Latest from India Gazette
India Gazette
an hour ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Private consumption share in India's GDP at two-decade high: Finance Ministry
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): India's private consumption has shown strong growth, reaching the highest share in the country's GDP in the past two decades, according to the latest monthly report released by the Ministry of Finance. The report highlighted that the share of private consumption in nominal GDP increased from 60.2 per cent in FY24 to 61.4 per cent in FY25. This marks the second-highest level in the last 20 years, indicating sustained strength in consumption demand across the country. The ministry said, 'private consumption's share in nominal GDP increased from 60.2 per cent in FY24 to 61.4 per cent in FY25. This is the second-highest level in the past two decades, indicating sustained strength in consumption demand'. On the demand side, the growth was mainly driven by robust private consumption, stable investment activity, and an increase in net exports. The Ministry said that private final consumption expenditure grew at a faster pace of 7.2 per cent in FY25, compared to a 5.6 per cent growth in FY24. This improvement was largely supported by a rebound in rural demand. In terms of investments, gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) saw a growth of 7.1 per cent in FY25. This is slightly lower compared to the 8.8 per cent growth recorded in FY24. In nominal terms, GFCF accounted for 29.9 per cent of GDP, which is lower than the last two years but still higher than the pre-pandemic average of 28.6 per cent during FY16 to FY20. The report also pointed out a positive shift in the country's external trade. Exports, measured at constant 2011-12 prices, rose by 6.3 per cent in FY25, a notable improvement from the 2.2 per cent growth in FY24. This increase comes despite ongoing global trade uncertainties, showing resilience in India's export performance. On the other hand, imports declined by 3.7 per cent in FY25, in contrast to a strong 13.8 per cent growth seen in the previous year. The fall in imports further supported the overall net exports, contributing positively to economic growth. The Ministry's report highlighted the balanced nature of India's growth drivers, with consumption, investment, and exports all playing vital roles. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
'No pressure, only enthusiasm': Varun Tomar is excited for Shooting League of India
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Varun Tomar, a prominent Indian shooter who won a gold medal at the 2022 ISSF World Cup in Cairo, is poised to be one of the flagship players in the tournament and has expressed his excitement for the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI). The first edition of the SLI is all set to kick off this year in Delhi. Aiming to help push shooting as a sport further into the Indian and global mainstream and provide increased exposure to the shooters, the buzz surrounding the tournament is starting to spread among the athletes, with more than 400 athletes from within India, and around the world having registered to partake in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Considered one of the best young shooters in the country, he is most prominently known for his role in helping secure India a quota in the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Olympics Qualifiers in Jakarta. The shooter praised the increased exposure the Shooting League of India would bring to shooters and said as quoted from a press release by SLI, 'People would come to know us, and our personalities better, like we have seen with athletes from other sports like Neeraj Chopra, people would come to understand shooters more deepl.l' He also expressed his joy in playing in front of an Indian crowd, stating, 'Playing in front of an Indian crowd, in front of my own people, brings in a different kind of feeling for me, it requires a different mentality and mindset. There exists this added desire to do well in such an environment.' When asked if playing in India would bring about added pressure, he said, 'Not pressure, but enthusiasm.' The 21-year-old also hoped that the league would help expand the shooting community further, saying, 'Shooting is a great sport. India as a whole has a great shooting programme now and people also enjoy following the sport and our success. The league will present a great opportunity for people to gain an even more understanding about the sport and will help in increasing its popularity. The more people participate, the more competition will increase within India.' The 36-member Indian contingent recently delivered a successful performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, winning four medals - two gold and two bronze. India finished third in the overall medal tally, trailing only the People's Republic of China and Norway. He shed more light on the environment and reception towards the league among the shooting community, 'The environment is quite nice, positive vibes are flowing around the camp right now. There is a good feeling and excitement as the World Cups will be followed by the league, where we get to prove ourselves further.' He signed off by talking about how the league would bring about changes in the shooting culture, 'We play many World Cups, World Championships, and Asian Championships, but the league will have a different format, different selection policies. It will be a unique experience, a unique feeling, so we are all looking forward to the challenge.' (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"A visionary who transformed the country's economic condition": YS Reddy pays tribute to Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary
Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 28 (ANI): YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday paid tribute to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao on his 104th birth anniversary. Former Andhra Chief Minister Reddy remembered Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao as a visionary leader who revolutionised India's economic landscape through his reforms. In an X post, the Reddy wrote, 'The visionary who transformed the country's economic condition with reforms, Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of PV, who provided numerous remarkable services to the nation as India's first Telugu Prime Minister, we pay our tributes.' Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, by President Droupadi Murmu on March 30, 2024. Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, as an agriculturist and an advocate, Narasimha Rao entered politics and held several important portfolios. He served as the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967; and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Rao, the ninth Prime Minister of India, assumed office in June 1991 and stayed in power till May 1996. He is credited with bringing many economic reforms to the country, particularly for dismantling the License Raj. Rao took over the post of Home Minister on July 19, 1984, and was re-appointed to this post, with the additional charge of the Ministry of Planning, on November 5, 1984. He was appointed as the Minister of Defence from December 31, 1984, to September 25, 1985. On September 25, 1985, he took over as the Minister of Human Resource Development. He was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971 to 1973 and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 1975 to 1976. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Imposed by Central government," says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on three-language formula
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday stated that the decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools was not made by the state government, but was 'imposed' by the central government. Raut further stated that the new education policy, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has encountered opposition from all states. Addressing a press conference, Raut said, 'This decision was imposed by the central government, not made by the state government. The new education policy is something Modi and Shah have given to the whole country, and all of our states stand against them.' Opposition parties continue to voice their objections against the Maharashtra government's plan to introduce Hindi as a third language in schools. The Maharashtra government has been criticised twice regarding its language policy. Initially, a government resolution issued on April 16 mandated Hindi as the compulsory third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. However, n response to the backlash, the government revised the policy through an amended resolution, stating, 'Hindi will be the third language. For those who want to learn another language, at least 20 willing students are required.' On June 24, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the final decision regarding the three-language formula will be taken only after discussions with litterateurs, language experts, political leaders, and all other concerned parties. A meeting on the issue of the three-language formula was held at the Chief Minister's official residence, Varsha, on Sunday night (June 22). Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, and officials from the education department were present. Raut further accused the Centre of misusing law and order over the past decade and stated that the judiciary and the Election Commission have treated the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP unfairly. 'The law and order have been misused for the last 10 years. The judiciary, including the Supreme Court as well as the Election Commission, has done injustice to Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-SCP... Who is giving the verdicts under pressure... We need an unbiased investigation to get justice,' Raut said. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Such objections will inject poison more deadly than drugs": Kerala Minister defends Zumba in schools
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 28 (ANI): Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday strongly defended the inclusion of Zumba dance in schools, stating that raising objections to such activities would inject poison that is more deadly than drugs into society. Responding to the criticism, Minister Sivankutty said, 'No one has asked children to wear minimal clothes. Children are wearing school uniforms and performing this.' 'Engaging in sports will help in developing mental and physical vitality, health and positive thinking in children. This will have a positive impact on their studies and personality development. Therefore, it is essential to encourage such healthy activities,' the minister stated. He added that Zumba and other physical activities played a crucial role in developing children's mental and physical health, and encouraged positive thinking and personality development. The Minister also referred to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, saying, 'According to RTE, children must participate in the learning processes prescribed by the government. Parents have no choice in the matter,' he clarified. On the role of educators, he stressed that teachers were bound by the directives of the education department. 'According to the conduct rules, the teacher is obliged to do what the department prescribes,' Sivankutty said. He further warned that communalising such issues would disrupt Kerala's long-standing tradition of social harmony. 'In a society like Kerala, where people live together in harmony, such stances will only encourage the majority communalism,' he added. His remarks came after the state Education Department recently planned to teach Zumba in all schools as part of efforts to drive students away from drug abuse and violence, and to improve their physical and mental fitness. Last year, ahead of the start of the current academic year, the Education Department provided training to teachers as part of their annual refresher programmes. Earlier in the day, Muslim groups in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram raised strong objections after the state education department introduced Zumba dance in schools, stating that they couldn't accept girls and boys intermingling, dancing together, or wearing minimal clothing. The move, as part of its anti-drug campaign, aimed at helping students manage stress through physical activity, drew criticism for allegedly promoting indecent intermingling of boys and girls. The backlash began after TK Ashraf, a teacher and General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, posted on Facebook that he and his son would not participate in the programme. 'Cannot accept this, and my son and I will not participate in this,' Ashraf wrote in a brief but direct statement opposing the initiative. Soon after, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader Nassar Faizy Koodathai also posted, calling the Zumba sessions inappropriate and a violation of students' rights. (ANI)
