The Indian Express | 3 days ago | 07-01-2023 | 07:40 pm
On Friday (January 6), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it will, for the first-time, issue Sovereign Green Bonds (SgrBs) worth Rs 16,000 crore, in two tranches of Rs 8,000 crore each in the current financial year. The RBI said it will issue 5-year and 10-year green bonds of Rs 4,000 crore each on January 25 and February 9.What are Green Bonds?Green bonds are bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilised for projects classified as environmentally sustainable. The framework for the sovereign green bond was issued by the government on November 9, 2022.Why are these bonds important?Over the last few years, Green Bonds have emerged as an important financial instrument to deal with the threats of climate change and related challenges. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank Group’s institution, climate change threatens communities and economies, and it poses risks for agriculture, food, and water supplies.A lot of financing is needed to address these challenges. It’s critical to connect environmental projects with capital markets and investors and channel capital towards sustainable development – and Green Bonds are a way to make that connection.How beneficial is it for investors?Green Bonds offer investors a platform to engage in good practices, influencing the business strategy of bond issuers. They provide a means to hedge against climate change risks while achieving at least similar, if not better, returns on their investment. In this way, the growth in Green Bonds and green finance also indirectly works to disincentivise high carbon-emitting projects, as per the IFC.When did Govt plan these bonds?In August last year, the government said it stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of GDP by 45 per cent from the 2005 level by 2030, and achieve about 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by the same year.In line with the commitment to significantly reduce the carbon intensity of the economy, the Union Budget 2022-23 made an announcement to issue Sovereign Green Bonds.The country’s climate actions have so far been largely financed from domestic resources and it is now targeting generation of additional global financial resources. The issuance of the Sovereign Green Bonds will help the Indian government in tapping the requisite finance from potential investors for deployment in public sector projects aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of the economy.Where will the proceeds go?The government will use the proceeds raised from SGrBs to finance or refinance expenditure (in parts or whole) for various green projects, including in renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, climate change adaptation, sustainable water and waste management, pollution and prevention control and green buildings. In renewable energy, investments will be made in solar, wind, biomass and hydropower energy projects.
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Pop star Shakira and her ex, Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique, have been in the news ever since it was revealed that two have separated after 12 years together. A new report claimed Shakira is seemingly “devastated” after her fans spotted Gerard Pique’s new girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti, in an old Zoom interview video from 2021.The said clip is from Gerard’s interview, which he did from his home back in 2021. Page Six reported that the video was recorded at Gerard’s residence that he shared with Shakira, and they were supposedly “happy together” at the time.The ‘Hips Don’t lie’ singer is “devastated to learn that this woman clearly felt at home in the house they shared with their children,” shared a source with the publication.As per the report, Gerard Pique conducted the Zoom interview when Shakira was away traveling with their children. The insider was quoted as saying, “They were very much still together at that time. It’s devastating for her to learn that this affair had been going on for a lot longer than she imagined.”Pique and Shakira announced their separation last year in June after 12 years together. Neither had addressed the claims that Pique had cheated on Shakira, but photos of Pique with another woman were released by the Spanish media outlet Socialite. Shakira had described the split as “incredibly difficult” in her interview with Elle.“I think that those details are somehow too private to share, at least at this very moment—everything is so raw and new. I can only say that I put everything I had into this relationship and my family,” Shakira had told Elle.On New Year’s, Shakira wrote a post in Spanish and English. It read, “Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon’s hands. Even if someone’s betrayed us, we must continue to trust others. When faced with contempt, continue to know your worth. Because there are more good people than indecent ones. More people with empathy than indifference. The ones who leave are fewer than the many who stay by our side. Our tears are not in vain, they water the soil our future will spring from and make us more human, so that even while suffering heartache we can continue to love.”The post was also in the news after Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo posted three red emojis under Shakira’s post as a message of support.
The Edka police in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district Sunday arrested five men for allegedly assaulting policemen when they tried to stop a fight between two tribal communities in Gorra village on January 1.So far, a total of 26 people from both communities have been arrested for the violence that took place in Gorra village and Narayanpur city on January 1 and 2, respectively, said inspector general of police, Bastar range, Sundarraj P.The five accused held Sunday have been identified as Premsagar Netam, 48, from Kumharpara in Narayanpur, Lachu Karanga, 32, from Chiprel, Santuram Dugga, 35, from Chiprel, Punuram Dugga, 45, from Chiprel and Rajman Karanga, 46, from Tertul. Two among the five are believed to be pastors, said a police source. All the accused were produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody.Notably, BJP Narayanpur district chief Rupsai Salam was earlier arrested for the violence in Narayanpur city, where a church was vandalised on January 2.About 2,000 people had gathered in Narayanpur city for a meeting on January 2 to protest against a clash between tribals following Christianity and other tribals in Gorra village the preceding day.Salam was among the organisers who promised the district collector and superintendent of police that the meeting would be peaceful but it turned violent with 100-odd protestors barging towards Viswadeepti school in Banglapara. The mob broke the gates of the school and vandalised the Sacred Heart church located on the school campus.
