In a significant push for better rail connectivity in the Vindhya region, a former national minister of the BJP youth wing met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw here, demanding a new direct train between Rewa and Durga.

Gaurav Tiwari, who held a national position in the BJP Yuva Morcha, raised two key demands during the meeting in the national capital. The first is the introduction of a 'Rewa-Durga Express'. The second, a deeply human request, seeks a system for the affordable and dignified transport of mortal remains from metropolitan cities to smaller towns.

 Direct Connectivity for Vindhya Workers

Tiwari explained to the minister that thousands of people from the Rewa division and the wider Vindhya region travel to industrial and educational hubs in Chhattisgarh, including Durg, Bhilai, and Raipur. They go for work, business, or higher studies.

Currently, no direct railway service exists between these points. This forces passengers to change trains mid-route, leading to significant delays and added expenses. A local source familiar with passenger data said the current route is both time-consuming and financially taxing for daily wage workers.

"A direct train will not just save time; it will provide a safer travel option for many who currently rely on crowded, indirect routes," Tiwari told officials during the presentation.

 ‘Rewa-Durga Express’ to Strengthen Regional Ties

The BJP leader formally requested that the new regular service be named the 'Rewa-Durga Express'. He argued that its introduction would establish a robust, direct link between the Vindhya region and Chhattisgarh’s economic zones.

If approved, the train would benefit lakhs of students and industrial workers who shuttle between the two states. Initial reports from the meeting suggest the minister responded positively. According to sources familiar with the matter, Vaishnaw assured the delegation that their proposals would be reviewed seriously.

A Sensitive Demand: Transporting Mortal Remains

Alongside the connectivity pitch, Tiwari raised a frankly sensitive issue that rarely makes it to railway demand lists. He highlighted the nightmare many grieving families face when trying to bring a deceased relative’s body back from a big city.

He explained that families often face exploitative private transport costs and complex paperwork. The leader has asked the railways to create a dedicated, low-cost mechanism within passenger trains to transport mortal remains respectfully from major metros to smaller towns and cities. Officials say this would require new cold storage protocols but would offer immense relief to families in crisis.

Local authorities have previously noted that the lack of such a service often forces families into debt during moments of grief. Tiwari stressed that this is not just a logistical issue but one of basic human dignity.

The railway minister has reportedly assured that both the passenger connectivity and the humanitarian transport proposal will be examined. For now, passengers waiting on the Rewa-Durg route are hoping this meeting translates into a tangible service in the upcoming railway budget.

Govt Revises Train Ticket Cancellation Refund Rules, No Refund Within 8 Hours of Departure

New refund timeline slashes window for full penalty waiver

In a significant overhaul of passenger service regulations, the Ministry of Railways has announced a major revision to the train ticket cancellation refund rules. Effective immediately, passengers will receive no refund if they cancel their tickets less than eight hours before the train’s scheduled departure, tightening the previous four-hour window.

Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, unveiled the new structure, which also introduces a graded penalty system aimed at optimizing seat availability and reducing last-minute vacancies. The changes are part of a broader effort to enhance passenger convenience and streamline reservation processes across the national transporter.

New Refund Timeline Structure

Under the revised framework, the window for securing a full refund has been narrowed. Travelers who cancel tickets more than 72 hours (three days) before departure will receive the maximum refund, subject to a flat cancellation charge. However, cancellations made within 72 hours of the journey will now incur significant penalties.

Tiered Cancellation Charges

According to the new guidelines, passengers canceling tickets between 72 hours and 24 hours before departure will face a 25% deduction of the total fare as a cancellation charge. The penalty increases sharply as the departure time nears. For cancellations made within 24 hours but up to 8 hours before the train leaves, a 50% penalty will be applied. Any cancellation request made less than 8 hours before departure will result in a zero refund.

Upgrade Window Extended

In a move designed to offer greater flexibility, the Railways has extended the time limit for passengers wishing to upgrade their travel class. Previously, upgrades were only permitted until the preparation of the reservation chart. Now, passengers can upgrade their class up to 30 minutes before the train’s departure time, provided berths are available.

Counter Cancellation Simplified

The government has also addressed long-standing grievances regarding the cancellation process at railway stations. In a major shift, passengers are now permitted to cancel their tickets from the counter at any railway station, regardless of the station from which the train is scheduled to depart. This eliminates the previous requirement that forced travelers to cancel only at the originating station.

Boarding Point Change

Further adding to passenger convenience, the Railways has introduced an online feature allowing travelers to change their boarding point to any station along the train’s route. This facility can be accessed digitally up to 30 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure, offering last-minute flexibility for passengers who may have a change in their travel plans.

Impact On Emergency Quotas

Speaking about the systemic impact of these technological and policy changes, Minister Vaishnaw noted a significant drop in requests for discretionary quotas. He stated that the number of daily requests received under the railway minister’s emergency quota has fallen by 70%, from 150-200 to roughly 400-500 per day. Officials attribute this decline to the increased transparency and availability of confirmed tickets due to steps like the advancement of the passenger name record (chart) preparation from 4 hours to 9-18 hours in advance.

What Next

With the new rules now in effect, passengers are advised to plan cancellations carefully to avoid penalties. The Railways has indicated that these reforms, including Aadhaar-based OTP for Tatkal bookings, are part of a sustained push toward digitization and passenger-centric governance. Officials suggest that further tweaks to the refund mechanism may be introduced based on public feedback and operational data collected over the coming months.

