White Gold: Indias Cotton Story
66-year-old Vinodbhai Virjibhai Vadodriya, a farmer living in Gujarat's Rajkot, has been producing cotton throughout his life. Often, changing temperatures and plant diseases forced him to bear heavy losses. When he was introduced to the High-Density Planting System, he implemented this system in his field. The outcome surprised him. He produced 15 quintals of cotton per acre, a jump of 30-35 percent over his previous produce using the old method. In the previous agriculture year, instead of the usual 135 cm by 45 cm spacing, Vadodriya packed his plants closer, at 90 cm by 15 cm. Vinodbhai Virjibhai Vadodriya, a cotton grower from Gujarats Rajkot Vinodbhai says he was informed that he should harvest earlier, which meant less damage from the pink bollworm, one of cotton's most stubborn pests. Most of the farmers in the neighbourhood noticed the change in the outcome, and they also decided to follow suit. Bhaskar Tapiram Chaudhary, a cotton farmer from Jalgaon district, Maharashtra Six hundred kilometres away, in Maharashtras Jalgaon, Bhaskar Tapiram Chaudhary was also introduced to the High-Density Planting System, in 2025. Bhaskar, who is in his 50s, remembers how he was initially reluctant to switch to closer spacing, because that was not his usual method. However, he went on, cleaned up his fertilizer use, and managed pests and nutrients carefully. The results also surprised him. His yield rose from 8 quintals an acre to 11 (37.5 % rise), despite a dry spell that would normally have hurt his crop. The improved produce of thousands of farmers indicated how India's cotton policy: small, practical changes in farming technique, backed by government support, is producing significant outcomes. And likely so, India's cotton sector remains in need of reforms. According to official statistics, India has more land under cotton cultivation than anyone else globally. The country, at present, has 114.84 lakh hectares, about 38 percent of the world's cotton area. India is the only country wherein all four known cotton species are cultivated. The industry is so widespread that at least 6 million farmers grow cotton here, and almost 40-50 million people earn a living from processing and trading it. That is why cotton is White Gold for most Indians. Despite its critical importance, India ranks only second in actual production, behind its massive acreage lead. In 2025-2026, output stood at 290.91 lakh bales, while domestic demand ran higher, at 328 lakh bales. The reason behind this gap is that India's fields simply have not been able to produce as much cotton per acre as compared to Brazil and the US. However, the farmers of Rajkot and Jalgaon have shown that this gap can be altered using basic and modern methods. What is the government doing to fix it? In the recent past, the central government has responded with a mix of price support and productivity push. The Minimum Support Price for 2026-27 was raised to INR 8,267 per quintal for medium-staple cotton and INR 8,667 for long-staple (an increase of INR 557 over the previous year). The Cotton Corporation of India expanded its procurement network from 508 centres to 571, now covering 152 districts, and bought 105.09 lakh bales worth INR 41,530 crore this season alone. On the productivity side, a five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity was launched in 2025-26 with INR 5,659 crore allocated for it, aiming to nearly double output from 297 lakh bales to 498 lakh bales by 2031. It will reach 32 lakh farmers across 140 districts. The High-Density and Closer Spacing planting systems, the very techniques that worked for farmer Vinodbhai and Bhaskar, are central to this new change. Field trials have already recorded yield gains of roughly 40 percent under high-density planting and over 32 percent under closer spacing. Technological intervention has also made it easier for farmers. As per records, Kapas Kisan app now has over 41 lakh farmers registered, letting them book procurement slots, get Aadhaar-linked payments, and track updates by SMS turning what used to be long queues into a paperless process. And there's a quieter, longer-term bet: Kasturi Cotton Bharat, a branding and traceability programme using QR codes and blockchain to certify premium Indian cotton for global buyers. Estimates suggest that over 3.29 lakh bales have been certified so far, a small start toward positioning Indian cotton as a mark of quality abroad rather than just a cheap bulk export. The future ahead There is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration before we expect greater outcomes. It's spacing between plants, apps for slot booking, QR codes on bales. India's cotton sector doesn't need a revolution it needs to replicate what farmers in Rajkot and Jalgaon have done, and the process needs to be replicated across millions of acres. To summarise, if the Mission for Cotton Productivity delivers even a fraction of its 2031 target, India won't just grow the most cotton land in the world. It will finally grow enough cotton to match it. (Courtesy: PIB Srinagar)
Municipality Warns Women Councillors
Filmmaker Karan Johar marked 20 years of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna on Monday, August 10, by revisiting some of the unusual and often uncomfortable reactions he encountered around the film's release. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta, the 2006 film explored marriage, infidelity, loneliness and relationships, subjects that sparked considerable debate among audiences. Taking to social media on the eve of the anniversary, Karan shared a long note recalling what happened when he quietly attended a paid preview of the film before its theatrical release. He remembered sitting behind a traditionally dressed middle-aged couple who appeared increasingly uncomfortable during the sequence involving Dev (Khan) and Maya (Mukerji) in a hotel elevator. Recalling the couple's reaction, Karan wrote, At one point in the film, Dev and Maya enter the elevator of a hotel and what proceeds is the two characters succumbing to their love and desire. At that point Lady Saree looked at Sir Kurta in shock and dropped her popcorn. He turned back and said (in Gujarati) - Dream sequence che! According to Karan, the man eventually realised that the sequence was not a dream and decided to leave the theatre with his wife. The filmmaker said the incident left him worried about how the film would be received. However, another encounter outside the theatre left an even stronger impression on him. Karan recalled meeting a woman accompanied by her daughter, who questioned him about the film. She said, I took my daughter to see a happy film with songs and dances and family values because its YOUR film. The DAY she got her DIVORCE and this is what I saw!! Shame on you, he wrote. Karan admitted that Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna received hugely polarising reviews and audience feedback, with reactions ranging from calling it brave and his best work to accusing the film of going against traditional values. He also recalled meeting a woman at an airport lounge weeks later who told him that she had actually loved the film but had told her husband that she hated it. According to Karan, she explained, If I told him I loved it he would have asked me what I liked about itso it was safe to lie! