Latest news with #MISA
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Teenage rebel who sowed the seeds for statehood movement
Ramgarh/Dhanbad: The journey of Shibu Soren from a rebel teenager to 'Guruji' began at a tender age of 13, when he swore to fight economic oppression which plagued the tribal communities of the then unified Bihar for generations, following the death of his father. Shibu's fight against the moneylenders, who murdered his father Sobhran Manjhi, eventually gave birth to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The party would then go on to dominate the political landscape of the region Eventually, Shibu would become synonymous with the outfit itself. JMM, formed on February 4, 1973, would then set the foundation for a much larger struggle – the demand for a separate state. Social reformer and educationist Binod Bihari Mahto, along with trade union leader A K Roy, joined hands with Soren to give this movement a broader political shape. Alarmed by Shibu's growing popularity and influence, then Bihar govt led by CM Jagannath Mishra invoked MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) to arrest him but failed. JMM central committee member Fagu Besra said, "Shibu gave up studies after his father's murder in 1967 and took up the tradition weapons of tribal people, the bow and arrow, to fight the atrocities against the community. Later, bow and arrow went on to become JMM's party symbol. "Shibu started the "Dhaan Kato" (reap paddy) agitation as agricultural lands of Santhals were forcibly occupied by moneylenders after trapping them with lending money. Lands were forcibly captured, and poor Santhals were forced to work on their own land as labourers," Besra said. He added that the local administration banned "Dhaan Kato" agitation and warned Shibu to surrender but he didn't budge. "They issued orders to catch Shibu alive or dead, and the police started a massive search operation but failed to locate his whereabouts," he recalled, adding that Shibu hid in caves of Parasnath hills in Giridih district spending nights in caves and forests. Shibu came in touch with Roy and Mahto in 1970s and formed Sonat Santhal Samaj. Mahto, who was running one Shivani Samaj along with Roy, merged their outfits to form Jharkhand Liberation Front. While Mahto became its president, Shibu was its general secretary. "However, a dispute among the three friends began over the issue of Lalkhand and Jharkhand. Mahto and Roy wanted to struggle for Lalkhand, while Shibu Soren wanted to carry on the agitation for Jharkhand, saying that Jharkhand is green and would not agree to convert green into red," Besra, who conducted three decades of research on the life and struggle of Shibu, said. "Jharkhand Liberation Front was later translated into Hindi, and the new outfit was named Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Nirmal Mahto was made president, and Shibu became general secretary. Shibu became JMM president in a historic golf ground meeting in 1973 in Dhanbad," he added. Recalling the dramatic events of the first foundation day of JMM on February 4, 1974, Khedan Mahto, a close associate of Shibu said, "We were celebrating the JMM foundation at Golf Ground (now Shahid Randhir Verma Stadium). Police forces surrounded the ground to arrest Guruji as he arrived, but suddenly he appeared on stage, surprising his supporters and leaving the administration stunned." Following this, then Dhanbad deputy commissioner K B Saxena reached out to Soren for dialogue. A meeting was secretly arranged in the jungles of Palma, where Shibu had took shelter. "Guruji presented the plight of the tribal people so convincingly that DC Saxena took the matter to the chief minister's office," said Mahto. This intervention led to the allocation of land to villagers in Tundi, allowing them to start agricultural work and reclaim their dignity. Around the same time, Shibu established a haven called 'Shibu Ashram' in Tundi block, which still stands as a symbol of his early struggle and compassion for displaced villagers. In 1980, despite having a warrant issued against him, Shibu was elected to the Lok Sabha from Dumka, proving his unmatched popularity among tribal masses. Senior JMM leader Kansari Mandal said, "From a lone protester to the founding fathers of the Jharkhand movement, Shibu Soren's legacy as 'Guruji' continues to inspire generations in the region."
Argaam
23-07-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Licensed foreign startups rise to 550 by mid-2025 in Saudi Arabia
The number of foreign startups licensed under the Entrepreneur license by the Ministry of Investment (MISA) in Saudi Arabia increased to 550 by mid-2025, marking a 118% growth compared to mid-2024. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at) issued 364 licenses for business incubators and accelerators across the Kingdom. The Entrepreneur license, issued by MISA for startups, is one of the Ministry's key initiatives designed to empower stakeholders within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. It enables both international and local entrepreneurs to easily establish their ventures in partnership with partners from around the world.
