Patnaik, Pradhan congratulate Raghubar Das, the new Odisha Governor


Naveen Patnaik and Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday congratulated Raghubar Das on being appointed as the governor of the state.

Published Date – 05:30 PM, Thu – 19 October 23


Patnaik, Pradhan congratulate Raghubar Das, the new Odisha Governor



Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Thursday congratulated Raghubar Das on being appointed as the governor of the state.

“… Looking forward to working with him towards the state’s development and people’s welfare. Wish him a successful tenure,” Patnaik posted on ‘X’.

“Hon’ble Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal has congratulated Shri @dasraghubar on being appointed as next Governor of #Odisha and wished him a successful tenure ahead,” Governor of Odisha said in X.

Das, the former chief minister of Jharkhand, will replace Prof Ganeshi Lal whose tenure ended in May this year.

Congratulating Das on his new appointment, Pradhan posted in X , “His experience and administrative capabilities will be beneficial for the prosperity and well-being of people of Odisha. I wish him a successful tenure in fulfilling aspirations and serving Odisha.” Das, the first non-tribal Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2014 to 2019, was born on May 3, 1955 at Bhalubasa. His father worked as labourer in Jamshedpur. After completing his schooling from Bhalubasa Harijan High School in Jamshedpur and graduated in science.

He earned a degree in law after passing out from Jamshedpur Cooperative College. Das’ political career started from the student movement of 1976-77. He was jailed during emergency and become a member of Janata Party in 1977 and later joined the BJP.

In 2004, he was appointed the BJP state president of the newly-carved Jharkhand. He became a minister of the state for the first time in the Babulal Marandi government and again in subsequent two governments led by Arjun Munda. He was the deputy chief minister in the Shibu Soren-led government in 2009.

Editorial: Bleeding Valley

It is ironic that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha claimed just a few days back that terrorism was taking its last breath in Jammu & Kashmir

Published Date – 11:30 PM, Thu – 2 November 23


Editorial: Bleeding Valley

Representational Image

A wave of targeted killings in Kashmir comes as a grim reminder of the lurking terror threat in the Valley. The fallout of the Israel-Hamas war and the subsequent global outrage are being exploited by Pakistan to foment trouble in the strife-torn region. The killing of a head constable of the Jammu & Kashmir Police, the third targeted attack in the Valley in as many days, is a warning to the Indian security establishment to not let the guard down and be ever vigilant. Earlier, a migrant labourer from Uttar Pradesh was shot dead and a police Inspector was shot at while he was playing cricket, leaving him critically injured. It is ironic that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had claimed just a few days back that terrorism was taking its last breath and that the situation in the union Territory had improved significantly. The latest killings are a reminder of Pakistan’s continued policy of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy and fomenting trouble in the Valley. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in the Arnia sector cannot be seen in isolation. The changing geopolitics in the Middle East could also embolden the terror sponsors from across the border. India cannot afford to drop its guard. There is a need to keep a close watch on the situation and step up surveillance in view of the increase in infiltration attempts before snowfall blocks the routes.

Along with strengthening security and surveillance systems, the Centre must focus on delivering its promises on the economic front. Also, there should be no further delay in conducting the Assembly elections in J&K. Efforts should be made to consolidate on the gains made by the successful conduct of the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar in May. With the rise in the influx of tourists, several remote locations have been opened to the public. This should augur well for boosting the economic prospects of the region. It is time a strong message is sent to Islamabad through diplomatic channels that it must turn off the terror tap. There is no question of resumption of normal relations with Pakistan unless it dismantles its terror factories. While using every international forum to expose the dangerous games of Pakistan, India must take sincere and credible steps to address the concerns of Kashmiris and ensure genuine empowerment. The restoration of peace in J&K is a must to create a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the long-delayed Assembly elections. As per the road map unveiled by the Centre in Parliament, the Assembly polls are likely to pave the way for the restoration of statehood — a longstanding demand by local residents and the political parties. Cracking down on terrorism and bridging the trust deficit are prerequisites for the restoration of normalcy.

Putin pulls Russia out of treaty banning nuclear tests, ally warns Poland

Russian President Vladimir Putin has revoked his country’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a global pact banning nuclear weapons tests, saying the Cold War-era agreement meant to bring Russia in line with the United States.  

