Tag: Amitabh Kant

India to acquire 10,000 GPUs to boost computational power and AI development: Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian government is poised to bolster the nation’s computational infrastructure by acquiring 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) within the next 18 months. This is expected to enhance India’s processing power, bringing its computational capabilities in line with its data generation, former Niti Ayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said in a tweet.

India currently generates 20% of the world’s data, highlighting the necessity for robust processing resources to handle and analyse this vast amount of data.

Govt is set to enhance India’s computational capabilities significantly by procuring 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) within the next 18 months.

This strategic investment will dramatically boost our processing power, aligning our resources with our data generation…

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) May 16, 2024

Tesla currently has 35,000 H100 chips — the most powerful and super-expensive graphics processing units designed for AI applications — CEO Elon Musk revealed during the company’s first quarterly earnings for 2024.

Mark Zuckerberg said in January that Meta plans to have about 3.5 lakh H100 chips by the end of 2024, taking Meta’s total stash to about 600,000 by year-end. The second in line is reportedly Microsoft, which ordered 1.5 lakh GPUs in 2023, according to technology research firm Omdia. Oracle, Tencent, Google, and Amazon, which reportedly bought 50,000 each,” the report added.

Moreover, India is fast emerging as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) development. The country ranks second in the world for the number of AI projects hosted on GitHub, contributing to 19% of the global total. This underscores India’s active participation in the international AI community, Kant added.

Kant also emphasised that AI represents a transformative opportunity for India. The advancements in AI are anticipated to revolutionise various sectors, particularly education and healthcare.

In a recent report by CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd., India has emerged as the leading country in the Asia Pacific region (excluding China) for data centre capacity, reaching 950 MW. This surpasses other major nations such as Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea.

The report also predicts that India will add 850 MW of data centre capacity between 2024 and 2026, the highest increase in the region.

Data centre, which are large groups of networked servers used for remote data storage and distribution, are central to this growth. According to a March report by CareEdge Ratings, India’s data centre industry is expected to double its capacity from approximately 0.9 GW in 2023 to 2 GW by 2026.

This growth is projected to require an estimated capital expenditure of Rs 50,000 crore over the next three years.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Exclusive | Amitabh Kant: If BYD can take on Tesla, why can’t Tata and Mahindra?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Expressing his optimism about the future of the electric vehicle (EV) market in India, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog stated, “I’ll be truly delighted if the new EV policy leads to many Indian companies, such as Tata and Mahindra, challenging Tesla in the market and even surpassing it both domestically and internationally.”

In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Kant said he believes that by 2047, India will provide almost 30% of the world’s skilled manpower. He emphasised the need for increased competition among the states.

Kant’s statement comes just days before the highly anticipated Indian visit of Tesla CEO Elon Musk as the global EV leader battles a slowdown in its key markets, the US and China. The Indian government is hopeful that Tesla’s investment will help position the country as a hub for EV manufacturing.

Also Read: Tata Motors to manufacture JLR cars in Tamil Nadu

Kant also pointed out the potential of Indian companies to compete with global giants like Tesla. He said, “It’s quite possible. If BYD can take on Tesla, people don’t realise that BYD controls the EV market. These are companies that should all think globally. Once you start thinking global, you will penetrate global markets, but you will do a lot of good to the Indian consumers.”

Kant stated that Tesla would face stiff competition in India and it will do good to customers.

“The Indian consumer is going to benefit in a big way because there will be competition as far as electric vehicles are concerned. And competition will lead to better products and it’ll lead to prices coming down for electric vehicles.”

Kant also highlighted the need to support two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which comprise 70% of the Indian market. Kant had recently stated that combustion vehicles will eventually die out and the future will be dominated by electric vehicles charged with renewable energy.

Also Read: Tata Punch tops March sales, Hyundai Creta close second, Maruti slips to No. 3 for the first time

While pointing out the challenges in the Indian market, such as the high import duty on automobiles, Kant praised the government’s strategic move to reduce the import duty.

“We are going to reduce the import duty so that you can bring vehicles and test out the Indian market. But we’ll do it only if you will, in the long run, do manufacturing in India, the import should actually lead you to manufacturing in India, that’s the objective. So it’s strategically a very good move.”

Kant emphasised the need for a large number of charging stations in India and commended Tesla for opening up its IP for the charging stations, making them interoperable.

“The good thing is that Tesla has opened up its IP for the charging stations and made it interoperable. Several other vehicles can also get charged on the Tesla charging stations.”

