Gujarat mango exports surpass 3,000 MT in five years, Kesar variety in high demand abroad

IANS Photo

Ahmedabad, July 21 (IANS): Gujarat's mango exports have steadily grown over the past five years, with the state exporting 856 metric tonnes in 2024–25, taking the total to more than 3,000 metric tonnes since 2019, government officials said on Monday.

The mangoes have been shipped to several international markets, including the US and South Africa, with the Kesar variety drawing particular demand due to its distinct flavour and aroma, according to official information by the Gujarat government.

According to state Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, mango cultivation now covers around 1.77 lakh hectares in Gujarat, accounting for 37 per cent of the state's total fruit cultivation area.

Major mango-producing districts include Valsad, Navsari, Gir Somnath, Kutch and Surat, with Valsad alone reporting more than 38,000 hectares under mango farming in 2024–25.

The state's export process is supported by the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility in Bavla, near Ahmedabad.

The unit handled 224 metric tonnes of irradiated Kesar mangoes this year and has processed a total of 805 metric tonnes over five years.

Certified by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Bavla facility is Gujarat's first and India's fourth such unit.

Before it became operational, farmers had to send their produce to Mumbai for irradiation, increasing transport costs and spoilage.

The facility now allows mangoes to be processed, packed, and exported directly from Ahmedabad.

It is part of a broader infrastructure push that includes an integrated pack house and a perishable air cargo terminal, all managed by the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation.

This setup has improved shelf life, reduced wastage, and cut costs for mango growers, contributing to a more efficient export pipeline.

Mango farming is a significant horticultural activity in Gujarat, particularly in districts like Valsad, Navsari, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Bhavnagar.

The state is known for its premium varieties, especially the Kesar mango from the Gir region, which has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

As of 2024, Gujarat cultivates mangoes on over 1.3 lakh hectares of land, producing more than 10 lakh metric tonnes annually.

Around 75,000 to 80,000 farmers are engaged in mango cultivation across the state.The state government and agricultural universities offer support through schemes, training, and export facilitation. Gujarat mango exports surpass 3,000 MT in five years, Kesar variety in high demand abroad | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → July 30, 2025

Surat diamond merchant's massive Diwali bonus for employees: houses, cars and jewellery

A Surat based diamond baron has gifted his employees brand new cars, diamond jewellery and even homes as a Diwali gift for meeting targets for the year. The diamond industry in Surat district of Gujarat may not be passing through the most dazzling phases in its history but diamond baron Palki Savjibhai Dholakia's employees were still rewarded for their hard work. Palki Savjibhai Dholakia, a diamond merchant based in Surat who runs Hrishikesh Exporters, showered his employees with a massive bonus. He gifted 200 workers houses, 525 have received diamond jewellery and 491 have been gifted brand new cars. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Source: youtube.com

Read More........ → October 21, 2014

Xi, Modi set friendly tone for visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they visit a riverside park development project in Gujarat, India, Sept. 17, 2014. Xi Jinping visited the state of Gujarat on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

China and India highlighted their determination to boost ties in a whirlwind visit on Wednesday with not only key agreements but also relaxed protocol procedures, observers said, in an exceptional departure from tradition. Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands in Gujarat, India, Sept. 17, 2014. Xi Jinping visited the state of Gujarat on Wednesday. [Xinhua] In Ahmedabad, Gujarat state, where President Xi Jinping started his three-day visit to India on Wednesday, he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing of an agreement concerning the establishment of industrial

parks in Gujarat, Modi's home state, which he governed for 12 years. The two sides also sealed agreements to establish a partnership between Guangdong province and Gujarat, and another between Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, and Ahmedabad, the largest city of Gujarat. More documents covering a range of sectors, including high-speed rail, are expected to be signed in New Delhi, Xi's next stop after his six-hour visit to Ahmedabad. Indian media said it was the first time that pacts were signed by a visiting foreign dignitary outside the capital, while observers said the less formal itinerary of Xi, especially the

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) rotates a spinning wheel that was once used by Mahatma Gandhi as he visits Gandhi's former residence along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) in Gujarat, India, Sept. 17, 2014. Xi Jinping visited the state of Gujarat on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

interaction between Xi and Modi, will set a positive tone for Sino-Indian ties. After a meeting shortly after Xi's arrival, the two leaders visited Sabarmati Ashram, home of Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi. They then took a stroll at Sabarmati Riverfront Park before celebrating Modi's 64th birthday on Wednesday and had a dinner in a riverside tent. The Sabarmati riverfront is a pet project of Modi, who as Gujarat chief minister developed it along the lines of the banks of the River Thames in London as a space that can be utilized by the public, said the Indo-Asian News Service. Ahmedabad was decked to receive Xi, with local people waving to the Chinese delegation and billboards across the city showing a smiling Xi and Modi. Modi accompanied Xi all the time during the hours-long stay in Ahmedabad. Source China.org.cn. Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan enjoy themselves as they visit a riverside park development project in Gujarat, India, Sept. 17, 2014. Xi Jinping visited the state of Gujarat on Wednesday. (Photo/Weibo)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan enjoy themselves as they visit a riverside park development project in Gujarat, India, Sept. 17, 2014. Xi Jinping visited the state of Gujarat on Wednesday. (Photo/Weibo)

