
Project MISHTI to help conserve mangroves in Sunderbans: Minister
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who was addressing a press conference to mark the Narendra Modi government's completion of 11 years in office, said the project is aimed at protecting mangroves in the coastal areas, and will work as bio-shield in the face of natural calamities.
Project MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoretime Habitats & Tangible Incomes) was announced in the Union budget for the financial year 2023-24.
'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Project Mishti was launched to undertake mangrove afforestation measures along the coastline of the country. Sunderbans is a vital part… this project is aimed at saving the mangroves and the coastal areas from cyclones,' Yadav said.
'The word MISHTI is especially significant (for West Bengal). It means sweet,' he said.
He added that the state government's help and support are required for implementing the project and ensuring coastal life and livelihood of people against climate change.
Yadav said the government has chalked out 'National Programme Resolution Environment', outlining specific action related to environmental protection aiming at reducing carbon footprints.
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Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
79th Independence Day 2025 theme revealed: Event details, special guest list, history and more
India will mark its 79th Independence Day on Friday, 15 August 2025, with grand celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lead the ceremony, unfurl the National Flag, and address the nation from the monument's ramparts. This year's Independence Day 2025 theme is "Naya Bharat", symbolising the country's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 under the Government's Viksit Bharat mission. The celebrations aim to highlight India's progress, strength, and unity while honouring its journey from colonial rule to a confident and prosperous future. A Look Back at India's Independence On 15 August 1947, after over two centuries of British colonial rule, India gained freedom. In his iconic midnight address, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, spoke of the nation's 'tryst with destiny'. That morning, he hoisted the tricolour for the first time, marking the birth of a free and sovereign India. Since then, Independence Day has been observed annually with ceremonies across the country, with the Red Fort serving as the focal point for the official celebrations. The Independence Day 2025 Ceremony When the Prime Minister arrives at the Red Fort, he will be received by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh. Following a formal introduction to senior military officials, the Guard of Honour will be presented, consisting of 96 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Delhi Police. The Indian Air Force is the coordinating service for Independence Day 2025. The ceremonial march will be commanded by Wing Commander AS Sekhon, with each contingent led by its respective officers. The National Flag hoisting will be synchronised with a 21-Gun Salute, performed by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns. The National Anthem will be played by the Air Force band, which will include 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians for the first time. As the flag is hoisted, two Mi-17 helicopters will shower flower petals over the venue—one carrying the tricolour and the other displaying a flag dedicated to Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor in Focus Operation Sindoor will receive special recognition during this year's event. Its logo will be displayed at Gyanpath, with floral decorations inspired by the mission. The official invitation cards for the Independence Day 2025 ceremony will feature both the Operation Sindoor emblem and a watermark of the Chenab Bridge, symbolising the rise of Naya Bharat. Formation of the 'Naya Bharat' Logo Following the flag hoisting and the Prime Minister's address, 2,500 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and 'My Bharat' volunteers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will form the 'Naya Bharat' logo at Gyanpath. The event will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem. Special Guest List for Independence Day 2025 Around 5,000 special guests from across India have been invited to witness the celebrations at the Red Fort. This Independence Day 2025 guest list includes: Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025 Winners of international sports events and Khelo India Para Games gold medallists Top-performing farmers in various government schemes, including beekeeping, medicinal plant cultivation, and credit guarantee programmes Best-performing Sarpanches under rural development initiatives like Catch the Rain Abhiyan and Open Defecation Free Plus Villages Young authors from the PM YUVA Mentorship Scheme Entrepreneurs from PM Van Dhan Yojana, National SC/ST Hub, and VISVAS Skilled youth under schemes such as PM-VIKAS, SHREYAS, and PM-DAKSH Beneficiaries of PM Awaas Yojana Gramin and Lakhpati Didi initiative Social workers, Anganwadi staff, Swachhta campaign achievers, and innovators from Defence Excellence projects Representatives from Vibrant Villages and tribal children from Andaman & Nicobar Islands Additionally, over 1,500 participants from different states and union territories, dressed in traditional attire, will add a colourful cultural touch to the event. Why the Independence Day 2025 Theme Matters The theme 'Naya Bharat' reflects India's determination to strengthen its economy, improve security, empower communities, and promote innovation. It serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a vision for the nation's future. Happy Independence Day wishes and messages 2025 This Independence Day, let's take a pledge to protect the peace and unity of our great nation. Happy Independence Day! Thousands laid down their lives so that our country stays strong, never forget their sacrifice… Happy 79th Independence Day! Thousands of soldiers laid down their lives so that we can live freely. We owe our freedom to the martyrs. Happy 79th Independence Day! Wishing you a Happy Independence Day 2025! May the tricolour always fly high and our nation continue to prosper. Independence Day is both an occasion to celebrate and to remember the struggles of those who fought to give us this gift. Happy Independence Day 2025! Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! May our nation continue to prosper and grow. On this Independence Day, may our dreams for a brighter tomorrow come true! Enjoy a day filled with patriotic spirit. We should salute the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and soldiers who made the dream of independent India a reality. United we stand, proud we rise. Have a day full of pride, honour, and joy. Happy Independence Day! Freedom in the Mind, Faith in the words, Pride in our us salute the nation on this Independence Day! This Independence Day, let's take a pledge to protect the peace and unity of our great nation. Happy Independence Day! Happy Independence Day to my wonderful family! May this day remind us of the strength and resilience of our nation. Let's celebrate our freedom and work together to make India even better. May our country continue to flourish and celebrate many more years of independence. Happy Independence Day to all! Seven decades and nine years of freedom - let's make it count. Happy Independence Day! May the glory of Independence Day be with us forever. Here's wishing you a very happy Independence Day! Freedom is a hard-won gift, and we are blessed to have it. Let's appreciate and celebrate our freedom. Happy Independence Day! Saluting the bravery of our freedom fighters. Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! A big salute to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our independence! Jai Hind! The future, progress, and development of our great country depend not only on technological advancements but also on building social cohesion and trust. Happy Independence Day! On this special day, here's wishing our dreams of a new tomorrow come true! May your Independence Day be filled with patriotic spirit! Happy Independence Day! May our nation continue to grow in strength and prosperity. Let's honour our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to a brighter future together. Freedom is something that money can't buy; it's the result of the struggles of many Bravehearts. Let us honour them today and always. Happy Independence Day 2025! May the Indian flag always fly high. Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! Thousands laid down their lives so that our country stays strong, never forget their sacrifice… Happy 79th Independence Day! No nation is perfect; it needs to be made perfect. Happy Independence Day! Happy Independence Day! May our nation's future be as bright as our phone screens. Carried with care, coated with pride, dipped in love, fly in glory, moments of freedom in the shade of joy. Proud to be an Indian! Wish you a very Happy Independence Day 2025! 28 States, 7 Union Territories, 1652 Total Languages, 6 Major Religions, 100s of Festivals & 1 Country! Proud to be an Indian! Happy Independence Day! Wishing you a Happy Independence Day! May our country always be a symbol of hope and freedom. Celebrate the free spirit of India. May this Independence Day fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Happy Independence Day 2025! Happy Independence Day! Let's celebrate the freedom we enjoy and honour the heroes who made it possible. May this day bring you closer to your loved ones and inspire you to strive for greatness. The Independence Day 2025 ceremony will be a blend of tradition, patriotism, and innovation—showcasing India's military strength, cultural diversity, and commitment to building a developed Naya Bharat by 2047. With a grand guest list, impressive ceremonies, and the symbolic theme, this year's celebrations promise to be truly memorable. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


India.com
29 minutes ago
- India.com
‘Ground Reality Can't Be Ignored': Supreme Court Points To Pahalgam Horror In J&K Statehood Plea
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Union government to clarify its position on a series of applications seeking a time-bound restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and emphasised that ground realities must be taken into account. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran was hearing petitions that argued the prolonged delay in restoring statehood is 'seriously impacting the rights of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and undermining the principle of federalism.' The Bench underscored the significance of the Pahalgam issue during the proceedings. The applicants contended that the absence of a clearly defined timeline for restoring statehood constitutes a breach of federalism, which they emphasised is an integral part of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution. 'It has been 21 months since the Article 370 judgment. There has been no movement towards the restoration of statehood,' submitted senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, adding that the Constitution Bench had trusted the Union government when the Solicitor General assured it that statehood would be restored. On the other hand, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, questioning the maintainability of the applications, urged the apex court to consider the 'peculiar position' in Jammu and Kashmir and sought that the pleas be listed after eight weeks, saying this was not the 'correct stage' to consider the matter. 'The MAs (miscellaneous applications) are not maintainable. We had assured two things: the election would be held, and thereafter, the statehood. Your lordships are aware of the peculiar position emerging from this part of our country. There are several considerations,' said SG Mehta. 'I don't know why, at this stage, this issue is agitated, but list it after 8 weeks. I will take instructions. My prayer is for eight weeks because this particular stage is not the correct stage to muddy the water,' Mehta added. After hearing the submissions, the CJI Gavai-led Bench listed the matter after eight weeks. In 're: Article 370 of the Constitution' verdict, a 5-judge Constitution Bench, headed by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, had left open the question of whether the Parliament can extinguish the character of statehood by converting a state into one or more Union Territories, relying on an oral statement made on Centre's behalf that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir. In the course of the oral hearing, the Solicitor General, the second-highest law officer of the Centre, had submitted that the Union Home Ministry cannot give any exact timeframe and it would take "some time" for the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Constitution Bench, also comprising Justices S.K. Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, Gavai and Surya Kant, had ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take steps to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, constituted under Section 14 of the Reorganisation Act, by September 30, 2024, and said that "restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible". It had upheld the status of Ladakh as a Union Territory under Article 3(a) read with Explanation I of the Constitution, which permits the formation of a Union Territory by separating a territory from any state. In May 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions challenging its verdict, stating there was 'no error apparent on the face of the record' and refused to list the matter in open court.


