Finance Minister chairs review meeting of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited
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Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sitharaman backs Meghalaya's efforts to get UNESCO recognition for living root bridges
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed strong support for Meghalaya's efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the iconic living root bridges in East Khasi Hills district of the state. Sitharaman on Saturday praised the recent grassroots momentum to revive the nomination and strengthen the proposal through community engagement and international partnerships. She emphasised that global recognition would not only honour traditional knowledge but also inspire others to adopt sustainable practices rooted in local wisdom. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo "Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first," she said, during her visit to the living root bridge in Siej village on Saturday. "Your practices are not only effective they are replicable," she said. Live Events These natural, bioengineered structures handcrafted over generations by indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities represent a rare harmony between nature and human innovation. The bridges are mostly found in the southern slopes of Meghalaya towards Bangladesh border. Meghalaya first submitted a proposal to UNESCO in 2018, nominating the living root bridges for inclusion in the World Heritage list under the category of "cultural landscapes". The proposal, backed by the state government and conservation experts, highlighted the ecological, cultural, and architectural significance of these living structures. However, the nomination faced delays due to procedural requirements, lack of comprehensive documentation, and the need for greater community-led participation in the heritage mapping process. The Union Finance minister on Saturday also interacted with village elders, local leaders, and beneficiaries of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme, an initiative supported by the World Bank , KFW, and ADB, to understand how traditional ecological knowledge continues to be preserved and innovated by indigenous communities. She also visited Sohbar, a border village in East Khasi Hills district, the first Union minister to do so and highlighted the importance of such villages. "Border villages like Sohbar are not the end of India, but it is the beginning," she said. Sohbar is one of the 92 villages in Meghalaya selected under the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The Union Finance minister outlined focus areas for development in Sohbar - road infrastructure, telecom and digital connectivity, television coverage, and electricity access. She assured the residents that within a 5-kilometre radius, they would have access to banking facility, ATM, or financial institution for inclusive growth and rural entrepreneurship. The Finance Minister will conclude her four-day visit to Meghalaya with a stop at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram School in Sohra on Sunday. The Ramakrishna Mission has played a pivotal role in education, healthcare, and rural upliftment in Sohra and adjoining regions for decades. Through its schools, vocational training, and community outreach programmes, the RKM has empowered generations of youth in the Khasi Hills, with a strong focus on value-based education, self-reliance, and social service.
India Gazette
31 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Only one who stands firm during adversity is a real leader": Maharashtra CM Fadnavis lauds Pune MP Mohol
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has praised Pune MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, calling him a 'real leader' who remained active during tough times. 'Only the one who stands firm during adversity is a real leader,' Fadnavis said while speaking at the launch of MP Mohol's 24/7 Public Outreach Office and the release of his one-year performance report and book Pratham Manus, based on his COVID-era experiences. The event was held at Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune on Saturday. Fadnavis praised the BJP for giving chances to dedicated party workers, saying Mohol had shown consistent commitment in both political and administrative roles. He also spoke about Mohol's efforts during the COVID-19 crisis as the Mayor of Pune. 'He remained calm and persistent throughout the crisis, which created his distinct identity,' said Fadnavis. The newly inaugurated 24/7 Public Office is located at JM Road in Pune. Fadnavis said that very few MPs in the country have a public outreach office that is open all day, every day. He also mentioned that Mohol was unanimously chosen to succeed the late Girish Bapat and is now working closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 'After becoming MP, he was entrusted with a significant portfolio and now works closely with PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,' he said. 'Amit Shah personally praised Mohol as a disciplined and studious leader with a bright future.' Fadnavis also announced that 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from Maharashtra have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. 'These forts reflect exceptional architectural style and rich Maratha history. Now, they will gain global academic and tourism attention,' he said. He further gave updates on key infrastructure projects, including the 'missing link' on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Once complete, it will reduce travel time by 30 minutes and feature a 9-km tunnel--the longest in India--and the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the country. He added that the second international airport for Pune is progressing well, while the Navi Mumbai airport is nearing completion. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol thanked citizens and party leaders for their support. Presenting his one-year report, he said, 'The people of Pune gave me an opportunity, and I have tried to deliver honestly.' Speaking about the pandemic, Mohol said he remained connected with the public through social media for 28 months. His book Pratham Manus (First Person) captures both positive and difficult moments from that period. 'Rambhau Mhalgi once set an example by presenting a work report to the people, and I've followed the same tradition,' he added. Mohol said the new public office would serve as a 'one-stop solution' to help citizens access various government schemes. 'When I became a minister, it was hard to believe at first. But with the party's and my colleagues' trust, I've worked with full responsibility,' he said. Recounting his first meeting with PM Modi after taking oath, Mohol shared how the Prime Minister asked detailed questions about their ministries' responsibilities and was well-aware of incidents like the recent Delhi airport roof collapse. 'This reflects the intense vigilance and commitment of the central leadership,' Mohol said. He affirmed his dedication to fulfilling the responsibilities of the Cooperation Ministry under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
India Gazette
31 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar inspects development projects in Pune
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday inspected various local issues such as water-logging, traffic congestion and development projects during his visit to Pune. Giving details, Ajit Pawar in a post on X said, 'Today, I inspected various local issues and the development works of projects such as Pune Metro Line - 3 at Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Hinjawadi in Pune'. 'This included a review of the work at Station No. 06 Croma, Hinjawadi Station No. 03, Hinjawadi Station No. 02, Helipad Circle Hinjawadi, Maan Road, Maan Village, Laxmi Chowk, and various other locations in the Hinjawadi area. Additionally, I looked into issues such as waterlogging during the rains, road conditions, traffic congestion, and other various problems in this area, and instructed the attending officials to take immediate action. On Friday, Ajit Pawar urged the Central Government to immediately stop the illegal import of substandard raisins from China, citing significant losses to grape-growing farmers and national revenue, according to an official statement. Pawar wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting the growing problem of poor-quality raisins being smuggled into India and evading import duties and taxes. The influx of cheap, substandard raisins has led to a drastic drop in the prices of domestically produced raisins by nearly Rs 100 - Rs 150 per kilogram, causing major financial distress to grape farmers. The illegal imports are resulting in significant tax evasion, leading to losses in government revenue. Pawar has urged the Centre to take urgent corrective measures. He has called for strict action to halt the illegal import and sale of these raisins. Pawar recommended strengthening quality checks and tax collection mechanisms at ports, airports, and marketplaces to ensure proper inspection and compliance. In his letter, he requested the government to take steps to stabilise raisin prices during the peak season and protect farmers from further losses. The issue was brought to Pawar's attention by the Maharashtra State Grape Growers' Association, which recently met with him to raise concerns about the impact of these imports on the local farming community. (ANI)
