Gujarat: Greater connectivity to Gir; Keshod Airport upgradation reviewed

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Ongoing upgradation work at the Keshod Airport in Gujarat was reviewed by Samir Kumar Sinha, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Puneet Kansal, chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with a member (planning), AAI, on Wednesday. The review focused on project implementation, adherence to stipulated timelines and quality standards, and effective coordination to ensure the timely completion of works as per schedule, while maintaining the required quality standards, the AAI said. Upgradation of the Keshod Airport is expected to be completed by January 2027, following which Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft would be able to operate from it. This will be a big boost for tourism. The airport is located barely 40-60 km from the Gir National Park and Sasan Gir, the only natural habitat of the endangered Asiatic lion. It is also close to the Somnath Temple and the Girnar Jain Temples, as well as the Uparkot Fort, Buddhist caves and the historic Adi Kati Vav and Navghan Kuvo stepwells. Spread over an area of 450 acres, Keshod Airport was built by the Nawab of Junagadh, Nawab Mohabat Khan, in the early 1930s for his personal use. It later fell into disuse before being revived in the late 1980s for commercial flights. The last flight from the airport at that stage was in 2000 by Jet Airways. After the launch of the RCS-UDAN scheme, Keshod Airport was listed as an RCS airport, and after several infrastructure upgradation works and with an accorded DGCA license for public use as an aerodrome, it started commercial flights again on April 17, 2022, the AAI said. Now, Alliance Air operates regular flights from the airport. Upgradation of the airport was taken up after the Government of Gujarat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AAI in December 2023, agreeing to provide 205 Acres for its development. The redevelopment is estimated to cost nearly Rs 363 crore and includes the construction of a 6,500 square metre new terminal building, expansion of its existing runway to 2,500 metres x 45 metres, construction of a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and an apron to handle up to three Airbus A320/Boeing B737 narrow-body aircraft. Runway 05/23 will be strengthened and extended under Phase I. A link taxiway, a 701-metre-long parallel taxi track, an apron, an isolation bay, a perimeter road, and an operational boundary wall will also be constructed as part of Phase I. We expect a high volume of traffic at Keshod after the upgradation is completed and larger aircraft start operating. International tourists will also start using the airport as connectivity goes up to more locations across the country. There are enough facilities all around to handle more tourist volumes, an official said.

BKNMU UG Time Table 2026 Out - Download Exam Schedule Online @ bknmu.edu.in

Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University (BKNMU), Junagadh has released October 2026 time tables for L.L.B. Semester 3, T.Y. M.B.B.S. Part-I practical, B.Sc Nursing 3rd Semester practical and Post Basic B.Sc Nursing 1st Year practical exams. Check dates, subjects, timings, centres and official PDF links.

Gujarat farmer earns Rs 11 lakh from four acres by turning turmeric into powder, pickle

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 7 (IANS) A 70-year-old farmer in Surendranagar district has turned turmeric cultivation on four acres into an annual income of around Rs 10-11 lakh by processing the crop into powder, pickle and other products instead of selling it as raw produce. Kalubhai Patel of Vadod village in Wadhwan taluka owns 10 acres of land and has been practising natural farming on four acres for the past 13-14 years. He was inspired to take up natural farming after seeing a farmer cultivate turmeric using natural methods at an agricultural fair in Kagvad. Patel initially cultivated turmeric on one acre of fallow land, gradually expanding it to four acres. He later established a home-based processing unit at a cost of around Rs 5 lakh, equipped with a steam boiler, polishing machine and pulveriser. The Horticulture Department provided him with assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh for the unit. Instead of boiling the turmeric in water, Patel steams it, saying this helps retain its beneficial and medicinal properties. The turmeric is then dried for about a month before being cleaned and ground into powder. He also prepares green turmeric pickle and turmeric mouth freshener. With the help of his family, the products are packed at home and sold under the brand name Shakti Organic. While raw turmeric fetches around Rs 150 per kg in the market, Patel sells his turmeric powder at Rs 350 per kg and green turmeric pickle at Rs 440 per kg. His GOPCA-certified organic products are sold largely through word-of-mouth rather than advertising. Through this value addition, Patel earns around Rs 10-11 lakh annually from turmeric grown on four acres. He also follows crop diversification, cultivating short-duration crops such as moong, sesame and pearl millet after the eight-month turmeric crop. On the remaining six acres, he grows cotton with pigeon pea as an intercrop. Pigeon pea helps add nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need for urea, while Patel uses a solution prepared from aak leaves as a source of potassium. He said these natural farming practices have helped increase the organic carbon content of his soil to 0.94 per cent. Natural farming is nature; nurturing soil with care is culture, Patel said, while highlighting natural farming, soil conservation and value addition as ways to strengthen farmers incomes. The state government has recognised Patel with Best Farmer Awards at the taluka, district and state levels. He has also received honours from Junagadh Agricultural University and Dantiwada Agricultural University. Recently, in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, he received the state-level 'Best ATMA Farmer Award'. Patel has also developed an automatic sowing machine, combining traditional farming practices with innovation and scientific methods. The state government's encouragement, inspiration and support had doubled farmers enthusiasm to work towards sustainable and productive agriculture, officials said.