At an event organised by the Chaudhary community in Solaiya village of Mansa taluka in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Speaker of Gujarat Assembly Shankar Chaudhary were seeing sharing the stage with former minister in the Shankersinh Vaghela government — Vipul Chaudhary, who is accused in the alleged Rs 800 crore crore scam, on Sunday.Leaders from the community across party lines were seen at the event organised under the aegis of Vishv Anjana Mahasammelan, headed by NRI Raman Chaudhary from the US-Canada.Hailing the contribution of the Chaudhary community in agriculture and dairy sectors of Gujarat, the CM said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown an example of the kind of development that can be achieved when unity of community is encouraged by the government… If we continue doing noble deeds then development of community is certain…And as government we are standing by you whenever required.”Among the dairy leaders on stage were Shankar Chaudhary who heads the Banas Dairy, which is among the richest in Gujarat, and Ashok Chaudhary who heads the Dudhsagar dairy of Mehsana that was earlier headed by Vipul.Speaker of Gujarat Assembly Shankar Chaudhary said that Anjana-Chaudhary community has come up through hardwork in agriculture and dairy sector. He said that looking at the function, one may conclude that the Chaudhary community is very well off. “However, that is not the reality. Such people are very few. The rest of the community people are doing labour work… You will benefit only when you take people from all the communities together,” he said.Banaskantha MP Parbat Patel, Kheralu MLA Sardar Chaudhary, Mansa MLA J S Patel, former Union minister Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary from Banaskantha, president of Akhil Anjana Kelavani Mandal Haribhai V Chaudhary, former MLAs Amit Chaudhary and Ramila Chaudhary, former minister Harjivan Patel and BJP MP from Mehsana Shardaben Patel were also present.In his address, former chairman of Dudhsagar Dairy Vipul Chaudhary, who was in judicial custody, after he was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau on charges of corruption, emphasised the importance of uniting the community. “Only that community, which is awakened, can walk with the time,” he said.In October 2022, Congress leaders gathered at Mehsana in solidarity with Vipul who was in jail in a case accusing him of alleged irregularities worth Rs 800 crore in which former CM Shankersinh Vaghela and former Gujarat Pradesh Congress committee (GPCC) president Arjun Modhwadia were summoned as witnesses. The gathering organised by the Anjana Chaudharys was addressed by the two leaders who had campaigned against the BJP.In the run up to the recently concluded Gujarat assembly elections, Arbuda Sena led by Vipul had protested against ruling BJP at a number of places in north Gujarat.President of the Mahasammelan, Raman Chaudhary, called upon the community people to start thinking about going abroad and to motivate their young generation for the same. More than 200 NRIs too participated in the event.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have returned from her birthday vacation. The couple celebrated her special day at an undisclosed location after a low-key New Year celebration at their Alibaug home.On Sunday afternoon, Ranveer and Deepika were seen walking hand in hand as they arrived at the Mumbai airport. Not to miss, the couple was yet again twinning. While the duo was twinning in black when they left for the vacation, today the duo were seen in matching white attires.At the airport, Ranveer was seen helping Deepika get inside the car.See recent photos and video of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone: A post shared by @varindertchawlaRanveer and Deepika are known for setting couple goals each time!Post her birthday, Deepika shared a clip as they enjoyed the fresh breeze on a boat. She wrote along, “A glimpse of what the past year has been like, at least on most days, and what I intend for it to be more of in the new year: Being Present. May we all Thrive, Be Present and Live In Gratitude this year… Happy New Year!❤️ PS: Here’s thanking each and every one of you for the birthday blessings. 🎥: @ranveersingh.”See Deepika Padukone’s birthday post: A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone)This New Year, Ranveer and Deepika did not share any celebratory photos but seemed to have spent some quality time with each other at their Alibaug home.
Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas has opened up about her holiday in Mustique, a small island in the Caribbean, where she was joined by her pop star husband Nick Jonas, his brothers Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas, and their wives- entrepreneur Danielle Jonas and actor Sophie Turner.Priyanka Chopra said she first went to Mustique on her honeymoon four years ago and had since visited the place a few more times. Her last trip to the island was “just before Covid-19 hit”, when Nick had organized a writing camp with his brothers and producers, she wrote in a piece for Conde Nast Traveler.“I went along with their spouses, who are close friends of mine. One day, we spouses were driving around the island in our golf carts, and the skies burst right open. We stopped our buggies and just basked in the glory of nature.“When we returned home, we decided to stay wet and jumped in the pool for a swim. Later, we likely got pizza at Firefly, or cocktails or a glass of wine at The Cotton House, and ended the night with karaoke—I love singing anything by Mariah or Whitney—and a little nightcap of coconut water on the beach,” she wrote. A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)Priyanka added that having days like these with the people she is close to “is what vacation is all about” and noted how the trip happened right before the world shut down due to the pandemic.“And to have had this trip just before the world shifted was really magical. Eventually, life is about making memories, right? I like to keep my memory box really full,” she wrote.Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, after months of dating, tied the knot in December 2018. In January 2022, the couple had their first child, a girl, via surrogacy. The couple named their daughter Malti Marie.On the work front, Priyanka will be seen in Prime Video’s ambitious global franchise Citadel. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden have been cast in the ‘mothership’ series, which remains undated despite having been shot earlier this year. It is produced by Joe and Anthony Russo,
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