Maharashtra govt U-turn on three-language policy a lesson for BJP. Imposition hurts Hindi
Indians didn't do much to globalise Kolhapuri chappals. Outrage is all we've got
The Kolhapuri chappal is ours. We have the GI tag too. The question is: what have we done to monetise it and make it trendy for 21st-century global fashion? Nada. We just locked its potential in jholawala trope. So, when Prada embraces it, we do what we know best. Outrage.
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Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
RSS' three-day prant pracharks' meeting to begin in Delhi on Friday
An extensive discussion on plans to organise programmes, including Hindu Sammelans, across the country will be held at a three-day annual meeting of the 'prant pracharaks', beginning Friday, the RSS national publicity and media department head, Sunil Ambekar, said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference here, he said the meeting will also review the work done so far by various units of the organisation and firm up plans for the future. The three-day meeting will be presided over by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Ambekar added. All RSS joint general secretaries, heads of karya vibhags (various departments) and national organisational secretaries) of 32 RSS-affiliates, including the BJP, will be present at the meeting. "The meeting will primarily focus on organisational matters. This is not a decision-making meeting. The discussions will revolve around the progress and experiences of organisational work in various 'prants'. The meeting will also deliberate on the functioning of various karya vibhags (departments)," Ambekar said. A total of 233 RSS workers, including prant pracharaks, sah-prant pracharaks, kshetra pracharaks and sah-kshetra pracharaks, will attend the meeting, he said. As per the RSS' organisational structure, there are a total of 11 'kshetras' (regions) and 46 'prants' (provinces). Each 'kshetra' comprises three to four RSS provinces. Pracharaks are full-time workers of the RSS. The RSS will complete 100 years of its foundation on this Vijayadashmi, which falls on October 2. Ambekar said plans have been made to organise various events across the country during the RSS' centenary year to further expand its work and reach. "All prants have prepared their own plans for the centenary year, which will be discussed in detail in the meeting," he said, adding that discussion on these centenary year events will also be on focus in the meeting. "The RSS' 'Shatabdi Varsh' (centenary year) will formally commence in Nagpur on October 2 with the Vijayadashami Utsav in the presence of Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat. "On the same day, events will be organised at RSS shakhas and other units across the country. Following this, Shatabdi Varsh events will continue to be organised for a full year," he added. Ambekar said 'Hindu Sammelans' (conferences) will be organised across the country. As part of a special outreach, RSS swayamsevaks will carry out a 'Grih Sampark Abhiyan' (door-to-door contact campaign). "They will visit homes, distribute Sangh Sahitya (literature) and hold discussions with them. "At the nagar/khand (division) levels, Samajik Sadbhav Baithaks (social harmony meetings) will also be organised. People from different sections of society will come together to deliberate on removing social evils and fostering harmony and unity," Ambekar said. He also said that 'pramukh nagrik goshthis' (distinguished citizens seminars) will also be organised across the country. "These gatherings will engage in dialogue around Hindutva, national interest, and the vision for future Bharat." Special events will also be organised with a focus on the participation of youth, he added. Ambekar said there is a "visible surge" in curiosity and enthusiasm in society to know about the RSS and connect with it. "A large number of youths are expressing interest in joining. This year's 'prashikshan vargs' (training camps) saw significant youth participation. Between April and June, 28,571 people registered online through the 'Join RSS' platform," he said. Ambekar said that a total of 100 RSS training camps were conducted across the country since March. "Of these, 75 were for swayamsevaks below the age of 40, and 25 were for those between 40 and 60 years," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
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News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
'He Lived Like A Monk': Industrialist Recalls PM Modi's 'Simplicity' During 1998 US Visit
Mittal said he met with PM Modi in 1998 when he did not hold any government position and was left impressed by his knowledge and grassroots approach as a young man. Industrialist ML Mittal recalled meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to New York around 25 years ago, saying his simplicity and humility left a deep impression on him at the time. Mittal painted a vivid picture of the Prime Minister's life of austerity. Mittal said he met with PM Modi when he did not hold any government position and was left impressed by his knowledge and grassroots approach as a young man. 'He had immense knowledge and spoke with remarkable clarity about poverty eradication and the global role of the Indian diaspora. His depth of understanding and humility stood out," he said. Mittal hosted PM Modi at his residence after meeting him during an international programme themed around the ancient ideal of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The world is one family). The meeting was convened by the UN to revisit a resolution aimed at eradicating global poverty by 2050. Mittal said he was stunned to see Modi's austere lifestyle. 'He lived like a monk. He fasted twice a week, avoided air-conditioning and fans, ate only fruits, and slept on the floor. He never stayed in hotels – he preferred the homes of followers. Once, he opened his tiffin, which was only jaggery and peanuts." 'Slept In Utility Room' 'He refused. Instead, he chose to sleep in a small utility room used for ironing clothes. It had no air conditioning and no attached bathroom, but he said it was perfect for him," he said. The industrialist further said the young BJP leader would wake up by 5 am, make tea and prepare breakfast for everyone. During a visit to Delhi later, Mittal found that Modi – despite serving as the BJP's national general secretary – was living in a small quarter with minimal belongings. Despite rising in stature, PM Modi's lifestyle remained unchanged. ''I congratulated him and joked that he must now be enjoying the perks of power. He refused and told me that he stayed in a servant's quarter and used a dilapidated vehicle." 'He received me in a small room with just a small bed and a few belongings. He even fetched water himself from the tap in his bottle. Despite his rising stature, Narendra Modi never let power or position affect his simplicity or personal discipline," Mittal said. Mittal also revealed that PM Modi was allotted a meagre $25 every day for his international visits, but he would use save from that and return the rest to the party fund. 'He never entered politics for power. His path was one of service. The Gujarat model he pioneered has now become a global benchmark," he added. (with inputs from agencies) First Published: July 03, 2025, 23:14 IST
