Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, visited the ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi on 5th April 2025 to assess the ongoing research efforts and field-level innovations aimed at enhancing fodder availability and sustainable grassland management across the country. Accompanied by Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, and Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, the Union Minister interacted with scientists and reviewed a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the latest fodder technologies and best practices being promoted by the institute.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh expressed concern over the prevailing national green fodder deficit, currently estimated at 11%, and stressed upon the need for technology-led interventions to address this challenge. He noted that while only 8.5 million hectares are presently under cultivated fodder, the country possesses approximately 11.5 million hectares of grasslands and nearly 100 million hectares of wastelands that can be harnessed efficiently. He emphasized, “Efficient utilisation of these underused resources is essential for achieving fodder self-reliance and improving livestock productivity.”
The Union Minister praised IGFRI’s research and development work and called for speedy dissemination of its technologies through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across states. He particularly emphasized the importance of perennial grasses that are tolerant to abiotic stress, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate degraded lands, contribute to ecological balance, and provide sustainable green fodder throughout the year. Reiterating government’s commitment to building a resilient livestock sector, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that science, innovation, and cooperative governance would be the cornerstones of advancing fodder security and achieving Atmanirbhar Krishi and Pashupalan. He also held discussions with IGFRI researchers, encouraging the institute to position itself as a central knowledge and innovation hub for fodder development and grassland improvement in India.
Among the key technologies demonstrated during the visit were livestock-based Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) tailored for all categories of farmers; apomictic breeding in perennial grasses to ensure genetic uniformity and sustainability; development of specialized fodder farm machinery aimed at reducing manual labour; seed standards and certification systems for quality assurance in forage crops; and the innovative use of drones for seed pellet-based grassland rejuvenation at scale.
Ms. Alka Upadhyaya underlined the significance of state-level convergence to support the wider adoption of location-specific fodder technologies. She highlighted the scope for integrating fodder cultivation in fallow spaces within coconut orchards in Kerala as a promising example of such convergence. To further promote this model, she informed that a joint meeting will be held in Kerala on 8th April 2025, bringing together representatives of the State Government, KVKs, and IGFRI scientists.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, along with the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, visited the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the revered Mahabodhi tree.
The tree is believed to have grown from the Bo sapling that was brought to Sri Lanka by Sangamitta Maha Theri from India in the 3rd Century BCE. The temple stands as a testament to the strong civilizational linkages that form the foundation of the close India-Sri Lanka partnership.
GeM Showcases Startup Power at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, Unlocks New Growth Avenues for Innovation-Driven India GeM Pavilion Sees Massive Footfall, 2500+ Queries Resolved, 1000+ Registrations Completed
Posted On: 06 APR 2025 10:05AM by PIB Delhi
The Startup Mahakumbh 2025 concluded in New Delhi on Saturday, marking significant participation and highlighting the growing strength of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among the key participants was the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which showcased its role in supporting startup growth and underlined the potential of public procurement as a tool for promoting innovation and inclusive development.
As a strategic presenting partner, GeM engaged with a wide range of startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders during the event. Its participation reflected an ongoing effort to support the growth of Indian startups by facilitating access to government markets, encouraging new opportunities, and contributing to the broader vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The event saw sector-focused pavilions that celebrated India’s strength in DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, and more. GeM’s presence underscored its mission to bridge the gap between innovators and government buyers, enabling faster scale, market validation, and meaningful contribution to India’s global innovation standing.
GeM’s impact at the Mahakumbh was further amplified through a high-energy panel discussion that drew a packed audience and featured sharp insights from GeM leaders, industry experts, and policymakers. The panel covered key themes such as:
Charting India’s Growth Story
Boosting State Procurement Through Startups
Emerging Technology as a Service
Driving Startup Growth via GeM Categories
Unlocking Opportunities with Central Government Buyers
The sessions reinforced GeM’s role in transforming public procurement into a launchpad for India’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the theme of government-startup collaboration, CEO, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Shri Ajay Bhadoo said, “Let’s work together and unlock the true potential of public procurement in driving startup growth, inclusive development, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
His keynote address underlined the transformative potential of platforms like GeM in scaling innovative homegrown solutions and supporting startups with policy-driven opportunities.