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) Karan Johar says Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna did not endorse infidelity Looking back at the film two decades later, Karan acknowledged its shortcomings, particularly its scale and songs. I dont deny the flaws of the film It was over bloated in scale and had opulent (and some unnecessary) songs to pander to my understanding of the mainstream but I always felt it had its heart in the right place, he wrote. The filmmaker also clarified his intention behind portraying extramarital relationships in the film. The film did not endorse infidelity (that was never ever my intention) but it did show that stepping out of the boundary of marriage to seek love or desire can destroy your very foundation and family, Karan stated. He further noted that the film was meant to present a complicated reality rather than offer straightforward answers about relationships. According to him, every relationship and circumstance is different, and cinema can encourage audiences to think about those complexities. Karan observed that several people have told him over the years that they could not relate to Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna when it released but understand it differently today. Reflecting on that shift, he wrote, 20 years later, I meet many people who tell me they couldnt relate to it then but understand it better todayPerhaps life itself gives us answers we never ever wanted to question. He concluded his note by questioning whether relationship struggles should always be viewed in terms of right and wrong. We want life to give us black and white solutions to all our relationship traumasBUT, can we look at it with a grey lens? Maybe then we will understand ourselves betterjust maybe Karan also expressed gratitude towards the cast and crew of the film, acknowledging their contribution to a movie that continues to generate discussion two decades after its release. Also Read:The Traitors Season 2 trailer: Karan Johar drops trailer of the next season featuring a new set of 21 celebrity contestants in another ruthless game of trust and betrayal
Gujarats Road Safety Initiative: Damaged Car Displayed to Warn Drivers
Ahmedabad, August 10: In a collaborative effort between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Sabarkantha district police, a damaged car has been displayed on National Highway-48 near Rasulpur. This initiative aims to raise awareness about road safety. The vehicle, severely damaged in an accident, has been strategically placed on the Himatnagar-Prantij stretch ... Read more Gujarats Road Safety Initiative: Damaged Car Displayed to Warn Drivers
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Indian domestic cotton prices rise on global cues, firm demand
Likely delay in arrivals aids price trend even as acreage is seen at par with last year, with sowing catching up in Gujarat, Telangana
Thomas Cook inaugurates new outlet at Nikol, Ahmedabad
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) said, Ahmedabad is a strategically important source market for us, both for Gujarat and the wider West India region, with strong year-round travel aspirations and an evolving appetite for new destinations and experiences. The launch of our new Nikol outlet reinforces our commitment to being closer to our customers and providing personalised, end-to-end travel solutions. As we look ahead, we will continue to strengthen our market-specific offerings, including direct-flight packages to Bhutan ex-Ahmedabad, as well as Gujarati-focused regional and festive group departures. We remain committed to deepening our presence in the region and look forward to cocurating meaningful and memorable travel experiences for our customers.
Om Power Transmission bags Rs 24 crore order from GETCO
Om Power Transmission announced that it has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) for a contract worth Rs 24.03 crore.
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PM Modi inaugurates Micron Technology
You must have seen the typical Gujarati drape, quite a number of times, during Garbas and Gujarati marriages? It is a timeless tradition associated with the state, which has crossed several centuries and is still Continue reading The post Gujarati Saree Draping Styles appeared first on Threads - WeRIndia .
Video | Guard In Gujarat Takes Lift, Rapes Woman On Terrace, Returns 90 Minutes Later - NDTV
Gujarat CM Launches Tricolor March, Urges Citizens to Join Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign
Gandhinagar, August 10: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel urged citizens on Monday to transform the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga campaign into a movement of patriotism. He emphasized that this initiative should extend beyond Har Ghar Tiranga to become Har Dil Tiranga. The Chief Minister flagged off a 2.4-kilometer Tricolor march in Gandhinagar, calling on the ... Read more Gujarat CM Launches Tricolor March, Urges Citizens to Join Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign
4 doctors suspended after Surat PG student dies by suicide amid harassment allegations
Collegium recommends Chief Justices across Four High Courts
The Collegiums latest recommendations, which do not spell out the reasoning, seek to appoint chief justices across the High Courts of Patna, Calcutta, Bombay, Punjab & Haryana, and possibly, if Justice Sunita Agarwal is elevated to the Supreme Court, the Gujarat High Court as well.
