India needs to create 8 to 10 million jobs annually: PM's Principal Secretary Mishra
Sambalpur (Odisha), Apr 19 (PTI): Highlighting the need to create 8 to 10 million jobs annually in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra on Saturday urged students to equip themselves with both technical knowledge and practical skills.
Speaking at the 9th convocation ceremony of IIM Sambalpur, Mishra said, "There is a need to create 8 to 10 million jobs annually. The central government has therefore launched initiatives like Digital India and Skill India to meet this goal. You need technical knowledge along with skills."
He also informed the students that India has secured a strong position on the global stage.
Mishra said this is a crucial period not only for students, but also for the country.
"Today, India holds a strong global position, with a growing economy, a young population and strategic partnerships. The country’s increasing influence will help achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by the Prime Minister," Mishra said.
Mishra said India's digital infrastructure is getting stronger by the day and there are 8,000 million internet users in the country.
"The digital economy is growing. Around 185 million UPI transactions were made in 2024-25," he said, adding that the country has now entered the era of ‘Amrit Kal’.
"Modi has set a goal to make the country prosperous. There is a need for everyone to work together towards building a developed India by 2047," Mishra added.
Encouraging students, Mishra said, "We are grappling with tectonic shifts in geopolitical alignments while simultaneously witnessing technological breakthroughs at an unprecedented pace. Climate and sustainability are central to this conversation. Disruptions in global supply chains, protectionist policies, heightened geopolitical tensions and changing global trade patterns are contributing to this complexity."
"You must take the initiative to shape your own future and focus on achieving many more milestones, building upon the solid foundation you have established today," he said.
Expressing happiness over IIM Sambalpur’s gender ratio — where women make up 60 per cent of MBA students — he encouraged the institute to aim for 80 per cent.
He praised the world-class campus infrastructure and said, "IIM Sambalpur in its decade of existence has earned a reputation for integrating various activities. The institute upholds core values of innovation, integrity and inclusiveness. It has incorporated artificial intelligence into its educational framework, which is a significant initiative. I commend IIM Sambalpur for launching the Master Weavers program for the weavers of Western Odisha; this is a commendable effort and contributes to the regional development."
Padma Shri Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Sambalpur, and Chairman and CEO, Salesforce India & South Asia, encouraged the graduating students and said, "The world is evolving rapidly and you will face both opportunities and challenges. However, with the knowledge and skills that you have gained, you are well equipped to navigate any obstacle that can come your way."
In the welcome address, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, highlighted the achievements of the institute over the past decade.
He said, "This year, during the convocation, we celebrate 10 years of IIM Sambalpur’s establishment. This is the first time that we have students from five different programmes — MBA, Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals, PhD and PhD for Working Professionals — receiving their respective degrees".
Prof Jaiswal further said, "We are in an advanced stage of being triple crowned IIM including AACSB, EFMD and BGA. We hope to achieve these accreditations within the next two years, positioning us among the few Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) with these prestigious international recognitions."
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
