Latest news with #AID
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Vidarbha's Future Must Be Regional & Inclusive, Not Nagpur-Centric: Gadkari
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari called for a comprehensive and balanced approach to Vidarbha's industrial growth, urging sector-wise planning, modernisation, and inclusive policies that reach down to the grassroots level. Speaking at the formal release of the 'Advantage Vidarbha – 2025' report on Saturday, the city MP emphasised that development must be region-wide, leveraging the strengths of each district to unlock Vidarbha's full potential. The event was organised by Association for Industrial Development (AID). "Vidarbha's development should not be confined to one city. We need to tap the unique strengths and resources of each district, from textiles in Amravati to the silk and handloom industries in Dhapewada," Gadkari said. He cited the launch of a new non-profit textile firm in Dhapewada that employs over 1,500 women and outlined plans to introduce electric looms to create further employment opportunities in rural areas. The BJP heavyweight minister underscored the importance of integrating agriculture, handicrafts, and the service sector to build a stronger industrial ecosystem. Drawing from his personal farming experience, Gadkari shared how he cultivated organic onions on leased land, marketing organic produce like residue-free tur and highlighting the economic benefits of organic farming. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo "Such small-scale, innovative approaches can lift farmers from extreme poverty and prevent them from committing suicides," he said. Gadkari also highlighted emerging opportunities in the textile sector, noting that Amravati can emerge as a leading textile hub of the region. "We must integrate technology and automation in textile printing and production to empower rural artisans and connect them to national and global markets," he stated. Mentioning his discussions with Jindal for establishing steel plants in the region, Gadkari said, "We must build supporting infrastructure, including hotels. At the upcoming agro-convention centre, we are planning to have a 350-room five-star hotel and conference facilities to complement the industrial ecosystem." While unveiling the booklet 'Startup Connect – 2025,' the minister described startups as "a powerful idea with strong potential to transform Vidarbha's economy" and recounted his experiences at various workshops, including one at Dhapewada on Friday that focused on organic farming and soil carbon content. The event saw a host of dignitaries, including former MP Ajay Sancheti, SBI deputy general manager Rajesh Saurabh, IIM director Bhimraya Metri, MSME dept director Rajesh Shirsat, AID president Ashish Kale, vice-president Girdhari Mantri, secretary Vijay Sharma, founder of Fluid Ventures Amit Singal, AID startup convenor Shashikant Chaudhary, and AID office bearers Rajesh Bagdi and Prashant Ugemuge. BOX Call for Women's Wing in AID Gains Momentum Responding to her felicitation at the Advantage Vidarbha event, entrepreneur Supriya Kurve expressed gratitude to Union minister Nitin Gadkari and the AID team, crediting their encouragement for helping her business achieve a Rs2.5 crore turnover. She proposed expanding Advantage Vidarbha to a 4-day conclave to provide deeper exposure to aspiring entrepreneurs. Kurve also advocated for the creation of a dedicated women's wing within the AID to support and mentor women-led enterprises in Vidarbha. Kale credited the visionary leadership of Gadkari and Fadnavis, and the active involvement of the MSME department for transforming Advantage Vidarbha into a major industrial movement.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Business families to invest Rs25 crore in 50 Vidarbha startups
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Vidarbha's startup ecosystem, the Association for Industrial Development (AID) launched 'Family Cap Nagpur,' a pioneering funding platform that will see 50 family-run businesses each investing Rs50 lakh in 50 promising startups across the region. The announcement was made at the launch of AID's 'Vidarbha Advantage 2025' report, where Union minister Nitin Gadkari symbolically handed over a Rs50 lakh cheque to the programme's first beneficiary, Kraya Concepts Limited, co-founded by chartered accountant Pratik Loya and engineer Swar Gattani. Conceptualised by Shashikant Chaudhary, coordinator of AID's Startup Division, the 'Family Cap Nagpur' platform aims to provide more than just capital. "Our aim is to cultivate a vibrant startup ecosystem in Vidarbha by nurturing entrepreneurs with not just financial backing but also strategic mentorship and access to market opportunities," said Chaudhary, adding, "The investors will also provide business opportunities to these startups, helping them grow and expand. What started as an idea in a WhatsApp group is now a reality." The initiative is set to disburse a total of Rs25 crore in three to four phases over the next five years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In