Kerala invites IT firms to shift from Bengaluru, offers ‘abundant water supply’
Kerala's Industries and Law Minister P Rajeev has extended an open invitation to IT firms in Bengaluru, enticing them to consider establishing their operations in Kerala, which boasts abundant water resources unlike the water-strapped Bengaluru.
In an interaction with The Economic Times on Tuesday, March 26, Rajeev emphasized Kerala's readiness to provide IT companies with ample facilities and uninterrupted water supply. He highlighted Kerala's advantage of having 44 rivers, both large and small, ensuring a steady water supply for industrial needs.
Rajeev reiterated his proposition on social media, underscoring Kerala's environmental advantages and its success in attracting environmentally compliant companies. Stressing Kerala's stability in terms of water and air quality, he accentuated the state's appeal to the new wave of environmentally conscious businesses.
The Minister further noted Kerala's burgeoning IT sector, citing the employment of over 10 lakh individuals in tech parks and other IT enterprises across Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode districts in the past five years alone. He highlighted the growing interest of leading companies in Kerala as a potential investment destination and emphasized the state's robust infrastructure, boasting four international airports, large seaports, and a thriving startup ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru continues to grapple with a severe water crisis, exacerbated by poor monsoons and declining groundwater levels. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has implemented stringent measures, including water rationing and restrictions on borewell drilling, due to dwindling water reserves from both the Cauvery River and underground sources.
With Bengaluru heavily reliant on approximately 1,450 MLD of water from the Cauvery River, supplemented by 700 MLD from underground resources, the current water scarcity has led to depleted reservoirs and widespread challenges for industries, institutions, and residents alike.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