Also Read: Indian auto industry sees 12.5% rise in domestic sales, SUVs lead with 25.8% growth: SIAM

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Starlink could improve internet connectivity in rural areas: Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India could benefit from Elon Musk-led Starlink’s satellite-based internet services, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, who co-authored a new book, The Elephant Moves, with Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute of Competitiveness, told CNBC-TV18 during an interview.

“There’s a huge possibility of tapping into Starlink. He has 5,700 satellites orbiting around the earth, and it will be possible to provide good quality satellite-based internet services to all people living in rural areas in India. That is a very major fallout for us, in terms of providing good technology to people in all our tier II, tier III and rural areas. So, that’s huge,” he said.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk is confirmed to be visiting India on April 21 and 22. Sources had earlier told CNBC-TV18 that Elon Musk is eager to enter India with his Starlink satellite-based broadband internet services, and that plan could also be announced during this visit.

Preparations are reportedly underway. The government is said to have given clearance to Starlink, with approvals in the final stages, sources said. SpaceX’s Starlink owns around 60% of the roughly 5,700 satellites orbiting Earth.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Tesla’s India move long overdue, but it will face stiff competition: Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is making his much-anticipated visit to India and has confirmed his intention to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay. Sources suggested to CNBC-TV18 that Musk will announce an investment plan of $2–3 billion for Tesla in India, wherein the electric car manufacturer will not only make cars for the country but also export them to global markets.

Against this backdrop, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, who co-authored a new book, The Elephant Moves, with Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute of Competitiveness, told CNBC-TV18 in an interview that this has been a long time coming.

“This has been on the table for a long time because the world is going through a disruption in terms of automobiles. We will move from combustion to electric vehicles. And if you look at what has happened in America, and China in particular, I think we have to move towards this,” Kant said.

According to Kant, Musk’s focus will be not merely on manufacturing electric vehicles for India but for global markets as well. However, Kant said Tesla will face stiff competition from domestic players, which will benefit consumers in the long run.

“Tesla is going to face tough competition in India because the Tatas are coming up with a number of new electric vehicles and … Mahindra’s new vehicles will also come. So the Indian consumer is going to benefit in a big way, because … competition will lead to better products and prices coming down for electric vehicles,” he said.

On Thursday, April 18, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tesla setting up shop in India will send a positive signal to the world. “If a big manufacturing giant shows interest in manufacturing in India, it gives a positive boost to the manufacturing environment here. If hi-tech companies are coming to India, it means our policies are correct and it is in India’s interest as well to export overseas,” Sitharaman had said.

Tesla has the advantage of being among the first companies in the world to make mainstream electric vehicles. The company is nearly synonymous with EVs. It has the advantage of brand recall, established plants globally to come up with cutting-edge technology, proven performance, a global charging network, control of its supply chain, from battery production to vehicle assembly, ensuring quality and efficiency, and financial resilience.

It also has the first-mover advantage, which allows it to capture new markets with aggressive expansion strategies and business models, such as direct-to-consumer sales and subscription services.

Kant also said India’s new EV policy will help smoothen the road for Tesla. The newly introduced policy offers a range of incentives, including reduced customs duties and import limits tied to investment commitments, to entice global manufacturers to establish production facilities within the country.

“I think a very strategic move is being made that we are going to reduce the import duty so that you can bring vehicles and test out the Indian market, but we’ll do it only if you, in the long run, manufacture in India—the imports should lead you to manufacture in India,” he said.

The challenge, per Kant, is creating the infrastructure to support long-distance travel—charging infrastructure is currently a constraint for EVs in driving long distances.

“In the long-distance transport segment, green hydrogen will play a role, but in two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, it will be electric vehicles all the way. Now the challenge for India will be creating a mass number of charging stations—you need over a million charging stations in India … the good thing is that Tesla has opened up its IP for the charging stations and made it interoperable, so a number of other vehicles can also get charged on the Tesla fast charging stations,” he said.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Combustion engine is ‘dead’, expect a big disruption in mobility after elections, says Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of Niti Ayog Amitabh Kant has urged the automobile industry to work towards a 100% transition to electric mobility in two and three wheelers. “ICE is a dead technology. The future is all electric and all companies must work towards that or risk losing market share”, Kant said at the launch of Ather Energy’s new family scooter on Saturday, April 6.

Amitabh Kant said that the Indian government had already provided incentives to the tune of ₹55,000 crore to the automobile industry to make electric vehicles and now its time to aim for 100% electrification in two and three wheelers by 2030. He also asked the industry to be ready for an even bigger disruption in mobility after the general elections.