its first phase, 10 prominent family-run businesses, including Shreyas Raisoni, Karnil Cheema, Ankur Cheema, Padmesh Gupta, Anup Khandelwal, Anand Sancheti, Ashish Kale, Pradeep Bansal and Dilip Bharde have come together to form a syndicate that will drive the programme forward. Ashish Kale, president of AID, described it as a transformative step for the region. "This initiative is a landmark step to transform Vidarbha's economic landscape by investing in its most innovative minds," he said. For Kraya Concepts Limited, the funding marks a major turning point. "We started in 2022 just after the Covid-19 pandemic and grew to a team of seven employees. The new initiative will provide additional funding in the future. We are truly thankful to the AID team for their valuable guidance and support," said Gattani. Kraya Concepts' valuation already stands in the range of a few crores, and the new funding is expected to further boost their operations. The broader goal of the 'Family Cap Nagpur' initiative is to address the critical gaps in funding, mentorship and innovation for startups in Vidarbha. By bringing together experienced family businesses and promising young entrepreneurs, AID hopes to create a dynamic environment that can help the region's startups thrive. # About 'Family Cap Nagpur' Total Investment: Rs25 crore Number of Startups Beneficiaries: 50 Investment per Startup: Rs50 lakh Number of Family-Run Businesses: 50 Disbursement: In 3-4 phases over the next 5 years First Startup Funded: Kraya Concepts Limited Support Offered: Financial backing, mentorship, market access # Key Backers Shreyas Raisoni Karnil Cheema Ankur Cheema Padmesh Gupta Anup Khandelwal Anand Sancheti Ashish Kale Pradeep Bansal Dilip Bharde
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Biz families to invest Rs25cr in 50 Vidarbha startups
Nagpur: In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Vidarbha's startup ecosystem, the Association for Industrial Development (AID) launched 'Family Cap Nagpur,' a pioneering funding platform that will see 50 family-run businesses each investing Rs50 lakh in 50 promising startups across the region. The announcement was made at the launch of AID's 'Vidarbha Advantage 2025' report, where Union minister Nitin Gadkari symbolically handed over a Rs50 lakh cheque to the programme's first beneficiary, Kraya Concepts Limited, co-founded by chartered accountant Pratik Loya and engineer Swar Gattani. Conceptualised by Shashikant Chaudhary, coordinator of AID's Startup Division, the 'Family Cap Nagpur' platform aims to provide more than just capital. "Our aim is to cultivate a vibrant startup ecosystem in Vidarbha by nurturing entrepreneurs with not just financial backing but also strategic mentorship and access to market opportunities," said Chaudhary, adding, "The investors will also provide business opportunities to these startups, helping them grow and expand. What started as an idea in a WhatsApp group is now a reality." The initiative is set to disburse a total of Rs25 crore in three to four phases over the next five years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo In its first phase, 10 prominent family-run businesses, including Shreyas Raisoni, Karnil Cheema, Ankur Cheema, Padmesh Gupta, Anup Khandelwal, Anand Sancheti, Ashish Kale, Pradeep Bansal and Dilip Bharde have come together to form a syndicate that will drive the programme forward. Ashish Kale, president of AID, described it as a transformative step for the region. "This initiative is a landmark step to transform Vidarbha's economic landscape by investing in its most innovative minds," he said. For Kraya Concepts Limited, the funding marks a major turning point. "We started in 2022 just after the Covid-19 pandemic and grew to a team of seven employees. The new initiative will provide additional funding in the future. We are truly thankful to the AID team for their valuable guidance and support," said Gattani. Kraya Concepts' valuation already stands in the range of a few crores, and the new funding is expected to further boost their operations. The broader goal of the 'Family Cap Nagpur' initiative is to address the critical gaps in funding, mentorship and innovation for startups in Vidarbha. By bringing together experienced family businesses and promising young entrepreneurs, AID hopes to create a dynamic environment that can help the region's startups thrive. # About 'Family Cap Nagpur' Total Investment: Rs25 crore Number of Startups Beneficiaries: 50 Investment per Startup: Rs50 lakh Number of Family-Run Businesses: 50 Disbursement: In 3-4 phases over the next 5 years First Startup Funded: Kraya Concepts Limited Support Offered: Financial backing, mentorship, market access # Key Backers Shreyas Raisoni Karnil Cheema Ankur Cheema Padmesh Gupta Anup Khandelwal Anand Sancheti Ashish Kale Pradeep Bansal Dilip Bharde
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What the Trump White House Is Doing to Our Kids' Health
