Unfortunate Pakistan didn't respond to Modi's ceasefire gesture: Mehbooba
Srinagar, May 19: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dais at a function here, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday took a dig at Pakistan for not responding positively to India's "goodwill gesture" of Ramadan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.
"It takes a large heart and a position of strength to declare the Ramadan ceasefire. You have tried to dress the wounds of our people and I assure you that your positive step will be reciprocated by 10 positive steps by our people," Mehbooba Mufti said.
She was addressing the function at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar where Modi inaugurated the 330 megawatt Kishenganga hydro-electric power project and also laid the foundation of the Srinagar Ring Road to de-congest the city.
"It is unfortunate that Pakistan has not responded to this goodwill gesture. Had they responded positively then precious lives would not have been lost in yesterday's firing by Pakistan on the border in Jammu," the Chief Minister said.
She said the Prime Minister had the mandate and the stature to solve all the problems of the people in the state, recalling that remedies were in the agenda of alliance between the PDP and the BJP.
"There are solutions to problems faced by west Pakistan refugees, by migrant Pandits and also for the problems faced by the state because of the Indus Water Treaty.
"You have the mandate and the capacity to solve the problems of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and I am sure you have the stature to solve all the problems faced by us."
The Chief Minister said Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had been very kind to address the developmental problems of the state.
"My late father would say even if we build roads of gold in Kashmir, it is all lost once an innocent life is lost here," she said.
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Karnataka launches state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): In a significant boost to India’s rapidly expanding space economy, the Karnataka government on Friday launched the country’s first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology here, officials said.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities to translate space innovation into scalable commercial outcomes, they said.
The Centre, established by the Government of Karnataka through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society in collaboration with SIA (Satcom Industry Association India) -India, was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, in the presence of senior officials and industry leaders, officials said.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Kharge said that Karnataka has consistently been at the forefront of India's technology and innovation journey. With the launch of this Centre of Excellence for Space Technology, we are extending that leadership into one of the most strategic sectors of the future.
"Our focus is not just on advancing research, but on creating an ecosystem where innovation can translate into real-world applications, economic growth, and high-quality jobs. This Centre will play a critical role in positioning Karnataka as a key driver of India's space economy," he said.
According to an official statement, the CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies, industry-aligned training, startup incubation and cross-sector applications, it said.
The Centre has also formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access, it added.
