logo
J-K: Jitendra Singh inaugurates two-day lavender festival 2025

J-K: Jitendra Singh inaugurates two-day lavender festival 2025

India Gazette2 days ago

ANI
01 Jun 2025, 22:43 GMT+10
Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 1 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated two-day lavender festival 2025 organized by CSIR- IIIM Jammu in Bhaderwah town of Jammu.
Speaking with reporters, Singh congratulated the entore team of CSIR-IIIM.
'I congratulate the entire team of CSIR-IIIM... People from different states have come here... Lavender has become famous as the identity of Bhaderwah, not only in India, but in the entire world... A lot of children here don't have formal degrees, but they have passion and ambition to learn technology and the central government is giving complete support for this... PM Modi mentioned the new venture of Bhaderwah's farmers, which gained fame overnight. Other countries started taking the same approach as here and a new floriculture mission started along with the association of over 3000 startups...'
He also spoke about the operation Sindoor launched by Indian armed forces in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
'Some intellectuals said that after Operation Sindoor, our economy will face a downfall, but 'The prophets of doom have been proved wrong'... The warfare technology you saw was made in last 10 years. Our economy flourished and this Purple Revolution has played a role in this as well...,' the MoS said.
Concluding his address, Singh praised Dr Zabeer and the CSIR-IIIM team for organizing an unprecedented event in Bhaderwah that drew visitors from all over India. He invited everyone to visit the lavender fields over the next 10-15 days during peak bloom and hear directly from the entrepreneurs themselves. (ANI)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Brahmaputra: Myth, majesty and politics of water
The Brahmaputra: Myth, majesty and politics of water

