Sundar Pichai meets Indian ambassador in the US, discusses Google's commitment to India
Washington (PTI): Google CEO Sunder Pichai has held discussions with the Indian envoy in the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, about the technology giant's activities in India, particularly its aggressive push towards digitisation, as he became the first top Indian-American tech business leader to visit the country's embassy here.
Thank you Ambassador Sandhu for the great conversation, Pichai said in a tweet after his visit to the Indian Embassy in downtown Washington DC late last week.
This is for the first time that a top Indian-American tech CEO has visited the embassy here.
Appreciated the chance to discuss Google's commitment to India and look forward to continuing our support for India's digital future, said Pichai, who in January this year was named among the 17 awardees to receive the Padma Bhushan.
Technology that transforms; ideas that enable! tweeted Sandhu. Delighted to receive Google and Alphabet Pichai at the Embassy, he said.
Exchanged thoughts on expanding India-US commercial, knowledge & tech partnership with Google, the Indian envoy said.
Google under Pichai has made a massive investment in India and phenomenally expanded its footprint in a wide range of sectors including its training for the younger generation.
It has announced an investment of about USD10 billion under Google for India digitisation. It also has partnerships with Reliance's Jio as well as with Bharti Airtel.
In addition, it is partnering with India on workforce development and skill development. They are working with the government on the Digital India Programme, and the national digital literacy mission.
During the meeting with the Indian Ambassador, Pichai was very appreciative of the very initiatives that have been taken by India and underscored how Google is looking at India in a very positive framework.
The Ambassador highlighted the knowledge and education partnership.
The Google CEO, during the conversation, is also believed to have discussed various ways in which its partnership with India forward in particular in the education sector.
They also discussed digitisation efforts in India in which Google is involved, including digital payments and infrastructure digitisation.
The Indian Ambassador noted that Google is an important partner in India's digital transformation, which is a priority for the government.
Google and its parent company Alphabet have played an important role in the COVID-19 crisis last year. They put a lot of money in terms of supporting India, and they were part of the global task force of American CEOs set up in this regard.
The Indian government has intensified its engagement with American CEOs. The Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had a meeting with a number of CEOs from the Silicon Valley during his trip to California early this month.
Sandhu himself met several CEOs during his recent trips there. He also visited the universities in Silicon Valley which are considered to be the hub of such innovation.
They also had a number of venture capitalists and start-up entrepreneurs in San Francisco as part of India's latest push to have greater engagement with the American tech sector.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
