Latest news with #Narmada
Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt to give additional Narmada water, agriculture power for Saurashtra districts
To meet the increased demand of people of Saurashtra for water and power owing to delayed rain after initial spells, the Gujarat government has decided to provide additional Narmada water and agriculture power for 10 hours for 11 districts of the Saurashtra region. A decision in this regard was taken in the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The decision has been taken considering representations made by people of Saurashtra region, an official release, quoting spokesperson of the government and senior minister Rushikesh Patel, said. The release stated that the excess Narmada water will be provided through SAUNI Yojana (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation Yojana) of the state government. Similarly, the 11 districts of Saurashtra, which get power supply for agriculture purposes for eight hours, will be getting the same for 10 hours. The 11 districts of Saurashtra include Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Morbi, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Botad, Junagadh and Gir Somnath. The release also stated that a similar situation is prevailing in some parts of north Gujarat and if the people of the region demand, the government will provide them Narmada water through Sujalam Suflam Yojana considering the available stock of water.
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Meet the woman behind one of India's most exclusive ikat sari brands
'A special sari for a special day,' says Hyderabad-based Gajam Narmada, gently unfolding a handloom ikat silk sari in a striking cream, offset by a red border. Narmada, who runs Narmada Handlooms in Kothapet , has chosen this piece to wear on August 7, when she will receive the prestigious Sant Kabir National Handloom Award from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. Recognised in the category for marketing handloom products, she also becomes the first woman from Telangana to be honoured with this distinction. Venture at home The Gajam family hails from the weaving community of Puttapaka in Telangana's Nalgonda district — a well-known hub for ikat. Narmada, who had only completed her intermediate education and had no prior experience in business, began her journey as a homemaker supporting her husband, Narendra. He had moved to Hyderabad in 1998 to set up a handloom sari business, and while he travelled for marketing, Narmada quietly managed the small venture from their home. It was her father-in-law, Chandraiah, a seasoned weaver, whose words helped her find her purpose and gradually grow into a businesswoman. 'He once told me, 'Weaving will help us meet our daily needs, but if we build something of our own and work hard at it, we can create a future not just for ourselves, but for others too.'' Popular designs Some of their popular designs are: Elephant, tree and bird in Narikunj design, paan patola, teliya rumal, peacock, forest and gollabhama. Ikat fabrics for men, dupattas, lehengas and blouse pieces for women. In 2013, Narender established Narmada Handlooms, naming Narmada as the proprietor. While he travelled across Hyderabad and beyond to secure orders, she oversaw operations at home — liaising with weavers, managing stock, and nurturing the growing business. 'Designers usually hand over patterns to weavers,' Narmada, now 46, explains. 'But we offered ideas based on what customers actually wanted and what was changing on the ground.' Strong weaver base Today, the enterprise supports a collective of 300 weavers from ten villages, including Puttapaka, Chandur, Ghattuppal, Munugodu, Balemla, Narayanapuram, and Choutuppal. This strong network, built over two decades, is a testament to the Gajam family's long-standing relationship with their weaving community. Supporting livelihoods has been central to that trust. 'COVID was difficult for everyone,' Narmada recalls. 'But we stayed in touch with our weavers, reassuring them not to lose hope. We'd say, 'Weave and keep the sari ready, someone will surely buy it later.' If a weaver doesn't have work, how will their family survive?' She also encourages them to evolve with changing times, while maintaining consistent quality. The Gajams live in a two-storey complex in Kothapet, which houses both their residence and wholesale store. 'I simply move between floors to switch roles,' she laughs, on juggling life as both homemaker and entrepreneur. Around 60 saris are delivered to their unit daily by weavers, and nearly 100 go out to stores across India. 'Our strength lies in exclusivity,' Narmada says. They don't sell online, preferring instead to supply to premium retailers such as Singhania's, Kalanjali, Neeru's, Second Skin, Gaurang Shah, Radha Krishna, and Kankatala in Hyderabad. Their saris also find shelves in stores across nearly 15 cities nationwide. As she lives out her dream, Narmada's next goal is to take their collection to an international audience.
