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India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Ahilyabai Holkar was not just a ruler, but also a symbol of women empowerment": Haryana CM Saini
Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], May 31 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday paid rich tributes to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar on the occasion of her 300th birth anniversary. Addressing the state-level Holkar Jayanti Samaroh, the Chief Minister stated that Ahilyabai Holkar was not just a ruler, but also a symbol of women's empowerment. Chief Minister Saini lauded Ahilyabai Holkar's contributions, especially her efforts in restoring sacred temples across India during times of historical turbulence. '... When some Mughals tried to destroy our temples, Mata Ahilyabai Holkar opened up her coffers for the welfare of the poor. Whether it is Kashi Vishwanath temple or Somnath temple, she worked to complete construction of these temples. Not only temples, she worked for the religion and culture. We bow to her. PM Modi is taking her work forward... the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is the completion of her work. Ahilyabai Holkar Ji was not just a ruler, but also a symbol of women empowerment,' CM Saini said. In a social media post on X, the Chief Minister further lauded Ahilyabai Holkar for her contributions in the field of religion, justice, public service, women empowerment and cultural renaissance, calling it a 'source of inspiration' for the society. CM Saini wrote, 'Today, it is a matter of pride and honour for me to participate in the state-level function organised on the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar ji in Kurukshetra under the 'Saint Mahapurush Samman and Vichar Prasar Yojana'. The exemplary work done by Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar in her life in the field of religion, justice, public service, women empowerment and cultural renaissance is still a source of inspiration for the society.' 'Our Government, under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, following the path shown by Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar ji, is not only preserving the cultural heritage of the country but also realizing the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,' the post added. Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her people-centric policies, deep commitment to economic and socio-cultural issues, especially those that affected the life of women. She encouraged the education of women and their participation in the social and religious life of the local community. She supported and encouraged women weavers to make Maheshwari sarees. Her contributions were wide-ranging from infrastructure development (water bodies, roads, dharamshalas) to reconstruction and revival of temples across the length and breadth of the land. The edifices created by her have not only left an indelible mark on India's cultural and spiritual landscape but also stood the test of time. (ANI)
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Jaipur, Nadda hails Modi's ‘bold, decisive leadership' during Operation Sindorr – ‘Pakistan surrendered in four days'
Operation Sindoor is proof of India's military strength and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'bold decisive leadership', Union Health Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party's national president JP Nadda said Saturday. Nadda was visiting Jaipur for an event to mark the 300th birth anniversary of the 16th Century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Speaking to the media outside the airport, Nadda claimed that Operation Sindoor – India's strikes in Pakistan-occupied and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people – provided that 'if anyone attacks our house, they will be answered sternly'. 'Pakistan surrendered in four days,' he said, referring to the ceasefire that India and Pakistan reached on May 10 after days of escalating border tensions. आज पुण्यश्लोक लोकमाता देवी अहिल्याबाई होलकर जी की 300वीं जयंती के अवसर पर जयपुर में आयोजित भव्य समारोह में सहभागिता कर नारी शक्ति को सादर वंदन किया। .@JPNadda @BJP4India #AhilyaBaiHolkarAt300 #jaipur — Madan Rathore (@madanrrathore) May 31, 2025 At the main event at Entertainment Paradise (EP) cinema on Tonk Road, Nadda said it was 'necessary to celebrate the birth anniversary of great contributors to our history, but true tribute to them will be only when we try to adopt their work into our lives'. 'Ahilyabai was not just a great warrior who fought with Mughals after the death of her husband but who also worked for the overall development of her pupils. Ahilyabai Holkar was a complete leader,' he said. He also claimed that it was the BJP who brought back leaders like Ahilyabai from the dustbin of history, where she had been 'buried for 70 years'. 'We need to ask the question — why was she not remembered for so many years?' he asked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he claimed, had done much when it came to development. He narrated an instance when Modi was upset to see some women going to relieve themselves in the open after sunset. 'He was embarrassed by this incident and dedicated his work in making toilets in every home,' he claimed 'When Modi ji called for ensuring there are toilets in every home in his speech at the Red Fort, Opposition leaders laughed. But then, those Opposition leaders have always known the word 'India' and not 'Bharat'. They never visited villages to learn about the problems of women. More than 12 crore women in India who didn't have access to toilets are now living a dignified life,' he said. Nadda also referred to the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' — or the Women's Reservation Bill – saying that by 2029, women would make up 33 percent of Parliament. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, too, referred to the proposed law – the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act that allocate 33 percent of the seats in Lok Sabha and assemblies for women – calling it a 'true tribute to Ahilyabai' 'Ahilyabai was a just ruler and skilled in administrative matters. She also led the army and ruled Malwa with Lord Shiva as witness,' he said. Nadda is on a day's visit to Jaipur. According to BJP sources, he is scheduled to meet some BJP legislators behind closed doors.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Maharana Pratap won battle of Haldighati against Akbar': Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari at Jaipur event