Read More........ → September 18, 2014

Modi's 3D speeches during 2012 polls enter Guiness Book

The 3D broadcasts of the speeches of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi during the 2012 assembly elections have entered the Guiness Book of World-Records, he said Thursday. "Gujarat election campaign 2012 becomes even more memorable with the 3D interaction creating a Guinness World," Modi said on Twitter. The Guinness World-Record for most simultaneous shows of the Pepper's Ghost Illusion (a technology) is now held by Raj Kasu Reddy and Mani Shankar of NChant 3D, which telecast, live, a 55 minute speech by Modi to 53 locations across Gujarat on December 10, 2012, Modi said on his blog. Nchant 3D used 3D 'holographic projection technology' for this purpose. This technology is popular in Europe, and has been also used by Hollywood celebrities like Madonna and Mariah Carey. Modi went on to win the 2012 election convincingly, making a hat-trick. Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → March 16, 2013

India celebrates Republic Day with pomp and hope

New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) With millions taking part, India celebrated its 64th Republic Day Saturday with pomp and pride, with people in a few areas defying rebel groups to join official flag hoisting functions. Men, women and children participated enthusiastically in numerous events across the length and breadth of the world's most populous democracy which was declared a Republic on this day in 1950. It was the first  Republic Day for President Pranab Mukherjee, and chief guest at the main event in the capital was King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk of Bhutan, India's closest neighbour. In New Delhi, there was a
perfect blend of the indigenous military hardware and rich cultural diversity as the country showcased its military strides as  well as its roots with the past. Time was when almost all the hardware on display was of foreign origin. This time around, it was the the opposite barring few exceptions. And what was on view was itself an exercise in contrast. The smartly attired marching contingents came from the armed forces, the  paramilitary forces, the National Cadet Corps and school students in their colourful best. There were also tableaux from 19 states and government departments. The highlight of the 100-minute parade was the nuclear-capable 5,000 km Agni-V ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, flight-tested last year. A flypast by the air force provided the grand finale. The day passed off peacefully all across India barring a minor bomb explosion in Manipur that injured no one. Republic Day functions were held in state capitals and district headquarters with patriotic zeal. Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary and his Manipur counterpart Gurbachan Jagat appealed for peace, with the former asking rebel groups to end their violence spree. Defying boycott calls by militant groups, hundreds of thousands turned up at official functions in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya. The
scene was no different in the sprawling Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, a known Maoist den. Central Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh hoisted the tricolour in a Maoist stronghold in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, saying Maoists could be battled with sound economic development. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chose the event announce that his government would provide a kilo of rice at Rs.1 to the poor from February. He said after unfurling the tricolour in Cuttack that he wanted to ensure food security to over 58 lakh families. Patriotic fervour marked the celebrations in Andhra Pradesh despite unending acrimony over a separate Telangana state, with the issue marring a function in the Congress party office. Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj used the occasion to advocate "discipline" in democracy to prevent the country slipping into "chaos and self-destruction". In Srinagar, Rural Development Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar lamented that the gun had only caused destruction in Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammu, Governor N.N. Vohra called for vigil on the border with Pakistan. In Himachal Pradesh, people braved sub-zero temperatures at many places to celebrate the day with enthusiasm. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal unfurled the tricolour in Amritsar, not far from the Pakistan border. Across Maharashtra and Gujarat, politicians and citizens hoisted the national flag in numerous places -- schools, colleges and housing blocks. Ignoring a dense fog and icy winds, hundreds of thousands all over Bihar celebrated Republic Day, with Governor Devanand Kunwar leading the main function at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna. There was no dearth of patriotism in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala either. In Chennai, thousands gathered at the Marina beach. Students displayed a 1.5 km long and nine metre wide national flag in Andhra Pradesh's Karimnagar district. Not to be left behind, more than 1,000 people marched in Allahabad to celebrate Republic Day on the banks of the Ganges at Kumbh Mela to demand efforts to save the holy river from pollution. Image Link photobucket, Source: NewsTrackIndia, 

Read More........ → January 26, 2013

Rajnath Singh to head BJP after Gadkari quits

New Delhi: Rajnath Singh was on Wednesday unanimously elected president of BJP, capping last minute dramatic turn of events which saw Nitin Gadkari being forced out of the race for the second term. The 61-year-old senior party leader from Uttar Pradesh takes the baton back from Nitin Gadkari whom he handed  over the post in 2009. Singh, who emerged as the consensus candidate on Tuesday night after Gadkari 

dramatically opted out of the race for a second term, was the only candidate to  file the nominations and was declared elected unopposed. Gadkari was among the first ones to wish the new party president soon after the announcement by election officer Thawar Chand Gehlot in the presence of top party leaders including LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu. Gadkari, whose  candidature was

being pushed strongly by RSS, suddenly quit the race in the midst of allegations of impropriety by his company Purti Group. I am taking over as BJP president in unhappy circumstances: Rajnath Singh.After taking over, Rajnath Singh said, "I accept this not as a post, but as a responsibility" and said he would take the battle to a decisive end by bringing BJP to power." He said he was taking over in not very conducive

conditions in the wake of allegations levelled against the outgoing chief Nitin Gadkari. Singh said though the party wanted Gadkari to continue as party president for a second term, but he took a moral high by deciding not to contest for a second term till his name was cleared of all charges. The new chief exuded confidence of steering the party in the forthcoming assembly elections in various states later this year and expressed the hope to see formation of an NDA regime led by BJP in the next general elections. A  BJP
parliamentary board meeting thanked outgoing president Nitin Gadkari for his "dynamic" leadership for the last three years and unanimously endorsed Singh as his successor. Rajnath Singh and incumbent Nitin Gadkari arrived at the party office in the same car for a meeting of the party's parliamentary board, after which he filed his nomination. Earlier, Rajnath Singh met party leader LK Advani. Rajnath Singh was chosen for the BJP president's post after several senior leaders objected over giving a second term to
Gadkari, who is facing corruption charges. Gadkari also made an announcement on Tuesday evening saying he will not seek a second term as he wanted his name cleared of the corruption charges. The BJP president has traditionally been elected unopposed. Rajnath's Singh's name emerged after a series of meetings involving party leaders Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Ram Lal and Ananth Kumar. Revolt in BJP forces out Nitin Gadkari Rajnath Singh is set to be BJP president, capping an internecine battle that saw

