Delhi Confidential: Global promotion
Makhana (foxnuts) has emerged as a buzzword ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, following the Centre's announcement to establish a dedicated board for its promotion. It was among the most sought-after food products at the inaugural International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM), held in Patna on May 19–20. Organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the leadership of Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the event attracted considerable interest from international buyers, many of whom are said to have entered into agreements to source makhana directly from the farmers in Bihar. An official noted that the ministry staff — especially those in Paswan's office — along with state government officials, worked tirelessly to make the event a success, earning appreciation from the minister himself.
Unexpected Support
Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, arrested by Haryana police on Sunday over a social media post, has got support from an unexpected quarter – former Ambedkar Nagar MP and BJP leader Ritesh Pandey, who jumped ship from the BSP last year. Pandey, who has a 'close friendship' with Mahmudabad, a Samajwadi Party member and former spokesperson of the party, wrote on X that the professor is a 'sensible person' and there can be no 'question mark' on his dedication towards the nation. He also wrote that he hopes Mahmudabad 'gets justice soon'. Many in the BJP were surprised and the party office in Lucknow was abuzz about the post which also called the action taken by the police in BJP-ruled Haryana 'not justified'.
Strong Backing
At the External Affairs Standing Committee meeting on Monday, MPs cutting across party lines are learnt to have expressed their anguish at the extent of social media harassment that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family had to face. The committee was inclined to pass a resolution but Misri thanked the Members of Parliament and insisted that their support was enough for him.
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Time of India
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Time of India
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Time of India
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The other big ticket takeaway was the introduction of the revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP 2.0) to encourage more participation in shipbuilding activities. With an improved outlay of ₹18,090 crore, this policy is aimed at strengthening domestic shipyards and enhancing their global competitiveness. Tamil Nadu is also working on a Marine Transport policy which could be out in a month, and this could generate a lot of economic opportunities," said Darez Ahamed, MD & CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu. To understand the potential offered by shipbuilding - consider that just one anchor investor can unlock an entire value chain of MSMEs in welding, precision engineering, logistics and marine services. The state has already initiated talks with global players to set up shipbuilding facilities in TN. As per sources, the order books of these international operators are packed till 2032. On its part, the state must provide the infrastructure needed to help them to establish their units here. For every job created inside the shopfloor of a shipbuilding company, seven jobs will be created outside. That's the potential it offers, say stakeholders. In the seafood sector, TN is no longer content with being just a supplier of raw catch. The game plan now is to build end-to-end infrastructure for seafood processing, cold chains and export-quality packaging, ensuring that value addition happens right here in the state's fishing hamlets, creating better incomes and sustainable livelihoods for the coastal communities. Infrastructure, especially roads connecting the coastal belt, cold chains along the TN coast, availability of power for these cold chains, mapping the wasteland on the coast, utilizing it adequately for growth of marine food and processing industries, are some of the key areas TN should focus on, said a leading consultant for the marine food industry, on condition of anonymity. "We will be addressing all the issues that have been holding back the growth of the seafood industry in Tamil Nadu, vis-a-vis neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for Rs 26,000 crore worth seafood exports as against TN's Rs 8,000 crore. We would soon match the best performing states in this sector," a TN govt official said. Coastal tourism is a major plus point. Tamil Nadu's coast is beautiful, diverse and rich in culture, but it remains largely unexplored. The state is developing a blueprint to unlock this through sustainable, community-led tourism, which will entail eco-friendly resorts, avenues for water-based recreational activities and support for local entrepreneurship. The aim is to make the coast a world-class destination; while keeping it rooted in tradition. "To ensure this transformation is inclusive, we plan to skill the youth in coastal regions through initiatives under the Naan Mudhalvan programme. We want our coastal communities to be more than beneficiaries. They must be the driving force behind this change. Tamil Nadu's Blue Economy strategy is also about building a just, green and resilient future for our coastal communities, and we are committed to making it a reality," Rajaa said. So, of the three segments that have got the special focus under the Blue Economy strategy, which one might get a head start? "We would like all three to take off big-time, since the opportunities are significant. But realistically, the first shipbuilding could take off in just about a year from now," says Guidance Tamil Nadu's Ahamed. That's just on the horizon.