India.com
29 minutes ago
- India.com
8th Pay Commission Big Update: Modi government likely implemented salary hike by THIS date, Finance Ministry says...
बिहार में कई ट्रेन परियोजना का उद्घाटन 8th Pay Commission: The Modi government has approved the 8th Pay Commission in January 2025, but the official notification has not yet been issued. It is also important to note that the government has not yet finalized the names of the members and the chairperson of the new Pay Commission. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha that the official notification regarding the 8th Central Pay Commission will be issued at an appropriate time in the near future. Here are some of the key details: Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that letters were sent on January 17 and February 17, 2025, to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), and all states seeking their inputs on the Terms of Reference. Inputs are still being received. Therefore, the official notification will be issued at an appropriate time, the minister said. After the government issues the notification for the 8th Pay Commission, the chairperson and members of the commission will be appointed. The notification would be issued 'at the appropriate time,' and appointments would follow thereafter. More than 10 million Central Government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the official notification of the 8th Pay Commission. According to media reports, the government may approve a fitment factor in the range of 1.8 to 2.86. The fitment factor determines the salary/pension hike for Central Government employees and pensioners. At 1.92 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 54,528 HRA: Rs 13,086.72 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 71,214.72 NPS: Rs 5,452.80 CGHS: Rs 250 Net salary: Rs 65,511.92 At 2.57 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 72,988 HRA: Rs 17,517.12 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 94,105.12 NPS: Rs 7,298.80 CGHS: Rs 250 Net salary: Rs 86,556.32 At 1.92 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 73,152 HRA: Rs 17,556.48 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 94,308.48 NPS: Rs 7,315.20 CGHS: Rs 250 Net salary: Rs 86,743.28 At 2.57 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 97,917 HRA: Rs 23,500.08 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 1,25,017.08 NPS: Rs 9,791.70 CGHS: Rs 250 Net salary: Rs 1,14,975.38 At 1.92 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 1,12,512 HRA: Rs 27,002.88 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 1,43,114.88 NPS: Rs 11,251.20 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary:Rs 1,31,213.68 At 2.57 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 1,50,602 HRA: Rs 36,144.48 TA: Rs 3,600 Gross salary: Rs 1,90,346.48 NPS: Rs 15,060.20 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary: Rs 1,74,636.28 At 1.92 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 1,53,984 HRA: Rs 36,956.16 TA: Rs 7,200 Gross salary: Rs 1,98,140.16 NPS: Rs 15,398.40 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary: Rs 1,82,091.76 At 2.57 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 2,06,114 HRA: Rs 49,467.36 TA: Rs 7,200 Gross salary: Rs 2,62,781.36 NPS: Rs 20,611.40 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary: Rs 2,41,519.96 At 1.92 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 1,85,472 HRA: Rs 44,513.28 TA: Rs 7,200 Gross salary: Rs 2,37,185.28 NPS: Rs 18,547.20 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary: Rs 2,17,988.08 At 2.57 fitment factor Revised basic pay: Rs 2,48,262 HRA: Rs 59,582.88 TA: Rs 7,200 Gross salary: Rs 3,15,044.88 NPS: Rs 24,826.20 CGHS: Rs 650 Net salary: Rs 2,89,568.68 (Disclaimer: These are projections. Actual revised amounts may vary.)