two white-moustachioed patriarchs biting the dust but not before thwarting each other.Nitin Gadkari, the incumbent battling corruption charges and enjoying the blessings of the RSS chief, put in his papers on Tuesday night after it became clear that sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat had run into an ambush attributed to LK Advani. Advani drew the satisfaction of foiling Bhagwat's candidate but he had to accept the diktat of the RSS that picked Rajnath, a former BJP president. Till late on Tuesday evening, it appeared that Bhagwat would have his way. But two events appeared to have turned the tide against the RSS chief and

Gadkari. The income tax department focus on the corruption charges on him that the BJP chief and the Sangh have stoutly denied. Even then, the Gadkari camp appeared so confident that a media statement referred to his "re-election", only to retract an hour later. Advani, backed by his peers Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha, refused to accept Bhagwat's proposal to renew Gadkari's term. Apart from the notion
that Gadkari's reinstatement would hobble the BJP's anti-corruption campaign against the UPA, Advani's stiff opposition stemmed from his fear that Gadkari was a front for the Sangh. Sources said the Advani camp had concluded that under Gadkari, Bhagwat hoped to intervene "directly and decisively" in the party's affairs. Bhagwat, on the other hand, was unprepared to countenance Advani looming like a shadow over the BJP. The RSS-Advani equation, said sources, was so "skewed" with mutual distrust that the Sangh suspected that Advani, once the "apple of its eye", could manipulate himself as a prime minister frontrunner if the BJP gained an edge in the 2014 polls. In the afternoon, prodded by Advani, Yashwant, the former

finance and foreign minister, signalled that he might contest against Gadkari. Sinha sent an emissary to collect the nomination papers and the voter list from the BJP office. Unlike Mahesh Jethmalani, the Mumbai lawyer supposed to take on Gadkari, nobody regarded Sinha as a "lightweight". By coincidence, Advani and Gadkari were in Mumbai to attend a Sangh event today and they shared the dais. Both met Suresh "Bhaiyyaji" Joshi, Bhagwat's second-in-command. Joshi's message to Advani was terse: if he couldn't accept Gadkari, he had to settle for the Sangh's second choice, Rajnath. A similar request earlier was rejected by Advani, who never trusted Rajnath because he saw him as a Sangh "puppet". Joshi made it clear that none of Advani's nominees were acceptable. In Delhi, opposition leaders, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj were called on by another senior Sangh functionary, Suresh Soni. Sushma's name was earlier broached by Advani. But she declined his offer, signalling that in the power sweepstakes, she opted
to be on the RSS's right side. Former president M Venkaiah Naidu and the general secretary (organisation), Ramlal, were part of the meeting at Jaitley's house.Word reached from Nagpur, which houses the Sangh headquarters, that Rajnath was the RSS's choice and, by implication, the BJP should endorse his candidacy without ado, the sources said. Jaitley did have a patchy relationship with Rajnath in the latter's earlier tenure. But sources said he too figured out that a crisis had to be averted and, in the circumstances, the leader from Uttar Pradesh was perhaps the best bet. Sources said Rajnath was on the Sangh's radar for the past few days. In his first innings, Rajnath had ejected Narendra Modi from the BJP's top decision-making panel, the parliamentary board, ostensibly to please the RSS whose relations with Modi had then plunged to a nadir. Rajnath has since made up with Modi, around whom the BJP's prime minister debates are swirling. Many Congress leaders were praying that Gadkari remains BJP president and a permanent punching bag. Asked if the tax raids backfired, a Congress leader demurred and said Gadkari could not claim the moral high ground since he did not voluntarily step down but was hounded out. Who is Rajnath Singh? Rajnath Singh was born on July 10, 1951 in a farmer's family in Chanduli. He received his basic education in the village and subsequently he completed his MSc Physics from Gorakhapur University UP. He worked as a lecturer of Physics at KB Post-Graduate College Mirzapur, UP. He was an active RSS worker since his student life. He became the RSS karyavah (General Secretary) of Mirzapur city in 1972.

Also remained organisational secretary of ABVP Gorakhpur division from 1969 to 1971. He entered politics in 1974 and soon became secretary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Mirzaur. In 1975, he became district president of Jana Sangh and district coordinator of JP movement. He was imprisoned during Emergency. In 1977, he was elected as an MLA in UP Assembly.In 1983, he became a state secretary of UP BJP and 1984 he became a state president of BJP's Youth Wing (BJYM). In 1986, he became national general secretary of BJYM and subsequently national president of BJYM in 1988. He was elected MLC for UP Legislative Council in 1988 and became education minister in 1991. During his tenure as education minister in UP he established some landmarks by introducing the Anti Copying Act and Vedic Mathematics in the syllabus and correction of various portions of' history textbooks. He became MP Rajya Sabha in 1994 and also the chief whip of the BJP in Rajya Sabha. In 1997, he became state president of UP BJP. In 1999, he became Union surface transport minister. In October, 2000, he became chief minister of UP and was twice elected as MLA from Haidargarh constituency in Barabanki. In 2002, he became national general secretary of BJP. In 2003, he became Union minister of agriculture and subsequently for food processing. In July 2004, he was again appointed as national general secretary of BJP. He became the BJP national president in December 2005. - The Telegraph, Calcutta, Image Link Flickr, Source: News Bullet

Read More........ → January 24, 2013

Will It be a 42 vs. 62 Battle in 2014?

