Gujarat offers MSMEs interest aid, power subsidies and support for AI adoption
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 9 (IANS) The Gujarat government has introduced a five-year incentive scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), offering assistance for capital investment, interest payments, electricity costs, employee provident fund contributions and technology adoption, including artificial intelligence (AI), under its 'Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy-2026'. Announced by the Industries and Mines Department under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the Assistance Scheme for MSMEs came into effect on June 1, 2026. It will remain operational until May 31, 2031. The scheme provides for a combination of incentives, with the maximum cumulative assistance capped at 45 per cent of eligible fixed capital investment (EFCI) in Category-A talukas and 35 per cent in Category-B areas. For identified thrust sectors, the limits have been increased to 50 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively. Under the scheme, eligible enterprises can receive interest assistance of seven per cent on term loans for five years, along with electricity tariff assistance of up to Rs 2 per unit in Category-A areas and Rs 1 per unit in Category-B areas for the same period. Capital investment assistance in Category-A areas will be up to 35 per cent of eligible investment for micro enterprises, calculated based on expenditure disbursed in one year, and up to 35 per cent for small and medium enterprises over five years. The corresponding rate in Category-B areas will be 25 per cent. Women entrepreneurs, registered manufacturing startups and first-generation entrepreneurs will be eligible for an additional one percentage point of interest assistance, within the prescribed limits. Micro enterprises will receive higher annual incentive limits during their initial years. In Category-A areas, the limit will be up to 37 per cent in the first year, while in Category-B areas it will be up to 27 per cent. The annual limit in subsequent years will be two per cent for both categories, with more favourable provisions for micro enterprises in identified thrust sectors. To encourage employment generation, the scheme provides for reimbursement of up to 100 per cent of the employer's Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for newly recruited employees for five years. The monthly reimbursement will be capped at the lower of 12 per cent of the employee's basic salary, dearness allowance and retaining allowance, or Rs 1,800 for male employees, Rs 2,500 for female employees and Rs 3,000 for employees with disabilities. Additional employment generated through expansion or diversification will also qualify. The government has also earmarked assistance for quality certification, digital systems and technology acquisition. Enterprises installing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems will be eligible for assistance covering 65 per cent of capital expenditure, up to Rs 1 lakh. For national and international quality certification, assistance of up to 50 per cent of certification fees and the cost of necessary testing equipment and machinery will be available, subject to a ceiling of Rs 10 lakh. Assistance of up to Rs 50,000 will be provided for Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) certification, covering up to 50 per cent of the charges remaining after central government assistance. For information and communication technology infrastructure supporting Industry 4.0 and AI-based systems, eligible enterprises can receive up to 65 per cent of capital expenditure, capped at Rs 5 lakh. Technology acquired from recognised institutions will attract assistance of up to 65 per cent, capped at Rs 50 lakh for general MSMEs and Rs 1 crore for enterprises in identified thrust sectors. Patent registration will qualify for assistance of up to 75 per cent of expenditure, capped at Rs 25 lakh per applicant or enterprise. In identified thrust sectors, support of up to 75 per cent, capped at Rs 1 crore, will cover intellectual property rights, including patents, designs, copyrights, trademarks and geographical indication registrations. Micro enterprises and artisans in these sectors will also be eligible for reimbursement of up to 80 per cent of AI subscription fees, capped at Rs 1 lakh annually for three years. For energy and water conservation, the scheme provides assistance of up to 75 per cent of the audit cost, capped at Rs 50,000 for each audit. A one-time subsidy covering up to 25 per cent of the cost of equipment recommended by the auditor, capped at Rs 20 lakh, will also be available, subject to a minimum 10 per cent saving in energy or water consumption against the average monthly consumption recorded over the preceding 12 months. MSMEs raising equity through an SME exchange under Securities and Exchange Board of India guidelines can receive one-time assistance covering up to 25 per cent of fundraising expenditure, capped at Rs 5 lakh. Enterprises obtaining collateral-free term loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) framework will be eligible for reimbursement of up to 100 per cent of the annual service fee for five years. Additional assistance will be available for eligible enterprises outside Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) estates or approved industrial parks. The scheme provides for reimbursement of up to 35 per cent of charges paid to a distribution licensee for a new electricity connection, additional load or alteration of a connection or service line, capped at Rs 5 lakh. MSMEs renting or leasing industrial sheds for manufacturing can receive assistance covering up to 65 per cent of rent paid, while enterprises wholly owned by women will be eligible for up to 75 per cent, subject to a maximum of Rs 3 lakh annually for five years. Identified thrust sectors include sports equipment, toys, footwear, robots and drones. Eligible enterprises in these sectors will receive 100 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty and registration charges paid on the purchase or lease of land. The package also provides for reimbursement of international certification fees up to Rs 5 crore, employee training assistance of up to Rs 8,000 per employee per month during the first 12 months, and support covering up to 50 per cent of the cost of establishing a creative design studio, capped at Rs 5 crore. Enterprises availing benefits under the scheme must employ at least 85 per cent of their total workforce from among Gujarat residents. At least 60 per cent of employees at managerial and supervisory levels must also be residents of the state. The scheme allows eligible asset purchases and payments made from January 1, 2026, to be considered, subject to prescribed conditions. The eligible investment period will be 12 months from the Date of Commercial Production (DoCP) for plant and machinery investments of up to Rs 50 crore, and 18 months for investments exceeding Rs 50 crore and up to Rs 125 crore.
Gujarat-Delhi rail services revised ahead of Oct 10 protest
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 9 (IANS) Western Railway has cancelled the Sabarmati-New Delhi Swarn Jayanti Rajdhani Express scheduled to depart on Friday and announced a one-way special train to Delhi on October 10. Train No. 12957, the Sabarmati-New Delhi Swarn Jayanti Rajdhani Express, has been cancelled due to operational reasons, according to a railway announcement. Western Railway has also announced Train No. 04251, the Sabarmati-Delhi Junction Special Express, for one trip on October 10. The special train will depart from Sabarmati at 10.55 p.m. on Saturday and reach Delhi at 5.25 p.m. on Sunday, October 11. The train will halt at Mahesana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar, Beawar, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bandikui, Alwar, Rewari and Gurugram. It will comprise AC two-tier, AC three-tier, AC three-tier Economy, Sleeper Class and General Class coaches. Bookings are available at passenger reservation centres and through the IRCTC website. Passengers can check timings, halts and coach composition on the official website. Western Railway has also announced changes to other Delhi-bound services. Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 10 have been affected under the revised arrangements. Delhi Police has stepped up security measures, with additional personnel deployed, checks at the capital's borders intensified and preparations made to manage large gatherings. Police have also sought restrictions at 57 Metro stations, although the request does not itself confirm that all the proposed restrictions have been implemented. Retail liquor outlets in Delhi have been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure. Passengers travelling to Delhi have been advised to check the latest train status through official railway channels before leaving for their stations.
From Kuno to Kutch: Chasing India's cheetahs across their new wild landscapes
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) India's cheetah story has entered a new phase. After the species disappeared from the country in the 1950s, Project Cheetah brought the animal back in 2022. India's cheetah reintroduction programme began in September 2022, when eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs arrived from South Africa, marking the start of a larger effort to establish a viable cheetah population in India after the species became extinct in the country in 1952. Today, Madhya Pradesh is the centre of the programme, with Kuno National Park, where an India-born cheetah gave birth to five cubs on October 5, taking the total feline count to 60, and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary forming the country's two operational cheetah sites. Other landscapes in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan are being prepared or assessed for future expansion. For a wildlife traveller, Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, both in Madhya Pradesh, are currently the two most relevant destinations for India's reintroduced cheetahs as only they are operational now. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on October 7 released two cheetahs named 'Vyom' (male) and 'Neera' (female) into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Sagar district as part of the conservation project. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) says preparations and deliberations are continuing for other landscapes. For a wildlife adventurist, however, it is important to distinguish between a place where cheetahs are already being managed and a landscape that is still being prepared for them. Here is a look at the major cheetah reserves in India. Madhya Pradesh When it comes to cheetah conservation in India, Madhya Pradesh leads the way, emerging as the country's foremost hub for the revival of the fastest land animal. The central Indian state's Kuno is the starting point of India's modern cheetah journey. Located in the Sheopur district, the park lies in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh and has a landscape of dry deciduous woodland, open grasslands, riverine stretches and gently undulating terrain. Kardhai, salai and khair dominate parts of the vegetation, while grasslands provide important habitat for prey such as chital, sambar and nilgai. The first eight cheetahs arrived from Namibia in September 2022, followed by 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Kuno remains the principal free-ranging cheetah landscape and has become the most important destination for anyone following India's reintroduction experiment. For visitors, the most suitable period is October to March, when temperatures are more comfortable and the forest is comparatively pleasant. The wider tourism season extends beyond this period, subject to forest regulations. Cheetah sightings, however, cannot be guaranteed and visitors should follow the designated safari arrangements. From state capital Bhopal, Kuno is around 400-450 km by road, depending on the route and entry point. Gwalior is considerably closer and is about 175 km from the park. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, another cheetah habitat in Madhya Pradesh, offers a markedly different setting. Spread around the Gandhi Sagar reservoir in the Mandsaur and Neemuch region, the sanctuary combines open country, hillocks, ravines, woodland and the vast backwaters of the Chambal. The undulating terrain and open stretches make it particularly interesting from a cheetah-habitat perspective. The sanctuary became India's second operational cheetah site in 2025. Two male cheetahs, Prabhas and Pavak, were moved there from Kuno, followed later by a female, Dheera. A fenced natural area of about 64 square km was created as part of the initial establishment programme. For a general wildlife trip, October to March is the most comfortable period. Early mornings and late afternoons are preferable for wildlife activity. Travellers should check the latest forest-department entry arrangements because cheetah viewing is governed by the management programme rather than conventional mass tourism. Gandhi Sagar is around 340-370 km from Bhopal by road, depending on the route. Another cheetah habitat is Nauradehi that represents the next frontier of the project rather than an established cheetah tourism destination. The sanctuary now forms part of Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve and contains large expanses of open woodland, grassland and undulating country. Its scale and relatively extensive natural landscape make it valuable for creating a larger cheetah metapopulation. Government planning has identified Nauradehi as one of the landscapes being prepared for future cheetah introduction. Travellers should therefore not visit expecting a guaranteed cheetah safari. For wildlife tourism in the broader landscape, October to March is the preferable season. Nauradehi is around 200-250 km from Bhopal, depending on the access point. Gujarat The Banni Grasslands of Kutch present perhaps the most dramatic contrast to Kuno. This vast arid grassland lies between the Great Rann of Kutch and the more settled parts of Kutch. The landscape is marked by open plains, thorny vegetation, seasonal wetlands and salt-affected terrain. The Indian government has identified Banni as a future cheetah landscape and a conservation-breeding facility is being developed there. It should therefore be regarded as a prospective cheetah destination rather than a place where visitors can currently book a conventional cheetah safari. Winter is the most rewarding period for exploring Kutch, particularly from November to February. The cooler weather also brings large numbers of migratory birds to the region. Banni region is around 350-400 km from Gandhinagar, while Bhuj is the practical base for a wildlife traveller. Rajasthan Shahgarh, in western Rajasthan near the Pakistan border, is another landscape being considered for the future expansion of India's cheetah programme. Its attraction lies in its vast, dry and open desert ecosystem. The terrain is dominated by sandy stretches, sparse vegetation and grassland-like patches, offering a landscape quite different from the wooded country of Kuno. It is important to stress that Shahgarh is a proposed landscape and not an established cheetah tourism reserve. A visit today should therefore be planned as a desert and wildlife landscape experience rather than as a cheetah safari. The best season is from October to March, when daytime temperatures are more manageable. Jaisalmer, rather than Jaipur, is the practical gateway. From Jaipur, Shahgarh is more than 600 km away by road. The traveller's cheetah map India's cheetah conservation programme is deliberately being built around a network of landscapes rather than a single park. Kuno provides the principal base, Gandhi Sagar has become the second operational site, while Nauradehi, Banni and Shahgarh represent the broader expansion strategy. For a wildlife traveller, this distinction matters. Kuno and Gandhi Sagar in Madhya Pradesh are the places most closely associated with India's present cheetah population. The other landscapes offer an opportunity to see how India is rebuilding the open ecosystems that the cheetah needs. For a wildlife enthusiast, the best approach is to travel with patience. A cheetah may appear as a fleeting shape across a grassland, or remain hidden beyond the next ridge. The real reward lies in witnessing the restoration of an entire ecosystem around one of the world's fastest and most elusive cats.
Jain plea to worship at Bharuch mosque: Gujarat HC for ASI view
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday, October 9, sought the Archaeological Survey of Indias (ASIs) response in a set of petitions from members of the Jain community seeking the right to worship and immediate protection of the 19th Jain Tirthankar Lord Mallinaths idol kept in the premises of Bharuchs Jami Masjid. The single bench Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
PM Modi condoles deaths after pickup van carrying 30-32 labourers collides with truck in Kutch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed condolences over the deaths of workers in a road accident in Gujarat's Kutch district, where a pickup van carrying around 30-32 labourers collided with a truck near Khavda village. In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said,
Former New Zealand Test opener Jeet Raval has announced his retirement from all professional cricket, Northern Districts Cricket said on Friday
Telangana to cancel licences of shops selling synthetic manja
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 9 (IANS) Licences of shops selling prohibited synthetic manja must be cancelled, Telanganas Head of Forest Force, Vinay Kumar, on Friday directed officials. He asked officials to take stringent measures to curb the sale and use of synthetic manja and protect Indian rollers and other wildlife. He was speaking at a review meeting with senior officials of various government departments held at Aranya Bhavan here on Friday to discuss these issues. As synthetic manja is being supplied from other States, particularly Rajasthan and Gujarat, Vinay Kumar instructed officials to intensify surveillance on supplies originating from these States. He directed Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials to issue instructions to shop owners not to sell synthetic manja and to take stringent action against those violating the rules. According to an official release, the Head of Forest Force instructed the police to establish special surveillance to prevent the sale of Chinese manja through online platforms. He emphasised the need to identify sales of synthetic manja on e-commerce websites and coordinate with the concerned organisations to curb such sales. He also instructed officials to put up posters at all public places, including bus stations, railway stations, markets and other crowded locations, to create public awareness about the ban on synthetic manja. Vinay Kumar stated that the School Education Department should create awareness among students and their parents about the dangers posed by the use of Chinese manja to human beings and birds. He further instructed officials to advise bus drivers and conductors to inform the Forest Department helpline if they identify the illegal transportation of synthetic manja or the transportation of Indian rollers and other wildlife on buses. During the meeting, it was brought to notice that voluntary organisations had lodged complaints regarding the use of Chinese manja at the Kite Festival organised by the Tourism Department. The Head of Forest Force instructed officials to ensure that synthetic manja was not permitted under any circumstances at this year's festival and that any synthetic manja identified should be confiscated immediately. Vinay Kumar directed officials to take measures to prevent Indian rollers from being kept in cages for display at Durga pandals. He instructed Endowments Department officials to ensure that these directions were implemented at all temples. He emphasised that all departments should work in coordination to protect wildlife. CCFs Priyanka Varghese and Kshitija, CF Prasad, and senior officials from the Police, GHMC, HMDA, School Education, Cinematography, Information and Public Relations, Electricity, Pollution Control Board and Tourism departments, along with officials from other departments, participated in the meeting.
Assam Cabinet adopts 75 resolutions highlighting PM Modis 25 years in public life
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 9 (IANS) The Assam Cabinet on Friday adopted 75 resolutions recognising Prime Minister Narendra Modis contributions to the development of Assam and the Northeast, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, industrial investment, healthcare, education and security. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a special 90-minute cabinet meeting dedicated exclusively to Modis 25 years in public life, beginning with his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and continuing through his years as Prime Minister. Addressing the media after the meeting, Sarma said improvements in security, connectivity and investment had created conditions for Assams economic and social transformation. Peace created the conditions for development, connectivity opened doors to opportunity, industry and investment created new economic possibilities, and healthcare and education strengthened human capabilities, he said. According to the Chief Minister, the resolutions acknowledged changes in the states economic prospects, physical infrastructure, strategic importance and social development during Modis years in public office. Sarma said Assam was increasingly emerging as a peaceful and investment-ready state, positioning itself as a gateway to the Northeast and an important contributor to the national vision of Viksit Bharat. The resolutions highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor assembly and testing facility at Jagiroad, the Rs 28,000-crore expansion of Numaligarh Refinery and the proposed Gohpur-Numaligarh twin-tube road tunnel, estimated to cost Rs 18,662 crore. Other projects cited included the Guwahati Ring Road, Kaziranga elevated corridor and Silchar-Saurashtra high-speed corridor. The cabinet also highlighted the proposed Namrup-IV ammonia-urea complex, the bamboo-based second-generation bioethanol plant at Numaligarh and the 718-km Barauni-Guwahati natural gas pipeline. The Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit, which attracted investment commitments exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore, also featured in the resolutions. The document credited peace accords involving Bodo, Karbi, Adivasi and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) groups with helping address longstanding conflicts. It also cited the development of healthcare and educational institutions, including AIIMS Guwahati and IIM Guwahati, along with UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the Charaideo Moidams and Classical Language status for Assamese in 2024. The resolutions further noted Modis 36 visits to Assam since becoming Prime Minister, underscoring the states growing strategic significance under the Centres Act East Policy.
Norwegian Mayor Spotted Exploring India In A 'Tuk-Tuk: Heres Why He Is Doing It
In an Instagram handle, the mayor's companion shared many clips of their India tour. Besides Gujarat, they visited Delhi and Jaisalmer as well.
Gujarat to establish biofertilizer biomanufacturing facilities under new MoU with AAU
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Gujarat Health Minister visits Gandhinagar Civil Hospital, reviews treatment
Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya visited Gandhinagar Civil Hospital to review the health of personnel undergoing dengue treatment. He inquired about their well-being and boosted their morale. He also met with doctors and the hospital Superintendent to review their treatment and provide guidance to ensure the best possible medical care. Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya stated that around 87 personnel from the BSF, CRPF and ITBP, who had arrived from Odisha, Jharkhand, Delhi, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh for the parade, were shifted to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital after reporting fever and other health problems. The personnel have shown significant improvement with intensive treatment and proper medical care. Of the 87 personnel admitted over the past 10 days, 50 have recovered and been discharged, while the remaining 37 are still receiving treatment at Civil Hospital. The Minister added that the condition of all 37 personnel is stable and improving, and none is...
Gujarat Health Minister reviews dengue treatment at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital
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Prozeal Green Energy to handover 100 MW RE project to European IPP in Rs 460-cr deal
Prozeal Green Energy has completed a framework agreement for a solar project in Gujarat. Valued at around Rs 460 crore, this 100-megawatt project awaits essential approvals before activation. Anticipated to launch by 2027, it is set to tackle the growing energy needs as Prozeal Green Energy emphasises its dedication to renewable energy innovations in the commercial industry.
Gujarat: 7 workers killed, over 20 injured in truck-pickup collision in Kutch
The accident occurred around 4 a.m. when the two vehicles, travelling in opposite directions, collided. The impact left the pickup badly mangled, trapping seven workers inside the wreckage. The seven trapped workers were extricated with the help of a crane, but all died in the accident
Sting operation: Karnataka CMs warning to ministers raises questions over credibility, claims BJP
Digital Desk | Vijayapura (Karnataka), Oct 9 (IANS) Karnataka BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Friday criticised the state government, saying reports that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had warned his Cabinet colleagues to be cautious as BJP leaders might try to trap them, raised serious questions about the governments credibility. B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that corruption charges against the state government had increased and accused it of attempting to divert public attention from its administrative failures by targeting BJP workers through FIRs and other intimidation tactics. Speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, Vijayendra alleged that the government had neglected farmers, the poor, youth and women while failing to deliver development. At a time when farmers were struggling with drought and the states financial condition was deteriorating, the government was resorting to intimidation to silence the Opposition, Vijayendra alleged. If the government is genuinely concerned about corruption, it should allow an impartial investigation. Allegations of corruption cannot be made to disappear by accusing the Opposition or registering cases against party workers, he said, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in governance. Vijayendra said the BJP was organising the 'Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan' across the country and Karnataka from September 17 to October 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public life. As part of the campaign, sanitation workers were felicitated in Vijayapura, he said. He said that Modi had been engaged in public service since becoming Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and Prime Minister in 2014, and was working towards the countrys overall development for a third consecutive term. He recalled that the BJP had organised the Ballari Chalo padayatra from Lingasugur to Ballari to highlight farmers distress and demand relief of Rs 50,000 per hectare, a farm loan waiver of up to Rs 5 lakh and eight hours of three-phase electricity supply daily for agricultural activities. However, the government had failed to respond adequately to farmers problems, he alleged. Even the Rs 2,500 compensation announced for affected farming families had not been distributed properly, Vijayendra alleged. Criticising Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Vijayendra said that expressing concern for farmers was not enough and that the government should demonstrate the same interest in resolving agricultural distress as it did in setting up townships. Citing Maharashtra as an example, Vijayendra demanded a farm loan waiver in Karnataka. He also sought the release of pending incentives for milk producers announced during former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappas tenure and an additional incentive of Rs 5 per litre for at least five months until the drought situation improved. Farmers were facing crop losses, mounting debt and water shortages, while reports of suicides among distressed farmers were a matter of concern, he said.
Seven killed as truck collides with workers vehicle in Kutch
Digital Desk | Kutch, Oct 9 (IANS) At least seven workers were killed and more than 20 others injured after a truck collided head-on with a pickup carrying workers inside the Renewable Energy (RE) Park near Khavda in Gujarats Kutch district in the early hours of Friday, police said. The accident occurred around 4 a.m. when the two vehicles, travelling in opposite directions, collided. The impact left the pickup badly mangled, trapping seven workers inside the wreckage. A truck and a pickup truck travelling in opposite directions collided. The impact left the pickup truck mangled. All the victims were occupants of the Bolero Camper, an official said. The seven trapped workers were extricated with the help of a crane, but all died in the accident. More than 20 injured workers were taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment. Preliminary reports indicated that the pickup truck was carrying more than 20 workers at the time of the collision. However, the exact number of occupants and the identities of those killed were not immediately available in the police account. Officials said the bodies were being transported from Khavda to Bhuj for post-mortem examinations. Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the collision and are examining whether negligence contributed to the accident. The precise cause of the crash and whether any safety violations were involved remain under investigation. The accident occurred within the Khavda renewable energy development area, where large-scale clean-energy projects are being developed across the arid region of Kutch. The construction activity has brought a substantial workforce and supporting infrastructure to the area. Investigators are expected to establish how the two vehicles collided and whether any lapses contributed to the deaths and injuries. Further details, including the identities of the deceased and the condition of those injured, were not immediately available. Police have not yet disclosed whether any case has been registered against the drivers or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the accident.
Centre Likely to Finalise Critical Minerals Stockpiling Policy in a Month
The government is also working on four dedicated critical minerals processing parks across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to fast-track value addition for key battery materials
Seven killed, 20 injured in truck-pickup collision in Gujarats Kutch
The accident occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. inside the Renewable Energy Park near Khavda.
Promised share trading returns, cheated Gujarat man of Rs 27 lakh; two held
Digital Desk | Surat, Oct 9 (IANS) Two men have been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly facilitating a cyber fraud in which a Surat-based complainant was cheated of Rs 27 lakh on the pretext of earning high returns through share trading, with police finding that a bank account allegedly used in the fraud was linked to 14 complaints of online cheating involving Rs 8.93 crore across different states. The arrests were made by the Cyber Crime Cell of Surat City Police following a technical investigation into the case, registered under Sections 318(4), 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008. According to the police, the accused contacted the complainant through WhatsApp and sent a link to a fake website, where an account was created for him. They allegedly promised attractive returns from share trading and persuaded him to transfer a total of Rs 27 lakh to different bank accounts. The complainant was subsequently prevented from withdrawing the money, police said. The arrested men have been identified as Sameerkhan Pathan, 30, and Mohammad Sheikh, 31, both residents of Jamalpur area in Ahmedabad. Pathan works as a casual labourer and studied up to Class 10, while Sheikh is also a casual labourer and holds a B.Com degree. Police said Pathan allegedly handed over a savings account in his name with the Bank of Maharashtra to Sheikh in exchange for a commission of Rs 8,000. Sheikh allegedly passed the account to an absconding accused for use in cyber fraud, receiving a commission of Rs 15,000. Investigators found that transactions totalling Rs 30,09,057 were carried out through the bank account between May 3 and June 7, 2025. A check of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal using the account details revealed 14 complaints registered in different states, involving alleged online fraud of Rs 8,93,80,922, police said. Police have urged people to exercise caution when approached with online investment schemes promising high returns and to verify the credentials of unknown individuals before transferring money. Victims of financial cyber fraud have been advised to call the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, immediately to improve the chances of funds being frozen in the relevant bank accounts.
Kashmir University researcher named among worlds top 2% of scientists for fourth consecutive year
Srinagar, Oct 09: Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir, a renowned breast cancer researcher in the Department of Bioresources at the University of Kashmir and an adjunct professor at the Indian Institute of Sustainability (IIS), Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, has earned international recognition for his contributions to scientific research, particularly in breast cancer research. He has been featured in the list of the worlds top 2% of scientists associated with Stanford University, USA, for the fourth consecutive year, from 2023 to 2026, in the Health Sciences category. The achievement marks a significant milestone in Dr Mirs scientific career and highlights his sustained contributions to research, academic scholarship, online content creation, postgraduate and doctoral mentoring, scientific outreach and community services. His inclusion in the prestigious global ranking reflects his research visibility and scholarly contributions to the international scientific community. Dr Mirs research focuses on drug repurposing for breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, metastasis and drug resistance. His work aims to advance scientific understanding of cancer and explore potential therapeutic strategies, contributing to broader efforts to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment through interdisciplinary research and evidence-based approaches. Dr Mir has an outstanding academic and research record. He obtained his masters degree in Life Sciences with a gold medal and qualified the CSIR Junior Research Fellowship and National Eligibility Test (CSIR-JRF-NET) four times. He subsequently completed his PhD through Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh. Over the course of his academic career, Dr Mir has established a substantial research and publication record. He has published more than 100 research papers, with a cumulative journal impact factor exceeding 750, an h-index of 40 and an i10-index of 118. His research publications have received more than 4,900 citations in the last five years, reflecting the reach and influence of his scientific contributions. In addition to research papers, Dr Mir has authored 22 books and 85 book chapters published by leading international publishers, including Elsevier, Taylor & Francis and Springer Nature. He has also developed four massive open online courses (MOOCs) for the SWAYAM platform under the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. The courses cover Immunology, Endocrinology, Human Genetics and Human Population Genetics and have reportedly reached more than 20,000 students worldwide over the past seven years. Dr Mir has made significant contributions to breast cancer research, awareness, communication and education across the Kashmir Valley. Through research publications, scientific collaborations, academic engagement and community outreach activities, he has contributed to the growing body of knowledge in cancer biology and allied biomedical sciences. In recognition of his research and awareness initiatives in breast cancer, Dr Mir received the Best Cancer Researcher Award at Kashmir Expo-2022 from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The event was organised by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC), Government of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, he received the Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence award from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. In 2020, he received the Summer Research Fellowship for Teachers from the Indian National Science Academies. In 2026, Dr Mir received the Breast Cancer Awareness and Care Excellence Award at the seventh Cancer Summit Awards in New Delhi in recognition of his contributions to cancer research and public health initiatives. The award acknowledged his work in breast cancer research and awareness and reinforced his commitment to addressing cancer-related challenges through scientific research and public engagement. These awards and recognitions highlight Dr Mirs dedication to scientific research, awareness, education and care initiatives. His work has established him as a prominent contributor to regional and national efforts to advance cancer research, promote preventive measures and explore effective therapeutic strategies. His research activities are also supported by externally funded projects. He has successfully completed six research projects and is currently leading two ongoing projects funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Dr Mir has also made significant contributions to teaching, mentorship and research training. He has guided eight PhD scholars, while five doctoral scholars are currently pursuing research under his supervision. He has also guided 60 masters students in their dissertation projects, mentoring them in scientific inquiry, research methodology and evidence-based analysis. His commitment to technology-enabled education is reflected in the development of four MOOCs for the SWAYAM platform under the UGC, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The courses have helped extend access to specialised scientific knowledge and provide flexible learning opportunities for students. Dr Mir has further contributed to student enrichment and scientific outreach by organising national and international conferences and DST-INSPIRE Science Camps. These initiatives provide platforms for scientific discussion, interdisciplinary collaboration and the encouragement of young students to pursue careers in science and research. He is actively engaged with the international scientific community and is a member of several prominent professional and scientific organisations. These include the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the American Oncology Association, the International Immunology Association, the Indian Cancer Society, the Indian Immunology Society and the Indian Immuno-oncology Society, among others. He is also a Fellow of the Royal British Society (FRBS). Dr Mir serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals, contributing to peer review and the maintenance of scientific quality and integrity. He has also completed guest-edited collections for internationally recognised scientific journals, including Scientific Reports and Frontiers in Immunology . His participation in international scientific conferences and research presentations has taken him to more than 10 countries, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. These engagements have facilitated scientific exchange, strengthened professional networks and created opportunities for research collaboration across institutions and countries. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr Mir has contributed to institutional development and academic coordination. He served as the first nodal officer and coordinator of the Kupwara University Campus, contributing to the development and coordination of academic activities there. He is also the coordinator of the collaboration between the Indian Institute of Sustainability at Gujarat University and associated academic initiatives. He served as coordinator and head of the Department of Bioresources from 2019 to 2025. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening the research ecosystem, promoting interdisciplinary engagement and expanding educational and collaborative opportunities for students and researchers. Dr Mirs inclusion in the worlds top 2% scientists list for four consecutive years marks an important professional milestone. His record combines sustained research output, scholarly publications, doctoral mentoring, the development of online learning resources, competitive research awards and participation in international scientific forums. His achievements also highlight the contributions of researchers at universities in Jammu and Kashmir to the broader national and international scientific landscape. Through continued research in breast cancer and allied biomedical sciences, Dr Mir remains engaged in advancing scientific knowledge, mentoring future researchers and supporting efforts to address important challenges in human health. The recognition is a source of pride for the University of Kashmir and the wider academic and research community of Jammu and Kashmir. It also serves as an inspiration for emerging researchers and students to pursue rigorous scientific inquiry, innovation and excellence in research.
With Navaratri around the corner, preparations are in full swing across the country, especially in Gujarat. Youngsters are gearing up to immerse themselves in the festivities, from vibrant Garba nights to grand melas. And when it comes to celebrating the festival, their creativity knows no bounds. From eye-catching outfits and makeup to elaborate decorations, everyone is looking for ways to stand out. In Ahmedabad, youngsters are taking this enthusiasm a step further with unique ideas that are sure to grab attention. Adding a distinctive twist to their festive look, several youngsters in Ahmedabad are opting for temporary tattoos honouring Captain Smit Machhar, who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel. A few also stepped out to get tattoos inspired by the theme of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2030, which is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, down South, in Tamil Nadu
Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.
Gujarat Polling Staff to Remain on Duty Until Election Materials Are Submitted
Gujarats State Election Commission confirms polling staff will remain on duty until election materials are returned, even if it takes until the next day. Gujarat Polling Staff to Remain on Duty Until Election Materials Are Submitted
Shooter among 6 held in Gujarat for Mad Sandhus murder
Gujarats women face rising obesity burden, 4 districts see sharp jump
NFHS-6 Reveals Highest 68% Rise Among Surat Women
Patidar trusts panel set to begin mediation
Samadhan Panch To Focus On Family And Marital Disputes
Surat traders ransom trail ends on highway, 3 held
Insurance company directed to pay 2.95L for oral cancer treatment
36-year-old held for child rape, attempts suicide
Porbandar man held for laundering cyberfraud proceeds
City sees early Diwali exodus, textile workers head home
SOG seizes MD worth 56k, arrests man
Andhra CM Naidu meets PM Modi, raises key development issues of state
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised several key issues concerning the development of the state. Naidu also briefed the prime minister on the major development projects in Andhra Pradesh, its economic situation, and issues relating to agriculture and irrigation. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Chandrababu Naidu, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the prime minister's office posted on X. Congratulating Modi on completing 25 years as head of government, Naidu praised him for the rare achievement of serving the nation and lauded his inspirational leadership as both chief minister of Gujarat and the prime minister, an Andhra Pradesh government statement said. On irrigation, Naidu discussed the latest status of the Polavaram project and detailed the benefits of linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers. He said the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project would ensure adequate water availability to the southern stat
Arnav Bugga Stars As Delhi U19 Pull Off Thrilling Chase Against Gujarat In Vinoo Mankad Trophy
The Delhi U19 Men: The Delhi U19 Men's Cricket Team started off their Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2026 campaign in style with a win against Gujarat in their opening encounter. The team delivered a masterclass, completing a spectacular and hard-fought victory against the Gujarat U-19 Men's Cricket Team. In what ended up being a high-scoring thriller, Delhi successfully chased down a massive target, reaching 341/7 in 49.5 overs. Batting first, Gujarat set a daunting total, finishing their innings at 338/6. Despite the challenging conditions for the fielding side, Delhi's bowling attack found a standout performer in Varun Vanjani, who delivered a disciplined spell, taking two wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs. Chasing a stiff target, the Delhi lineup responded with a fantastic team effort. The fighting chase was anchored by a phenomenal innings from Arnav Bugga, who dismantled the opposition bowling to top-score with 139 runs. He found exceptional support at the other end from Aaryan Sharma, who played a crucial supporting role with a brilliant 77-run knock. Aryavir Sehwag also contributed vital runs to the chase, with a half-century to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt, the DDCA informed in a release on Thursday. Speaking after Delhi U19's win, Rohan Jaitley, President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), said: This outstanding victory by our U-19 team is a moment of great pride for DDCA. Chasing such a big total reflects not just talent, but the robust youth development system we have built. The composure shown by Arnav, Aaryan and Aryavir under pressure is a testament to our grassroots programmes and reaffirms our mission to nurture the next generation of Delhi cricketers. Aryavir Sehwag also contributed vital runs to the chase, with a half-century to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt, the DDCA informed in a release on Thursday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Gujarat: Sabarmati station redevelopment nears completion
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 8 (IANS) The redevelopment of Sabarmati Railway Station has reached an advanced stage, with around 85 per cent of the Rs 335-crore project completed, as the station is being developed as a multimodal transport hub with links to the metro and the high-speed rail station. The redevelopment by Western Railway is aimed at upgrading passenger facilities, improving movement and accessibility, introducing smart-building systems and creating infrastructure to handle the growing passenger footfall at the station. The redeveloped station will have an integrated smart-building system comprising Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Building Management System (BMS), along with integrated CCTV surveillance, public address systems, access control, IT networking and a Passenger Information System. The latter will provide real-time information on train timings, arrivals, departures and other passenger-related information. The project includes 28 lifts and 28 escalators. The lifts will have Braille facilities, guide and warning tiles, and directional signage. Disability-friendly ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and drinking water facilities will also be provided. Separate arrival and departure zones are being developed at the station, along with dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers, cars, autos and buses and EV charging facilities. The passenger concourse will include waiting areas, toilets, baby-care rooms for women and children, commercial facilities and cafeterias. Connectivity between platforms and the concourse will be provided through lifts, stairs and escalators. Three foot-over-bridges (FOBs) are being provided at Sabarmati BG station and three at Sabarmati (SBT) station. The redevelopment includes seven platforms at Sabarmati BG and three at Sabarmati (SBT). Platforms will have through-roof covering, while skylights have been proposed to make better use of natural light. Currently, 19 trains originate from Sabarmati Railway Station, and 22 trains pass through it, with more than 35,000 passengers using the station every day. The roof of Sabarmati (SBI) station is around 20 metres high, while the station premises from the Ahmedabad-side FOB to the Delhi-side FOB cover more than 3.2 million square feet. A two-storey holding area spread across around 86,000 square feet is also being developed, with each floor covering approximately 43,000 square feet. It will have the capacity to accommodate 10,000 passengers and is intended to help manage crowds during periods of heavy passenger movement, including festivals such as Holi, Diwali and Chhath Puja and travel towards religious destinations. The holding area will have seating, drinking water, refreshment centres and separate toilets for men, women and persons with disabilities. A Rapido Travellers Lounge has also been established at the station, offering a dedicated passenger lounge, connectivity with almost zero waiting time and on-ground assistance. The project also incorporates environmental measures, with the station planned as an IGBC Gold-rated green building. A 1,300-kilowatt solar power plant has been proposed on the station premises. A key component of the redevelopment is its planned connectivity with Sabarmati Metro, AEC Metro and the high-speed rail station, enabling interchange between different modes of transport. Several works have entered the final stage. The east wing of the main station building is largely complete, with UTS, PRS and ticket counters already operational. The waiting area has also been shifted to the east wing, while its lifts and escalators are operational.
25 years of Sewa: Narendra Modi
Jagdish Sewhani October 7 marks an extraordinary milestone in the public life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Twenty-five years ago, on October 7, 2001, he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat. What began that day has become one of the most remarkable journeys in contemporary Indian public life first leading Gujarat and, since []
The Gym Jihad controversy has erupted in Gujarat after police arrested a gym owner in Surendranagar following a raid that reportedly uncovered more than 1,300 photographs and videos involving women. The seizure has raised disturbing questions about privacy, surveillance and the alleged misuse of personal images, while investigators work to determine how the material was [] The post Gym Jihad Shock in Gujarat appeared first on Tfipost.com .
QR Code Key To Arrest In Mad Sandhu Murder Case
Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Gujarat Police, arrested Parminder alias Kaka, the main shooter in the murder of social media influencer Mad Sandhu, after tracking him via a QR code. Five other individuals, including the shooter's brother, were also apprehended. The murder, which occurred on October 3, was claimed by foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon.
Unintentional errors can be rectified; deliberate mistakes wont be tolerated: Gujarat CM
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 8 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday said deliberate mistakes in road and infrastructure works would not be tolerated, while calling for strict adherence to tender procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain quality. Patel was speaking at the inauguration of the first two-day Chintan Shibir of the state Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department in Gandhinagar, organised around the theme Gati-Gunvatta-Gaurav Accelerating Infrastructure for Viksit Gujarat 2047. Unintentional errors can be rectified, but deliberate mistakes will not be tolerated, the Chief Minister said, stressing that there should be no compromise on the quality of work. He called for particular attention to the tender process, adherence to SOPs and timely completion of projects through collective efforts. The Chief Minister said the R&B Department was a key department of the state government as its work on roads, bridges and other infrastructure directly benefits citizens. He noted that people were quick to raise concerns when shortcomings were found in such works, making it important for the department to ensure that the best possible work was delivered. Referring to the tradition of Chintan Shibirs initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2003, Patel said: Coming together is the beginning, thinking together is progress, and working together is success. The continued Chintan Shibir process is aligned with the spirit of Main Nahin, Hum and the goal of Swayam thi Vyam. Patel also urged officials to use the exercise for self-reflection and said deliberation could bring positive changes in personal life as well as in official functioning. He expressed his resolve to keep Gujarat at the forefront of efforts towards the Prime Ministers vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He urged officials to work towards Viksit Gujarat for Viksit Bharat through sustainable development. At the inaugural session, the Chief Minister released publications on Building Health Monitoring and Bridge Asset Management and felicitated engineers and officials for outstanding performance based on the Governance Performance Index (GPI). The R&B Department maintains and repairs a road network of 1.29 lakh km, more than 11,000 bridges and government buildings across villages and cities. Under the 'Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana', it covers more than 18,000 villages and 14,000 hamlets. Chief Secretary M K Das described the department as a key driver of Gujarats development and said it also played an important role during disasters and emergencies. Referring to the historical and mythological significance of roads and bridges, he cited Maharaja Prithu, described in the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana as the first to build level roads, the Ram Setu mentioned in the Ramayana, the Grand Trunk Road built by Sher Shah Suri and roadside amenities as examples of the enduring role of road infrastructure in public service. The departments budget had increased from Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore in a short period. Achieving the 'Viksit Gujarat @ 2047' goal and a USD 3.5 trillion economy would require 11 times more construction work over the next 20 years than had been undertaken in previous centuries, he said. He stressed the need for faster, stronger and high-quality roads to meet rising traffic requirements. He called for a from the ground up approach, greater field presence and accountability among contractors. He also urged participants to deliberate openly and prepare a clear Action Plan for 2047. R&B Secretary P R Patelia said the Chintan Shibir is intended to go beyond routine departmental functioning by encouraging self-reflection and exploring innovative ideas and technologies to achieve the goal of Viksit Gujarat @ 2047 Fast, Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure. Measures including the GPI for officials, Performance-Based Rating for contractors and the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) system had been introduced to improve transparency and efficiency. The timeline for tender approvals had also been shortened to speed up implementation, he added.
Ex-Gujarat CM Vaghela says party needs early candidates, stronger grassroot connect
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 8 (IANS) Nearly three decades after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first came to power in Gujarat, veteran politician and former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said on Thursday that the Congress can come to power in the state only if it starts preparing its candidates and reconnecting with voters much ahead of the 2027 state polls. In an interview with IANS, Vaghela, who is in talks with the Congress over a possible return to the party, said the Opposition needed to move beyond last-minute ticket distribution and build a sustained grassroots campaign centred on candidates who were known and trusted by voters. I am saying at least six months should be given to a candidate, Vaghela said, noting that early selection would reduce the scramble for tickets and give prospective candidates time to establish themselves in their Assembly constituencies. His prescription for the Congress is rooted in what he describes as a lack of human touch in public life. A candidate, he said, should regularly meet people, understand their problems and remain present during difficult times rather than appearing only during an election. Public life has a lack of human touch, he said, adding that voters should be able to recall a candidate who stood by them during a medical emergency, helped with a child's education or supported a family in distress. Vaghela's assessment comes as he holds discussions with senior Congress leaders over returning to the party he left in 2017. He has already held talks with Congress state in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and other state leaders. Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda subsequently confirmed that discussions with Vaghela were underway. In the IANS interview, Vaghela said the latest discussions were recent and that there was no bitterness in his relationship with the Congress. He also ruled out seeking an organisational post or personal political position if he returned, saying his focus would be the 2027 election and defeating the BJP in Gujarat. My only condition was to replace the BJP government in the state. My present political outfit, the Praja Shakti Democratic Party, would not be brought into an alliance arrangement if the Congress talks materialise. Instead, the party could be merged into the Congress, with a single party and symbol, if an agreement was reached, he confirmed. The proposed return would mark another turn in a political career that has repeatedly crossed party lines. Born in Vasan in Gandhinagar district in 1940, Vaghela began his political career with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and later became a prominent BJP leader. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kapadvanj in 1977 and subsequently served in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha from Gujarat. Parliament records show that he was elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times and served as Union Textiles Minister from 2004 to 2009. Vaghela broke ranks with the BJP in 1996 and formed the Rashtriya Janata Party. With Congress support, he became Gujarat Chief Minister in October 1996, serving until October 1997. His party subsequently merged with the Congress, beginning another major phase of his political career. He later served as Gujarat Congress President and became Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. He left the Congress in July 2017 after a bitter fallout with the party leadership and subsequently pursued other political formations, including the Jan Vikalp Morcha and the Nationalist Congress Party. His latest political vehicle, the Praja Shakti Democratic Party (PSDP), was formally announced in 2024 after an earlier Praja Shakti initiative. Vaghela had said the party was intended to provide an alternative political platform in Gujarat. Yet, despite having his own party, Vaghela now says that the larger political objective is to defeat the BJP, which has governed Gujarat continuously since 1998. He believes the Congress still has an opportunity if it begins preparing early and develops credible local leadership. He pointed to what he sees as a leadership vacuum created when senior Congress leaders moved to the BJP, saying that the party should identify replacements before vacancies emerge. Workers should be promoted on the basis of trust and sustained work rather than merely being considered when an election approaches, he told IANS. Vaghela also sees a wider political opening ahead of 2027. He said the Congress should focus on taking its organisation back to the grassroots and making voters feel that the party belongs to them. He predicted that, if the Congress maintained its current momentum among workers through the 2027 campaign, the BJP would no longer be in government in the state by the end of the election. I think with full confidence that there will be no BJP government here, he said.
2nd T20: 'Now Much More Mature', Says Kotak As He Backs Kishan To Deliver On Home Turf In Ranchi
T20 World Cup: Having worked closely with Ishan Kishan for a long period, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak appreciated the local lad's growth as a much more mature and tactical match-winner ahead of India's second T20I against West Indies, set to happen at the JSCA Ground in Ranchi on Friday. Originally from Patna, Kishan plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand and is having a dream run in the shortest format leading the run-making charts by amassing 1042 runs in 30 innings and becoming a T20 World Cup winner. As a batting coach, whichever ground Ishan plays in, he considers it his home ground. Actually, when he came back after the World Cup, he has been doing really well for the Indian team in any situation. When he was young, I saw him when I worked in the IPL, where he was in the Gujarat Lions setup. But even then, he used to play aggressively. If anything, I would say that he is much more mature now. So, he plays according to the needs of the team and the situation of the team, and he has been doing really well. So, we just hope that he does well on his home ground, Kotak said in the pre-match press conference. Reiterating India's approach of an unrelenting and high-intensity version of playing the game, Kotak said that the pitch conditions in Ranchi will not impact the team's attacking approach. I think the way we are approaching with the fearless and team-first approach - that's the same way we'll go. No matter, it might be a different wicket also, but in T20s generally we get a good wicket. So, that'll be the same thing; the way we want to approach the T20s, we'll continue. I think it's a good batting wicket. So, it should be a high-scoring pitch. The team has not decided yet. So, I don't know. Chances are for everyone in 15 to be in the 11, he added. On managing the workload and rotation of stars such as Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested from the series, Kotak said that while it does impact results, overall the team's strong bench strength helps to ensure that a balanced squad is maintained at all times to prepare for multiple international events. Obviously, because, see, some games we are not playing, and Bumrah has been given a rest. In some games, some other senior players are also not playing. So, obviously any team in the world will require bench strength, and somewhere and somewhere you have to give them chances. So, sometimes results do suffer, but normally I think we have enough strong bench strength that our results also don't suffer as much, he added. Commenting on the issues raised regarding young pace bowler Mayank Yadav's performance in the first game, where his batting returns were expensive, Kotak felt he will bounce back strongly. See, Mayank also played here after playing in Zimbabwe. Any bowler will feel that it will take certain matches to get rhythm. Obviously, any bowler or bowling coach and team management will think about where they gave runs or where the runs go or in which particular bowls did the runs go and then think of how they can cut off, whether it is length or pace or change of pace. So, that is a non-stop work that is going on, he said. Expanding on the issue of balancing the need for victories with nurturing young talent, Kotak praised the healthy pool of competitive players available for selection across multiple squads. To tell you the truth, when you test players and if you win, then it continues. If you lose, there is a very thin line between keeping that balance. But obviously, we try to do that because of the promising players that we have, the way the BCCI and CoE run, our bench strength; if two or three of our teams go, it looks strong. Expanding on the issue of balancing the need for victories with nurturing young talent, Kotak praised the healthy pool of competitive players available for selection across multiple squads. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Gujarat Cracks Down on Illegal Drug Sales, Revokes Licenses of Four Companies
Gujarats FDCA has permanently revoked licenses of four companies for illegal drug sales, including codeine-based cough syrup and tramadol. Gujarat Cracks Down on Illegal Drug Sales, Revokes Licenses of Four Companies
Tremor hits Maharashtra's Palghar near Gujarat-Dadra and Nagar Haveli border
Gujarat govt plans Rs 100-crore marine biotech corridor in Porbandar
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Oct 8 (IANS) The Gujarat government has proposed a Rs 100-crore investment over five years to establish a Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (M-BRIC) at Mocha village in Porbandar district, bringing marine research, biomanufacturing, startups and coastal livelihood programmes under a single ecosystem. The proposed project, an initiative of the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) under the Department of Science and Technology, is intended to develop the state's marine biological resources into high-value products and support technology-driven industries along the Gujarat coast. A memorandum of understanding will be signed between GSBTM and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI) for establishing M-BRIC in the presence of Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Cooperation, and Animal Husbandry Minister Jitu Vaghani. Mocha has been identified as the principal hub, with a proposed 30-acre ecosystem comprising research facilities, industrial infrastructure, field demonstration areas, processing facilities, and incubation support. Specialised activities and partnerships could also extend across the Saurashtra region and the wider Gujarat coastline. The proposed corridor will cover the marine biotechnology value chain, from exploration of marine biodiversity and scientific research to technology development, pilot-scale validation, industrial scale-up and commercialisation. The resources being considered include seaweeds, microalgae, marine microorganisms and saline ecosystems. The government plans to explore applications including biofertilisers, biostimulants, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, aquafeed, animal nutrition products, enzymes, biosurfactants, pharmaceutical intermediates and marine-derived biomaterials. Seaweed-derived agar, alginate and carrageenan are also among the substances proposed for value addition. A dedicated seaweed-processing cluster is planned at Mocha with facilities for receiving raw material, washing, pre-processing, extraction, drying, powdering, packaging, storage and quality control. The ecosystem is also expected to include a state-level seaweed brood bank supplying elite planting material of Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria dura. Marine microalgal biofactories are proposed to produce omega-3 fatty acids and other high-value bioactive compounds, while an integrated seaweed biorefinery would focus on phycocolloids, biostimulants and other value-added products. Research facilities are planned for marine bioprospecting, genomics, microbiology, natural products, and biotechnology development. Incubation facilities and pilot-scale bioprocessing and biomanufacturing infrastructure would support startups and entrepreneurs in moving technologies from laboratories towards commercial applications. The proposed ecosystem would also assist with prototype development, technology validation, intellectual property protection, regulatory assessment, licensing, technology transfer and industry partnerships. CSIR-CSMCRI has been identified as a key scientific knowledge partner, with expertise in seaweed biotechnology, marine bioproducts, saline agriculture, halophytes, bioprocessing and technology transfer. Microalgal biorefineries are also proposed at salt-pan facilities associated with CSIR-CSMCRI in Bhavnagar. The project also envisages capacity-building programmes under the Seaweed Mission for coastal youth, seaweed farmers, fishing communities, women-led enterprises, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, students and industry professionals. Training would cover areas such as seaweed cultivation, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, marine diagnostics, natural products, bioprocessing, environmental monitoring, entrepreneurship, intellectual property and technology commercialisation. Environmental monitoring, biodiversity assessment and environmental impact assessment are proposed as part of the ecosystem, alongside responsible utilisation of marine genetic resources. The project also envisages research on Blue Carbon and climate-resilient coastal development, including monitoring of seaweed and coastal ecosystems. The corridor is being developed in alignment with Gujarat's biotechnology ecosystem, the BioE3 framework, India's Blue Economy priorities and the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
SEA elects Angshu Mallick as its President
He headed Dhara operations at the National Dairy Development Board and held various responsibilities across sales, marketing, distribution and exports at the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation
Gujarati Oondhiyu: The Forgotten Village-Style Preparations Behind the Famous Dish
Gujarati cuisine is celebrated for its remarkable ability to create complex flavours from seasonal vegetables, grains, pulses, spices, and fresh herbs. Among its most recognizable dishes, Oondhiyu occupies a particularly important place. Often associated with winter, festivals, family gatherings, and the culinary identity of southern Gujarat, Oondhiyu is generally known today as an elaborate mixed-vegetable [] The post Gujarati Oondhiyu: The Forgotten Village-Style Preparations Behind the Famous Dish appeared first on FoodNosher.Com .
Gujarat Police Marks 2026 Out - Check PSI Wireless
GPRB has activated the marks check for PSI (Wireless) and Technical Operator (Advt. GPRB/202526/2), written exam held on 23 August 2026. Check the direct link, login details, last date to view marks (15 October 2026) and step-by-step instructions.
OPINION | Why do people elect Modi again and again?
Narendra Modi has set a new record. On October 7, 2026, he completed 25 years as head of governments in Gujarat and Centre. Modi said, for me, mission is bigger than ambition... I live for...
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Akie Abe, wife of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in New Delhi on Thursday and expressed appreciation for her continued association with India. PM Modi described Shinzo Abe as a dear friend and a visionary leader who played a defining role in elevating bilateral ties to new heights. He welcomed the inauguration of the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, calling it as a fitting tribute to Shinzo Abe's lasting contribution to ties between India and Japan. Pleased to meet Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Deeply value her enduring association with India. Abe San was a dear friend and a visionary leader who played a defining role in elevating India-Japan relations to new heights, PM Modi posted on X. The inauguration of the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi yesterday is a fitting tribute to his lasting contribution to India-Japan friendship, he added. The 'Abe Memorial Corridor', a memorial site for India-Japan friendship and cultural ties, was inaugurated in Varanasi on Wednesday in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Akie Abe. Yogi Adityanath described the Abe Memorial Corridor as a living symbol of Shinzo Abe's contributions to strengthening the historical, cultural, and diplomatic relations between India and Japan. Today, in the dignified presence of Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of the late former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, the 'Abe Memorial Corridor' a vibrant memorial site for India-Japan friendship and cultural ties was inaugurated in Varanasi, Yogi Adityanath posted on X. This Memorial Corridor is a living symbol of Mr. Shinzo Abe's contributions to strengthening the historical, cultural, and diplomatic relations between India and Japan. On behalf of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and 140 crore Indians, humble tributes to him, he added. Former Japanese PM Abe had made immense contributions to elevate India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. His association with PM Modi went back many years, having known the Indian PM since his long stint as Gujarat Chief Minister. India had announced a one-day national mourning as a mark of respect for PM Abe, who was shot dead while making a campaign speech in Japan's Nara on July 8, 2022. Following Abe's death, PM Modi, in an emotional message, expressed grief and shock at the ragic demise of one of his dearest friends, and also attended the state funeral of the late leader. He called Abe a owering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator who dedicated his life to making Japan and the world a better place.
EAM Jaishankar congratulates Ethiopian Foreign Minister on re-appointment
Digital Desk | Abidjan, Oct 8 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday congratulated Gedion Timothewos Hessebon on his re-appointment as Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and said that he looked forward to meeting him soon to further strengthen the strategic partnership. EAM Jaishankar's congratulatory message came after Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in his new cabinet reappointed Gedion Timothewos Hessebon as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Congratulate Gedion Timothewos Hessebon on your re-appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Look forward to meeting you soon to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership, EAM Jaishankar posted on X. The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) on Monday established the new federal government as the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) appointed Abiy Ahmed Ali as Prime Minister for a second five-year term. During the election, the Prosperity Party (PP) secured win in 438 of the 486 contested seats in the HoPR, securing the parliamentary majority needed to form the federal executive branch for a second term, Xinhua News Agency reported. EAM Jaishankar is set to travel to Ethiopia after concluding his ongoing visit to Cote d'Ivoire. During his visit, EAM Jaishankar will hold meeting with Ethiopia's leadership to discuss entire gamut of bilateral ties and exchange perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual interest. He will also chair the Regional Heads of Mission (HoMs) Conference in Addis Ababa, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On Wednesday, Abiy Ahmad Ali congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as the head of the government. I express my warmest congratulations to you dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as you mark a key milestone: 25 years as Head of Government, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 and as Prime Minister of India since 2014, Abiy Ahmed Ali posted on X. Ethiopia and Indias partnership has grown stronger over the past few years. From Indias support for Ethiopias accession to BRICS, to welcoming you to Addis Ababa last December and my first visit to India for the BRICS Summit in September of this year. I look forward to further strengthening this partnership, he added. In response to his wishes, PM Modi thanked Abiy Ahmed Ali and congratulated him on assuming office for another term. PM Modi recalled his visit to Ethiopia in December last year and their recent meeting in New Delhi. Thank you, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, for your warm wishes. I also extend my congratulations and best wishes on your assumption of office for another term. I fondly recall my visit to Ethiopia last December and our recent meeting in New Delhi. India greatly values its Strategic Partnership with Ethiopia and I look forward to working closely with you to further deepen our cooperation and friendship, PM Modi posted on X.
Speeding Truck Runs Over Flock Of Sheep And Goats On Gujarat Highway, 25 Animals Killed
The CCTV footage shows the truck approaching the flock at high speed before crashing into the animals.
Influencer Mad Sandhu murder: Shooter arrested in Gujarat
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has made a significant breakthrough, arresting Parminder Kaka alias Parminder Prasad, an alleged associate of the Goldy Dhillon gang, for his suspected role as the shooter in the high-profile murder of Punjabi social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu in Amritsar.
Key shooter in Punjab influencer Mad Sandhu's murder held by Gujarat Police
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 8 (IANS) The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has arrested a man allegedly involved in the killing of Punjabi social media influencer and make-up artist Mad Sandhu in Amritsar on October 3, identifying him as the shooter who also arranged the motorcycle used in the attack, police said on Thursday. The accused has been identified as Parminder Prasad alias Parminder Kaka. According to Ahmedabad Crime Branch DCP, Ajit Rajian, Parminder carried out the firing that killed Sandhu and arranged the motorcycle used by the assailants. His role is that of the shooter. He did the firing and also arranged the bike, Rajian told IANS. The arrest followed an input from Amritsar Police and coordination between the Punjab and Gujarat police teams. The accused was traced to Ahmedabad, where the Crime Branch took him into custody as part of the investigation into the murder. A case has been registered as FIR No. 186/2026 under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Cantonment Police Station in Amritsar. Further legal proceedings are underway, he confirmed. Sandhu, whose real name was Madhusudan Sandhu, was shot on October 3 by two motorcycle-borne assailants near a car wash centre on Loharka Road in Amritsar. Police had said the attackers opened fire before fleeing from the spot. Sandhu was taken to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The killing had initially led police to examine several possible angles. Investigators collected CCTV footage from the area and examined Sandhu's movements and digital records to identify the attackers. Amritsar Police had reportedly detained two persons while probing a possible contract-killing angle. Sandhu, 29, had a substantial following on social media and was known for his work as a make-up artist and for speaking about make-up artistry and gender-related issues on podcasts and digital platforms. He had more than two lakh followers on Instagram and had also appeared in the Punjabi film 'Oye Bhole Oye'. The case also drew attention after social-media posts allegedly linked to foreign-based gangsters claimed responsibility for the killing. However, Punjab Police had earlier said the authenticity of such posts had not been established. Investigators have also been examining possible links to the network of gangster Goldy Dhillon. The latest arrest is expected to help investigators establish the sequence of events leading to the killing, identify other persons involved and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged contract killing.
'Selling without prescription': Gujarat cops raid two medical stores, seize over 18,000 tablets
Digital Desk | Surat, Oct 8 (IANS) The Surat City's Special Operations Group (SOG), along with the Food and Drugs Department, in Gujarat, raided two medical stores in the Salabatpura-Mandarwaja area for allegedly selling medicines used for intoxication without doctors prescriptions and seized 18,316 tablets and three bottles of codeine syrup valued at Rs 2.75 lakh. The action was carried out on Wednesday at Smit Sai and Daruwala Shivshakti medical stores located at Halpati Colony on the 80-foot road from Kinnari towards Bhathena. According to the SOG, the action followed instructions from Surat Police Commissioner Wabang Jamir to identify medical stores allegedly selling intoxicating syrups and tablets without prescriptions, and in violation of regulations. The police said such medicines could be misused for intoxication, including by young people. SOG Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsinh Nakum supervised the operation, while SOG Police Inspector A.S. Sonara formed separate teams to keep watch on medical stores suspected of selling medicines used for intoxication. The SOG said it received information that intoxicating medicines were being sold without doctors prescriptions at two medical stores in the Salabatpura-Mandarwaja area. Following the information, SOG personnel conducted the raids along with Food and Drugs Inspectors G.U. Upadhyay, Jeelben Gameti and Pinalben Vavaiya. During inspections, the Food and Drugs Department found stocks of medicines that were allegedly being kept in violation of regulations and could be used for intoxication. The seized stock comprised 1,440 Pyeevon Sas Plus tablets, 144 Spas Tracenp tablets, 6,920 Spasmo Proxyvon tablets, 750 Apcolam tablets, 3,840 Calic tablets, 5,200 Prehabalin tablets and 20 Pregout Kit tablets. In addition, three bottles of codeine syrup were recovered. The total number of tablets seized was 18,316, while the combined value of the seized medicines and syrup was estimated at Rs 2,75,068, the SOG said. The Food and Drugs Department has begun further investigation into the stock recovered from both medical stores. The police said that if the medicines are found to have been kept or sold illegally, legal action will be taken against the licence holders and operators of the two medical stores. The SOG said the operation was undertaken as part of efforts to identify medical stores involved in the unauthorised sale of medicines that are liable to be misused for intoxication.
Pharmacy Business Awards honour pharmacy
PHARMACYS best were celebrated for their crucial contribution to healthcare at the 26th annual Pharmacy Business Awards in London last Friday (2). More than 680 guests attended the event, which pays tribute to the exceptional dedication of pharmacists who safeguard the health and wellbeing of local communities, as well as the industry that supports them. Pharmacy teams, leading products, wholesalers and manufacturers were recognised on the night. Rajan Shah and Sanjay Patel of West Ealing Pharmacy in London took home the top honour, the Pharmacy Business of the Year Award. Their small premises was transformed into a larger, modern, state-of-the-art community pharmacy, using a range of technology. It has six consultation rooms, offers a wide range of services to patients and works in collaboration with local GPs. The Ram Solanki Editors Award, named in honour of Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder and editor-in-chief of hosts Asian Media Group and Pharmacy Business, was presented to Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association. Guests at the ceremony AMG For more than a decade, Picard has been a powerful voice for the profession at national level, serving on the sectors key negotiating and representative bodies, appearing regularly on television and radio and making pharmacys case to MPs. He said he was surprised and humbled to be honoured. Hosted by Asian Media Group (AMG), publishers of Pharmacy Business, Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat, the Pharmacy Business Awards also brought together pharmaceutical industry leaders, healthcare executives and leading politicians at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in central London. Chief guest Lord Leong CBE, minister for small business and enterprise, told attendees that community pharmacies make a strong contribution to building healthier communities and stronger local economies. Before entering public service, I spent more than four decades building and running businesses. I know the satisfaction of building a team and earning a customers trust. I also understand the responsibility of meeting payroll, managing cash flow and making difficult decisions when costs rise. For pharmacy owners, those responsibilities sit alongside a profound duty of care to patients. That deserves recognition and a government that recognises the connection between a sustainable business and a dependable local health service. As small business minister, I want businesses like yours to have the confidence to invest, develop your teams and adopt technology that makes your working life easier. So, we must listen to your experience when deciding how to remove unnecessary barriers. Strong community pharmacies help build healthier communities and stronger local economies. He went on to recognise the contribution made by community pharmacy owners and pharmacy teams. Lord Leong AMG Every nomination reflects a collective effort often sustained over many years. Thank you to Pharmacy Business for bringing that work into the spotlight. To every finalist and winner, congratulations. You should be proud of what you have achieved, and to everyone here, thank you for the businesses you built, the people you employed and the care you give. Shailesh Solanki, executive editor of Pharmacy Business , discussed prime minister Andy Burnhams aspirations for health and social care and for bringing hope and belief back to the country. Pharmacy can play an important part in that, he said. Our new prime minister offered a message of hope and of a Britain that starts to believe again. Pharmacy should be central to that ambition, with growing prescribing capability and a network embedded in communities across the country. Pharmacies are accessible health hubs that can relieve pressure on general practice, reduce hospital admissions and directly support local economic revival. The prime minister promised a circuit breaker for Britain, and a government that puts the care of people at the heart of everything it does. Community pharmacy is where that promise can be kept, in every neighbourhood and in every postcode. The nominees and award winners on the night demonstrated the skills and expertise community pharmacies can bring to primary care. The Pharmacy Team of the Year Award went to the Clarepharm Pharmacy team in Honiton, Devon, led by Ronak Maroo. The team describes its work in community pharmacy not as an occupation but as a mission to positively impact its community. Its team culture particularly impressed the judges. Every member is mentored, every opinion valued and every milestone celebrated, with a continuous approach to learning delivering effective results for patient care. The Pharmacy Business Inspiring Woman of the Year Award went to Abiramme Sarangan of Sapphire Pharmacy, Romford, recognising her as a role model for women in pharmacy. Shailesh Solanki AMG Determined to own a community pharmacy, she persevered through setbacks and opened her doors just months after having her first child. Balancing a young family with a new business, she empowers her team to step outside their comfort zones and shows that ambition and family life can coexist. The Independent Prescriber of the Year Award went to Kamal Nathwani of The Wellness Pharmacy, Southwark. Since qualifying as an independent prescriber a qualification he did not undertake until his late 50s he has embedded prescribing within an integrated clinical service. Prescribing has dramatically changed the services offered, attracting a wide range of private patients who cannot access conventional NHS services and offering easily accessible, personalised care. The Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award went to Lorraine Monk of Day Lewis Pharmacy in Wallington. She started as a Saturday girl aged 16 and, four decades on, is still at the heart of her pharmacy. She has helped long-term smokers quit for good, personally delivered medicines to housebound patients and taken blood pressure checks into a local church. The Pharmacy Business Development Award went to Sajeel Abrar of NHL Pharmacy, Preston, for transforming a traditional dispensing pharmacy into an integrated neighbourhood healthcare hub. By integrating pharmacy, eyecare and specialist clinical services under one roof, the team created a model that supports NHS priorities, improves patient outcomes and strengthens the local healthcare system. Gompels Pharmacy, working in collaboration with Royal United Hospitals Bath, took the Enterprise Award. Low retention of pharmacists at the trust was dramatically improved through joint working with Gompels. Trainees are given the opportunity to work in both community pharmacy and secondary care as part of a multisector training scheme. Paul Mayberry of Mayberry Pharmacy in Caerphilly received the Pharmacy Technology Award. He designed his own patient medication record system for the groups pharmacies. With mandatory barcode checks, a robot-driven central hub and intelligent stock ordering, the system has virtually eliminated dispensing errors, significantly reduced stock levels and freed pharmacists to focus on clinical care.
Gujarat to turn ocean into next big industry
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 8: Oriano Clean Energy Private Limited, one of India's leading clean energy companies, announced that it has started construction of 420 MWp DC / 311 MW AC solar EPC project for a global steel conglomerate in Gujarat.
PM Modi thanks world leaders for wishes on completing 25 years as govt head
PM Modi marked the milestone on October 7, 25 years after he first assumed office as Gujarat chief minister in 2001. He has served as prime minister since 2014
Mad Sandhu, a social media influencer and an LGBTQ activist, was shot dead in Punjab's Amritsar last week.
ISI's 2027 assembly election plot: UP terror, Punjab drugs and Manipur unrest
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) launched a multi-state destabilisation plot targeting Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Manipur in the run-up to the 2027 assembly elections, intelligence agencies have warned. Seven key states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Goa, would go to the polls between February and March next year. The intelligence agencies have drawn up a list of states that are vulnerable during the elections or in the run-up to them. The ISI has set its eyes particularly on Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur. An Intelligence Bureau official said that these three states are extremely vulnerable to ISI-driven activities. In Uttar Pradesh, the focus will be on terror attacks and espionage activities. In Punjab, it will be arms and narcotics smuggling, besides random grenade attacks. In Manipur, the attempts will be aimed at creating widespread unrest in the state ahead of the elections, the IB official said. This plan was set in motion almost a year back, when the ISI roped in Shahzad Bhatti to recruit Indian youths. His focus was pan-India, and he managed to recruit youths for a small sum of money. He would instruct these recruits to carry out hit jobs, install CCTV cameras in sensitive and crowded locations, carry out surveillance for terror attacks, indulge in narcotics smuggling and counterfeiting of Indian currency, the official said. The Bhatti network focused heavily on the election-bound states. Recruitment was high in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, investigators say. These recruits were planning strikes in the run-up and also during the elections. In states like UP, the focus was mainly on carrying out big-ticket attacks. While carrying out surveillance on sensitive locations, there was equal emphasis on crowded locations such as railway stations and bus stands too. This makes it amply clear that the Bhatti network was aiming at big attacks in the state. Another official said that it is not just the Bhatti gang that was focusing on the election-bound states; there are multiple players on the payrolls of the ISI who have been on the job. In Punjab, the brief is clear, and that is to ramp up narcotics smuggling and arms trade. The ISI-backed networks have been told to dump as much ammunition and narcotics into the state ahead of the elections, the official said. While the dumping of drugs and arms has been underway, the state of Punjab has also been witnessing stray grenade attacks and vandalism by pro-Khalistan operatives, the official said. There are two objectives behind these stray incidents of violence. This is meant to promote the Khalistan movement, but more importantly, to keep the security agencies busy so that the narcotics and arms trade goes on smoothly without coming under the radar, the official said. While Punjab and Uttar Pradesh remain states of concern, security agencies are particularly worried about Manipur. Multiple players are believed to have an interest in triggering widespread unrest in the state. The ethnic violence that erupted in 2023 has subsided in intensity, but several issues linked to the conflict remain unresolved. Since the violence broke out, the Central government has been exploring various measures to restore lasting peace in Manipur. Compared with the situation in 2023, the nature of the conflict has changed, with the state now facing what security officials describe as a low-intensity crisis. Another official said that the situation does remain tense and these vested interest groups would look to fuel speculation and run fake narratives so that Manipur returns to its 2023 scenario. While it is easiest for these ISI-backed groups to fuel tensions in Manipur at the moment, the larger game is to ensure that violence spreads across the North-eastern region The ISI has been working alongside some of its proxies both in Bangladesh and India to fuel tensions during election year in Manipur, with the hope that it spreads and the entire Northeast burns, an official said.
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PM Narendra Modi Marks 25 Years In Government With Prayers At Delhi
Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone on October 7, 2026, completing 25 years at the helm of a government. The journey began in Gujarat in 2001 and later took him to New Delhi, where he has served as Prime Minister since
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Study highlights water governance reforms initiated by PM Modi in Gujarat and national rollout
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White House hails PM Modi-Trump relationship, says India is one of US' strongest allies
Digital Desk | Washington, Oct 8 (IANS) The White House has described India as one of America's strongest allies and credited the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with strengthening bilateral ties, as the Indian leader completed 25 years in public office. India is one of the United States' strongest allies, which has been bolstered by President Trump's good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told IANS on Wednesday (local time). The statement came in response to a question from IANS seeking the White House's assessment of PM Modi's 25 years in public life and his relationship with the US President. PM Modi completed the milestone on October 7, marking a quarter-century since he first assumed office as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. The White House's response placed particular emphasis on the personal relationship between the two leaders, even as India and the United States continue to navigate differences on trade and other policy issues. The statement did not announce any new bilateral initiative or policy decision. PM Modi served as Gujarat Chief Minister from October 7, 2001, until May 2014, when he became India's Prime Minister following the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the general election. India and the United States have developed extensive cooperation in defence, technology, trade and strategic affairs over successive administrations, although the two countries do not have a formal mutual defence treaty. PM Modi's tenure has also been marked by an expanded international profile for India, with the government pursuing greater diplomatic engagement, stronger relations with major powers and a prominent role for India in the Global South. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years in office of continuous service as the head of government, leaders from around the world congratulated him on the milestone and praised his leadership, describing it as a are achievement in any democracy and a powerful testament to the confidence that the people of India have in him. The Prime Minister thanked world leaders for their warm wishes and expressed readiness to continue strengthening cooperation.
Political leaders from across world greet PM Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office
Tokyo/Kathmandu, Oct 7: Political leaders from various countries across the world, including Japan, Bhutan and the Philippines, on Wednesday extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office. Modi was elected as the chief minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, and went on to serve three consecutive terms in the state. He was subsequently elected as prime minister of India in 2014. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi extended her best wishes to Modi on the occasion and praised his contribution to Indias development and its standing on the international stage. For years, he has been striving to realise the development of Indian society and the nation, and since 2001, he has been serving in the position of head of government with his outstanding political leadership, she said in a post on X. Along with accelerating Indias development, he has elevated Indias prestige to new heights on the international stage as well. For all these accomplishments, as a fellow politician, I express my sentiments of respect, she said. Referring to her recent visit to India in July, Takaichi said she had a fortunate opportunity to deliberate with Modi on concrete steps to take the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership to the next level. Noting that next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations, she said she wishes to work with PM Modi to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, so that Japan and India, which share a strategic direction, can further advance our partnership. Thanking Takaichi, Modi said her visit to India this July will remain unforgettable for him as well. It has further strengthened the India-Japan partnership... I am confident that our bilateral relations will reach new heights on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, he said in a social media post. In his greetings, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called Modi an avatar of our times. Recalling his meeting with Modi in New Delhi in 2019, as a private citizen, Tobgay said he told the Indian prime minister he saw him as an elder brother and as an avatar of Vishnu. In our part of the world, I explained, enlightened rulers have long been regarded as such, Tobgay said, adding that Modi awakened in Indians a powerful belief in themselves and in their country. They seemed prouder of India, more ambitious about its possibilities and more confident of its place in the world, he said, adding that these were, to him, the qualities of an enlightened ruler. Thanking Tobgay for his heartfelt message, Modi said India and Bhutan are bound by an enduring partnership rooted in mutual trust and understanding. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to advance our shared vision of Viksit Bharat and a prosperous Bhutan, he said. On the occasion, Philippines President Bongbong Marcos wished Modi continued success in his service to the people of India. From Gujarat to leading the worlds largest democracy, Prime Minister Modis journey has been marked by a strong emphasis on good governance, innovation, technology, infrastructure and development, contributing to Indias transformation and its growing role on the global stage, he said on X. Marcos said India-Philippines ties continue to grow from strength to strength, adding that he looks forward to welcoming Modi to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits in November. Modi in his reply said India deeply values its Strategic Partnership with the Philippines. I look forward to our continued engagement and further deepening of the friendship between our nations, he said. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated Modi on 25 years of continuous leadership in government, from Gujarat to New Delhi, saying he looked forward to further deepening the strong partnership between the two countries. Thanking Wever, Modi said he look forward to build on the positive momentum in our relations and further strengthen our bilateral partnership. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah took to X to wish Modi. Warm congratulations & best wishes to Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi on completing 25 Years of dedicated public service. Nepal wishes you and your Government continued success and prosperity in the years ahead, said a post by the handle of the Nepalese prime ministers office. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a social media post said India is blessed to have Modi. Few people can say they have devoted a quarter of a century to serving their country, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister of India. I know how deeply you care about India and its future, and the world can see how high you have raised India, he said. Thanking Vucic for his warm words and friendship, Modi said he deeply appreciates his personal contribution to strengthening the India-Serbia partnership. Under your leadership, Serbia has undergone an extraordinary transformation. You have served Serbia with determination and dedication. I look forward to taking the India-Serbia partnership to even greater heights, he said. Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wished Modi on the truly historic milestone. A quarter-century of unbroken leadership is a rare achievement in any democracy, he said, adding that Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development. Nigeria deeply values the strategic partnership between our two great nations, he said. Recalling Modis visit to Abuja in November 2024, he said it gave fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education, and technology. As fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, Nigeria and India share a common commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and more representative international order. I remain confident that, under his continued leadership, the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow ever stronger, he said. In his reply, Modi said India and Nigeria are close partners and leading voices of the Global South. I look forward to continuing our cooperation to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a more inclusive, prosperous and peaceful world, he said. Congratulating his dear friend Modi, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed his appreciation for the friendship India has extended to Dominica and the generosity shown to its people. I value the bond between our nations and look forward to building on it in the years ahead, he said. Modi thanked Skerrit for his warm wishes and thoughtful words, saying that India deeply values its enduring friendship with Dominica. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and working together for the shared progress and prosperity of the people of our nations, he said. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko congratulated Modi on completing 25 years at the helm of government. We commend you for your dedication and service to the people of India. We wish you success in the years ahead and look forward to the enduring friendship between our countries, he said. Modi appreciated Bokos warm wishes, saying that India greatly values the friendship with Botswana. I look forward to working together to further strengthen our close ties, he said.
Gujarat to reopen all national parks and sanctuaries to tourists from Oct 9 - The News Mill
Gujarat to reopen all sanctuaries and national parks for tourists from October 9
The News Mill
Authors of study on India's water governance suggest learning - www.indiagazette.com
Gujarat Farmer Transforms Turmeric Cultivation into Profitable Business
A 70-year-old farmer in Gujarat earns 11 lakh annually by processing turmeric into powder and pickles, showcasing innovative farming techniques. Gujarat Farmer Transforms Turmeric Cultivation into Profitable Business
Building J&Ks Place in Indias GCC Future
On 9 and 10 October 2026, something quite interesting is going to happen at IIM Jammu. The J&K GCC Summit 2026, being organised by IIM Jammu in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and in knowledge partnership with NASSCOM, will bring together some of the countrys leading Global Capability Centre (GCC) companies, policymakers, academics and industry leaders. But I believe the significance of these two days goes well beyond a summit. For perhaps the first time, some of the senior-most administrative leaders of Jammu and Kashmir will sit across the table with leaders of Indias GCC industry in a series of candid, no-holds-barred conversations about a question that matters deeply to us: What will it take for Jammu and Kashmir to enter Indias growing GCC ecosystem, and to do so as a credible Tier-2 and Tier-3 destination? That may sound like a familiar proposition at a business summit. It is not. Economic growth is ultimately driven by two sets of stakeholdersthe government that creates the enabling environment and the businesses that take the risk of investing in it. Genuine growth begins when these two sides are willing to listen to each other, ask difficult questions and speak honestly about what works and what does not. That is precisely the spirit in which we are approaching the J&K GCC Summit. Let me explain why In June 2025, a train crossed the Chenab on the worlds highest railway arch bridge, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the national rail network. The bridge was decades in the making. Its deeper value, however, can be expressed in one word that matters as much to an investor as it does to a traveller: predictability. A journey that once depended heavily on weather and a single highway can now be planned with greater certainty. That is the journey we want to begin for J&Ks GCC ecosystem. Building a significant GCC destination will not happen overnight. It may take years. Perhaps decades. But the journey can be made predictable if we learn from those who have already travelled it. Be they leading GCC companies or States that have successfully attracted such investments. That is why the Summit is bringing industry leaders together with representatives of States such as Gujarat, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, which have valuable lessons to share. We do not intend to reinvent the wheel. We want to understand what has worked elsewhere, what has not, and what can be adapted to J&Ks own circumstances. The opportunity before us India already hosts more than 2,200 capability centres employing around 1.9 million professionals and generating close to USD 65 billion in annual exports. Importantly, more than 220 of these centres have already chosen Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The next phase of the GCC story is increasingly moving beyond the established metropolitan centres, with locations outside the metros expected to account for a substantial share of the sectors future workforce. This is where J&K must position itself. The question is not whether Jammu and Kashmir can replicate Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai or Pune. We should not try to become another metro. Our opportunity lies in becoming a different kind of GCC destination. Over the last decade, the case for J&K has changed significantly. Rail and road connectivity has been transformed and air connectivity has expanded. The Union Territory today has an institutional ecosystem that includes an IIM, an IIT and an AIIMS, alongside CSIR-IIIM, NIT Srinagar, the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the prestigious Universities of Jammu /Kashmir, among several other institutions offering new-age and specialised programmes. In addition to that we also have something that every GCC ultimately needshuman resource. Jammu and Kashmir has a young, educated and increasingly aspirational population. Its universities and technical institutions are producing talent across disciplines. Office, talent and utility costs remain competitive compared to established metropolitan locations. And the security environment today provides a foundation for businesses to plan for the long term. Yet a good proposition is not enough. An investor looking at a new location will ask some very practical questions. Who will take my decision? How long will my approvals take? Where will my people sit on the first day? And who will do the work? The answers to these questions can determine where a GCC chooses to locate, often more decisively than the headline value of an incentive. We have to answer each of them The first is facilitation. The hardest part of entering a new region for an established business is often not the investment itself, but understanding whom to approach and how to navigate the system. In J&K, an investor should not have to make multiple rounds of enquiries across Departments. The investor should have one phone call or one email to make. We therefore need a named facilitation officer, with the authority to convene Departments, resolve issues and remain accountable as a single point of contact for the prospective investor. If banks can provide relationship managers to their customers, there is no reason why government cannot provide the same degree of institutional ownership to an investor. The second question is time Approvals relating to registration, premises, power, fire safety and labour compliance should carry clear and published timelines. These should be tracked through the single-window system and, importantly, measured against actual performance. An investor can plan around a known timeline. It is uncertainty that stalls a project. Strict adherence to prescribed timelines translates to confidence which is quintessential for attracting investments. The third question is space and infrastructure J&K needs to identify and earmark ready-to-occupy office spaces in both Jammu and Srinagar, with floor plates, tenure and tariffs clearly stated in advance. A GCC that decides to come here should be able to occupy its premises within months, not years. The space has to exist before the decision is made. There is also a unique advantage here that few locations can offer. Jammu and Srinagar are two major cities within one Union Territory, under one administration, one policy framework and one institutional point of contact. They draw upon different talent pools and can potentially serve as primary and continuity locations for the same GCC. A company should be able to scale across both cities without having to navigate two different administrations. The fourth question is people Our commitment has to be simple: skilling must respond to actual employer demand. Here comes the role of Mission YUVA and our technical institutions. Mission YUVA, the Skill Development institutions, our universities and the ITI network being upgraded under PM-SETU must increasingly train people for specific roles, in specific numbers and within specific timelines. The Department of Labour and Employment, which is spearheading the organisation of the Summit, will have an important role in translating industry conversations into an actionable talent strategy. This is also where the GCC opportunity becomes much more than an investment proposition. A GCC does not merely bring an office. It brings new skills, new career paths, new technologies and new aspirations. For a young person in Jammu or Srinagar, the arrival of a global company should mean that a world-class career no longer necessarily requires leaving home for Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai or Delhi. That is the human dividend we must keep at the centre of this conversation. And then comes the most important question of all: Who will be the first? The first GCC centre matters disproportionately. Every subsequent investor will ask: Who else is already here? The answer today has to change from zero. An anchor GCC can do more than create direct employment. A centre employing 500 professionals can support a comparable ecosystem of opportunities in facilities, transport, hospitality, food services, professional services and other allied sectors. Securing that first anchor tenant is therefore not just another investment target. It is the decisive step in establishing confidence. The administration will concentrate its efforts accordingly. This is why the J&K GCC Summit matters. Every panel, every panellist, every question and every answer over these two days will be an opportunity for us to learn and, equally important, to allow industry to tell us what it needs from us. We are not approaching the Summit merely to showcase J&K. We are approaching it to listen. If we want global capability centres to look beyond the metros, then we must demonstrate that a Tier-2 or Tier-3 location can offer something equally compelling: access to talent, competitive costs, quality institutions, reliable infrastructure, responsive governance and, above all, confidence that commitments made today will hold tomorrow. Jammu and Kashmir has many of these ingredients. The task before us is to bring them together into an ecosystem that works. Our entrepreneurial spirit is gathering momentum. Our young people are increasingly looking towards new-age sectors and new forms of enterprise. The GCC ecosystem can benefit from this talent and ambition, even as its presence here can accelerate the development of that very ecosystem. The Path Forward I do not believe J&K needs to become the biggest GCC destination in India. I believe it can become one of the most differentiated. We have learnt something from building the Chenab Rail Bridge. Great journeys begin with an audacious idea, but they are completed through engineering, patience, persistence and thousands of smaller decisions made correctly along the way. The GCC journey will be no different. We have the ambition. We have the foundations. We have a growing pool of talent. What we now need is execution, industry partnership and the patience to build for the long term. The first J&K GCC Summit is therefore not the culmination of a journey. It is the beginning of one. And if we get the beginning right, I believe the destination is within reach. A GCC ecosystem that proves that the next generation of Indias growth need not come only from its largest cities, but can also emerge from its most promising Tier-2 and Tier-3 centres. Jammu and Kashmir is ready to make that journey. The promise is not that it will happen overnight. The promise is that we are ready to make it happen. (The writer is Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir)
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