Latest news with #YouthAffairs
Daily Tribune
19 hours ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Youth Minister opens ‘One Space Unites Us' event
Her Excellency Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, opened the 'One Space Unites Us' event. The event was organised by the ministry in cooperation with the Bahrain Space Agency and Nasser Centre for Science and Technology, with young people from Bahrain and other GCC countries taking part. Marking Gulf Youth Day, Minister Tawfiqi said that young people are the real wealth of any nation and the foundation for its future. Empowerment She added that investing in their empowerment, especially in innovation, technology, and the space sector, is a strategic priority for building a bright future that matches the country's ambitions. The Minister highlighted the importance of the event as a key step in supporting development in space sciences. She said that the space sector has become a strategic focus for young people's ambitions in science and technology, and for building a sustainable future.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Who is Smita Sabharwal, the IAS officer overseeing Miss World pageant? Why she was transferred
Smita Sabharwal, who was overseeing Miss World pageant, was recently moved back to her previous position from her role as Principal Secretary for 'Youth Affairs, Tourism and Culture'. She will now take charge as Member Secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission. Participants from around 140 countries and their delegations will be participating in the upcoming Miss World event scheduled to take place from May 7 to 31. Problems ensued after the senior official, a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, shared an AI generated image construction equipment clearing trees, with two deer and a peacock in the foreground. This transfer comes at a crucial time Hyderabad is preparing to host the 72nd edition of Miss World pageant in the upcoming month. Amid preparations in full swing in Telangana's capital, Smita Sabharwal's public disagreement over Kancha Gachibowli land dispute issue did not go well with Congress led Revanth Reddy government, which reportedly issued orders to reshuffle posts of senior officials on Sunday night. The Congress government allegedly plans to sell the 400-acre area near Hyderabad Central University for infrastructure development and an IT park project. This project has garnered criticism from environmentalists and students who contest that the land is ecologically sensitive and is home to various plants and animal species. The Telangana tourism department, the co-host of the event, under the vision of Smita Sabharwal was aiming to rebrand itself as a gateway to southern India with its new tagline, 'Telangana, Zarur Aana', ahead of the major event. The 47-year-old IAS officer in focus, who held key positions under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government led by K Chandrashekar Rao, had been working to promote handloom industry, destinations and local cuisine. In an interview with The Indian Express, Smita Sabharwal had said, 'We also want to appeal to the global tourists. We talk about Ramappa temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Buddhavanam Buddhist circuit, and Pochampally handloom centre. We want international designers to pick up the motifs and hope Louis Vuitton and Gucci will notice these designs that are age-old and timeless.' The state government also reshuffled posts of MCR HRD Institute Director General, Shashank Goel; IT and Sports department Special Chief Secretary, Jayesh Ranjan; and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner, Ilambarithi K, among others, PTI reported. First Published: 29 Apr 2025, 03:07 PM IST
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Indian Express
Miss World Pageant 2025: Host Telangana says ‘Zaroor Aana'
Telangana is all set to host the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant from May 7 to 31. India's youngest state promises the event to be nothing like the previous editions. The state tourism department, the co-host of the event, is also rebranding itself as a gateway to southern India. Its new tagline, 'Telangana, Zaroor Aana', is conceived as an all-encompassing and welcoming statement. In the backdrop of the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, even as a cloud of security concerns emerges, Smita Sabharwal, Principal Secretary, Youth Affairs, Tourism and Culture Department, Telangana Government, tells The Indian Express that this event is going to be a statement of capability. She is confident that the state has something to offer to all kinds of tourists. Here are the edited excerpts from a free-wheeling interview. Q. What is the overall vision for hosting the event? What specific outcomes are you hoping to achieve for the state? Smita Sabharwal: The overall vision is to put Telangana's destinations and hidden gems on a global platform. We will have participants from 140-odd countries and their delegations. We want to use this opportunity to showcase some of our most beautiful destinations because Hyderabad, as a city, is understood and talked about, but rural Telangana needs to be exposed better. Q. How does hosting this international event align with Telangana's broader tourism and cultural promotion strategies? Sabharwal: We will be using the attention as a branding and promotion exercise for Telangana tourism. We will be amplifying our handlooms, destinations, cuisine, and, in general, the hospitality of the people so that any traveller next time feels intrigued to pick up their bags and travel to Telangana. We also want to position Telangana as a gateway to the South. The fact that it is a melting pot, the fact that it is not extreme in its cultural differences, so everyone feels welcome in Hyderabad and Telangana. We