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has said that Mewar king Maharana Pratap won the 16th Century battle of Haldighati against the forces of Mughal emperor Akbar, adding that she was instrumental in the change of plaque in Haldighati to ensure that it 'reflects the truth.' Speaking at a programme in Jaipur organised by Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Sanstha to commemorate the 485th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap on Thursday, Kumari said: 'The plaque at Haldighati stated that Maharana Pratap lost and Akbar won the battle. In 2021, since I was an MP from there (Rajsamand) – and it is an ASI monument – we tried (to get it changed), including in Delhi with the Minister (of State) for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal as the department was under him. The words on the plaque were changed and if you go to Haldighati today, you will read that Maharana Pratap won the battle. I would like to say that that was the biggest achievement of my tenure (as an MP).' आज वीर शिरोमणि महाराणा प्रताप जी की 485वीं जयंती के उपलक्ष में वीर शिरोमणि महाराणा प्रताप संस्था, झोटवाड़ा द्वारा आयोजित कार्यक्रम में सम्मिलित होकर गौरव की अनुभूति हुई। महाराणा प्रताप का जीवन हम सभी के लिए स्वाभिमान, साहस और मातृभूमि के प्रति समर्पण का प्रतीक है। हल्दीघाटी के… — Diya Kumari (@KumariDiya) May 29, 2025 While the comments were made Thursday, they went viral Saturday. She said that since people may not be aware, she decided to share the truth with people from the stage. 'Kyunki log bahut ulti seedhi cheezein bolte hain, sacchai batane ka sabko samay aa chuka hai. Main kum bolti hun, lekin jab bolti hun tab bahut kuch bolti hun (Because people say a lot of wrong things, the time has come to tell the truth to everyone. I speak less, but when I speak, my words mean a lot),' she said. 'We need to think; the true and correct history of Rajasthan should reach people. Not the history written by Mughals. What did the Mughals do? Divide and rule, the same thing which the Britishers did,' she said, adding that the Mughals made Rajputs fight Rajputs, Hindus fight Hindus. She said that it was unfortunate that for a long time, the political parties too pushed the same history. The ASI had changed the said plaques in 2021. In July 2021, then ASI Jodhpur circle superintendent Bipin Chandra Negi had told The Indian Express that: 'The state government had put up these plaques in Chetak Samadhi, Badshahi Bagh, Rakta Talai and Haldighati in 1975 when Indira Gandhi had visited the area. At that time, these weren't centrally protected monuments. These sites were declared as monuments of national importance in 2003 but the plaques didn't have this information. Over time, they became worn out and also had controversies about date and some other information.' He had added that he received submissions from scholars and public representatives for the removal of the plaques. 'Following this, I took cognizance of the matter. The old plaques didn't even contain the name of ASI. The Culture Ministry had also raised the issue with our headquarters,' Negi had said. The plaque at Rakta Talai, which was removed, had said: 'The fight was so deadly that the whole field was strewn with dead bodies. However, circumstances forced the Rajputs to retreat and the struggle ended at mid-day of the 21st June 1576AD.' Kumari's comments came a day after Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade claimed that several inaccuracies have been recorded in Indian history due to the early influence of British historians, including the widely cited story of the marriage of Jodha Bai and Mughal emperor Akbar. Speaking at an event in Udaipur, the governor had said that this story is a lie, instead claiming that 'There was a king named Bharmal and he got the daughter of a maid married to Akbar.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Ready, aam, fire: India's most treasured fruit is in danger, says Mridula Ramesh
'It was a hard slap in the face,' says entrepreneur Manjula Gandhi Rooban. Her start-up, MangoPoint, works to improve mango supply chains. The 'slap' came at Fruit Logistica, the world's premier produce trade fair, in Berlin. 'A representative of one of Europe's top food merchants visited our stall and said, 'India has some of the best-tasting mangoes in the world. There is no doubt about that. But what you're giving your population is just poison',' Rooban says. He was alluding to the vast amounts of pesticide applied to mango trees, often with dubious benefit. We need the slap, because few Indians — past and present — are untouched by the mango. Think of the chaos unleashed in Lord Shiva's household, when the divine sage Narada presented him with a sacred mango on condition that it only be given to one of his sons. No parent would like to be put in such a situation. The Buddha often rested in mango groves. Hindus, the food historian KT Achaya noted, consider the tree a 'transformation of Prajapathi himself', a testament to its power. And powerful it is. Alexander's army is said to have ransacked a mango orchard and been besieged by diarrhoea, causing him to ban the fruit. Kalidasa equated the mango bloom with Kama's arrows, and called them the breath, soul and lips of Spring. Sangam poetry is replete with verses comparing the mango to a lover's