Tag: #india

EduConnect

TCS Launches 26th Edition of Rural IT Quiz in Collaboration with Karnataka Government

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Bengaluru, September 12, 2025 – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), in partnership with the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, has announced the launch of the 26th edition of the TCS Rural IT Quiz, one of India’s most impactful student competitions aimed at enhancing IT awareness among rural youth.

Recognized by the Limca Book of Records as the first IT quiz for rural students, the initiative has engaged over 21.5 million students since its inception in 2000.

About the 2025 Edition

The quiz is part of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 and is open to students from Classes 8 to 12 studying in towns and districts across India. Schools located within city corporation limits, however, are not eligible to participate.

The competition will feature:

Online, virtual, and physical quiz rounds

Eight regional finals leading up to the National Finals in Bengaluru in November 2025

Topics covering technology in daily life, AI, cloud computing, robotics, entertainment, gaming, business, social media, and more

Prizes and Scholarships

Regional Winners: Gift vouchers worth ₹10,000

Regional Runners-up: Gift vouchers worth ₹7,000

National Winner: TCS Education Scholarship of ₹1,00,000

National Runner-up: TCS Education Scholarship of ₹50,000

Registration

Students can register online before September 30, 2025 via:

👉 https://iur.ls/tcsruralitquiz2025reg

Impact So Far

The previous edition of the quiz attracted over 5.6 lakh participants from across 28 states and 4 Union Territories, reaffirming its role as a powerful platform to engage and inspire students beyond metropolitan areas.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO of Nand Ghar, highlighted:

“The TCS Rural IT Quiz reflects our commitment to spreading digital literacy and IT awareness across India. By engaging students from smaller towns, we aim to bridge the digital divide and prepare them for a future driven by technology.”

As the 2025 edition unfolds, the TCS Rural IT Quiz promises to continue its journey of empowering India’s rural students with knowledge, awareness, and opportunities to shine on the national stage.

Politics

C. P. Radhakrishnan Sworn In as 15th Vice-President of India

Tanisha Cardozo

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was officially sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, September 12, 2025, in a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and several former Vice-Presidents such as Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hamid Ansari, and M. Venkaiah Naidu.

This ceremony marked the first public appearance of Mr. Dhankhar since his resignation in July due to health reasons. Accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, he was seated in the front row alongside other prominent leaders. Notably, some attendees expressed concerns over seating arrangements, as Mr. Kharge was placed in the second row while other Opposition floor leaders were placed as far back as the fifth row.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi took to social media to congratulate Mr. Radhakrishnan, describing him as a “dedicated public servant” and wishing him a successful tenure in service to the nation.

Later in the day, Mr. Radhakrishnan met with floor leaders of various political parties in Parliament. While key parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped the meeting due to short notice, Mr. Radhakrishnan expressed his intention to work inclusively with all parties. He highlighted his own experience as an Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu and underscored the importance of Opposition in a healthy parliamentary democracy. He also reflected on his political lineage, mentioning that his grandfather was aligned with the Left and his uncle with the Congress.

To mark the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at Rajghat to Mahatma Gandhi, at Sadaiv Atal to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and at Kisan Ghat to former Prime Minister Charan Singh. He also visited Prerna Sthal at Parliament House, where relocated statues from the old Parliament building have been preserved.

At Parliament House, he was received warmly by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and L. Murugan, and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P.C. Mody. In a symbolic gesture, he planted a sapling in the Parliament complex, signaling growth, renewal, and commitment to the future.

Mr. Radhakrishnan’s swearing-in marks a new chapter in the upper house of Parliament, and his inclusive tone in early interactions sets a hopeful tone for collaborative governance.

EduConnect

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hosts IIFT Students for Trade and Documentation Session

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) today welcomed a group of 44 students from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), along with faculty coordinators led by Dr. Siddharth Shankar Rai, for an immersive academic session as part of their port visit programme in Goa.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, established in 1962 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is one of India’s premier B-schools with global AACSB accreditation. Renowned for its specialized focus on international trade, the institution places strong emphasis on real-world exposure through industry visits and experiential learning modules.

The session began with a warm welcome by Mr. Kiran Ballikar, Director at GCCI, who introduced the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to support trade and industrial growth in the region. He highlighted the strategic role played by GCCI in promoting Goa’s business interests at a regional and national level.

Following this, Ms. Pallavi Arondekar, Director, GCCI, offered an overview of Goa’s historical trade connections, tracing the state’s long-standing economic linkages across the Indian Ocean and beyond. She also shed light on Goa’s current economic landscape, including tourism, mining, shipping, and manufacturing.

A key highlight of the session was a detailed explanation by Ms. Sanheeta Naik, Information Officer at GCCI, on the process and importance of Certificates of Origin, a critical component in international trade that ensures the authenticity of exported goods. Her explanation was supplemented by an engaging talk from Mr. Bikash Singh, a seasoned expert in global logistics and trade compliance, who discussed the real-world applications of documentation in international trade and the complexities of supply chain regulations.

