Shillong, May 22 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has said that skill development programmes must go beyond training and provide practical support systems to ensure employment and self-reliance among youth, as he attended the Skillerate 2026 programme in Tura.

The programme, organised by the Department of Labour, Employment and Skill Development in collaboration with the CM Skills Mission and the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), saw the distribution of work orders worth more than Rs 16.59 crore and start-up tools to nearly 800 beneficiaries.

Addressing the gathering at Holly Hocks near BAKDIL Training Centre on Thursday, Chief Minister Sangma added that feedback received through the government's CM Connect initiative repeatedly highlighted the need for stronger livelihood opportunities, self-employment support and skill-based training for the youth.

He said the state government had already invested more than Rs 32 crore in various skill development initiatives benefiting thousands of young people, but realised that training alone was insufficient without access to equipment, tools and market linkages.

"Many trained individuals informed us that despite completing courses successfully, they lacked the basic tools required to begin working independently. This programme aims to bridge that gap," the Chief Minister added.

He said that the state government's focus was not merely on distributing toolkits, but on creating dignity, confidence and livelihood opportunities for young people.

Highlighting Meghalaya's economic progress, Chief Minister Sangma added that the state was emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, but stressed that economic growth must remain inclusive and directly benefit ordinary citizens, farmers, workers and entrepreneurs.

The Chief Minister also announced that a new college focusing on agriculture, horticulture and food processing would be established in Williamnagar, while a veterinary college would come up at Kyrdemkulai in Ri-Bhoi district.

"These institutions will not only provide educational opportunities for students but will also support farmers and livestock rearers through research, innovation and technological advancement," he said.

Labour, Employment and Skill Development Minister Methodius Dkhar said that skill development acts as a bridge between a person's potential and purpose in life.

"When I look at the youth gathered here, I see future entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers of Meghalaya," he added.

He also highlighted various government initiatives including PROPEL, MEGASKILL, SHIELD and EQUIP, aimed at improving livelihoods, expanding global opportunities and ensuring inclusive access to skill development programmes.

During the programme, 34 work orders were distributed under Skills Meghalaya and Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya (SHCDM) for training 4,830 trainees, with a total project value of Rs 16,59,56,334.

Officials said 28 work orders under Skills Meghalaya covering 3,930 trainees amounted to Rs 12.04 crore, while six work orders under SHCDM covering 900 trainees amounted to Rs 4.55 crore.

Start-up tools worth Rs 44.72 lakh were also distributed to 798 beneficiaries across trades such as plumbing, automotive servicing, masonry, gardening, farming systems, mushroom cultivation and mobile phone repair to support entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives.

Beneficiaries and training partners also shared testimonies during the programme, highlighting the positive impact of skill development and employment-linked training initiatives.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 (IANS) After T. Siddique took oath as Kerala's Agriculture Minister, one of the first calls he received was not from political leaders or bureaucrats, but from a group of students from the tragedy scarred Mundakkai–Chooralmala region of Wayanad.

The video call which took place on Thursday quickly turned emotional.

"When nobody else was there, you stood with us like strength and shelter," the students told him, their voices carrying memories of loss, uncertainty and survival after the devastating landslides that shattered families and futures in the hill district.

For Siddique, the moment was deeply personal.

Many of the children on the screen were students he had helped rebuild through his MLA Care initiative after the disaster uprooted hundreds of lives.

Several had lost parents or close relatives.

Many feared their education would end abruptly amid grief and financial ruin.

But what began as an emergency intervention slowly evolved into one of Wayanad's most touching rehabilitation efforts.

Siddique, however, was quick to share the credit.

He said the support extended by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi played a crucial role in mobilising help when the district was struggling to recover.

According to Siddique, the Gandhi siblings helped bring together CSR support from various business groups to ensure that students could continue their education without interruption.

The assistance covered higher studies in demanding fields, including medicine, engineering and even aviation dreams, many families feared had been buried beneath the landslide debris.

The numbers tell a remarkable story.

A total of 351 students across Wayanad benefited from the initiative, including 152 directly affected by the disaster.

In perhaps the strongest sign of recovery, 21 students have already secured jobs within two years.