By Aryani Banerjee, The other day BJP and Congress were scuffling over dynasty politics. This is nothing more than the trailer. Now, the Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi battle is the big screen fight India is looking forward to… the Prime Ministerial elections. The Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur turned the entire nation pinker with the name of its most adored Vice President. Congress belief has engraved its trust in his name and Rahul Gandhi is the name for 2014 elections. No, it’s not exactly the young vs. old fight, rather, it is the fight of two ethics that took turns in reigning India’s throne. Looking back to the Gujarat elections, a west wind blew very strong in the Kutch, and towards the evening it gusted away to kiss the horizon, leaving back an orange lotus flag flying triumphantly high on the shore. The name of that wind was Modi… Narendra Modi. He strolled like a monarch on the corridor of his party office amidst loud cheer and flower shower! He had scored an absolute majority for the BJP, henceforth hitting a hat-trick victory for the name Gujarat loved, and the mirror admired everyday! The wind twisted around the fate of the opposition Congress and bulldozed it till it crumbled. A decisive win in Gujarat for a third time in a row with the party securing a massive win, clinching 117 seats for the 182-member assembly, BJP has not been able to outdo its tally in 2007. Arch rival Congress, out of power in the state for the last 22 years, won 61 seats while others bagged four, including one by Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel. It was a bolt from the blue for Congress when its state unit Chief Arjun Modhwadia lost the Porbandar seat to Babu Bokhiria of BJP by 17,146 votes, while Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil was defeated by Minister of State for fisheries Purushottam Solanki of the saffron party by 18,554 votes in Bhavnagar rural constituency. Coming back to the second battle, Modi has strong grassroots party support, and is certainly first among equals in the party, but unlike the Congress, the BJP is not a single-power-centre party. Every BJP Chief Minister is a power centre, and the party is India’s most federated organisation. Plus, there is parental interference from the RSS. Modi will have more challenges before the anointment than Rahul. In the Chintan Shivir, Sonia Gandhi had urged the young politicians to be more austere. She knows it’s the youth of a country who can be urged to change the nation for the better. So, does Modi lose luck cards here? It’s not about Rahul being called the country’s most eligible bachelor at 42 and Modi the controversial bachelor still at 62! The thing is, Rahul Gandhi despite being 42 has a feudal mindset and Modi being 62, has a record of encouraging the youth of his state about what change they want. So, in the Mahabharata of 2014, it will be a battle of mindsets, of ethics, of two political leaders who will bull-fight it out at the arena… The question remains… as to… who’s the bull and who’s the matador? Source: Itvnews-India

Read More........ → January 23, 2013

22 young heroes to get National Bravery Awards 2013

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Young bravehearts who saved their friends and others from drowning and exposed social evils will be among the 22 children, including four girls, who will be conferred the National Bravery Awards for 2013, it was announced Friday. One of the award would be given posthumously to Ramdinthara of Mizoram, who died while trying to rescue his friend from drowning, the Indian Council for Child Welfare said Friday. The Bharat Award has been conferred on 17-year-old Tarang Atulbhai Mistry of Gujarat who saved four people from drowning in the Narmada River. Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Renu will  be given the

prestigious Geeta Chopra Award for exposing the perpetrators of inhuman treatment of a children's home. The Sanjay Chopra Award has been given to 11-and-a-half-year-old Gajendra Ram of Chhattisgarh who saved a child from drowning in a well. Vijay Kumar Sainik, 17, of Uttar Pradesh, Akanksha Gaute, 16, of Chhattisgarh and Hali Raghunath Baraf, 16, of Maharashtra will receive theBapu Gaidhani Awards. Other recipients are Devansh Tiwari and Mukesh Nishad (Chhattisgarh), Lalrinhlua (Mizoram), E. Suganthan (Tamil Nadu), Ramith.K, Mebin Cyriac and Vishnu M.V. (Kerala), Koroungamba Kuman (Manipur), Sameep Anil Pandit (Maharashtra), Viswendra Lohkna, Satendra Lohkana and Pawan Kumar Kanaujiya (Uttar Pradesh), Stripleaseman Mylliem (Meghalaya), Sapna Kumari Meena (Rajasthan) and Suhail K.M. (Karnataka). The children will receive their Awards from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prior to Republic Day 2013 and will also participate in the Republic Day Parade atop an elephant. The awardees will receive a medal, certificate and cash. A reception in honour of the children will also be held by President Pranab Mukherjee, and Defence Minister A. K. Antony. Since the inception of the scheme in 1957, the Indian Council for Child Welfare has given awards to 846 brave children - 602 boys and 244 girls. Image Screen Shot On Youtube, Source: News Track India