Hamilton Spectator
15-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Township taxpayers still on the hook for some ice-storm costs
While taxpayers in Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships will have to pony up more of their hard-earned cash to help cover the costs of March's devastating ice storm, the majority of the costs are expected to be covered by the Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) program. MISA replaces the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program, which will not be activated for the ice storm, according to a report prepared for Springwater council by Greg Bedard, the township's interim deputy chief administrative officer. 'The Municipal Ice Storm Assistance (MISA) program provides one-time support to eligible municipalities for incremental costs related to the ice storm that began on March 28, 2025,' Bedard wrote in his report to council, which was delivered at the township's July 2 meeting. 'There is no cost threshold to qualify for this program.' According to Bedard's report, the township incurred $493,000 in additional costs by June 13 and expects it may add another $130,000 in future costs for a total of $623,000. The single largest cost was for goods and services — costs for external service providers contracted to undertake work directly related to the ice storm, and the rental of specialized equipment used by township staff to assist with debris cleanup — which came in at $318,000. Bedard's report noted that if the township incurs eligible costs totalling $623,000, the province would contribute about $490,000 in MISA funding. The remaining $133,000 would be funded by the township. In Oro-Medonte, the numbers are significantly higher. According to a report presented to Oro-Medonte council on April 29, chief administrative officer Shawn Binns said the township incurred costs of almost $6.5 million due to the ice storm. He downgraded that to about $6 million on Monday. 'The township's April 29, 2025 report provided an overview of the expenditures,' Binns said in an email to BarrieToday. 'The breakdown of costs has not changed materially from what was previously reported although actuals are slightly lower at an approximate cost of $6 million versus the approximately $6.5 million previously reported. 'With support from the province, the net impact to the township would be approximately $457,000,' he added. According to Binns' April 29 report, operations, which included mutual aid, contracted services, rentals and equipment, cost the township $5.65 million. Oro-Medonte council will discuss its MISA application during Wednesday's meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. To qualify for the MISA program, a municipality must: Applications will be reviewed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and are subject to final funding approval by the minister. If approved, the province and municipality will enter into a transfer payment agreement, of which all payments under the agreement will be based on eligible costs incurred. For eligible costs up to three per cent of the municipality's own-purpose taxation, the province will reimburse 75 per cent, and for eligible costs above three per cent of the municipality's own-purpose taxation, the province will reimburse 95 per cent. 'The township has based ice-storm response and recovery decision making on the assumption the township will be fully responsible for all costs associated with the ice storm,' Bedard's report noted. 'Provincial assistance has not been seen as a guarantee, given the previous cost threshold under the MDRA program, as well as the need to substantially document eligible expenses for the province's review. 'Should the township's MISA application be approved by the minister, this will positively impact the financial implications associated with the township's response to the ice storm,' Bedard added. In addition to MISA, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing also launched the Business Ice Storm Assistance Program (BISA) that provides one-time support to certain small businesses, small farms, and not-for-profit organizations that incurred damage resulting from the late March/early April 2025 ice storm. The BISA program is application based with a deadline to apply by Oct. 31, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt prepares to make MISA documents public
New Delhi: You may soon be able to access several confidential documents related to the controversial Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), which was extensively used against opposition leaders and activists during the Emergency. Part of Delhi's govt's archival treasure trove, the documents are likely to be made public by the state's archives department. Sources said a proposal, along with all available MISA-related files, was sent to Delhi govt's home department for final approval. Once the process is complete, the documents will be digitised and made accessible to people. MISA was enacted by the then Congress govt, led by Indira Gandhi in 1971, to address issues of national security and internal disturbances. The provisions of the law allowing preventive detention without charge or trial were widely used against political leaders, activists, journalists, and students during the Emergency from June 26, 1975, to March 21, 1977. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Officials said the documents related to MISA were retrieved during the digitisation process of over four crore archival records — some as old as the 19th century — by the archives department. They added that these documents included the details and reports of activists and people who were arrested during the Emergency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Apply for NRI Account Online HSBC Undo Many of the documents, along with photographs and performances that highlighted the suspension of civil liberties and democratic rights during the 21-month period, were displayed in an exhibition, titled 'Five Decades After Emergency', organised by Delhi govt to mark "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas", in Central Park of Connaught Place on June 26. Several previously unpublished documents, including detention orders for prominent political figures such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Jan Sangh president Balraj Madhok, Jai Prakash Narain, and Lal Krishna Advani, were put on display. A senior Delhi govt official said that the idea behind making the documents public was to preserve and share this important chapter of India's political history. The official added that there were a large number of people interested in historical records related to the Emergency. According to the Shah Commission of inquiry, more than 35,000 people were held under preventive detention during this time. Officials said the Delhi archives are the custodian of all public records of the Govt of NCT of Delhi, available for use by bona fide research scholars and the general public. Access to its records is governed by the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1993, and the Public Records Rules, 1997, enacted by Union govt and adopted by Delhi govt. Anyone who intends to consult the records of the Delhi Archives has to register at the e-Abhilekh Portal of this department. A large number of revenue records or land and properties in Delhi, along with Bahadur Shah Zafar's trial, firmans and sanads of Shah Alam II, the revolt of 1857, land acquisition records, rare photographs of freedom fighters, and development plans and maps of the British era have been digitised, preserved, and made available to the general public through the portal.