Yet beyond statistics, the programme became something far more human, a promise that tragedy would not decide the destiny of Wayanad's children.

Siddique assured the students that the support would continue and that employment opportunities would also be facilitated for those completing their studies, ensuring that hope, once restored, would not fade again.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) In a moment of immense national pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with the prestigious 'Agricola Medal', the highest award of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The recognition celebrates his visionary leadership in transforming India's agriculture sector and strengthening global food security.

Padma Shri Bharat Bhushan Tyagi expressed his deep delight over the international honour.

Speaking to IANS on Thursday, Tyagi described the award as a matter of great pride for the entire country.

"This honour is intrinsically linked to the vision of moving forward with renewed resolve," the Padma Shri awardee said.

He specially commended Prime Minister Modi for bringing coarse grains, particularly millets, into the global spotlight.

According to Tyagi, Prime Minister Modi has significantly enhanced India's prestige on the world stage.

Since 2014, substantial progress has been made in increasing farmers' income and boosting the production of high-quality agricultural produce.

Tyagi highlighted that ensuring food security under all circumstances and earning international recognition have been key priorities, leading to a fundamental transformation in the agricultural sector that is now directly benefiting millions of Indians.

Adding to the wave of joy, the renowned farming couple affectionately known as 'Kisan Chacha' and 'Kisan Chachi' also expressed their happiness.

Rajkumari Devi, a resident of Anandpur village in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, received the Padma Shri in 2019, while her husband was conferred the 'Kisan Shri' award in 2007.

Through sheer determination and hard work, the couple has built a successful rural enterprise producing handmade pickles, emerging as inspiring models of rural entrepreneurship.

The couple noted that this FAO honour carries immense significance for India's global standing.

They said that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has made remarkable strides in food security and agriculture.

The world is now acknowledging and appreciating India's progressive agricultural policies and development model.

They believe the Agricola Medal will serve as a major source of inspiration for farmers and the entire agricultural community across the nation.

The honour comes as a powerful validation of India's focused efforts towards sustainable farming, millet promotion, and empowering small farmers.

It reinforces the Indian government's commitment to transforming agriculture into a vibrant and resilient sector.

This global recognition has filled the hearts of farmers and citizens alike with renewed pride and optimism for the future of Indian agriculture.

--IANS

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Kolkata, May 22 (IANS) Decades of pain and disappointment dissolved in tears of joy as East Bengal finally reclaimed their place at the summit of Indian football, winning their maiden title in the Indian Super League on Thursday, 22 years after their last national league triumph.

The Red-and-Gold Brigade were crowned champions of India on a historic Thursday night by defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 in a nerve-shredding ISL 2025-26 finale at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.

When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted into scenes of pure emotion. Players collapsed to the ground, fans embraced in disbelief, and chants of “East Bengal, East Bengal” thundered around the packed arena.

Mohammed Rashid emerged as the unlikely hero with the decisive winner in the 72nd minute after league top scorer Youssef Ezzejjari had brought East Bengal level early in the second half, cancelling out Alfred Planas’ 14th-minute strike for Inter Kashi with a 50th-minute goal of his own.

The victory ensured East Bengal finished at the top of the ISL table with 26 points from 13 matches. Mohun Bagan Super Giant also won their final match against Sporting Club Delhi by the same 2-1 scoreline and finished level on points, but East Bengal’s superior goal difference of five finally ended the club’s agonising wait for a national league title. Yet the night began with tension and anxiety gripping the home supporters. The enormity of the occasion seemed to weigh heavily on East Bengal as Inter Kashi stunned the crowd with an early goal.

Oscar Bruzon’s men started brightly enough, with Ezzejjari and Miguel Figueira testing Inter Kashi from distance in the opening exchanges. Despite the early pressure, Inter Kashi remained composed and organised before striking against the run of play in the 14th minute.

David Munoz floated a long ball towards the East Bengal penalty area, and Alfred Planas timed his run perfectly to latch onto it. Without hesitation, the Spaniard struck a magnificent first-time volley that flew beyond Prabhsukhan Gill and into the net, silencing the stadium.

For a few moments, fear crept into the stands. The dream that had felt so close suddenly looked fragile again.