Read More........ → January 21, 2013

Police investigate Ahmedabad surrogacy racket

The seamy side of Indian surrogacy has emerged in a murky saga which police are investigating in Ahmedabad. Loose regulations and corrupt officials make it easy for surrogacy to turn into baby-trafficking. This case apparently started with a woman named Mona Thakor. She was single, divorced, and a mother of two. After a while she moved in with another man (the son of a police officer) and became pregnant again. Her partner wanted her to have an abortion. However, a nurse at the abortion clinic persuaded her to bear the child and sell it to patients of Dr Bharat Atit, the owner of Laxmi IVF and Research Foundation and Shree Maternity Nursing Home in Ahmedabad. Dr Atit is currently “on the run”, a not uncommon status for accused professionals in India. But he is not without friends. His wife used to be the mayor of Ahmedabad. Surrogacy is legal in India, but only if a contract is signed and the correct procedures are followed. Persuading a woman to hand over an unwanted baby, as Mona Thakar allegedly did, is illegal. According to the Indian Express, sometimes these babies are passed off as the offspring of the surrogate mother and the commissioning husband. Ahmedabad police fear that this small case is the key to a bigger racket which snares single mothers. Source: BioEdge

Read More........ → January 20, 2013

RIL profit jumps 24% on better-than-expected refining margin

Reliance Industries, on Friday reported 24% jump in the third quarter net profit, the first increase after four quarters of declining returns, on the back of record earnings from oil refining business. Net profit in October-December at Rs. 5,502 crore was 23.9% higher over Rs. 4,440 crore in the same period a year ago, RIL said in a statement. The better-than-estimated quarterly profit came on the back of rise in earnings from turning crude oil into petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. RIL, which had previously sought to widen beyond its core energy business through forays into consumer-focused sectors such as telecom, retail and financial services, seems to be shifting focus back to where it started its energy business – oil refining. The shift in focus is after output from its flagship natural gas field in the Krishna Godavari basin continues to wane and government approvals for developing newer and smaller fields are slow to come. RIL, which operates the world's biggest refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, earned $9.6 on turning every barrel of crude oil into fuel in the quarter, compared to $6.8 per barrel gross refining margin in the same period a year ago. Sales were up over 10% to Rs. 96,307 crore. Debt soared to Rs. 72,266 crore at the end of Q3, up from Rs. 68,259 crore at the beginning of the fiscal. At quarter end, it had a cash pile of Rs. 80,962 crore, making the company debt free on a net basis. "RIL's performance has improved in this quarter with margin expansion in petrochemicals and record earnings in the refining business," company chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani said. Before the announcement of the earnings, RIL shares rose to a 15-month high to close at Rs. 898.95 on BSE on Friday. This is the highest close for RIL shares since October 28, 2011. RIL shares have increased 7.2% this year, adding to last year's 21% surge, the most since 2009.  Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → January 19, 2013

Prez presents 'Krishi Karman awards' to states with record foodgrain production

New Delhi, Jan 15 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee, who presented 'Krishi Karman Awards' to eight states for their achievements in foodgrain production in 2011-12 at a function here on Tuesday, highlighted the challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Congratulating the award winning States and farmers, President Mukherjee expressed hope that the strategies adopted in the recent past and new technologies would further strengthen this sector. Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland received the awards for special contribution to total foodgrains production. Bihar received the award for contribution to production and productivity of rice, Haryana for wheat, Jharkhand for pulses and Uttar Pradesh for coarse cereals. Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh received commendation awards. The awards were received by Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Manipur and Agriculture Ministers/ Agriculture Secretaries of other States. For the first time, one female and one male farmer from the eight award winning states were also given awards for their outstanding performance. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar speaking on the occasion said 'there are two significant developments in production of foodgrains in the country in 2011-12' " One, there is broadening of the food production basket, with as many as 18 States qualifying for awards with record production in the year," said Pawar. "Second, there is a definite shift in production base with inclusion of hitherto low productivity States like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Nagaland in the award winners list ahead of many better known names in foodgrains production. Krishi Karman Awards are serving their purpose in letter and in spirit by highlighting the good work in relatively unsung places," he added. (ANI), Source: News-Track-India

Read More........ → January 16, 2013

India beat Pak in Ahmedabad T20 by 11 runs, level series 1-1

Ahmedabad: Riding on a career-best 72 by Yuvraj Singh, India posted a formidable 192 for five in 20 overs in the second and the final Twenty20 international against Pakistan at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, on Friday. Yuvraj blasted seven sixes and four fours during his 36-ball innings while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33), Ajinkya Rahane (28) and Virat Kohli (27) came up with valuable knocks. Pakistan pacer Umar Gul picked up four for 37. Earlier, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the second and final Twenty20 cricket international match. India have left out Ravindra Jadeja and included Ravichandran Ashwin in his place. Pakistan, who are leading the series 1-0, have fielded an unchanged side. After a low-scoring thriller on Tuesday India and Pakistan are taking on each other in the second T20 with Mahendra Singh Dhoni hoping to draw level in the two-match series. Source: News-Bullet

Read More........ → December 28, 2012

Hitler is back?

