
Dharmendra Pradhan vows to achieve net-zero India by 2070, takes part in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive
Sambalpur: Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday participated in a mass plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative.
While speaking to ANI, Pradhan stated that the plantation of trees under this initiative increased hope for nature, fulfilled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and was also a significant step towards making India a net-zero country by 2070.
He further stated that various schools, colleges, organisations and administrative offices came to turn the initiative into a movement.
"On that occasion, planting trees in Sambalpur, increasing the hope for nature, fulfilling the SDG goals, and making India a net-zero country by 2070, is a significant step in that direction... Today, the Forest Department and the District Administration have brought together numerous schools, colleges, women's organisations, professional organisations, temple committees, youth organisations, and various administrative offices to turn 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' into a mass movement. I am thrilled..." Pradhan said, speaking to reporters here.
Earlier, on June 27, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, participated in the celebrations of Rath Yatra and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath.
Speaking to the media, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "The first ritual of the Jagannath Yatra has been completed. All three siblings have reached the chariots... I am satisfied with the arrangements made by the state government..."
Earlier in the day, Union Ministers Pradhan and Shekhawat visited and appreciated the state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Puri, developed by the Odisha Police in collaboration with the homegrown startup IG Drones.
The ICCC has been pivotal in ensuring safety and efficiency during the world-famous Rath Yatra, marking a significant milestone in modernised crowd and security management with 500 CCTVs, drones, anti-drone systems, and AI analytics.
Thousands of devotees gathered in Puri to witness the grand spectacle, chanting hymns as the sweeping ritual marked the start of the deities' annual nine-day sojourn.
The grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, as thousands of devotees began pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, amidst chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour.
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Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Dharmendra Pradhan vows to achieve net-zero India by 2070, takes part in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' drive
Sambalpur: Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday participated in a mass plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. While speaking to ANI, Pradhan stated that the plantation of trees under this initiative increased hope for nature, fulfilled the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and was also a significant step towards making India a net-zero country by 2070. He further stated that various schools, colleges, organisations and administrative offices came to turn the initiative into a movement. "On that occasion, planting trees in Sambalpur, increasing the hope for nature, fulfilling the SDG goals, and making India a net-zero country by 2070, is a significant step in that direction... Today, the Forest Department and the District Administration have brought together numerous schools, colleges, women's organisations, professional organisations, temple committees, youth organisations, and various administrative offices to turn 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' into a mass movement. I am thrilled..." Pradhan said, speaking to reporters here. Earlier, on June 27, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, participated in the celebrations of Rath Yatra and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath. Speaking to the media, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "The first ritual of the Jagannath Yatra has been completed. All three siblings have reached the chariots... I am satisfied with the arrangements made by the state government..." Earlier in the day, Union Ministers Pradhan and Shekhawat visited and appreciated the state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Puri, developed by the Odisha Police in collaboration with the homegrown startup IG Drones. The ICCC has been pivotal in ensuring safety and efficiency during the world-famous Rath Yatra, marking a significant milestone in modernised crowd and security management with 500 CCTVs, drones, anti-drone systems, and AI analytics. Thousands of devotees gathered in Puri to witness the grand spectacle, chanting hymns as the sweeping ritual marked the start of the deities' annual nine-day sojourn. The grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, as thousands of devotees began pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, amidst chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour.


Times of Oman
21 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India looking at option of buying more S-400 air defence systems from Russia
New Delhi: With the S-400 air defence missile systems performing very well during Operation Sindoor, India is considering the option of buying two more squadrons of S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, defence sources told ANI. The sources said more systems of the S-400 are being considered due to security threats in view of the recent hostilities and the time to be taken in the development and deployment of the indigenous LRSAM programme, codenamed Project Kusha by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited as its development and production partners. The Indian side would prefer to get S-500 air defence system which has more range than the S-400 but it would require a clearance from the top Russian leadership for its sale, they said. The S-400 performed exceptionally in Operation Sindoor taking out multiple Pakistan Air Force fighter and airborne early warning aircraft. It also managed to create a record of sorts by successfully hitting an aircraft at a range of 300 plus kilometres. India is also awaiting the delivery of two more squadrons of the five S-400 squadrons that it had ordered in a 2018 deal. The first three squadrons have already been received and operationally deployed. Just before the delivery of the fourth squadron, war broke out between Russia and Ukraine. The systems meant for India were probably used in the war. The Russian side has now assured the delivery of the remaining two systems in the next financial year. Indian defence teams have also raised the issue with the Russian side and they have given assurances to not extend the schedule further.


Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
4415 Indians evacuated from conflict zones in Iran, Israel via 19 special flights: MEA
New Delhi: The Indian government has initiated Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones in Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The operation, which began on June 18, has successfully evacuated over 4415 Indian nationals so far. "A total of 4415 Indian nationals (3597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) have been evacuated so far using 19 special evacuation flights, including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft. 14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran," the Ministry of External Affairs said. "The evacuated Indian nationals included more than 1500 women and 500 children," it added. According to MEA, on 17-18 June, Indian Missions in Tehran, Yerevan, and Ashgabat coordinated the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran through land border crossings to Armenia and Turkmenistan. Special evacuation flights commenced on 18 June and facilitated the return of Indian nationals to New Delhi. The majority of evacuations were carried out through Mashhad, following Iran's opening of its airspace for evacuation flights under Operation Sindhu on June 20 at India's request. "We thank the Government of Iran for this gesture. A total of 3597 Indian nationals -- including students, workers, professionals, pilgrims and fishermen - from more than 15 Indian states - were brought back to India from Yerevan, Ashgabat and Mashhad from June 18 to 26using 15 special evacuation flights," as per MEA. The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on June 23. Indian Missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman and Cairo facilitated the movement of Indian nationals across land borders to Jordan and Egypt. A total of 818 Indian nationals were evacuated, including students, workers and professionals. They were evacuated from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh from June 22 to 25 using four evacuation flights including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft. MEA noted that, "in view of the reopening of the airspace, evacuation operations were halted on June 25. Further actions will be taken based on the evolving situation in West Asia." The Government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under PM Narendra Modi's guidance, Operation Sindhu is another demonstration of this commitment, said the MEA.