New Delhi, Dec 26: The family members of the Unnao rape survivor, along with women’s rights activists, on Friday staged a protest outside the Delhi High Court against the suspension of the sentence of Kuldeep Sengar, who was convicted in the Unnao rape case. The demonstrators raised slogans and expressed anger over the court’s decision to grant him conditional bail.

Protesters gathered near the court premises, holding placards and chanting slogans such as “Peedit rahe asurakshit aur balatkari kare aish? Humein nahi manzoor,” in support of the survivor and demanding strict action against the convicted former MLA. The protesters said the decision had “shaken public faith and sent a wrong message regarding crimes against women”.

Speaking to Media, the survivor’s mother said she still had faith in the justice system and the Supreme Court.

“If the Public Prosecutor stands with me and supports my lawyer, and if the CBI Public Prosecutor also takes a firm stand, there is hope. Honestly, I do not have much faith in the CBI, but I do have faith in the Public Prosecutor. I trust the Supreme Court and will keep knocking on its doors,” she said.

She further added that the bail should be cancelled and demanded the strictest punishment for the guilty.

“Any MLA, irrespective of religion or caste, who commits such a crime against a girl or a minor should be given capital punishment. That is all we want. I believe we will get justice,” she said.

Social activist Yogita Bhayana also criticised the system, stating that the survivor had been failed at multiple levels.

“First, she was raped and then gang-raped by a powerful person. It was not an ordinary criminal, but someone with influence. When a powerful person is involved, the system is often manipulated. It is very unfortunate that someone like Mr Sengar, who was extremely powerful, managed to get relief,” she said.

Bhayana added that activists would continue their fight for justice.

“We are seeking relief, and we should get it. If we do not get relief here, we will approach the Supreme Court,” she said.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday suspended the jail sentence of Sengar.

A bench comprising Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar granted him bail, directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 15 lakh along with three sureties of the same amount.

New Delhi, Dec 26: India’s electronics and semiconductor journey has moved from intent to execution – creating several new highs this year — and 2026 is set to break new records with ‘Make in India’ and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes firmly in place — establishing India as a competitive and trusted electronics manufacturing destination globally.

According to government data, electronics production has increased sharply from about Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to around Rs 11.3 lakh crore in 2024–25. Electronics exports have also risen from Rs 38,000 crore to more than Rs 3.27 lakh crore during the same period.

India had only two mobile phone manufacturing units in 2014-15, which has now increased to around 300 units. Mobile phone production has grown from Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 5.45 lakh crore, while exports have surged from Rs 1,500 crore to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore.

Electronics exports have risen from Rs 38,000 crore to more than Rs 3.27 lakh crore during the same period.

Meanwhile, the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0), located in 10 states with projected investments of Rs 1,46,846 crore, have estimated to generate about 1.80 lakh jobs.

Over the past decade, India’s manufacturing base, particularly in electronics and mobile phones, has expanded substantially, and the country has emerged as a net exporter in several key sectors.

According to Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA, this year marked a defining phase for ‘Make in India’, with the PLI framework firmly establishing India as a competitive and trusted electronics manufacturing destination.

“PLI has accelerated scale, deepened localisation, expanded exports and integrated India into global value chains. As we head into the next phase that is 2026. The sustained policy continuity, faster approvals and focus on component ecosystems will be critical to moving India from volume led manufacturing to high value, innovation-driven production,” he said in a statement.

Ashok Chandak, President of the India Electronics and Semiconductors Association (IESA) and SEMI India, said that India’s electronics growth story is no longer episodic — it is structural.

Policymakers, global and Indian industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders are now aligned on building resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive value chains, he mentioned.

“As discussions in 2025 highlighted — spanning policies and incentives, electronics value addition, skilling, academic partnerships, and industry collaboration — the next phase must focus on execution, joint R&D, and technology transfer. The increased use of locally made semiconductors and components will be central to deeper value addition and the long-term success of India’s electronics industry,” Chandak noted.

India’s semiconductor journey has also moved from intent to execution, marking a clear structural shift.

Policymakers, global and Indian industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders are aligned on building resilient and competitive semiconductor value chains.

Key priorities discussed in 2025, including semiconductor policies and incentives, human capital development, fabs, advanced packaging and OSAT, academic partnerships, and industry engagement, underscore the need for joint R&D, technology transfer, and well-defined pathways to scale.

Under the Semicon India Programme, 10 units have been approved with an investment of Rs 1.6 lakh crore, which include silicon fab, silicon carbide fab, advanced packaging, and memory packaging.

“Over the next three years, disciplined execution and localisation across design, manufacturing, and advanced packaging will be critical to enable chips for high-volume electronic products consumed locally,” said Chandak.

The government also launched a production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) for large-scale electronics manufacturing of mobile phones and certain specified components. The scheme has attracted investment of Rs 14,065 crore up to October 2025.

To target the manufacturing of IT Hardware, the government launched PLI for IT Hardware for promoting the manufacturing of laptops, tablets, servers and ultra small form factor (USFF) devices. PLI for IT hardware have attracted investment of Rs 846 crore till October 2025.

New Delhi, Dec 26: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on his death anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader whose policies empowered India economically and strengthened the nation’s global standing.

Rahul Gandhi also paid floral tributes to Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary at Congress office at 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi.

Taking to social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Humble tribute to former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh ji on his death anniversary.”

He further said that Dr Singh’s leadership transformed India’s economy and uplifted millions.

“Through his visionary leadership, he empowered India economically. His historic efforts and bold decisions for the underprivileged and poor in the country gave India a new identity on the world stage. His humility, hard work and honesty will always be an inspiration to all of us,” Rahul Gandhi said in his post.

Dr Manmohan Singh, India’s 14th Prime Minister, is widely acknowledged as a distinguished economist, thinker, and scholar. He is remembered for his diligence, academic approach to governance, accessibility, and unassuming demeanour, qualities that defined his long and illustrious public career.

Born on September 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Dr Singh displayed academic excellence from an early age. He completed his matriculation from Punjab University in 1948 before embarking on a remarkable academic journey abroad.

Dr Singh earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge in 1957 and went on to complete a D.Phil in Economics from Nuffield College, Oxford University, in 1962. His seminal book, ‘India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth’, published by Clarendon Press, Oxford, in 1964, offered an early critique of India’s inward-looking trade policy and reflected his deep understanding of economic development.

His academic credentials were further strengthened through his teaching assignments at Punjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics. He also served briefly at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat, which later led to his appointment as Secretary-General of the South Commission in Geneva between 1987 and 1990.

In 1971, Dr Singh joined the Government of India as Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce. He was appointed Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance in 1972, marking the beginning of his influential role in shaping India’s economic policies.

Over the years, Dr Singh held several key positions in public service, including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Chairman of the University Grants Commission.

Dr Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 proved to be a watershed moment in India’s economic history. At a time of severe balance-of-payments crisis, he introduced wide-ranging economic reforms that liberalised the economy and laid the foundation for sustained growth. These reforms earned him global recognition and remain inseparably linked to his vision and leadership.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr Singh received numerous national and international honours. Among the most notable were the Padma Vibhushan in 1987, the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995, and multiple international accolades, including the Asia Money and Euro Money awards for Finance Minister of the Year. He was also conferred honorary degrees by leading universities such as Cambridge and Oxford.

Dr Singh represented India at several international forums and led delegations to major global conferences, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Cyprus and the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993.

In his political career, Dr Manmohan Singh served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1991 and as Leader of Opposition between 1998 and 2004. He was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 22, 2004, and assumed office for a second term on May 22, 2009, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, intellect, and service to the nation.