During the three-day event, GeM responded to over 2500 startup queries, facilitated 1000+ startup registrations and cataloguing, and hosted more than 1500 interactive sessions—including one-on-one mentoring and group engagements—focused on onboarding and skilling through GeM’s Learning Management System (LMS).
GeM’s Pavilion hosted over 70 innovative startups, including 30 startup pods awarded free of cost to winners of GeM’s Start-o-nauts Challenge. So far, GeM has enabled over ₹38,500 Crore in transactions for 30,000+ startups, reinforcing its position as a true catalyst in India’s innovation ecosystem.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special traffic and transport arrangements for concert at Kai Tak Sports Park on April 8, 9, 11 and 12
Type(3) Cross-boundary coach services and port traffic arrangements
The KTSP Limited will arrange cross-boundary coach services during the dispersal period on the event dates to facilitate travellers’ return to the Mainland via the LMC/HG Port. Passengers should purchase tickets prior to the concert (on-site ticket sales not available during dispersal) and board their coach at the PUDOA on the G/F, Kai Tak Stadium, via the escalator outside Gate H, 2/F. They should refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfansIssued at HKT 12:00
ST-Led Ventures incubated at IIM Kolkata & IIT Guwahati Receive National Awards from Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Showcases 45 Startups under “DhartiAabaTribePreuners 2025” under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh at Bharat Mandapam
Posted On: 06 APR 2025 9:09AM by PIB Delhi
New Delhi ,Ministry of Tribal Affairs marked a significant milestone in empowering tribal entrepreneurship by showcasing 45 tribal-led startups from across India at the StartupMahakumbh held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organized under the flagship initiative “DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025” as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the event witnessed innovation from sectors ranging from deep tech to organic farming and green energy.
Two tribal-led startups, incubated at premier institutions—IIM Kolkata and IIT Guwahati—received prestigious national recognition from Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, affirming the growing role of tribal entrepreneurs in India’s startup ecosystem.
On this achievement, Shri JualOram, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, and Shri VibhuNayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, congratulated the winning startups for their exemplary innovation and dedication to community-led development. They commended the efforts of all participating entrepreneurs for representing the aspirations and potential of tribal India on a national platform.
Award-Winning Startups founded by ST entrepreneurs
OurGuest Travels (Top View Pvt. Ltd.)
Incubated at IIM Kolkata | Sector: Sustainable Tourism
Based in Gangtok, Sikkim, OurGuest Travels (www.ourguest.in) was conferred the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. As the first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) from Northeast India, it offers a curated collection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences across Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.With over 600 homestays and 50+ guides, the platform has served more than 6,000 travelers and supports rural livelihoods and eco-tourism. This recognition is a key milestone under the Ministry’s 100-Day Agenda to build a strong tribal startup ecosystem.
Ngurie Organic Pvt. Ltd.
Incubated at IIT Guwahati | Sector: AgriTech& Organic Farming
Ngurie Organic received the AgriTech Award for its transformative work in sustainable agriculture. The startup harnesses data-driven research, precision agriculture, and blockchain-enabled transparency to empower farmers with solutions that:
Exclusive Sessions on Tribal Entrepreneurship by VC /Angel Investors
The event featured a high-impact panel titled “Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro”, with thought leaders from India’s startup and investment ecosystem
T. RoumuanPaite, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Afafirs
Vikram Gupta, IvyCap Ventures
Sandeep NagbhushanAithal, Infosys Ltd.
Vineet Khurana, SACC India
Moderator: Amit Pandey, IVCA
In addition, faculty from IIT Delhi conducted a Design Thinking Workshop, guiding tribal startups to refine and scale their business ideas.
Empowering the Next Generation of Tribal Entrepreneurs
The 3-day program concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to:45 tribal startup founders,100 EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential School) students,150 tribal students availing higher education scholarships.
