Shuva Raha 🇮🇳

#Flashback @BT_India Dec 2005 | India's Most Valuable Companies | #1 @ONGC_ 'ONGC is leveraging its core competence to straddle the entire oil value chain & extract every paise. And Subir Raha, the 57-yr-old Chairman & MD, is spreading his wings further.' bit.ly/32O3hde

India is rewriting the rules of global conservation. While the world struggles with biodiversity loss, India has achieved the impossible: simultaneous population growth across five distinct species of Big Cats. Here is the story of India’s roaring comeback. CHEETAHS: Declared extinct in 1952, the Cheetah returned under Project Cheetah, a historic intercontinental translocation. Starting with 8, brought from Namibia in 2022, successful births on Indian soil have seen a rise to 57 by 2026. This restores a missing link in our grassland ecosystem. TIGERS: The Great Indian Miracle (160.95% Growth) In 2006, India’s Tiger population hit a record low of 1,411. Through the National Tiger Conservation Authority and strict anti-poaching measures, we turned the tide. By 2022, that number soared to 3,682, meaning India now houses 70% of the global wild tiger population. Using cutting-edge tech like M-STrIPES and voluntary village relocations, India proved that economic development and apex predator conservation can coexist. ASIATIC LIONS: The Pride of Gujarat (From 327 to 891) Restricted to the Gir Forests, Asiatic Lions faced a dangerous bottleneck with just 327 individuals in 2000. However, through the "Maldhari" community co-existence model and world-class veterinary care, we witnessed a steady ascent. The population rose to 674 in 2020 and is estimated to reach 891 in 2025. We have effectively pulled the King of the Jungle back from the edge of extinction. LEOPARDS: The Silent Expansion (Dominating at 13,874) Leopard's growth has exploded from 7,910 in 2014 to a massive 13,874 in 2022. By robustly protecting Tiger Reserves, we created an "umbrella effect" that secured the leopard's future across 70% of sampled habitats. India’s strategy focuses on conflict mitigation and rapid response teams, allowing these adaptable predators to thrive without major ecological friction. SNOW LEOPARDS: Guardians of the Third Pole (718 Strong) In 2024, the first-ever scientific assessment (SPAI) confirmed a population of 718 Snow Leopards. This is a monumental achievement in the Himalayas. "Project Snow Leopard" succeeded by prioritising community-based conservation, working with herders to predator-proof corrals and preventing retaliatory killings. This secures the ecology of the "Third Pole," the source of India's major rivers. India is now the only country to host Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Snow Leopards, and Cheetahs in the wild. This data proves that when India decides to protect, nature thrives.

🚨India Cooked West; West Refused to Provide Insurance Services to Our Shipments, India Answered by Launching Its Own Sovereign Maritime Insurance Pool In a decisive response to escalating geopolitical instability and disruptions in global shipping, the Indian government has approved the creation of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) with a sovereign guarantee of approximately ₹12,980 crore. The BMIP has been designed with a clear threefold objective: to ensure continuity of trade during global volatility, to provide comprehensive risk coverage for Indian vessels, and to strategically reduce reliance on foreign insurers. The move comes in the backdrop of recent geopolitical conflicts that exposed a critical fragility, global maritime insurance is heavily dominated by Western firms, many of which either withdrew coverage or sharply increased premiums during crises. Under the new framework, Indian shipping will receive 360-degree insurance coverage. This includes protection for hull and machinery, cargo, and the crucial Protection & Indemnity (P&I) component, which also covers war risks. The inclusion of war-risk insurance is particularly significant, given that it was the first segment Western insurers withdrew from during heightened tensions. The sovereign guarantee is the defining feature of this initiative. It provides a government-backed assurance that claims will be honored regardless of external disruptions, sanctions, or insurer withdrawal.

