Latest news with #Asmita
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Muzaffar Hussain and Son Mazhar Syed Transform Vidarbha Wastelands into Sustainable Farmlands
PNN Vidarbha (Maharashtra) [India], May 30: In a region once known for drought and farmer distress, Asmita Organic Farms is leading a quiet revolution--rooted in tradition, strengthened by technology, and driven by a profound sense of purpose. Founded by renowned urban development leader Muzaffar Hussain and his U.S.-educated entrepreneur son Mazhar Syed, Asmita Organic Farms has transformed acres of barren land in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region into a thriving model of regenerative agriculture using organic farming methods. Today, the farm supports hundreds of farmers, nurtures biodiversity, and produces ethically grown, fully traceable food consumed across urban India. "For far too long, food in India has come with vague labels and broken promises. At Asmita Organic Farms, we're building a movement--not just a brand--rooted in radical transparency, soil-to-shelf traceability, and respect for both people and the planet. This isn't about chasing trends; it's about reviving Indian farming wisdom, empowering our farmers with modern tools, and giving consumers clean, honest food they can trust. Our vision is to spark a quiet revolution--where every Indian knows their food's story and chooses nourishment that heals both body and earth," says Mazhar Syed, Co-Founder of Asmita Organic Farms. Spread across more than 150 acres, AsmitA Organic Farms is a model of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. The farm grows black pepper, turmeric, ginger, black ginger, Khapli wheat, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bay leaves. It also cultivates four varieties of cashews, several types of tamarind, and 22 varieties of jackfruit. Trees such as bamboo, mahogany, silver oak, and kokum enrich the landscape. The orchards yield custard apples, sweet limes, oranges, coconuts, and cardamom bananas. A highlight is the mango collection, which features 15 premium varieties, including Gir Talala, Gujarat Kesar, Dussehri, and the rare Malihabad Chausa. The initiative operates on a farmer-first model, offering buyback guarantees, hands-on training programs, and access to high-quality organic inputs. Special emphasis is placed on gender equity, with dedicated programs to empower and train women farmers throughout the region. By leveraging precision farming techniques and AgriTech partnerships, Asmita integrates data-driven methods to optimize yields while protecting long-term soil health. The farm's clean-label product line, available in over 400 retail outlets across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Indore, features QR-coded biodegradable packaging--allowing customers to trace each item from soil to shelf. Asmita Organic's product portfolio--including monk fruit nut butters, brown rice crisps, and cold-pressed oils--is designed with both consumer health and environmental sustainability in mind. With a growing urban footprint and a deeply rooted rural mission, Asmita Organic Farms is redefining India's agricultural future--prioritizing transparency over trend, community over commerce, and purpose over profit.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
All-party delegation led by Shrikant Shinde sends
Abu Dhabi [UAE], May 23 (ANI): An all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde visited prominent religious sites in the UAE, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, as part of a mission to promote harmony and coexistence. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) was established in 2008 by a decree issued by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. In addition to the mosque, the delegation also visited the BAPS Hindu Temple and the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara. Sharing a post on X, the Indian Embassy in UAE wrote, 'The All-party delegation led by @DrSEShinde sends a strong message of harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence - the values shared and cherished by India and UAE. The delegation paid obeisance at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, BAPS Hindu Temple and Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara.' After their visit, Shrikant Shinde described it as a 'divine' experience, calling it a 'reflection of (Aastha) faith and (Asmita) identity' in Abu Dhabi. Speaking to ANI after the temple visit, Shrikant Shinde said, 'The only word that truly captures the experience is divine. Witnessing its grandeur in the heart of the Abu Dhabi desert fills me with deep respect for all those who contributed to making this temple.' 'I sincerely thank the BAPS organisation for their tireless efforts in bringing such magnificent temples to life. Today, we witness a reflection of (Aastha) faith and (Asmita) identity in Abu Dhabi. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Sushma Swaraj ji for their pivotal roles in making this vision possible,' said Shinde. Earlier in the day, the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde participated in an interaction event with the Indian community in the UAE, where the members shared the 'New India' and the 'new normal' which has emerged after the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor launched in response. During the interaction event, BJD MP Sasmit Patra shared that Operation Sindoor highlighted India's response towards terrorism. He said, 'We will ensure more than 100 terrorists die for what you're doing. This is the new India.' Earlier in the day, the delegation met Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence. Al Nahyan conveyed his deep condolences for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The delegation highlighted the perpetration of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's efforts to cause social disharmony in India. The all-party delegation projects India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will convey to the world the country's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism. India had launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Armed Forces responded effectively to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. The two countries have reached an understanding to stop military action following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Divine darshan...": All-party delegation led by Shrikant Shinde visits BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi [UAE], May 23 (ANI): The high-level all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde visited the BAPS Hindu temple near the Abu Mureikha area in Abu Dhabi on Friday. After their visit, Shrikant Shinde described it as a 'divine' experience, calling it a 'reflection of (Aastha) faith and (Asmita) identity' in Abu Dhabi. The all-party delegation comprises MPs Bansuri Swaraj, ET Mohmd Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP leader Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy. The MPs could be seen clicking pictures in the temple premises and watching audio and visual displays. The temple has been built with intricate carvings and designs. Speaking to ANI after the temple visit, Shrikant Shinde said, 'The only word that truly captures the experience is divine. Witnessing its grandeur in the heart of the Abu Dhabi desert fills me with deep respect for all those who contributed to making this temple.' 'I sincerely thank the BAPS organisation for their tireless efforts in bringing such magnificent temples to life. Today, we witness a reflection of (Aastha) faith and (Asmita) identity in Abu Dhabi. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Sushma Swaraj ji for their pivotal roles in making this vision possible,' said Shinde. The mandir symbolises interfaith harmony, representing the UAE's and India's good relations to foster understanding, acceptance, and unity among people of different religious backgrounds. The mandir carvings incorporate stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and the lives of Hindu figures, as well as stories from Arabian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Native American, and other civilisations. Earlier in the day, the delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde participated in an interaction event with the Indian community in the UAE, where the members shared the 'New India' and the 'new normal' which has emerged after the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor launched in response. During the interaction event, BJD MP Sasmit Patra shared that Operation Sindoor highlighted India's response towards terrorism. He said, 'We will ensure more than 100 terrorists die for what you're doing. This is the new India.' Earlier in the day, the delegation met Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Co-Existence. Al Nahyan conveyed his deep condolences for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The delegation highlighted the perpetration of cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's efforts to cause social disharmony in India. The all-party delegation projects India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will convey to the world the country's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism. India had launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Armed Forces responded effectively to subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. The two countries have reached an understanding to stop military action following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. (ANI)
Mint
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Khelo India Youth Games 2025: Asmita Dhone eyes junior world championship medal after lifting youth national records
Asmita Dattatray Dhone of Maharashtra broke two youth national weightlifting records on her way to clinching gold medal in the 49kg class in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) at the Rajgir Sports Complex. Dhone shattered her own youth national record in both clean and jerk and overall total set at the Commonwealth Championships in Doha, Qatar, five months back. She had won a silver medal at the 2022 Khelo India Youth Games in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Asmita first breached the 94kg mark with a 95kg lift in clean and jerk to create a youth national record and then added another two kilograms on the barbell to again breach the national record and take her overall total to 170kg, an improvement of 8 kilograms from her Commonwealth Championships performance. Uttar Pradesh's Mansi Chamunda (75+88) settled for silver with a youth national snatch record, improving upon the mark set by Panchami Sonowal of Assam in 2022. Hailing from a humble background, Asmita, who turned 18 this month, was born in Karad town of Satara district. Her father Dattatray Dhone drives an autorickshaw and mother Nirmala is a dairy farmer. Asmita began training under Samrat Pawar in her hometown, which she continues to do even today. 'I started lifting weights when I was in Class 7, roughly 14 years of age. My elder sister was also into weightlifting and so her coach Samrat sir told me to also start weightlifting along with her. I am very happy with my performance as I broke the national record,' Asmita told SAI Media. Asmita Dhone has numerous national and international medals under her belt and that helped her get inducted in both the Khelo India scheme and Sports Authority of India's Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala since 2023. Asmita won gold at the World Youth Championship last year in Suva, Fiji, with an overall lift of 158kg (70+88kg). She had also won a gold at the Commonwealth Youth Championship in 2023 in Noida with a total lift of 136kg (60+76kg). She has a bronze each at last year's Asian Youth Championship and 2023 World Youth Championship. Asmita captured a hat-trick of gold medals in IWLF Youth Nationals from 2022 to 2024. 'I receive a scholarship from Khelo India and also train at NIS Patiala, which is a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), since last two years. Khelo India is a big platform for all of us. It inspires me a lot. It gives me energy and confidence. The stipend of ₹ 10,000 is a great help for someone like me as my father is an autorickshaw driver. We have a small field and two cows at home, which is taken care of by my mother, who is a housewife. I receive sports kits to travel and accommodation costs from SAI,' she added. Talking about her ward, coach Pawar said: 'First of all, I would like to tell you that she has inherited strong genes from her parents. To add to that, she is very disciplined. That is enough proof of her dedication. Weightlifting is a technical event. It requires both muscular strength and technique. She has a brilliant technique in clean and jerk. If she improves her snatch, Asmita will be unstoppable.' With a target of winning gold at next year's World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, Asmita plans to face selection trials after the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships in Ahmedabad this August.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
KIYG 2025: Daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Asmita Dhone eyes junior world weightlifting medal
Asmita Dattatray Dhone of Maharashtra broke two youth national weightlifting records on her way to clinching gold medal in the 49kg class in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games here at the Rajgir Sports Complex. Dhone shattered her own youth national record in both clean and jerk and overall total set at the Commonwealth Championships in Doha, Qatar, five months back. She had won a silver medal at the 2022 Khelo India Youth Games in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Asmita first breached the 94kg mark with a 95kg lift in clean and jerk to create a youth national record and then added another two kilograms on the barbell to again breach the national record and take her overall total to 170kg, an improvement of 8 kilograms from her Commonwealth Championships performance. Uttar Pradesh's Mansi Chamunda (75+88) settled for silver with a youth national snatch record, improving upon the mark set by Panchami Sonowal of Assam in 2022. Hailing from a humble background, Asmita, who turned 18 this month, was born in Karad town of Satara district. Her father Dattatray Dhone drives an autorickshaw and mother Nirmala is a dairy farmer. Asmita began training under Samrat Pawar in her hometown, which she continues to do even today. 'I started lifting weights when I was in Class 7, roughly 14 years of age. My elder sister was also into weightlifting and so her coach Samrat sir told me to also start weightlifting along with her. I am very happy with my performance as I broke the national record,' Asmita told SAI Media. Asmita Dhone has numerous national and international medals under her belt and that helped her get inducted in both the Khelo India scheme and Sports Authority of India's Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports in Patiala since 2023. Asmita won gold at the World Youth Championship last year in Suva, Fiji, with an overall lift of 158kg (70+88kg). She had also won a gold at the Commonwealth Youth Championship in 2023 in Noida with a total lift of 136kg (60+76kg). She has a bronze each at last year's Asian Youth Championship and 2023 World Youth Championship. Asmita captured a hat-trick of gold medals in IWLF Youth Nationals from 2022 to 2024. 'I receive a scholarship from Khelo India and also train at NIS Patiala, which is a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), since last two years. Khelo India is a big platform for all of us. It inspires me a lot. It gives me energy and confidence. The stipend of Rs 10,000 is a great help for someone like me as my father is an autorickshaw driver. We have a small field and two cows at home, which is taken care of by my mother, who is a housewife. I receive sports kits to travel and accommodation costs from SAI,' she added. Talking about her ward, coach Pawar said: 'First of all, I would like to tell you that she has inherited strong genes from her parents. To add to that, she is very disciplined. That is enough proof of her dedication. Weightlifting is a technical event. It requires both muscular strength and technique. She has a brilliant technique in clean and jerk. If she improves her snatch, Asmita will be unstoppable.' With a target of winning gold at next year's World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, Asmita plans to face selection trials after the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Championships in Ahmedabad this August.