On October 18, Russia’s lower house, the State Duma, unanimously passed the second and third readings of a bill that revoked Russia’s ratification of the 1966 CTBT, which outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons.

On Thursday, Putin officially signed into law the withdrawal of ratification of the treaty, which kept a lid on nuclear testing for decades.

With his signature, the legislation takes immediate effect, at a time of acute tension with the West, particularly over Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which has put ties between Washington and Moscow at their lowest level since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Russia blames the US for attempting to stymie the emergence of a new multipolar world order.

Putin had earlier urged the Duma to de-ratify the CTBT in order to “mirror” the position of the US, which has signed but never ratified the global treaty, which established a global network of observation posts capable of detecting the sound, shockwaves or radioactive fallout from a nuclear explosion.

The Russian leader on October 5 said “I hear calls to start testing nuclear weapons. I am not ready to say whether we really need to conduct tests or not.”

However, Russian diplomats, according to Reuters, insist that Moscow will not resume nuclear testing unless Washington does.

Now, the last remaining bilateral nuclear weapons treaty between Washington and Moscow is New START.

The New START agreement was extended in February 2021 until February 4, 2026, by US President Joe Biden and Putin.

On February 21, Russia suspended its participation in New START. However, it did not withdraw from the treaty, clarifying that it would continue to abide by the limits on the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed under New START.

Medvedev warns ‘enemy’ Poland

Separately on Thursday, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is currently serving as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, voiced the warning in an 8,000-word article on Russian-Polish relations.

He called Poland a “dangerous enemy”, which risks losing its statehood.

“We will treat it (Poland) precisely as a historical enemy. If there is no hope for reconciliation with the enemy, Russia should have only one and a very tough attitude regarding its fate,” Medvedev warned Warsaw.

“History has more than once delivered a merciless verdict to the presumptuous Poles: no matter how ambitious the revanchist plans may be, their collapse could lead to the death of Polish statehood in its entirety,” he added.

Poland, which is a firm supporter of Ukraine, accuses Russia of trying to destabilize the country with disinformation campaigns and espionage. Moscow, in return, condemns Warsaw’s hostile stance towards it and Russian interests in Poland.

Hezbollah hits multiple Israeli positions with missiles, drones

Lebanon’s Hezbollah says it mounted multiple strikes on Israeli army positions including its first using explosive drones.

The powerful resistance movement has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces across the Lebanese border since Oct. 7, in the most serious escalation at the frontier since a 2006 war.

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is due on Friday to deliver his first speech since the war began.

As one of the most prominent figures in the Arab world, Nasrallah is a leading voice in a regional “Axis of Resistance” established to counter the United States and Israel.

Recognized even by critics as a skilled leader, his speeches have long been followed closely by friend and foe alike.

The axis includes Iraqi fighters who have been firing at US forces in Syria and Iraq in reaction to the ruthless Israeli carnage in the Gaza Strip, and Yemen’s Ansarullah which has  waded into the conflict by firing drones at Israel.

Hezbollah said in a statement its fighters launched 19 simultaneous strikes on Israeli army positions on Thursday using guided missiles, artillery and other weapons.

It said two drones packed with explosives struck an army command position in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms area at the border.

The armed wing of Hamas called the Qassam Brigades in Lebanon said it had fired 12 missile towards the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona and its vicinity. The group said the attack was a response to the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli shelling struck the outskirts of Khiyam town some 6 km from the border in Lebanon, slightly injuring one civilian, the town’s mayor, Ali Rashed, was quoted as saying.

His house caught fire and people were putting it out, the mayor said, adding the intensity of the shelling was higher than previous days.

“The shelling and the counter shelling were more than any previous level and included the whole area,” he told Reuters.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli shells hit various areas of the south along the Lebanese border.

Hezbollah’s attack using explosive drones came a few days after the movement said for the first time it had used a surface-to-air missile against an Israeli drone.

