Collector explains importance of yoga for physical and mental well-being
Puttaparthi: Collector T S Chetan spoke about the role ofyoga in enhancing both physical and mental health, urging everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily lives. He inaugurated the 'Yogandra-2025' program organized by the Tourism Department on Vidyagiri Road in Puttaparthi with a ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Speaking on the occasion, the Collector stated that the Andhra Pradesh government aims to conduct large-scale yoga demonstrations across the state on the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21. He noted that the initiative is intended to improve public health, reduce medical expenses for citizens, and lower healthcare spending by the state. He encouraged professionals and business people to practice yoga regularly to improve efficiency and achieve better results in their respective fields.
He also highlighted the benefits of introducing yoga to children at an early age, such as improved concentration and memory, leading to better academic performance. The Collector mentioned that yoga outreach programs under 'Yogandra' are being conducted intensively across the district. He announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and other ministers will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam on June 21. Simultaneously, mass yoga events will be organized in Lepakshi, where thousands are expected to participate. Later, the Collector, Joint Collector Abhishek Kumar, SP V. Ratna, and other officials joined over 2,000 participants in a large-scale community yoga session. The event concluded with the felicitation of yoga instructors. Various departmental officials and the public took part in the celebrations.
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Mint
24 minutes ago
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PM Modi to flag off first train to Kashmir on Friday: Here's why it is India's historic rail milestone
The stage is all set for the first-ever train to Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will finally inaugurate the first Vande Bharat Express train to Kashmir on 6 June from Jammu after the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. This will be Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after 'Operation Sindoor' – India's precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan launched on 7 May in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Modi will flag off the train services from the Shri at Vaishno Devi (SMVD) railway station in Katra, Jammu to Baramulla in north Kashmir. Modi will also flag off another train from Baramulla to Katra on the occasion. Trains have been running between Banihal and Baramulla in the Kashmir valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur and Katra in Jammu region. But the 111-km Katra-Banihal section was the most difficult to construct owing to the challenging terrain. Modi will also inaugurate the highest railway arch bridge over river Chenab and India's first cable-stayed Anji Khad bridge on the occasion. He is also expected to address a rally on the occasion. Earlier, the inauguration of the much-awaited train was scheduled for 19 April, however, it was postponed dur to bad weather. Three days later Pahalgam terror attack happened in Kashmir. The development will end over 70 years of wait for a direct train service to Kashmir linking the valley to rest of India first time throough a rail link. At present, trains are operational just between Sangaldan and Baramulla in the Valley and from Katra to across the country. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link (USBRL) Project was initially sanctioned in 1995 during the time of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, at an estimated cost of ₹ 2,500 crore. While the ambitious project to connect Kashmir by train began in 1997, it was commissioned in bits and parts and faced multiple delays due to geographical challenges posed by the terrain. However, it gained momentum after then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee designated it as a national initiative in 2002. In 2009, Qazigund - Baramulla section in Kashmir was rendered operational, following which in 2013, the 18-km Banihal - Qazigund section, and in 2014 - the 24-km Udhampur - Katra section was started. In 2023, the section between Banihal and Sangaldan was started and now the connectivity between Sangaldan and Katra, which is believed to be the most difficult of all sections has been completed. The Banihal-Katra section contains 97 km of tunnels and 7 km of bridges. In December 2024, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Railways, said that the final track construction of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link was finished. "Historic milestone; final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is complete. The ballastless track work for the 3.2 km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed today at 02:00 hrs," he wrote on X The famous Chenab Bridge, the world's tallest railway bridge standing 359 meters above mean sea level, is also part of the track and will enhance the picturesque route connecting Jammu and Srinagar. At an estimated cost of over ₹ 43,000 crore, the USBR Lproject involved laying out ballast less tracks over bridges and tunnels, spanning deep gorges, with 90 per cent of the route traversed over 943 bridges, and 36 main tunnels, including India's longest railway tunnel, T-50 stretching more than 12.7 km. On the Katra - Banihal section, the train will also traverse another engineering marvel, the Anji Khad bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed bridge. Supported by 96 cables, the 725-meter-long bridge stands 331 meters above mean sea level. For now, only one Kashmir-specific Vande Bharat train will ply on the Katra and Srinagar route to Baramulla. More trains will start plying on the route based on the public response, officials said. Earlier a direct train from Delhi to Srinagar was expected. But due to security and weather reasons, the passengers would have to get down at the Katra railway station and board another train to continue the journey forward to Kashmir. In February, Vaishnaw said that passengers who want to travel from Delhi to Srinagar can book one ticket and change the train at Katra railway. All passengers boarding the train to Srinagar from Delhi or vice versa or from any other part of the country would have to undergo thorough frisking. Besides, their luggage would be screened at the time of boarding. 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In addition to addressing logistical issues, this will boost economic expansion and encourage travel. -The total cost of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail link project is about ₹ 43,000 crore. -The seamless all-weather connectivity links Kashmir Valley to the rest of India for the first time through a rail link. -The connectivity will boost the local economy and trade by offering easier transport if local goods like apples, saffron and handicrafts to major Indian markets. Until now, these products had to be transported through Jammu and Kashmir Highway which gets affected by harsh weather during winters. -The rail link will also improve access to popular destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Tourism in Kashmir Valley was severly affeceted after Pahalgam terror attack. Historic milestone; final track work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is complete. -Officials said that the project will also create employment opportunities in railway, tourism, and logistics sectors. -Above all, it simplifies travel to major cities for medical care and universities.
