Latest news with #MDoNER
NDTV
28-07-2025
- NDTV
How Cho La Battlefield Tourism In Sikkim Is Taking Dark Tourism A Step Ahead
On July 25, a top official in the Sikkim government shared that India is set to open Cho La in Sikkim to tourists as part of its 'Ranbhoomi Darshan' initiative, which promotes battlefield tourism, a new form of tourism making waves in India. Sikkim opens a new frontier in tourism starting September 2025! Walk the historic paths of Doklam and Cho La—sites of India's brave military standoffs—now welcoming visitors under the Battlefield Tourism initiative as part of the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan program. With limited… — MDoNER India (@MDoNER_India) July 28, 2025 The program will also include access to the region near Doklam, a sensitive trijunction between India, China, and Bhutan known for a tense military standoff in 2017. So, What Is Battlefield Tourism? Battlefield tourism, a subset of war tourism, refers to the practice of visiting sites of historical military conflicts, such as battlefields, memorials, war cemeteries, and museums, to engage with the history, heritage, and emotional legacy of past battles. In the past few years, with Indians travelling more than ever, this form of tourism is also rising in India. Tourists who visit these places often seek a deeper understanding of military events, pay respects, learn about national history, or simply experience the atmosphere of places shaped by conflict. If you want to engage in a battlefield tourism, you should: Travel to historic battlegrounds and related sites, such as memorials, cemeteries, and military museums. Visit places ranging from organised tours covering major wars (World Wars, regional conflicts) to sites commemorating more recent or even active military confrontations. Battlefield Tourism Across The Globe Globally, battlefield tourism is hardly a new concept. The beaches of Normandy in France attract millions each year who want to remember the D-Day landings of World War II. In Germany, segments of the Berlin Wall still stand, drawing visitors eager to understand the Cold War divide. Some even visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan not just for memorials, but for the stark lessons they represent about the impact of nuclear warfare. Then there's the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) between North and South Korea, a tourist destination that's still technically an active war zone. Battlefield tourism is considered part of dark tourism, and includes travelling to sites associated with death, suffering, and tragedy. It has grown significantly in the 20th and 21st centuries, especially as nations have developed guides, infrastructure, and digital platforms to promote visits to remote or previously restricted military sites. Ranbhoomi Darshan In India Launched on the 77th Army Day (January 15, 2025), the initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, Ministry of Tourism, and various state governments. It identifies 77 key battle and valour sites across India, now known as 'Shaurya Gantavya', inviting civilians to step into the very spaces where acts of immense bravery and sacrifice once unfolded. These include 11 sites in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Himachal Pradesh, seven in Rajasthan, five in Gujarat, 14 in Ladakh, 21 in Arunachal Pradesh, eight in Uttarakhand, and seven in Sikkim. Talking about Sikkim, the government is set to open Cho La in Sikkim to the public by September as a part of this initiative. Remember, these aren't your average tourist spots. We're talking about areas that have long remained off-limits due to their strategic importance. Locations like Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the iconic battleground of Longewala in Rajasthan, and the high-tension trijunction of Doklam in Sikkim are now being developed for public access, with, of course, proper security in place. In fact, to make battlefield tourism accessible and informative, an app was also recently launched by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Through this app, visitors can take virtual tours, read detailed historical narratives, get tips for trip planning, and find information on permit requirements, especially for sensitive zones. For instance, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Tourism in India, at high-risk border zones, visitors will be required to coordinate with army units for safety and clearances, facilitated via single window, in high altitude areas; precautions to be adopted and acclimatisation protocols are also being advised. The government is investing in infrastructure across these sites -- building war memorials, visitor centres, and in some cases, military museums. Why Battlefield Tourism Matters Out of all the forms of dark tourism, battlefield tourism is really important, because: It offers immersive, on-ground history lessons. It cultivates a sense of national pride and a better understanding of India's military heritage among citizens, especially the youth. These battlefield sites are often in remote or rural parts of India. Increased tourism can mean jobs, homestays, guides, transport, and much-needed economic opportunities for local communities. With more and more people turning to urban living, battlefield tourism helps tourists peek into what life is like in India's high-risk border zones, which allows for respectful interaction, understanding, and admiration for the Armed Forces. Battlefield tourism in India is no longer a niche. With Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative and more places opening up, it's being shaped into a structured, meaningful travel experience that connects Indians and other visitors to the nation's past through the very soil where history was written.
