Category: News

Gandhinagar, July 10: Gujarat has been conferred a national award in recognition of its outstanding achievements in the horticulture sector, reflecting the state’s sustained efforts to boost agricultural productivity, promote innovation, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.

The award acknowledges Gujarat’s significant progress in expanding horticultural cultivation, improving productivity, adopting modern farming practices, and implementing farmer-centric initiatives. State officials said the recognition underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the horticulture sector through technology-driven interventions, efficient resource management, and value-chain development.

The state government attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of farmers, agricultural scientists, extension workers, and various departments engaged in promoting sustainable horticultural development. It noted that continuous policy support, improved irrigation infrastructure, and the adoption of advanced cultivation techniques have contributed to Gujarat’s impressive performance.

Officials said the recognition would further encourage the state to accelerate initiatives aimed at increasing horticultural production, enhancing market access, promoting exports, and improving income opportunities for farmers.

The award reaffirms Gujarat’s position as one of the country’s leading horticulture-producing states and highlights its commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth.

Surat, July 10: The Gujarat government has provided financial assistance to more than 2,500 families affected by the recent floods in Surat as part of its ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The aid was disbursed to eligible beneficiaries to help them cope with immediate losses and support their recovery. The initiative is part of the state government’s broader commitment to ensuring timely assistance for those impacted by the natural calamity.

According to officials, the financial assistance was released following damage assessments conducted by the district administration. Authorities said the relief process is continuing, and eligible families yet to receive assistance will be covered in subsequent phases.

The state government has directed officials to expedite relief measures, monitor the rehabilitation process, and ensure that all genuine claims are addressed promptly. It also reaffirmed its commitment to restoring normalcy in flood-affected areas through sustained support and rehabilitation initiatives.

The assistance is expected to provide much-needed relief to thousands of affected residents as recovery efforts continue across the flood-hit areas of Surat.

Mumbai, July 10: Investor participation in India’s mutual fund industry remained resilient in June, with Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions climbing to a three-month high, while Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) witnessed a sharp jump in inflows amid heightened interest in safe-haven investments.

The latest industry data reflects continued confidence among retail investors, who maintained steady SIP investments despite market fluctuations. The rise in monthly SIP contributions underscores the growing preference for disciplined, long-term wealth creation through mutual funds.

At the same time, Gold ETFs recorded a remarkable surge in inflows of over 570 per cent compared to the previous month, signalling increased demand for gold as investors sought to diversify their portfolios and hedge against global economic uncertainty.

Analysts said the twin trends point to a balanced investment strategy, with investors continuing to invest in equity markets through SIPs while allocating more funds to gold to manage risk and preserve wealth.

The robust inflows into both SIPs and Gold ETFs highlight the evolving investment landscape in India, where retail investors are increasingly embracing diversified portfolios to navigate changing market conditions.

New Delhi, July 10: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday inaugurated a World Bank-supported workshop aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening collaboration on climate action and sustainable urban development.

The workshop brought together policymakers, government officials, environmental experts, and development partners to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Discussions focused on improving environmental governance, enhancing climate resilience, and encouraging sustainable development practices.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of partnerships and knowledge sharing in tackling environmental issues. She stressed the need for innovative approaches to protect natural resources, improve urban ecosystems, and build a cleaner and more resilient future.

The World Bank-supported initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity and encourage the adoption of global best practices in environmental management. The workshop also serves as a platform for collaboration on policies and projects that promote long-term ecological sustainability.

The initiative reflects the continued emphasis on integrating sustainable development into urban planning while fostering cooperation between governments, experts, and development agencies.

Guwahati, July 10: Assam has outlined an ambitious strategy to transform its tourism sector, with the state government announcing a host of measures in the Budget to improve visitor infrastructure and elevate the state’s profile as a premier travel destination.

Among the key proposals are the expansion of homestays across the state and the development of luxury hotels through public and private investment. The initiatives are aimed at enhancing tourist experiences while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.

The government believes that strengthening tourism infrastructure and promoting Assam’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage, and unique traditions will help attract more domestic and international visitors. Community-led homestays are expected to play a vital role in showcasing authentic local experiences while supporting rural economies.