White towels are a legacy of British era, when there were few roads, fewer cars and no ACs. Officer toured on horses and towels were an integral part of hygiene routine. British left, horses were sent away, but towels stayed! It’s not just towels, the size of tables and colour of ink are also defined by hierarchy. When I was working at Joint Secretary level with the Vice President of India, I had to fight a stiff battle of sorts to order a smaller table that would fit better in my office. The system would not approve of a smaller table! Regarding the colour of ink to be used for noting and signature, Sh. Arun Shourie has written a hilarious, if not ridiculous, memoir as minister. In 1999, two officers in the Ministry of Steel made notings on files using red and green ink. This raised a furore as they were junior officers. The seniors were scandalised and an enquiry was initiated. India’s bureaucracy spent 13 months debating which colour ink officers could use on files. The enquiry was routed through several ministries and departments: Ministry of Steel wrote to Dept of Administrative Reforms It referred to Directorate of Printing (ink experts) Printing referred to Dept of Personnel & Training (DoPT) DoPT threw the ball back: “it’s your Manual, you decide” National Archives was consulted for longevity of ink colours Ministry of Defence consulted for Army ink hierarchy Conclusion after 13 months: juniors wrote in blue-black or blue ink, because that has the longest life of impression. In British era, the files had to travel to Britain, so juniors would write in ink that would stay for the longest. The top brass would sign in green and red. Ruling: Two new paras were added to the manual of office procedure: Para 32(9) says that only officers of Joint Secretary level and above may use red or green ink, and that too only in rare cases. Para 68(5), on the other hand, does not limit the use of these colours to any particular rank (as modern ball pen ink have no issues of shelf life for any colour!) The white towel on the officer’s chair. The red telephone on the desk. The peon standing at the door. The green ink reserved for the senior sahib. These are not accidents of history. They are architecture, the physical grammar of a bureaucratic culture that worships hierarchy.

From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle. Thank the Mayor of Seattle Hon’ble Katie Wilson for hosting &: ➡️ Mayor of Kent Hon’ble Dana Ralph ➡️ Mayor of Auburn Hon’ble Nancy Backus ➡️ Mayor of Tukwila Hon’ble Tom McLeod ➡️ Mayor of Normandy Park Hon’ble Eric Zimmerman ➡️ Mayor of Kirkland Hon’ble Kelly Curtis, for joining in the unveiling ceremony and honouring his legacy of Vedanta & Yoga, on the occasion of celebration of ICCR Day! More details at tinyurl.com/59a793tz @AmbVMKwatra @IndianEmbassyUS @MEAIndia @MayorofSeattle @iccr_hq @DDNewslive @ANI @airnewsalerts @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia @mygovindia @MinOfCultureGoI @YASMinistry @NagNaidu08 @PTI_News 🧵(1/4)

The Census of India has never been very reader-friendly. But in 1970s, a series of events led to government putting effort into publishing very interesting, truly "Indian" #dataviz for the average reader. But why? Our new data story, with an explorer and some comics! More ⬇️

In 1971, India tried translating Census data into friendly volumes with some beautiful, hand-drawn graphics. But how does an overpopulation panic fit into this? We traced the history, catalogued ~700 graphics, and built an explorer full of comics & interactives. 🔗Link below!

#ORFHinduConclave | नई विश्व व्यवस्था को ऊर्जा: जलवायु कार्रवाई और ऊर्जा सुरक्षा इस अहम पैनल चर्चा में शामिल होंगे: @ShuvaRaha, Balawant G. Joshi, @kedarsaw और @Aparna_R1 ऊर्जा सुरक्षा और जलवायु परिवर्तन जैसे महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों पर गहन संवाद के लिए जुड़े रहें। @orfonline @hinducollege_du @kas_india @IndianOilcl

#ORFHinduConclave | Fuelling the New World Order: Climate Action and Energy Security This panel will feature: @ShuvaRaha, Balawant G. Joshi, @kedarsaw & @Aparna_R1 @orfonline @hinducollege_du @kas_india @IndianOilcl Key Insights: 🔹Being transactional in energy and #security is not morally bad, since countries always act in their best interest. However, transactions have to be based on trust and mutual understanding. 🔹For emerging #economies, existential needs such as affordable energy and food always come first. #Climateaction cannot overtake basic #security and affordability priorities. 🔹Innovation in #finance is as critical as innovation in technology. Different financing frameworks, such as blended #finance, development banks, sovereign funds, and South-South cooperation, all need to work together.

Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme. The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality. This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of our scientific capability and the strength of our engineering enterprise. It is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme. A proud moment for India. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers.

USIBC Senior Director for Energy and Infrastructure Sidhanta Mehra joined a Panel Discussion on the Roadmap for Harnessing Nuclear Energy at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Kutch and Saurashtra at Marwadi University in Rajkot. We would like to thank the Gujarat Energy and Petrochemicals Department and @CEEWIndia for hosting this important discussion. The program was also joined by Shri Ashwani Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Energy Petrochemicals Department. Somes Bandyopadhya, Managing Director, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (@GujEPD) opened the program with Keynote remarks and highlgihted the significant scope of expanding secure and safe nuclear energy given the application of the SHANTI Act, 2025. The panel was moderated by @ShuvaRaha, Lead - International Cooperation, CEEW, and joined by representatives from @NpcilOfficial @ntpclimited @TataPower @YouthIyns USIBC remains a long-standing association partner to Vibrant Gujarat since its inception. We congratulate the Government of Gujarat for adopting a regional approach in 2026 to highlight the various growth hubs of Gujarat. @USAmbKeshap @earth2miller @Usibc_md @sidrmehra @KaruturiPradeep

🌾 Deepening India–Germany cooperation for resilient agri-food systems A delegation from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) visited the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) headquarters today for wide-ranging discussions on strengthening India–Germany collaboration. The conversation spanned #SustainableAgriculture and agroecology—including natural farming and soil health—alongside bioeconomy value chains and entrepreneurship, South–South cooperation drawing on India’s experiences, #climate-resilient agri-systems, future-ready land use for food security and biodiversity, water management under a changing climate, and the co-development of EU–India trade frameworks and standards. As global #food and land-use challenges intensify, partnerships like these are vital to translating shared knowledge into practical, scalable solutions. @GermanyinIndia, @ajainme, @Apoorvek, @Palak1899, @vishchi, @BajajPushp, @ShuvaRaha, @MayankS_harma

@ShuvaRaha reacts to #Budget2026 👇

The data tracking India’s oil imports from November 2024 to February 2026 tells a definitive story: India’s energy policy is written in New Delhi, not Washington. Despite a volatile 15-month campaign of economic coercion by the Trump administration, the infographic reveals that India’s consumption of Russian crude was dictated solely by its own geopolitical calculations and national interest. The pressure campaign began well before the inauguration, with Donald Trump issuing verbal threats as early as his September 2024 campaign. Upon taking office in January 2025, rhetoric turned into policy. On April 2, Trump announced a 26% "reciprocal" tariff. Yet, rather than caving, India’s intake of Russian oil surged, hitting a 43% share that very month, the highest in the timeline. Relations further deteriorated following "Op Sindoor" in May 2025. By August 6, the White House attempted its most aggressive manoeuvre: a crippling 50% tariff (25% reciprocal plus 25% specifically for buying Russian energy). The data shows total defiance; instead of dropping, India’s Russian oil imports climbed from 1.6 mb/d in August to 2.0 mb/d by October 2025. The saga concluded with American capitulation. On February 7, 2026, Trump announced the lifting of sanctions while threatening future consequences; yet, India's Russian oil imports rose by 8% in February from the previous month. The US knew that India would not buckle under pressure. Consequently, the administration, amidst the Iran war, fully retreated on March 6, 2026, lifting sanctions with a face-saving 30-day window. Ultimately, the reality of these 15 months proves that whenever the USA tried to arm-twist India, New Delhi prioritised its energy security. The numbers confirm that India does not bow to coercion, opting instead to secure affordable energy for its people regardless of threats from the West.