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Religious Groups Protest Poultry Advertisement Using Sacred River Name
A private veterinary college advertisement in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district has triggered religious sensitivities after featuring a hen named 'Narmada', prompting local communities to file formal complaints with district authorities. The controversy erupted when members of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj and other local residents discovered that one of the birds featured in the college's promotional material bore the name of the revered Narmada river. The community considers the river sacred and views it as a maternal figure that sustains life across the region. Ashok Parashar, president of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, emphasized the religious significance of the river, stating that Narmada represents faith for multiple communities and serves as a life-sustaining force rather than merely a geographical feature. He argued that associating the sacred name with poultry was inappropriate and disrespectful to their religious beliefs. The objection quickly gained momentum, with community members organizing a demonstration at the district collectorate. They submitted a formal memorandum to Joint Collector Sanjeev Nagu, demanding immediate removal of the name from all advertising materials. The official acknowledged receipt of the complaint and assured protestors that appropriate measures would be implemented to address their concerns. However, the college administration has clarified that they were not responsible for naming the bird. Rajiv Khare, the institution's director, explained that the advertisement was promoting various poultry breeds available for sale. The names 'Narmada', 'Kadaknath', and 'Sonali' were originally assigned by the Jabalpur poultry center from which the college had purchased the birds. This explanation has not satisfied the protesters, who continue to press for the name change regardless of its origin. The incident highlights the delicate balance between commercial activities and religious sentiments in Indian society, where sacred names and symbols hold deep cultural significance. The controversy reflects broader tensions that can arise when commercial enterprises inadvertently intersect with religious beliefs. While the college maintains that the naming was unintentional and originated from their supplier, the community's response demonstrates the importance of cultural sensitivity in advertising and marketing practices. The district administration now faces the challenge of mediating between the college's explanation and the community's demands, while ensuring that religious sentiments are respected without creating undue restrictions on legitimate business activities. The resolution of this dispute may set precedents for how similar conflicts between commercial interests and religious beliefs are handled in the future.
India Today
18-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Madhya Pradesh: Hen named 'Narmada' in college advertisement, sparks controversy
In Harda district of Madhya Pradesh, objections have been raised over the name of a hen appearing in an advertisement for a private veterinary college. The hen in question is referred to as 'Narmada' in the advertisement.A complaint has been made to the collector and a demand has been made to change the name of the hen. Those objecting, including the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, have said that their religion considers the Narmada river as a life-giving mother and so, naming a hen after it is not memorandum has been received expressing objection to the name of the hen. Necessary action will be taken on this," said Sanjeev Nagu, the joint collector. The president of the Narmada Brahmin Samaj, Ashok Parashar, made the group's demands clear, saying, "People from different communities have objected to the advertisement for a college. Maa Narmada is a symbol of faith for all of us. She is not just a river, she is the life-giver of all of us. Naming a hen after her is not appropriate. Remove the name from the advertisement immediately."In response to the growing outrage over the advertisement, Rajiv Khare, the college director, noted that it was not the college that named the bird. The advertisement in question was for the sale of various hens. The poultry centre in Jabalpur, from where the hens were purchased, named them Narmada, Kadaknath and Sonali, Khare people in the town, led by Parashar, marched to the Collectorate, demanding a change in the name and submitted a memorandum to the joint collector.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Madhya Pradesh
Time of India
18-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Madhya Pradesh private college brands chicken breed 'Narmada', sparks row; Brahmin community warns of stir
A controversy erupted in Harda after a private college advertised chickens for sale, listing one breed as 'Narmada'. The Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj protested, deeming it an insult to the sacred Narmada River. BHOPAL: A pamphlet issued by a private college in Harda advertising the sale of chickens triggered a major controversy after listing one of the breeds as 'Narmada'. The use of the name, considered sacred by devotees of the Narmada River, sparked outrage among members of the Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj, who registered strong protest and called it an insult to their religious beliefs. Members of the community, led by Ashok Parashar, president of the samaj, reached the office of the district collector and submitted a memorandum to the joint collector Sanjeev Kumar Nagu. They stated that the name 'Narmada' held deep religious significance and was associated with the goddess revered by millions, especially in the Narmada valley region. The controversy erupted after the college issued an advertisement for the sale of chickens, listing breeds named 'Narmada' and 'Sonali'. Members of the community claimed this hurt religious sentiments, particularly those of Sanatan Dharma followers and devotees of Narmada. Warning of stir over chicken branding College authorities claimed the names used in the advertisement were adopted from a poultry centre in Jabalpur, which listed breeds as Kadaknath, Narmada, and Sonali. The college claimed there was no intention to offend anyone. Institute director Rajeev Khare could not be connected for his versions. The Narmadiya Brahmin Samaj sought removal the name 'Narmada' from the chicken breed immediately. They warned of further agitation if corrective action was not taken.
