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Shillong: PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on Sunday celebrated Meghalaya's unique Eri silk, which has recently received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag."Eri silk is not just a fabric; it is a heritage of Meghalaya, lovingly preserved and enriched over generations, especially by the Khasi community," said the PM. He noted its distinct production process, which is entirely non-violent, earning it the name 'Ahimsa Silk', as the silkworms are not harmed in its extraction. This method involves allowing the silkworms to naturally emerge from their cocoons before the silk is harvested."Nowadays, the demand for such products is rising rapidly in the world, which do not involve violence and do not have any ill effect on nature. Hence, Eri silk of Meghalaya is a perfect product for the global market," the PM underscored. He further said, "This silk keeps you warm in winters and cool in summers, making it ideal for diverse climates and expanding its appeal in both national and international markets."Calling upon the nation to embrace Khadi, handlooms and handicrafts, the PM Modi reiterated the spirit of 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'.Recently, the PM had thanked CM Conrad Sangma for having presented him with a piece of 'Ryndia Silk' fabric, a symbol of Meghalaya's cultural heritage and pride. "Your thoughtfulness is touching and is deeply appreciated," the PM wrote to Conrad.Conrad, in turn, expressed his gratitude to the PM. "Hon'ble PM, Sh. @narendramodi ji in his #mannkibaat2025 episode makes special mention of #Meghalaya's recently GI tagged Eri Silk also called Ahimsa Silk owing to its cruelty-free and natural production method. A great encouragement to our heritage textile weavers. Thank you Hon'blePM!"

Srinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) Exports of handmade products from Kashmir have crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in the first quarter of the current financial year, which is the highest for the period in the last four years, an official said on Saturday. "In a major fillip to Kashmir's famed craft sector, hand-made products worth Rs 309.62 crore have been exported to various overseas destinations in the first quarter of the current financial year -- up from Rs 126.90 crore in the same quarter last year," an official of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, said. The exports are the highest fo ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31 (PTI) Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) and NIFT, Srinagar has developed 36 box prototypes for unique packaging of Kashmiri handicrafts with the aim of boosting sales. Director IICT Zubair Ahmad said the packaging is an inseparable part of the famed Kashmir handicrafts, which facilitates its foray into international markets in a big way. "Time has come for artistic packaging to create a unique unboxing experience of the famed arts of Kashmir and boost its market value," Ahmad said. He called upon business stakeholders associated with Kashmir Arts to carry out fir ...Read More >

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the transformative role of women across India who are leading change through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), preserving heritage and shaping a new future for the nation. Speaking during the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi underlined how initiatives led by women are giving new strength to the 'Women-Led Development' movement. "Just as our India is known for its regional, linguistic and cultural diversity, the diversity of arts, crafts and skills is also a great quality of our country," the PM said. "Whichever ar ...Read More >
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who received the Republic of Ghana's highest civilian honour during his ongoing five-nation visit, has handed over special gifts to the dignitaries of the country including the President and First Lady. Gift to President of Ghana: Fine Bidri Artwork Vase According to a government spokesperson, the exquisite pair of Bidriware flower vases from Bidar, Karnataka, showcases India's renowned metal craft known for its striking black finish and fine silver inlay. Handcrafted by skilled artisans using a centuries-old technique, the vases are made from a zinc ...Read More >
Union Minister Piyush Goyal pledged to recommend a GST reduction on handicrafts and handlooms in Jammu and Kashmir. He addressed the FTII Traders Conclave 2025 in Srinagar. Goyal also announced a Centre of Excellence for Packaging and Design. Discussions included setting up a Centre of Excellence for storage technology. He assured support for startups and new talent. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday promised to recommend a reduction in the Goods and Services Tax impose ...Read More >
Amritsar: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey from Jharkhand has claimed that Britain assisted India in executing the 1984 Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stoking a new controversy.In a post on X on Monday, Dubey alleged that then PM Indira Gandhi "launched an attack on the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain", with British Army officers present in Amritsar.He uploaded a classified British document, "Sikh Community", claiming that on Feb 23, 1984, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned in a letter that the Indian govt had sought British advice over a plan to remove Si ...Read More >

JAMMU, July 15: BJP national general secretary, Tarun Chugh called on spiritual leader, Dalai Lama at Leh. In his message to the nation Dalai Lama said "Since coming into exile from Tibet in 1959, we have received immense support and assistance from the Government of India,. Thanks to India's generosity that we have been able to preserve our unique identity, language and cultural heritage -- deeply rooted in the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karuna (compassion)." Tarun Chugh said that under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's leadership, India has stood firm on its ancient promise of be ...Read More >

