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The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kalam's rise in life is a lesson for the nation, says ISRO chairman V. Narayanan
'From a paper delivery boy, late President APJ Abdul Kalam rose to become a nuclear scientist and missile man of India,' said V. Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, here on Sunday. His remarks came on the occasion of the 10th Remembrance Day of Kalam. Mr. Narayanan said the prestigious Bharat Ratna award was not simply conferred on Kalam, but earned by the late President through his sincere hard work. Tracing his journey, he said the year 1969, when Kalam joined ISRO, was the same year when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. ISRO was at its nascent stage, when NASA was trying out various space projects. 'But we can proudly say that India, which began taking baby steps when America completed its space mission, is now looked upon by the world due to its space projects. Speaking about the situation at the time of Independence, he said about 97.5% of the population was in Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, and the average person's life expectancy was 32 years. 'It has increased now to 72 years, which shows our desire and will in developing our country.' The people's dreams at the time of Independence made the impossible possible. Kalam's rise from a village boy to one of the important personalities in the country was one such dream. It was not just his dream, but his country's dream. 'Kalam's success gave courage and lessons to many people like me to dream big and think big. If not for him, many of us would have just dreamt of distant targets,' he added. The book Wings of Fire, penned by Kalam, was the important reason for completing his Ph.D degree, which became one of the important technologies to operate the rockets of ISRO. The life lessons of Kalam should be taken seriously by students to not just work for themselves but also for their country, he added. 'The upcoming launch of NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar [NISAR] satellite from India is one such example the students should watch closely,' he further said. Mr. Narayanan paid tributes to Kalam's memorial at Peikarumbu near Rameswaram. Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon also paid his respects at the memorial.
United News of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
'Empowering rural artisans key to strengthening our economy', says Sikkim RS MP
Gangtok, July 25 (UNI) Sikkim's Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, D.T. Lepcha, has raised an important question in the Rajya Sabha regarding the development and promotion of handicrafts and handloom sectors in rural areas. He highlighted the challenges faced by rural artisans and called for strong support from the central government to help preserve traditional crafts and improve livelihoods in the hills. During the session, MP Lepcha directed his query to the Ministry of Textiles. He sought detailed information on what the government is doing to support rural artisans who are struggling to sustain their craft in today's changing economy. In reply, the Ministry informed that several support measures are already in place under different government schemes. According to the Ministry, rural artisans are eligible for financial help in various areas such as purchasing raw materials, yarns, tools, and toolkits. They also receive support for product innovation, design development and marketing, both within India and in foreign markets. Special emphasis is given to help them expand their business and improve the quality of their products so they can compete better in the market. The Ministry also mentioned that infrastructure development is a key part of these schemes. This includes building proper workspaces for artisans to carry out their work. One such initiative is the National Handicrafts Development Programme, under which the government provides a 100 percent grant for the construction of worksheds. This support is available for weavers and artisans from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women, transgender individuals, and persons with disabilities (PwD). MP Lepcha said that these kinds of steps are very important for rural India and particularly for states like Sikkim, where many people still depend on traditional crafts to earn a living. He said, 'Such initiatives are vital in empowering our traditional artisans, preserving indigenous crafts, and strengthening the rural economy.' Handloom and handicraft work have been part of Sikkim's cultural heritage for generations. Many families in villages continue to engage in weaving, wood carving, and other traditional arts, but rising costs, lack of exposure, and limited access to modern markets have made it difficult for them to continue. Lepcha pointed out that by giving rural artisans access to better tools, credit at low interest and opportunities to showcase their work, the government can bring real change to these communities, he added. UNI SUJ SS
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Rural women power industrial change
In the quiet village of Divitipally, Telangana, a silent revolution is unfolding. At Amara Raja's cutting-edge Gigafactory, hundreds of rural women are not just assembling battery packs—they're building new lives, breaking social barriers, and leading India's manufacturing transformation. This women-led plant is an inspiring example of how inclusive employment can empower individuals and uplift entire communities. A Legacy of Women Empowerment Amara Raja's journey with women empowerment dates back to the late 1990s, when it began employing local women in its electronics unit in Chittoor. Carrying that legacy forward, the newly established Gigafactory in Divitipally was designed with the intention of creating non-migratory job opportunities for local women. 'In our village, job opportunities were few and far between, especially for women,' shared Saujanya, an operator at the plant. 'Working in agriculture was seasonal and uncertain. But this job changed everything for me.' Uplifting Rural Women from the Margins Most women at the Divitipally plant come from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and lacked prior technical training. 'Before this job, I earned a few hundred rupees a day doing field work—if work was even available,' Saujanya recalled. 'Now, I earn a steady income and I can support my children's education.' What started as a hesitant step into an unfamiliar world soon became a powerful stride toward independence. 'Initially, my family was unsure if it was safe for me to work in a factory,' said Malleswari, who now handles quality control. 'But once they saw other women thriving, they started believing in me too.' Skills, Confidence, and Control Amara Raja has set up a training ecosystem tailored to women with no technical background. Recruits undergo a week of technical training followed by soft skills development and cultural orientation. 'We started with the basics—machine handling, safety, and assembly,' said Shailaja, who now manages dispatch operations. 