East Bengal, though, almost found an immediate response eight minutes later. Bipin Singh delivered a teasing cross across the face of the goal, and Ezzejjari only needed the slightest touch from close range. Somehow, the forward managed to send the ball soaring over the crossbar, leaving supporters clutching their heads in disbelief.

Inter Kashi, sensing vulnerability, continued to threaten. Planas tormented the East Bengal defence and nearly doubled the lead in the 24th minute after gliding past Anwar Ali before unleashing a powerful effort that Gill tipped behind.

Inter Kashi could have gone further ahead in the 35th minute when Gill spilt a long-range effort from Planas. Fortunately for East Bengal, the rebound was dragged into the side netting. Minutes later, Tomba Singh forced another save from Gill as nervousness spread around the stadium. East Bengal desperately pushed forward before halftime, but their attacks lacked the final cutting edge.

Then came the turning point.

East Bengal emerged after the break with renewed purpose and intensity. In the 50th minute, Anwar Ali produced a stunning defence-splitting pass from deep inside his own half to release Ezzejjari. The Moroccan outpaced his marker Munoz, reached the ball ahead of the goalkeeper Shubham Dhas, and showed immense composure to nutmeg the advancing keeper before calmly rolling the ball into the empty net.

The stadium exploded. Relief turned into belief. Suddenly, East Bengal looked alive again.

The equaliser transformed the atmosphere entirely. Every tackle was cheered, every forward run roared on by thousands sensing history was within reach.

East Bengal continued to press and nearly took the lead in the 61st minute when substitute Nandhakumar unleashed a fierce strike that forced Dhas into a sharp save at his near post. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 72nd minute. And fittingly, it came through sheer determination. Bipin Singh whipped in a dangerous cross from the right flank, and Rashid stretched out a boot to guide the ball into the far corner.

Pandemonium followed. The bench emptied. Supporters jumped over barricades in celebration. The noise inside the stadium became deafening. Still, there was work to do. Every minute felt endless as East Bengal defended their lead with grit and composure while updates filtered through from Mohun Bagan’s match.

But when the final whistle finally arrived, years of frustration disappeared instantly.

--IANS

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Patna, May 21 (IANS) With Bihar continuing to reel under intense heatwave conditions and soaring temperatures, the district administrations of Patna and Arwal have announced restrictions on school operations to safeguard the health and safety of children.

Thiyagarajan S.M., the District Magistrate of Patna, has ordered the suspension of academic activities for students up to Class 5 in all government and private schools, including pre-schools and Anganwadi centres, till May 26, 2026.

The order further stated that classes for students from Classes 6 to 8 would be permitted only till 10.30 a.m.

The District Magistrate issued the directive under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in the district and the possible adverse impact on the health and safety of children.

The district administration has directed the District Education Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials, Sub-Divisional Officers and police authorities to ensure strict compliance with the order.

In Arwal district, District Magistrate Amrisha Bains has also ordered the suspension of classes up to Grade 5 in all government and private schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centres and coaching institutes.

Additionally, academic activities for students from Classes 6 to 12 have been prohibited after 11 a.m.

The restrictions in Arwal district will remain in force from May 22 to May 25, 2026.

According to the district administration, inputs received from the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre in Patna indicate that extreme temperatures and heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the coming days across several parts of the state.

Authorities stated that the precautionary measures had become necessary to protect children from health risks associated with excessive heat, including heatstroke, dehydration and related illnesses.

Government residential schools, however, have been exempted from the restrictions imposed in Arwal district.

District administrations in both Patna and Arwal have appealed to parents and guardians to take necessary precautions and avoid exposing children to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours.

School administrations across both districts have also been instructed to reschedule academic activities in accordance with the official directives issued by the authorities.

The prevailing weather conditions have severely affected normal life in several districts of Bihar, with daytime temperatures remaining above 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state.

Officials said the situation continues to be monitored closely and further decisions would be taken depending on weather conditions in the coming days.

--IANS

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Srinagar, May 21 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated 368 residential units at Sempora in Pulwama district, constructed at a cost of over Rs 90 crore for the benefit of employees associated with the annual Darbar Move.