Broadcast Pro
10-07-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh
Ericsson has inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The new headquarters reflects Ericssons strong commitment to the Kingdom and the strategic role of the country in the companys regional operations across the Middle East and Africa. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at […] Ericsson has inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The new headquarters reflects Ericssons strong commitment to the Kingdom and the strategic role of the country in the companys regional operations across the Middle East and Africa. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA); Her Excellency Petra Menander, Swedish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Börje Ekholm, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ericsson Group; and Patrick Johansson, President of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson in addition to other Ericsson leadership team members. Also present were Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, Chief Executive Officer of stc Group, and Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, Chief Executive Officer of Mobily. The event featured discussions around the evolution of network technologies, the roadmap to 6G, and the impact of Vision 2030 on shaping long-term innovation strategies. With a strong focus on collaboration, talent development, and 5G leadership, Ericsson emphasised on the importance of cross-sector engagement and technological advancement in building an inclusive digital infrastructure for Saudi Arabia and the wider region. His Excellency Dr Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), said: 'The establishment of Ericssons regional headquarters in Riyadh reinforces Saudi Arabias position as a leading destination for global investment in advanced technologies. It also aligns with our national ambition to build a dynamic digital economy and foster innovation-led growth. We look forward to continued collaboration with global partners like Ericsson to unlock new opportunities and enable sustainable, technology-driven development across the region.' His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, added: 'This milestone reflects the confidence that global companies have in the Kingdom and underscores its growing status as a regional hub for technology and innovation. We thank Ericsson for its strategic partnership and for strengthening its regional presence through Riyadh, which serves as a center for technology and innovation in the region. This strategic presence contributes to realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering national talent, advancing technological innovation and artificial intelligence, and building a knowledge-based digital economy. In this context, global partnerships are a key driver of progress, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and shaping a more connected and sustainable future.' Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, Chief Executive Officer of stc group, stated: 'Ericssons new regional headquarters in Riyadh represents an important step for us at stc, as the regions digital enabler, in strengthening digital infrastructure, innovation, and digitization across the region. This move reflects the long-standing partnership with Ericsson, and we highly value its contributions to the development of emerging technologies and digital infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver world-class connectivity and unlock new horizons for growth and innovation.' Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, Chief Executive Officer of Mobily, commented: 'The inauguration of Ericssons regional headquarters in Riyadh highlights the Kingdoms global leadership in the digital transformation. At Mobily, we are proud of our strong and long-standing partnership with Ericsson, built on a shared vision to enhance the efficiency of digital infrastructure and strengthen its role in positioning the Kingdom as a regional digital hub for technology and innovation.' Dr. Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sudairy, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, remarked: 'The partnership between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Ericsson reflects our shared commitment to driving innovation and developing advanced connectivity solutions in the Kingdom. The opening of Ericssons new regional headquarters marks an important step in strengthening this collaboration. Joint initiatives, such as the Blink Lab, contribute to accelerating the development of future connectivity technologies and use cases that require ultra-reliable communication such as gaming and immersive experiences and supporting local innovation ecosystems in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.' Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: 'The establishment of our new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in Riyadh strengthens our presence in the region. This is a pivotal step in our journey to support digital growth, innovation, and collaboration. The new headquarters will also enable us to further deepen our close partnerships with customers and partners, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, and build a more connected future.' Saudi Arabia continues to play a central role in Ericssons regional strategy. The company has contributed to the development of the Kingdoms telecommunications sector by expanding mobile infrastructure, supporting the adoption of 5G, and enabling digital transformation. Ericssons Gen-E Graduate Programme has been hosted at the 5G Innovation Hub in Riyadh since 2018, professionally developing over 190 Saudi graduates from leading national and international universities, with women making up 50% of the cohort. The programme provides comprehensive training on Ericssons technologies, tools, and methodologies, including technical workshops led by Ericssons experts and the Ericsson KSA leadership team. Since its launch, it has contributed to the development of diverse 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases across multiple sectors like robotics, 5G edge computing, and mixed reality monitoring and control, supporting Saudi Arabias innovation and digital transformation efforts. Over the years, Ericsson has closely partnered with stc, Mobily, Zain KSA, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) on initiatives focused on research, innovation, and the development of advanced connectivity solutions.