The latest measures reflect the state’s long-term vision of making tourism a key driver of economic growth, employment, and investment. By improving hospitality facilities and encouraging greater participation from the private sector, Assam hopes to emerge as one of the country’s most sought-after travel destinations.

July 10: India’s mountains of agricultural residue, once seen as a major environmental challenge, could become a valuable resource for producing sustainable jet fuel, according to a new report.

Every year, large quantities of crop waste are generated across the country, much of which is burned after harvest, contributing to air pollution. New technologies are now showing that this biomass can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), offering a cleaner alternative for the aviation industry.

The transformation of crop residue into jet fuel could create new opportunities for farmers, reduce waste burning, and help India move toward its clean energy goals. With advances in biofuel technology and renewable energy, agricultural waste could play an important role in building a more sustainable future for air travel.

Experts believe that turning farm leftovers into fuel could help India address two major challenges at the same time: managing agricultural waste and reducing carbon emissions from aviation.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PMOIndia

July 10: India and Australia have signed an important agreement to improve the protection of traditional knowledge and strengthen the patent examination process.

The agreement allows Australia’s patent authorities to access India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a specialised database that documents India’s centuries-old knowledge systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani and other traditional practices.

The move will help patent examiners identify existing traditional knowledge while reviewing applications, reducing the chances of patents being granted for knowledge that is already part of India’s cultural and scientific heritage.

The agreement marks a new step in India–Australia cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights. It reflects both countries’ shared efforts to promote fair recognition of traditional knowledge and ensure that valuable heritage is protected in the global innovation system.

India’s TKDL has become an important tool in preserving traditional knowledge by making documented information available to patent authorities in a structured and accessible manner. Through this partnership, India and Australia aim to build a stronger and more transparent patent system while respecting the contributions of traditional communities.

New Delhi, July 10: The government has said that while E20 fuel may appear costlier at current crude oil prices, its long-term benefits include reducing India’s dependence on imported oil, saving foreign exchange, and increasing farmers’ income.

E20, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, is part of India’s strategy to promote cleaner fuel alternatives and reduce reliance on crude oil imports. Officials highlighted that greater ethanol blending will help lower the country’s fuel import burden and improve energy security.

The government said the ethanol programme is also creating new opportunities for farmers by providing an additional market for agricultural produce used in ethanol production, thereby supporting rural incomes.

Although the price impact of E20 depends on global crude oil prices and market conditions, authorities emphasized that the broader economic benefits of the programme extend beyond fuel costs.

The initiative is expected to support India’s transition towards cleaner energy, strengthen the agricultural economy, and contribute to the country’s goal of reducing fossil fuel dependence.

China, July 10: India’s Mixed Relay Team delivered a spectacular performance at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026, securing the gold medal with a winning time of 3:18.64 minutes.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/sports_odisha 

The champion team featured Odisha’s promising athlete Astik Pradhan along with Sandra Mol Sabu, Setu Mishra, and Shravani Sachin. The quartet displayed exceptional speed, coordination, and determination to finish at the top in the highly competitive event.

The victory marks another significant milestone for Indian athletics, showcasing the growing strength and potential of the country’s young athletes on the international stage. The team’s performance reflected their months of preparation, discipline, and commitment to excellence.

For Odisha, the achievement carries special pride as Astik Pradhan’s contribution played an important role in India’s gold medal-winning campaign. The success highlights the state’s continued contribution to nurturing talented athletes and strengthening India’s presence in global competitions.

The gold medal at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes and further boost confidence in India’s emerging sporting talent.

Jammu, July 10: The Amarnath Yatra 2026 continues to witness a strong response from devotees, with more than 1.60 lakh pilgrims completing darshan at the holy cave shrine so far.

A fresh group of 8,796 pilgrims began their journey towards Kashmir as part of the ninth batch of the annual pilgrimage. Authorities have strengthened arrangements along the route to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees.

Security personnel, medical teams, and support services have been deployed at key locations to assist pilgrims throughout the yatra. Officials are also closely monitoring the movement of devotees and weather conditions to ensure smooth operations.

The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine remains one of the most significant spiritual journeys in the country, drawing devotees from different parts of India with faith and devotion.