Ashwini Vaishnaw
IRCTC E-Wallet Funds Restricted to Ticket Purchases Only: Railway Minister Confirms No Cash Withdrawal Option
Dec 17, 2025 09:26 pm CST
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that IRCTC e-wallet funds can only be used for purchasing train tickets with no cash withdrawal option, operating as a closed system Prepaid Payment Instrument under RBI guidelines. However, users will receive refunds to their bank accounts upon closing their e-wallet accounts, ensuring funds aren't permanently locked in the system.
Indian Railways Luggage Policy: Understanding Free Allowance and Excess Baggage Charges for Train Travel
Dec 17, 2025 08:21 pm CST
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has clarified Indian Railways' luggage policy in the Lok Sabha, detailing the class-wise free allowance limits and excess baggage charges for train passengers. The policy specifies that passengers must pay 1.5 times the standard luggage rate for exceeding their free allowance, with strict size limitations of 100cm×60cm×25cm for items carried in passenger compartments.
Shashi Tharoor Criticizes Centre's Ban on Films at Kerala Festival: Bureaucratic Censorship Undermines India's Cultural Image
Dec 17, 2025 04:30 pm CST
Congressman Shashi Tharoor condemns the Indian government's decision to block 19 films from screening at the International Film Festival of Kerala, highlighting bureaucratic overreach in cultural matters. Tharoor reveals officials banned a film titled "Beef" simply due to its name, despite it being about a rap artist, demonstrating what he calls an "extraordinary degree of cinematic illiteracy" that damages India's international reputation.
Microsoft Invests $17.5 Billion in India's AI Ecosystem: Ashwini Vaishnaw and Satya Nadella Discuss Technology Partnership
Dec 10, 2025 10:19 am CST
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to discuss AI implementation for public welfare and data sovereignty as Microsoft announces a historic $17.5 billion investment in India's AI infrastructure. The partnership aims to expand data centers, integrate AI tools into government platforms benefiting 310 million informal workers, and train 20 million Indians in AI skills by 2030.
Indian Railways Achieves 80% Punctuality Rate, Outperforming Several European Countries
Dec 06, 2025 08:02 am CST
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in the Rajya Sabha that Indian Railways has achieved an 80% punctuality rate, surpassing many European countries. With 70 railway divisions reaching over 90% punctuality, this significant improvement results from enhanced maintenance practices and systematic operational upgrades implemented in recent years. The government has also substantially increased railway infrastructure budgets and developed over 100 bridge designs to improve safety and efficiency.
India Invests Rs 7,280 Crore to Boost Domestic Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing for EVs and Defense
Nov 26, 2025 08:32 pm CST
The Indian Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 7,280 crore scheme to establish 6,000 MTPA manufacturing capacity of rare earth permanent magnets essential for electric vehicles, defense systems, and medical devices. The initiative aims to distribute production capabilities among five globally selected manufacturers over a seven-year implementation period.
PM Modi Inaugurates Four New Vande Bharat Express Trains Enhancing National Connectivity and Tourism
Nov 08, 2025 01:23 pm CST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi, expanding India's high-speed rail network to 160 operational trains. These new routes connect major religious, cultural, and commercial hubs across India, reducing travel times significantly while boosting tourism and regional economic development through enhanced transportation infrastructure.
Woman Breaks Train Window After Purse Theft, Toddler Exposed to Shattered Glass
Oct 30, 2025 04:15 pm CST
A distressed woman shattered a train window after her purse was stolen and railway authorities failed to help. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, shows the woman breaking glass while her toddler sat nearby, raising concerns about passenger security and mental health support on Indian Railways.
India's Digital Sovereignty: Government Ministries and States Switch to Indigenous Zoho Mail Platform
Oct 26, 2025 12:45 am CST
The Indian government is transitioning from NIC to Chennai-based Zoho Mail for its official communications, with central ministries already migrated and state governments following suit. This strategic move towards digital independence enhances cybersecurity while supporting indigenous technology, as Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reveals the comprehensive evaluation process that led to selecting Zoho's secure, made-in-India solution over international alternatives.
Indian Railways Deploys 1,205 Special Trains to Manage Chhath Festival Rush
Oct 24, 2025 02:35 am CST
Indian Railways has implemented comprehensive measures to handle the Chhath festival rush, including 1,205 special trains over four days. With enhanced passenger facilities at stations, coordinated monitoring systems, and dedicated holding areas, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirms that over 12,000 special trains will operate between October and November 2025, with 2,220 specifically serving Bihar to ensure comfortable and safe travel experiences during this peak festival season.