charms. The Mughals fell under its spell too. Imam Pasand, one of my favourites, has firm flesh, a tart sweetness, and a poetic past. Popular folklore has it that Humayun, who fled to Persia after his defeat by Sher Shah Suri, had cases shipped to him there (which is why the variety is also called Humayun Pasand). Sinner, saint, emperor, god: the mango conquered them all. *** Mangoes come in many varieties, each one sculpted by its local climate and soil, a celebration of India's diversity. An Alphonso will not thrive in Tiruchirappalli nor will the Banganapalle in Uttar Pradesh. While many celebrate the fruit's sweetness with aamras, others love its sour side, simply dipped in salt and chilli powder or made into a variety of pickles. Others like their mango in a complex curry. On Puthandu or Tamil New Year, when neem flowers bloom and the mango is yet to ripen, families feast on manga pachadi, which blends the sweetness of jaggery with bitter neem flowers and sour mango, in a dish that is edible philosophy: a reminder that a good year can contain all flavours. For something so flavourful, the mango is surprisingly healthy. Dietitians and doctors say people can eat mangoes even though they are high in carbohydrates, as long as they don't exceed their daily carb limit. Mangiferin, a compound found in mango leaves, peel and, to a lesser extent, pulp, may offer protection against inflammation, cancer and neural degeneration, according to recent studies. It also improves insulin sensitivity in diabetics. Any health benefits, however, are diminished by the widespread use of calcium carbide for rapid ripening, and by the indiscriminate application of pesticides. *** Mangifera indica, a child of the Indian monsoon, is shaped by the heat and seasonality of the rains. The seasonality of India is the mango's lifeblood. In the monsoon, the tree grows and renews itself, producing several flushes of leaves. Then, as the rains stop and temperatures dip, the tree flowers. If all goes well, the flowers turn to fruit, which grow and ripen. But when the climate changes, the mango is hurt. The problem, says Insram Ali, president of the All India Mango Growers' Association, 'is the pest attacks during the flowering stage. Untimely rains and hot temperatures increase humidity, allowing the pests to thrive.' Farmers respond by applying more pesticides. This doesn't necessarily help, but the practice has become rampant; a knee-jerk reaction to a desperate situation. Ali is concerned, and so is Rooban; researchers have noted the shift, and so has the farmer who helps me grow mangoes on my farm in Madurai. 'Warm weather during the critical flowering phase can disrupt pollination, fertilisation and ultimately fruit-set,' says Shailendra Rajan, former director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture. 'Then, frequent rains as the fruit develops, especially when coupled with high temperatures, as is becoming common now, raise humidity levels, leading to a surge in pest and disease pressures.' MR Dinesh, retired director of the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research and a mango researcher for three decades, outlined a plausible scenario. 'Let's say about 40% of the mango tree flowers in December. If it rains for several days, some flowers will fall. The cloudy weather that follows is ideal for blossom blight, powdery mildew growth and anthracnose (a fungal disease). Flowering suffers and stops. Then, it doesn't rain for two months; the mango tree will flower again in February. But by now, some of the initial flowers have given rise to pea-sized fruit. The farmer is in a quandary: should he water the tree to help it hold onto its fruit, but risk the flowers being affected? Whatever he chooses, part of his crop will suffer.' Pesticide use becomes indiscriminate particularly when farms are contracted out. Contractors see the chemicals as a means of protecting their investment. 'There was a huge hopper problem in the Tenkasi region in Tamil Nadu this year, in which the insects did not respond to the usual chemicals. We heard farmers say 'I sprayed five or six times.' After five or six times, the mango is not fit for human consumption,' says Prasanna Venkatarathnam, Rooban's husband and co-founder, with her, of MangoPoint. Both he and Dinesh say bio-controls, such as pheromone traps and solar pest catchers, are more effective, but many farmers are either unaware of them or are reluctant to use them. Rajan of the ICAR institute adds that many farmers are beholden to, or get all their information and advice from their local merchant, who profits from pushing more pesticide. *** Sometimes, unseasonal rain as the fruit matures leaves it prey to sooty mould development, which affects its appearance and market value. 'This reduces the sweetness and shelf life of the fruit and makes the crop more vulnerable to post-harvest diseases,' Rajan says. The loss is amplified by the lack of farm-gate infrastructure. Mangoes, like other fruit, need facilities where they can be ripened responsibly, and packhouses where they can be sorted and readied for shipping. Ten years ago, the National Centre for Cold-Chain Development (NCCD) found that, against the 70,000 packhouses needed in India, there were only 250. Rooban and Venkatarathnam had seen what packhouses could do for fruit, when they lived in the US, so they decided that they would invest in one when they returned to their families' mango farms in Tamil Nadu. That is how MangoPoint was born. Without nearby facilities, Rooban says, mango farmers are forced to transport their fruit over hundreds of kilometres. To keep transport costs low, they will fill each truck, often stuffing the fruit into sacks one atop another. This damages the fruit at the bottom, especially those that are infected. MangoPoint, instead, picks up fruit from across a 50-km radius. Farmers are trained to stack their produce in specially designed trays to prevent damage. Where earlier they