Gujarat govt rejigs Porbandar forest division as Asiatic lions return to Barda

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 29 (IANS) The Gujarat government has reorganised the Porbandar Forest Division, including its range and beat structure, to strengthen field-level administration as Asiatic lions establish themselves in Barda forest, the Forest and Environment Department said on Tuesday. The reorganisation, approved under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, will bring changes in the administrative control of forest ranges, beats, officers, staff and resources, with the stated objective of improving forest management and facilitating the implementation of departmental schemes and resolution of forest and environment-related issues in Porbandar district. The move comes after Asiatic lions naturally returned to Barda after 143 years. The revised administrative structure will cover the Barda region as well as other forest areas under the Porbandar Forest Division and provide for clearer responsibilities at the range and beat levels. Under the new arrangement, the Porbandar Range will cover 6,840.84 hectares and 80 villages. It will be divided into beats including Porbandar City, Gosabara, Moker, Visavada, Kantela, Madhavpur and Satiya, with specific areas and villages assigned to each beat. The Ranavav Range will cover 13,051.25 hectares and 27 villages, with areas including Godana, Bileshwar, Savdivadar and Ranavav distributed among different beats. The restructuring also transfers 305.94 hectares from the RFW Bhatia Range of the Jamnagar Forest Division to the Bhanvad Range of the Porbandar Forest Division. The transferred area covers four villages Kandarda Jogna, Sajdiyala, Juna and Jambusar in Bhanvad taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district. Its administrative functions will now come under the Porbandar Forest Division. The Kutiyana Range, Porbandar Social Forestry Range and Ranavav Social Forestry Range will also be brought under the Porbandar Forest Division. The division will consequently have seven ranges. To support the expanded structure, provision has been made for two Assistant Conservators of Forests. Assistant Conservator of Forests-1 will oversee the Porbandar, Porbandar Social Forestry and Ranavav Social Forestry ranges, while Assistant Conservator of Forests-2 will oversee the Ranavav, Bhanvad and Kutiyana ranges and the Mobile Squad (T.A.) Range. One vacant Assistant Conservator of Forests post from the two sanctioned posts at Kevadia will be transferred to the Porbandar Forest Division, in addition to the existing post. The Porbandar Forest Division will continue to function under the Junagadh Wildlife Circle, with the Deputy Conservator of Forests overseeing the division and the two Assistant Conservators supervising their respective ranges. The Range Forest Officer will also be responsible for the Porbandar Forest Division's Mobile Squad, bringing its operations within the reorganised administrative framework. The restructuring will involve the transfer or redistribution of staff and resources, including vehicles, weapons, walkie-talkies, wireless equipment, records, computers, furniture and other departmental assets. The government resolution said the changes are intended to provide clearer field-level responsibilities and strengthen administrative support for forest conservation, wildlife management and lion rehabilitation in Barda. The resolution came into effect immediately upon publication.

Mother Dairy sets up its first butter chiplet line in Gujarat, plans pan-India supply

The new line has been established at Mother Dairys existing milk processing facility in Junagadh and will supply butter chiplets to markets across the country

Railway minister to virtually launch various projects in Gujarat, dedicate to nation 4 GCTs

He will dedicate four Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCT), at Bhimasar (Kutch), Devaliya (Junagadh), Chandisar (Banaskantha) and Shivlakha (Kutch), to the nation and also lay the foundation stone for the GCT at Linch in Mehsana

Video: Sand-Laden Truck Swerves, Topples, Buries Car In Junagadh. 2 Men Narrowly Escape

A dumper truck swerved and fell next to a car, which was nearly buried under the sand the truck was carrying, on the Vanthali-Junagadh highway in Junagadh. A CCTV camera clip from earlier this week that has gone viral shows a motorcyclist taking a sudden right, forcing the truck driver to make a sudden move. That makes the truck swerve. It falls and skids on its side, colliding with a hatchback parked on the roadside. Two men can be seen standing next to the car, apparently having just left or about to enter, who manage to scamper away. The truck driver then gets out from the front as the windshield is shattered.

