Latest news with #CMO
India Gazette
15 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates 34th Mango Festival at Delhi's Tyagraj Stadium
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the 34th Mango Festival at Delhi's Tyagraj Stadium on Friday. According to an official release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Rekha Gupta interacted with farmers, agricultural experts, and mango producers at the event venue, gathering information about their challenges, opportunities, and innovations. The Delhi Chief Minister also met with children and young guests, describing the event as a celebration of both 'learning and taste.' Inviting all Delhiites to this two-day Mango Festival, the Chief Minister stated that the festival is not only a celebration of India's agricultural diversity but also lends new energy to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vocal for Local' and 'One India, Great India.' Speaking to ANI, CM Rekha Gupta said, 'Farmers from all over the country have come to participate in this Mango Exhibition organised by Delhi Tourism. They have brought various varieties of mangoes, on which specialised methods have been used. A beautiful mango exhibition has been showcased here for the people of Delhi. I congratulate my department as well as the cabinet minister (Kapil Mishra), who worked hard and gave this opportunity to Delhi to enjoy the mangoes that came from all over the country...' Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended the 48th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Hauz Khas. CM Gupta was joined by BJP MP from New Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj. While speaking to the reporters, the Delhi CM expressed gratitude for receiving the opportunity to participate in the Jagannath Rath Yatra. She mentioned that she prayed to Lord Jagannath that give his blessings to Delhi and the country. 'Being a 'sevak of the state of Delhi, today I was able to 'jhadu gohari' in front of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra and this Rath Yatra is being inaugurated by paying my respects to the Lord. We pray to Lord Jagannath that his blessings remain on Delhi and the country', Rekha Gupta told reporters. The Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory in view of the Jagannath Rath Yatra event. Earlier today, a large number of devotees gathered at the Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, as the grand annual Rath Yatra festival began on Friday morning. People from across the country arrived to witness the grand chariots of the three deities: Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister goddess Subhadra, at the Gundicha temple, where the deities reside for a week before returning to the Jagannath temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the occasion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Friday. Taking to his official 'X' handle, PM Modi wished for everyone's 'happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health.' (ANI)
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Blockchain Is Reshaping Commerce, One Wallet At A Time
Jamie Elkaleh is the Chief Marketing Officer at Bitget Wallet. In the world of shopping, blockchain is emerging as an undeniable game changer; from enabling faster, borderless payments to reducing fees and improving transaction efficiency, the possibilities are endless and exciting. One of blockchain's most remarkable capabilities is facilitating true democratization, empowering businesses and individuals: Web3 provides merchants with lower costs and eliminates reliance on banks, offering relief from geographic, political and regulatory complications. It functions transparently; everything is available on a public ledger, allowing businesses and consumers a clear view for navigating the digital economy. It creates access to digital-first customers, as well as an opportunity to "bank the unbanked," helping those traditionally excluded from financial services due to restrictive requirements. Blockchain wallets are no longer just a more sophisticated version of electronic money. They serve an array of real-world purposes beyond just storing assets: Users can earn interest, shop and send instant, low-cost borderless payments—especially for remittances, which are growing rapidly worldwide. With Web3 and blockchain, transactions that used to take days and involve high fees can now happen in seconds with much lower costs. Blockchain is opening a world of user-friendly payment alternatives that challenge traditional financial systems—offering solutions that are cheaper, faster and more accessible. Reducing Barriers To Entry Of course, there are obstacles to inclusion. One of the biggest is the technological learning curve. That's something our company is actively working to address by providing educational resources in local communities. Even with traditional banking, accessibility is an issue. More and more high-street banks are closing down, and the days of walking into a branch and speaking to someone in person are disappearing. Everything is moving online and becoming automated, or shifting to rely on AI chatbots. Consequently, we counter the argument that blockchain is 'too complicated' by asserting that even traditional finance is becoming harder to navigate for certain demographics. We believe strongly that putting technology directly into communities and making it as easy as possible to use is both a business and ethical imperative. Creating pathways for the comprehension and use of blockchain technology allows companies not only to expand their user base but also to help these users (for instance, by minimizing issues like chargebacks, since blockchain transactions are transparent and verifiable by anyone). Companies whose business is blockchain should consider the fact that in order to gain maximum buy-in, it's essential to upskill and educate users—particularly those in local constituent communities—on how blockchain can empower their daily lives. The mission cannot be merely about introducing people to 'your' proprietary