<ul><li>Anand Mahindra and Harsh Goenka are the first business leaders to come forward and promise to hire Agniveers. </li><li>Their decision was not welcomed by Indians on Twitter. </li><li>Neither of them mentioned the specific job roles or positions they would be hiring Agniveers for.</li></ul>Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Group, became the first business leader to offer a job to Agniveers after they are demobilized. The new Agnipath scheme has sparked off protests across the country as it plans to demobilize 75% of recruited troops without a pension. <div type="twitter" handle="anandmahindra" handlename="anand mahindra" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1469566916356235278/0ZNq-mmf_normal.jpg" favoritecount="11994" retweetcount="2037" status="Large potential for employment of Agniveers in the Corporate Sector. With leadership, teamwork &amp; physical training,… https://t.co/ALcg1HoOJH" createdat="1655688848000" id="1538696671932063745"></div> Within a few hours of Mahindra’s announcement, the chairman of RPG Enterprises Harsh Goenka too expressed his intent to bring them into the fold of his tyres-to-energy conglomerate <div type="twitter" handle="hvgoenka" handlename="Harsh Goenka" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1100471315016732672/VQXLpkHZ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1853" retweetcount="307" status="The RPG group too welcomes the opportunity to employ the Agniveers. I do hope other corporates will also join us to… https://t.co/L3IX3wGqd7" createdat="1655711768000" id="1538792805451317248"></div> “The RPG group also welcomes the opportunity to employ the Agniveers. I do hope other corporates will also join us to take this pledge and assure our youths of a future," Goenka said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What job can you offer?" comment="subhead" text="What job can you offer?">What job can you offer?</cmsannotation> Even before Goenka backed Mahindra, a debate had been taking place over the latter’s tweet. Not everyone was happy with his statement, just as they were with various state governments announcing that Agniveers will be given preference for government and police jobs. A Twitter user had asked Anand, “What post will be given by the Mahindra group to #aganiveer?” Mahindra who is known to be an active social media blogger, responded saying, "Large potential for employment of Agniveers in the corporate sector. With leadership, teamwork and physical training, Agniveers provide market-ready professional solutions to industry, covering the full spectrum from operations to administration and supply chain management." He however did not mention the specific jobs that would be offered to them. Users are assuming that he would announce the job roles too very soon. Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Manipur government had earlier announced that the remaining Agniveers will be given preference for police and other government jobs. A large number of army aspirants who have been awaiting the current recruitment drive were disappointed with the scheme which offers them a job only for four years, without the most enticing element of any government job – the pension. A lot of them had questioned the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/agniveer-why-are-thousands-of-youth-up-in-arms-against-the-agnipath-scheme/articleshow/92284069.cms">future of a large number of army recruits</a> — at least 75% of the 40,000 to be recruited — who would be left without a job. Mahindra expressed his despair over the violence which has led to torching of trains, death and injury. He highlighted that Agniveers' discipline and talents will make them "eminently employable." A lot of people also lauded Mahindra’s gesture. <div type="twitter" handle="TheSatishDua" handlename="Lt Gen Satish Dua🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1073945465761214464/Fpc567QL_normal.jpg" favoritecount="68" retweetcount="4" status="@anandmahindra This is welcome step. We need more such initiatives, in the true spirit of public private partnershi… https://t.co/Qt0C71CbBL" createdat="1655724096000" id="1538844510947422210"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The security guard controversy" comment="subhead" text="The security guard controversy">The security guard controversy</cmsannotation> The kinds and types of jobs on offer for Agniveers is the most discussed topic in the country currently. The most controversial statement in this aspect is the comment made by Kailash Vijayvargiya, national general secretary of Bhartiya Janta Party. “If I want to hire security for the BJP office, I will give priority to Agniveer,” said Vijayvargiya in a statement, which drew instant criticism from all sections of the society. In the meanwhile, the registration for the recruitment rallies will start from July and the first batch will begin in November-December. The government is in no mood to back down on its stance on the scheme, after increasing the age limit of Agniveer recruits to 23 from 21 earlier. In fact, on Sunday, June 19, it released a statement that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/agnipath-scheme-protest-section-144-imposed-in-gurgugram-kota-jaipur-faridabad-and-ayodhya/articleshow/92329214.cms">youngsters involved in the violent protest</a> shall not be inducted into the armed forces. ALSO SEE: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/telangana-hikes-liquor-prices-by-20-25-to-increase-state-revenues/articleshow/91659323.cms">Telangana hikes liquor prices by 20-25% to increase state revenues</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/modi-government-popularity-soars-after-vaccination-drives-and-a-mild-third-wave/articleshow/91894742.cms">Modi government popularity soars after vaccination drives and a mild third wave</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

