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India Gazette
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Holy relics of Lord Buddha return to India after extended revered tour across Vietnam
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha have returned to India after a month-long exposition tour across Vietnam. Originally scheduled to conclude on May 21, the exposition was extended until June 2 upon a special request by the Government of Vietnam, owing to the spiritually charged atmosphere and growing public reverence. During the extended tour, the sacred relics visited nine cities, drawing over 15 million devotees seeking the blessings of the Buddha, the Ministry of Culture said. The exposition was organised under the guidance of the Government of India and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), continuing a tradition of similar global outreach initiatives. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Secretary General of the IBC, Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, said, 'This entire programme was held under the guidance of the government of India and by the International Buddhist Confederation. We did this earlier as well; we went to Mongolia and Thailand, where Buddha relics were sent. In Vietnam, it has been around a month, people prayed and did darshan of holy Buddha relics...' Building on this spiritual momentum, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha and leader of the Government of India delegation escorting the relics, explained that the overwhelmingly positive response from people across different provinces in Vietnam prompted an official request for an extension. 'Different places, different provinces in Vietnam - the response from the people - they encouraged that this program should be continued to June 2. The Prime Minister of Vietnam requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the program, and our Prime Minister has agreed. This was extended up to June 2...' The extension was subsequently approved by the Indian government following the Vietnamese Prime Minister's formal request to Prime Minister Modi. The sacred relics began their journey in Vietnam on May 3, starting from Ho Chi Minh City, and visited multiple sacred sites across the country. One of the most deeply spiritual and widely attended stops was at Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh Province, where thousands of devotees gathered to pray and chant. Yen Tu Pagoda holds significant religious and cultural importance in Vietnam, being the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen sect founded over 700 years ago by King Tran Nhan Tong. The arrival of the relics at this revered site attracted millions, reinforcing the shared spiritual heritage between India and Vietnam. This month-long tour has not only revitalized ancient cultural and spiritual ties dating back nearly 2,000 years but also strengthened bilateral relations under India's Act East Policy. The relics have drawn millions of devotees across Vietnam, with over 15 million people paying their respects throughout the journey. The exposition concluded in the city of Danang, known for its Buddhist institutions and monasteries, where a large number of people gathered to offer their obeisance to the holy relics. This sacred journey symbolizes the enduring values of peace, harmony, and mutual respect, reflecting a profound cultural connection between India and Vietnam. (ANI)
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma showcases state's electronics potential at national investors' meet in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister on Monday projected Assam as India's next big growth hub at the inaugural session of the Assam Electronics Round Table 2025 in New Delhi on Monday. He invited global and national electronics investors to capitalise on the State's robust infrastructure, strategic location, and favourable policies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CM said that compared to Semiconductor Fabrication Facility (Fab) in Gujarat, the OSAT in Jagiroad, Assam is way ahead as 'it is in advanced stage with production of 48 million chips daily expected this year'. Sarma also met union civil aviation minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and discussed expanding air connectivity and infrastructure in the Northeast Region. The union minister assured Sarma that work for Silchar's greenfield airport will begin this year and the crucial Rupsi airport will also be expanded. "Assam is central to the Northeast Region and to India's Act East Policy, given its proximity to Bhutan and Bangladesh,' Sarma said, underlining the State's growing economic clout and highlighting its consistent 13–15% GSDP growth over the past decade, excluding the pandemic years. The CM said that compared to Semiconductor Fabrication Facility (Fab) in Gujarat, the OSAT in Jagiroad, Assam is way ahead as 'it is in advanced stage with production of 48 million chips daily expected this year'. 'Unlike the Fab in Gujarat, our OSAT is already in advanced stages,' Sarma stated, adding that the Chief Secretary visits the site every 15 days to monitor progress. The State has already attracted Rs 5.30 lakh crore worth of investment proposals during Investors' Summit 2.0, with Rs 1.5 lakh crore grounded so far. Sarma announced upcoming projects including three satellite townships and 11 five-star hotels, along with a new terminal at Guwahati airport. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To support the electronics ecosystem, the State is training youth in Bengaluru and through institutions like NIELIT and Assam Skill University, funded by ADB with Rs 1,000 crore. Generous incentives were also announced — 100% land allotment free of cost, GST reimbursements, and up to 200% incentive support under the Assam Electronics Policy, Industrial Policy, and Centre's UNNATI scheme. Calling Assam a gateway to the ASEAN market, Sarma said, 'We are embarking on a strategic journey to become a preferred destination for cutting-edge electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.' The event saw participation from key industry players including Tata Electronics, Jabil, VVDN, CP Plus, and NXP.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tap into Mizoram's tourism potential: Hmar to investors