technology; rather, it should be viewed as providing them with tools they can actually, meaningfully use for their own financial betterment. For our company, this has meant not just working with individuals but also onboarding merchants, so they can learn to accept digital payments and, in doing so, realize a huge gain (eliminating high banking fees, streamlining operations). By educating them, we're helping them increase profitability and expand their customer base. We believe this education is part of our role; our success relies on users understanding the potential of these solutions. Revolutionary Trust And Accessibility One of the reasons it's so important that individuals and merchants understand blockchain is that it has changed commerce dramatically—particularly the way people shop. Blockchain enhances trust between producers, merchants and consumers. Companies like Walmart and IBM are already using enterprise blockchain solutions to track their supply chains internally. The next step is making that information public—allowing consumers to verify a product's entire journey from production to purchase, allowing them to assess everything from freshness to authenticity to ethical sourcing. Blockchain is bridging the gap between digital currencies and everyday shopping. Millions of people worldwide already own digital assets; now, thanks to new infrastructure, they can spend them seamlessly, with some high-street banks now accepting digital currency deposits into traditional banking applications. Increasingly, companies at the vanguard want to take things a step further, enabling users to shop directly with their digital assets. They can use digital currency-backed payment cards, earn interest like a regular bank account, access cashback rewards and even take advantage of installment plans. Now, with integrations like Apple Pay, digital payments are becoming just as straightforward as traditional banking methods—something that wasn't possible in the recent past. Best Practices For Implementation One major challenge we've been grappling with is the stigma around Web3 and blockchain technology. Unfortunately, we've recently seen senior global leaders publicly discussing the space in ways that don't always align with its core principles. Web3 isn't just about speculation or meme coins; there are incredible builders in this space solving real-world problems with blockchain, such as providing financial access to millions of people who have been excluded from traditional banking systems. The focus should be on tangible solutions and real-world utility rather than just the headlines. For business leaders who are new to blockchain-based payments, we have some recommended best practices: 1. Start with pilot programs. Test blockchain integrations on a small scale before full implementation. Learn from the process and build solutions tailored to your organization's needs. 2. Educate and train your teams. Employees should understand both the opportunities and the risks of blockchain. Reducing resistance and increasing capability through education will ensure smoother adoption. 3. Acknowledge the stigma. There's no denying that digital currency, Web3 and blockchain still carry a certain air of disrepute. Breaking that down through transparency and education is important to diminishing that sensibility. 4. Respect regulations. Having a strong legal team ensures compliance and reduces risk, even in strict regulatory environments. 5. Focus on scalability. Any blockchain solution must be able to handle growth efficiently, or why bother? 6. Partner with experienced providers. While no one is a true 'expert' in such a rapidly evolving space, working with trusted, knowledgeable partners is essential (and can help sidestep many rookie mistakes). The Benefit Of An Open Mindset One of the difficulties faced by many blockchain startups (which we've dealt with several times, in our organization) is not yielding to the pressure to scale as quickly as possible. We have to remind ourselves sometimes that there's a benefit to prioritizing education and growing the wider space. We also strive to maintain an open mindset. We acknowledge that we exist in a space wherein competitors are aiming to do similar things to what we do; we have to remind ourselves that if a user comes in, likes the technology and then chooses to go with one of our competitors, that's still a win for the space as a whole. Obviously, we believe in our product and our services and hope that users will recognize the value we provide. However, the key to driving mass adoption is not just having people purchase your proprietary solution but encouraging people to explore and use the technology more broadly. If people engage with Web3, have a positive experience and share that experience, the entire ecosystem wins. Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Nagaland minister visits Zunheboto district, announces health-related projects
Kohima: Nagaland Minister P Paiwang Konyak has inspected Zunheboto district hospital to oversee its expansion work and announced several projects, including a public health centre and an integrated laboratory, an official said on Thursday. During his visit on Wednesday, the state health minister held a meeting with tribal leaders and civil society members as part of 'the Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat' tour, which commenced on June 24 The projects include the completion of the ongoing construction at the district hospital premises, building staff quarters, an urban public health centre, an integrated public health laboratory, the CMO building, a nursing school, a 30-bed Ayush hospital, and new PHC buildings at Pughoboto and Satoi. The minister emphasised that the construction at the district hospital must be completed by December 2025, with no further extension to be allowed to prevent cost overruns. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Nagaland to align with Viksit Bharat by 2047, Konyak stressed the need for improved healthcare facilities in Zunheboto . He expressed confidence that manpower shortages will be addressed through upcoming recruitment and the return of MBBS graduates under surety bonds. The minister also urged officials to ensure strict fund management, awareness and registration under CMHIS and Ayushman Bharat schemes , adherence to OPD timings, closure of unlicensed pharmacies, and active participation in TB elimination campaigns. Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies and MLA KT Sukhalu praised the minister's grassroots approach and assured full support for the projects. He also pledged funds for renovating the eye OPD room and called on medical staff to demonstrate sincerity and dedication. Representatives from Sumi Hoho, the apex tribal body of the district, and village organisations welcomed the minister's initiatives, acknowledging the urgent need for the hospital.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Ghaziabad: UP CM Yogi Adityanath instruct officials to ensure smooth Kanwar Yatra
Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday chaired a review meeting in Ghaziabad to take stock of development works and the prevailing law and order situation in the district. According to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Chief Minister Adityanath met officials and public representatives during the meeting and issued several directives. In light of the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that kanwariyas do not face any inconvenience during their journey. He also reviewed the Hindon River rejuvenation project and emphasised the need to improve water quality and control pollution in the region. In a step towards administrative transparency and digital governance, the Chief Minister launched the 'Pahal' portal under the Ghaziabad Development Authority. The statement from the CMO reads, 'In a meeting with officials and public representatives in Ghaziabad, CM Yogi Adityanath has directed that kanwariyas should not have to face any issues and all care for their convenience should be taken care of. CM gave directions for Hindon River rejuvenation project. He emphasised improving water quality and pollution control. CM launched 'Pahal' portal under Ghaziabad Development Authority.' Meanwhile, police carried out a route march along the Kanwar Yatra path as a precautionary measure ahead of the Tazia festival. Earlier today, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called (Central Electronics Limited) CEL's journey a symbol of India's industrial revival and self-reliance. He said it is a key part of Prime Minister Modi's vision for a developed India by 2047, and that through organisations like CEL, the new India is moving forward with strength, technology, and confidence, an official statement said. CM Yogi and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, laid the foundation stone for the CEL-ESDS Green Data Centre in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, on Thursday. During the event, the Chief Minister expressed happiness about the new greenfield data centre being developed by CEL. He said, 'It is a strong step toward achieving PM Modi's goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.' He also mentioned that Uttar Pradesh will generate 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2027, with CEL playing a key role in this mission. At the Golden Jubilee celebration of Central Electronics Limited (CEL) in Ghaziabad and the foundation stone-laying ceremony of its new data center, CM Yogi took part in the puja and also visited the exhibition, where he was given information about the data center and its operations. He also planted a sapling as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Severe malnutrition cases among children decline by 51,000 in last two years: Maharashtra govt
Mumbai: The number of severely malnourished (SAM) children in Maharashtra has significantly declined over the last two years from 80,248 in 2023 to 29,107 in 2025. Similarly, the number of moderately malnourished (MAM) children declined from 2.12 lakh or 5.09% to 1.49 lakh or 3.11% over the same period. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the achievement to coordinated efforts by various state departments and welfare agencies. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai According to official data, the percentage of severely malnourished (SAM) children in the state has fallen from 1.93% to 0.61% in the last two years. A total of over 48 lakh children were measured for height and weight under state surveys in March 2025, compared to 41.6 lakh in 2023. The number of SAM children dropped to 29,107 by March 2025 compared to 80,248 in March 2023, as per the data. "This achievement is the result of effective implementation, regular monitoring, and the dedication of thousands of grassroots workers and officials," Fadnavis said. The state govt has been implementing several initiatives to tackle malnutrition, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which provides take-home rations for children aged six months to three years and hot cooked meals for those between 3 and 6 years of age, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated. Special initiatives like the 'Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Aahar Yojana' are being implemented in tribal areas, offering square meals to pregnant and lactating mothers, it said. The CMO said SAM children are provided with additional nutrition and medical attention at village-level and urban child development centres. Among other measures, digital platforms such as the 'Nurture' app and the Nutrition Tracker are being used to monitor individual child health data, track nutritional status, and ensure timely delivery of food supplements. A dedicated state-level task force has been formed to guide policy and implementation, while weekly field reviews and regular training for Anganwadi workers have helped ensure accountability and grassroots impact, the release stated. "Maharashtra continues to lead not only in economic growth but also in social welfare initiatives, especially those targeting human development and inclusive progress," Fadnavis added. PTI
