INDIA

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Agricultural scientists from across the country are set to visit villages as part of the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ which is focused on Rabi crops, and meet farmers, provide essential information, listen to their issues and play a role in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Lab to Land' mantra.After the tremendous success of the first phase of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' the second phase of the campaign is set to begin under the leadership of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. As part of the campaign preparations, a two-day 'National Agricultural Conference — ‘Rabi Abhiyan 2025' — is being organised at Pusa Campus, New Delhi from September 15, according to the ministry.The two-day national conference for Rabi crops will provide a...

Ahmedabad, Sep 14 (IANS) Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat will be sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra on Monday. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Darbar Hall in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.The development follows Devvrat being assigned the additional charge of Maharashtra after former Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan stepped down on September 11 upon being elected Vice President of India.On Sunday morning, Devvrat, accompanied by his wife Darshana Devi, travelled from Ahmedabad to Mumbai aboard the Tejas Express.At 66, Acharya Devvrat has been serving as the Governor of Gujarat since 2019. A former educator and Arya Samaj pracharak, he previously served as principal of a Gurukul in Kurukshetra, Haryana.President Droupadi Murmu formally appointed him to the additional role ear...

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) By lowering GST rates across automobiles, food processing, apparel, logistics and handicrafts, the reforms strengthen supply chains, promote local manufacturing, and boost employment, especially for women, rural entrepreneurs, and informal sector workers, according to the government.Multiple sectors such as garments, toys, handicrafts, leather, and MSMEs see enhanced employment opportunities, with a notable impact on women’s employment in textiles, tailoring, and dairy.For example, lower GST on two-wheelers, cars, buses, and tractors increases demand, benefiting MSMEs in tyres, batteries, glass, plastics, and electronics.Affordable bikes support gig workers, farmers, and rural traders and cheaper cars aid MSMEs and dealerships in small towns.GST reduction to 5 per ...

Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS) The second round of the State Level Selection Test (SLST), conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), will be held on Sunday. The exam for the recruitment of teachers for Classes 11 and 12 (Higher Secondary) will start at noon. The exam will end at 1.30 p.m. However, the specially-abled candidates will be given an extra 30 minutes.There are 12,514 vacancies for Classes 11 and 12. The total number of candidates appearing for the second round SLST is around 2,46,000. The total number of examination centres is 478.WBSSC has instructed all candidates to reach the exam centre by 10 a.m. The candidates will receive the question paper and answer sheet at 11.45 a.m. No electronic devices will be allowed in the exam centres.The first round of SLST was con...

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) As India marked Hindi Diwas on Sunday, leaders across the country extended greetings on the occasion, describing the language as a powerful force of unity and an essential element in building a 'Viksit' and 'Atmanirbhar' India.Observed every year on September 14, Hindi Diwas commemorates the adoption of Hindi as one of India's official languages. The date holds historical importance, as in 1949, the Constituent Assembly reached a consensus on the official language framework during the drafting of the Constitution.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, extending his wishes, highlighted the role of Hindi in strengthening unity."Heartfelt greetings on Hindi Day! Hindi, serving as a bridge among the country's languages and dialects, is promoting national unity and is becoming ...

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) A habitual cyber fraudster who threatened to carry out an RDX blast in Mumbai during the Ganeshotsav festival has been arrested in a joint operation by the Bihar Cyber Crime Police and Mumbai Police. The accused was earlier detained in Noida by a special team and later handed over to the Mumbai Police for further interrogation.The accused, identified as Ashwin Supra, had sent a terror threat via WhatsApp to the Mumbai Traffic Police, claiming that 400 kg of RDX was planted in 34 vehicles across the city, and that over one crore lives were at risk.The alarming message, sent just as Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were concluding, triggered a massive security response in Mumbai. Bomb detection squads were deployed at key locations, and intelligence agencies were roped ...

Chennai, Sep 14 (IANS) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced that it will conduct a series of flood rescue training programmes across the city to prepare residents as first responders during the northeast monsoon. The civic body has set a target of training 7,500 volunteers drawn from resident welfare associations (RWAs) and local communities. The sessions will include practical demonstrations on using boats, ropes, and basic rescue equipment to help people trapped in floodwaters.Volunteers will also be trained to assist in moving residents to relief camps or hospitals, and guided on coordinating with authorities during emergencies.The hands-on drills are scheduled to take place later this month, with multiple batches planned in different zones.As a first step, an online orie...

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) In a powerful display of unity, empowerment, and enthusiasm, Ahmedabad on Sunday, hosted the ‘Run for Her’ event, an initiative aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship, fitness, and social inclusion, which drew thousands of participants, including aspiring and established women entrepreneurs from across the city.Organised in collaboration with industry bodies such as the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), the event served as both a fitness challenge and a platform for women to network, showcase their businesses, and raise funds for future development programs.Rajesh Gandhi, Senior Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, appreciated the overwhelming response and emphasised the importance of fitness and inclusion."The purpose of this event is w...

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of major infrastructure and industrial development projects worth over Rs 18,530 crore in Assam on Sunday.As part of his Assam itinerary, PM Modi will arrive in Darrang, where he will address a public gathering and lay the foundation stone for multiple major projects. These include the Darrang Medical College & Hospital, a GNM School and B.Sc. Nursing College, and the ambitious Guwahati Ring Road Project, a vital urban infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and enhance mobility in the capital region.He will also lay the foundation stone for the Kuruwa–Narengi Bridge over the Brahmaputra River, expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and foster socio-economic ...

Itanagar, Sep 14 (IANS) In an outstanding display of operational prowess, the elite troops of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps successfully conducted a high-intensity exercise titled ‘Dibang Shakti’ deep in the challenging terrain of Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, officials said on Saturday.Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the ‘Dibang Shakti’ exercise was meticulously designed to test and validate the troops’ asymmetric warfare capabilities under extremely demanding conditions of dense jungles, steep mountains, and unpredictable weather.During the exercise, the troops showcased exceptional skill in a variety of tactical domains, including specialized survival techniques, jungle warfare, and combat free falls operations, he said.According to the spokesman, the operation de...