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India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims returns amid tight security
Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 4 (ANI): The first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims returned to Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Udhampur on Friday after visiting the holy cave. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been strengthened across J-K, including Udhampur, as the annual pilgrimage progresses through the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The annual pilgrimage, which started on Thursday, is being conducted via the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The Jammu-Srinagar Highway is a key route for the thousands of pilgrims heading to the holy site. In Doda, security arrangements have been intensified, with the Jammu and Kashmir Police reiterating their commitment to ensuring the safety of pilgrims and eliminating any terror threats. During a review meeting with Swami Vishwanand Saraswati and locals in Mandi (Poonch), DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Tejinder Singh said, 'Like last year, this year also, safety and security will be well taken care of. Most importantly, last year, the people of Poonch's Mandi greatly cooperated with us, and they have promised us the same this time too. We will make sure the yatra goes on smoothly this time as well.' In Kishtwar, Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mehta told ANI that robust security measures have been put in place along the Kishtwar-Batote route, with four checkpoints established on NH244, including the main checkpoint at Baggar. 'Kishtwar district has made solid preparations on the Kishtwar-Batote route. Four checkpoints are set up on the NH244, with the main checkpoint at Baggar. When the Amarnath Yatra crosses this point, our police party ensures that no unscrupulous elements pass through,' Mehta said. BJP MLA from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, said, 'Today, lakhs of devotees are going for Amarnath Yatra. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not afraid of anyone now, and all the conspiracies of Pakistan will fail. Our forces, Jammu and Kashmir administration and all the people of Jammu and Kashmir have given a befitting reply to the Pakistani terrorists who were conspiring to disrupt the Yatra.' Meanwhile, the second batch of pilgrims departed from the Nunwan Base Camp on Friday morning. Devotees praised the arrangements and expressed confidence in the safety measures. 'I am from Noida, and we are a group of 13 people. This is my first time. I am very excited. The arrangements are very good. There is nothing to be afraid of,' Singh said. (ANI)
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bengaluru embraces wellness on 11th International Day of Yoga
1 2 Bengaluru: Deep breaths, folded hands, and mindful stretches marked Bengaluru's celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga Saturday. Across multiple venues, the city embraced this year's theme — Yoga for One Earth, One Health — with enthusiasm and collective spirit. The Indian Air Force's headquarters training command (HQTC) observed the day by following the common yoga protocol (CYP) set by the ministry of Ayush. Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, air officer commanding-in-chief, Training Command, IAF, joined personnel and their families for the event. At Command Hospital Air Force, over 150 IAF members and their families also took part. Educational institutions across the city joined in the celebrations. The Taproot Group of Colleges marked the occasion across all its 15 campuses. At The Great Eastern PU College, certified yoga trainer Pradeep Urs led a special session demonstrating asanas such as Vrikshasana, Bhadrasana, and Bhramari. "Yoga connects individuals to the world around them. At Taproot, we value holistic well-being alongside academics," said Sridhar S, director of Taproot Group. At the Vidhana Soudha precincts, more than 5,000 people took part in the yoga event organised by the state govt. Dinesh Gundu Rao, minister for health and family welfare, said Yoga Mandiras would be established in district and taluk govt hospitals in the coming days to introduce yoga to more people in the state.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Iran-Israel conflict fallout: Basmati glut meets export drought
Amritsar: The Israel-Iran conflict has triggered a crisis in the Indian basmati market, leading to an oversupply and a sharp decline in prices. Warehouses are overflowing with basmati bags due to the suspension of exports to Gulf countries, especially Iran, which alone consumes 20% of Indian basmati, primarily sourced from Punjab and Haryana. According to market analysts, the financial year 2024–25 began with a promise as India's basmati rice exports soared to 60 lakh tonne, an 8 lakh tonne increase over the previous year. "It was a strong sign of global appetite and growing demand for Indian basmati, particularly from Iran and the broader Middle East, which absorb nearly 75% of India's basmati, especially the Sela (parboiled) variety cherished in Iranian kitchens," said Tejinder Singh, chief executive officer of Amar Singh Chawla Wala, makers of the popular Lal Qila basmati brand, With Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz—a vital trade artery—major shipping lines have suspended operations to Iranian ports. Insurance companies have backed out, unwilling to risk covering shipments through a war zone. The vessels en route were docked at Iranian ports, where they offloaded their cargo, Tejinder said. Tejinder further said that the glut of basmati has started to choke the Indian market, and its ripple effects are now hitting every level of the supply chain. He said that the prices have dropped from Rs 7,000 per quintal to Rs 6,200. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo Export prices, once commanding between $850 to $950 per tonne, have seen a 10-15% decline. With the new basmati crop expected to arrive from mid-Sept through Nov, the situation is set to worsen. Rattan Singh, a farmer, said that they were hoping to cash in on strong prices, but under the present circumstances, the rates could fall by Rs 500 per quintal for both PUSA 1509, 1121, and other variants. "This glut is unlike anything we have seen in recent years. And it's not because of poor demand. It's because the world has stopped moving," he added. At the heart of the crisis lies Iran, where not only the shipping lines have collapsed, but so has the banking system. Tejinder said that the ongoing conflict has rendered financial transactions nearly impossible. At any given time, nearly Rs 100 crore of Indian basmati exporter money is stuck in Iranian channels, held up by broken payment links and frozen banking infrastructure. R S Sachdeva, former chairperson of the Punjab state chapter, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said if the export ban continues and the new crop arrives amidst an already saturated market, prices will crash further. "The brunt of this will fall on the farmers—many of whom are smallholders who cannot afford a bad season. Loans taken in anticipation of a lucrative year may spiral into debt traps," he observed. Yet, there is a sliver of hope. Many believe that when exports eventually resume, there will be a surge in demand. "After all, Iran and the Middle East cannot go without their staple. International organisations, possibly the UN or food aid agencies, may step in to ensure food security in conflict-ridden regions. Rice is not a luxury for them but a necessity; then the market will boom again," hoped Tejinder. MSID:: 121975248 413 |
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lower water usage, international demand and an opportunity to grow a third crop: This is why Punjab farmers are going for basmati this year
1 2 Amritsar: Lower water usage, international demand and an opportunity to grow a third crop between seasons are spurring farmers in Punjab's Majha region to cultivate basmati despite only marginal differences in earnings compared to traditional paddy. Last year, basmati fetched an average price of over Rs 3,300 per quintal in the private market, ranging between Rs 2,531 and Rs 3,550. Paddy was sold at around Rs 2,400 per quintal under the minimum support price (MSP) regime. Although paddy offers slightly higher yields, basmati's added advantages are fuelling the shift. "Unlike paddy, basmati requires significantly less water, which aligns with the govt advisory of promoting sustainable farming amid growing water scarcity. Early-maturing basmati varieties like PUSA 1509 also allow farmers to grow a third crop—typically vegetables such as potatoes or peas—between the wheat and rice cycles, adding to their income," explained Tejinder Singh, chief executive officer of Amar Singh Chawla Wala, makers of the popular Lal Qila basmati brand, said. Basmati grown in the districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur, and parts of Tarn Taran commands higher demand compared to other areas, further incentivising farmers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Last year, out of the total 1.8 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation, 1.5 lakh hectares were under premium basmati varieties, while 30,000 hectares were used for traditional paddy. This year, the agriculture department aims to bring at least 10,000 additional hectares under basmati cultivation. "We're seeing unprecedented interest in basmati, especially in the high-yielding, disease-resistant PUSA 1692 variety, which delivers 22 to 24 quintals per hectare," said Dr Baljinder Singh Bhullar, chief agriculture officer. Dr Raman Kumar, subject matter specialist (plant protection), added that PUSA 1509 is a preferred short-duration variety, giving farmers sufficient time to plant another vegetable crop. "Farmers are increasingly opting for PUSA 1121, 1509, 1692, and similar basmati variants," he said. Farmers are also optimistic about prices this season, partly due to geopolitical developments especially Israel-Iran war. "Earlier, our basmati shipments were often returned due to pesticide residues, but with the ban on use of pesticides, Punjab's basmati is high in demand abroad. This year we expect it will fetch a handsome price due to demand from West Asian countries," said Ravinder Singh, a farmer from Amritsar.
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Be ready to repay faith of citizens: CAS to graduates
HYDERABAD: Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday extolled the might of the Indian Air Force (IAF), saying that it amply demonstrated its prowess during the recent Operation Sindoor through swift, precise and decisive action against the enemy. 'The success of Operation Sindoor is evidence of the operational capabilities of the IAF,' the CAS told the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on Saturday. A total of 254 Flight Cadets graduated during the parade. Addressing the new officers, the CAS reminded them that the Air Force had always been, and would continue to be, the nation's first responder in times of need. 'It is our collective responsibility to live up to the trust placed in the Indian Air Force by every citizen of India, and we must be ready and prepared for it,' he said. Honour and rewards Congratulating the graduating officers, the CAS said: 'When you chose to serve the nation, you opted for a career that is not only demanding but also among the most rewarding and honourable. As we look to the future, two things are certain: the fast-evolving character of warfare and the increasing relevance of aerospace power.' On the theme of collective responsibility, the CAS said that the ceremony marked the culmination of years of rigorous training and perseverance, but this was only the beginning of the officers' professional journey. He urged them to expand their horizons and develop new capabilities. 'The battlespace of the future will be increasingly complex. With the IAF transforming into a true aerospace force, many of you will be at the forefront of India's ventures into space. These challenges will demand total commitment, relentless focus, innovation, and a deep passion for your calling. The uniform you wear is a symbol of national pride – wear it with honour, lead with courage, and always uphold the core values of the Indian Air Force,' he added. Parade and awards The Air Chief Marshal was the Reviewing Officer (RO) for the parade and conferred the President's Commission to the graduating Flight Cadets. He was received by Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, and Air Marshal PK Vohra, Commandant, AFA. The Reviewing Officer was presented with a General Salute, followed by a march-past.