Also Read: Ather launches a family scooter at ₹1.10 lakhs, here’s what you need to know 

Kant said brands like Ather must not just think domestic but look at aggressively exporting to global markets, as exports was closely linked to India’s future growth. He also said that India must have a robust charging infrastructure which should not be anyone’s monopoly.

At a time when some electric vehicle makers are indulging in heavy discounting to drive up volumes, Kant had a piece of advice for EV startups. “Never burn cash to sell your product. Don’t give deep discounts or sell cheap. Focus on building great value for customers,” he said.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Amitabh Kant spells out roadmap for future growth, says need to take people away from agri

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The next phase of India’s story has to be from states carrying out radical reforms, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said at an event at the Confederation of Indian Industry on March 21.

Kant noted that the challenge with India is that 42% of the population is employed in the agriculture sector, which contributes 18% to the nation’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We need to take people away from agriculture and into other fields,” he said, adding that there is a need to create more smart cities, led by manufacturing that will create good quality jobs.

Emphasising the many trends shaping the country, Kant said fertility rates have declined, and the population will not grow at the same level. “More people using the Internet in rural areas; will see close to 400 million Indians getting into the process of urbanisation over the next decade.”

He, however, noted that the urbanisation has to be done sustainably.

According to the former NITI Aayog CEO, manufacturing will give India the size and scale to penetrate the global trade market.

“India needs to grow its share to 5% of global trade and for that, we need to grow manufacturing which is what we are doing via PLI.” He asserted that it is not possible for India to become a $35 trillion economy without a huge focus on education, health and nutrition.

On the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, Kant said, “We need 1,000s more Adanis and Ambanis for our SMEs to grow.” He emphasised that the government has done a lot in terms of credit and tech for SMEs. “Large companies now link themselves with smaller companies.”

Kant believes that artificial intelligence will boost India’s GDP by a trillion dollars. “Indian companies are lagging in AI adoption and maturity. No country has the power of data that India has; AI should become very critical to our growth,” he said.

This is India’s decade and century, he remarked.

Also Read: Rising Bharat Summit 2024: Prasoon Joshi and Amitabh Kant discuss brand ‘Bharat’

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Budget 2024: Infrastructure-led growth to be the cornerstone of India’s economic future, says Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, expressed his belief in the transformative power of infrastructure for India’s economic growth.

“I’m not a great believer in a consumer-led growth story. I’m a great believer in an infrastructure-led growth story,” Kant stated in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

According to Kant, the key to achieving sustained growth rates of 9-10% lies in an unwavering commitment to developing robust infrastructure.

Kant’s vision aligns with the recently unveiled interim Budget for 2024 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. According to Kant, the budget, presented on February 1, reflects the government’s confidence in a strong comeback and commitment to fiscal discipline. The fiscal deficit, a crucial economic indicator, is projected to be at 5.1%, with a clear roadmap towards reducing it to 4.5% in the subsequent year.

“I was quite impressed by the fact that it’s talking about fiscal deficit at 5.1%. And then laying down a clear roadmap for 4.5% in the subsequent year. And I think that’s really critical because that would really mean that the government will borrow less and interest rates should come down,” remarked Kant.

He believes that lower interest rates will enable the private sector to access resources at more favourable terms, ultimately catalysing a significant uptick in private sector investment.

Kant also commended the budget for its focus on rural development through infrastructure projects. He highlighted the potential benefits of creating roads, introducing electric buses, providing rural housing, implementing rural solar rooftop initiatives, and ensuring piped water connections in rural areas. These initiatives, according to Kant, will not only enhance infrastructure but also generate consumer demand by uplifting the rural population.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

UP govt approves Amitabh Kant Committee proposals; likely to provide relief to homebuyers

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved the implementation of recommendations from the Amitabh Kant Committee report on real estate projects, in a move that could bring relief to lakhs of homebuyers in the state. The approval came after a proposal of the Industrial Development Department for the resolution of legacy stalled housing projects, cabinet minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said during a press briefing in Lucknow.

“The cabinet has approved the implementation of the recommendations of a central committee headed by Ex-CEO of Niti Ayog Amitabh Kant,” said Khanna, the state’s Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs.

“For this, two main points were considered that buyers interest was taken into account. Those who have bought homes should get its possession and registry immediately,” he said.

Along with this, the Cabinet has approved implementation for ‘zero period’ relief to homebuyers as mentioned in the recommendations of the report, he said. However, these approvals do not apply to commercial, sports, or entertainment projects but to all others, the minister added.

Citing an estimate by the Indian Banks Association, there are about 4.12 lakh homes across the country that could not be completed due to the poor financial status of the developers. “Of these stalled homes, around 2.40 lakh are in the national capital region, including Noida and Greater Noida,” Khanna said.