Officials said the newly constructed residential units for government employees were inaugurated at Sempora in Pampore area of Pulwama district.

Constructed by the Estates Department at an estimated cost of Rs 90.65 crore across 23 blocks, the project comprises modern 2BHK and 3BHK residential accommodations equipped with eco-friendly facilities.

The housing complex includes solar water-heating systems and effluent treatment facilities aimed at ensuring sustainable and efficient residential infrastructure.

The initiative has been designed to address accommodation constraints faced by government employees in the Kashmir Valley and improve overall employee welfare.

Employees linked to the Darbar Move are expected to benefit significantly from the new residential facilities, as many of them had been facing accommodation-related difficulties in recent years.

The housing complex is also expected to reduce dependence on private accommodation while improving living standards and residential security for employees and their families.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said his government remained committed to providing adequate family accommodation to employees across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said strengthening employee welfare remained one of the priorities of his government and added that residential infrastructure for employees would be expanded in phases across the Union Territory.

Officials said the completion of the housing complex would substantially improve accommodation availability for government employees and ease housing constraints in the region.

The project also assumes significance in the context of the restoration of the annual Darbar Move, which has increased the requirement for residential facilities for government employees in Srinagar.

The over 150-year-old practice of shifting top government offices between Srinagar and Jammu was discontinued by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration in 2021.

Following public demand and in line with its electoral commitment, the Omar Abdullah-led government revived the Darbar Move practice. Accordingly, on May 4, 2026, top government offices shifted to Srinagar to function from the summer capital for the next six months.

Additional Chief Secretary, Estates, Shaleen Kabra, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom and other senior officials were present during the inauguration programme.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared a deeply moving experience from his recent visit to Bastar, Chhattisgarh, where he interacted with nearly 400 tribal people, describing it as a source of profound personal satisfaction that surpasses the applause of massive public rallies.

In a heartfelt post on his X handle, accompanied by a touching video of the interaction, Amit Shah revealed the emotional connection he felt while walking and interacting with the tribal communities.

“For an individual who works with sensitivity in the realm of politics, the sight of a glimmer of hope on the faces of our tribal brothers and sisters brings a sense of self-satisfaction that far exceeds the gratification derived from delivering a speech before hundreds of thousands,” he said.

The Home Minister was in the region to inaugurate the ‘Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Dera’ in Netnar village, named in honour of the martyr Gundadhur.

He described how the faces of tribal men, women, and children reflected a new ray of hope, especially now that Bastar has been freed from the clutches of Naxal violence.

Amit Shah emphasised that for a sensitive political worker, the fulfilment of engaging directly with tribal people face-to-face holds far greater value than addressing large crowds at political gatherings.

One moment in particular stood out in both his post and the shared video.

Amit Shah recounted an emotional conversation with a young girl from Bastar who told him, “Hum Bach Gaye” (“We survived”), referring to the end of Naxal terror in the area.

“When a little girl from Bastar tells me, after it has become free of Naxals, ‘We survived’, that joy surpasses millions of joys,” he said, visibly moved by her words.

The video shows the Home Minister mingling warmly with tribal families, listening to their stories, and sharing smiles that reflected the transformation in the region.

After years of fear and conflict, the tribals of Bastar are now experiencing peace, development, and renewed hope — something Amit Shah said fills his heart with unmatched contentment.

This rare glimpse into the Home Minister’s thoughts highlights his personal commitment towards the welfare of tribal communities.

By choosing to spend meaningful time with them rather than focusing solely on large public events, Amit Shah has sent a message of empathy and dedication.

The initiative to set up service centres like ‘Gundadhur Seva Dera’ reflects the government’s commitment to bringing governance and development to the remotest tribal areas, ensuring that the fruits of peace reach those who suffered the most during the dark days of Naxalism.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Mumbai, May 21 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Maharashtra unit President and MP Sunil Tatkare on Thursday announced that all misunderstandings within the party have been resolved. He stated that party leaders and workers will soon embark on a joint statewide tour aimed at building a robust organisational structure and driving extensive expansion.

Tatkare was addressing a press conference in Delhi.