Recently the name of Adolf Hitler, the former leader of National Socialism, who drew the German people and the whole humankind into the bloodiest war of the XX century, which burned the lives of 60 million people, has more and more often appeared in mass media. 
By: N. Pavlova, Hitler's name has been surfacing here and there in different context. In Austria the tomb stone on Hitler's parent's grave was destroyed, since it had turned into a place of worship of neo-Nazi and extremists. Turkey banned the video with Germany's Reichkanzler advertising men's shampoo. In India the owner of a men's clothing store called his store with the Fuhrer's name in order to draw customers, causing the Jewish community of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat to appeal to have him change the store sign. Last summer, the Italian prosecutors received a signal that some wine trader sold wine in bottles with the labels depicting the portraits of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The prosecutors started investigation based on the complaint filed by an American couple, whose relatives died in Oswenzim. In Great Britain the bed linen that had belonged to the creator of the Third Reich was sold at an auction for 2000 pounds. Even in Germany itself the interest in the dictator does not disappear. Two years ago in Berlin in the German History Museum an exhibition took place entitled «Hitler and the Germans. United people and crimes». Every new generation is bothered by the questions: how could it happen that Hitler got to power, what kind of person he was, what were the reasons for his cruelty, what effect his personality had on the people around him? German filmmaker Nico Hofmann is once again ready to investigate those reasons in his new saga about Hitler. The TV series will show the Fuhrer's life beginning with 1914 and ending with his inglorious death after the fall of Berlin in 1945. The German publication Spiegel online, which by the way has a monthly „wake fort he devil“, reports about this risky project. There is always an newsworthy event: political debates around the Fuhrer’s family estate in Austria (whether to demolish it, let people live there or turn it into a monument) or an art exhibition in one of the galleries in Great Britain, where one can play golf with Hitler. Where does this never-ending interest towards Hitler's personality and his surroundings come from? Did Adolf Schicklgruber really have a certain dark charisma, which to this day attracts both scientists and ordinary people? This is the subject of our conversation with Professor Doctor Hans-Henning Schröder, a German historian and political scientist from the German Institute of International Politics and Security. «On the one hand, the film about Rommel is still a film about resistance. You know, Hitler forced him to commit suicide. We are talking about a soldier, who went all the way from a supporter to an opponent of Hitler. Rommel is the central character of the film; he is still very popular in Germany, perhaps because his son was the mayor of Stuttgart. The era of the Third Reich is still being investigated, hence, the figure of Rommel, who took a very complicated path. On the other hand, there is still potential for the far-right radicals in Germany. According to the latest research, about 9% of the Germans support the far-right radical ideas, while in the Eastern regions this figure in even higher – 16%. Such people support the ideas of national patriotism and have anti-democratic views. Such a situation is typical not only of Germany, but also of other countries. Naturally, in Germany the government's efforts are aimed against this phenomenon». The British daily newspaper Daily Mail in its questions and answers section announced that over 39 187 books were written about Hitler, while 85 640 books were written about Napoleon. But Napoleon died 191 years ago, while Hitler 67 years ago. If the interest for Hitler does not decrease, he can easily breach the gap. And given all this, I would like to ask about Hitler's book „Mein Kampf“. Mass media report that it can be published again. Is that so? «German law, including Bavaria, which owns the rights to this publication and uses its rights to prohibit its further publishing anywhere in the world, forbids publishing this book. However, the international law limits copyright to a term of 80 years. At the end of 2015 this term will be over, after which anybody will be able to publish the book. And now the German government is looking for a way to prevent this process in the future». Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........ → December 23, 2012

Hat-trick for Modi, Congress ousts BJP in HP

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was today well on the road to performing a hat-trick raising the prospects of becoming BJP’s prime ministerial candidate while Congress ousted the saffron party from power in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP was leading in 95 seats after winning 23 of the 182 seats in Gujarat while Congress was ahead in 50 after winning eight. Former chief minister Keshubhai Patel’s GPP on which the Congress hoped to defeat Modi fared very badly. The NCP and the JDU were leading in one seat each. The BJP looked set to marginally improve on its tally of 117 in the 2007 elections but may fall short of
a  two-third majority figure of 122. The Congress had won 59 in the last elections. However, the BJP was set for a defeat in Himachal Pradesh, a state which has stuck to its habit of voting out an incumbent government. The Congress, which put up a spirited campaign under former chief minister  Virbhadra Singh, is all set to return to power in the hill state. The party has already won 29 seats and was leading in seven seats in the 68-member Assembly. BJP has won 16 seats and was leading in 10. ‘Others’ led in two having won four. Congress had won 23 seats and BJP 41 in the 2007 polls. The BJP’s hat-trick in retaining power in Gujarat added grist to political mill  speculating on Modi becoming the party’s PM  candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections. BJP MP Smriti Irani openly declared that Modi is her Prime Ministerial candidate. However, the party was cautious to comment on the issue. Suspended MP Ram Jethmalani said that the victore has “definitely” strengthened Modi’s contention for being the PM candidate. Source: The Asian Age

Read More........ → December 20, 2012

Exit poll predicts Modi wave in Gujarat

After concluding the second phase of voting in Gujarat state, various channels, newspapers and news agencies began exit poll - the forecast of the result on the basis of polling - predicting that Modi could get the Chief Ministerial post once again as his party Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is going to get clear majority. The two-phase assembly elections ended on Monday in Gujarat with a record 70 percent polling and viewing this huge polling, election analysts were analyzing that Modi could get the third term in a row. However, the official results are scheduled to be declared on 20th December and after its declaration, the final picture would be clear. The Ananda Bazar Patrika-Nielsen survey gave 116 of the total 182 seats to the BJP. The Congress was placed a distant second with 60 seats. C voters (Centre for Voting Opinion and Trends in Election Research) agency said Modi could bag upto 124 seats. It put 54 seats in the Congress kitty. The News 24 Today Chanakya poll predicted a much higher 140 seats for the BJP and 40 to the Congress. A supremely confident Modi, who has ruled Gujarat since 2001, gave a broad smile and flashed a V-sign with both hands after casting his ballot in his constituency Maninagar. "The people of Gujarat will vote the BJP to power for a third consecutive term," he told the media triumphantly. The Election Commission put Monday's voting percentage in 95 constituencies at 70.2 percent - higher than the 64.39 percent recorded in 1995. Gujarat has 37.8 million voters. The first round of polling in 87 constituencies Dec 13 also drew 70.75 percentage of the voters. Political pundits, however, seemed to agree broadly with exit poll predictions that Modi was set to get another five years - a result which could cast a shadow on national politics ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha battle. Monday's polling - like the first round - was mostly peaceful except a firing incident involving BJP MLA Jetha Bharwad from Sahera in Panchmahal district, by and large the polling has ended peacefully. According to media reports four people were injured in the firing and accused Bharwad has been detained for further investigation. Millions of men and women thronged 23,318 polling centres in Kutch, north Gujarat and central Gujarat regions. Narmada district recorded the highest voting - 82.17 percent. The BJP contested all 182 seats. Both exit polls and pundits appeared to agree that former BJP chief minister Keshubhai Patel's Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) had not hurt the BJP as feared. The Election Commission said 5,573 of the voters Monday were over 100 years old. "It is a record turnout, highest so far in both the states Himachal and Gujarat. Narmada district in Gujarat has witnessed the highest, with 82.7 percent polling," said Sampath. "Photo identification slips provided by the Commission (EC), full proof security measures, and arrangements for postal ballet have contributed significantly for such a heavy turnout," he added. CEC thanked the voters, polling teams, security personnel, local administration, political parties, media and concerned state governments for their support and participation and informed that the counting process will take place at 39 stations in Himachal Pradesh and at 28 stations in Gujarat on December 20. Source: News Track India

Read More........ → December 18, 2012

Where do film stars put their money?

Shah Rukh Khan is bringing the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan.

Hobbies and personal experiences from martial arts to motherhood are deciding actors’ investment choices. Shah Rukh Khan is famously enamoured with children. So, when he decided to bring the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India, it did not come as a surprise. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan. The park will enable children to gain real-life experiences through role plays such as being a chef, pilot, surgeon, lawyer and fire-fighter. “India is a young country and we need to focus on building a strong future. KidZania will try to build awareness among children through an experience that is hands-on, engaging, educational, and most importantly, fun,” says Khan. For a long time, Bollywood actors have invested in film production houses, restaurant chains, clothing lines and cricket teams. Several stars now seem to be looking beyond the obvious. Like Khan, there are several others who are willing to put their money into projects which are not confined to entertainment and luxury alone. Khan’s co-star of many films, Juhi Chawla, has invested in an education website called Ubqool.com, which will help children plan their studies. Ajay Devgn has invested in a solar park in Gujarat, while Karisma Kapoor has opted for an online baby care portal Babyoye.com. Shilpa Shetty has invested in a group buying site called GroupHomeBuyers.com, which offers deals on real estate and home loans, and plans to include furniture deals as well. Akshay Kumar, a martial arts buff, is using a part of his pay cheque to organise an annual competition to promote karate. There are many reasons for celebrities stepping out of their comfort zones as far as money is concerned. While the thrill of doing something new is one, Chawla feels that age also plays a major role in the decision. Motherhood changed her perspective towards many things. “Launching this educational website was one such instance. I thought it would benefit all children, including mine,” she adds. A friend of Devgn says that the actor’s investment emerges from his long commitment to the environment. Devgn’s Juhu home and Karjat farmhouse, both run on solar power. Kapoor, a mother of two, came across Babyoye.com as a customer. The site’s Co-founder and Director, Arunima Singhdeo, says that Kapoor had offered many tips and was offered the chance to become a partner. “I want to share this service with other parents. I have put in my time and money but, most importantly, I’m putting my heart into it,” says Kapoor.  Source: Screen-India

Read More........ → December 17, 2012

India squad: 'Unfit' Yuvraj Singh replaces Suresh Raina, Harbhajan returns

Yuvraj Singh today staged a remarkable comeback to the Test fold, while struggling off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also returned from wilderness as India named a 15-member squad for the first two Tests against England starting November 15. The 30-year-old, who fought back after being diagnosed with a rare germ cell cancer last year, forced his way back into the squad after commendable performances in the domestic circuit. Harbhajan also got the nod from the new selection panel headed by former Test cricketer Sandeep Patil more than a year after his last appearance in a five-day game. There were no major surprises by the selectors, who dropped Suresh Raina to accommodate Yuvraj while Harbhajan made his way at the expense of injured leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. Sachin Tendulkar, the seniormost member of the squad, will provide solidity in an otherwise inexperienced middle-order line-up which will also have the in form Virat Kohli. Cheteshwar Pujara and Yuvraj will be the others in the middle order. Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay was also named in the squad as a reserve opener though the selectors retained the experienced duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir despite both of them going through a form slump for a long time. Vijay replaced S Badrinath, who featured in the last Test against New Zealand in August. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, whose fitness was under the scanner after he limped off the field during a Ranji Trophy match yesterday, has also been retained apparently after getting the physio's nod. Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma are the two other pacers in the squad. The team has seven specialist batsmen, three pacers, three spinners and one wicketkeeper batsman in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The series starts in Ahmedabad from November 15, followed by the second Test in Mumbai (from November 23 to 27). The third Test is scheduled in Kolkata (December 5 to 9) and the final match will be played in Nagpur from December 13 to 17. It is an emotional comeback for Yuvraj, who made his international return during the World Twenty20 Championships in Sri Lanka in September. The all-rounder then went on to impress one and all with his fine performance in the Duleep Trophy for North Zone. His 208 against Central Zone was followed by a 59 and a five-for against England for India A at the Brabourne Stadium last week, proving that he was fit for the rigours of five-day cricket. Harbhajan, on the other, went wicketless in his 21 overs for Punjab against Hyderabad in Mohali but did reasonably well during a county stint for Surrey before this. The presence of Vijay in the squad puts pressure on Sehwag and Gambhir to perform since Ajinkya Rahane is already in the side and can perform the role of an opener. In the spin department, the selectors have opted for two off-spinners in R Ashwin and Harbhajan, while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha adds variety in the absence of any leg-spinner. Squad for first and second Tests: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Murali Vijay, Zaheer Khan. Source: Indian Express