India Today

time8 minutes ago

  • India Today

The Brahmaputra: Myth, majesty and politics of water

News: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday if China were to reduce the water flow of the Brahmaputra, it would benefit the state and help it mitigate the devastating annual floods. He was responding to Pakistan's remark that China might weaponise the Brahmaputra's waters in support of its 'all-weather friend' and retaliate to India's suspension of the Indus Water A River With A Male NameThe Brahmaputra, like every river that flows through the Himalayas, has its own history and mythology. But there is a difference between other Indian rivers, revered as goddesses, and the Brahmaputra: It is one of the few major rivers in India with a distinctly male name, derived from its mythological association with Lord Brahmaputra is believed to have two mythological fathers - Lord Brahma (obviously) and sage Shantanu. In the 16th-century text Yogini Tantra, dedicated to the worship of goddesses like Kali and Kamakhya, the river is linked to an ancient ablution ritual with the following invocation: O Son of Brahma! O Son of Shantanu! O Lohit! O Son of Lohit!I bow before you, wash away my sins of the last three the link to Brahma—the God of creation?advertisementAccording to eastern folklore, sage Shantanu and his wife Amogha live near Lake Lohit in the Himalayas. One day, attracted by her beauty, Lord Brahma approaches Amogha when she is alone. But Amogha locks herself up in a hut. Fearing her curse, Brahma sheds his seed and departs in shame. When Shantanu learns of this, he asks Amogha to consume the seed. From her nostrils later flows the son of Brahma, ergo the name Brahmaputra.A Himalayan LegendAccording to Tibetan folklore, the river originates as a small stream from Mount Tise (the Kailash Parvat–abode of Lord Shiva). At the site of its birth, the river is guarded by four divine entities—a lion, an elephant, a horse, and a the indigenous communities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, such as the Mising, Bodo, and Adi, the Brahmaputra is a living deity. In The Tribes of Assam (B.N. Bordoloi), the Mising people refer to the river as 'Father River' or a manifestation of Abo Tani, their ancestral Assam, the Brahmaputra is celebrated during festivals like Bihu, where communities honour the river for its bounty. The legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika's ode to the river - Mahabahu Brahmaputra - is considered one of the greatest Assamese does the river originate?advertisementThe Brahmaputra, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, Siang or Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Jamuna in Bangladesh, takes on different names along its journey. During the 18th and 19th centuries, British colonial rulers, restricted from entering Tibet due to political constraints, sent Indian explorers disguised as monks to trace the Brahmaputra's path. In the early 20th century, the source of the Brahmaputra was eventually traced to the Chemayungdung Glacier in the Kubi Kangri mountain range in southwestern Tibet, near the Himalayas. This glacier, located at an elevation of about 5,200 meters, was identified as the primary source of the Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra the path of the river?From the Chemayungdung Glacier, the mighty river crisscrosses three countries - China, India, and Bangladesh - before merging with the Padma River (the main distributary of the Ganges) in Bangladesh. Joined by the Meghna River, it forms one of the world's largest river confluences, emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Its total journey from the source to the sea is approximately 2,900 descends the Himalayas in dramatic fashion, plunging through the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world's deepest gorge, on the Tibet-Arunachal Pradesh is building a gigantic dam in Medog, where the river plunges 2,000 metres over a 50-km stretch. In India, the proposed dam on the Tibet-Arunachal border to harness this steep decline for hydel power has led to environmental concerns and fears of weaponisation of the river. (More about it later)The Great BendAs the river makes its way through the Himalayas, it comes across Namcha Barwa, a 7,782-meter peak, often called the 'eastern anchor' of the range. Unable to breach the mighty barrier, the river makes a sharp, U-shaped bend, known as the Great Bend. With this stunning manoeuvre, the river swings from flowing eastward to southward, entering India through Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang River (or Dihang).Flowing through Northeast India, it enters the plains of Assam, where it acquires the popular moniker—the Brahmaputra. In Assam, the river widens significantly, flowing west-southwest for about 800 km through a broad, fertile valley covering major towns like Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and this, it enters Bangladesh, where it is hailed as the Jamuna River. It continues to flow south, merging with the Padma River (the main distributary of the Ganges) in Bangladesh. Joined by the Meghna River, it forms one of the world's largest river confluences. The Meghna, now the river's main channel, empties into the Bay of crossing of the MeghnaIncidentally, in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Indian army crossed the Meghna River in heroic fashion. The crossing of the Meghna under Lt General Sagat Singh is considered one of the most daring acts of war, a raid that turned the tide of the war for the liberation of China block the river?Completely blocking the Brahmaputra is impossible since the Brahmaputra collects almost 40 percent of its water while flowing through India. Unless this huge basin is altered, the Brahmaputra would continue to feed India, and also India shouldn't worry about China's potential weaponisation of water?China's upstream dams could still manipulate flows, creating risks of artificial floods or droughts, as noted by geostrategist Brahma Chellaney. Chellaney argues China's control over the Tibetan Plateau gives it unparalleled dominance over Asia's water resources (Water: Asia's New Battleground). Its upstream location allows China the liberty to unilaterally manipulate river flows, which can be used to artificially create droughts and floods in addition, China's plan to build a massive dam on the Brahmaputra near the Great Bend is a seismic and strategic risk for India. Chellaney argues the project could manipulate transboundary flows to leverage China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh, a disputed territory, and exert pressure on downstream China's view on this?China has consistently dismissed concerns about its planned hydropower dam as 'conspiracy theories,' asserting that the project is a run-of-river initiative that will not significantly alter the river's flow or affect the rights of downstream to a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on December 27, 2024, the dam, located in Medog County, Tibet, has been studied for decades with rigorous scientific evaluations to ensure safety and ecological protection. Mao emphasised that the project 'will not negatively affect the lower reaches,' referring to India and Bangladesh, and is designed to accelerate clean energy development and combat climate experts and downstream nations remain skeptical of China's assurances. A 2024 study in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs warned that the Medog dam could disrupt sediment flow, critical for agriculture in India's northeastern plains and Bangladesh's delta, impacting millions of farmers.A 2022 report by Bangladesh's Ministry of Environment estimated that a 5% reduction in Brahmaputra flow could lead to a 15% drop in agricultural output in some regions, threatening food is a precious commodity, especially in the 21st century, where environmental changes could lead to scarcity and flooding. Any country that has the ability to maintain the flow of a dynamic river like the Brahmaputra enjoys a strategic as well as hydrological advantage. India will have to deal with China diplomatically on the issue of the Brahmaputra. It will have to ensure the river is treated as a shared asset and heritage of the three countries through which it passes, not allowing Pakistan to needlessly meddle in the tripartite issue. India and China, as major powers focused on economic and technological growth, recognise the value of cooperation over conflict, reducing the likelihood of escalating tensions over the Brahmaputra at Pakistan's Watch

Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' release halts in Karnataka amid apology row
Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' release halts in Karnataka amid apology row

Hans India

time10 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' release halts in Karnataka amid apology row

The controversy surrounding veteran actor Kamal Haasan's remarks at the Thug Life audio launch has taken a serious turn, escalating into a legal dispute with the Karnataka High Court stepping in. The issue, which sparked public backlash from sections of the Kannada-speaking community, has now disrupted the film's regional release plans. During a recent hearing, the High Court came down heavily on Haasan, questioning his authority to comment on historical or linguistic matters. The bench bluntly asked, 'Are you a historian or a linguist? If you want Thug Life to see a smooth release, you must issue a clear apology as you hurted their sentiments.' Responding to the uproar, Kamal Haasan sent an official letter to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, expressing regret and clarifying his intentions. He insisted that his comments were rooted in affection, especially towards actor Shiva Rajkumar, and not meant to diminish the Kannada language. He emphasized that his career has always celebrated unity among Indian languages. However, the High Court found the actor's statement lacking in sincerity, noting post-lunch that Haasan didn't appear 'truly apologetic.' The matter has now been adjourned to June 10, 2025. In a dramatic development, Kamal Haasan has decided to halt Thug Life's release in Karnataka until further notice. The move has left fans and the film industry watching closely, as the situation continues to unfold with the potential to affect the film's broader release strategy.

From Attock to Peshawar, Pak document lists 7 more places targeted by Indian drones
From Attock to Peshawar, Pak document lists 7 more places targeted by Indian drones

Hindustan Times

time11 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

From Attock to Peshawar, Pak document lists 7 more places targeted by Indian drones

NEW DELHI: India's targeting of locations within Pakistan during the four days of military clashes last month was more extensive than was previously known, with a Pakistan government document acknowledging that Indian drones struck locations ranging from Peshawar in the northwest to Hyderabad in the south. The document on Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which was mounted in response to India's Operation Sindoor, lists at least seven locations targeted by Indian drone strikes that were not cited in official briefings by Indian officials. The document, which was shared with the Pakistani media, largely focuses on what it describes as India's 'unprovoked aggression', although these came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22 that killed 26 civilians. The graphics in the Pakistani document detailing India's drone strikes on May 8, 9 and 10 list seven locations -- Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Gujrat and Jhang in Punjab province, and Chhor and Hyderabad in Sindh province -- that were not acknowledged as targets by Indian officials at any briefings held during or after the hostilities. The document didn't give details of what the Indian drone strikes had targeted at these seven locations. HT had first reported on May 16 that India's drone strikes on May 8 targeted the National Defence Complex (NDC) in Attock district, which builds transporter-erecter-launcher vehicles for missiles. Bahawalnagar is home to an army cantonment, while Gujrat district has Pakistan's largest cantonment located at Kharian. Shorkot cantonment is located in Jhang district, adjacent to Rafiqui airbase that was also targeted by Indian missiles. The Pakistan Army Desert Warfare School is headquartered in Chhor cantonment, and Hyderabad too is home to an army cantonment. High-resolution satellite imagery from several private firms has already revealed the damage inflicted by India's military strikes on terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in territories controlled by Pakistan on May 7, and the subsequent missile attacks on eight airbases on May 10. In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Air Force (IAF) struck two terror sites at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba near Muridke, both in Pakistan's Punjab province, while the army hit targets at seven places, including Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. The Markaz Subhanallah camp was the farthest target for Indian forces. Located around 100 km from the international border, it is the headquarters of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and has been used for recruitment, indoctrinating and training terrorists. Markaz Taiba is the headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founded by Hafiz Saeed. Terrorists trained at this camp were linked to many attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive at the time, received training here and so did David Coleman Headley. It is located 25 km inside Pakistan. During May 9-10, the IAF struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store