Regarding the party's National Executive, Tatkare informed that the revised letter required by the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be submitted in the coming days. He added that detailed and positive discussions on this matter had taken place among all top leaders during an internal party meeting.

Tatkare’s statement comes amid present turmoil in the NCP after veterans like Praful Patel, himself, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil among others were excluded from the newly constituted national executive and the letter submitted to the Election Commission on April 29 did not mention Praful Patel as the national working president and Tatkare as state unit president.After their resentment, the party president and DCM Sunetra Pawar with two sons Parth and Jay reached out Praful Patel and Tatkare assuring them a fresh letter will be submitted to the poll panel to correct the clerical mistake.

When asked about rumours regarding a merger, Tatkare dismissed the speculation, noting that leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction --specifically State President Shashikant Shinde and MP Supriya Sule -- have already clarified their respective stances. "Therefore, nothing remains to be discussed on that issue anymore," he clarified.

Reaffirming the party's core values, Tatkare emphasised that the NCP operates on the progressive ideologies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as well as the vision of the late Yashwantrao Chavan. "We discuss all matters collectively, and decisions within the party are made unanimously. True democracy exists within our party," he stated.

Tatkare reiterated that the NCP remains a key constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and is actively working under BJP's leadership at both the Central and State levels. He asserted that the party will maintain this stance while accelerating development oriented work in the coming days.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Maharashtra NCP(SP) President Shashikant Shinde has written a commemorative editorial in the party’s magazine, shedding light on the hidden dynamics of the split and the alleged merger plans between the two NCP factions.

Shinde claimed that late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was forced to exit the original NCP due to threats and conspiracies orchestrated by "invisible powers."

He further said that a final decision to merge the two parties was reached in the presence of Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar and was to be announced on February 12.

In a massive revelation, Shinde asserted that Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders had agreed to hand over the entire command of the unified party to Ajit Pawar following the merger.

“Fulfilling this merger and rebuilding the party with strength would be the only true tribute to Ajit Dada," Shinde wrote.

Shinde clarified, "It was our decision to hand over all party responsibilities to Ajit Dada once the merger process was complete. However, fate had other plans. We were all mentally prepared to accept Ajit Dada’s leadership.”

Shinde appealed to the party faithful, asserting that a merger is the only true tribute to the late leader. He noted, “Ajit Pawar’s dream remains unfulfilled, and it is now the party's responsibility to complete it. Unity: Reuniting and strengthening the NCP is the ultimate goal. Leaders and workers must set aside their differences and broaden their perspective to achieve this unity.”

Following the publication of the article, senior NCP(SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh remarked, "I am unaware of what our State President has said. Since he wrote the article, he likely has more information than I do. I personally have no knowledge of this matter."

While Sharad Pawar has avoided commenting publicly on the matter, Shinde’s article has brought these behind-the-scenes developments to light. However, Shinde’s revelations have sparked a new controversy and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has reacted with sharp skepticism.

Party spokesperson Suraj Chavan questioned the timing of these claims. Chavan alleged that discussing a merger while the leader’s mortal remains were still at Vidya Pratishthan suggests a "lust for power" rather than genuine respect. He clarified that Sunetra Pawar is now the ultimate authority of their party and any dialogue must happen through her.

Further, the party legislator Amol Mitkari stated that no such merger discussions have occurred within their internal party meetings, attributing the rumours to the rival camp's leaders.

While the Pawar family continues to demonstrate a unique balance of political rivalry and familial bond — recently seen at family weddings — the political future remains clouded.

All eyes are now on Sunetra Pawar. Whether she will pursue the "unfulfilled dream" of a unified NCP or maintain a separate identity, remains a question that will define the next chapter of Maharashtra politics.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) India’s share in global electronics demand has expanded at a rapid compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 per cent, significantly outpacing global growth of 4.4 per cent between 2015 and 2024, driven primarily by the sharp rise in mobile phone exports, according to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly report for July-September 2025-26, launched on Friday.

Between 2016 and 2024, electronics exports increased nearly five-fold, reaching USD 42.1 billion. With global electronics trade valued at USD 4.6 trillion, the sector represents one of the largest and fastest-evolving segments of the world economy. India has demonstrated particular strength in products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and communication equipment, with exports increasingly directed towards major final-consumption markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, the report states.

