Latest news with #Indo-Bangladesh
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Geopolitics scores but other influencer contents take a hit amid Bangla turmoil
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: From a noticeable dip in viewership from Bangladesh to a marked increase in hate comments, Bengal's content creators have encountered significant changes amidst the ongoing volatility in Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh relations. During the Aug uprising, content creators observed a drop in viewership from Bangladesh. While some managed to regain their audience, many continue to report persistent declines. In a bid to attract more engagement, several creators recently pivoted to producing more content focused on geopolitics. The escalating cross-border tensions have led to a surge in hate comments. Interestingly, this phenomenon has resulted in heightened viewership, greater audience engagement, and increased revenues for the creators. For many YouTubers, political tensions often lead to restrictions on the flow of media and content, directly affecting the reach and accessibility of creators and their material. Digital creator Zeeshan Ali, who runs a channel with 71K subscribers on Instagram, was badly hit. "I have a good following in Bangladesh, and they would visit the food joints I recommended once they visited Kolkata. After the uprising, the reach went. According to the trend, I should have 90K subscribers by now. Unfortunately, people from Bangladesh started unfollowing me. They are not keen on watching entertainment at all and are busy surfing content related to politics and conflict," he said. Actor and content creator Aparajita Ghosh, who presents podcasts on YouTube, expressed certainty that the viewership of her content would be double if the Indo-Bangladesh relationship had not become strained. "Any content I shared earlier would receive so much love from Bangladesh. People would generously comment. After the uprising, I hosted a podcast called Off Screen With Aparajita Ghosh. I am surprised that there is not a single comment from Bangladesh. I am sure the viewership would have been double, had this podcast been shared at least a year back," Ghosh stated. Aritra Banerjee, who has 176K subscribers on YouTube, faced the heat when the watch hours of his videos dipped during the Aug uprising in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh is a big market in terms of our viewership. The internet services were down during the Aug uprising. While my subscriber base remained the same, the watch hours dipped by 25% then. Once the internet connections resumed, the viewership was back," Banerjee said. "My show is about ghosts, and their viewership in Bangladesh remains steady at 11% regardless of any political developments. Ghosts are a different ballgame altogether, but I noticed several content creators who never engaged in geopolitics previously now produced three videos instead of one per day to take advantage of the increased viewer interest.," said Gourab Tapadar, whose 'Pretkotha' channel has 883K subscribers. Recent times have seen a surge in the number of hate comments for Indian content, with hyperactive trolls having a field day. Sharmila Maiti, who currently has 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube, experienced a 60% increase in hate comments on her channel. "People often watch content which they absolutely hate. They watch it to ridicule or troll. Last week, I posted a vlog with an interview of a meritorious student. Among the 600 comments I got, 550 were from Bangladesh. Most of them were very critical," Maiti stated. Such hate comments are not overtly detrimental for a channel as they help generate the engagement necessary for revenue.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's decision to restrict Bangladesh exports shaped by Dhaka's recent approach on Northeast
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India's decision to place restrictions on Bangladeshi products being exported to North-East India was shaped by several comments made by the interim regime including by Chief Adviser Md Yunus that it can choke the prosperity of NE states by denying them access to the Bay of associated with the regime gave repeated threats including after Pahalgam attacks that Dhaka could even contemplate to annex the NE states. Ex-servicemen organised rallies in Dhaka last year in support of the demand. Recently Yunus was on a trip to Beijing where he mentioned that North-East India is 'landlocked' and Dhaka is the 'only guardian of the ocean for all this region'Under the Sheikh Hasina govt, India had concluded pacts giving NE states access to Bay of Bengal via Chittagong port. This was also aimed to increase Bangladesh's revenues through royalty earned from the port for transportation of Indian goods, recalled persons familiar with the Indo-Bangladesh sinister design by the Yunus regime and the radicals led by pro-Pak Jamaat-e-Islami to create disturbances in the Northeastern states. For close to two decades Bangladesh was home to insurgents from the Northeast till Hasina handed over them to India in 2009. The subsequent years witnessed Bangladesh businesses making inroads into the Northeast and establishing consulates. India received transit rights for the Northeast via Bangladesh, which was denied by BNP-led governments in the ushering of the Yunus government also witnessed cargoes from Pakistan getting unloaded in Chittagong port for the first time in over 50 years. There are apprehensions of ISI cells getting reactivated in Bangladesh in the backdrop of Pakistan's growing military ties with Bangladesh. This will have cross-border implications into Northeastern Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification on Saturday night and decided to impose port restrictions on specified Bangladesh exports to India across all land customs stations (LCSs) or integrated check posts (ICPs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram and through Changrabandha and Fulbari in north Bengal.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Driving sustainable growth in the logistics sector
The blogger is an IAS officer of 2002 batch in West Bengal. Saumitra holds a PhD in International Organisation from JNU. He has also done a Post Graduation in Journalism from IIMC, New Delhi and a Post Graduation in Education from IGNOU. Before joining IAS, he has worked with PTI, New Delhi as a Journalist, as a Lecturer with the Meerut University and as an Assistant Regional Director with IGNOU. LESS ... MORE West Bengal is a state uniquely positioned because of its offering many advantages critical to the logistics sector. It is the sixth-largest economy in India, with a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 17 lakh crore. Growing at an impressive annual rate of 15.24%, West Bengal is one of the fastest growing states in the country. With an estimated population of over 100 million, the state represents both a massive consumption base and an ever-growing industrial hub. What truly sets West Bengal apart, however, is its strategic geographic advantage. Positioned as the gateway to India's Northeast and land-locked neighbors like Bhutan and Nepal, it also acts as India's vital conduit to Southeast Asia. This strategic geographic significance makes West Bengal the ideal destination for investments in the logistics sector. The state's logistics sector is poised for an exponential growth, with the current market size estimated at $20 billion. Our key infrastructures includes strategically-located seaports in the form of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust) and Haldia Dock Complex. Together, they serve as major gateways for cargo, offering robust multi-modal connectivity. Together, these ports handle over 65 million metric tons of cargo annually. The proposed Tajpur Deep-Sea Port is likely to be a game-changer that will accommodate large vessels and significantly reduce logistics costs. Haldia Dock Complex (Image credit: SMP website) Extensive inland waterways provide immense opportunities for development of tourism, passenger and cargo services. With 4,593 kilometers of navigable waterways, including the National Waterway-1 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, we are fostering greener and more efficient cargo transport systems. These waterways link us not only to Northeast India, but also to Southeast Asia and beyond, providing a cost-effective alternative to road and rail. Under the West Bengal Inland Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project, the state is exploring ways and means to operationalise the RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) service on NW-1, especially in and around the Kolkata metropolitan area. The initiative, if successful, is likely to reduce travel time for cargo and passenger movement while also significantly reduce the carbon footprints as a result of vehicles having to travel lesser distance. The state has already operationalised RoRo and RoPax services in the Sundarbans and Gangasagar areas. There are many private players who are also bracing to introduce RoRo services along the NW-1, not to speak of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) similarly conducting studies to this effect. West Bengal Inland Water Transport, Logistics and Spatial Development Project (Image credit: West Bengal government website) Better air connectivity is an advantage that drives the logistics sector in the state. Kolkata Airport, the largest freight facility in eastern India, is a critical hub for high-value and perishable goods. Recent enhancements, such as express courier terminals and the Centre for Perishable Cargo, strengthen its capabilities. The airports at Andal, Bagdogra and Cochbehar add to the available options and could be further leveraged for seamless logistics movement across the state using its airways. The state is further exploring the possibilities at such other locations as Malda, Balurghat, Charra (Purulia), Kalaikunda and Hasimara. West Bengal's extensive road and rail network is yet another infrastructural advantage that catalyses the logistics sector. Our road network spans over 100,000 kilometers, with 33 national highways connecting the state to the neighboring regions. Additionally, 1,409 kilometers of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor run through West Bengal, connecting Dankuni to Uttar Pradesh and beyond. This must be leveraged to the advantage of smooth cargo movement from West Bengal to the other states. Extensive warehousing facilities including better inventory management practices and cold chain networks, as existing in the state, provide the enabling springboard for the sector. It is notable that West Bengal leads eastern India in warehousing capacity, with hubs like Dankuni and NH-16 witnessing a surge in demand. Modern facilities cater to sectors like e-commerce, FMCG and pharmaceuticals, meeting the needs of a fast-evolving market. Now, what makes West Bengal a preferred destination for logistics investment? These three core drivers include a conducive industrial ecosystem, well-endowed economic corridors and and strategic geographic location. West Bengal is home to a thriving industrial base, from MSMEs to large-scale enterprises. The state's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector boasts over 42 lakh units, contributing 7.2% to India's total MSMEs. Our industrial clusters span sectors like textiles, leather, chemicals, and hi-tech electronics, driving demand for logistics services. The state serves as the terminus for several mega-corridors, including the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor and the East Coast Economic Corridor. These corridors promise seamless connectivity to global value chains and open doors for exports and imports, enhancing the state's logistics ecosystem. West Bengal's connectivity with Southeast Asia through projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and the Trilateral Highway (India-Myanmar-Thailand) positions us as a strategic partner for India's integration into global value chains. Route of Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (Image credit: NICDC) The Government of West Bengal is committed to creating an investor-friendly environment. The West Bengal Logistics Policy, 2023 embodies this vision. Some of the key features include industry status to the logistics sector, development of multi-modal logistics parks and freight villages, dedicated land banks for logistics infrastructure, streamlined approvals through an integrated single-window system, development of green logistics and the adoption of digital technologies and the existence of the West Bengal Logistics Centre of Excellence for fostering innovation and skill development. Additionally, initiatives like the West Bengal Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and the Utkarsh Bangla Scheme, as conceived and stewarded by the Department of Technical Education, Training and Skill Development, are ensuring a ready-made pool of skilled workforce tailored to the sector's needs. Premier institutions such as IIT Kharagpur and IIM Calcutta complement this effort by nurturing managerial talent and innovation. Industries and businesses are availing the opportunity for sector-specific customized capacity building of human resources as required for spurring the economic and commercial activities in repective sector. Utkarsh Bangla Scheme (Image credit: NITI Aayog) As global supply chains shift toward greener practices, West Bengal is leading the charge with initiatives in green logistics. From leveraging inland waterways to reduce carbon footprints to integrating renewable energy in logistics parks, sustainability is at the heart of our strategy. Furthermore, the 'Blue Economy'—focusing on fisheries, maritime tourism, and coastal trade—is further set to unlock significant opportunities. The rise of e-commerce has also transformed logistics. Companies like Amazon and Flipkart are investing heavily in the state, creating a ripple effect in warehousing and last-mile delivery solutions. Quick commerce, driven by demand for shorter-delivery times, is further fueling the need for modern infrastructure and technological innovation. West Bengal's logistics story is one of opportunity and transformation. The state's strategic location, growing industrial base, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly policies make it the ideal destination for those looking to make impactful investments. From infrastructure development to operational innovation, the opportunities here are vast and varied. Whether it is developing multi-modal logistics parks, investing in cold chain solutions, or pioneering green logistics practices, West Bengal offers a platform for sustainable and profitable ventures. Leveraging all these advantages, the State has already created a logistics ecosystem that not only powers economic growth, but also enhances the quality of life for Bengal's strong infrastructures, ingenuous policies, facilitatory ecosystem and a strong commitment provide the enabling ambience for everyone to be part of this fascinating growth story. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, April 22, 1975: Water begins to flow into Farakka canal
New Delhi, April 21: Water started flowing into the Farakka feeder canal at 11-00 hours this morning. An announcement to this effect was made amidst cheers in the Lok Sabha to-day by the Agriculture and Irrigation Minister, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, at the end of a statement on the Indo-Bangladesh agreement on Farakka reached in Dacca last week. Mr. Jagjivan Ram, who led the Indian delegation to the talks at Dacca from April 16 to 18 said: 'The House will be glad to know that an understanding has been reached during this meeting which enables the Farakka barrage to be operated and the feeder canal to be run during the current lean period.' He laid a copy of the agreement on the table of the House. Mr. Jagjivan Ram said: 'Since the discussions regarding allocation of the minimum flows of the Ganga during the lean months are continuing between the two Governments, the present agreement is a provisional arrangement to enable the running of the feeder canal. 'This agreement is a breakthrough for the Farakka issue and sets an outstanding example of mutual understanding and accommodation of the two neighbouring countries in the development of the waters of an international river. It is hoped that this understanding will further reinforce the relations between the two countries and would enable expeditious settlement by negotiations of the Farakka issue on a lasting basis.'
