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India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Roaring successes to woven dreams: PM Modi celebrates India's blend of tradition, innovation
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wove together tales of tradition and innovation, triumph and wildlife, and cultural and personal transformation across India, painting a picture of resilience that fuels progress. During his 122nd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi spoke about the soaring lion population in Gujarat's Gir to the innovative spirit of Sikkim's Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Uttarakhand's resilient artist Jeevan Joshi. He began with a roar of pride, highlighting the significant rise in the lion population in Gujarat's Gir over the past five years, which increased from 674 to 891. PM Modi also praised Gujarat for becoming the first state in the country to appoint a large number of women as Forest Officers. 'In the last five years only, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. This number of lions revealed after the Lion Census is very encouraging. Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed on a large scale to the post of Forest Officers. All of these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to always remain vigilant and alert like this for Wild Life Protection. A great example of how tradition and innovation can come together!' the Prime Minister stated. Shifting to the Northeast, PM Modi highlighted a tapestry of cultural and economic revival, sharing the success story of Crafted Fibres, a unique social enterprise from Sikkim, started by Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He noted that Crafted Fibres is not just a brand but a blend of tradition, weaving art, and modern fashion, stating that Dr Bhutia, who is a veterinary doctor, aimed to give a new dimension to weaving by connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. 'The North East is something else altogether; its potential and talent are truly amazing. I have come to know an interesting story of Crafted Fibres. Crafted Fibres is not just a brand; it is a beautiful amalgamation of Sikkim's tradition, the art of weaving and today's fashion thinking. It was started by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He is a Veterinary Doctor by profession and a true Brand Ambassador of Sikkim's culture by heart,' the PM said. 'He thought, why not give a new dimension to weaving?' And from this thought, Crafted Fibres was born. He connected traditional weaving with modern fashion and made it a social enterprise. Now he doesn't just make clothes; he weaves lives. He gives skill training to local people, making them self-reliant. By connecting village weavers, cattle rearers and self-help groups, Dr Bhutia has created new avenues of employment,' he added. Modi then turned to Uttarakhand, where resilience meets creativity, by sharing the story of Jeevan Joshi, a 65-year-old artist from Haldwani who turns dry pine tree bark into beautiful works of art, creating a unique craft called 'Baget'. Despite being affected by polio in childhood, which weakened his legs, Jeevan never gave up as he channelled his imagination into his artwork. His creations often depict folk instruments and reflect the soul of the mountains. 'Today I want to tell you about a wonderful person who is an artist and a living inspiration. His name is Jeevan Joshi, age 65 years. Now imagine how full of life he must be, whose name itself has Jeevan in it. Jeevan Ji lives in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. In childhood, polio took away the strength of his legs, but it could not take away his courage. Even though his walking speed slowed down, his mind kept flying on every flight of imagination. In this flight, Jeevan Ji gave birth to a unique art and named it 'Baget'. In this, he makes beautiful artworks from the dry bark that falls from pine trees. The bark, which people generally consider useless, becomes a heritage as soon as it comes into Jeevan Ji's hands. There is the fragrance of the soil of Uttarakhand in each of his creations. Sometimes it is the folk instruments of the mountains, and sometimes it seems as if the soul of the mountains has entered that wood,' PM Modi stated. PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' resonates with the roars of Gir's lions, the threads of Sikkim's weavers, and the artistic whispers of Uttarakhand's mountains, showing how India's progress is driven by the strength of its people and the blending of tradition with innovation. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
People who do not get recognition, get platform through Mann Ki Baat: Himachal LoP Jairam Thakur
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 25 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' and said that the people who do not get recognition even after working in the society, such people get a platform through the Mann Ki Baat. Jairam Thakur said, 'This is a very historic initiative and the country and the world are watching this Mann Ki Baat program continuously without any break, without any interruption. We all watch Mann Ki Baat with great enthusiasm and wait for it. There are many people who do not get recognition even after working in the society. Such people get a platform through the Mann Ki Baat program. The biggest thing is that there is no mention of politics and people associated with politics in this program. Thanks to the Prime Minister for this program.' During his 122nd episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi spoke about the soaring lion population in Gujarat's Gir to the innovative spirit of Sikkim's Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Uttarakhand's resilient artist Jeevan Joshi. He began with a roar of pride, highlighting the significant rise in the lion population in Gujarat's Gir over the past five years, which increased from 674 to 891. PM Modi also praised Gujarat for becoming the first state in the country to appoint a large number of women as Forest Officers. 'In the last five years only, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. This number of lions revealed after the Lion Census is very encouraging. Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed on a large scale to the post of Forest Officers. All of these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to always remain vigilant and alert like this for Wild Life Protection. A great example of how tradition and innovation can come together!' the Prime Minister stated. Shifting to the Northeast, PM Modi highlighted a tapestry of cultural and economic revival, sharing the success story of Crafted Fibres, a unique social enterprise from Sikkim, started by Dr Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He noted that Crafted Fibres is not just a brand but a blend of tradition, weaving art, and modern fashion, stating that Dr Bhutia, who is a veterinary doctor, aimed to give a new dimension to weaving by connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. 