Tag: Delhi News

National

Delhi Launches ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’: Girls to Receive ₹1 Lakh Support from Birth Till Graduation

allycaralgoa

New Delhi — In a significant move focused on empowering the girl child, the Delhi government has launched the ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’, a financial assistance programme designed to provide long-term support to girls from birth until they complete their graduation.\

Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive structured financial benefits that can collectively amount to ₹1 lakh, aimed at encouraging education, improving social security, and supporting families in investing in their daughters’ futures. Officials say the initiative reflects a broader commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

The programme is expected to provide phased financial assistance linked to key milestones such as school enrolment, continued education, and higher studies. By offering sustained support rather than a one-time grant, the scheme seeks to reduce dropout rates and promote higher education among girls.

Government representatives highlighted that the initiative also aligns with national and state-level goals to improve literacy rates and create opportunities for young women. Apart from financial incentives, awareness campaigns and outreach programmes may be conducted to ensure that eligible families are informed about the benefits.

Policy analysts view the scheme as part of a growing trend among Indian states to introduce targeted welfare programmes focused on empowering the girl child through education, financial stability, and social protection.

As the rollout begins, many are watching closely to see how the ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’ impacts educational outcomes and long-term empowerment for girls in Delhi.

Travel

Delhi Hotel Prices Soar to ₹5 Lakh Ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Hotel room rates across New Delhi have risen sharply ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with some luxury rooms reportedly touching ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night during the peak dates. The summit, scheduled from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, is expected to draw thousands of global delegates, technology leaders, and policymakers, creating unprecedented demand across the city’s hospitality sector.

Hotels across the capital are witnessing near-full occupancy for the summit period. The event has already received more than 35,000 registrations from around the world, leading to a surge in last-minute bookings and steep price increases. Rooms that usually cost between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 per night are now being sold at significantly higher rates due to the demand spike.

Travel portals show that during the peak dates of February 19 and 20, room prices at several five-star hotels are reaching a few lakh rupees per night. In some premium categories, especially luxury suites and club rooms, rates are reportedly crossing ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per night. Many of these high-end rooms are either already sold out or available only with strict minimum-stay conditions.

Aloke Bajpai, CEO of travel portal Ixigo, confirmed the surge in prices, stating that several five-star hotels in Delhi NCR are charging more than ₹1 lakh per night between February 16 and 20. Flagship properties such as The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, and Taj Palace have increased their tariffs for the summit period, with standard luxury rooms now priced at peak-season levels.

Central Delhi properties are also seeing heavy demand. Hotels like The Imperial, Shangri-La Eros, and The Park are nearly sold out between February 18 and 20. According to Ixigo data, a room at The Imperial in Connaught Place on February 17 is priced at more than ₹2.4 lakh per night, while Radisson Blu is charging around ₹1.1 lakh for the same date.

The India AI Impact Summit is being described as the largest among the four global AI summits held so far. It is expected to host participants from more than 100 countries, including 15 to 20 heads of government, over 50 ministers, and representatives from more than 40 global and Indian companies. Around 500 key figures from the global AI ecosystem, including innovators, researchers, and chief technology officers, are also expected to attend.

The summit was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit and will mark the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. With the capital preparing to host one of the largest international technology gatherings, the sharp rise in hotel prices reflects the scale and global interest surrounding the event.