Electronics, the thematic focus of this quarter's edition, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's manufacturing and export transformation. Now the second-largest item in India's export basket, the sector is both technology-led and deeply interconnected with industries such as automotive, renewable energy, telecom, defence, and digital services, making it a powerful multiplier for industrial growth.

The report states that having established a strong foothold in assembly and system integration, India is now entering the next phase of its electronics journey, moving decisively toward component manufacturing and higher value addition. This transition is supported by targeted policy measures, including the Union Budget's Rs 40,000 crore allocation under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.

The analysis underscores that sustained competitiveness will be driven by deeper integration into global electronics value chains, encompassing printed circuit board design, semiconductor assembly and testing, power electronics, and embedded systems. Complemented by continued improvements in logistics efficiency, tariff rationalisation, and industry-aligned skill development, these shifts position electronics as a key engine of India's export growth and technological advancement in the coming decade.

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery said, "Electronics, as the organising core of modern manufacturing value chains, with semiconductors and components, plays a key role in determining trade balances and technological sovereignty. While India has achieved scale in final assembly, sustained competitiveness will depend on correcting structural cost disabilities, deepening domestic component ecosystems, and leveraging anchor investments in components to embed Indian firms more firmly within global production networks."

The publication also provides a comprehensive assessment of global and domestic trade trends at a time when global trade growth has moderated but remains positive, with services continuing to outperform goods and developing regions emerging as key drivers.

The analysis highlights that India's trade performance in Q2 FY26 was driven by export-led momentum sustaining the overall trade expansion amid heightened global uncertainty. Services and merchandise exports recorded robust growth of around 8.5 per cent, outpacing import growth in both merchandise and services.

At a structural level, the edition underscores the deepening of trade among developing economies, which has expanded nearly four-fold since 2005 and now accounts for a rising share of global exports, with India’s trade trajectory increasingly aligned with this Global South rebalancing through regional value chains and new trade corridors.

Further, this edition highlights the growing role of e-commerce as a key enabler of future export growth. India is now among the world’s top six e-commerce markets, with electronics accounting for nearly half of online retail.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) In a farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers, the Centre on Friday approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat, along with an additional 5 LMT of wheat products.

According to a Consumer Affairs Ministry statement, wheat stock availability with private entities during 2025–26 stands at approximately 75 LMT, which is nearly 32 LMT higher compared to the corresponding period last year.

"This substantial year-on-year increase indicates a comfortable supply position in the country. Furthermore, as on April 1, 2026, total wheat availability in the central pool with FCI is projected at around 182 LMT, thus ensuring that export permissions will not impact domestic food security requirements," it said.

Moreover, wheat acreage in Rabi 2026 has also increased to about 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares last year.

This reflects strong farmer confidence in wheat cultivation supported by assured MSP and procurement mechanisms, and signals the likelihood of another robust harvest, the official statement further added.

The decision to permit export of 25 LMT of wheat and 5 LMT wheat products will help stabilise domestic prices, improve market liquidity, ensure efficient stock rotation, and further strengthen farmers’ income while ensuring national food security.

Meanwhile, to facilitate sugar exports, the government decided to allow export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar to willing sugar mills during the current Sugar Season 2025–26.

Earlier, the government had permitted the export of 15 LMT of sugar during the current Sugar Season 2025–26. This decision is expected to facilitate higher sugar exports and help in managing surplus sugar availability in the country.

As per data, only about 1.97 LMT of sugar has been exported up to January 31, 2026.

In addition, approximately 2.72 LMT of sugar has been contracted for export by sugar mills to date.

The ministry said that the additional export quantity of 5 LMT shall be made available to willing sugar mills, subject to the condition that at least 70 per cent of their allocated quantity is exported by June 30, 2026.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, May 21 (IANS) The Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger is set to share the screen with Dakota Johnson, Josh O’Connor, Saoirse Ronan, Jessie Buckley and Isabella Rossellini in the upcoming film helmed by Italian director Alice Rohrwacher.

The film is a screen adaptation of U.S. author Audrey Niffenegger’s novel ‘Three Incestuous Sisters’, reports ‘Variety’.