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: G7 Group –– Historical evolution and importance for UPSC
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: International groupings are important for both your prelims and Mains examination. In Prelims, questions have been asked on BRICS and G20. The Group of Seven countries comprises powerful economies that have significant influence worldwide. As the G7 leaders' summit is scheduled later this month, it becomes important for you to develop a comprehensive understanding of this grouping. ) This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Group of 7 (G7) meeting. Canada is hosting the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit, which will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17, 2025. Canada has hosted 6 summits to date: 1981, 1988, 1995, 2002, 2010, and 2018. With less than two weeks to go for the start of the G7 Summit, being hosted by Canada in Kananaskis in Alberta from June 15-17, India is still to receive an invitation to the gathering. If the invitation window closes, Delhi's absence at the summit will be the first break since 2019. Barring 2020 when the G7 huddle was cancelled by the US, the host country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attended every summit since 2019. 1. The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries that consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Together these countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world's population. 2. It has no legal existence, permanent secretariat or official members. There is no binding impact on policy, and all decisions and commitments made at G7 meetings need to be ratified independently by the governing bodies of member states. 3. History: The G7 originated from a 1973 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris, France. This meeting was convened in response to major economic challenges of at time – an oil crisis, rising inflation and collapse of the Bretton Woods system. US Treasury Secretary George Schultz decided that it would be beneficial for the large players on the world stage to coordinate with each other on macroeconomic initiatives. Bretton Woods System 4. Thus, the idea of a forum was born, where major industrialised democracies could coordinate economic policies to address common challenges. The first G7 summit was held in 1975 in Rambouillet, France, bringing together the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and Japan. Canada joined the next year. 5. Since 1977, representatives of the European Economic Community, now the European Union, have also participated. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a subsequent thaw in relations between the East and West, Russia was also invited to join the group in 1998. Thereafter, the group was named the G8 until 2014, when Russia was expelled for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. 6. The presidency of G7 meetings is held by each of the seven countries in turn, each year. The country holding the presidency is responsible for organising and hosting the meeting. This year, Canada is holding the presidency. 7. The G7 summit provides a forum for member countries to discuss shared values and concerns. While it initially focused on international economic policy, in the 1980s, the G7 extended its mandate to include issues related to foreign policy and security as well. 8. Over the years, the G7 has evolved from an economic forum to a platform that aims to address a range of global challenges. Concluding with a communiqué outlining political commitments, the annual summit influences global governance, agenda-setting and decision-making processes. 9. Usually, G7 host countries invite some countries as guest countries or outreach partners. Canada has so far invited Ukraine and Australia. It has not released names of other guest countries. 1. G 15: According to the official website of the IMF, the Group of Fifteen (G15) was established at the Ninth Non-Aligned Summit Meeting in Belgrade, then Yugoslavia, in September 1989. It mainly comprises of countries from Latin America, Africa, and Asia with a common goal of enhanced growth and prosperity. It focuses on cooperation among developing countries in the areas of investment, trade, and technology. The membership of the G15 has since expanded to 17 countries, but the name has remained unchanged. 2. G20: The G20, or the Group of Twenty, is an informal grouping of 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union and African Union. These members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. As a forum for international economic cooperation, it plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. 3. G24: The Group of Twenty-Four (G24), originally a chapter of the G77, was established in 1971. They call themselves Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs). They coordinate the positions of emerging markets and developing countries on international monetary and development finance issues and to ensure that their interests were adequately represented at international platforms. India is part of the LMDC grouping along with China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and others 4. BRICS: BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the original five members who were large, non-Western economies. In January this year, Indonesia officially joined the BRICS as a full member taking total membership to 10. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates are also part of the bloc. The organisation now represents almost half the world's population and almost one-quarter of the world's economy. Post read question (1) In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (UPSC CSE 2020) (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea (2) With reference to the G7, consider the following statements: 1. It is a formal grouping of advanced democracies that meets annually to coordinate global economic policy and address other transnational issues.. 2. It comprises of US, Germany, Canada, the UK, Japan, Italy, and France, along with the European Union. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
News18
36 minutes ago
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Modi's India: Civilisational Confidence Or Cultural Shift?
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