Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his 11-day fast after concluding the Shri Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals in Ayodhya on Monday.
Ayodhya, Jan 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his 11-day fast after concluding the Shri Ram Mandir ‘Pran Pratishtha’ rituals in Ayodhya on Monday.
He took a sip of ‘charnamrit’ to break his fast.
The charnamrit has five main ingredients -- yogurt (dahi), milk, honey, tulsi (Indian holy basil), and ghee.
Also Read: PM Modi Performs 'Aarti' Of Ram Lalla Idol In Ayodhya Temple, Does 'Dandvat Pranam'
The Prime Minister had undertaken a rigorous 11-day fast ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
During this period, he only drank coconut water and slept on the floor. (IANS)
Washington, Sept 22: India and the US Saturday announced the launch of an initiative to "elevate and expand" cooperation in support of clean energy supply chains and extend this partnership to third countries, with a focus on Africa.
To that end, the White House said that the two countries are working to "unlock" $1 billion to catalyse India's domestic clean energy supply chain buildout.
The announcement came in a memo released by the White House after the meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday.
Titled, "Roadmap For US- India Initiative to Build Safe and Secure Global Clean Energy Supply Chains", the paper said that this funding could support supply-side manufacturing capacity expansion for key technology verticals, focusing on solar, wind, battery, energy grid systems, and high-efficiency air conditioner and ceiling fan supply chains. The funding would grow over time.
The two sides also "pledged" to work together with industry leaders, one, on "identifying near-term investment opportunities to expand manufacturing capacity for specific clean energy supply chain segments, with initial focuses on the following clean energy components", the White House paper said.
Two, collaborate with the private sector to "scope eligible opportunities in the above supply chain segments and support an initial package of pilot projects, ideally including one project focused on clean energy deployment to Africa".
Three, build "trilateral relationships with African partners that have stated political commitments to clean energy deployment, focusing on solar and battery storage opportunities".
Four, and finally, collaborate with each other and industry to "consult on policies that will strengthen demand certainty for locally manufactured clean technologies".
This new initiative builds on ongoing cooperation between the two sides on clean energy, including initiatives launched during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US in 2023, the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership led by the US Department of Energy and Government of India ministries, technical assistance provided by US laboratories, and novel financial platforms such as the Payment Security Mechanism established to support the rapid deployment of electric buses in India.
This roadmap is to serve as a short-term mechanism to drive "initial cooperation on projects, to help inform a long-term roadmap including working together to establish a cadence of meetings and milestones of this partnership".
(IANS)
read more International News
India, US Closer Than Any Time In History, Says Biden After Meeting PM Modi
Washington, Sept 22: US President Joe Biden said after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday that ties with India are "stronger, closer and more dynamic than any time in history".
The two leaders met at Biden's home in Greenville, Delaware ahead of the fourth in-person summit of the Quad later in the day.
“The United States' partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history,” President Biden said on X after hosting Prime Minister Modi at his residence. “Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different.”
Their meeting started at 1 pm US eastern time and lasted over an hour as the Prime Minister’s delegation, comprising External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, was seen leaving at about 2:30 pm. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden were not open to the press but there will be a readout later in the day.
They met for the Quad summit later, joined by Fumio Kishida and Anthony Albanese, their counterparts from Japan and Australia.
Earlier upon arrival, Biden received PM Modi at his residence with a handshake and the two leaders embraced, which has become a signature greeting for the Indian Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's office posted pictures of the two leaders taking in the view from the president’s house.
At the meeting with PM Modi, the US President was accompanied by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.
“Today’s programme will be focused on the Quad Summit and the bilateral meeting with @POTUS, @JoeBiden," the Prime Minister wrote on X shortly after landing in Philadelphia, from where he travelled to Wilmington, Biden’s hometown in the adjoining state of Delaware. “I am sure the discussions throughout the day will contribute to making our planet better and addressing key global challenges.”
Prime Minister Modi is expected to leave for New York later in the night.
(IANS)
read more International News
New Delhi, Sept 22: The interim government of Bangladesh has reversed the export ban on the much popular and prized Hilsa fish to India ahead of Durga Puja, an important festival of Hindu Bengalis, officials said Saturday, adding that export of 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa has been approved.
The Bangladeshi interim government -- headed by Muhammad Yunus -- had earlier decided not to export Hilsa fish to India this year in a bid to boost the supply in the domestic market. The fish usually witnesses a high demand in the Indian market during the festival of Durga Puja as well as other festivities, especially in the country's eastern region.
A leading Bangladeshi media outlet -- The Daily Star -- citing the country's Commerce Ministry, reported that the government has approved the export of 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa fish to India on the occasion of Durga Puja.
The Commerce Ministry statement read: "The export of 3,000 (three thousand) metric tonnes of Hilsa fish has been approved against the application of various exporters on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja. The concerned applicants are requested to apply with necessary documents to the Ministry of Commerce (Deputy Secretary, Export-2 Branch, Room No. 127, Building No. 3, Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Secretariat) by 24/09/2024. Applications received after the mentioned deadline will not be accepted. Note that those who have already applied do not need to apply again."
The Commerce Ministry of Bangladesh in 2023 had allowed 79 companies to export 50 tonnes of Hilsa fish each -- totalling around 4,000 tonnes -- to India on the occasion of Durga Puja, the Daily Star reported.
The Hilsa fish is highly regarded and sought after due to its taste and flavour. The fish is massively popular in Bangladesh as well as in India.
The demand surges in India, particularly during the festival of Durga Puja.
(IANS)
read more International News
