Pokhara (Nepal): India opened its medal account in the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) with one gold, two silver and a bronze in the triathlon event on the opening day of competitions here on Monday.

Adarsha M N Sinimol gave India the first gold by winning the men's individual triathlon event while compatriot Bishworjit Srikhom took the silver in a 1-2 finish for the country.

Thoudam Sorojini Devi and Mohan Pragnya added a silver and a bronze in the women's individual event.

The individual triathlon event consists of continuous three legs of 750m swim, 20km bike race and a 5km run. The first athlete to complete the course is declared the winner.

Sinimol clocked 01:02.51 secs to win the gold in men's event while Bishworjit was second with a time of 01:02:59. Basanta Tharu of Nepal took the bronze in 01:03:06.

In the women's individual event, Sorojini clocked 01:14:00 to finish second behind Sony Gurung of Nepal who took the gold in 01:13:45. Another Indian, Pragnya clocked 01:14:57 to win the bronze.

India is being represented by 487 athletes in more than 15 disciplines.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka government on Friday signed an MoU with Allegiance International Co Ltd of Taiwan to establish an Indo-Taiwan Industrial Technology Innovation Park (ITIP) in the state, with a proposed investment of around Rs 1,000 crore.

The MoU was signed by Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, Director, Department of Electronics, IT, BT and Lawrence Chen, VP, Allegiance Group in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister for Electronics, IT & BT Priyank Kharge, and senior officials.

The project will be undertaken by the Allegiance Group with a proposed investment of around Rs 1,000 crore, leading to the creation of about 800 direct jobs via the companies setting up operations in ITIP over a period of 5 years, the IT&BT Minister's office said in a statement.

The ITIP will serve as a dedicated hub for Taiwanese companies in electronics and semiconductors, fostering advanced manufacturing, R&D, and innovation. This collaboration aims to strengthen Karnataka's position as India's leading destination for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and accelerate the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem in the state.

Key highlights of the MoU include establishment of a world-class industrial park to house Taiwanese firms in electronics and semiconductor sectors; development of a robust supply chain ecosystem for components, PCBs, and chip design; creation of high-value jobs and skill development programmes in collaboration with academic institutions; and promotion of technology transfer and global best practices to enhance India's competitiveness in electronics manufacturing.

CM Siddaramaiah said this partnership marks a significant step towards realising Karnataka's vision of becoming a global hub for electronics and semiconductor innovation.

"The ITIP will attract cutting-edge technology and investments, creating opportunities for our youth and strengthening India's position in the global value chain," he said.

Minister Priyank Kharge said Karnataka has led India's technology revolution and continues to dominate in innovation, deep-tech talent, and semiconductor design.

"This partnership will accelerate our efforts to build a robust electronics and semiconductor ecosystem. We are committed to creating a level playing field and ensuring that Karnataka remains the preferred destination for global investors in advanced technologies," he said.

Lawrence Chen said, "We are excited to collaborate with Karnataka, a state known for its technology leadership. The ITIP will be a catalyst for Taiwanese companies to expand in India and contribute to the growth of the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem."