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Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 28 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that mothers and sisters would play a significant role in India’s development, while participating in Seva Parv celebrations that included a cleanliness drive, a women’s health camp, and distribution of social welfare benefits.

Speaking to the media, Sinha said, “From September 17 to October 2, Seva Parv is being celebrated with great enthusiasm, and as part of that, today the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Reasi District Administration together organised a cleanliness drive, a health camp for women, and distribution of benefits to some beneficiaries of social welfare.”

He added, “That’s why I came here. I believe that just as Prime Minister Modi has promoted women’s leadership development, I am confident that mothers and sisters will play an important role in India’s development.”

Earlier in the day, Lt Gen. Sinha inaugurated the Seva Parv at the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra.

The initiative marks the beginning of a fortnight-long campaign dedicated to public service, volunteerism, and community participation across the Union Territory.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that Seva Parv embodies the spirit of collective responsibility and selfless service. He added that launching this campaign from the revered shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi carries a symbolic message of devotion, duty, and commitment towards the welfare of society.

The Seva Parv, being observed from September 17 (PM Modi’s birthday) to October 2, will include a series of activities focused on cleanliness drives, plantation, health camps, awareness programmes, and citizen engagement initiatives in every district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lt Governor also prayed for peace, prosperity, and well-being of all citizens, and called upon youth, community groups, and volunteers to actively participate in the campaign.

Marking World Tourism Day, a Heritage Walk was organised on Saturday in Katra to promote the traditional route leading to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

The walk was flagged off by SDM Katra, Piyush Dhotra, in the presence of the officials, local residents, and pilgrims.

Participants retraced the historic path that has been followed by devotees for centuries, highlighting its spiritual, cultural, and heritage value. (ANI)

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Bhavnagar (Gujarat) [India], September 28 (ANI): A MoU Exchange Ceremony took place on the eve of the “Samudra Se Samriddhi – Transforming India’s Maritime Sector” programme on September 19 at Bhavnagar, Gujarat.

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ release, this event was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which a number of projects pertaining to the maritime sector were launched.

The MOUs were signed on September 18th in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Youth Affairs & Sports, and Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Additionally, twenty-seven Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between public and private sector stakeholders in the maritime sector, state governments, and international partners. According to the government, these agreements carry an investment and development potential of over ₹66,000 crore and represent a significant collaborative commitment towards the growth of India’s maritime and shipbuilding sector.

The ports ministry statement said that the MoU ceremony showcases India’s integrated vision for maritime growth, which covers new port infrastructure, shipping, shipbuilding clusters, global shipyard partnerships, financing mechanisms, innovative maritime investments, sustainable projects such as water metros and green tugs, as well as heritage-linked initiatives like the lighthouse museum. The statement said that these projects are poised to reposition India as a leading global maritime and shipbuilding hub over the next decade, advancing the national resolve of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s maritime sector is undergoing a historic transformation. These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a strong, self-reliant and globally recognised maritime ecosystem. With ports, shipbuilding and sustainable projects advancing at this pace, we are steering India closer to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047,” said Sarbananda Sonowal.

The government said that a landmark MoU was signed between Paradip Port Authority, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, and the Government of Odisha for the development of a new port at Bahuda, in which a capacity of 150 million tonnes per annum proposed to be developed on more than 6,700 acres of coastal salt land that have been designated for maritime use, this project is expected to attract an investment of around ₹21,500 crore.

According to the release, this Port will serve as an anchor for port-led industrialisation, logistics parks, and manufacturing clusters across Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. The Port is expected to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to nearly 25,000 people while catalysing new waves of industrial and infrastructure development in eastern India.

Additionally, an MoU was also signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Government of Bihar for a Water Metro Project in Patna. Valued at approximately ₹908 crore, this collaboration aims to deploy energy-efficient electric ferries, develop modernised terminals, and integrate urban waterways with multimodal public transport systems. Under this MoU, ten strategically identified terminal points along four potential routes in Patna will influence how citizens travel across the river city.

“These MoUs are a testament to India’s maritime resurgence. By fostering collaboration between states, industries and global partners, we are unlocking a new era of shipbuilding and port-led growth. This is not only about infrastructure, it is about creating jobs, empowering communities and establishing India as a leading maritime nation in the world,” added Sonowal.

On the shipping front, a significant step towards India’s energy independence was unveiled through the MoU between the Shipping Corporation of India and the Oil PSUs – IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL for the creation of a Vessel Owning Joint Venture Company. This is the first in a series of steps that will pool vessel demand from energy PSUs, thereby reducing reliance on foreign shipping fleets. It will also ensure long-term charter contracts for Indian-built ships, supported by SCI’s regulatory and operational expertise. The MoU aims to secure India’s vital crude oil and product transportation chains while scaling up demand for Indian shipbuilders in tandem with the Government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat programme.

Another category of MoUs at the ceremony pertained to shipbuilding and its allied clusters.The Ministry facilitated MoUs between major ports under MoPSW, GOI and the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for initiating the setting up of Shipbuilding clusters. These will be enabled through SPVs with joint investments from the centre and states, supported by land transfer at nominal cost, tax incentives, and enabling policy measures. Each cluster will not only house state-of-the-art shipyards but also R&D centres, small industry linkages, ancillary units, specialised training facilities, and logistics corridors. The effort is targeted at positioning India among the world’s top five global shipbuilding nations by the 100th year of independence in 2047. Moreover, these clusters are designed as green innovation hubs, encouraging carbon-neutral shipbuilding and environmentally friendly marine engineering solutions.

The ceremony also witnessed many Indian Industry Collaborations with international players. A MoU was signed between Cochin Shipyard Limited and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, signifying a long-term strategic partnership for building large commercial vessels in India. With CSL’s new 310-metre Dry Dock facility, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in January 2024 & now operational.

This partnership aims to help India construct large vessels, including Suezmax oil tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers, with a capacity of up to six ships annually. To support this facility, CSL announced plans for an 80-acre Block Fabrication Facility (BFF) in Kochi, involving an investment of approximately ₹3,700 crore and a throughput potential of 120,000 metric tonnes of steel fabrication annually. The plant will create approximately 2,000 direct jobs and several times more indirect employment in allied industries, especially MSMEs and supply chains.

CSL also signed an MoU with SIPCOT and Guidance Tamil Nadu for the creation of a shipbuilding complex worth ₹15,000 crore in the state. The facility will have a unique capacity to manufacture one million GT of ships annually and will generate employment for around 8,000 people directly and over 40,000 indirectly. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited entered into a parallel MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu to set up another large greenfield yard in Thoothukudi.

The Ministry of Ports said that MoU signed between the Shipyard Association of India and the Indian Steel Association, which aims to prioritise the usage of domestically produced steel in shipyards. This linkage between steel producers and shipbuilders aligns with the Government’s push for industrial integration and import substitution, ensuring that India’s maritime growth translates directly into demand pull for Indian manufacturing sectors.

Additionally, the Gujarat Maritime Board on Bhavnagar’s historic shipbuilding tradition by signing multiple agreements with private partners, including Act Infra Ports, Modest Infrastructure, Chowgule and Company, and SWAN Defence. These MoUs, with a total investment exceeding ₹13,600 crore, outline mega facilities for comprehensive shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore infrastructure and recycling yards spread across the Gulf of Kutch, Nava Ratanpara, Pipavav and other sites. The integrated approach is expected to generate significant employment while firmly establishing Gujarat on the global maritime map, further transforming the state into one of India’s premier shipbuilding centres. To further reinforce combined capacities east of the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, the company signed agreements with IPRCL, SCI, SMPK, and Modest Shipyard for new ventures in greenfield facilities, tug development, and ship repair, particularly in Gujarat and West Bengal.

The Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited also signed agreements with financial institutions such as Neo Fund, NaBFID, IIFCL, and Climate Fund Managers, paving the way for dynamic investments into the maritime sector. These MoUs will help mobilise equity, co-investment, and innovative debt instruments for green shipbuilding, fleet modernisation, and maritime logistics projects. By bringing in global climate-aligned fund managers alongside domestic development finance institutions, the initiative ensures that India can access both international and domestic capital pools, thereby creating a competitive and diversified financing ecosystem. SMFCL further signed an agreement with SWAN Shipyard for possible future financing.

Further underscoring India’s maritime heritage and its role in cultural-economic development, an MoU was signed between the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships and Indian Port Rail & Roadways Corporation Ltd. for the setting up of the world’s tallest lighthouse museums at a height of 77 metres at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat. With an investment of ₹266 crore, the project represents a fusion of heritage preservation, tourism development, and modern architecture, ensuring that India’s maritime traditions receive global recognition while simultaneously driving domestic and international tourist inflows.

With commitments exceeding ₹66,000 crore, these projects encompass high-capacity ports, green mobility, tourism, energy, shipping security, shipbuilding ecosystems, and robust financial capital frameworks. In future, they are expected to generate more than 1.5 lakh direct and indirect jobs across multiple states, while raising India’s contribution to global shipping, trade, and shipbuilding value chains. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): World Food India 2025, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), concluded on a historic note with investment commitments of unprecedented scale.

Over the course of the four-day event, 26 leading domestic and global companies signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth a total of Rs 1,02,046.89 crore, marking one of the largest investment announcements in India’s food processing sector, said an official release from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

These MoUs are projected to generate direct employment for over 64,000 people and create indirect opportunities for more than 10 lakh individuals, reinforcing the government’s vision of positioning India as a global hub for food processing.

The MoUs were signed by some of the most prominent names in the sector, including Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., The Coca-Cola System in India, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), Fair Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Lulu Group), Nestle India Ltd., Tata Consumer Products Ltd., Carlsberg India Pvt. Ltd., B.L. Agro Industries Ltd., ABIS Foods & Proteins Pvt. Ltd., ACE International Ltd., Patanjali Foods Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Agristo Masa Pvt. Ltd., Tiwana Nutrition Global Pvt. Ltd., Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd., Indian Poultry Alliance Pvt. Ltd., Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., Allana Consumer Products Ltd., Olam Food Ingredients, AB InBev, Cremica Food Park Pvt. Ltd., Dairy Craft, Sundex Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Naso Industries Pvt. Ltd., and Bluepine Foods. The commitments span across diverse segments such as dairy, meat and poultry, packaged foods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, spices and condiments, confectionery, edible oils, fruits and vegetables, and ready-to-eat products.

A significant highlight of these partnerships is their pan-India footprint, with investments spread across multiple states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North-Eastern region.

This wide geographic distribution ensures that the benefits of these investments are equitably shared, bringing opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and local communities across diverse regions of the country.

Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation partner, assisted the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in signing these MoUs.

World Food India 2025 has not only attracted record investment commitments but also reaffirmed India’s position as a trusted global destination for food processing. The event has laid a strong foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and international collaboration, further consolidating India’s leadership in shaping the future of global food systems. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), in partnership with Invest India, will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders to facilitate these investments and ensure their effective implementation. (ANI)

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Nainital (Uttarakhand) [India], September 28 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday listened to the 126th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat at Parvati Prema Jagati Saraswati Vihar Ground, Birbhatti, Nainital.

The Chief Minister stated that this programme offers the nation a new vision and a positive direction.

The Chief Minister stated that through Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully connected with people at the grassroots level.

He has brought the hard work and dedication of individuals working in the public interest to the attention of every citizen. The Chief Minister added that the Prime Minister, through this programme, has emphasised honouring women’s power and taking a pledge to adopt Swadeshi, a release.

He further mentioned that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October, the Prime Minister has called upon people to adopt Khadi and Swadeshi products. The Prime Minister urged everyone to purchase at least one Khadi product on 2nd October and share it on social media with the hashtag #VocalForLocal.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the people of the state to actively participate in this campaign.

CM Dhami said that the Prime Minister has honoured the daughters of India who created history by completing the challenging 47,500 km Navika Sagar Parikrama. The Prime Minister also spoke about promoting innovation through local products.

The Chief Minister added that the resolve laid out by the Prime Minister to fulfil the dream of a developed India must be accomplished collectively by all.

Earlier today, in the 126th episode of his monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi hailed two brave women officers of the Indian Navy who successfully completed the extraordinary sailing expedition, ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’, which circumnavigated the Globe, demonstrating courage and determination throughout the expedition.

“Two brave officers of the Indian Navy have demonstrated courage and determination during the Navika Sagar Parikrama. I would like to introduce the listeners of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to these two brave officers. One is Lieutenant Commander Dilna, and the other is Lieutenant Commander Roopa,” he said.

PM Modi also urged citizens to make the upcoming festive season more meaningful by opting for indigenous products. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): The Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, on Sunday, graced the valedictory session of the third edition of Unmesha – International Literature Festival in Patna, Bihar, as the Chief Guest, according to the Vice President’s Secretariat.

The festival, organised from 25th to 28th September 2025, is a celebration of literature in multiple languages, offering an excellent platform for writers, scholars, publishers, and poets from 15 countries, representing more than 100 languages.

Before the valedictory session began at the Unmesha – International Literature Festival in Patna, a minute of silence was observed for the people who lost their lives in the tragic incident at a public gathering in Karur, Tamil Nadu.

Earlier today, on his first visit to Bihar since assuming office, Radhakrishnan was accorded a warm welcome at Patna Airport by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.

Addressing the gathering at the Unmesha- International Literature Festival in Patna, the Vice-President began by stating, “Bihar Dharm, Sanskriti aur Gyan ki Bhoomi hai” (“Bihar is the land of Dharma, culture, and knowledge”).

According to the release, VP Radhakrishnan highlighted that Bihar’s contributions to spiritualism are not merely historical but continue to inspire millions globally. Radhakrishnan emphasised that Bihar is a confluence of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions, making it a unique spiritual heartland.

He recalled that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya under the Bodhi tree, offering the world a path of peace, compassion, and mindfulness. Referring to Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, he noted that Lord Mahavira’s message of ahimsa (non-violence), truth, and asceticism shaped not only Jainism but also the ethical and spiritual life of India.

The Vice President highlighted Bihar’s ancient centres of learning, including Nalanda and Vikramshila Universities, which attracted scholars from across Asia and reflected Bihar’s status as an intellectual powerhouse of the ancient world. He praised the efforts of the Central and State Governments, with international support, in reviving Nalanda University.

Radhakrishnan also mentioned Bihar’s rich historical heritage, noting that it was home to powerful empires like Magadha and Maurya, as well as the birthplace of democracy in Vaishali over 2,500 years ago. He drew parallels with the Kudavolai system of elections in the Chola kingdom, emphasising India’s ancient commitment to self-governance.

Highlighting Bihar’s role in social change, the Vice President recalled the Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Total Revolution Movement led by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, in which he actively participated at the age of nineteen, later becoming the District General Secretary of the movement. He noted that Bihar has consistently been a cradle of change and conscience, having contributed national leaders such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, and Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the conscience keeper of Indian democracy.

Radhakrishnan also highlighted Bihar’s cultural heritage, including Mithila painting, folk theatre like Bidesia, and festivals like Chhath Puja, calling Chhath one of the most disciplined and ecologically conscious festivals in the world, with devotees worshipping both the rising and setting Sun. He praised the state for continuing to produce some of the nation’s brightest minds, who serve in civil service, academia, technology, and law.

The Vice-President recalled his interaction with a European dignitary, who asked how India remains united despite its many languages and cultures. To this, he replied that, despite the diversity of languages, our Dharma is one.

The Vice President expressed his happiness in addressing the third edition of Unmesha, one of Asia’s largest and most inclusive international literature festivals. He emphasised the festival’s celebration of literature as a tool to shape societies, transform minds, and create lasting legacies, bringing together writers, poets, scholars, translators, and publishers from around the world.

He added that “Unmesha” signifies the awakening or unfolding of new ideas, narratives, and perspectives, celebrating diversity in thought and bridging divides of language, culture, geography, and ideology. Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that Unmesha will continue to be a cornerstone of literary culture, inspiring future generations of writers, thinkers, and readers.

Concluding his address, he emphasised that through the understanding of each other’s literature, we can achieve “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”

The event was attended by Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Bihar; Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister; Raju Kumar Singh, Minister of Tourism, Bihar; Madhav Kaushik, President, Sahitya Akademi and other dignitaries.

The festival, organised by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Government of Bihar, was held at the Samrat Ashok Convention Centre, Patna, from 25th to 28th September 2025. More than 550 eminent writers, poets, scholars, translators, and publishers participated, representing over 100 languages. The previous editions of Unmesha were held in Shimla (2022) and Bhopal (2023).

During his visit, the Vice-President also paid floral tributes to Lok Nayak Jayprakash Narayan at J.P. Golambar in Patna.

The Vice President also visited Shri Chamunda Devi Mandir at Katra, Muzaffarpur, and offered prayers for the well-being of all. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Union Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary, who is also the Member of Parliament from Muzaffarpur, accompanied the Vice-President during his visit to Chamunda Devi Mandir in Muzaffarpur. (ANI)

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