Minor Allegedly Gang-Raped In Rajasthan: Cops

Minor Allegedly Gang-Raped In Rajasthan: Cops

A case has been registered into the matter, said police. (Representational)

Dholpur, Rajasthan:

A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by two people in Rajasthan’s Dholpur, said the police on Wednesday.

According to the police, the complainant alleged that she was on her way to a temple when two bike-borne men approached her and forcibly made her sit on the bike.

Later, they took her to their house and gang-raped her, added the police.

A case has been registered into the matter and a medical test of the victim has been conducted.

Meanwhile, a probe is underway, the police said.

Earlier this year, the body of a minor girl was found in coal furnace in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara who was allegedly raped and gang-raped.

Following the incident, the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party locked horns with each other with both of them engaged in a word war.

The BJP claimed that crimes against women are on the rise in the state, which followed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s remarks saying that there is an effort to “defame” Rajasthan.

Earlier in August this year, an unidentified beheaded body was found in the bushes on the New Powerhouse road in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, which again put the state government in the docks.

According to an official statement by the Rajasthan police, in July 2023, there were 1,036 cases of gang rape with minors reported in the state against 974 of those in July 2022.

In August, there were 195 cases of gang rape with minors registered in Rajasthan against 188 of those in August last year.

Provided that Rajasthan is one of the five poll-bound states, the crimes against women have been at the top of parties’ agenda in the poll rallies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during one of his rallies in Chhattisgarh, attacked the Congress governments stating that the Chhattisgarh government and its Rajasthan counterpart are “competing” with each other over crime rates.

The polls in Rajasthan are scheduled to be held on November 25. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Weekend guide: Here is what’s happening in Hyderabad this weekend

Here’s a curated list of events to help you plan your schedule for the weekend in Hyderabad

Updated On – 05:24 PM, Thu – 2 November 23

Hyderabad: From heartfelt support circles to musical evenings, and social gatherings, Hyderabad is buzzing with a diverse range of events, offering something for everyone. Here’s a curated list of events to help you plan your schedule for the weekend.

Grief Circle:

The circle offers support through body-based practices, emphasizes solidarity, and provides a safe space for those who wish to share their grief experiences. The event welcomes anyone experiencing grief to join and be heard.

When: November 4, 5-7 pm
Where: Pause for Perspective, Begumpet
Registrations: Check https://www.instagram.com/p/CzEUx7kyhp0/

Poetry house party:

Immerse yourself in a world of music, jam sessions, poetry, and meet like-minded people at this house party.

When: November 4, 6-10 pm
Where: Madhapur, Hyderabad
Registrations: Check https://www.poetryhouseparty.com/hyderabad

All-day Karaoke:

Have a great time with your friends as you sing your heart out for a full three hours, making it a fun and memorable time together.

When: All the week
Where: The Grind Café, Banjara Hills
Registrations: Check https://www.instagram.com/p/CzAxD95tf4n/

Forest Halloween Party:

Halloween is not yet over in Hyderabad! Brace yourself for a vibrant forest Halloween party as you sip coffee by the bonfires dance to spooky beats, and unleash your inner ghoul.

When: November 3 & 4, 6.30 pm onwards
Where: WOODS @ Shamshabad
Registrations: Contact 9121636363

Grape Stomping:

Indulge in the excitement of Grape Stomping and Cake Mixing events, all while savouring a delightful brunch spread.

When: November 5, 12.30 pm – 4 pm
Where: Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Shamshabad
Registrations: Available on Paytm Insider

Musical Night with Jammers:

Hyderabad’s “The Street Musicals” is gearing up to host an extraordinary musical night featuring live jammers. It’s the city’s first-ever drive-in jamming session.

When: November 5, 8 pm onwards
Where: The Street Drive-In, Madhapur
Registrations: Available on Book My Show.

World Bachata Festival:

Learn the social couple dance at this workshop offered as part of “the World Bachata Festival” set to take place in Kuala Lumpur from November 24 to 26.

When: November 4, 5 pm – 11.45 pm
Where: Arriba The Tapas Bar, Film Nagar
Registrations: Available on Paytm Insider

The Oopar Unwind:

Escape the daily grind and have a rejuvenating socializing experience. Enjoy ice-breakers, meaningful conversations, games, surprises, and much more fun!