'The North East is something else altogether; its potential and talent are truly amazing. I have come to know an interesting story of Crafted Fibres. Crafted Fibres is not just a brand; it is a beautiful amalgamation of Sikkim's tradition, the art of weaving and today's fashion thinking. It was started by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia. He is a Veterinary Doctor by profession and a true Brand Ambassador of Sikkim's culture by heart,' the PM said. 'He thought, why not give a new dimension to weaving?' And from this thought, Crafted Fibres was born. He connected traditional weaving with modern fashion and made it a social enterprise. Now he doesn't just make clothes; he weaves lives. He gives skill training to local people, making them self-reliant. By connecting village weavers, cattle rearers and self-help groups, Dr Bhutia has created new avenues of employment,' he added. PM Modi then turned to Uttarakhand, where resilience meets creativity, by sharing the story of Jeevan Joshi, a 65-year-old artist from Haldwani who turns dry pine tree bark into beautiful works of art, creating a unique craft called 'Baget'. Despite being affected by polio in childhood, which weakened his legs, Jeevan never gave up as he channelled his imagination into his artwork. His creations often depict folk instruments and reflect the soul of the mountains. 'Today I want to tell you about a wonderful person who is an artist and a living inspiration. His name is Jeevan Joshi, age 65 years. Now imagine how full of life he must be, whose name itself has Jeevan in it. Jeevan Ji lives in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. In childhood, polio took away the strength of his legs, but it could not take away his courage. Even though his walking speed slowed down, his mind kept flying on every flight of imagination. In this flight, Jeevan Ji gave birth to a unique art and named it 'Baget'. In this, he makes beautiful artworks from the dry bark that falls from pine trees. The bark, which people generally consider useless, becomes a heritage as soon as it comes into Jeevan Ji's hands. There is the fragrance of the soil of Uttarakhand in each of his creations. Sometimes it is the folk instruments of the mountains, and sometimes it seems as if the soul of the mountains has entered that wood,' PM Modi stated (ANI)
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi credits community-led conservation for rise in lion numbers in Gir
New Delhi: Addressing the nation in his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartening update on India's wildlife conservation efforts, announcing a significant rise in the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir forest. "In just the last five years, the population of lions in Gir, Gujarat, has increased from 674 to 891. The number of lions that emerged after the lion census is very encouraging," the Prime Minister said. He elaborated on the challenging and meticulous process behind the lion census. "Many of you must be wondering how this animal census is conducted! This exercise is very challenging. You will be surprised to know that the Lion Census was conducted in 11 districts, in an area of 35 thousand square kilometres." "For the census, the teams monitored these areas round the clock… twenty-four hours. Both verification and cross-verification were done in this entire campaign. This enabled the counting of lions to be completed with utmost precision," he explained. Highlighting the community's role, PM Modi said the success of conservation reflected the power of collective responsibility. "The rise in the population of the Asiatic Lion shows that when the sense of ownership strengthens in society, amazing results happen. A few decades ago, the situation in Gir was very challenging. But the people there came together to bring about a change," the Prime Minister said. He also pointed to policy and technological reforms that played a key role. "Along with the latest technology, global best practices were also adopted there. During this time, Gujarat became the first state where women were appointed as forest officers on a large scale. All these have contributed to the results we are seeing today. We will have to remain vigilant and alert like this for wildlife protection," PM Modi added.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
How Gujarat counted its Asiatic lions: 35,000 square km, 11 districts, 300 people
The total population of Asiatic Lions, primarily found in the Gir Forests of Gujarat — the last abode of the species in the world — has been estimated at 891, as per the official figures of the 16th Lion Census announced by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday. The estimation, carried out by the Forest Department between May 10 and May 13, recorded a rise in the population of Asiatic Lions by 217. As per the census, there are 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs. This was the first full-fledged Lion Census conducted by the Gujarat government since 2015, officials said. During the 15th lion estimation, the total population was 674, comprising 260 females, 161 males, 93 sub-adults, and 137 cubs. The census covered a 35,000 square km area spread across 11 districts of the Saurashtra region comprising Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar, and Botad. The estimation was done using the Direct Beat Verification method that the Forest Department has been following for the past 30 years. Under the method, the entire area of exercise was divided into regions, zones, and sub-zones with the appointment of regional, zonal, sub-zonal officials, enumerators and assistant enumerators, supervisors, and volunteers. To maintain transparency in the exercise, members of the national and state wildlife boards, experts from different fields, and experts on lions and their behaviour were invited to join the forest officials. In all, over 3,000 people were part of the exercise. In 2020, the actual census exercise was not conducted owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and hence the forest officials relied on lion sightings on full moon days, which was a regular exercise, and came up with the 15th Lion Census. According to Gujarat government records, the first lion census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936. In 1965, the Gir forest was declared a sanctuary, and since then, the Gujarat Forest Department has been regularly conducting lion censuses every five years. But due to various reasons, the 6th and 8th lion censuses were delayed by a year. The 11th lion census was due in 2000 but was deferred by a year due to heavy rain that year.