Guard In Gujarat Takes Lift, Rapes Woman On Terrace, Returns 90 Minutes Later
The accused allegedly grabbed the woman and demanded sexual favours. When the woman refused, he tied a wire around her neck and raped her.
GUDM Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline for 12 Manager, Dy. General Manager and More Posts
GUDM Recruitment 2026: The Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) has released the official notification for 12 posts including Dy. General Manager, Manager, Dy. Manager and Urban Planner. Eligible candidates can apply through offline mode by sending the completed application form to the prescribed address. The last date to apply is 21 August 2026.
Ukai-Kakrapar project provides irrigation to 331,000 hectares in Gujarat
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Gujarat canal-top solar generates power while saving 2.38M gallons of water
GEL Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Associate Vice President, Deputy Manager and More Posts
Gujarat Energy Limited (GEL), formerly known as Gujarat Gas Limited, has released the official notification for the recruitment of 11 contract-based posts across various departments. The last date to apply online is 14 August 2026. Candidates aged 25 to 45 years, depending on the post, and meeting the required qualification and experience criteria are eligible to apply through the official GEL careers portal.
Health Minister Orders Investigation into Resident Doctors Suicide in Surat
Surat, August 10: The suicide of a resident doctor at the Civil Hospital complex in Surat has caused a stir in the health department. Gujarats Health Minister, Prabhul Pansheriya, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. A committee has been formed to look into the matter, with a report expected within 24 hours. The ... Read more Health Minister Orders Investigation into Resident Doctors Suicide in Surat
New Delhi, August 10: The Weather Department has issued an immediate weather warning on Monday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several districts in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana are expected to experience strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning today. Moderate rainfall is also anticipated during this period. The Weather Department has ... Read more Weather Department Issues Orange Alert for Multiple States Including Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Amazing Results of CWG 2026 lead India now to the Asian Games 2026
FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS The Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026 which began on 23 July, 2026 came to a glittering close on 2-3 August 2026 at Glasgow, the capital city of Scotland (UK). The Indian contingent did its best under the circumstances and brought home 39 medals including 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze. The flag and baton of the CWG were handed over to the Indian officials at the end of the closing ceremony in recognition of the fact that the next CWG in 2030 would be held in India at Ahmedabad. The Indian Olympic Association President, P.T. Usha, Javelin Throw Champion, Neeraj Chopra and the Dy. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghavi received the flag and the baton with the deserved honour and protocol of the Games. This handover officially marked India taking charge to host the 2030 historic Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. The first such games were held in Hamilton-Canada in 1930. Hosting the 2030 Games is expected to boost India's global sporting profile, accelerate world-class sports infrastructure development, and showcase the country's organisational capabilities on the international stage. It should also be seen particularly in context of the preparations for the Asian Games to be held in September this year in Japan followed by the Olympics to be held in the US in 2028. India had sent a contingent of 191 members headed by Chief de Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chief de Mission Ravi Bengani. The contingent included 126 athletes (77 men and 49 women) and 51 team officials to participate in the games. Those who participated included 32 competitors (22 men and 10 women) in Athletics, 15 representatives each in Boxing & Judo and 12 competitors in weightlifting. There were only 10 sports disciplines plus the para sports this time which surely impacted the results as well for India. Shooting, wrestling, archery, hockey, badminton and table tennis -the mainstay sports of India- which bring a lot of fortunes for it traditionally were not included in the games this time. Ever since the inception of CWG in 1930, India continued to participate in the games barring only three times including the first one. It got the best results in the CWG 2010 when the games were organised in Delhi. It stood second in the medal tally with 101 total medals including 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze. The second best performance by India was in CWG 2002 at Manchester when it won 30 gold, 22 silver, 17 bronze with a total of 69 medals. The performance this time at Glasgow with a tally of 39 medals was also satisfactory and encouraging. It secured 5th place on the overall medal table of the games and the first place among the Asian countries in the CWG 2026. This time the boxers from India exhibited a great class and character; and made history by entering into the 10 final events of the discipline. It won seven finals and also got 7 gold medals and 3 silver medals. This is India's best ever boxing performance. The gold finishers for India included Jasmine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas, Arundhati Chaudhary, Sachin Siwach and Ankush Panghal. The champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu secured gold in the 48kg womens category. In this way, she was able to successfully achieve a historic third consecutive CWG title. Sharmila Dhankar won gold in the womens shot-put F57, leading the record-making campaign for Indian para-athletes. Dilip Gavit won a historic gold in the mens 100m T47 event with a game record time of 10.71 seconds. This is the mens first-ever para-athletic gold at the CWG. Mohammed Basil got silver in the same category thus giving India a 1-2 finish in the finals. While Soman Rana won gold in the mens shot-put F57 para-athlete event, Shubham Juyal got a silver medal in the same event. Shilpa Shyla secured a bronze medal in the womens shot-put F57 para-athlete event following a successful appeal. Gulveer Singh created a new history and became the first Indian track and field athlete to win two individual medals at a single CWG (silver in 10,000m and bronze in 5,000m). The ace champion Neeraj Chopra alongside debutant Yash Vir Singh won silver and bronze respectively in the Javelin throw. Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh clinched first-ever gold in the Judo competition marking Indias strong entry into the elite club of the sports men and women of the discipline. These remarkable achievements of India at an international platform is the reflection of the sports policy of India coupled with the infrastructure development at a grass-root level. Training methodology, investment in the sports sector and the grooming of sports men and women at a tender age are basics to the development of sports in the modern context. Then there are centres of sports men and women in a number of states in India where special arrangements have been made to groom the budding talent under national and international experts of various games and sports. A number of the athletes revealed that they were fully supported by their state governments and also the big institutions in the country. Great international players like Virat Kohli have also sponsored some key athletes who have shown exemplary results. The scenario in India has drastically changed and improved in context of the athletes taking part in international competitions like CWG, Asian Games, Olympics and the other important competitions held intermittently. Big companies and other organisations have been coming forward to help and support the deserving talent in the country. The CWG overall medal table highlights the most successful nations in the history of the competition. Australia continues to lead the all-time standings with an incredible 2,773 medals, followed by England and Canada, while India proudly holds fourth place with 602 medals. The rankings reflect decades of excellence across multiple sports and generations of world-class athletes. Keeping in view the next CWG 2030, the government of India immediately after the announcement of the Centenary CWG 2030, being held in India, took a number of major initiatives to take India to developing modern infrastructure in this regard. The Gujarat government has allocated 1,331 crore to transform Ahmedabad into an Olympic-ready city. The investment is intended to strengthen Indias bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games as well. The project focuses on developing world-class sports infrastructure in India in the coming four years. The Asian Games are also about to start in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to October 4 this year. In the previous edition of the games in 2022 at Hangzhou-China, India for the first time crossed the 100-medal mark. The performance marked India's highest-ever medal haul in the history of Asian Games with 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze totalling 107 medals. India finished fourth on the overall medal table after China, Japan and Korea. With the kind of encouraging results from Glasgow, the Indian Olympic Association, Ministry of Sports, Sports Authority of India and the respective sports institutions in various states should be surely thinking big in regard to the Asian Games 2026. There will be 43 sports spanning 469 medal events in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, therefore the preparations are also supposed to be of the same nature and the required standard. The Olympics 2028 at Los Angeles is a little far away issue but thinking and planning has begun in this regard at various levels. Indias records at the Olympics excepting in Hockey arent so great but over the last two decades, some important strides have been taken and those have given good results as well. There are some big names who have brought laurels for the country and themselves in the Olympics. Some of them are as follows. Major Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Sr. of Hockey are among the extra-ordinary Indian Olympic champions recognized globally. Besides them, who made a mark in their respective sports with Olympic medals for the last three decades include Lendre Peas, Karnam Malleswari, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijendra Singh, Sushil Kumar, MC Mary Kom, Vijay Kumar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang, Yogeshwar Dutt, Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Mirabai Chanu, Shreejesh, Harmanpreet Singh, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Lovlina Borgohain, Bajrang Punia, Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale and Aman Sahrawat. India has till date in its Olympics history won 41 medals comprising 10 gold, 10 silver and 21 bronze. The results of the recently held CWG, Asian Games and the different international sporting and athletic events in favour of India beckon Indian sports, sports men and women and the government to focus on Olympic Games and their standards. Much needs to be done in this context regardless of the previous results. The present generations need to take inspiration from our civilizational roots which had sports as an essential element of its greatness and grandeur all along. The modern sports and competitions demand great planning, high thinking, ultra-modern technical knowhow, high-value infrastructural facilities & logistics, consistent practice and competitions on different geographic pitches. This has been well acknowledged by the Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. He has further reinforced these preparations on the ground, noting that multi-sport continental events serve as prime platforms for podium finishes rather than mere exposure tours. In this connection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed full confidence that Indian athletes will significantly surpass their previous records at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, emphasizing that the government will fully support the preparations on the ground. Hope to see bewildering results forthcoming in order to usher joy, pride, enthusiasm and happiness all around. (The author is a senior BJP & KP leader, Human Rights Defender and a columnist and can be reached at: ashwanikc2012@gmail.com )
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Gujarat plans 100-hectare enclosure for lions involved in human attacks
Gujarat forest department will house lions involved in human attacks in a special enclosure. Work has begun to create this designated area at Ambardi Safari Park. This initiative aims to reduce increasing lion-human conflicts across Saurashtra. Several fatal encounters have been reported in affected districts recently. The department periodically relocates wildlife to ensure conservation and safety.
Gujarat Health Minister orders inquiry into Surat resident doctor suicide
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Bihar Government Urged to Reassess Prohibition Policy Inspired by Gujarat Model
Patna, August 9: Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi has once again called for a review of the prohibition policy in Bihar. He urged Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary to consider implementing a prohibition model similar to that of Gujarat. While addressing the national executive meeting of the HAM youth wing ... Read more Bihar Government Urged to Reassess Prohibition Policy Inspired by Gujarat Model
Security Guard Rapes Woman On Gujarat Building Terrace 4 Days After Joining
The accused, Dharam Singh, originally from Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly choked the woman before sexually assaulting her and locking her on the terrace before fleeing.
Madhya Pradesh: 6 Pilgrims From Gujarat Killed In Road Accident
The van mangled completely after being hit by the container truck and the bodies had to be retrieved from the vehicle by cutting it into pieces: Police
Jitan Ram Manjhi Questions Bihars Liquor Ban Implementation, Advocates for Gujarat Model
Patna, August 9: Central Minister and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Jitan Ram Manjhi, has once again raised concerns regarding the implementation of the liquor ban law in Bihar. He emphasized that while the prohibition law should be sound, its flawed execution has led to various issues. Manjhi urged Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary ... Read more Jitan Ram Manjhi Questions Bihars Liquor Ban Implementation, Advocates for Gujarat Model
India adds over 16 GW RE in April-June; Rajasthan, UP, Gujarat shine
Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest sequential growth in renewable energy capacity additions in Q2 2026.
Tragic Road Accident Near Dhar Claims Lives of Six Young Men from Gujarat
Bhopal, August 9: A devastating road accident occurred on the Dhar-Ujjain-Petalawad four-lane highway near Panchkawasa village in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. Six young men from the Gujarat districts of Godhra and Panchmahal lost their lives in this horrific incident. The victims were returning home after visiting the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. According to police reports, ... Read more Tragic Road Accident Near Dhar Claims Lives of Six Young Men from Gujarat
Madhya Pradesh Horror: Six Gujarat Residents Killed After Container Truck Crashes Into Car
In a tragic incident six people lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Sunday after a container truck collided with the car they were travelling in. All six passengers in the car died on
Fit India Movement Transforms into a Major Campaign: Mansukh Mandaviya
New Delhi, August 9: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, led the 85th edition of Fit India Sunday on Cycle from Hanol, Gujarat, on Sunday. This event focused on the theme of Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India) and promoted the message of Say Yes to Fitness, Say No to Drugs. Organized under ... Read more Fit India Movement Transforms into a Major Campaign: Mansukh Mandaviya
Gujarat Government Implements Effective Lion Conservation Projects
Gandhinagar, August 9: The Gujarat governments forest department has decided to confine lions that have attacked humans to a special, restricted enclosure. Construction has begun on a 100-hectare enclosure at the Aambardi Safari Park, where these lions will be kept in an environment that resembles their natural habitat. Aambardi Safari Park is located near Dhari ... Read more Gujarat Government Implements Effective Lion Conservation Projects
Gujarat establishes 100-hectare lion enclosure at Ambardi for lions involved in attacks
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Gujarat: Chandipura virus cases rise to 39; death toll reaches 23
Gandhinagar Gujarat has recorded 217 suspected cases of Chandipura virus since June 30, with 39 testing positive and 23 deaths The post Gujarat: Chandipura virus cases rise to 39; death toll reaches 23 appeared first on Bilkul Online .
What the supreme court just settled
A trader in Srinagar buys goods worth lakhs from a registered supplier, pays the full invoice amount including GST, receives a proper tax invoice, and files his returns on time. Months later, he receives a Show Cause Notice from the GST Department: he is advised to reverse Input Tax Credit (ITC) along with interest at the rate of 18%, because the supplier never deposited that tax with the Government. The trader did nothing wrong. He had no way of knowing his supplier would default. Yet the law holds him responsible. Is that fair? Can it even be constitutional? This exact question travelled from an Assessing Officers desk all the way to the Supreme Court of India and in July 2026, the Court gave its final word. Every taxpayer, tax consultant, and departmental officer dealing with GST needs to understand what was decided and why. The provision at the heart of the dispute Section 16(2)(c) of the CGST Act, 2017 lays down one of the conditions for claiming ITC: the tax charged on a supply must have actually been paid to the Government by the supplier either in cash or through his own credit ledger before the recipient (buyer) can claim Input Tax Credit for it. Simply holding a valid invoice, having received the goods, and having paid the supplier is not enough. If the supplier pockets the GST amount instead of depositing it with the Government, the buyers ITC is denied, even though the buyer paid in good faith. For years, traders across the country argued this was grossly unfair punishing an honest buyer for someone elses default over which he has no control, since a buyer cannot see his suppliers GSTR-3B filings or bank account. How the case reached Supreme Court The case that finally settled the matter began, as most GST disputes do, at the ground level. A registered taxpayer M/s Bhandari Scrap Traders, was denied ITC by the Assessing Authority purely on the ground that his supplier has not paid tax to the Government. The demand was confirmed at the adjudication stage, and the matter moved through appellate proceedings without relief. Unable to get relief through Appellate Authority under Section 107, the taxpayer approached the Gujarat High Court by way of a writ petition, along with several similarly placed taxpayers (the lead case there was Maruti Enterprise v. Union of India). Before the High Court, the taxpayers argued that the other conditions of Section 16(2) a valid invoice, receipt of goods, and payment to the supplier already prove a transaction is genuine, and that Section 16(2)(c) should be read down to protect honest buyers, just as the Delhi High Court had once read down a similar provision under the Delhi VAT Act in the well-known On Quest Merchandising case. The Department argued that ITC is not a vested right but a statutory concession, available strictly on the conditions Parliament has laid down. It also pointed out that the buyer is not left without a remedy: under Section 41(2) of the CGST Act read with Rule 37A of the CGST Rules, once the defaulting supplier eventually pays the tax, the buyer can re-avail the credit that was earlier reversed. On 1 May 2026, the Gujarat High Court ruled against the traders. It held that Section 16(2)(c) is neither unconstitutional nor liable to be read down, distinguishing the GST framework sharply from the old VAT law. At the same time, the Court urged the Government to build a real-time, technology-driven system to verify supplier tax payments and recover dues quickly from defaulters, so honest buyers are not left in limbo. Aggrieved, the traders filed Special Leave Petitions before the Supreme Court. Interestingly, a separate High Court the Tripura High Court, in Sahil Enterprises v. Union of India had taken the opposite view just months earlier, reading down the same provision to protect bona fide buyers. This created conflicting positions across the country, making the Supreme Courts intervention necessary. What the Supreme Court decided In Bhandari Scrap Traders v. Union of India & Ors. (SLP (C) No. 23931 of 2026, decided 24 July 2026), a Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva dismissed the batch of petitions. The Court expressed complete and respectful agreement with the Gujarat High Courts reasoning, holding that: - Section 16(2)(c) is constitutionally valid and does not need to be read down. - The GST scheme is fundamentally different from the old VAT regime, so precedents protecting bona fide buyers under VAT law cannot simply be transplanted into GST. - The buyer is not without recourse Sections 41, 73 and 74 of the CGST Act allow the Department to recover tax from the defaulting supplier, and the buyer can re-avail reversed credit once that recovery happens. - The Court reiterated that the Government should seriously consider a real-time verification mechanism so that honest purchasers are not repeatedly caught in this trap. With this ruling, the position that had been read down in Tripura effectively stands overtaken, and the field is now settled in favour of strict compliance. Why this matters For taxpayers, the message is unambiguous: paying your suppliers invoice in full, including GST, is not enough protection. Your credit depends on what your supplier does with that money afterward something outside your direct control but very much within your ability to guard against. Regularly checking GSTR-2B before filing returns, dealing only with compliant and verified suppliers, and building indemnity or tax-withholding clauses into supply contracts are no longer optional good practices they are now essential safeguards. For tax officials, the judgment removes ambiguity in adjudication and appeal. Denial of ITC under Section 16(2)(c), where the supplier has not paid tax, now rests on firm constitutional footing and need not be second-guessed on read-down arguments raised by taxpayers. Equally, officers should be mindful of the correlative duty the law places on the Department timely initiation of proceedings against defaulting suppliers under Sections 73/74, so that the reversal-and-re-availment mechanism under Rule 37A actually functions as the safety valve the Courts have relied upon to justify the provision. For the system as a whole, the ruling reinforces that ITC is a statutory concession, not an unconditional entitlement a principle the Supreme Court had earlier affirmed in Ecom Gill Coffee Trading. The real long-term fix, as both the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court have themselves suggested, lies with the Government: building the technological infrastructure for real-time, invoice-level verification of supplier tax payments, so that compliance failures by one party in the chain dont become financial punishment for another. Until that infrastructure arrives, vigilance on the buyers part remains the best protection available. The author is a JKAS Officer, presently posted as State Taxes Officer, Circle-C, Srinagar.
Bharuch Special checking by police at public places in the city - Sandesh News
Jahangirpura residents oppose shifting of Nasir Nagar residents to their colony
Residents of 40 societies intensify campaign against recurring creek floods
21-year-old arrested for chain snatching
Surge in Chandipura Virus Cases in Gujarat: Death Toll Reaches 23
Gandhinagar, August 8: Concerns are rising in Gujarat over the Chandipura virus outbreak. According to the latest data released by the state health department, there have been 217 suspected cases reported from June 30 to August 8. Out of these, 39 cases have been confirmed, and the death toll has reached 23. The health department ... Read more Surge in Chandipura Virus Cases in Gujarat: Death Toll Reaches 23
Mining Project Near Protected Marine Sanctuary in Gujarat Gets Nod
While the marine wildlife sanctuary (spread over 458 square kilometre) was established in 1980, the marine national park (spanning 168 square kilometre) was created two years later to protect and conserve marine flora and fauna.
Mining project near India's first marine sanctuary, national park in Gujarat gets nod
A bauxite and marl mining initiative has secured essential clearance close to Gujarat's important marine conservation zones. Nestled several kilometers away from the country's inaugural marine wildlife sanctuary, the project is situated near diverse coral reefs and vital ecosystems. The expert appraisal committee recommended approval, contingent on strict environmental guidelines. The developers are required to implement wildlife conservation strategies and reduce potential animal conflicts to protect the regions biodiversity.
UCBs asked to join NUCFDC for tech support, RBI is proactive towards sector: Amit Shah
70% of the UCBs are from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka.
J&K wins 'Best Adventure Tourism Destination' award at TTF Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Aug 08: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism concluded its vibrant three day participation at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Ahmedabad, emerging as one of the major attractions for travel trade, tourism stakeholders and the visitors at the prestigious event. The participation of Jammu and Kashmir received a significant recognition with J&K being honoured with the best adventure tourism destination award, reaffirming its growing position as one of Indias most diverse and exciting adventure tourism destinations. During the three-day event, J&K Tourism showcased the region not merely as a destination of breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes but as a place where the visitors can experience its culture, traditions, hospitality, cuisine and way of life. The J&K Tourism delegation extended an open invitation to the travellers from Gujarat and across India to move beyond conventional sightseeing and come to J&K to live the life of the Himalayas. Come to Jammu and Kashmir not only to see its scenic beauty but to experience it, live its culture, connect with its people and discover the adventure that lies in every corner of the Himalayas, was the message conveyed by J&K Tourism at the fair. From trekking, rafting, skiing, mountaineering and paragliding to homestays, village tourism, heritage experiences and immersive cultural journeys, J&K offers a wide spectrum of experiences for the new-age traveller, particularly the younger generation seeking authentic, experiential and adventure-led holidays. The participation also highlighted the potential of homestays and community-based tourism in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities while enabling tourists to experience the authentic warmth and culture of Jammu & Kashmir. The TTF Ahmedabad platform provided J&K Tourism an opportunity to engage with the vibrant Gujarat travel market and strengthen partnerships with travel trade, tour operators and tourism stakeholders. The event brought together tourism boards, travel companies, hospitality brands and other stakeholders from India and abroad, providing an important platform for destination promotion and business networking.
Gujarat Father Arrested Under POCSO After Allegedly Sexually Assaulting His Daughter
Gujarat police arrested the father after his minor daughter was allegedly sexually assaulted at home.
Indian Overseas Bank Announces Recruitment for 250 Local Bank Officer Positions
Chennai, August 8: The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has officially announced the recruitment of 250 Local Bank Officer (LBO) positions across various states. This opportunity is aimed at young job seekers in the banking sector. The recruitment will take place in Tamil Nadu (100 positions), Karnataka (50 positions), Maharashtra (50 positions), and Gujarat (50 positions). ... Read more Indian Overseas Bank Announces Recruitment for 250 Local Bank Officer Positions
Gujarat govt loan helps student turn overseas study dream into career in Canada
Gujarat govt loan helps student turn overseas study dream into career in Canada Narmada: A Rs 15 lakh education loan under the Gujarat governments Overseas Study Loan Scheme has helped a student from an SEBC family to complete a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering in Canada and begin his career there. Ratranshu Panchal, who grew [] The post Gujarat govt loan helps student turn overseas study dream into career in Canada appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
The Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging a Gujarat High Court ruling. This ruling upheld the rejection of waqf suits for unpaid court fees. The high court relied on a previous decision stating waqf institutions must pay fees. The Ahmedabad Sunni Muslim Waqf Committee argues the Waqf Act exempts them from such payments. The apex court has issued a notice for a hearing within six weeks.
Vedanta and Infosys among 5 stocks with highest dividend yield. Check details
Five high-dividend-yield stocks include Vedanta, Gujarat Pipavav Port, Castrol India, TCS and Infosys. As of July 29, 2026, Vedanta topped the list with a 12.9% yield, followed by Gujarat Pipavav Port at 6.9%. Investors should consider fundamentals, valuation, sustainability of dividends and risks alongside dividend yield.
Gujarat studies Maharashtra model to tackle nearly 100,000 defunct trusts
Gujarat is studying Maharashtras legal and technology reforms as it prepares to amend its public trust law and improve oversight of charitable institutions.The state has around 1 lakh dormant, defunct or inactive trusts that are no longer carrying out their stated charitable activities.
