JNU first in research, first in nationalism, says VC
New Delhi (PTI): JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Thursday reaffirmed the varsity's commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of setting all Indians on the path to development and nationalism.
Speaking at an event at the varsity, Pandit said, "JNU is first in academics, first in research and first in nationalism and in paying our tributes to freedom fighters, unsung heroes of this great nation."
"On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, JNU reaffirms its commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's paradigm shift. This paradigm shift has been in getting all the Indians towards development and nationalism... a vision with a mission," she added.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) vice-chancellor was addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a 'Tribute Wall' to commemorate the unsung heroes of the Indian Independence. The Tribute Wall is being built in collaboration with Chakra Foundation.
The 60-foot-long and seven-foot-high wall will have the names of 1,040 freedom fighters inscribed on granite stones with QR (Quick Response) codes. People can go to the Chakra app and scan the code to read about a freedom fighter.
"Through the Tribute Wall, we join tradition with modernity... A forgotten history into living memory. We, the people, who have taken our freedom for granted should remember the great heroes. Please rededicate yourself to the nation in the spirit of these unsung heroes," Pandit said.
Pandit's speech was greeted with slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram' from students in the audience.
The event was also attended by Puducherry Assmebly Speaker Embalam R Selvam, Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri, and Chakra Foundation Founder Chakra Rajasekar.
Selvam said, "This initiative of putting up the tribute wall will inspire the young generation. This will create an impact on the youth who don't know about freedom fighters." PTI VA
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
