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Indian Express
a minute ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Vadhavan Port will be a game changer; it will connect to 24 districts through Samruddhi Mahamarg: CM
The Vadhavan Port will be a game changer as it will connect 24 districts through Samruddhi Mahamarg, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. The CM made these observations after inaugurating the Maharashtra Maritime Summit held in Mumbai to discuss and debate ideas to further strengthen the state's maritime sector. The summit began with Nitesh Rane, Minister for Ports and Fisheries, outlining his vision and roadmap for developing the state's ports, equipping the youth with necessary skills to qualify for jobs that will be created with this development. 'The formation of the Maritime Acceleration Task Force will help take forward the various initiatives, ' Rane said. Earlier, Fadnavis explained the benefits that infrastructure developed, and the upcoming Vadhavan Port will bring to Maharashtra. 'The Vadhavan Port, when ready, will be connected to 24 districts of the state via the Samruddhi highway and various access roads. The port will also have an offshore airport to accelerate the movement of cargo,' he said. The various panels, with experts from the maritime business, debated the benefits of bringing ship building and ship breaking industries to Maharashtra, the state's maritime policy and the future of water transport using the waterways. The panelists discussed the potential that Maharashtra holds with Indian shipbuilders looking outside the country for collaboration in technology and foreign companies looking for opportunities in India. Panelists included representatives from leading players in the business–Adani Ports, Damen Shipyards, Haskoning, Thyssenkrup Marines Systems, JSW Infra, DP World, Rural Enhancers Group, Indigo Seaways and Candela. Diplomats of various countries attended the summit, showcasing the international interest in forging business ties with Maharashtra. The political leaders reiterated Maharashtra 's commitment to developing the maritime sector. While Minister Rane urged various stakeholders to collaborate, Chief Minister Fadnavis assured the speakers that their deliberations would be seriously considered in the state's maritime policies.
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Japan Open badminton: PV Sindhu after another first-round exit – ‘It's been a tough year, training-wise it's going well but it's a matter of time and consistency'
A straight-games 21-15, 21-14 defeat on Wednesday against world No 14 Sim Yu Jin at the Japan Open Super 750 on Wednesday in Tokyo meant that PV Sindhu has suffered five first-round exits and three second-round exits in 2025. It's been a frustrating year for the Indian superstar and she admitted that she hasn't able to find the consistency yet, more than six months into the calendar and a World Championships on the horizon. 'It's been a tough year so far. I mean, it's already been six months now. I mean, training-wise it's going on well, but it's just a matter of time and the consistency that I need,' Sindhu told BWF. 'To just keep going and to maintain that pace and make sure I'm playing those long games and long matches. I think I need to go back and practice them again. It is hard to say because I've been training really hard and I wanted to change things and work things out. But, I mean, sometimes it's life. So you have to just keep struggling until you get there.' Her defeat against Sim was a head-scratcher because she showed flashes of attacking brilliance, and in extended rallies, still had the attacking power to put the Korean under trouble. But the unforced errors – and there were far too many of those – meant Simt was never really under any scoreboard pressure. Sindhu's slow starts in both games she was constantly playing catch up. 'I've given her a huge lead in the beginning. I covered, I came back but then it was already too late because, a small error again and I need to catch up. It was basically like I was chasing her more than me taking the initiative,' Sindhu spoke, when asked where she struggled on Wednesday. 'Overall I made some errors, I feel that when I was playing strokes, the shuttle was actually going into her hands, she was able to easily take it instead of me actually making her move. Even my coach was mentioning that I was hitting it to her hands. She was making me move more of most of the times and I think that's where strategy-wise it went a bit wrong.' When asked if Sim's deceptive stroke play troubled her, Sindhu said it was more about allowing her opponent to play the way she wanted. 'Everything starts with the way I play. Where is she, you know, contacting the shuttle. So basically if it's in her hands, she's easily able to play those deceptive strokes because, it's not really hard for her to try new strokes. I think that's where I was lacking at,' Sindhu added. Last month, during her visit to the Sports Sciences facility at the SAI Center Bengaluru, Sindhu spoke to the media about adapting to the demands of the modern women's singles gameplay. 'These days I need to maintain my patience during longer rallies. I am playing rallies that have 30 or 40 strokes. So accordingly, I need to do my physical fitness and endurance. Because I need to withstand being on the court for a very long period. So that way we have been doing changes, and it's good that Irwansyah has come and is training me,' she had said. 'As I said that women's singles has changed and it has been more defensive with long rallies and long matches. We have been working on that, especially in term of being more patient enough to continue that rally and keep the shuttle in the court for a longer period of time,' she had said. Unfortunately at the moment, it just isn't coming together on the court for the 30-year-old.