Read More........ → November 06, 2012

Garments, textile export companies hit slump season

Owing to high cotton inventory and slump in the overseas markets due to slowdown, major textile and clothing (T&C) companies like Arvind, Alok, Raymond, Century and Gokaldas Exports have witnessed their bottomlines take a hit in varying degree for the first quarter of fiscal 2012-13 on a year-on-year basis. While Arvind suffered due to labour agitation, Gokaldas Exports faced increased competition in overseas markets from neighbouring countries. A look at just the net profits/losses of some of the major T&C firms shows either a dip in the former or a growth in the latter. For instance, companies like Arvind, Alok Industries and Century Textiles have seen their net profit for Q1 of FY 2012-13 declined by 31.46, 49 and 90 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, Raymond and Gokaldas Exports registered an increase in their net losses by 442 and 75 per cent, respectively. According to industry experts, while for T&C firms that primarily manufacture garments or have apparels as one of the major integrated operations has lost substantially in competitiveness in  the overseas markets. “Not  only  has  the  domestic 

market been dull since last couple of months due to poor market sentiments, even the overseas market has become tougher in terms of competition from Vietnam and Bangladesh that sell at much more competitive prices. Add to that fabric prices and power costs have also risen pretty high for garment makers in India," said DK Nair, Secretary General of Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). Raymond’s textile segment saw a net loss of Rs 8.62 crores for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 as against a net profit of Rs 24.13 crores for the corresponding period last year. In the ‘garment’ segment, Raymond posted a dip of 55 per cent in net profits for the same period. In case of integrated textile and branded apparel maker Arvind, almost a month long strike at its denim fabric manufacturing plant at Naroda in Ahmedabad took a toll on its net profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2012-13. The company posted a 48 per cent dip in its net profit at Rs 32 crores, down from Rs 61 crores for the corresponding quarter in previous fiscal 2011-12. Source: Fashion United

Read More........ → August 23, 2012

Singur row: Setback for Mamata as HC declares land act void

Dealing a blow to Mamata Banerjee's government, Calcutta High Court today passed its verdict on the Singur land and held Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011 as unconstitutional and void. A division Bench of the High Court held that the Singur Act void as President's assent was not taken. Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and Mrinal Kanti Chowdhury set aside an earlier single Bench order that had upheld the act on land acquisition. The implementation of the land acquisition order stayed for two months by the court to allow the aggrieved party to appeal before a higher court. Tata Motors had challenged the order of the single Bench of the Calcutta High Court which had upheld the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, by which the West Bengal government vested the land leased to the company at Singur, before the division bench of the Court. Tata Motors had appealed against the order of Justice I P Mukerji, which was passed on September 28 last year. Justice Mukerji had held the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011 to be constitutional. The court had, however, ordered on September 28 an unconditional stay of the judgement till November 2 to allow any aggrieved party to file an appeal, if it so desired. Tata Motors had been leased 997 acre at Singur in Hooghly district, about 40 km from here, by the previous Left Front government for its Nano car project, billed as the cheapest car. The Trinamool Congress, which was then the main Opposition in West Bengal, had demanded return of 400 acre to farmers unwilling to give land for the project. Tata Motors had moved to Sanand in Gujarat in 2008 citing law and order problems, but had kept possession of the leased land at Singur. After coming to power in May 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had the Singur Act passed in the Assembly as one of her government's first major legislation. Trinamool Congress, which was then the main Opposition in West Bengal, had demanded return of 400 acres to farmers unwilling to give land for the project. Tata Motors had moved its Nano small car factory to Sanand in Gujarat in 2008 citing law and order problems, but had kept possession of the leased land at Singur. After coming to power in May 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had the Singur Act passed in the Assembly as one of her government's first major legislations. Counsel for the state government Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, who is also a Trinamool Congress MP, said that the state would appeal against the order in the Supreme Court. Tata Motors welcomes Calcutta HC verdict on Singur land Tata Motors welcomed today's Calcutta High Court order that held as unconstitutional the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, 2011, under which the West Bengal Government had vested land leased to the top auto maker. When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson here said, "We welcome the court verdict." In a setback to Mamata Banerjee Government, the High Court held as unconstitutional and void the Act under which the State had vested land leased to Tata Motors by the previous Left Front Government at Singur in Hooghly district, about 40km from Kolkata. Giving its verdict on an appeal by Tata Motors, a Division Bench comprising Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and Mrinal Kanti Chaudhury observed that the Presidential assent was not sought for the Act. The Bench set aside the order of Justice I P Mukerji who had upheld the Act, passed on September 28 last year. Tata Motors had challenged the order of the single bench. Tata Motors had been leased 997 acres at Singur for its Nano car project. The then Opposition Trinamool Congress had demanded return of 400 acres to farmers unwilling to give land for the project. As opposition to the plant grew, Tata Motors had moved its Nano small car factory to Sanand in Gujarat in 2008, but kept possession of the leased land at Singur. After coming to power in May 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had the Singur Act passed in the Assembly as one of her Government's first major legislative measures.Source: Indian Express

Read More........ → June 22, 2012