Itanagar, Sep 15: The Centre and Arunachal Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for implementation of a special development package for Siang Region, on Monday. The initiative is being undertaken as a pre-investment activity of the proposed Upper Siang Multipurpose Project (SUMP), an official communique said. Under the package, multiple intervention areas have been identified, including livelihood activities, creation of new infrastructure facilities, and upgradation of existing assets in Siang and Upper Siang districts. Focus sectors also include animal husbandry, ...Read More >

New Delhi, June 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of the year-long commemoration marking the 100th birth anniversary of Acharya Shri Vidyanand Ji Maharaj. The event, organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust, will be held on Saturday at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, beginning at 9 A.M. The Prime Minister is scheduled to formally inaugurate the centenary celebrations at around 11 A.M. and he will also address the gathering on the occasion. PM Narendra Modi To Begin 5-Nation Tour on July 2 To S ...Read More >

Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI) Following the backlash after featuring footwear strongly resembling Kolhapuri chappals, Italian fashion house Prada has acknowledged that it was inspired by the Indian handcrafted footwear. "We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. "We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship," said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, in a letter to Lalit Gandhi, president of Maharashtra Chamb ...Read More >
Shimla: Heavy rains lashed Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, triggering landslides and flash floods and blocking more than 100 roads, even as the weather department issued a red alert.A landslide at Chakki Mod near Parwanoo blocked the Chandigarh-Shimla highway for hours, resulting in a massive traffic jam Sunday morning. The local administration had to divert traffic through the Jangeshu link road until the landslide debris was cleared at Chakki Mod.The traffic was first restored one-way and later two-way, but the traffic jam continued on both sides of the highway throughout the day due to slow veh ...Read More >

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 16 (ANI): Following the tragic road accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday that claimed eight lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. This would be in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Also Read | Weather Forecast Today, July 16: Check ...Read More >

Gadwal: The Assistant Director of the Handloom and Textile Department, Mr. Govindayya, has announced through a press release that applications are being invited from eligible handloom weavers in the district for enrollment in the Netannala Bharosa Scheme (Weavers' Assurance Scheme). Eligibility Criteria: Only handloom weavers who are actively engaged in their craft on a daily basis and have a Geo-tag Number are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled under the Thrift Fund Scheme (Pothupu Padhakam). The applicant must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants should be capable of producing han ...Read More >
Pune: The Indian Gig Workers' Front on Saturday evening suspended the ongoing strike of cabs and autorickshaws operating on applications till Tuesday, after leaving many commuters, including those arriving at the airport on Saturday morning, hassled. Keshav Kshirsagar, the president of the front, said, "We have a meeting on Tuesday with senior officials of the state transport department. If its decisions don't meet our expectations, the strike will resume." Several commuters had a harrowing experience on roads on Friday and in the early hours of Saturday. Cabs and autos were hard to come by. T ...Read More >

After the banned CPI (Maoist)'s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju was killed in an encounter with security forces on May 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. In the Congress-ruled Telangana, however, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, says that the government should not use iron fist to wipe out Maoists but deal with them through "legal and constitutional means". He has urged the Centre to hold "peace talks" with the Maoists and declare a "ceasefire" w ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >

VIJAYAWADA: The State government on Friday accorded approvals to a slew of industries. Among those are Krishnapatnam Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), which is set to establish a 350 MW Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Thamminapatnam and Mommidi villages of SPSR Nellore district with a Rs 1,225 crore investment, creating 575 jobs. Furthermore, the government also waived off a Rs 54 crore extension of time fee, contingent on project completion within two years as per the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy-2024. The government also allocated 22.80 acres at MPSEZ in N ...Read More >

Mumbai : Filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently took a trip down memory lane as he remembered the late actor Irrfan Khan. Ghai shared an old photo from an award ceremony with the actor, along with an emotional note that quickly caught the attention of fans online. In the photo, Ghai and Irrfan can be seen smiling. Ghai, who worked with Irrfan in the film 'Right Yaa Wrong,' took to his Instagram account to share a post praising him not just as an actor but as someone who deeply understood the art of storytelling. He wrote, "I have always been more in admiration of good and great actors than just co ...Read More >
Dimapur: CM Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the new state emporium complex in Kohima on Friday to promote and preserve the rich handloom and handicraft tradition of Nagaland.The seven-storey facility will serve as a hub for Naga handloom, handicrafts and cultural promotion of the state. Addressing the gathering, Rio emphasised the cultural and economic importance of the new facility, calling it a 'beacon of identity and opportunity'. "Our state's diversity, embodied in over 17 major tribes, gives rise to a rich tapestry of customs, attire, and traditional artistry. Every motif and weave tells a story. ...Read More >

Neiphiu Rio (left) during the opening of the new State Emporium Complex in Kohima on Friday Sourced by the Telegraph Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated a seven-storey facility in Kohima to serve as a hub for Naga handloom, handicrafts and cultural promotion. The Nagaland State Emporium Complex includes a dedicated state emporium on the first floor, three floors of shopping areas, a restaurant and library, a fully furnished conference hall and guest accommodations for visiting artisans and officials. At the inauguration, Rio expressed his appreciation for all those inv ...Read More >