Participants also took part in a bootcamp at IIT Delhi and attended exposure visits across the startup ecosystem during the StartupMahakumbh.
Towards a Self-Reliant Tribal India
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through initiatives like DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025, continues to create an enabling environment for tribal innovators—combining mentorship, funding, capacity building, and platform exposure. The presence and recognition of tribal entrepreneurs at India’s largest startup conclave reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to making tribal India a key stakeholder in the nation’s growth story.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri JualOram Inaugurates Two-Day Mega Medical Camp at Sundargarh, Odisha Ministry of Tribal Affairs, AIIMS Delhi, and Government of Odisha Organise Mega Medical Camp on the Occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh
Ministry Reiterates Commitment to Holistic Tribal Development through Enhanced Healthcare Access
Posted On: 06 APR 2025 9:05AM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is committed to the holistic development of tribal communities across the country. As part of this vision, the Ministry has undertaken several proactive health initiatives to bridge healthcare gaps and ensure access to quality medical services for tribal populations, especially in remote areas.
Mission to Eradicate Sickle Cell Disease by 2047
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in July 2023. The Mission sets an ambitious target to eradicate sickle cell disease by 2047, focusing on awareness generation, universal screening, and comprehensive disease management among tribal populations through a community-centric and integrated approach.
Mega Medical Camp at Sundargarh: A Collaborative Effort under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh
As part of the celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi and the Government of Odisha, is organising a two-day mega medical camp on 5th and 6th April 2025 at the Sundargarh Government Medical College & Hospital, Odisha.
The camp was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri JualOram, on 5th April 2025. In his inaugural address, Shri Oram reaffirmed the Central Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare services for tribal communities. He commended the efforts of AIIMS Delhi’s team of medical experts for their dedicated service to the tribal people of Odisha.
On this occasion, the Minister also distributed wheelchairs to around 100 persons with disabilities, exemplifying the Government’s inclusive approach to healthcare. Shri Oram personally interacted with the patients, encouraging them to fully avail the specialised medical services provided.
Specialised Medical Services and Facilities
The camp features expert participation from 19 specialist departments of AIIMS Delhi, including:
Cardiology
Haematology
General Medicine
Gastroenterology
Nephrology
Surgery
Orthopaedics …and others.
Patients from 18 blocks of Sundargarh district and adjoining regions are benefiting from expert consultations, diagnostic services, and medical treatment.
In addition to consultations, the following free diagnostic services are being offered:
ECG
Ultrasound
X-ray
Blood tests
Patients are also receiving free medicines as per prescriptions provided by the doctors from AIIMS Delhi.
On the first day, over 1,500 patients availed these services, indicating a strong community response. The camp will continue on 6th April 2025, ensuring wider outreach and impact.
Towards Healthcare for All
This initiative represents a vital step forward in the Ministry’s efforts to realise the vision of “Healthcare for All”, especially in underserved tribal areas. The mega medical camp at Sundargarh serves as a testament to the Government’s ongoing efforts to create healthier, self-reliant, and empowered tribal communities across India.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying marked it’s noteworthy presence at the recently concluded Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held from April 3rd to 5th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Participating as a Silver Supporting Partner, DAHD set up an engaging pavilion, showcasing innovations and initiatives in the livestock and dairy sector.
As part of its Pavilion, DAHD provided Startup Pods to 15 Startups functional in the Livestock and Dairy sector, who got an opportunity to display their product/services and network with key stakeholders while exploring avenues for scaling their impact in India’s agrarian economy. These Startups showcased innovative products and technologies for example, ensuring temperature compliance in dairy processing, AI monitoring for animal health management, sensor-based smart collar for estrus detection, milk adulteration detection kit to ensure food safety, end-to-end SaaS platform for dairy supply chain, artificial insemination gun, data integration in dairy supply chain via blockchain to improve product traceability etc. Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD, visited the Pavilion and interacted with several startups, appreciating their contribution and innovations in livestock management and dairy technology.
