Karnataka stepping forward to become world's 'Capital of Innovation': CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said Karnataka is already India's IT capital, and it is now stepping forward to become the world's 'Capital of Innovation'.
He said Karnataka ranks second nationally in attracting foreign direct investment, and remains among the nation's leading industrial states.
The Chief Minister said this while delivering his address at the 79th Independence Day celebrations here.
"Our government has never lagged in prioritising industrial growth. To manage and develop the state's largest industrial regions into global manufacturing hubs with world-class infrastructure, 18 industrial areas covering 44,166 acres have been declared Special Investment Regions.
Alongside, we continue to encourage small industries," Siddaramaiah said.
He said, investors have expressed interest in bringing in over Rs 10 lakh crore in investments. Out of this, 48 per cent has already been processed under Single Window IT Platform.
Karnataka remains among the nation's leading industrial states, with the manufacturing sector contributing 23.6 per cent to the state's GSDP, and the state ranks second nationally in attracting foreign direct investment, he said.
"A new Tourism Policy has been implemented to boost tourism in the state by developing world-class infrastructure and fostering entrepreneurship in the sector."
Noting that the government has rolled out multiple programmes for the welfare of labourers, particularly in the unorganised sector, the CM said, "We will be soon implementing the Karnataka Labour Policy to ensure job security."
The state has made significant achievements in the services sector, which contributes 66.7 per cent to our GSDP, he said, "We are not only safeguarding the interests of all workers engaged in this sector, but enacting 'Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill' for the welfare of over five lakh gig workers."
Under this Bill, the government is introducing an insurance scheme providing coverage of up to Rs 4 lakh for these workers, he added.
The government is undertaking various initiatives for job creation, Siddaramaiah said and added that at Invest Karnataka-2025 (Global Investors Meet), held in February 2025, a total of 3,250 entrepreneurs participated.
"We signed agreements with 98 companies for investment of Rs 6,23,970 crore, and 1,101 companies have obtained necessary approvals for investments worth Rs 4,03,533 crore. These initiatives are expected to generate over 6 lakh jobs," he said.
In 2023-24, Karnataka attracted Rs 54,427 crore in foreign investment, ranking third in the country, Siddarmaiah said.
"In 2024-25, we have attracted Rs 56,030 crore, moving up to second place nationally," he added.
Stating that Karnataka is at the forefront in quantum technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology, Siddaramaiah said the country's first quantum computer is in Karnataka. "Our Karnataka Quantum Mission will shape the future of science."
"We are not merely creating jobs. We are creating ideas, inventions, and innovations that change lives. These ideas are reaching far beyond our borders," he added.
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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.