The event was compered by Ms. Ambika Dhakhenkar, Deputy Director at GCCI, ensuring the smooth flow of the session and coordinating the engaging interactions between speakers and students.

The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Rai, who expressed appreciation to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry for facilitating a learning-rich experience. He acknowledged the value such industry interactions bring to IIFT students in preparing them for leadership roles in global trade and commerce.

The visit marks another successful academic-industry collaboration and reinforces the role of institutions like GCCI in nurturing future talent in international business.

Travel

Oman Delegation Explores Goa’s Culture, Heritage, and Hospitality

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

Goa Tourism recently hosted a distinguished delegation of influencers, travel agents, and partners from Oman on an exclusive three-day journey that brought together the best of Goa’s culture, heritage, and hospitality. This carefully curated visit was designed to deepen cultural ties and lay the foundation for future tourism collaborations between Goa and Oman, reflecting centuries of shared history and maritime exchange between the two regions.

The journey began with a warm welcome at The Yellow House, a charming heritage site that perfectly set the tone for what lay ahead. Here, the delegation was introduced to Goan warmth and hospitality over a traditional high tea, giving them their first taste of the state’s rich culinary and social traditions.

A guided heritage walk at the historic Aguad Port and Jail Complex followed, immersing guests in Goa’s layered past, colonial architecture, and stories that have shaped its identity. The experience provided a meaningful context to Goa beyond its beaches, spotlighting the state’s deep-rooted cultural significance.

Later, the delegation visited Devaaya in Malar, Divar, where a wholesome brunch was served amidst serene surroundings. The location is known for promoting holistic living and wellness rooted in Goan traditions — a growing appeal for international travelers seeking mindful travel experiences. A lively stroll through the local market introduced the guests to the vibrancy of everyday Goan life, with its riot of colors, spices, and friendly chatter.

The Honourable Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, emphasized the importance of the visit by stating, “Goa has shared longstanding cultural and historical ties with Oman, rooted in centuries of trade, exchange, and shared traditions.” Shri Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, added, “This visit was an opportunity to showcase Goa’s diverse offerings and highlight Goa’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for visitors from Arabian countries.”

The visit culminated with a beachside dinner at Britto’s, one of Goa’s most iconic culinary landmarks, where the delegation savored Goan cuisine against the backdrop of a starlit coastline. Before departing, guests were taken to the historic Taj Heritage Village — a fitting close to a journey that celebrated heritage, hospitality, and future partnerships.

Finance

Sikkim: The Only Indian State Where Natives Can Earn Crores Tax-Free

Tanisha Cardozo

As the rest of India gears up for the FY25 Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season, the small Himalayan state of Sikkim quietly stands apart—home to a rare legal privilege no other Indian state enjoys. In Sikkim, certain native residents are completely exempt from paying central income tax, regardless of how much they earn. Whether it’s from salaries, businesses, capital gains, or high-yield investments, qualifying individuals in Sikkim can legally earn crores and pay absolutely nothing in income tax.

This extraordinary benefit is rooted in the historical and constitutional fabric of India. When Sikkim merged with the Indian Union in 1975, a unique provision was introduced to protect the region’s legal and administrative autonomy. Article 371(F) of the Indian Constitution was enacted, ensuring that Sikkim’s existing laws, including tax laws, remained in force unless specifically repealed or amended by Parliament. Alongside this, Section 10(26AAA) of the Income Tax Act was introduced, explicitly stating that income earned by Sikkimese individuals—registered under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation of 1961—would be exempt from central taxation.

But this exemption isn’t universal across Sikkim’s population. To qualify, individuals must be recognized as “Sikkim Subjects”—their names (or their ancestors’) must appear in official registers created before the state’s merger in 1975. Migrants or those who became residents later are not eligible. Those who do qualify, however, enjoy full income tax immunity, even if their earnings run into crores.

This exemption has been in place for nearly 50 years, making Sikkim the only Indian state where a portion of the population lives under a completely different income tax regime. While across India, only specific sources of income—like agriculture or scholarships—are tax-free, Sikkim stands as an exception where entire income portfolios can be tax-exempt for eligible natives.

The implications are profound. Sikkim’s tax-free environment leads to higher personal savings, encourages reinvestment, and supports entrepreneurship. It has shaped unique financial behaviors in the region, allowing qualified individuals to build wealth without the tax liabilities that affect the rest of the country.

As FY25 unfolds and millions across India file their returns, Sikkim remains a reminder of how history, policy, and constitutional protections can create truly unique financial ecosystems. In a nation where taxation is often a constant topic of concern, Sikkim’s continued exemption remains a fascinating anomaly in India’s tax landscape.