1 2 3 4 Aizawl: At the 'Rising Northeast Investors Summit' organised in New Delhi by DoNER on Saturday, Mizoram tourism minister Lalnghinglova Hmar urged businesspeople and organisations to consider investing in Mizoram. Speaking at the summit themed 'Northeast: The New Hub of Tourism and Hospitality', Hmar said while the northeast has a smaller population than Odisha, the region possesses stunning flora and fauna, rich biodiversity, and pristine culture, making it ideal for tourism development. "The region is the nearest corridor to the ASEAN countries and occupies one of the most important places in implementation of the Act East Policy," he said, extending an invitation to potential investors. Hmar emphasised Mizoram's strong potential for adventure tourism, noting that the govt is actively working to maximise these opportunities. "The state hosted the first Asia Urban Downhill mountain bike racing in Aizawl city last year and we are going to organise the same this year," he said. He highlighted the state's distinctive Christmas celebrations, featuring community feasts across rural villages and urban localities, as a unique attraction unseen elsewhere. The minister noted the region's improved accessibility, with flights to Delhi taking just two and a half hours and to Kolkata 45 minutes. He also mentioned the upcoming railway connection to Aizawl as beneficial for investors. Hmar said the Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary houses Asia's highest concentration of clouded leopards. He concluded by stating that Mizoram leads as the country's most peaceful state and was the first to achieve complete literacy.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Yunus counter: Northeast key to India's growth, says PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Days after Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the Bangladesh interim govt, said the "landlocked" northeastern part of India faced the prospect of becoming an extension of the Chinese economy, PM Modi on Friday said "confidence is the biggest transformation the region has seen in the last decade" and called it a a prime investment destination and frontrunner of growth. "There was a time when the northeast was seen only as a frontier region - today it is becoming the frontrunner of growth," Modi said. He highlighted growth in sectors such as bamboo, petroleum, solar energy and organic farming, and encouraged investors to seize "first-mover advantage". He was speaking at the inaugural session of 'Rising North East Investor Summit', which saw a combined investment commitment of over Rs 2 lakh crore from industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and others. Modi: Geography can't be a deterrent to NE's growth During a recent visit to China, Muhammad Yunus had described India's northeastern states - commonly referred to as the 'Seven Sisters' - as "landlocked" and lacking direct access to the ocean. He had said that Bangladesh, the "only guardian of the ocean for the region", could, because of its strategic location, become an extension of the Chinese economy and act as a conduit for Chinese investments into India's NorthEast, as well as Nepal and Bhutan. PM Narendra Modi junked the notion that geography could be a deterrent for NorthEast's growth. He positioned the region at the heart of India's Act East Policy, and said that "the NorthEast will become a strong bridge and gateway for Asean trade". With trade expected to surpass $200 billion, logistics hubs are emerging in Guwahati, Imphal and Agartala. The PM attributed the growing confidence in the region to unprecedented development across sectors - from highways and digital networks to startups and education. Over 11,000km of highways, new railway lines and an expanding air network now connect what was once a relatively isolated region. Projects like Sela Tunnel, Bhupen Hazarika bridge and India-Myanmar-Thailand highway, the PM said, are emblematic of an "infrastructure revolution". "Good infrastructure is not just about roads - it's about trust, safety, and investment confidence," PM Modi emphasised. On security and stability, he noted a historic transformation, saying, "There was a time when the NorthEast was associated with bombs, guns and blockades... Now, it's opportunity, peace, and prosperity." Over 10,000 youth have surrendered arms, and peace accords have strengthened governance in the region. Meanwhile, Reliance Industries chairperson and managing director Mukesh Ambani announced plans to increase the company's total investment in the region to Rs 75,000 crore over the next five years. Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani followed with a fresh investment announcement of Rs 50,000 crore over the next 10 years, in addition to a Rs 50,000-crore commitment made earlier this year in Assam.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre invests ₹1.5 lakh crore in northeast India's physical, digital infra: Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has invested ₹1.5 lakh crore over the past 10 years in northeast India's physical and digital infrastructure under the ' Act East Policy ', Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on Friday. 'Over ₹1.5 lakh crore has been invested across digital and physical infrastructure in the region. Out of this ₹50,000 crore has gone specifically into BharatNet and the Digital North East Vision,' Pemmasani said in his keynote address at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 event. The minister said that more than 90% of northeast India is now covered by 4G networks, while 80% of the rural households in the region are digitally connected via optical fibre cable. 'Modern IT parks are operational in Guwahati, Shillong, and Agartala, catalysing job creation and innovation. Hyperscale data centres, including Asia's largest, will be set up in Assam,' Pemmasani said. The minister recalled that the government is providing a much-needed policy support, beyond infrastructure, to help industry establish in this region and tap the local talent pool. 'It has launched ambitious programs such as Digital India , Bharatnet, Startup India, National AI Strategy, 5G rollout to create a launchpad for industry in the region,' Pemmasani said. 'This synergy of centre-state collaboration, a hallmark of governance since 2014, is transforming the NER (northeast region) into a digital powerhouse,' the minister added, saying that the region is witnessing the convergence of policy, infrastructure and talent. According to Pemmasani, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G is no longer theoretical in the Northeast, and the technologies are being deployed to solve real-life issues. The minister said that in Andhra Pradesh, a 5G telemedicine network is facilitating real-time consultationsm, while in Tripura, the 'Bhashini' initiative is making governance accessible in 22 languages through real-time AI translation Pemmasani stated optimistically that more can be done with AI, such as the digitisation of all government services, including land records, while 5G can support the delivery of global resources and virtual laboratories to students. 'At the same time, Kaziranga and Sikkim can offer immersive AR experiences, showcasing our beauty to millions through virtual tour,' he added. Currently, India's top telecom incumbents -- Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel -- provide a nationwide coverage of fifth-generation (5G) networks. Earlier in the day, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman & Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said at the event that Reliance Jio has already covered 90% of the population with over 5 million 5G subscribers in northeast India, and will double the number this year. 'Jio's priority will be to bring the revolutionary power of Artificial Intelligence to all schools, hospitals, enterprises and homes. When talent meets technology and competence meets connectivity, our North-East will surge ahead,' Ambani said, adding that Reliance has invested around ₹30,000 crore in the region in the past 40 years. The oil-to-telecoms conglomerate, in the next five years, will more than double its investments in the northeast, with a target of ₹75,000 crore.
