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Business Standard
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Gadkari says govt working on rare earth alternatives: 'Will be solved soon'
Speaking to Business Standard, Gadkari explained the government's multipronged push for self-reliance and assured that the problem of restrictions on rare earth magnets will be solved soon Swati Gandhi New Delhi Union minister Nitin Gadkari assured that Indian startups, research institutions, and engineering colleges are working hard to find solutions for several problems, including finding alternatives to rare earth magnets. Speaking to Business Standard, Gadkari talked about the government's multi-pronged push for self-reliance and assured that the problem of restrictions on rare earth magnets will be solved soon. The minister's remarks come amid China's export restrictions on seven heavy and medium rare earth elements and magnets. These elements include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium, which are crucial for sectors like defence, energy, and auto, especially electric vehicles (EVs). India looks beyond China for rare earths HD Kumaraswamy, the minister for heavy industries, on Tuesday said the government is now in talks with Japan and Vietnam for rare earths. The Centre also aims to announce an incentive scheme for processing rare earth oxides into magnets, which could take up to two years. Kumaraswamy further said a decision regarding this is expected in 15-20 days. India concerned over essential bitumen supplies? Asked whether the Centre is concerned over bitumen supplies being impacted because of the Israel-Iran conflict, Gadkari said that trials are currently underway where a one-kilometre road was built using bio-bitumen, where the lignin is procured using stubble. The minister said that Indian Oil has commenced a project in Haryana's Panipat district, under which, stubble is being used to generate bio-bitumen, ethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel. Calling for India to become 'Atmanirbhar', Gadkari said that India must become self-reliant in everything, adding that the imports should come down, while exports should go up.
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Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Those who speak English will soon feel 'ashamed': Home Minister Amit Shah
Amit Shah said that foreign languages cannot truly capture the essence of India's culture, history, or religion New Delhi Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that India is moving towards becoming a society where the use of English would no longer be seen as a marker of pride or status. 'In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed — the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change. I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian,' Shah said, as quoted by ANI. He was speaking at the launch of 'Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon', a book authored by former IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri, in Delhi. Shah said that foreign languages are unable to fully express India's civilisation and spiritual roots. 'The idea of a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages. I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too,' he said. English is one of the two official languages of India. 'Panch Pran' now a national resolve The Home Minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's five pledges, known as the 'Panch Pran', saying these have now become the collective will of the nation. 'Modi Ji has laid the foundation of the 'Panch Pran' (five pledges) for the Amrit Kaal. Achieving the goal of a developed India, getting rid of every trace of slavery, taking pride in our heritage, staying committed to unity and solidarity, and igniting the spirit of duty in every citizen — these five pledges have become the resolve of 130 crore people. That is why by 2047, we will be at the pinnacle, and our languages will play a major role in this journey,' Shah said. Amit Shah calls for civil services reform Amit Shah also said that India's administrative services require a radical transformation, and that the current training model lacks focus on empathy and service. 'A radical change is needed in the training of administrative officers... Rarely are they trained to introduce empathy in our system. Maybe because the British era inspired this training model. I believe that if any ruler or administrator rules without empathy, then they cannot achieve the real objective of governance...' he said.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Ministry of Minority Affairs launches centralised digital platform for real-time monitoring of Waqf properties
New Delhi Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday (June 6, 2025) launched the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) portal, a centralised digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties. The Minister said the portal will bring about a paradigm shift in administration of Waqf assets by introducing greater transparency, accountability, and public participation. 'The UMEED portal will add a new chapter in the history of Waqf property management and administration in India. It will not only bring transparency but will also help common Muslims, particularly women and children,' said Mr. Rijiju. Developed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the UMEED will feature a digital inventory with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties. Other key features include an online grievance redressal system for better responsiveness and integration with GIS mapping and other e-Governance tools, the Ministry said, adding the portal will also provide the public access to verified records and reports related to the Waqf. Terming the portal a historic step, Mr. Rijiju emphasised that the UMEED was more than just a technological upgrade. 'It is a symbol of the government's firm commitment to safeguarding the rights of minority communities and ensuring that community owned Waqf assets are utilised effectively and fairly, for poor Muslims, for whom it was originally meant,' he added. George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, said that the portal was a long-awaited reform that will curb misuse and bring Waqf administration closer to the people. 'The system ensures that every property is accounted for and used in accordance with the purpose it was endowed,' he added. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry, said that he expected the UMEED portal to become the backbone of digital Waqf governance, thereby ensuring that Waqf assets contribute meaningfully to education, healthcare, livelihood generation and social welfare, especially for underprivileged sections within the Muslim community.
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Tourism sector to touch 10% of GDP by 2030: Shekhawat
New Delhi Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday said the tourism sector's share of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would rise to 10% by 2030, in line with global benchmarks. The minister set out this ambitious target at the CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi. The sector's share of GDP was 5% in 2022-23, according to a government release. 'India will align with global standards, with 10% of GDP coming from tourism,' Shekhawat said. He linked this goal to broader economic growth, noting, 'As our economy grows, parallelly our aspirational class will grow, and those people that have emerged from below the poverty line will commonly go for spiritual tourism.' The strategy involves leveraging India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual sites, alongside significant infrastructure development in roads, railways, and airports. The government is creating policies to enhance the overall tourist experience. Shekhawat cited the Ujjain Mahakal Corridor as an example, attracting over 1 million visitors in one month. A notable shift is the increasing importance of domestic tourists. 'India's domestic tourists have the potential to become a larger contributor to the country's tourism sector,' Shekhawat said, indicating a move away from past reliance on international visitors. Reflecting post-pandemic travel trends, the Centre is pushing states to develop experiential tourism at monument sites. 'We've asked the states to come up with new proposals,' Shekhawat confirmed, as travellers seek new experiences. The minister called for industry collaboration to build an end-to-end roadmap for both international and domestic travellers. 'Promote ease of doing travel in India — which would segue into ease of doing business in the country,' he urged. He specifically asked corporates to host events and meetings within India to boost the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism segment. Infrastructure development, including recent projects in roads, aviation, and railways, is seen as foundational. Shekhawat acknowledged the need for increased flight capacity. He highlighted that granting infrastructure status to the sector will be key: 'The infrastructure status is going to give a major boost to private investments coming into the sector.' The government is also supporting the development of the next 50 tourism destinations. Shekhawat further said that Indian tourism growth will be driven by rising infrastructure investments.
