Latest news with #andExcise
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
3-day Masula Beach Festival from June 6
Machilipatnam: Minister for Mines, Geology, and Excise Kollu Ravindra on Monday unveiled ambitious plans for the Masula Beach Fest 2025, slated to transform the picturesque Machilipatnam Beach into a hub of innovation and opportunity. Speaking at a press conference at the Zilla Parishad Convention Hall alongside Collector DK Balaji and SP Gangadhar, Minister Ravindra urged people from all over the State to participate and make the festival a grand success. Minister Ravindra emphasised that the Masula Beach Fest 2025, scheduled for June 6 to 8, aims at significantly boosting tourism in Andhra Pradesh. He proclaimed that the event is set to become South India's largest festival of its kind. 'This is our village, our festival,' Minister Ravindra declared, urging widespread participation. He highlighted a diverse array of activities planned, including amusement, entertainment and adventure sports. Notably, the festival will feature Andhra Pradesh's inaugural sea kayaking event, alongside beach kabaddi, beach volleyball, and an array of thrilling activities such as Heli rides, paragliding, speed boat races, Jet Ski rides and bungee jumping. Over 2,000 national-level athletes are expected to compete in these events. The festival will kick off on June 6 at 9 am with the unveiling of the 'Gateway of Amaravati' by athletes, marked by the hoisting of a 100-foot national flag. From the evening of June 6, attendees can look forward to a vibrant array of cultural programmes featuring renowned Telugu film artistes. Beyond sports and entertainment, the Masula Beach Fest will be a celebration of Telugu culture and cuisine. Over 100 stalls will showcase the rich flavours, traditions and customs of the Telugu people, with seven dedicated food courts offering a diverse culinary experience. Minister Ravindra underscored that the festival is not merely a tourism event but a strategic initiative to create new opportunities and foster innovation. He also highlighted the rigorous preparations by officials, confirming that every event will be live-streamed. Marine authorities will be on hand to ensure the safety of those wishing to take a sea bath. The Minister concluded by reiterating the festival's potential to generate improved employment and livelihood opportunities through tourism development, urging everyone to attend and contribute to its success.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
85,000 students provided with uniforms, says Minister Muthusamy in Erode
Minister for Housing, Prohibition, and Excise, S. Muthusamy, said that 85,000 students studying in Classes VI to VIII were given uniforms as schools reopened in the district on Monday. In the presence of Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, Erode MP K.E. Prakash, MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar, and Mayor S. Nagarathinam, the Minister inaugurated a new building block and laboratories worth ₹2.50 crore at the Government Higher Secondary School in Nanjappa Goundan Valasu, Surampatti. The project was funded under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Bengaluru-based Alice Blue Financial Services Private Limited, as part of the State government's 'Namma School – Namma Ooru Palli' scheme. Addressing the media, the Minister said that special initiatives by the Education Department helped government schools, which were previously ranked among the bottom 30 positions in the previous public examination results, and that this had significantly improved their pass percentages, with some achieving centum results. He noted that boys tend to score lower marks than girls in examinations and that this gap would be addressed. However, he acknowledged that girls' academic performance has been consistently improving year after year. He also assured that the distribution of uniforms to all students in the district would be completed in the coming days. On the issue of POCSO cases, the Minister revealed that over 250 school-related incidents were reported last year and that immediate action was taken. 'This academic year, preventive measures will be implemented to ensure such issues do not recur,' he said. Responding to AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami's criticism that the DMK government failed to bring education under the State List, Mr. Muthusamy asserted that the government has been consistently advocating for shifting education from the Concurrent List to the State List. He questioned why, during the AIADMK's 10-year rule, no concrete steps were taken on the matter by the then Chief Minister. Deputy Mayor V. Selvaraj, Chief Education Officer K. Subbarao, Headmaster N. Rajesh, and M. Sidhavelayutham, Founder and CEO of Alice Blue, along with several others, were present at the event.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
From crisis to boom: How Thrithala recharged its groundwater sources
PALAKKAD: In a remarkable turnaround, Thrithala constituency in Palakkad -- once flagged as semi-critical for groundwater availability -- has emerged today as a model for water conservation and sustainable development. Thanks to the pioneering 'Susthira Thrithala' project launched in 2022, the region has undergone a significant ecological transformation, proving how local governance and scientific planning can tackle one of India's most pressing environmental challenges. Spearheaded by M B Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Rural Development, and Excise - and the sitting MLA of Thrithala - the innovative water conservation project has successfully addressed declining groundwater levels through a holistic approach that includes rainwater harvesting, artificial recharge systems, and integrated environmental initiatives. Over the past four years, the project has added the capacity to harvest and store over 5 crore litres of rainwater within the constituency. Notably, Thrithala also became the first Legislative Assembly constituency in the country to implement a comprehensive water budget at the constituency level, encompassing all its grama panchayats.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Kollu Ravindra calls for mining sector's overhaul
Vijayawada: Minister for Mines, Geology, and Excise, Kollu Ravindra, asserted on Friday that the mining sector holds the key to transforming the future of both the State and the nation. Speaking at the 'Unearthing Mineral Potential of AP: Exploration to Auction - A Strategic Vision' summit held here, Minister Ravindra emphasised the need for a re-envisioned mining sector to contribute significantly to India's economic and industrial advancement. Since 2015, approximately 29 major mineral auctions have been conducted, with four more taking place in the current fiscal year. Preparations are underway to auction another 70 major minerals. The Minister announced that Andhra Pradesh has achieved an 'A' category ranking in the SMRI (State Mining Readiness Index) set by the Union Ministry of Mines, competing successfully with States like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He highlighted that revenue is already being generated through the auction of four major minerals. With a long coastline, the State possesses valuable offshore minerals, and he stressed the importance of establishing value-added industries to create employment opportunities. Minister Ravindra sincerely appealed to industrialists, along with Central and State governments, to collaborate in harnessing the mineral wealth. The event was attended by Mines Secretary Praveen Kumar, Geological Survey of India Director Satyanarayana Mahapatro, MECL Director Pankaj Pandey, IBM Comptroller of Mines Shailendra Kumar, and Ragupathi Peddireddy, among other officials.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CM to inaugurate regional-level agricultural exhibition near Perundurai on June 11
Minister for Housing, Prohibition, and Excise, S. Muthusamy, on Friday said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin would inaugurate the regional-level agricultural exhibition near the toll gate, near Perundurai, on June 11. Organised by the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, the two-day exhibition and seminar would have participation of government departments and farmers from 10 districts. The Minister laid the foundation for the exhibition and held discussions with officials. The purpose of the exhibition was to raise awareness among farmers, college students, the general public, food processors, and exporters about modern technologies, new crop varieties, agricultural machinery, and value-added processing technologies, he said. As part of the exhibition, 70 stalls would be set up by various government departments while 130 stalls would be set up by private enterprises, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The exhibition will showcase, modern and traditional seeds, fruit plants, tray seedlings, processed agricultural products, fertilizers, and crop protection chemicals, modern agricultural machinery and micro-irrigation equipment. Services such as e-rental (e-Vaadagai) for machinery, Uzhavan mobile app, and registration for agri-warehousing will also be made available for farmers. Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, Erode MP K. E. Prakash, Erode East MLA V. C. Chandrakumar, Personal Assistant (Agriculture) to the District Collector Loganathan, and other officials were present.