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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
85% Northeastern districts are top SDG performers, says NITI Aayog
The share of districts in the eight Northeastern states — falling under the 'front runner' category for achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) — has increased to 85 per cent in 2023-24 from 62 per cent in 2021-22, according to the NITI Aayog. 'This signifies the impact of the national flagship schemes coupled with the localisation efforts of states and saturation of benefits through initiatives like the aspirational districts programme,' noted NITI Aayog in its latest 'Northeastern region district SDG index' report released on Monday. A district is categorised as 'front runner' if it has a score between 65 and 99 in the SDG index. If it has a score of between 50 and 64.9, it is categorised as 'performer'. The index is a joint effort of the ministry of development of Northeastern region (MDoNER) and NITI Aayog – with technical support from the United Nations development programme (UNDP). The index is first of its kind progress tracking tool for the Northeastern region as it provides a granular, district level assessment of progress made on the 17 SDGs. The first edition of the region's district SDG index was released in August 2021. While the first edition of the index covered 103 of 120 (86 per cent) districts of the region, this edition covers 121 out of 131 (92 per cent) districts. The present edition of the index has 84 indicators. Of the 84 indicators, data for 41 indicators is from various ministries/departments of the Union government and that for 43 indicators is from state sources.
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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
85% districts in North East achieve Front Runner status in SDGs: NITI Aayog
The share of districts in the eight north-eastern states falling under the 'Front Runner' category for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) has increased to 85 per cent in 2023-24, up from 62 per cent in 2021-22, according to NITI Aayog. 'This signifies the impact of national flagship schemes, coupled with the localisation efforts of the states and the saturation of benefits through initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme,' noted NITI Aayog in its latest 'North Eastern Region District SDG Index' report released on Monday. A district is categorised as 'Front Runner' if it has a score between 65 and 99 in the SDG index. If a district has a score between 50 and 64.9, it is categorised as 'Performer'. Although the share of 'Front Runner' districts improved under all SDGs, the share of 'Front Runner' districts in three SDGs—namely SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)—has decreased in 2023-24 compared to 2021-22. The report also showed that all districts in three north-eastern states—Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura—fell under the 'Front Runner' category. The index is a joint effort of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and NITI Aayog, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The index is the first of its kind progress-tracking tool for the north-eastern region, as it provides a granular, district-level assessment of progress made on the 17 SDGs. The first edition of the NER District SDG Index was released in August 2021. While the first edition of the index covered 103 out of 120 (86 per cent) districts of the North Eastern Region, this edition covers 121 out of 131 (92 per cent) districts. The current edition of the index includes 84 indicators. Of these, data for 41 indicators is from various ministries/departments of the Union Government, and data for 43 indicators is from state sources.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
After Rajiv Gauba's entry, NITI Aayog moved key security, infra, and energy ministries under him
Marking a major shift in power within NITI Aayog, key security, infrastructure, and energy ministries have been moved under former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who was appointed full-time Member on March 25, documents accessed by The Indian Express show. Gauba — once the most powerful IAS officer in the country — now oversees 17 ministries and departments, the highest among his colleagues at India's apex public policy think tank chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is followed by Arvind Virmani (11), VK Paul (10), VK Saraswat (9), Ramesh Chand (6), and Vice Chairperson Suman Bery (5). NITI Aayog Members play an important role in assisting the Centre design policies and schemes. Prior to the reshuffle on April 4, Bery held a total of eight portfolios — Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Cabinet Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Culture. Now, Bery holds five portfolios, with MHA and personnel ministry transferred to Gauba, who has earlier served as Union Home Secretary between 2017 and 2019. The Cabinet Affairs portfolio was removed altogether, and MDoNER transferred to Saraswat. Bery, who signed off on the new allocations, also got the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance. Gauba, who has been India's longest serving Cabinet Secretary — for five years between August 2019 and 2024, the entirety of PM Modi's second term — received a total of nine allocations previously under Saraswat, the oldest NITI Aayog Member since 2015. These include ministries of defence, coal, power, new and renewable energy, petroleum and natural gas, railways, civil aviation, road transport and highways, and ports, shipping and waterways. The NITI Aayog did not respond to requests for comment. In addition to MDoNER transferred from Bery, Saraswat, former head of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), retained ministries of earth sciences, science and technology, communications, electronics and information technology, mines, and heavy industries. He has also been given previously unallocated departments of atomic energy and space. From Virmani — NITI's most recent Member before Gauba, appointed in 2022 — the ministries of external affairs and housing and urban affairs were reassigned to Gauba, who had