would fill a truck by picking all the mangoes on their trees, even if they were at different stages of ripening, now they make smaller and more frequent trips and so pick only the mature fruit. As a result, waste levels have plummeted. So, even though transport and labour costs are slightly higher, farmers make more money. The start-up also ripens fruits non-chemically, by placing it in a chamber with ripe papayas. Fruits are graded to fetch the best prices. Those that don't make the cut are turned into jam or added to muesli. This further improves farmer incomes. MangoPoint, which began with one packhouse a few years ago, has tripled capacity. Breeding better varieties can help as well. Heat causes tissue breakdown, leading to the spongy tissue disorder in the Alphonso. High humidity encourages the fruit fly, which burrows through the fruit's skin and lays eggs in the pulp. Dinesh says his institute has developed varieties such as the Arka Suprabhat that have a good shelf life and good flavour, and solves the spongy tissue issue in the Alphonso. It deters fruit flies to some extent as the fly finds harder to burrow into the thicker skin. As a result of that 'slap', meanwhile, MangoPoint is working with farmers to minimise pesticide use. That, in the end, is the trade-off: invest in better last-mile infrastructure, adopt better growing practices (including biological pest control), and develop more resilient varieties, or just throw more pesticide at the problem and hope for the best. With the climate continuing to change, let's hope more farmers opt for the former. (Mridula Ramesh is a climate-tech investor and author of The Climate Solution and Watershed. She can be reached on tradeoffs@
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM Devendra Fadnavis praises Ahilyabai Holkar, highlights 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and women empowerment
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 31 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, praised the contributions of Ahilyadevi Holkar, calling her a visionary reformer, and drew parallels between her leadership and modern India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister also praised India's progress in giving women leadership roles. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said, 'During Operation Sindoor, we saw two women officers giving the briefing, and that was possible because our Prime Minister gave women the status and opportunity to lead from the front-whether in combat operations, warfare, or aviation. Even in those ancient times, Ahilyabai formed an entire battalion of women in her army, gave them training, and ensured security.' Speaking about India's spiritual heritage, Fadnavis said that foreign invaders attacked not only the country but also its culture. Fadnavis said, 'When foreign invaders attacked not just India but also its culture, they knew that India's unity came from its spiritual strength. That is why they tried to destroy it -- whether it was the Ram Temple, the Jyotirlingas, or various Shakti Peeths and inspirational sites. So during that time, Ahilyadevi (Holkar) took the initiative to restore these temples and places of inspiration. She was not limited to her kingdom in Maheshwar or Indore -- she worked everywhere. The unworthy Aurangzeb destroyed many temples during his time, to such an extent that worship had to be done in small, cramped spaces. Ahilyadevi renovated such temples and ghats that had been demolished by the Mughal rulers. The history we were taught makes it seem like the Mughals left and the British arrived, and nothing happened in between. But during that time, rulers like Ahilyadevi existed. Even though she was a queen, she was called 'Punyashlok' (blessed with virtue).' The chief minister will also attend Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra, on Saturday (May 31). Ahilyabai is remembered for her people-centric policies and deep commitment to economic and socio-cultural issues, especially those that affected the lives of women. She encouraged the education of women and their participation in the social and religious life of the local community. She supported and encouraged women weavers to make Maheshwari sarees. Her contributions were wide-ranging, from infrastructure development (water bodies, roads, dharamshalas) to the reconstruction and revival of temples across the length and breadth of the land. The edifices she created have not only left an indelible mark on India's cultural and spiritual landscape but also stood the test of time. Also, while speaking on the alleged irregularities in Ladki Bahin Yojana, the chief minister said, 'When the Ladki Behna Yojana was launched, several people took advantage of it through false applications. But from the beginning, we have been continuously investigating. Those who have taken benefit of the scheme through wrongful means are being identified and removed from the scheme. This action is ongoing, and once it is complete, we will provide a full report.' Earlier this month, on May 4, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, claiming that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has been 'closed down' and accusing the ruling coalition of reneging on election promises. He said that while earlier promises included a payout of Rs 2,100, women are now getting only Rs 500. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has consistently criticised the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government over the scheme's implementation. Party leader Aaditya Thackeray called it a 'shameless policy' that undermines the very promises made during elections. The Ladki Behen Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women across the state. However, UBT leaders alleged that the government is deliberately trying to lower the number of beneficiaries, raising concerns about its commitment to women's welfare and fulfilling electoral promises. (ANI)