Gujarat govt commits over Rs 231 crore for projects marking Guru Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) The Gujarat government on Thursday announced its commitment to allocate more than Rs 231 crore for a range of projects aimed at promoting social harmony and commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made the announcement in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly under Rule 44 on the second day of the ninth session of the 15th Gujarat Assembly. Under the 'Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan', the proposed allocation includes funds for education, hostels, libraries, cultural programmes, development of an ashram and modernisation of premises associated with saints belonging to Scheduled Castes. The government has proposed Rs 40 crore for the construction of a Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bhavan at the state level, with facilities for education, a hostel, library and competitive examination classes. Another Rs 50 crore has been proposed under the Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Vidyashray Yojana for hostel and PG assistance for college students. Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Chair Centre will also be established at Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University in Junagadh. The government has also proposed grants for activities across 70 universities in Gujarat, including quiz contests, prizes, quickies, hoardings and banners, along with the preparation of books and audiobooks on the life and works of Guru Ravidas. For cultural programmes in all talukas, Rs 5.36 crore has been proposed, while Rs 93.80 crore has been earmarked for constructing one Samras Bhavan and library in each taluka. The government has proposed another Rs 10 crore for the overall development of the ashram at Sarsai village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district. Further Rs 30 crore has been proposed for the modernisation and renovation of premises housing huts and ashrams of various saints belonging to Scheduled Castes. CM Patel said the initiative is intended to give further impetus to the ideals of social harmony associated with Guru Ravidas. Guru Ravidasji Maharaj is not only a saint but also a pioneer of equality, social justice, love, compassion and humanity. His dream was not merely for the welfare of one community, but for the welfare of the entire nation, CM Patel said in his statement. He said his ideals could be realised when every poor person receives justice, every youth gets an opportunity, every woman receives respect, and every citizen gets equal participation in development. Referring to the teachings of Guru Ravidas, the Chief Minister said: Several of his sacred hymns were included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and continue to inspire people to follow the path of truth, love, service and good conduct. He also referred to the saying, Man changa to kathoti mein Ganga, saying it conveyed the message that a person's identity was determined by their deeds, thoughts, character and devotion, and that humanity was the greatest religion. CM Patel said the state government's proposed allocation of more than Rs 231 crore would be made through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The projects would also contribute to the goal of building a developed India by 2047 by drawing on Guru Ravidas' ideals and taking the lead from a developed Gujarat in building a harmonious and developed India, he noted. The 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas is being observed across the country this year under the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan. Gujarat had also organised programmes as part of the anniversary celebrations earlier this year.

Nepal floods: Gujarat collects DNA samples of kin of 29 missing people

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) The Gujarat government has completed DNA sample collection from relatives of 29 of the 30 people from the state, including Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs), who remain missing or uncontactable following the August 26 flash floods in Nepal, particularly along the Nepal-Tibet border and Bhote Koshi River corridor. The samples are being processed for DNA profiling to help identify bodies and human remains recovered in the disaster. The process for the remaining missing person is also underway. The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation (NRGF), under the NRI Division of the General Administration Department, has been coordinating with the families and authorities in India and abroad to facilitate the DNA collection and identification process. The initiative is being carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Central government, under which designated forensic laboratories have been identified for DNA sample collection and profiling of first-degree relatives of missing persons. DNA profiling at laboratories designated for the purpose is being undertaken free of cost, as directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Six designated laboratories in Gujarat are facilitating the process, with DNA profiling being undertaken in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Junagadh and Rajkot. The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar, is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs on DNA profiling of samples collected in India and their linkage with the identification process in Nepal. A 10-member NFSU forensic team has also been involved in the identification efforts in Nepal. Nepal Police has separately initiated DNA profiling of recovered bodies and human remains following the incident. NRGF has been personally contacting relatives of each missing person and guiding them about the designated laboratories, available facilities and the procedure for DNA sample collection and profiling. It has also been coordinating with NRGs and relatives living abroad to ascertain the action taken by local authorities in their respective countries. In cases involving relatives in New Zealand, the United States, Canada and African countries, NRGF has obtained information about DNA samples collected by authorities in those countries and the status of the identification process. In several cases, samples of relatives living abroad have already been collected through the respective local authorities. The DNA profiling reports are being sent directly by the designated laboratories to Nepalese authorities through the official email addresses and contact numbers notified by the them for the identification exercise. Nepal Police has also requested first-degree relatives of missing people living abroad to undergo DNA profiling at authorised forensic laboratories in their respective countries. The Gujarat Government, through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), district administrations and NRGF, has been coordinating efforts to trace people from the state and Gujaratis living abroad who were reported missing or remain uncontactable after the floods. A consolidated list of missing and untraceable persons prepared by SEOC and NRGF has also been shared with the Nepal government. So far, 30 people, including NRGs, remain untraceable from the flood-affected areas. Those reported missing or out of contact include people from Ahmedabad, Anand, Banaskantha, Kheda, Gandhinagar, Surat, Valsad, Rajkot and other parts of Gujarat. Several had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through different travel agencies and routes. The scale of the disaster has made conventional identification difficult in cases where bodies or human remains have been severely damaged or recovered in parts. Nepal has therefore begun a large-scale DNA identification exercise, with samples being collected from relatives and compared with DNA obtained from recovered remains. The DNA-based process is expected to help establish the identities of victims from Gujarat and other parts of India, as well as foreign nationals, and provide families with confirmation about the fate of relatives who remain missing.