earlier served as Union Housing Secretary. Despite the transfer, Virmani's portfolio expanded from nine to eleven, as he retained the Department of Commerce and the ministries of finance (excluding the Department of Economic Affairs), statistics and programme implementation, overseas Indian affairs, labour and employment, corporate affairs, and skill development and entrepreneurship. Virmani also gained the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the ministries of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), steel, and textiles — all previously under Saraswat. He earlier served as Chief Economic Advisor to the finance ministry (2007–2009) and after that as an Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), representing India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Gauba was also transferred ministries of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, rural development, panchayati raj, and environment, forest and climate change from Chand, Member since 2015. Chand retained ministries of agriculture and farmers' welfare and food processing industries, and departments of chemicals and fertilizers. He also received charge of previously unallocated ministries of cooperation and animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries. Chand, previously Chairperson of the Institute of Economic Growth and Member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, also lost ministries of jal shakti and youth affairs and sports to Paul, who retained all of his earlier allocations. These include the Department of Pharmaceuticals and ministries of health and family welfare, ayush, women and child development, education, social justice and empowerment, minority affairs, and tribal affairs. Paul, a renowned public health expert and former faculty at AIIMS, New Delhi, was appointed NITI Member in 2017. The Ministry of Law and Justice was also moved out of Chand's portfolio. As per the April 4 order, NITI Aayog's Law Vertical was reallocated to CEO BVR Subrahmanyam. The CEO retained authority over work relating to the State Support Mission and the Voluntary Action Cell, which deals with increasing engagement between civil society groups and the government. In addition, Subrahmanyam was also entrusted with key flagship initiatives, like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), and work relating to the Governing Council Secretariat and Coordination. He was appointed CEO in February 2023. As per the April 4 order, NITI programme directors (PD) must first route Cabinet Notes to the concerned Member for inputs, then to the CEO, who forwards them to the Vice Chairperson for final approval. The last major reshuffling of portfolios happened in December 2022, soon after Virmani joined NITI Aayog as Member. Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Mint
25-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Northeast secures ₹4.3 trillion investment proposals at MDoNER Summit
New Delhi: The Rising North East Summit, held on 23–24 May by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER), has attracted investment proposals worth ₹ 4.3 trillion, following a series of roadshows across nine Indian cities and engagements with major corporates, public sector undertakings, and foreign governments. In a statement released on 25 May, MDoNER said it has been holding extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including ambassadors, diplomats, and investors to promote investment opportunities in the Northeast. These included 'Ambassadors' Meets' involving representatives from over 95 countries, six state-focused roundtables, six sector-specific industry interactions, and multiple consultations with PSUs, business chambers, and corporate houses. 'These discussions have borne real fruit in the form of ₹ 4.3 lakh crore worth of investment proposals,' said Jyotiraditya Scindia, minister for communications and development of the north eastern region. On the summit's opening day, business leaders including Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani, and Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal announced plans to invest more than ₹ 1.55 trillion in the region. Mint had reported on 14 May that the government was targeting cumulative proposals of ₹ 2.5–3 trillion, figures now surpassed by the summit's final tally. To ensure effective implementation, MDoNER has set up eight sectoral task forces focusing on agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry. Each northeastern state will also develop its own sectoral roadmap, Scindia said. 'We will continue B2G and B2B dialogues, with MDoNER acting as a bridge between investors and state governments to ensure rapid conversion of proposals into on-ground projects,' he added. Read this | Sukanta Majumdar, minister of state for DoNER, highlighted the region's infrastructure gains over the past decade. 'National highways in the region have grown from 10,905 km in 2014 to 16,207 km in 2024. Power capacity has risen by 694.5 megawatts, and over 10,000 circuit kilometers of transmission and distribution lines have been added. The number of operational airports has nearly doubled—from nine in 2014 to 17 in 2024,' he said. Scindia also underlined the Northeast's historical economic importance. 'For six decades after Independence, successive governments failed to recognize the vast potential of this land—which once contributed nearly 20% to India's GDP,' he said. 'The ₹ 4.3 lakh crore (trillion) investment pipeline can help transform it into an economic powerhouse.' The proposed investments will be spread across all eight Northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Scindia added that the region also holds strategic potential as a gateway to Southeast Asia. At the summit's curtain raiser earlier this month, MDoNER had shared a breakdown of 732 investment proposals worth ₹ 1.12 lakh crore already in the pipeline: Arunachal Pradesh: ₹ 24,338 crore (77 proposals), Assam: ₹ 38,685 crore (106 proposals), Manipur: ₹ 2,919 crore (39 proposals), Meghalaya: ₹ 14,753 crore (110 proposals), Mizoram: ₹ 5,111 crore (75 proposals), Nagaland: ₹ 8,671 crore (82 proposals), Sikkim: ₹ 6,747 crore (110 proposals), and Tripura: ₹ 11,755 crore (132 proposals).
