Modi meets LuLu Yusuffali, other NRI investors in UAE

August 17, 2015

Abu Dhabi, Aug 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met leading NRI investors in UAE, who briefed him about various projects they are investing in India.

Businessmen led by Abu Dhabi Chamber Director board member, Yusuffali M A briefed the Prime Minister about the prevailing business scenario in the UAE and also about the challenges faced by them while investing in India.

In the meeting, Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in 34 years, appealed to NRI investors to renew their efforts to bring in more investments into the country especially in the infrastructure and related fields and highlighted the role of 'Make-in-India' for the future generation of Indians.

Kamal Vachani, Group Director, Al Maya Group and Regional Director (Middle East) of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) said the entire community is excited about the visit.

"This visit will further boost the relations between India and UAE as India is the 3rd largest trading partner with UAE," he said. About 2.6 million Indians constitute nearly 30 per cent of the population of this country.

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RuTAGe smart village centres in DK, Udupi to being technology closer to rural communities

News Network

January 20,2026

Mangaluru: In a major step towards strengthening rural innovation, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India is supporting the establishment of RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVCs) across the country through collaborations with academic institutions, civil society organisations and philanthropic partners.

As part of this national initiative, Nitte (Deemed to be University) will set up the first RSVCs in the region at Nitte GP in Udupi district and at the Nitte Health Centre, Sevanjali Trust, Farangipete, in Dakshina Kannada district. The centres will be inaugurated on January 21. In South India, the programme is being implemented by the Section Infin-8 Foundation (SI-8).

Speaking to reporters on Monday, SI-8 founder-director Vishwas US said experts from Nitte University and SI-8 would work closely with farmers, students, youth and local entrepreneurs to adapt and deploy technologies tailored to local needs.

Project head Prof Iddya Karunasagar, representing Nitte DU, said the RSVCs at Nitte and Farangipete would serve as demonstration hubs for a wide range of agriculture, energy, skill-development and assistive technologies. These include solar dryers for fruits, vegetables and crops; soil-testing solutions; power weeders and women-friendly farm tools; wind-powered devices for rural artisans; grain storage systems; grass-cutting and tree-climbing equipment; and liquid fertiliser production using cowshed waste.

SI-8 CEO Aravind C Kumar said the centres would also provide access to digital and knowledge-based platforms such as ISRO applications, government scheme portals, market linkage tools and gamified learning resources, along with assistive technologies for persons with visual impairments.

Highlighting the broader impact of the initiative, Principal Scientific Adviser Prof Ajay Kumar Sood said it demonstrated how applied research could bridge the rural–urban divide and help create self-reliant, technology-enabled villages.

The initiative has been made possible through philanthropic support from Dr NC Murthy of ACM Business Solutions, LLC, USA. Dr Sapna Poti, Director (Strategic Alliances) at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, said the long-term objective is to build self-sufficient, technology-driven communities capable of generating sustainable livelihoods on their own.

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