When: November 5, 5 pm onwards
Where: SkyPark Café, Banjara Hills
Registrations: Available on Paytm Insider

Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Sitar Live:

Join an enchanting evening featuring sitar maestro Ramprapanna, accompanied by tabla artist Harijit Singh.

When: November 4, 6 pm onwards
Where: Vibrant Living, Jubilee Hills
Registrations: Available on Paytm Insider

Thrift meet-up:

Explore thrifting in the city where you can find quality clothes at budget-friendly prices. Meet like-minded folks and spend a rejuvenating day.

When: November 5, 12 pm onwards
Where: Adika Café, Alwal
Registrations: Open to everyone

UN experts warn Palestinians face ‘risk of genocide’

A group of United Nations experts have warned time is running out to “prevent genocide and humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, expressing their deep frustration with Israel’s refusal to halt plans to decimate the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide,” the experts said. “The time for action is now. Israel’s allies also bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action,” they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The experts expressed “deepening horror” about Israeli airstrikes against the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza since Tuesday night, which have reportedly killed and injured hundreds of Palestinians, calling it a brazen breach of international law.

“The Israeli airstrike on a residential complex in the Jabalia refugee camp is a brazen violation of international law – and a war crime. Attacking a camp sheltering civilians including women and children is a complete breach of the rules of proportionality and distinction between combatants and civilians,” the experts said.

“The Palestinian people in Gaza, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, youth, and older persons, have endured decades of hardship and deprivation,” said the experts, including several UN special rapporteurs on the rights to food, safe drinking water, and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“We call on Israel and its allies to agree to an immediate ceasefire. We are running out of time.”

Elsewhere in the statement, the experts welcomed the General Assembly resolution on protecting civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations, approved by an overwhelming majority of member states on 27 October.

“We received the resolution with hope, but the need for action is now,” they said.

“All signs are that we have reached a breaking point,” the experts warned, pointing to images of people desperately grabbing flour and other essentials from a UN warehouse on Sunday.

They were also alarmed at the news of children being forced to drink sea water in the absence of clean water, distressing reports of patients including children undergoing surgery without anesthetics, and persons with disabilities and older persons displaced and living in tents because houses have been turned to rubble.

“The situation in Gaza has reached a catastrophic tipping point,” they said warning of the dire need for food, water, medicine, fuel and essential supplies and the risk of looming health hazards.

The absence of fuel and disruption of water infrastructure due to constant shelling over three weeks had destroyed access to safe drinking water for the population in Gaza, they said.

“Water is essential to human life and today, 2 million Gazans are struggling to find drinking water,” they said.

The experts strongly supported the UN chief’s efforts to provide access to humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.

They expressed grave concern about the safety of UN and humanitarian workers and hospitals and schools that are providing refuge and life-saving medical services to the people of Gaza.

An estimated 1.4 million people in Gaza are internally displaced, with approximately 629,000 seeking refuge in 150 UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) emergency shelters. The UNRWA reports that 70 UN workers have died as a result of Israeli bombardment in Gaza.

Their statement also echoed the UN Human Rights Office in saying that recent Israeli attacks on Jabalia refugee camp constitute “a brazen violation of international law – and a war crime”.

Gaza patients at risk in ‘indescribable’ situation – WHO

Also on Thursday, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said the forced evacuation of hospitals in the Gaza Strip would put the lives of hundreds of patients at risk as he called the situation on the ground “indescribable”.

“Twenty-three hospitals have been ordered to evacuate in Gaza City and north Gaza, and forced evacuation in these circumstances would put the lives of hundreds of patients in a life-threatening situation,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in the Swiss city of Geneva,

Tedros also reiterated the call for a humanitarian pause in the Israeli war on Gaza to help the thousands injured, as well as the chronically sick. “We’re running out of words to describe the horror unfolding in Gaza.”

The situation in Gaza was “indescribable”, Tedros added, with hospitals crammed, morgues overflowing, and doctors performing surgery without anesthesia, as families sought shelter and toilets overflowed, risking the spread of disease.