The Rolling Stones frontman touched down in a helicopter earlier this week on the volcanic island of Stromboli, off the coast of Sicily, where Rohrwacher’s gothic drama is shooting, according to an inside source who confirmed Italian press reports.

As per ‘Variety’, he is staying in a villa on the island where Isabella Rossellini’s father, Roberto Rossellini, famously began his scandalous affair with her mother Ingrid Bergman on the set of his film by the same title in 1949.

As per ‘Variety’, ‘Three Incestuous Sisters’ marks the first English-language feature by Rohrwacher who is a two-time Cannes prizewinner with ‘The Wonders’ and ‘Happy as Lazzaro’.

The film is based on Niffenegger’s illustrated gothic novel about three sisters living in isolation, whose relationship is disrupted by the arrival of a lighthouse keeper’s son. Other plot details are being kept under wraps.

Mick Jagger’s standout acting roles comprise his debut in Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg’s ‘Performance’, in which he toyed with his public persona playing a burned-out, decadent rock star; a ruthless corporate mercenary in Geoff Murphy’s 1992 sci-fi flop ‘Freejack’, which is now a cult-classic, a drag queen in Sean Mathias’s 2015 ‘Bent’, a jaded business exec running an escort agency in George Hickenlooper’s ‘The Man From Elysian Fields’, and, more recently, a reclusive art collector in Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi’s 2019 noir ‘The Burnt Orange Heresy’ that bowed from Venice.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, May 21 (IANS) Hollywood actor Rami Malek wanted to collaborate with Ira Sachs for some time. The actor even went as far as asking his representatives to get him a meeting with the filmmaker.

However, when he got the script for Sachs’ next movie, ‘The Man I Love’, about a New York theater performer navigating life, love and his devotion to his art after being diagnosed with AIDS, Malek admits he hesitated at first, because he was fresh from his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, reports ‘Variety’.

“When I read the script, I said, ‘I can’t do this. There’s too many similarities. It could be problematic’”,the actor said at a press conference following the film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

He continued, “There was a certain sense of fear. I started to really think about what I was afraid of. Was it the similarities? Was it the singing? Was it what was going on in the period? I knew I had to address the fear. If there’s anything Freddie taught me, it was [to] address the fear”.

As per ‘Variety’, the actor contemplated what to do but, he kept in mind that Sachs “makes unique cinema unlike any other”.

He further mentioned, “I knew I was in extraordinary hands, and that if he was choosing me, I could rely on him. Not only to depend on him throughout the film, but to elevate it, to push myself, to force myself to race into that fire”.

“When I raced into it, I started to discover that these men were similar, but they were also worlds apart”, he added.

Playing Jimmy in ‘The Man I Love’ would require him to sing on camera again. But those intimate performances weren’t like playing the Queen frontman playing to crowds of thousands in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, May 21 (IANS) Hollywood actor Glen Powell has shared a disturbing encounter he had with a woman who eats pictures of his face.

The 37-year-old actor was stunned to learn about the antics of TikTok creator @mynameismonique, who has vowed to munch on pictures of him every day until she is cast in one of his films or TV shows as an extra, and couldn't believe such a "liability" had found her way onto the red carpet for the premiere of his movie ‘The Running Man’, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The actor told fellow actors Harrison Ford, Riz Ahmed, Owen Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Zach Braff on The Hollywood Reporter roundtable, "There’s a woman in London who has been printing out pictures of my face for the last 80 days and has eaten my face every day. Literally will eat my face until I give her a role in a movie”.

He further mentioned, “I didn’t know this was a thing until it was described to me while I was on the red carpet. They’re like, 'Hey, the girl that eats your face is on the red carpet’. I go, 'What are you talking about?'”.

Zach asked, "How did she get red carpet access?!" Glen replied, "That’s what I was like. 'Guys, come on, this is a real liability’”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, and that wasn't the Chad Powers star's only unsettling experience with a fan.

He said, "I did have somebody ask me to sign a photo that was like a family photo that there’s no way they would have access to. So, I’m sitting there like, “Where did you get that?”.