After Anand Mahindra, Harsh Goenka offers jobs to demobilized Agniveers

Rising fuel prices and a desire for reduced urban pollution have prompted several countries to invest in electric vehicles (EVs) for their fleets. India is one of the nations that is fast subscribing to this narrative that EVs are the future. The government has introduced multiple policies and schemes like introduced FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) in recent years to promote the sale of EVs in India. In a step in the right direction, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has decided to strengthen the city’s EV infrastructure by setting up 140 EV chargers in the next six months. P Rajendra Cholan, managing director of BESCOM, said in a statement that tenders have been called to construct up to 1,000 EV charging stations across Karnataka in a PPP format. Earlier, in the state budget of 2021, Karnataka Chief Minister had announced 1000 EV Charging Stations in the state and had assigned BESCOM the task of preparing roadmap and bidding documents. As per the Indian Express report, Rajendra Cholan said, "There are seven smart cities in the state, and it is envisaged to concentrate nearly 50 per cent of these stations in these smart cities, with Bengaluru having nearly 150 stations. The remaining stations have been uniformly allocated across the state in each district headquarters and highways. We have involved other discoms in locally coordinating this activity for identifying the locations and faster project implementation”. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bengaluru - a global EV lighthouse city" comment="subhead" text="Bengaluru - a global EV lighthouse city">Bengaluru - a global EV lighthouse city</cmsannotation> BESCOM is already operational with 136 EV chargers in Bengaluru. And the company is collaborating with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) for installing charging points across Bengaluru. Earlier this year, the Department of Heavy Industries sanctioned 172 EV charging stations to the state via the FAME Scheme Phase-2, with Bengaluru city receiving more than 150 charging stations. On June 14, Sunil Kumar, Karnataka Minister of Energy also released a report titled 'Roadmap for the transformation of Bengaluru to a Global EV Lighthouse City in India.' The report outlines medium and long-term strategies and serves as a road map for Bengaluru to become a global EV lighthouse city. Bengaluru has just over one lakh EVs as of April 2022 and is projected to host nearly two million by 2030. By 2030, the city will be required to set up at least 58,000 charging stations to accommodate the rise in electric automobiles. Karnataka also launched the ‘EV Jagruthi’ portal to help faster adoption of EVs and a cleaner transport sector. Niti Aayog and the UK government have joined hands to develop the portal, which aims to serve as a one-stop platform to disseminate all information about EVs. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Bengaluru attempts to promote e-mobility by setting up nearly 150 new EV charging stations across the city

<ul><li>As per the Agnipath programme, youth between the ages of 17.5 and 21 can apply, and 45,000-50,000 will be recruited each year. </li><li>The released Agniveers will receive a financially stable pay package and a retirement package of ₹ 11.71 lakh as the Seva Nidhi Package on their exit, which will be exempt from Income Tax. </li><li>The released youth from Agnipath will be provided skills certificates and bridge crash courses, with the impetus to make them entrepreneurs in their area of interest.</li></ul>Indian youth who choose to be a part of India’s new transformative recruitment for the forces – already have job offers and benefits awaiting them. Unlike earlier, in this format, Agniveers will work for the three armed forces for four years including training – as personnel below the officer rank (PBOR). Apart from the many benefits that are a part of the Seva Nidhi package, a lot of states including Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Manipur have announced that these passouts will be given preference for police and other government jobs. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the media on the new initiative immediately after the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security approved the programme. The government says that it allows "patriotic and motivated" youth to serve in the armed services for four years. After they leave the forces, the government is also looking to ensure that the training they receive will also aid their education as well. The released youth from Agnipath will be provided skills certificates and bridge crash courses, with the impetus to make them entrepreneurs in their area of interest. “We are in an advanced stage of discussion with various educational institutions to ensure these Agniveers get advantage with one step higher degree/diploma than the qualification they come with. Secondly, we are looking at skill mapping. The Indian Army is a diverse system where many skills are required,” said Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Bhinder, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command, as per an IANS report. As per the Agnipath programme, youth between the ages of 17.5 and 21 can apply, and 45,000-50,000 will be recruited each year. After four years of cadetship, only 25% of the total yearly recruits will be able to stay under permanent commission for another 15 years. And the other 75% of the cadets will be released, and the selected Agniveers will have an option to get discharged from the army if they do not wish to continue after four years. The released Agniveers will receive a financially stable pay package and a retirement package of ₹ 11.71 lakh as the Seva Nidhi Package on their exit, which will be exempt from Income Tax. However, there will be no pensionary benefits after the four years of service. The Agnipath scheme will directly increase high-skilled professionals in the society, resulting in an increase in GDP and a highly productive economy, the government said. Also See: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/what-is-agnipath-recruitment-scheme-for-the-armed-forces/articleshow/92200821.cms">All about the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/bsf-troops-fire-on-pakistani-drone-spotted-in-the-jammu-district/articleshow/92099726.cms">BSF troops fire on Pakistani drone spotted in the Jammu district, probe initiated</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