say 'Telangana, Zaroor Aana'. This is a beautiful mix of Urdu, Hindi, and Telugu, which makes the Dakhni language very vibrant. We have put this tagline, which is universally very welcoming. Q. What are the key narratives about Telangana that you aim to showcase to the global audience through this event? Sabharwal: We also want to appeal to the global tourists. We talk about Ramappa temple, a Unesco World Heritage site, Buddhavanam Buddhist circuit, and Pochampally handloom centre. We want international designers to pick up the motifs and hope Louis Vuitton and Gucci will notice these designs that are age-old and timeless. The Miss World Organisation is really stumped because they have never handled anything like this before. This is the 72nd edition, and they are also excited because they feel that we are giving a whole new twist to their theme and a whole new look to what they have done. So, it will not be a typical closed event where people are walking the ramp and nothing like that. This is more of a celebration of the culture, beauty, and art of Telangana. Q. What kind of long-term impact do you envision hosting this event will have on Telangana's economy and global image? Sabharwal: It is too premature to spell out long-term outcomes, but I would say that in a journey of 1,000 steps, you have to take the first few steps, and in my opinion, these are very, very definitive steps. You have to talk about your state, create curiosity, put out those images which are appealing – why should you want to pick up your bag and come to Ramappa temple? What is the story behind it? And if you are a history buff, you might be interested in Chalukyan architecture. So, we are putting out a lot of content that will create a long-term narrative about Telangana. The state is also viewed as the land of the spiritual. People who are spiritual would like to visit our temples. There is something for everyone, including adventure seekers and wildlife tourists. I am sure every traveller has something to explore in Telangana. Q. Tell us a little about the key challenges in terms of planning and logistics since participants from over 140 countries are expected? Sabharwal: It is a huge logistical exercise, I must be honest and cannot undermine the hard work and effort that everyone is putting in. We have a lot of assistance from not only the tourism department, which is already working overtime. We have good support from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), police, and all other departments. It is a month-long program. It has 24-plus events, and many visits to rural destinations. We are all on our toes and working very hard. Our interest is to ensure the comfort and the safety of all the participants. Q. In the backdrop of the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, are there security concerns with participants arriving in the state from all over the world? Sabharwal: That is definitely on top of our list. Several meetings have already been conducted. Numerous detailed plans are already in place, they will be fine-tuned. Some of these threat perceptions could be there for contestants of certain countries, if at all. We will evaluate the threat perceptions and provide adequate safety and security throughout the event. Q. What opportunities will be available for local professionals to gain experience through their involvement? Sabharwal: We are trying to involve local designers, local event management people, and a lot of local companies also through sponsorships. This is an opportunity for all to have a little participation in the whole event. We are also inviting a lot of students who are doing well in our residential and sports schools to witness the event and take it as a global exposure and inspiration. It is an event that will have the participation of all local stakeholders. Q. How do you plan to leverage the experience and infrastructure gained from hosting this event for future international events? Sabharwal: We hope this is only an entry point event. We hope that the FIFA World Cup and the next Olympics, and any big international event will be attracted to come to Hyderabad. So, this is a statement that we will put out, that we have the capability and the logistics to be able to handle any scale of global event. This is a kind of opening statement and opening act. Through this one-month display of excellent logistics and other things, we will be able to put out the message clearly. Q. What unique activities are planned to showcase the culture, heritage, and traditions of Telangana to the international audience? Sabharwal: The opening ceremony will be a grand spectacle of all our traditional dances from the Perani to the Lambadi, Guthikoya, and Gussadi. We have 10 to 15 colourful different art forms. They will all be a part of the opening ceremony. The point is that the continental groups will move along with our cultural groups. It is going to be a grand spectacle of everything that culturally belongs to Telangana. Apart from that, every destination will have some performances from our local artists. It is a very real, very cultural experience for the participants and for the local audience. Q. How do you respond to criticism over spending crores on a beauty pageant when the government says its coffers are empty? Sabharwal: Let's look at it in a very realistic way. Spending Rs 25 crore to Rs 27 crore on an event which is lasting you 30 days and also doing a lot in terms of branding and promotion for the state tourism, I think it is a very reasonable expenditure. Also, the Rs 27 crore budget is the absolute outer limit. The effort is to minimise the expenditure, and the idea is to put out our best for the audience in the given budget. We are in talks with a lot of sponsors to help us, and will be using their corporate financial support and reducing the budget from the government's side.