Riz said, "That’s scary”. Owen added, "Whoa, you’ve had some really chilling encounters”. Elsewhere during the discussion, Glen opened up about how freeing it was to go out in public wearing his Chad Powers prosthetics, but insisted it won't become a "lifestyle" for him.

He said, "There’s something really fun about it, you’re putting on prosthetics and doing something a little crazy. The buy-in of the show is kind of wild, but there’s something, as an actor, about the freedom of getting away from your face for a bit and just really, really swinging for something. But it’s not going to be a lifestyle. You’re not going to see me go off the reservation and full method”.

Monique, who began her challenge in June 2025, shared a video of herself meeting Glen on her TikTok account last November as he walked down the red carpet. After the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ actor signed a photo for her, she took a bite out of it, and Glen then looked to the camera and said, "This is savage”.

The 37-year-old actor was stunned to learn about the antics of TikTok creator @mynameismonique, who has vowed to munch on pictures of him every day until she is cast in one of his films or TV shows as an extra, and couldn't believe such a "liability" had found her way onto the red carpet for the premiere of his movie ‘The Running Man’, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The actor told fellow actors Harrison Ford, Riz Ahmed, Owen Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Zach Braff on The Hollywood Reporter roundtable, "There’s a woman in London who has been printing out pictures of my face for the last 80 days and has eaten my face every day. Literally will eat my face until I give her a role in a movie”.

He further mentioned, “I didn’t know this was a thing until it was described to me while I was on the red carpet. They’re like, 'Hey, the girl that eats your face is on the red carpet’. I go, 'What are you talking about?'”.

Zach asked, "How did she get red carpet access?!" Glen replied, "That’s what I was like. 'Guys, come on, this is a real liability’”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, and that wasn't the Chad Powers star's only unsettling experience with a fan.

He said, "I did have somebody ask me to sign a photo that was like a family photo that there’s no way they would have access to. So, I’m sitting there like, “Where did you get that?”.

Riz said, "That’s scary”. Owen added, "Whoa, you’ve had some really chilling encounters”. Elsewhere during the discussion, Glen opened up about how freeing it was to go out in public wearing his Chad Powers prosthetics, but insisted it won't become a "lifestyle" for him.

He said, "There’s something really fun about it, you’re putting on prosthetics and doing something a little crazy. The buy-in of the show is kind of wild, but there’s something, as an actor, about the freedom of getting away from your face for a bit and just really, really swinging for something. But it’s not going to be a lifestyle. You’re not going to see me go off the reservation and full method”.

Monique, who began her challenge in June 2025, shared a video of herself meeting Glen on her TikTok account last November as he walked down the red carpet. After the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ actor signed a photo for her, she took a bite out of it, and Glen then looked to the camera and said, "This is savage”.

--IANS

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--IANS

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Mumbai, May 21 (IANS) Actor Suniel Shetty is taking the organic route to healthy living. On Thursday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a video of his farm in which he flaunted his avocado trees.

He wrote in the caption, “The best kind of wealth, grows on trees. Homegrown avocados. Green therapy. Pure joy (sic)”.

In recent years, the actor has impressed the audience with his fit and healthy lifestyle, and seems to be taking it more seriously after the arrival of his grand-daughter Evaarah.

Evaarah is the first child of the actor’s daughter Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul, the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in the Test format.

Earlier, the senior actor was all hearts as his actor son, Ahan Shetty, penned a heartfelt Mother's Day note for Mana Shetty on social media.

Thanking his mother for the selfless love, Ahan wrote on his official Instagram handle, "My biggest strength, my safest place, and the person who has loved me the most without ever asking for anything in return…Happy Mother’s Day, Mumma (sic)".

Ahan further expressed his gratitude to his mom for everything she does for him, claiming he will always need his mother, no matter how old he gets.

The 'Tadap' actor added, "I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. Through every phase of my life, you’ve been my constant, quietly sacrificing your own comfort, carrying everyone’s worries on your shoulders, and still making sure we always felt loved, protected, and cared for. No matter how old I get, I know I’ll always need you beside me”.

Expressing his love, Suniel reacted to the post with a red heart and evil eye emoji. Suniel's daughter, and Ahan's sister, Athiya Shetty, also left a red heart emoticon in the comment section.

--IANS

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