Latest news with #SSuresh


New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP revamps state leadership; Sobha Surendran, Ramesh among general secretaries
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant move ahead of local body and assembly elections, the BJP has executed a major revamp of its state leadership. Prominent woman leader Sobha Surendran, former secretary S Suresh and former Yuva Morcha national secretary Anoop Antony Joseph have been inducted as general secretaries, while senior leader M T Ramesh has been retained in the post. Notably, ex-DGP R Sreelekha and young leader Shone George figure among the 10 new vice-presidents. The new office-bearers were announced on the day of Union Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state. Shah is expected to chair the state-level leadership meeting on Saturday. The revamp, widely perceived as an attempt to rework internal dynamics and increase the party's appeal, includes a combination of seasoned leaders and successful career professionals. The appointment of a new team reflects the vision of Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who recently took over as the party state chief. With the reshuffle, current group equations within the party are anticipated to change. There are allegations that leaders close to V Muraleedharan have not been given due consideration in the revamp. Meanwhile, attempts have been made to ensure social and communal balance. A couple of leaders from minority communities figure among the new appointees.


New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
'Mahalir Thittam' in Tiruchy gives Rs 12 crore trade deals to 220 SHGs
TIRUCHY: The implementation of the state government's 'Mahalir Thittam' in Tiruchy aiming to empower women self-help groups (SHG) is a success story of sorts as 120 MoUs involving business agreements worth about Rs 12 crore were signed between 220 SHGs in the district and 99 traders from across the state during financial year 2024-25. Through the inked deals, over a hundred products made by the SHGs now find a better and wider market. As part of the programme, S Suresh, project director of Mahalir Thittam-Tiruchy, pointed to the two buyer-seller meets that his team organised in a 'short span of time' earlier this year. 'Attracted by the quality of the products made by our self-help groups (on display), agreements worth Rs 12.67 crore were inked. This has greatly motivated other SHGs in the district.' During the first buyer-seller meet in Tiruchy on January 3, 2025, 106 SHGs and 85 traders participated, and signed 106 MoUs were signed. The agreements covered SHGs' sale and supply of a wide range of products including agro products such as banana, coconut, flowers, pulses, oil seeds, millets, ghee, honey, palm sugar, and jute products, herbal products, cosmetics, and readymade food items like pickle. In total, SHG members clinched business deals worth Rs 10.48 crore, officials said. In the second such meet, 114 SHGs and 14 traders participated, resulting in the signing of 14 MoUs valuing to Rs 2.19 crore. Agreements were signed for sale of products like sanitary napkins, wood cold pressed edible oil, and traditional rice varieties, officials added. Seeing the success, many other groups have expressed interest in participating in the upcoming buyer-seller meets, Suresh said. Attachment: SHG