State police jobs, bridge crash courses and skills certificates – to aid careers of Agniveers

Last week, Sweden and Kenya co-hosted the landmark Stockholm+50 conference as part of the United Nations' collaborative path toward a healthy planet. The event aimed to provide a chance to reflect on, celebrate, and build on the last 50 years of environmental activism. In 1972, as many as 113 countries came together for the Stockholm conference, which was the world’s first such event to place environmental issues at the forefront of international concern. June 5 marked the completion of 50 years since the landmark summit, which is now celebrated as World Environment Day. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Call for environmental and economic transformation" comment="subhead" text="Call for environmental and economic transformation">Call for environmental and economic transformation</cmsannotation> The two-day international meeting — Stockholm+50 — concluded on June 3 this year with a call for urgent commitment to addressing global environmental concerns and a just transition to a sustainable economy. The conference provided a platform for world leaders to adopt revolutionary steps to reshape humanity's connection with the environment. The global summit urged nations to take progressive steps in finance, technology, and a sustainable lifestyle. "We came to Stockholm 50 years after the UN Conference on the Human Environment knowing that something must change. Knowing that if we do not change, the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste will only accelerate," said Inger Andersen, Secretary-General of Stockholm+50 and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme. With the theme "a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity", the conference commemorated the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, which ushered in a new age of global collaboration for environmental protection. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A platform for international collaboration" comment="subhead" text="A platform for international collaboration">A platform for international collaboration</cmsannotation> The conference aimed to provide a platform for the nations and stakeholders to engage, share expertise, and solve complex and sensitive issues for immediate action that will result in long-term system transformation. Stockholm+50 will assist in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals to create a healthy and resilient planet. The summit considered the necessity of a multi-actor, multi-sector approach to solving environmental concerns and representing the value of collaborative action by bringing together a diverse collection of stakeholders worldwide. The focus will be to emphasise the intergenerational obligation to maintain the Earth and guarantee a life-sustaining system that will be accessible to all. The 1972 conference concluded that the world is encountering a planetary catastrophe due to the consequence of pollution and waste, loss of environment and biodiversity, and other planetary evils that are harming present and future wealth and welfare. And similar issues plague the planet even after the span of fifty years. "Now we must take forward this energy, this commitment to action to shape our world,” added Inger Andersen. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Celebrating 50 years of landmark environment conference, Stockholm+50 calls for just transition to a sustainable economy

Marine debris — any persistent, solid substance in the marine and coastal environment — damages aquatic life in numerous ways. They can cause damage or death via drowning, choking, entanglement, internal injuries, or hunger after consumption. The shocking visuals of marine species dying wrapped in plastic polythene waste have stirred our conscioussness time and again. Marine debris is a critical issue now encountered worldwide. To detangle marine life threats and minimise the impact of this humanmade disaster, Indian brand Plum Goodness and World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), have joined hands. Plum Goodness claims to be India's fastest-growing 100 per cent vegan beauty and personal care business. It partnered with WWF India to address the issue of marine trash along the shores of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra. "Plastic waste pollutes our oceans and seas, threatens marine life, and even ends up in the seafood we eat. One of the most threatening forms of marine plastic pollution is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, commonly referred to as Ghost Gear. We want to thank Plum for joining the effort to address the problem of marine plastic pollution," said Vinod Malayilethu, Associate Director, Marine Conservation Programme, WWF India. Plum Goodness has been a long-time supporter of the global '1% For The Planet' campaign. Under this, the brand donates 1% of every transaction to environmental charities. 'Cleaning our Coastlines' initiative will be launched by both the parties, as the initiative will work on marine plastic debris and abandoned/discarded/lost fishing gear(ADLFG). "This year, we are working with WWF India for a cause closer home – that of cleaning our coastlines and protecting the ocean from harmful marine plastic debris. We aim to take a small step towards a plastic-free, litter-free, and pollution-free marine environment through this initiative," remarked Shankar Prasad, Founder and CEO of Plum Goodness. The project is also supported by Beach Warriors India, an NGO known for its clean-up initiatives at various beaches in Mumbai's Dadar Chowpatty area. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

World Oceans Day: Plum Goodness joins hands with WWF India to clean coastlines across four Indian states

The sustainability of any business lies in its ability to innovate with time while reducing long-term risks. The Swedish-founded IKEA has been the world's largest furniture store since 2008 and has thrived for nearly eight decades in a highly competitive business environment. But can they embrace the modern requirements of sustainable practices in countries like India? For the past 30 years, IKEA has been a member of the INGKA Group in India, expanding over time with 48 vendors and around 4 lakh people employed in its extended supply chain. After successfully establishing itself in India, IKEA will now be opening its doors to the people of Karnataka at its Bengaluru store in Nagasandra. <div type="twitter" handle="IKEAIndia" handlename="IKEAIndia" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1381166971106983936/hK589tzM_normal.jpg" favoritecount="46" retweetcount="11" status="Hej Bengaluru, we can’t wait to meet you!Explore 7000+ home furnishing solutions, delicious Swe-desi cuisine and… https://t.co/jibptFIOFs" createdat="1654066643000" id="1531892648055046144"></div>The showroom aims to offer a wide selection of around 7500 goods for your home furnishing needs. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A bid for sustainability, one bookcase at a time!" comment="subhead" text="A bid for sustainability, one bookcase at a time!">A bid for sustainability, one bookcase at a time!</cmsannotation> Ikea's Billy Bookcase is one of the most famous pieces of furniture globally. Introduced in 1979, it has sold over 160 million units in the last 43 years. Now, in line with its sustainability initiatives, the Billy Bookcase has been redesigned with more sustainable materials, with fewer amounts of plastic and wood. The mega furniture enterprise has revealed a significant makeover of its iconic bookshelf as part of its mission to become a circular firm by 2030. The goal is to make it more repairable and have a reduced material impact. The significant changes in Billy will include its wood facade, as it has replaced its wood veneer with foil paper. Ikea claims that it will be a zero-waste process, and the paper will be more resistant to chipping and scratching than the existing wood veneer. However, it is essential to note that foil paper is typically coated in polyurethane, a plastic, to achieve this durability. Even though the new Billy eliminates some plastic—by wrapping foil paper around the shelf fronts instead of the plastic guards that currently protect its edges—Ikea still wraps its entire wood product in plastic to do its job. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ikea’s woes around the supply chain" comment="subhead" text="Ikea’s woes around the supply chain">Ikea’s woes around the supply chain</cmsannotation> In May, Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group, of which IKEA is a part, met Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at the World Economic Forum Meet in Davos, Switzerland. The meeting involved discussions around the extensive use of bamboo and other locally available raw materials in the manufacture of furniture. After years of being in the monopoly of the furnishing market, Ikea has seen its fair share of controversies, especially around unsustainable practices in its supply chain. Ikea consumes over 20 million cubic meters of wood a year. The low-pricing policy of the company has also faced criticism for promoting excessive consumerism. But IKEA is making efforts to turn carbon positive by 2030 and make use of more sustainable sources. But the challenges continue to get stiffer! Recently, investigative reports revealed that a Russian firm in the supply chain of Ikea and several other Western corporations were involved in illegal logging. As per <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RdHMNA6Iffb5zyRF4nEjE57jfPjR46sw/edit#">Earthsight</a>, the company named ExportLes group is managed by Evgeny Bakurov, a local lawmaker in Siberia's Irkutsk Oblast region. According to the report, Earthsight did present its findings to Ikea before the report's release and Ikea reciprocated stating that the wood had been "lawfully obtained" and denied any wrongdoing. However, it notified Earthsight in June that it had dismissed Bakurov's enterprises as suppliers sometime in the spring but did not say when. The corporation noted "concerning practises" without further explanation. Ikea also stated that it would keep working to promote responsible global forest management and enhance forestry practices. But the growing environment and sustainability challenges in India and around the world demand even more responsible behaviour from companies of such high statureand influence. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Varnika Srivastava

Latest Stories from Varnika Srivastava

After Anand Mahindra, Harsh Goenka offers jobs to demobilized Agniveers

Varnika Srivastava

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Celebrating 50 years of landmark environment conference, Stockholm+50 calls for just transition to a sustainable economy

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Amid criticism around its unsustainable practices, IKEA steps into Bengaluru with redesigned sustainable bookcase ‘Billy’

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