Some industry estimates have pegged the number of stalled homes in Noida and Greater Noida to around 1.50 lakh, with citizens’ groups and homebuyers’ associations in the twin cities frequently holding protests demanding implementation of the recommendations of the Amitabh Kant Committee report.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

IBLA 2023 19th Edition: Amitabh Kant celebrated for Outstanding Contribution to Public Service

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Amitabh Kant, a name synonymous with India’s administrative excellence and visionary leadership, has been celebrated for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Public Service’ at the 19th edition of CNBC-TV18’s India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), held in Mumbai on December 2.

Kant’s illustrious career, spanning over four decades, is marked by pivotal roles ranging from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary to the CEO of the Niti Aayog, and most recently, as India’s Sherpa to the G20.

Throughout his tenure in various capacities, Kant has been the driving force behind several national campaigns that have left a lasting imprint on India’s socio-economic landscape. These include the well-known initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, and the tourism-boosting Incredible India.

Notably, as a 1980 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, he was instrumental in coining the slogan ‘God’s Own Country’, which significantly enhanced Kerala’s tourism potential.

During his time as the DPIIT Secretary from 2014 to 2016, Kant played a crucial role in streamlining the Ease of Doing Business initiative. He continued his transformative leadership as the CEO of NITI Aayog from 2016 to 2022, where he spearheaded the Aspirational Districts Program and robustly supported the startup ecosystem and the adoption of electric vehicles. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on driving investments into India, notably through the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

Amitabh Kant’s recent role as India’s G20 Sherpa was particularly impactful. He chaired over 300 meetings, amounting to more than 200 hours of negotiations, leading to the successful delivery of the Delhi Declaration.

His leadership was pivotal in ensuring the success of India’s G20 Presidency, making it a pan-India event with meetings among global leaders across several states and UTs. Kant’s efforts in this role were not just about managing a global summit but also about positioning India as the leader of the Global South, showcasing the nation’s collaborative approach, and its ability to convene and execute at the highest levels.

Beyond his administrative prowess, Kant is also an author, having penned books like ‘Branding India: An Incredible Story’, and ‘Incredible India 2.0’, contributing significantly to the global perception of Brand India.

His work in public service goes beyond mere governance; it is about creating and sustaining narratives that have shaped India’s image as a burgeoning economic power, a vibrant tourist destination, and a voice of reason on the global stage.

CNBC-TV18’s recognition of Amitabh Kant is a tribute to a career dedicated to the nation’s progress and its standing in the world community.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India needs to go electric, says Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has underscored the urgent need for India to align with the global shift towards electric mobility as the nation strives to reduce its carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Kant emphasised the growing global trend towards electric vehicles (EVs) and stressed that India must not lag behind in this transformative journey. He said, “The world is going electric, and it is imperative for India to follow suit.”

Kant urged the country to adopt a forward-thinking approach and explore innovative, sustainable fuel solutions. He stressed the significance of expanding domestic battery manufacturing capabilities, noting that battery production plays a pivotal role in the adoption of electric vehicles.

Additionally, he highlighted that developing a robust battery manufacturing ecosystem in India would not only reduce dependence on imports but also create substantial employment opportunities.

A recent report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on ‘Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles’ indicated that India may require a minimum of 1.32 million charging stations by 2030 to facilitate the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As part of its goals for 2030, the government aims for EV sales penetration of 30 percent for private cars, 70 percent for commercial vehicles, and 80 percent for two and three-wheelers.

Biofuels – The future

Kant predicted a substantial shift toward biofuels in the four-wheeler (4W) segment. He highlighted the environmental benefits and sustainability of biofuels, indicating that they would play a vital role in reducing emissions and achieving India’s climate goals.

Green hydrogen, Kant added is a crucial element in the transition to clean energy. However, he acknowledged that the cost of green hydrogen needs to be significantly reduced to drive adoption. ”

Our target should be to bring down the cost of green hydrogen to $1 per kilogram by 2030,” he added.

The Government of India last month gave the green light to the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The mission, which aims to promote the production and utilization of green hydrogen, is poised to play a pivotal role in reducing the nation’s carbon footprint and advancing its commitment to renewable energy sources. Read more on this here 

Kant also emphasized the need for a swift transition to electric mobility in the two-wheeler (2W), three-wheeler (3W), and four-wheeler (4W) segments. He underscored that this transition is not a choice but a necessity to reduce air pollution, combat climate change, and secure a sustainable future for India.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow