NFTDC plays vital role across defence, space, medicine & electronics sectors: Kishan Reddy
During his visit to the NFTDC on Thursday, the Union Minister inquired about the ongoing experiments at the centre and later participated in a review meeting with officials.
Kishan Reddy acknowledged the guidance received by the organization from distinguished figures, including Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India and former President, along with renowned scientists such as B.K. Rava, Dr. P. Rama Rao, and Dr. V. Arunachalam.
He highlighted that the specialized materials required for major projects such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan, under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), were sourced from this center using advanced technology.
Highlighting the importance of NFTDC in light of the central government's focus on the National Critical Minerals Mission, he indicated that the center will play a crucial role in the recycling and processing of minerals.
The Union Minister praised NFTDC for its initiative to develop technology and partner with the private sector to promote further advancements in the field. He advised the officials that if they faced any challenges in their efforts, he would bring those issues to the Prime Minister's attention.
In a time characterized by uncertainty in global supply chains for critical minerals, the efforts of NFTDC are steering India toward self-reliance in this sector. Kishan Reddy expressed his aspiration for the institute to become a global hub for advanced magnets and strategic materials technologies.
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Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Bloodlines and battlelines: How Thackeray cousins came full circle
Maharashtra politics saw a big turn on Saturday when two estranged cousins, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, shared a stage for the first time in two decades. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (R) waves to the crowd as his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray looks on before addressing a joint rally against the imposition of the Hindi language in primary schools, in Mumbai on July 5, 2025.(AFP) Raj had split with Uddhav in 2005, exiting Shiv Sena to create his own outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), centred around Marathi politics. While the Shiv Sena, under Bal Thackeray, had the same political brand, Raj's supporters alleged that the party had strayed from its path since Uddhav Thackeray took over as working President. So what made the two formerly warring cousins reunite after such a long time? Here is the timeline of the Raj Thackeray- Uddhav Thackeray saga. The Raj Thackeray- Uddhav Thackeray saga: A timeline Raj Thackeray entered politics in the late 1980s as the head of the Shiv Sena students wing, Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (BVS), in 1988. He was seen as the heir to his uncle Bal Thackeray. Bal Thackeray's son, Uddhav Thackeray, entered politics in the latter half of the 1990s. Initially seen as a reluctant politician, he played a significant role in the party's win in the 2002 civics polls, shunning his backroom operator image. Around the same time, a power tussle began between Raj and Uddhav. Uddhav was appointed the Shiv Sena working President in January 2003 amid Bal Thackeray's trying to broker peace between the two cousins. His 'Mee Mumbaikar' campaign, aimed at attracting the non-Marathi population towards Shiv Sena, further dented his relationship with Raj, who bashed the north-Indian students arriving in Mumbai to take railway recruitment exams. The campaign was scuttled and Uddhav had to quietly wrap it up. The feud intensified during the 2004 assembly elections as Raj Thackeray supporters complained about not getting party tickets. It came to a head in 2005 when Raj finally decided to quit Shiv Sena and launched MNS the next year. MNS hurt the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the 2009 assembly polls, taking away a large chunk of their votes. This saw the Congress-NCP storm back to power. But in 2012, the Shiv Sena retained power in the BMC with the help of the BJP. Raj Thackeray campaigned against the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, though he couldn't stop them from winning the majority of seats in Maharashtra. But soon, the alliance split, and Uddhav Thackeray became the chief minister with the help of NCP and Congress, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Raj again started inching towards the BJP when it happened. The Shiv Sena split into two factions in 2022, with party veteran Eknath Shinde snatching away the party name, symbol as well as the CM post from Uddhav. Raj publicly expressed his unhappiness over Shinde taking over Shiv Sena. Uddhav became the face of the MVA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, while Raj backed the BJP. The MVA took the majority of Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) didn't take him into the alliance in the assembly polls later that year. MNS couldn't win a single seat, while the Shiv Sena UBT-led alliance was also drubbed. Raj, in an April 2025 podcast with actor Mahesh Manjrekar, said that he was willing to reconcile with his cousin. The statement was welcomed by Uddhav, who echoed the same sentiment. The two cousins announced a joint rally on June 27 over the Maharashtra government's order to make Hindi mandatory in state schools. That turned into a victory rally as the government withdrew the order, which happened on Saturday, as both leaders hinted at an alliance.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Can Joha, Gobindobhog, Kalanamak beat the basmati-biryani nexus?