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra special public security bill
The Congress central leadership has sought a reply from the Maharashtra Legislative Party as to how it allowed the passing of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill without opposition. The Congress party came under criticism after it neither protested, nor submitted a dissenting note in the Legislative Assembly against the bill, despite its leadership voicing opposition to it. 'The All-India Congress Committee had time and again discussed the need to oppose (the bill), and the issue was discussed at the highest level. A clear message was conveyed in this regard to the Maharashtra Pradesh Committee,' said a letter sent by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal. Two days ago, Sapkal, on the instructions of Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, wrote to Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, group leader in the Legislative Council Satej Patil, and party chief whip Amin Patel. 'A detailed explanation be submitted (to the AICC) on the events (when the bill was passed),' it said, adding that an explanation of the party's stand taken within the legislature and the reasons behind it should be submitted at the earliest. Sources within the Congress told The Indian Express that the high command has taken the incident of the peaceful passage of the bill seriously and hence a detailed report is being sought. According to sources, the party high command was unhappy after the bill had a smooth passage and nobody except one MLA from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) registered opposition to it. Faced with backlash, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) walked out of the Legislative Council the next day, registering protest. The bill was sent to the Joint Scrutiny Committee comprising 25 members from the Legislative Assembly and Council. As per the rules, the members of the committee cannot participate in the discussion unless they submit a dissent note. Vijay Wadettiwar, Nana Patole and Satej Patil were members of the committee from the Congress.
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Illegal stay of foreign nationals at Nandurbar seminary under probe, passport verification to be tightened
The state government on Wednesday ordered an high-level inquiry into the illegal stay of two Yemeni nationals at a religious educational institute in Nandurbar district and announced stricter protocols for passport address verification across the state. Minister of State for Home (rural) Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar informed the Assembly on Wednesday that a special investigation team, headed by a senior IPS officer, will probe the activities of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom in Akkalkuwa, after the discovery of foreign nationals residing there without valid documents. 'This is a serious national security concern. A criminal case has been registered, and the institute's management will face strict action,' said Bhoyar, responding to a notice raised by MLA Devendra Kothe. MLAs Rajesh Padvi, Harish Pimpale, and Gopichand Padalkar also participated in the discussion. Bhoyar added that irregularities were also found at As-Salam Hospital, run by the same trust, including illegal occupancy and administrative lapses. The state plans to recommend cancellation of its registration with the medical education department. Initial findings revealed substantial donations from both domestic and foreign sources into the institute's bank accounts. Investigations into alleged land encroachments on tribal land and misuse of scholarship funds are also underway, with the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) involved in parallel probes, said the minister. In a related development, Minister of State for Home (urban) Yogesh Kadam said police verification for passport applications will now place greater emphasis on verifying the current residential address, especially for those displaced due to building redevelopment. 'The police will verify the applicant's current place of residence as mentioned in the application. This is essential to confirm identity and check for any pending criminal records or summons,' Kadam told the House, replying to a notice by MLA Manisha Chaudhary. MLAs Amit Satam and Sunil Prabhu raised follow-up queries. The minister clarified that in cases where applicants are temporarily relocated due to redevelopment, addresses mentioned in legal rent agreements would be accepted for verification. He added that the Centre's updated protocols for police verification will be followed, with plans to integrate AI tools and digital passport apps to enhance transparency and ease of the process. 'Awareness will also be created to inform citizens that verification is carried out on the current address, not just the permanent one,' said Kadam.
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Business
- Indian Express
BJP govt has given over 19,000 jobs, Tripura CM Saha says amid allegations of rising unemployment
Over 19,000 jobs have been provided during the BJP-led government's rule in Tripura so far, said Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday. 'We have provided nearly 19,800 jobs so far. Apart from that, there are contractual, outsourcing employees… nearly 700-800 employees…so that government work can be done smoothly. Our prime minister always talks about employability. I have also said that whether they are engineers, doctors or teachers, they have to develop their skills,' Saha told reporters in Agartala. His statement came a day after his Cabinet announced a recruitment drive to fill up over 1,600 posts in different departments. Saha further stated that his government focuses on developing skill, employability and they are working in this direction. 'An environment has been made for Ek Tripura Srestha Tripura. Like Prime Minister's Viksit Bharat 2047, we are also working with him to make Ek Tripura Srestha Tripura, ' he said. The chief minister's comments come amid allegations from the Opposition CPM that the state government has failed to address employment issues and that Tripura is grappling with food and work shortages, especially in the hilly terrains.
