Latest news with #IBSM
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Global promotion
Makhana (foxnuts) has emerged as a buzzword ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, following the Centre's announcement to establish a dedicated board for its promotion. It was among the most sought-after food products at the inaugural International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM), held in Patna on May 19–20. Organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the leadership of Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the event attracted considerable interest from international buyers, many of whom are said to have entered into agreements to source makhana directly from the farmers in Bihar. An official noted that the ministry staff — especially those in Paswan's office — along with state government officials, worked tirelessly to make the event a success, earning appreciation from the minister himself. Unexpected Support Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, arrested by Haryana police on Sunday over a social media post, has got support from an unexpected quarter – former Ambedkar Nagar MP and BJP leader Ritesh Pandey, who jumped ship from the BSP last year. Pandey, who has a 'close friendship' with Mahmudabad, a Samajwadi Party member and former spokesperson of the party, wrote on X that the professor is a 'sensible person' and there can be no 'question mark' on his dedication towards the nation. He also wrote that he hopes Mahmudabad 'gets justice soon'. Many in the BJP were surprised and the party office in Lucknow was abuzz about the post which also called the action taken by the police in BJP-ruled Haryana 'not justified'. Strong Backing At the External Affairs Standing Committee meeting on Monday, MPs cutting across party lines are learnt to have expressed their anguish at the extent of social media harassment that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family had to face. The committee was inclined to pass a resolution but Misri thanked the Members of Parliament and insisted that their support was enough for him.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chirag to entrepreneurs: Invest in Bihar, assure you best support
Patna: Union food processing industries dept minister Chirag Paswan on Monday urged the national and international entrepreneurs to invest in Bihar and assured them best of facilities with good air, road and rail connectivity, including a dry port at Bihta. He urged them to explore large-scale procurement of rice, spices, makhana, and fruits from the state. Addressing the 70 buyers representing 20 countries, including six global retail chains from Germany, Japan and the UAE, alongside 50 domestic and 20 institutional buyers at the inaugural session of the two-day International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Patna, Chirag said Bihar is to play an important role in PM Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047' and India becoming a global food basket. Significantly, 12 companies participating in the meet announced procurement commitments for rice, pulses, spices, fruits, vegetables, and makhana from Bihar. Chirag also highlighted the fact that Bihar benefited the most from Pradhan Mantri formalisation of micro food processing enterprises (PMFME). "In FY 2024-25, my ministry has sanctioned a record 10,270 loans worth Rs 624.42 crore under the PMFME scheme to micro food processing units in Bihar, which is the highest for any state in the country," he said. "The recently announced NIFTEM in Bihar will carry forward our legacy to become a modern-day centre of excellence," he said. He also launched a report titled 'Strategies to boost India's makhana exports'. Addressing the meet, deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said the state govt, through its agriculture map, was trying to make the state farmers not only producers, but also entrepreneurs. State's industries minister Nitish Mishra said, "Bihar has the potential to become the growth engine of East India." He mentioned the mega food park at Muzaffarpur and encouraged investors to leverage Bihar's industrial infrastructure as the govt is ready to provide proactive allotment of land within seven days through the single window clearance system. Mihir Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary (state industries dept), and Minhaj Alam, additional secretary, MoFPI, also stressed upon the need to increase the level of food processing in the state. Abhishek Dev, chairman of APEDA, emphasised that initiatives such as the launch of 'Tracenet 2.0' in 2025 for traceability of organic and GI-tagged products would further enhance credibility and export readiness of Indian produce.