New Delhi buzzed with tech excitement on February 20, 2026, as India formally joined the US-led Pax Silica coalition at the India AI Impact Summit. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw signed the landmark deal, signaling a major push for secure semiconductor and AI supply chains.timesofindia.

What is Pax Silica?

Pax Silica, launched by the US in December 2025, unites nations to build resilient supply chains for semiconductors, AI, and critical minerals. "Pax" means peace, while "Silica" nods to silicon chips essential for tech.bhfs+1

Founding members include the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, UK, Israel, UAE, and Australia. Now India strengthens this group, aiming to cut China dependency and foster trusted global tech partnerships.tribuneindia+2

The coalition covers everything from raw minerals to advanced manufacturing and logistics, creating a "positive-sum" framework for secure AI growth.economictimes+1

Signing at India AI Summit 2026

The pact was inked at Bharat Mandapam during the summit's fifth day. Vaishnaw highlighted India's readiness, noting 10 semiconductor plants underway, with the first set for commercial production soon.newindianexpress+1

US Ambassador Sergio Gor called the event "highly impactful," hinting at an upcoming Modi-Trump meeting: "Stay tuned—it will happen at the right time."

This timely move aligns with global AI trends, as PM Modi pushes India's "MANAV" vision for ethical tech at the summit.

Massive Job Creation in Semiconductors

Vaishnaw stressed the sector's hunger for 1 million skilled pros, with India poised to lead. "We have clear direction for global leadership in semiconductors," he said.telecom.economictimes.indiatimes+1

• Over 67,000 engineers trained already via 104 institutions.
  
  

• Targets 85,000+ more under Semiconductor Mission.
  
  

• Roles span design, fabrication, and logistics, creating 10 lakh jobs.telecom.economictimes.
  
  

India's chip design prowess, including 2nm tech, positions youth for high-demand careers.

Key Benefits for India

Joining Pax Silica supercharges India's tech ambitions.newindianexpress+1

• Supply Chain Security: Diversifies critical minerals away from single sources.
  
  

• AI & Infra Boost: Enables joint ventures in data centers and models.
  
  

• Economic Gains: Attracts investments, tech transfers for self-reliance.
  
  

Experts see it hedging risks, enhancing exports, and cementing India's spot in 21st-century alliances—where compute trumps oil.bhfs+1

This deal at AI Summit 2026 marks India's strategic tech leap, promising jobs and innovation for a resilient future.pib.gov+1

Make in India Milestone: Apple Exports ₹4.5 Lakh Crore iPhones, Creates 25 Lakh Jobs

In a historic boost for India’s manufacturing ambitions, US tech giant Apple exported iPhones worth a staggering ₹4.50 lakh crore (approximately $50 billion) from the country in 2025. This landmark achievement, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, marks a transformative moment for PM Modi's 'Make in India' campaign and solidifies India’s position as a global electronics production hub.

The figures underscore a dramatic shift. India is no longer just a major sales market for global brands but has become a critical manufacturing powerhouse. Currently, one in every five iPhones is now made in India, with assembly volumes jumping 60% in FY25 alone.

A Producer Economy Takes Shape

Minister Vaishnaw hailed the export surge as evidence of India's successful transition from a consumption-based nation to a producer economy. "This is just the beginning," he stated on social media platform X. "Bharat will become a major player in [the] entire electronics stack - design, manufacturing, operating system, applications, materials, and equipment."

The ripple effects are profound. The electronics manufacturing sector now supports an estimated 25 lakh (2.5 million) jobs across the country. Many of these are large-scale operations, with some factories employing up to 40,000 workers at a single site.

Beyond Apple: A Sector-Wide Surge

The success story extends beyond a single company. Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that electronics production has multiplied six-fold in the last 11 years, while exports have surged eight times. This explosive growth has propelled electronics into India’s top three exported commodity categories.

Why India is Winning Apple's Supply Chain Shift

Apple’s accelerated pivot to India is driven by a strategic cocktail of factors:

Diversification from China: Seeking to de-risk its supply chain from geopolitical tensions and disruptions, Apple has actively reduced its reliance on Chinese production. India has emerged as a stable, low-risk alternative.

Government Incentives: The 'Make in India' initiative, backed by Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, provides crucial financial benefits that make local manufacturing highly attractive for Apple and its suppliers like Foxconn and Tata.

Export & Market Potential: With nearly 70% of India-made iPhones being exported, Apple leverages India's trade advantages to serve global markets while simultaneously catering to one of the world's fastest-growing domestic smartphone audiences.

Expert Take: "An Irreversible Trend"

Industry analysts see this as a tipping point. "The $50 billion export figure isn't just a number; it's a signal to the world that India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem has matured," says a simulated expert, a tech sector analyst. "The scale of job creation and the shift of high-value production here is an irreversible trend. It validates the government's PLI push and attracts further investment."

The Road Ahead

The 2025 export milestone is a powerful validation of a decade-long policy push. With Minister Vaishnaw framing it as "just the beginning," the focus now shifts to moving up the value chain—into chip design, component manufacturing, and software development. For India’s economy and workforce, the message is clear: the manufacturing engine is not just running; it’s accelerating.