Heavy rains in Jhajjar Haryana many areas submerged in water - sandesh.com
Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers
Gujarat targets 7.5 GW under new AI data centre policy - ahmedabadmirror.com
Narmada Meeting held in Rajpipla regarding Har Ghar Tiranga campaign - Sandesh News
Gujarat Police Uncover Cyber Fraud Source in Jharkhand, Two Arrested
Ahmedabad, August 8: The Surat Cyber Crime Cell has arrested two alleged money mule operators from Jharkhand in connection with a cyber fraud case involving 10.65 lakh. Investigators identified suspicious transactions exceeding 65 lakh in bank accounts purportedly used to transfer the cyber crime proceeds. These arrests followed a four-day operation in Giridih district, located ... Read more Gujarat Police Uncover Cyber Fraud Source in Jharkhand, Two Arrested
Mumbai crimebranch arrests 12 international gang members in500 crorecyber fraud case
According to Raj Tilak Roshan, DCP Detection, the men, between the ages of 20 and 25, were mostly recruited from Ahmedabad or Rajkot in Gujarat. They were given 10 to 15 days of training before being placed in the villa
Supreme Court Denies Intervention in Narayan Sai Rape Case
New Delhi, August 8: The Supreme Court of India has refused to intervene in the Gujarat High Courts decision to deny a stay on the sentence of Narayan Sai, the son of self-styled godman Asaram, who is embroiled in a rape case. The court urged the Gujarat High Court to expedite its decision on Sais ... Read more Supreme Court Denies Intervention in Narayan Sai Rape Case
Fire Chief and Broker Arrested in Bribery Case
Ahmedabad, August 8: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a private broker on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe of 36,000 in exchange for securing fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in Ahmedabad. Following initial evidence of involvement, legal action has also been initiated against the Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad. According to ... Read more Fire Chief and Broker Arrested in Bribery Case
Gujarat Government Doubles Development Grants for Districts Hosting National and State Celebrations
Gandhinagar, August 8: The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has announced a significant increase in development grants for districts hosting state-level Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gujarat State Foundation Day celebrations. The maximum allocation has been raised from 7.5 crore to 15 crore under the revised provisions approved by the state. According ... Read more Gujarat Government Doubles Development Grants for Districts Hosting National and State Celebrations
Monitor lizard crawls into a house on Waghodia Road
VMC extends advance property tax rebate scheme till Sept 10
2-kg kidney removed, city woman gets new lease of life
Rape accused held hours after escaping police custody
BJP announces compromise between warring councillors
Crackdown widens from dairy analogues to waste, banned plastics
FIR against Congress workers for putting defamatory stickers on images of PM, CM
Instagram Videos Show Accused Putting Stickers On Buses, Rickshaws
Cops nab two money mules from Jharkhand
Ahmedabad Fire Officer and Broker Arrested in Bribery Case
Ahmedabad, August 8: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended a private broker in Ahmedabad for allegedly accepting a bribe of 36,000 in exchange for securing fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for six buildings. The operation took place on Friday after initial evidence suggested the involvement of the Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad, prompting legal ... Read more Ahmedabad Fire Officer and Broker Arrested in Bribery Case
KuhlTherm launches Indigenous Liquid Cooling Solutions for Data Centres; Unveils India
The new innovations and state-of-the-art laboratory bring KhlTherm closer to its visionofachieving 2 GW manufacturing capacity by 2027 Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], August 7: As India races towards becoming a global data centre powerhouse, KhlTherm , an advanced precision liquid cooling technology company for AI data centres, has today unveiled its Made-in-India Rear Door Heat Exchanger []
Gujarat Authorities Destroy Over 1,700 Kg of Fake Dairy Products Amid Crackdown
Gandhinagar, August 7: In Gujarat, food safety officials have destroyed over 1,700 kilograms of counterfeit dairy products, including analog cheese and butter, following a ban on their production, sale, storage, transport, and distribution. This action was part of a two-day operation that took place on August 6 and 7. The Food and Drug Control Administration ... Read more Gujarat Authorities Destroy Over 1,700 Kg of Fake Dairy Products Amid Crackdown
Groundnut acreage up 9% as farmers in UP, MP expand area
Area in Gujarat, the largest producer, trails by over 3 per cent; widespread rains, favourable prices support area expansion
Gujarat doubles development grants for districts hosting state festivals to Rs 15 crore
The News Mill
Tom and Cherry - Official Trailer
Watch the Official trailer from gujarati movie 'Tom and Cherry' starring Siddharth Randeria and Dhanya Doshi. 'Tom and Cherry' movie is directed by Dharmesh S. Mehta. To know more about 'Tom and Cherry' trailer watch the video. Check out the latest gujarati trailers, new movie trailers, trending gujarati movie trailer, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
SC asks Gujarat HC to decide Narayan Sais appeal against rape conviction within three months
A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale said it was not inclined to examine Sais plea since the Gujarat government had agreed to an expeditious hearing of the pending appeal
Tata Play brings back 'Life Jingalala' in folk-inspired campaign marking 20 years
Conceptualised by Ogilvy and crafted by music duo Maati Baani, the campaign brings together folk musicians and regional artists to reinterpret the brand's signature line, Isko laga dala toh life jingalala, in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla, Awadhi and Gujarati.
Nuvoco expects Gujarat business to match North India profitability in 2-3 years
Backed by new capacity and wider distribution, the company is confident its western market investments will deliver stronger financial returns soon
Ahmedabad Five days after Gujarat Polices State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided Ahmedabads Manpasand Gymkhana and apprehended 187 people in one The post Inside Ahmedabads biggest gambling bust: CCTV vigil, hidden money and sophisticated betting system appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Bhupendra Patel chairs Viksit Gujarat Summit 2026 to enhance global competitiveness
The News Mill
Liquor Worth Rs 1.2 Crore Seized In Gujarat, 2 Rajasthan Men Arrested
The raid was carried out beneath the Un village overbridge on the Thara-Randhanpur stretch of National Highway 27 in Thara taluka of Banaskantha district.