Daily Tribune
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Youth Minister Highlights Kingdom's Empowerment Efforts at UN ECOSOC Youth Forum
Her Excellency Mrs. Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, represented the Kingdom of Bahrain at the opening session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. The forum was held under the theme: 'Working with and for Youth to Develop Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for the 2030 Agenda.' On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Tawfiqi took part in a ministerial meeting organized by the UN Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, focused on enhancing youth participation in policymaking and decision-making processes. In her address, Minister Tawfiqi emphasized that empowering youth and integrating them into decision-making is a cornerstone for building more inclusive and sustainable societies. She noted that involving young people in shaping policies that directly affect their lives reflects trust in their capabilities and creative potential. The Minister also participated in a panel discussion titled 'Effective Youth Engagement in the Workforce,' where she showcased Bahrain's pioneering experience in youth sector development. She explained that the Ministry of Youth Affairs has transitioned from merely implementing programs to acting as a facilitator and enabler, which has led to the establishment of 23 youth-led associations specializing in areas such as talent management, leadership, and innovation. She pointed out that many of these initiatives are run by young volunteers, allowing them to gain valuable experience and skills, eventually preparing them to serve as mentors for future generations. Minister Tawfiqi reiterated Bahrain's commitment to enabling youth to contribute meaningfully to addressing national challenges and strengthening their roles within institutions, thus building a resilient and sustainable youth ecosystem. During her visit, the Minister also attended the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015), which acknowledges the role of youth in promoting peace and security. Additionally, she participated in a special event hosted by the Russian Federation Mission, which focused on Russian policies supporting and empowering youth. On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Tawfiqi held several high-level meetings with senior UN officials, including Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, and Mr. Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. These engagements reflect Bahrain's active international role in promoting youth development and its commitment to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Daily Tribune
12-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Minister of Youth Affairs Launches ‘Bake Box by Little Chefs' – A Sweet Taste of Bahraini Innovation
Her Excellency Ms. Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, attended the launch event of the platform and product 'Bake Box by Little Chefs', a creative initiative by sisters Jouri, Maria, and Jawaher Jumaa. The product features innovative cake recipes, free from preservatives, and is presented in artistic packaging that reflects a spirit of creativity and excellence in youth entrepreneurship. The event took place at "Family Markets" in Riffa Views, in the presence of several personalities and individuals interested in supporting youth initiatives. During the event, Her Excellency listened to a presentation from the sisters about the idea and development of the project. They also shared their future aspirations for expansion and growth. On this occasion, Her Excellency praised the sisters' creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, affirming that the project reflects the confidence of Bahraini youth in their ability to innovate. She added: 'We believe in our youth from an early age and strive to create an encouraging environment that boosts their self-confidence and drives them toward achievement. Empowering them and supporting their entrepreneurial ventures at an early stage is a true investment in the future of the nation.' Her Excellency also affirmed that the 'Bake Box by Little Chefs' project represents an inspiring model of entrepreneurship among the Kingdom's youth and their ability to turn ideas into competitive products in the local market. She emphasized the Ministry's commitment to supporting all creative youth initiatives to ensure their sustainability and growth. For their part, Jouri, Maria, and Jawaher Jumaa expressed their heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency the Minister of Youth Affairs for her continuous support and encouragement of youth initiatives, affirming that her presence and participation in the launch event served as a great motivation for them to continue developing and elevating the project in the future. It is worth noting that the 'Bake Box by Little Chefs' project is a graduate of the 'Biban Juniors' program—an initiative by Mashari' Al-Amal under the Hope Fund. The program aims to develop entrepreneurial skills in children aged 6 to 17 and foster a spirit of innovation and business thinking from an early age.