Emergencies director Dr Mike Ryan said the UN agency was struggling to help as it could not guarantee the safety of staff. “We have never found it as difficult to establish the basic rules of engagement that would allow us to act in a proper humanitarian fashion.”

He said any international staff or field hospitals entering Gaza would need safety guarantees, and to run alongside the existing system to be effective. “We will not be instrumentalized in this. We will not become a party to this… Our job is to save lives. That is our only job.”

The UN chief has decried the Israeli regime’s relentless raids on Gaza. Antonio Guterres said he is appalled by the killing of Palestinians, including women and children, in Israel’s airstrikes on Jabalia. Since October 7, attacks on Gaza have claimed the lives of over 9,000 Palestinians, including more than 3,600 children.

Opinion: Take control of your narrative

We must tell our own stories as this is a necessity for commitment to our own well-being as well as to the progress of the communities we are part of

Published Date – 11:45 PM, Thu – 2 November 23


Opinion: Take control of your narrative


By Viiveck Verma

Too many factors tend to define who we are in the present epoch. From our educational qualifications to the company we keep, we are susceptible to incessant scrutiny and categorisation. In such circumstances, it is highly possible to lose our sense of who we are and depend heavily on external validation for a sense of identity. Yet, nothing could be more harmful than letting other entities dictate, define and limit who we are and what we are worth, for it is a disservice to the reservoirs of human ability we hold within and flattens out our potential into unremarkable conformity.

To make unique contributions to society and the world and to stay distinctive in an age of widespread homogenisation, we must know and own our narrative and tell our own stories, crafting milestones and legacies which stand out and set precedents. This is a necessity for commitment to our own well-being as well as to the progress of the communities we are part of. Let us explore this in some detail.

Our True Selves

Taking charge of our own narratives is fundamentally about knowing who we are as individuals while deciding and anticipating the many special ways in which we contribute to larger missions. To create a narrative that speaks to our true selves, we must transcend societal norms, impositions and expectations, which expose us to the risk of being constrained into specific categories and one-dimensional portrayals. Resistance to such phenomena is necessary as we assert our uniqueness and accept the complexity of our experiences, ideas, and emotions by taking control of our narratives. This, in turn, enables us to not just turn the tide in our favour in many contexts but also to truly make a difference.

This is because we have an impact on how other people view us when we define who we are with conviction, letting self-affirmation transform into influence. After all, being convinced of who we are and what we say is essential to the credibility of the messages we impart. In other words, we can only convince others of something when we are convinced of it. For example, if you appear for a job interview while secretly believing that you are ill-suited and underqualified for the job or are simply not convinced of the relevance of your candidature, it is likely to manifest as diffidence and can make it very difficult for you to convince the recruiters to hire you.

On the other hand, when you know who you are and take charge of your perception, being convinced of what you can offer, not only will you avoid applying for positions you are uncertain about but will also be able to justify your suitability for the roles you do believe in. This is because the world works through communication and to be a persuasive communicator, you have to take control of what defines you. In contrast, trying to convince others without true conviction and belief in yourself can come across as insincere or unreliable, making forging the trust necessary for effective connections impossible.

Building Reputation

Once you are used to taking charge of how you are perceived, you will be able to seamlessly build a favourable reputation. In this age of fractured attention spans, a reputation can be a magical tool to make an impact, as your reputation which ‘precedes you’ can make others believe in your credibility with minimal effort from your end. This is an ongoing process and you might need to factor in how people respond to you and start over whenever it might be necessary.

However, relentlessly ensuring you are telling your own story in your own way is a worthy struggle to participate in. This is not the same as thinking that people would not be judging you or making observations that differ from your self-perception and self-projections but that you know your truth and are able to affirm it through your actions and defend it whenever necessary.

Self-fulfilment

The other aspect of telling your own story your way is linked to the very elusive goal of self-fulfilment. Since the journey of self-realisation, the fruition of dreams and success never goes according to plan, there is relief and grace in knowing that you did things your own way and gave it your all. Compromises with yourself might sometimes make the short-run easy but can fill the long-run with regrets. This is precisely why not losing your self-perception against externalities and continuing to fend for yourself and your ideas pays off on subtle levels of human experience, and can certainly also translate into more spectacularly favourable outcomes.