Gujarat: 42 held in gambling raid, property worth Rs 16 lakh seized

Junagadh, Sep 6 (IANS) Forty-two people were arrested after the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided an alleged card gambling operation at Suthar Samaj Wadi near Chorwad Girls School in Chorwad of Junagadh district, seizing cash and other property collectively valued at Rs 16.02 lakh, police said on Sunday. The raid was conducted by a team led by Police Sub-Inspector K.D. Ravia following directions from Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. According to the State Monitoring Cell, the operation resulted in the seizure of Rs 3,72,200 in cash, one four-wheeler, 11 two-wheelers, 42 mobile phones and gambling-related materials. The total value of the seized property was assessed at Rs 16,02,900. A case was registered at Chorwad Police Station on September 5 under Sections 4 and 5 of the Gambling Act. Police said 44 people were named in the case, including 42 arrested accused and two wanted accused. Among those arrested were Manish Parmar and Haresh Chudasama, both identified by police as alleged organisers of the gambling activity. The arrested persons included residents of Chorwad and other parts of Junagadh district, as well as individuals from Gir Somnath, Morbi, Kutch and Rajkot. The two wanted accused have been identified as Viren Sevra, a resident of Ramvav Chowk in Chorwad and Lala of Chorwad. Police identified Lala as the person who allegedly rented out Sutharwadi for gambling. Further investigation into the case is being conducted by the police. The latest raid is part of a continuing enforcement drive by the SMC against illegal gambling and liquor networks. In August, the SMC arrested 16 people and seized cash, vehicles and mobile phones collectively valued at about Rs 39 lakh in a gambling raid in Mehsana. In another gambling operation in Gandhinagar in December last year, the SMC seized cash, 10 mobile phones and five vehicles worth a total of Rs 26.16 lakh and detained 11 people, while six others were declared wanted. The SMC has also carried out major prohibition-related seizures, including an operation in Navsari in which 14,016 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor valued at Rs 37.62 lakh were seized in January, along with a vehicle and other items, taking the total value of the seizure to Rs 62.69 lakh.

CBI Files Case Against College Trustee and Faculty Member for Alleged Bribery

New Delhi, August 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Pratik Mori, a trustee of Nobel Ayurvedic College in Junagadh, Gujarat, and faculty member Dr. Abhay Nalavade. They are accused of attempting to bribe a member of the hearing committee of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) ... Read more CBI Files Case Against College Trustee and Faculty Member for Alleged Bribery

Two Arrested in Major Online Share Trading Fraud in Gujarat

Surat, August 12: The Cyber Crime Cell of Gujarat has arrested two individuals from Junagadh in connection with a significant online share trading fraud. The case involves a scam where a victim was defrauded of 42.98 lakh. During the investigation, authorities discovered links to three other cyber fraud cases across various states, with total losses ... Read more Two Arrested in Major Online Share Trading Fraud in Gujarat

Asiatic lion rescued after getting trapped in spiked gate in Gujarats Junagadh

In the early hours of the day, a lion, aged around one to two years, got trapped in an iron gate while attempting to jump over it in the Grofed area of the city, Deputy Conservator of Forests Akshay Joshi said

Tragic Road Accident in Gujarat Claims Four Lives from One Family

Ahmedabad, July 11: A tragic road accident in Gujarats Junagadh district on Saturday resulted in the deaths of four family members, while four others sustained injuries. The incident occurred near Majewadi village on the four-lane road when the familys Ertiga car collided with a truck parked by the roadside. Two of the injured individuals are ... Read more Tragic Road Accident in Gujarat Claims Four Lives from One Family

Girnar Wrapped in Monsoon Clouds, Strong Winds Force Temporary Ropeway Shutdown

Girnar Ropeway services in Junagadh have been temporarily suspended due to strong winds as monsoon clouds blanket Girnar Hill. Authorities will resume operations once weather conditions become safe.