Some thoughts on #ViksitBharatBudget 2026 India’s Union Budget 2026 is not a budget of announcements. It is a budget of architecture. This is not about one sector, one scheme, or one year. It is about locking India into a long growth corridor till 2047. Three things stand out. 1. Action over Ambivalence. Reform over Rhetoric. People over Populism. At a time when much of the world is drifting towards fiscal adventurism, India has chosen restraint without sacrificing ambition. • Growth around ~7% • Fiscal deficit down to ~4.3% • Debt-to-GDP on a clear glide path • Capex rising steadily Stability is not accidental; it is designed. 2. Manufacturing + Services + Agriculture: not silos, but a system Budget 2026 finally treats the economy as a linked value chain, not disconnected ministries. On manufacturing: • Semiconductor Mission 2.0 • Rare earths, magnets, aircraft parts, defence MRO • Revival of 200 legacy industrial clusters • Bonded zones, safe harbours, deferred duties: quiet but powerful enablers On services: • Medical value tourism hubs • Cloud & data centre tax certainty till 2047 • AVGC labs in schools and colleges • IT safe harbour rationalisation, less litigation, more scale On agriculture & allied sectors: • Fisheries, horticulture, cashew & cocoa, coconut missions • AI-driven AgriStack integration • Focus on value chains, not just MSP headlines This is how you move from production to productivity. 3. Yuva Shakti as economic infrastructure This budget understands a simple truth: Demography is not destiny unless it is skilled, mobile and confident. University townships near industrial corridors. Girls’ hostels in STEM institutions in every district. Care economy training for 1.5 lakh caregivers. Sports, design, tourism, health, treated as serious job engines, not side notes. Human capital is being planned with the same seriousness as highways and freight corridors. 4. Trust-based governance goes mainstream One of the most under-appreciated shifts: • Decriminalisation of procedural tax offences • Automated, rule-based approvals • Longer validity of advance rulings • Faster APAs, simpler returns, rational TDS/TCS • Customs moving from control to confidence This is not “ease of doing business” as a slogan. This is state capacity learning to trust citizens. 5. Infrastructure as a growth multiplier Dedicated freight corridors. National waterways. High-speed rail “growth connectors”. Urbanisation focused on Tier-II, Tier-III cities and temple towns. Infrastructure here is not concrete, it is economic geography being rewritten. Bottom line: Budget 2026 will not excite those who look for giveaways. It will reassure those who understand statecraft. It is a budget that assumes India’s rise is inevitable but only if policy remains patient, boring, and relentless. That, arguably, is the hardest kind of leadership. #Budget2026

Europe and India are making history today. We have concluded the mother of all deals. We have created a free trade zone of two billion people, with both sides set to benefit. This is only the beginning. We will grow our strategic relationship to be even stronger.

India and Europe have taken a major step forward today. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement opens new pathways for growth, investment and strategic cooperation. #IndiaEUTradeDeal @eucopresident

Here are the highlights from the Republic Day celebrations 2026. May we always keep strengthening Constitutional values and realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat.

When you remember how great your civilization was... you stop accepting mediocrity INSV Kaundinya just pulled off something epic. No engine. No metal fasteners. Just ancient Indian stitching tech from 5th-century Ajanta Caves paintings. 16 crew. 18 days: Wind power across the Arabian Sea. Left Porbandar Dec 29, 2025 → arrived Muscat Jan 14, 2026 with a massive water salute welcome. This isn't nostalgia. It's proof India had world-class seafaring tech 1,500+ years ago—long before anyone else claimed it. Every successful voyage like this wakes up the nation: We built empires on innovation, craftsmanship & bold exploration. This is the spark for India's renaissance by 2047. Ancient genius + modern ambition = unstoppable. Kaundinya just reminded 1.4B people: We were once the greatest maritime power on Earth. Time to become it again. @sanjeevsanyal @ARanganathan72

#WATCH | INSV Kaundinya given water salute as it completes its voyage from Gujarat's Porbandar to Oman's Muscat INSV Kaundinya is a recreation of a 5th century Indian ship using the ancient stitching technique. The ship departed from Gujarat's Porbandar on 29th December 2025

I, on behalf of the crew, would like thank Nau Devi for the safe arrival of INSV Kaundinya in Muscat on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti.