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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Desi Rice Fair to showcase traditional varieties, promote awareness
Mysuru: A two-day Desi Rice Fair will be held in the city on Saturday and Sunday at the Nanjaraja Bahadur Chathra. To raise awareness among consumers and farmers about the diversity of desi rice, Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign are organising this rice fair. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the Desi Rice Fair, varieties of red, black, golden, and aromatic rice will be on display and for sale. A special attraction this year is the availability of medicinal paddy and rice varieties. Famous rice varieties from across India will be displayed. These rice varieties include Kala Namak from Uttar Pradesh, Kala Jeera from Odisha, Komal Chawal from Assam, Navara and Mullan Kayama from Kerala, Mapillai Samba from Tamil Nadu, Ambe Mohar from Maharashtra, Chitta Mutyalu from Andhra Pradesh, Govindobhog, and Kalo Bhat from West Bengal. Karnataka's own rare varieties such as Karigajivili, Rajamudi, Dodyaga, Dodda Baira Nellu, Siddha Sanna, Salem Sanna, Rajabhoga, and Andanuru Sanna will also be displayed. Over 200 traditional rice varieties will be showcased. High-quality seeds for the upcoming monsoon sowing season will be available. In addition, organic products, fruits, vegetables, native seeds, and value-added products will be on sale. As part of the fair, a Desi Rice Cooking competition has been organised. Participants are invited to prepare any dish using traditional rice at home and bring it to the fair by 12.30pm on Aug 10. A drawing competition titled "The World of Rice I Saw" will be held for two age groups: 5 to 10 years and 10 to 15 years. Children must draw at home and bring their artwork to the fair by 11.00am on Sunday, Aug 10.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
UP's measures helping aspirational districts progress rapidly: Govt
The Yogi Adityanath government has taken several innovative measures for overall development of Siddharthnagar, Chitrakoot, and Fatehpur under the NITI Aayog's aspirational districts programme. UP's measures helping aspirational districts progress rapidly: Govt In Siddharthnagar, under the aspirational district programme, the district administration has set up libraries in 560 gram panchayats, encouraging rural children to take more interest in education and helping them learn in new ways. To reduce mother and infant mortality rates, a 'war room' has been established in the district. This war room strengthens healthcare services through regular monitoring and quick action. The district has also started a training programme in the district jail where inmates are learning stitching skills to help them become self-reliant. To promote local Kala Namak rice, the district is organising buyer-seller meets which has helped connect farmers to the market and increase both the cultivation area and production of this special rice. In addition, the Siddharth Fisheries Development Foundation has been formed to support fish farmers with technical and financial help. In Chitrakoot, the Karvi Organic Farmer Producer Company Ltd has opened an organic products shop, giving local farmers a market for their organic produce. Also, training centres have been set up at the block and nyay panchayat levels to teach farmers and youth about new technologies. In healthcare, there is a focus on setting up labour rooms and operation theatres in first referral units. The government is also working to ensure 100% availability of medical and paramedical staff. In Fatehpur district, the prize money given by the NITI Aayog has been used to build smart classes in 10 Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools. The district has also set up seed banks, home-building initiatives, and soil testing labs. Additionally, the country's first AI-based breast cancer screening centre has been established in the district. To improve TB diagnosis, handheld portable X-ray machines have been provided, making health services more accessible. Under the TB-Free Panchayat campaign, 27 villages have been declared TB-free. These efforts by the Yogi government in aspirational districts have not only strengthened the local economy but have also led to better living standards in rural areas. According to the state government, innovations have led to the better utilisation of local resources and have brought remarkable improvements in education, healthcare, agriculture, and employment in rural areas. The best practices and innovations implemented in these districts are now serving as a roadmap to accelerate development across other aspirational districts as well, added the government.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Agri contribution to UP's economy up from 13.7% to 16.8% in 2023-24: Report
Lucknow: The primary sector, especially agriculture, has played an important role in improving the state's gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent report on Uttar Pradesh 's District Domestic Product for 2023-24. The report says that the primary sector accounted for Rs 6.35 lakh crore in UP's GDP of Rs 25.63 lakh crore, out of which, Rs 3.96 lakh crore was contributed just by the crop sector. Prepared by the economics and statistics division of UP govt's planning department, the report says that the contribution of crops to the state's economy was 16.8% in 2023-24, registering a growth of 13.74% over the previous year. The top five districts in terms of volume of crops included Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Bijnor, and Badaun. Similarly, the top five districts with highest growth in crops were Bhadohi, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Rae Bareli, and Jhansi. The report highlighted that at least 37 districts registered a growth rate higher than the state average of 13.7%. Principal secretary, planning, Alok Kumar said that according to data, the crop sector's Gross State Value Added (GSVA) was largely driven by foodgrain, which contributed 40.68% to GSVA. The contribution of fruits and vegetables was 22.58% and sugarcane contributed 19.4% to GSVA. "UP consistently remained self-sufficient in foodgrain production and consistently maintained leading position in wheat and sugarcane production at the national level. In 2023-24, the state produced 6.68 crore tonnes of foodgrain and 3.98 crore tons of wheat, contributing 18.14% and 31.19% to India's total foodgrain and wheat production, respectively," Kumar said. In 2023-24, UP produced 2,495 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The report suggests that interventions by the state govt helped in the growth of the sector through timely payments and efficient crushing. The top five districts contributing the most to sugarcane production are Lakhimpur Kheri (3.22 crore tonnes), Bijnor (2.37 crore tonnes), Sitapur (1.9 crore tonnes), Muzaffarnagar (1.68 crore tonnes), and Meerut (1.46 crore tonnes). Districts with highest increase in sugarcane production were Azamgarh (53.5%), Mau (49.6%), Jaunpur (33.7%), Rae Bareli (24.7%), and Mathura (21%). The state also contributed 11.6% to India's total paddy production with a yield of 2.65 crore tonnes. The paddy sector benefitted from water conservation schemes, with areas like Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, reporting an increase in production by 2.09% and 7.89%, respectively. Initiatives like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar improved groundwater levels, which led to increased crop production. "Various agricultural products of UP are gaining global recognition with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Kala Namak rice from Siddarthnagar, Pratapgarh's aamla, Malihabad's Dussehri mango, and Adamchini rice from Chandauli are a few examples. Mango exports touched 567.62 tonnes in 2023-24, an increase of 7.59% over the previous year. The top five districts contributing the most to mango production are Unnao, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Meerut, and Sitapur. Five districts with highest growth in mango production are Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Banda, and Lalitpur," Kumar said. Lucknow: The primary sector, especially agriculture, has played an important role in improving the state's gross domestic product (GDP), according to a recent report on Uttar Pradesh's District Domestic Product for 2023-24. The report says that the primary sector accounted for Rs 6.35 lakh crore in UP's GDP of Rs 25.63 lakh crore, out of which, Rs 3.96 lakh crore was contributed just by the crop sector. Prepared by the economics and statistics division of UP govt's planning department, the report says that the contribution of crops to the state's economy was 16.8% in 2023-24, registering a growth of 13.74% over the previous year. The top five districts in terms of volume of crops included Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Bijnor, and Badaun. Similarly, the top five districts with highest growth in crops were Bhadohi, Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Rae Bareli, and Jhansi. The report highlighted that at least 37 districts registered a growth rate higher than the state average of 13.7%. Principal secretary, planning, Alok Kumar said that according to data, the crop sector's Gross State Value Added (GSVA) was largely driven by foodgrain, which contributed 40.68% to GSVA. The contribution of fruits and vegetables was 22.58% and sugarcane contributed 19.4% to GSVA. "UP consistently remained self-sufficient in foodgrain production and consistently maintained leading position in wheat and sugarcane production at the national level. In 2023-24, the state produced 6.68 crore tonnes of foodgrain and 3.98 crore tons of wheat, contributing 18.14% and 31.19% to India's total foodgrain and wheat production, respectively," Kumar said. In 2023-24, UP produced 2,495 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The report suggests that interventions by the state govt helped in the growth of the sector through timely payments and efficient crushing. The top five districts contributing the most to sugarcane production are Lakhimpur Kheri (3.22 crore tonnes), Bijnor (2.37 crore tonnes), Sitapur (1.9 crore tonnes), Muzaffarnagar (1.68 crore tonnes), and Meerut (1.46 crore tonnes). Districts with highest increase in sugarcane production were Azamgarh (53.5%), Mau (49.6%), Jaunpur (33.7%), Rae Bareli (24.7%), and Mathura (21%). The state also contributed 11.6% to India's total paddy production with a yield of 2.65 crore tonnes. The paddy sector benefitted from water conservation schemes, with areas like Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, reporting an increase in production by 2.09% and 7.89%, respectively. Initiatives like Khet Talab Yojana and Amrit Sarovar improved groundwater levels, which led to increased crop production. "Various agricultural products of UP are gaining global recognition with Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Kala Namak rice from Siddarthnagar, Pratapgarh's aamla, Malihabad's Dussehri mango, and Adamchini rice from Chandauli are a few examples. Mango exports touched 567.62 tonnes in 2023-24, an increase of 7.59% over the previous year. The top five districts contributing the most to mango production are Unnao, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Meerut, and Sitapur. Five districts with highest growth in mango production are Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Banda, and Lalitpur," Kumar said.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CM Fellows' innovations redefine devpt in rural UP
Lucknow: Chief Minister Fellows, many of whom are completing three years in their posts, are being recognised for innovative schemes they implemented in their blocks to bring measurable changes in these areas. In Lakhimpur Kheri district, CM Fellows, in collaboration with local officials, worked on activating sub-health centres in Kukra and Jalalpur villages, which are now equipped with proper delivery centres. Due to the presence of the delivery centres, institutional deliveries increased to 94% in these villages, ensuring safer childbirth and better maternal and infant health care. An official from the planning department, which has been monitoring the CM Fellowship Programme, said that where once only five-six institutional deliveries took place monthly, the number has now surged to 20 per Badaun's Salarpur block, CM Fellow Mayank Singh introduced an innovative model that blends health awareness with livelihood generation. To address the lack of resources in Anganwadi centres, he collaborated with self-help group women to create Madhubani-style banners conveying health messages. The funds raised were used to procure health equipment for four Anganwadi centres, which then led to a notable increase in ANC check-up registrations among pregnant women, the official by Singh's work, Momina, an SHG member, created similar awareness banners using zari-zardozi art. Seeing how effective the simple plan was, the govt is putting in place a plan to expand this to promote awareness about TB and Gorakhpur's Brahmapur block, CM Fellow Praveen Kumar Rao focussed on boosting the production of Kala Namak rice. He formed a 58-hectare cluster under the agricultural export policy 2019 and, in collaboration with farmer producer organisations, facilitated a Rs 100 per kg seed subsidy. He then secured Rs 10 lakh as support for 200 farmers, which led to an expansion in rice cultivation and an increase of nearly 1.5 times in the farmers' income through Kumar Jaiswal, posted in Ballia's Sohawan block, introduced smart TVs in the Primary School at Narhi to bring digital learning to the school. This resulted in a surge in student enrolment, which went up from 148 students in May 2024 to 194 by Sep, with attendance reaching 85%.These transformative efforts are a direct result of CM Yogi Adityanath's forward-looking policy to empower youth-led innovation in rural areas. The CM Fellows are not just implementing programmes but are redefining the development narrative of rural UP through sustainable, inclusive and impactful interventions, the official said.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
RS MP thanks PM Modi for move to halt auction of Buddha relics in HK
Lucknow: Rajya Sabha member and former UP DGP Brij Lal expressed satisfaction over the suspension of the auction of sacred relics of Lord Buddha that was scheduled at Sotheby's in Hong Kong on May relics, believed to be unearthed from the Piprahwa stupa in present-day UP's Siddharthnagar district, were excavated in 1898 by British indigo planter William Claxton Peppé.Peppé is also credited with promoting the cultivation of the ancient Kala Namak rice after reportedly tasting it in 1848 and subsequently growing it in the Terai regions of Gorakhpur and to Brij Lal, Peppé tunnelled into the Piprahwa stupa and removed a soapstone casket containing sacred relics, ornaments, and gemstones linked to Lord Buddha. These were later taken to London by his family and were set to be auctioned in Hong Kong by his Lal said that upon learning about the proposed auction, he wrote to PM Narendra Modi, EAM S Jaishankar, and Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on May 5, urging them to act govt of India responded promptly, and through the coordinated efforts of the ministry of culture, Archaeological Survey of India and MEA, a legal notice was issued to Sotheby's and Peppé's great-grandson, Chris Peppé. This led to Sotheby's informing Indian authorities on May 7 that the auction was postponed, and further discussions would be held."I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi, who, despite being preoccupied with Operation Sindoor, took swift and decisive action to halt the auction ," Brij Lal told Lal expressed hope that the halted auction will pave the way for the relics to be returned to India.
