NewsBytes

In a first, India exports pomegranates to Australia via sea

India has successfully completed the first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates to Australia via sea, marking a major breakthrough for exports of fresh farm produce from the country, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said.

The consignments were sent under the supervision of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports. The first-ever sea-freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024, and arrived in Sydney on January 13, 2025 with 5.7 metric tonnes of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, packed into 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruit.

Adoption of circular economy can create 1 lakh jobs in India

Adoption of a circular economy, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials, can ensure zero waste of fashion and help create 1 lakh jobs in India, according to a report.  The report by Primus Partners, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, outlines a strategic roadmap to transform India’s textile industry into a sustainable and circular economy by 2047. The opportunity to address textile waste is valued at $3.5 billion over the next five years, requiring robust policy support, industry collaboration, and active consumer engagement. The shift towards circular fashion could generate employment, about 1 lakh across recycling, sustainable manufacturing, and innovation, the report said.

Centre launches AI programme to empower 1 lakh young innovators

In a major push towards skill development in emerging technologies, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and Intel India launched the ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ micro-learning module. The initiative is designed to simplify artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and encourage entrepreneurial thinking among young innovators across India. The programme aims to empower 1 lakh youth by 2025 by equipping them with essential skills to thrive in a technology-driven economy. The ‘AI for Entrepreneurship' module is part of India's broader vision to foster innovation and promote inclusivity in learning.

Alcohol-related cancers a growing concern in India

Alcohol-related cancers are a growing concern in India, said health experts, even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently called for prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The WHO defines alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance that has been, decades ago, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Group 1 carcinogen is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. The most common cancers linked to alcohol are of mouth, throat, foodpipe, stomach, colon, rectum, and pancreas. It also causes cancers of the breast in women and prostate in males.