Kohima, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described his state as "a land of breathtaking beauty and profound cultural richness" while addressing the closing ceremony of 'Bharat Utsav 2025' at Manezhnaya Square in Moscow. The Chief Minister stated that the festival's grand success has brought India and Russia closer, showcasing the "magic of Indian culture, music, dance, yoga, and cuisine". The event featured special highlights from Nagaland and Gujarat, with vibrant cultural performances and exhibitions. Highlighting the enduring and strategic partnership between ...Read More >

After the banned CPI (Maoist)'s general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju was killed in an encounter between Maoists and security forces on May 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. In the Congress-ruled Telangana, however, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, says that the government should not use iron fist to wipe out Maoists but deal with them through "legal and constitutional means". He has urged the Centre to hold "peace talks" with the Maoists and declare ...Read More >

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] July 4 (ANI): Union Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the 128th birth anniversary celebration of Alluri Sitarama Raju. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Conferred With 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago' During Ceremonial Event at President's House in Port of Spain (See Pics and Videos). The Defence Minister arrived in Hyderabad for the celebrations this afternoon, accompanied by Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and G. Kishan Reddy. Singh addressed a gathering and paid tribute to the great freedom fighter. "I bow in deep reverence to the gr ...Read More >

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] July 4 (ANI): Union Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the 128th birth anniversary celebration of Alluri Sitarama Raju. The Defence Minister arrived in Hyderabad for the celebrations this afternoon, accompanied by Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and G. Kishan Reddy. Singh addressed a gathering and paid tribute to the great freedom fighter. 'I bow in deep reverence to the great warrior who dedicated every moment of his life to the nation. I truly believe that every human carries a flame of self-respect within, and Alluri Sitarama Raju was a living sy ...Read More >
Chennai: Preliminary investigations attribute the fire on the goods train near Tiruvallur to a possible spark from overhead electrical equipment (OHE) igniting fuel leaking from a derailed wagon.The incident paralysed services on the busy Chennai-Arakkonam route and left nearby residents engulfed in thick black smoke. The disruption left thousands of rail passengers stranded, many of whom were unable to get updates as railway helplines went unanswered for hours. The train carrying diesel from Chennai Harbour to Walajah Road Siding was exiting Tiruvallur station around 5.30am on Sunday, when a ...Read More >
Mumbai : Tesla's long awaited India debut finally took place with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurating its showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday. The Elon Musk-led car maker unveiled its Model Y compact all-electric SUV at its 'Experience Centre' in Bandra-Kurla Complex with the CM describing it as the "right city and the right state" for the launch."Mumbai stands for innovation and sustainability. In 2015, when I went to the US, I had my first ride in a Tesla, and then I thought we need such a vehicle for mobility in India. But it took 10 years for it to come to India. But we are very happy ...Read More >

Hyderabad: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has underlined that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has actively promoted the textile sector through the 'Make in India' programme and is implementing the '5F' strategy: Farm to fibre, fabric, fashion, and foreign markets. In his speech, after inaugurating a week-long festival to celebrate National Handloom Day on Sunday, he observed that the handloom sector had experienced consistent growth over the past 11 years. According to him, this sector currently contributes 2.3% to the country's GDP, with 13% of industrial production and 12% of ...Read More >
Apex exporters body FIEO raises alarm over rising US tariffs. Indian goods face increased duties from August 27, 2025. Textile manufacturers in Tirupur, Noida, and Surat have stopped production. Cost competitiveness is worsening. FIEO urges government support. They seek interest subvention schemes and export credit. Focus is on MSMEs. Diplomatic engagement with the US is crucial. Apex exporters body FIEO on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over high US tariffs on Indian goods and said that tex ...Read More >

Dimapur: In a landmark initiative to promote and preserve the rich handloom and handicraft tradition of Nagaland, chief minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the new state emporium complex in Kohima on Friday. The seven-storey facility will serve as a hub for Naga handloom, handicrafts, and cultural promotion of the state. Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge! Addressing the gathering, Rio emphasised the cultural and economic importance of the new facility, calling it a "beacon of identity and opportunity". He expressed appreciation for all those involv ...Read More >

BENGALURU: BBMP marshals deployed at lake security and supervision wing, ward monitoring and Indira Canteens are working without salaries since March. The situation has arisen after Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited was carved out of BBMP for garbage management. Their salaries are usually given through the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society and each marshal is paid Rs 17,500 monthly. "Supervisors say the delay is due to a set of procedures. Earlier, the amount was given to the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society towards payments from BBMP. Now the files have to be cleared from BWSML to ward mars ...Read More >