A family supports a young child as he receives the MMR vaccine at a vaccine clinic put on by Lubbock Public Health Department on March 1 in Lubbock, Texas. Credit - Jan Sonnenmair—Getty Images In March 2025, it was announced that the U.S. would no longer support international public health programs that vaccinated millions of children worldwide. This is a hit to children worldwide on top of the Trump administration cuts to U.S. AID programs that provided basic nutrition for hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. One may interpret these directives as a reflection that the current U.S. political leadership no longer believes that the U.S. has an obligation to non-American children. But one only needs to look at what is happening in the U.S. now to see that the lack of care for children at home, as the administration signals to cut the Vaccines for Children program, which supports disease-preventative efforts in the U.S. Examining what has evolved from the culture wars of the past several years, one sees a slew of policies detrimental to children in many ways. Rather than reflecting mainstream pediatric and educational philosophy, these policies mirror the political creep of fringe groups and politicians to impose their viewpoints on other people's children. These policies impact infection control, education, nutrition, healthcare, and the environment. Front-page news is now dotted with reports of a resurgence in vaccine-preventable infections, including measles. But contrary to some, vaccinations have never been a matter of personal choice in this country, but rather a 100-year-old societal obligation to keep America safe. In fact, the majority of Americans support childhood vaccination (about 70%), according to a January 2025 report by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). Yet, the measles outbreaks happening across the U.S. are predictable consequences of a well-funded anti-vaccine movement that has pushed for laws encouraging vaccine exemptions and the weakening of school vaccine requirements. To the dismay of our nation's physicians, this movement now has a seat at the top of Health and Human Services (HHS) in RFK Jr., an anti-vaccine proponent. The fact that two unvaccinated children have died of measles, 17% of infected individuals are hospitalized, and children have been hospitalized with vitamin A toxicity, reportedly in response to RFK Jr. advocating vitamin treatment for measles, shows the consequences of fringe medical viewpoints on children. As the number of reported cases of measles in the U.S. nears 1000, and cases are now in half the states without a massive outcry and response from federal agencies, one can only ask if childhood deaths from measles will become the new normal. The recently announced $11 billion in cuts of CDC funding will also impact health departments across the country, affecting not only COVID-19 relief programs but also state pediatric vaccine programs. Plans to reduce the HSS workforce by 10 thousand employees will also affect vaccination programs and infection surveillance. Thus, children in the U.S. will bear the consequences of needless infections, with medical, educational, economic, and lifelong consequences, and the nation may sadly soon learn what natural herd immunity looks like as vaccine-preventable illnesses spread across the country. Pediatric healthcare is also under attack as never before. Americans may be surprised to learn that 48% of children in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid, which provides healthcare for these children. We now hear cries for hundreds of billions of dollars to be cut from Medicaid, claiming that these cuts will come from curtailing waste, fraud, and abuse. Yet, according to reports, this number is quite low. We also need to recognize the significant shortages in pediatric care providers, which will only worsen as provider payments are cut. What are the proposed alternatives for providing pediatric healthcare when Medicaid is cut? What's more, there is a woeful shortage of pediatric dental care. This situation is even dire for children on Medicaid. And now, the scientifically unsound political campaign against water fluoridation is another example of an anti-pediatric fringe initiative to dismantle a public health success. There is no evidence that properly maintained levels of fluoride in drinking water provide anything but benefits through the reduction of dental cavities. Furthermore, the anti-fluoridation movement has not called for cavity prevention alternatives, such as fluoride supplements or varnishes, which are proposed to promote pediatric dental health or improve access to pediatric dental care. It is also an uncomfortable reality that millions of children in America do not have enough food and would go to bed hungry if not for federally funded nutrition programs. The SNAP program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, provides billions of dollars in funding for school lunch programs and serves approximately 30% of school-age children in the US. However, this program is slated for large budget cuts. Additionally, procuring produce from local farmers was a key component to promote nutritious offerings in school lunch programs. However, despite