DAHD’s Pavilion highlighted key government initiatives including the National Livestock Mission’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme, the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund. The pavilion also showcased DAHD’s efforts in delivering services directly to farmers doorstep and attracted significant interest and footfall from a wide range of stakeholders from academia, industry, and general public.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, released the 26th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”.
The publication offers a comprehensive overview of the gender landscape in India, presenting selected indicators and data across key areas like population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making, all sourced from various Ministries/ Departments/Organizations. Utilizing official statistics, it presents gender-disaggregated data across urban-rural divides and geographic regions, facilitating a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by women and men.
“Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data” serves as a crucial resource, highlighting both progress in gender equality and persistent disparities. By analyzing socio-economic indicators and highlighting trends, it empowers policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to develop gender-sensitive policies fostering sustainable and inclusive development.
“Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data” is available at the website of the Ministry (https://mospi.gov.in/).
Some of the highlights of the publication are as follows:
The primary and higher Secondary levels have consistently high GPI, indicating strong female enrolment. Upper primary and elementary levels saw fluctuations but remained close to parity.
The LPFR in usual status for ages 15 years and above has improved from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24).
Women own 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute to 39.7% of total deposits. Their participation is highest in rural areas, where they make up 42.2% of account holders.
There is rise in DEMAT account over the years, indicating growing participation in the stock market. From March 31, 2021, to November 30, 2024, the total number of DEMAT accounts increased from 33.26 million to 143.02 million, marking more than a fourfold rise. Male account holders have consistently outnumbered female account holders, but female participation has also shown a growing trend. The number of male accounts rose from 26.59 million in 2021 to 115.31 million in 2024, while female accounts increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million during the same period.
Rising percentage of female-headed proprietary establishments across manufacturing, trade, and other services sectors over the years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 has been observed.
The total number of electors increased from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with a notable rise in female voter registration. Female voter turnout varied over the years, reaching 67.2% in 2019 but slightly declining to 65.8% in 2024. The gender gap in voting has narrowed, with female turnout surpassing male turnout in 2024.
Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of startups recognized by DPIIT with at least one-woman director, reflecting a positive trend in female entrepreneurship. The total number of such startups rose from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
50th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles to be open April 7 to 10 Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 10:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to the Middle East from today (April 6) to April 10, with key engagements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to deepening economic ties with these dynamic markets and promoting the city as a premier gateway for Middle Eastern businesses seeking opportunities on the Mainland and in the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Hong Kong has a strong, long-standing and ever-growing relationship with the Gulf region including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, marked by increasing co-operation in finance, trade, and investment. The city’s merchandise trade with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf reached US$21.6 billion in 2023. These partnerships are further strengthened through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which fosters greater connectivity and economic opportunities.
“Amid an increasingly complex global landscape and geopolitical uncertainties, countries in the Middle East are actively diversifying their investments. Hong Kong, as a global financial centre and a ‘super connector’ between the Mainland, Asia, and the rest of the world, is uniquely positioned to support this shift,” said Mr Ng. “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, our city offers a robust legal system, free flow of capital and information, and internationally aligned regulations. Beyond finance, Hong Kong is also a hub for trade, logistics, innovation and professional services. It serves as a gateway for Middle Eastern partners to tap into the Mainland and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”
As part of its commitment to financial diversification, the city has developed a supportive platform for Islamic finance, including sukuk issuance and tax law amendments to ensure a level playing field with conventional bonds and the successful launch of three government sukuk. It continues to welcome more Islamic financial institutions and products to leverage Hong Kong’s international financial platform and tap into opportunities across Asia and the Mainland.
During his visit to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, Mr Ng will participate in numerous high-level business roundtables co-organised with Asia House, bringing together representatives from prominent businesses, family offices, and investors. He will also meet with representatives from leading Middle Eastern companies and discuss how establishing a presence in Hong Kong can drive their global expansion strategies.
These engagements aim to strengthen economic ties, foster collaboration, and attract more businesses from the Middle East to invest and expand through Hong Kong. By leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position as a global financial and multinational supply chain management hub, InvestHK seeks to facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships that drive innovation and growth across regions.