There is no jostling for competition among the varieties of rice sitting next to each other in neat jute sacks at Basudev Store in New Delhi's CR Park market. They could jolly well be having a conversation imperceivable to the human ear. The Gobindobhog rice could be telling the Haryana-born basmati, in Bengali-accented Hindi, about how it took six months for it to be ready in the fields of is Basudev Chowdhury, the shop owner, who reveals a silent friendly fight. While the long-grained basmati is a North Indian favourite, the aromatic Gobindobhog, which was a favourite in Bengali kitchens for payash or kheer, is winning over non-Bengali hearts."I have at least 15 non-Bengali customers who come to me regularly to buy gobindobhog rice. The attraction and use of gobindobhog rice have gone up over the years," says Chowdhury, who has been running the shop for close to three decades now. This is a stellar story for Gobindobhog, an aromatic rice variety, because the segment is dominated by basmati, which has received full-fledged government support. Gobindobhog (also known as Kalijira) and other non-basmati aromatic rice varieties like Kalanamak of Uttar Pradesh, Assam's Joha and Kola Joha, Bihar's Katarni and Tulaipanji of Bengal, have held their ground even as they await government hand-holding to create their own super-success is central to Bengali kheer (rice pudding) made with palm jaggery and is central to Makar Sankranti celebrations and other important occasions. Kalanamak is used in plain steamed rice or lightly spiced dishes, allowing its aroma to shine through. Joha complements Assamese meals, especially in pitha and payas (rice pudding), during festive feasts. It is also used in meals, especially with pigeon meat and duck curry. Tulaipanji, prized for its delicate texture, is often served with light Bengali curries or made into pulao on special which has received government support since the 1960s, is a major export item and has become synonymous with India the world over. Within the country, basmati's availability, aesthesis and affordability have taken it to kitchens across India. The use of basmati for biryani, a sort of nexus, has also helped it in its kitchen fragrant basmati might be the most recognised, India has several aromatic rice varieties that have the potential to create a mark of their suggest that state governments should use the signature qualities of these aromatic rice varieties to market them in alternative destinations where they are appreciated for their they say, would help them spread their aroma across the world just like basmati's and boost India's agricultural and overall exports. Else, India's rich rice varieties face risk of fading into the vloggers and influencers are promoting these "folk rice" varieties, which are linked to local festivals and folklore. Many of these videos have gone viral. Each of them are regional favourites with their own charm. Biryani made with long-grained basmati, and fragrant pulao or khichdi made with short, aromatic rice. (Images: Unsplash/Mario Raj) advertisementINDIA'S TOTAL BASMATI ACREAGE AND NON-BASMATI AROMATIC RICE ACREAGEIn 2023-24, India's total rice acreage stood at approximately 47.8 million hectares, with projections indicating a rise to 49 million hectares in 2024-25, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).Basmati rice, primarily cultivated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh, covered an estimated 2.88 million hectares, reflecting a 30 percent increase since 2020 driven by robust export basmati accounts for less than 7 percent of India's total rice production, it contributes over 60 percent of the country's rice export value. Production for 2023-24 stood at around 8.5 million tonnes, as per estimates from the Unified Portal for Agricultural aromatic rice varieties such as Kalanamak (Uttar Pradesh), Joha (Assam), Tulaipanji and Gobindobhog (West Bengal), and Ambemohar (Maharashtra) collectively span an estimated 0.5 to 1 million hectares, based on figures from Indian Agricultural Reasearch Institute (IARI) and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) cited in multiple is seen, non-basmati aromatic varieties together span barely a third of that of exported more non-basmati rice, but basmati brought in more foreign Volume (MT)Export Value (INR Cr)Export Value (USD Bn)Basmati5.24 millionRs 48,389 crore$5.84 billionNon-Basmati11.12 millionRs 7,804 crore$4.57 billionTotal16.36 millionRs 6,193 crore$10.41 billionSo far, 45 varieties of basmati rice have been notified under The Seeds Act, 1966, according to exported approximately 5.24 million tonnes of basmati rice worth Rs 48,389 crore ($5.84 billion) and 11.12 million tonnes of non-basmati rice worth Rs 37,804 crore ($4.57 billion) in FY 2023–24, totalling 16.36 million tonnes of rice exports, according to data from APEDA and the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS).Specific data for non-basmati aromatic varieties like Joha or Kalanamak is not officially consolidated but is estimated to be a small fraction of the total non-basmati aromatic rice exports, likely in the range of tens to a few hundred thousand tonnes, as these remain niche and are exported under GI-tag and regional branding AND HOW THE THRUST ON BASMATI?India's thrust on basmati rice stems from its cultural roots, high export value, and the need for legal grown in the Indo-Gangetic plains, basmati was mostly consumed domestically until liberalisation and global demand in the 1990s transformed it into a major export crop."The first basmati rice variety was notified as far back as 1930 during British rule. Since the 1960s, the government has worked in mission mode to promote basmati. That means efforts to popularise basmati have been going on for nearly a hundred years. Alongside the government, the private sector has also played a major role", said Om Prakash, agricultural expert at Kisan Tak, India Today Digital's sister portal.A turning point came in the late 1990s when a US firm attempted to patent basmati hybrids, triggering widespread alarm. This led to India enacting the Geographical Indications Act in 1999. Though the patent was partly revoked in 2001, the incident underscored the urgency of global safeguards and wide marketing of basmati. India, finally, secured GI status for basmati in the EU in preserve quality and reputation, India regulates basmati exports through Minimum Export Price (MEP) norms, revisited as recently as 2024. Agencies like APEDA support exporters with global compliance, branding, and logistics. Strong demand from the Middle East and expat communities, especially for dishes like Arabian Mandi, has further boosted long grains and ability to absorb spices without turning mushy make it ideal for commercial a festive staple, it now anchors everyday menus, driven by India's biryani 2023, Swiggy recorded 2.5 biryani orders per second, and Zomato crossed 100 million. Post-Covid, institutional demand rose sharply—LT Foods saw a 24% jump in HORECA sales, KRBL 20–25% in bulk trends mirror this basmati market stood at Rs 495 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach Rs 537 billion by 2033, with premium rice now accounting for nearly 40% of sales. Innovations like ready-to-cook biryani kits and blended spice packs are cementing basmati's place in home rice has become one of India's top agri-exports, uplifting farmer incomes, generating rural jobs, and showing how traditional crops can thrive globally with the right legal and policy push. Basmati rice is the preferred choice in iconic biryani varieties like Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, Mughlai, Delhi, and Kolkata biryanis, as well as in globally popular dishes like Arabian Mandi and Kabsa. (Image: Getty) WHAT ARE OTHER INDIAN NON-BASMATI AROMATIC RICE?While basmati dominates in policy focus and global promotion, India's non-basmati aromatic rice varieties, like Gobindobhog, Kalanamak, Joha, and Tulaipanji, carry cultural roots and a market potential that remains largely and Tulaipanji received GI tags in 2017, but struggle with weak institutional support and market from Assam, known for its aroma and softness, hasn't received support, but its cultivation has stayed steady."Unlike basmati, which grows best in the Terai belt, Assam's climate and soil do not support the full expression of basmati's quality traits. Therefore, Assam farmers continue to cultivate traditional varieties like Joha and Kola Joha, which are better suited to local conditions and cultural preferences, among the aromatic rice varieties," agriculture expert Mowsam Hazarika tells India Today from eastern Uttar Pradesh, after near-extinction, has seen a revival through GI status in 2013 and the ODOP scheme, with acreage rising from 10,000–15,000 hectares in 2018 to up to 50,000 hectares by from Maharashtra, despite its unique fragrance, is in decline due to low yields and remains fragmented, despite local branding and schemes. With stronger marketing, organic certification, and focused policy push, these varieties could move beyond niche status and gain wider domestic and global appeal. Rice-growing states like Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Maharashtra have many of India's non-basmati aromatic rice varieties. They are entwined with local culture, festivals, and rituals. (Image: PTI) EXPERTS ON NON-BASMATI AROMATIC RICE"Kala Namak rice is gaining traction like never before," says Professor Ramchet Chaudhary, a long-time advocate of the variety. Priced at 25-50% higher than Basmati in Indian markets, its demand is growing in the US, the UAE, and the UK, where it sells for up to 300 per kilo on he notes, had a century-long headstart, with government backing and powerful business houses. "Kala Namak is only now getting the attention it deserves."Part of the appeal lies in its nutrition. "While Basmati has 6% protein, Kala Namak has nearly 11%. It's sugar-free, with three times the iron and four times the zinc," Chaudhary tells India Today systemic hurdles persist. "There's no separate HS code for Kala Namak. It's lumped under non-Basmati. These varieties need their own recognition," he stresses. A dedicated foundation is in the experts also echo similar concerns."Assam is rich in short-grain aromatic rice varieties that are quite different from basmati in terms of grain size, elongation, and texture after cooking," says Hazarika, former Director of the Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency."But there's been no serious national push for these either. Traditional varieties like Joha and Kola Joha continue to thrive locally, but the export support, branding, and marketing they need is largely missing," he believes GI tags and cultural importance are not enough."We need organised systems for farming, storage, aroma retention, and transportation. And most importantly, a higher MSP to make cultivation viable," says such support, he warns, many of India's unique regional grains risk fading quietly into the Ramchet Chaudhary agrees. He says, "There are so many under-supported varieties, Gobindobhog, Katarni -- each with its own story. Maybe that will now change".Despite challenges like global competition, MEPs, and weather risks, India's aromatic rice diversity is helping expand both basmati and non-basmati exports. Indigenous aromatic rice takes up to six months to mature, while high-yielding Basmati typically takes 4 to 5 months. Kalanamak, Gobindobhog, and Joha, three aromatic rice jewels of India, carry centuries-old heritage and regional pride. (Images: National Portal of India, WB Tourism, DPIIT, PTI) BASMATI, OTHER AROMATIC RICE AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORTIn January 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture introduced the Non-Basmati Aromatic Rice Classification and Marking Rules under the Grading and Marking Act. These rules standardise quality criteria for five aromatic rice varieties — Gobindabhog, Tulaipanji, Kataribhog, Kala Namak, and Radhunipagal, formalising grading and improving transparency for farmers and Department of Commerce and DGFT, via APEDA, have issued export quotas for select some obstacles need to be dealt with."Of course, we earn over Rs 50,000 crore annually in foreign exchange from the export of basmati rice. But the allure of basmati has been made so dominant that even higher-quality aromatic rice varieties have been dwarfed. This is because successive governments have been unjust to them," says Om Prakash of Kisan Tak."Basmati rice, special aromatic rice should be assigned a separate HSN (Harmonized System Nomenclature) code. This would make their export easier. It would also ensure that exports of such special rice are not halted along with non-basmati white rice," the agriculture expert said."The price value of such fragrant special varieties is far higher than basmati. For instance, Kala Namak rice is priced at Rs 300 per kilo, while basmati sells for Rs 100 to Rs 150," he some non-Basmati aromatic rice varieties are making progress."From our own home, we exported 400 quintals to the US," says Professor Ramchet Chaudhary, who was also hopeful about a better outcome for other non-Basmati aromatic rices with efforts from the government and private India, too, people who weren't acquainted with the non-basmati aromatic rice varieties are now discovering Chowdhury says he has been selling more and more Gobindobhog rice for the last 7 years. He pegs that on people experimenting with food and having more spending power. "Earlier people used Gobindobhog only for payesh. Now, they are preparing khichdi and pulao from it too."Chowdhury also shares how his non-Bengali customers discovered Gobindobhog rice."Visitors mostly like trying Bengali sweets at CR Park market. After tasting the rasgullas made of palm jaggery, they land up at my grocery store looking for the jaggery. When told that Gobindobhog goes best with palm jaggery, they try and surrender to the taste," says Chowdhury, adding that most then become loyal the non-basmati aromatic rice varieties are being discovered and recognised, they need organised calls for giving desi aromatic rice their due, increasing government push and research, it won't be too long before which aromatic rice in India could be on your kitchen shelf and India's aromatic rice story will go beyond basmati. Varieties like Gobindobhog, Joha and Kalanamak will gain more export traction and market interest. What they need next is sustained policy support, stronger branding, and targeted export promotion to realise their global potential.- EndsMust Watch
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
UP: CM Yogi pays tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary on Sunday. Addressing the event in Lucknow, CM Yogi remembered Mookerjee's contributions as an educationist and his service during the Bengal famine in 1943. 'It is the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee today. On behalf of the people of the state, I pay tribute to him today. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on 6th July 1901. At the age of 33, he became the youngest Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. He was a great educationist and freedom fighter. The country remembers the service he did during the Bengal famine,' CM Yogi said. The Chief Minister added that Mookerjee resigned from former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet when the government tried to grant a separate status to Jammu and Kashmir. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled Syama Prasad Mookerjee's dream and brought Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream. CM Yogi said, 'His life was dedicated to the unity of India. He resigned from the first Nehru cabinet due to its appeasement policies. When the Nehru government tried to give a separate status to Jammu & Kashmir, he raised the first voice against Narendra Modi has realised the dreams of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee by bringing Jammu & Kashmir into the mainstream.' Earlier on Sunday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and other party leaders paid floral tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee at an event organised in Delhi. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological parent organisation of the BJP. Born on July 6, 1901, in Calcutta, was a multifaceted personality - patriot, educationist, parliamentarian, statesman, and humanitarian. He became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta in 1934. He later joined the Hindu Mahasabha and, in 1937, united non-Congress forces to form a Progressive Coalition government under the leadership of Fazal-ul-Haq, with himself as the Finance Minister. Mookerjee resigned from the Bengal Cabinet in November 1942, protesting against the Governor's interference in administration and criticising provincial autonomy as ineffective. His humanitarian efforts during the Bengal famine of 1943, including relief initiatives, highlighted his commitment to serving society. Post-independence, he joined the interim government under Jawaharlal Nehru as Minister for Industry and Supply. According to the BJP's official website, on the issue of the Delhi pact with Likayat Ali Khan, Mookerjee resigned from the Cabinet on April 6, 1950. Later on October 21, 1951, Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Delhi and became its first president. Mookerjee went to visit Kashmir in 1953 and was arrested on May 11. He died under detention on June 23, 1953. (ANI)