RFK Jr.'s calls to promote healthy eating, the $1 billion local farmer procurement program has been eliminated. This doesn't even begin to touch the intense effect cuts to reproductive care have on kids. The impact of abortion bans on teenage pregnancy and outcomes is now coming to light. These data show increases in teen pregnancies and an increase in newborn deaths. Yet, we are seeing attempts to restrict sex and birth control education in many states by conservative elements when more education is needed to prevent unintended pregnancies. Read More: What Trump Has Done on Reproductive Health Care In His First 100 Days Much has been highlighted about the mental health problems our children are experiencing. It is too convenient to blame these issues on the unregulated proliferation of social media. There are multiple factors for mental health problems in the U.S., including the stress that society is under due to dizzying politics and culture wars—not to mention environmental degradation. The past few decades of climate change have had an impact on society. Thus, there has been a rightful concern and regulation of environmental toxins in air, water, and food, as well as the impact of climate change on health. Numerous studies also show that environmental toxins disproportionately hurt children as compared to adults. Incredibly, looking to their future, children in Montana sued the state and won, arguing that the state needed to implement policies to mitigate the impact of climate change. Here, too, we are seeing the evisceration of policies that provide environmental protections for all of us, including children. At the state level, we also see laws considered that will be detrimental to children. In response to a workforce shortage caused by the loss of immigrant workers, the Florida legislature is proposing legislation that will roll back child labor laws. The proposed bill will allow children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts on school days. The impact of a singular pediatric-related policy change on infection prevention, nutrition, education, healthcare, or the environment would be dramatic. However, the cumulative effect of numerous collective policies that change in multiple ways simultaneously may be devastating. In 1963, President Kennedy said, 'For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.' Amidst the political chaos, which is sadly becoming the new norm, perhaps now is the time to step back and ask when America stopped cherishing its children. Are we prepared for the answer and consequences? Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
06-05-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
What the Trump White House Is Doing to Our Kids' Health
In March 2025, it was announced that the U.S. would no longer support international public health programs that vaccinated millions of children worldwide. This is a hit to children worldwide on top of the Trump administration cuts to U.S. AID programs that provided basic nutrition for hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. One may interpret these directives as a reflection that the current U.S. political leadership no longer believes that the U.S. has an obligation to non-American children. But one only needs to look at what is happening in the U.S. now to see that the lack of care for children at home, as the administration signals to cut the Vaccines for Children program, which supports disease-preventative efforts in the U.S. Examining what has evolved from the culture wars of the past several years, one sees a slew of policies detrimental to children in many ways. Rather than reflecting mainstream pediatric and educational philosophy, these policies mirror the political creep of fringe groups and politicians to impose their viewpoints on other people's children. These policies impact infection control, education, nutrition, healthcare, and the environment. Front-page news is now dotted with reports of a resurgence in vaccine-preventable infections, including measles. But contrary to some, vaccinations have never been a matter of personal choice in this country, but rather a 100-year-old societal obligation to keep America safe. In fact, the majority of Americans support childhood vaccination (about 70%), according to a January 2025 report by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC). Yet, the measles outbreaks happening across the U.S. are predictable consequences of a well-funded anti-vaccine movement that has pushed for laws encouraging vaccine exemptions and the weakening of school vaccine requirements. To the dismay of our nation's physicians, this movement now has a seat at the top of Health and Human Services (HHS) in RFK Jr., an anti-vaccine proponent. The fact that two unvaccinated children have died of measles, 17% of infected individuals are hospitalized, and children have been hospitalized with vitamin A toxicity, reportedly in response to RFK Jr. advocating vitamin treatment for measles, shows the consequences of fringe medical viewpoints on children. As the number of reported cases of measles in the U.S. nears 1000, and cases are now in half the states without a massive outcry and response from federal agencies, one can only ask if childhood deaths from measles will become the new normal. The recently announced $11 billion in cuts of CDC funding will also impact health departments across the country, affecting not only COVID-19 relief programs but also state pediatric vaccine programs. Plans to reduce the HSS workforce by 10 thousand employees will also affect vaccination programs and infection surveillance. Thus, children in the U.S. will bear the consequences of needless infections, with medical, educational, economic, and lifelong consequences, and the nation may sadly soon learn what natural herd immunity looks like as vaccine-preventable illnesses spread across the country. Pediatric healthcare is also under attack as never before. Americans may be surprised to learn that 48% of children in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid, which provides healthcare for these children. We now hear cries for hundreds of billions of dollars to be cut from Medicaid, claiming that these cuts will come from curtailing waste, fraud, and abuse. Yet, according to reports, this number is quite low. We also need to recognize the significant shortages in pediatric care providers, which will only worsen as provider payments are cut. What are the proposed alternatives for providing pediatric healthcare when Medicaid is cut? What's more, there is a woeful shortage of pediatric dental care. This situation is even dire for children on Medicaid. And now, the scientifically unsound political campaign against water fluoridation is another example of an anti-pediatric fringe initiative to dismantle a public health success. There is no evidence that properly maintained levels of fluoride in drinking water provide anything but benefits through the reduction of dental cavities. Furthermore, the anti-fluoridation movement has not called for cavity prevention alternatives, such as fluoride supplements or varnishes, which are proposed to promote pediatric dental health or improve access to pediatric dental care. It is also an uncomfortable reality that millions of children in America do not have enough food and would go to bed hungry if not for federally funded nutrition programs. The SNAP program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, provides billions of dollars in funding for school lunch programs and serves approximately 30% of school-age children in the US. However, this program is slated for large budget cuts. Additionally, procuring produce from local farmers was a key component to promote nutritious offerings in school lunch programs. However, despite RFK Jr.'s calls to promote healthy eating, the $ 1 billion local farmer procurement program has been eliminated. This doesn't even begin to touch the intense effect cuts to reproductive care have on kids. The impact of abortion bans on teenage pregnancy and outcomes is now coming to light. These data show increases in teen pregnancies and an increase in newborn deaths. Yet, we are seeing attempts to restrict sex and birth control education in many states by conservative elements when more education is needed to prevent unintended pregnancies. Much has been highlighted about the mental health problems our children are experiencing. It is too convenient to blame these issues on the unregulated proliferation of social media. There are multiple factors for mental health problems in the U.S., including the stress that society is under due to dizzying politics and culture wars—not to mention environmental degradation. The past few decades of climate change have had an impact on society. Thus, there has been a rightful concern and regulation of environmental toxins in air, water, and food, as well as the impact of climate change on health. Numerous studies also show that environmental toxins disproportionately hurt children as compared to adults. Incredibly, looking to their future, children in Montana sued the state and won, arguing that the state needed to implement policies to mitigate the impact of climate change. Here, too, we are seeing the evisceration of policies that provide environmental protections for all of us, including children. At the state level, we also see laws considered that will be detrimental to children. In response to a workforce shortage caused by the loss of immigrant workers, the Florida legislature is proposing legislation that will roll back child labor laws. The proposed bill will allow children as young as 14 years old to work overnight shifts on school days. The impact of a singular pediatric-related policy change on infection prevention, nutrition, education, healthcare, or the environment would be dramatic. However, the cumulative effect of numerous collective policies that change in multiple ways simultaneously may be devastating. In 1963, President Kennedy said, 'For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.' Amidst the political chaos, which is sadly becoming the new norm, perhaps now is the time to step back and ask when America stopped cherishing its children.
