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Addressing the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at the India Expo Center and Mart in Greater Noida, the President said, "I congratulate all the participants of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show. This dedicated initiative to showcase the products of Uttar Pradesh both within the country and on the international stage is truly commendable. My sincere appreciation goes out to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and his dedicated team."

Praising the remarkable progress made by Uttar Pradesh, the President said, "UP has made a special contribution to the economic development of the country in the last six years. The GDP of UP has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 22 lakh crore. This achievement of economic growth is undoubtedly commendable."

The President further emphasized that this grand event featured participation from over 2000 manufacturers, encompassing not only established industrial giants but also budding entrepreneurs and representatives from various embassies. This will play a pivotal role in successfully promoting the state’s products on the global stage.
In recent years, UP has taken new steps in the field of economic development and investment. As a result of simplifying investment and ease of doing business and accelerating infrastructure development, UP has today become the fastest growing economy in the country, the President continued.

The President emphasized that today India is the fifth largest economy in the world, and is determined to soon become the third largest economy in the world.

"UP has resolved to take its economy to one trillion dollars. UP and its people will contribute significantly to India's goal of becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy," she said. 

Pointing out that a good ecosystem is being developed for MSMEs in UP, Droupadi Murmu said, "UP ranks first among all the states in the country with 96 lakh MSME units. Despite being a landlocked state, the state's exports are continuously increasing. The state's exports have increased from Rs 88,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1.75 lakh crore. This is the result of the hard work and ability of the entrepreneurs of the state."
Regarding the recently organised G-20 conference in the state, the President said, "The entire world community is impressed by the success of the recent G-20 conference. Various G-20 summits were held in Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi and Greater Noida in UP. Indeed, there is no doubt that this trade show will undoubtedly achieve great success."

The President further stated that the UP International Trade Show will advance national and international priorities in line with the goals of the G-20.

"G20 accounts for 85 per cent of the world's total GDP and 75 per cent of trade. The declaration adopted unanimously in the G-20 conference includes the goals of local value creation under Unlocking Trade for Growth identifying the challenges faced by MSMEs and connecting MSMEs at the international level. More than 400 buyers from various countries of the world are participating in this trade show. I am confident that the UP International Trade Show will advance our national and international priorities in line with the goals of the G-20," she said. 

Highlighting the ODOP (One District One Product) scheme, the President stated that the display of ‘one product from one district’ of the state in this event is commendable. 

While highlighting women's participation, President Murmu said, "It is a good thing that women's participation in entrepreneurship is increasing. It still needs to be increased further. The display of 54 GI products from the state is also being presented at this trade show. I appreciate presenting such products to buyers from India and abroad. This trade show will prove to be a milestone in the development journey of UP." (ANI)

Two men were killed in the blast on Wednesday at a factory which grind empty plastic cigarette lighters into pieces.

The deceased were identified as Harveer, Ashok and Bhanu Pratap, all residents of Uttar Pradesh's Etah.

The official said that Bhanu Pratap was in critical condition due to approx 60 per cent burn and he had died on Wednesday night while being transferred from MV Hospital to Safdarjung Hospital.

According to police, a police control room call was received at Bawana police station at 4.43 p.m on Wednesday regarding a fire at a factory in O-Block, Sector-3, Bawana and that few people are still trapped in the factory. Fire tenders, ambulances and police staff reached the spot.

"The injured were shifted to MV hospital where two persons were declared brought dead," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer North, Ravi Kumar Singh.

During the initial enquiry, it was revealed that the factory is run by Mukesh and the factory buys empty plastic cigarette lighters and grinds them to pieces. "Total six labourers are employed in the factory. On Wednesday while grinding those lighters, a blast occurred which resulted in a heavy damage to the structure of the building, injury and casualty of people," the DCP said.

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"An FIR under section 285, 337, 304 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code and 9B Explosive Act was registered due to the blast in the factory," he added.

"This Bill will lead to a new confidence in the people of the country. All members and political parties have played a significant role in empowering women and enhancing 'Nari Shakti'. Let us give the country a strong message,"

PM Modi said in Rajya Sabha before voting on the bill. 

He sought unanimous support for the Bill.

He said there has been a discussion on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the two Houses for the past two days and over 132 members took part in the meaningful discussion which will be helpful.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a brief reply to the day-long debate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Rajya Sabha and said it will be implemented after following due processes.  

Read More: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a historic legislation, will further boost women empowerment: PM Modi

The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is the first bill that will be passed by Parliament after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.  The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday. (ANI)