The inspiring story of Steve Jobs, who stayed true to his ideas, even when Apple, the company he co-founded, fired him in 1985 due to internal conflicts, bears testament to this time-tested axiom. Jobs, undeterred by this setback, founded NeXT and created an unparalleled operating system, which Apple was compelled to buy and subsequently name Jobs as the CEO, and the rest is history. Visionaries, icons and leaders we look up to have always fought for their uniqueness, refusing to bow down to attempts to abridge their potential and foist unsuitable narratives upon them, and the results have always been inspirational.

Therefore, taking control of our own narratives is indubitably an act of self-empowerment and resilience, in a world full of agents and occurrences that frequently tend to pigeonhole us, oversimplify our complexities and render our stories irrelevant. We can define who we are, question impositions, change how people perceive us, and establish relationships with others, while changing the world in our own ways while being on this empowered voyage.

After all, not only do we shape our own lives by embracing the power of our stories but also keep the flame of the indomitable human spirit burning in a world that often appears dim, dreary and uninspired. It is time to stick to our guns and craft our narratives, staying forever on the course of self-discovery and transforming the world.

CPI (M) releases first list with 17 seats in Telangana

Enough time and options were given to the Congress to finalise the candidates under the seat sharing agreement. But the Congress failed to consider our requests, CPI (M) Telangana Secretary T Veerabhadram said.

Published Date – 07:39 PM, Thu – 2 November 23


CPI (M) releases first list with 17 seats in Telangana

Representational Image

Hyderabad: After the poll pact with the Congress failed to materialise, the State unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday released the first list of 17 seats to contest the forthcoming elections.

Enough time and options were given to the Congress to finalise the candidates under the seat sharing agreement. But the Congress failed to consider our requests, CPI (M) Telangana Secretary T Veerabhadram said here on Thursday.

“We are left with no choice and decided to go it alone. We discussed several issues in the State committee meeting on Wednesday,” he said. The party had discussed different proposals from 24 constituencies. But eventually, 17 were finalized in the first list.

Hinting there could be a few changes, the CPI (M) leader said the list may go up to 20. If the CPI also could not seal a deal with Congress, then there may be some more changes in the list, he said, adding that the primary objective was to ensure the defeat of BJP candidates.

Regarding the rest of the seats, where BJP’s winnability chances were purportedly high, the CPI (M) would appeal to people to vote for the stronger contender either from Congress or the BRS, he said.

The CPI (M) had insisted on Wyra and Miryalguda tickets under alliance and warned that failing which it would contest all seats. Initially, the party sought two tickets from Bhadrachalam, Miryalguda, Madhira, Ibrahimpatnam and Palair. However, honouring the seat sharing agreement, the party had compromised on Palair and Bhadrachalam as well.

The list of constituencies which the CPI (M) announced it would contest from were Bhadrachalam (ST), Aswaraopet (ST), Palair, Madhira (SC), Wyra (ST), Khammam, Sathupalli (SC), Miryalagudem, Nalgonda, Nakrekal (SC), Bhongir, Huzurnagar, Kodad, Jangaon, Ibrahimpatnam, Patancheru and Musheerabad.

PM Modi launches 511 skill centres in rural Maharashtra


These centres will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth.

Published Date – 05:34 PM, Thu – 19 October 23


PM Modi launches 511 skill centres in rural Maharashtra

File photo

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras in Maharashtra through video conferencing. These skill development centres, named after late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, are being established across 34 rural districts of Maharashtra.

As per a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, these centres will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth. “Each Kendra will train about 100 youngsters in at least two vocational courses.

The training is being provided by empanelled industry partners and agencies under the National Skill Development Council,” the PMO said. The establishment of these centres will help the region attain significant strides towards developing more competent and skilled manpower, the PMO added.

“So far there was no skill development centre in 28 thousand gram panchayats of Maharashtra. Skill development is a very important subject of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Accordingly, according to the concept of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we decided to start skill development centre in 500 (odd) gram panchayats,” Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Maharashtra said Tuesday.

Minister Lodha said these skill development centres will help to prevent youth from migrating from villages to cities for employment, adding number of such centres will be increased in the future.