Nayak innovated a robotic technique to perform very major cancer surgery of the head neck to clear the lymph nodes in the neck with quick patient recovery and minimal discomfort.

cancer cells/photo:en.wikipedia.org

The third award went to a team of Dr Alberto Piana, Dr Paolo Verri, and Dr Alberto Breda of Oncology Urology and Kidney Transplant Surgery, Fundacio Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain for their entry of 3D Augmented Reality Guided Robotic Assisted Kidney Transplantation’.

The KS National Robotic Surgery Video’ competition is being organised in India since 2015 by Vattikuti Foundation. This year, it went international for the first time.

“As surgeons continue to innovate newer procedures in robotic surgery, the Vattikuti Foundation will continue to invest and make it accessible to other surgeons,” said Raj Vattikuti, president of Vattikuti Foundation.

Scientists fix GPS device to pelican’s wings in Karnataka’s Mandya district

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Mandya (Karnataka), Sep 12 (IANS) Scientists on Monday successfully fitted a GPS device to a pelican bird in Kokkare Bellur in Karnataka’s Mandya district.

A team of scientists attached to the Dehradun Wildlife Institute carried out the experiment for the first time in the country, according to the local officials.

The experiment was carried out to study the abodes of pelicans, food habits and international routes that these migratory birds traverse.

Sources said that the GPS device was imported from Greece. The animal lovers and scientists have described the experiment as historical.

Spot-billed pelican birds

The GPS device will help ascertain the route, including countries the pelican’s travel through besides recording their activities. The scientists have also stated that they would be able to find out the origin place of the bird through this experiment.

Pelican birds travel across India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The GPS device will get charged automatically through sun rays. The device is designed to send all the information regarding various travelling routes for a period of four years.

Attractive pelican birds arrive in Kokkare Bellur in October and disappear after two months. This breed of birds are found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti passes away, state declares mourning; Modi condoles

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Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Vishwanath Katti aged 61 passed away due to cardiac arrest in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.
The State declared one day mourning.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief on the demise of Karnataka Minister, Umesh Katti.

The Prime Minister tweeted;

“Shri Umesh Katti Ji was an experienced leader who made rich contributions to Karnataka’s development. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”

Severe Weather Warning issued for next 5 Days 

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India Meteorological Department has issued severe weather warning for the five days beginning April 7, 2018 to April 11, 2018.

The northeastern belt over the Gangetic plain and Bihar, Assam  & Meghalaya  and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura are likely to witness thunderstorm accompanied with squall, said the Met agency in its latest bulletin. Southern states are likely to witness severe rains today and tomorrow. Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai may have to be prepared for a rainy weekend, going by the weather report.

Here is the details alert:

07 April (Day 1):

♦  Heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Meghalaya.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail very likely at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Bihar, Assam  & Meghalaya  and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds & lightning very likely at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh, interior Tamilnadu, Interior Karnataka, north Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and Sub­Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim

08 April (Day 2):

♦ Heavy rain very likely at isolated places over Sub­Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim.

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail very likely at isolated places over  Uttrakhand and Odisha.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Sub­Himalayan West Bengal  & Sikkim, Bihar,  north Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds & lightning very likely at isolated places over Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada  and south Konkan & Goa.

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over interior Tamilnadu, Kerala, Interior  &  Coastal Karnataka,Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and East Madhya  Pradesh.

09 April (Day 3)

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with squall likely at isolated places over Punjab.

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds likely at isolated places over Kerala and Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi.

10 April (Day 4):

♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with squall likely at isolated places over Punjab and north Uttar Pradesh.

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds likely at isolated places over  Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi.

 

11  April (Day 5):

♦  Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds likely at isolated places over Sub­Himalayan West Bengal  & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya  and  Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura.

 

 

Portugal PM Visits Ancestral Home in Goa

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António Costa

Portugal Prime Minister António Costa, who is on an official visit to India, was greeted with six Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between India and Portugal being signed on the occasion, including one pact on defence cooperation.

Later Mr Costa visited Goa, his ancestral home and Bengaluru where he was the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas opened on Saturday. The Portugal PM is on a seven-day visit to India. Portugal PM Costa presented PM Modi with Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey.

PM Narendra Modi, welcoming the visiting Portugal PM, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to India. We are deeply honoured that you accepted our invitation to be the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. In my extensive discussion with Portugal PM we reviewed the full range of India-Portugal ties.”

On Portugal’s support to India’s Nuclear Supply Group membership, he said, “We are grateful to Portugal for their continued support for India’s membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group. The MoU on Defence cooperation signed today will help us harness our respective strengths in this field for mutual benefit.”

Costa’s father was writer Orlando da Costa, who was of Goan, Portuguese, and French descent. His 200-year-old ancestral house on Abade Faria Road in Margao, where Anna Kaarina Costa, first cousin of the Portugal Prime Minister, currently lives was spruced up for his visit.

This is his second visit to the house, the first was when he had come with his parents as a teenager. Portugal ruled Goa till 1961.