'They made sure we were comfortable before assigning us to production lines. It was empowering.' Today, women at the plant manage operations across five key areas: raw material sorting, assembly, welding, testing, and dispatching—handling machines and making critical decisions with confidence. Creating Pathways to Leadership The transformation doesn't stop at the shop floor. Women are being trained to take up supervisory and managerial roles. 'I never imagined I could be responsible for a team,' said Shailaja. 'But now I've been trained not just to operate, but to lead.' With tailored mentorship and training, young women are placed as Graduate Engineering Trainees (GETs) and groomed for department-level responsibilities. 'Being trusted with leadership has boosted our confidence. We feel respected and valued,' one GET shared proudly. A Safe and Supportive Environment Understanding the unique challenges women face, Amara Raja has created a workplace that prioritizes comfort and safety. Sanitary support, nutritious meals, reliable transport, and wellness programs ensure that women can focus on their work without compromising their dignity or health. 'These facilities show that they care about us not just as workers, but as women,' said Malleswari. 'It makes a huge difference.' Challenging Stereotypes, Shaping New Norms Beyond providing employment, the plant is helping reshape gender norms in rural communities. 'Earlier, people in my village thought factory work was only for men,' said Saujanya. 'Now they see us doing this job, wearing uniforms, managing machines—they're amazed.' As women begin to contribute significantly to their household incomes, families are increasingly supportive. 'My income has helped us pay off debts and plan better for the future. My family respects my opinion more now,' said Shailaja. From Local Impact to Global Vision With three production lines already operational and a fourth on the way, the female workforce at Divitipally is expected to grow to over 450 women by the end of 2025. 'The success here is just the beginning,' one of the women leaders said. 'We hope other factories across India will follow this model. Women are ready—we just need the opportunity.' Leading a New Industrial Era The women of Amara Raja's Gigafactory aren't just part of an industrial process—they are pioneers of a new kind of workplace. Their stories show how skill, dignity, and opportunity can come together to drive both personal transformation and national progress. As India's industries gear up for a greener future, these women prove that true power lies not just in technology—but in empowerment.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
2-week Antyodaya campaign in Raj from June 24: CM
Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Saturday announced that a two-week-long campaign, 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Pakhwada', will be launched across the state from June 24. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sharma said the campaign is aimed at last-mile delivery of welfare schemes and reaffirming the govt's commitment to inclusive development. He said the broader goal is to make Rajasthan poverty-free and the campaign would complement the recently launched Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Garibi Mukt Gaon Yojana, which aims to uplift all families Below Poverty Line (BPL) in 5,000 identified villages. "Our vision is to eliminate poverty village by village. District collectors have been instructed to expand the survey to more villages to maximise impact," he said. Sharma directed officials to organise daily camps at the gram panchayat level during the campaign and appoint nodal officers to ensure smooth coordination. He also ordered gram sabhas to be held on June 20 to inform villagers about the campaign's objectives. "We want this to be a people-centric movement, not just a govt initiative," Sharma said. He added that various services would be delivered during the fortnight, including resolution of pending land title and boundary disputes, distribution of Swamitva land deeds, soil health card issuance, and redressal of NFSA cases. The state will also push forward Aadhaar seeding for newly eligible families.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
K'taka CM Siddaramaiah pulls up officials over child marriages
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pulled up the Deputy Commissioners in the state for not keeping tab on child marriages, and slammed the officials for not taking steps and measures to prevent them. Addressing the Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers' review meeting on Friday, the Chief Minister questioned: "Why are instances of child marriage not coming to the notice of Deputy Commissioners? Are your subordinates not reporting these incidents to you? If they are not informing you, it implies you lack competence. It also means you have no control over your officials, and they do not fear you." "This year alone, 700 child marriages have taken place, and there have also been reports of girls becoming mothers during childhood. It has come to my attention that FIRs have not even been filed in many of these cases,' he said. 'How can 700 child marriages still be happening so many years after independence? There are laws to prevent child marriage. Yet, in some places, these laws are not being enforced effectively. Isn't this a failure?" the Chief Minister asked sternly. The CM further underlined that this year, 1,395 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases have been registered in the state. Strict legal action must be taken in all such cases. Criminal charges should be filed against the accused, and efforts must be made to ensure appropriate punishment. He further stated that "the maternal mortality rate in our state is higher compared to Kerala". Although there has been a 30 per cent reduction compared to last year, further reduction must be achieved by increasing institutional deliveries, purchasing necessary medical equipment, and enforcing strict measures, he said. The CM further said that priority must be given to providing land for crematoriums and burial grounds. Where government land is unavailable, private land should be purchased and provided. Although strict instructions were already issued to cancel ineligible ration cards, the expected progress has not been made. Currently, about 74 per cent of ration cards in the state are BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards. Ineligible cardholders must be identified and removed so that eligible families can receive the benefits. However, there has not been satisfactory progress in this regard, the Chief Minister observed. Reviewing district-wise data on farmer suicides, the Chief Minister grew furious upon noticing that relief is pending in 13 cases. He demanded an explanation from the concerned Deputy Commissioners. The CM stated that in two districts, including Haveri, a total of 13 farmer suicide cases still await relief. The Chief Minister directed that these cases be resolved and compensation provided as soon as possible.
