India exports fibre & mineral rich ‘Dragon Fruit’ to Dubai

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has emphasisd the need for making India a leading maritime nation. Speaking at an interactive meeting with the officials of Visakhapatnam Port Trust on Saturday, he said that Ancient India was a great maritime power and the past glory is to be regained. He stressed on the importance of role of ports in India’s economy. The Vice President explained that India is strategically located on the world’s shipping routes with a long coastline of about 7,517 kilometres and over 200 major and minor ports which play key role in Indian economy. He said, various projects under Sagarmala cater to unlock employment opportunities for port-led development. Naidu expressed the hope that ports will play an important role in post-COVID economic recovery. He also appreciated Visakhapatnam Port Trust’s initiatives in creating world-class infrastructure and various green initiatives for sustainability.

-Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan on Saturday inaugurated virtually the two-day International Education e-Conference on the theme of ‘Holistic Education for Excellence in Life’ organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. Speaking on this occasion, Governor Harichandan said, holistic development through education from the early stage of a child’s life has become more important today especially in the midst of crisis that we are facing.He said, as predicted by learned thinkers and philosophers, the world that would emerge from the ruins of the COVID-19 pandemic would be a completely different, quite unlike the world we have seen or experienced before. Governor Harichandan said, through holistic development children will be equipped with intellectual, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual capabilities to face the demands and challenges of everyday life and real-world education helps every child find his or her unique place in the world in alignment with their innate values.He said, the present situation is leading to higher levels of stress, anxiety and uncertainty among the children as they are living in constrained environments and the parents are worried about their future. Governor of Chattisgarh Anasuiya Uikey, National Coordinator of Raja Yoga Education and Research Foundation Brahma Kumari Rajyogini Sheilu, Executive Secretary of Brahma Kumaris Shantivan Dr. B. K. Mruthyunjaya, National Coordinator, Brahma Kumaris, Australia Charles Hogg also participated in the conference. 

-Sikkim has extended the partial lockdown with further relaxations till 5 a.m. on 5th of July. As per the new guidelines, inter-district movement of vehicles including two-wheelers has been allowed on odd-even basis; restaurants can operate till 10 p.m. with 50 per cent capacity following COVID-19 protocol and night curfew will be effective from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. All other guidelines issued earlier will be effective during this period. All vehicles including private cars, taxis and two-wheelers can ply with odd-even stipulation.Movement of passengers boarding or returning from Pakyong or Bagdogra airports and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal will be allowed on the production of journey tickets and negative RT-PCR reports conducted within 72 hours of arrival. Commercial establishments can operate with 50 per cent staff. All gymnasiums, barber shops, spas, saloons and parlours may also operate till 5 p.m. with 50 per cent capacity. Pharma companies have been allowed to operate with 100 per cent staff while other production units may work with 50 per cent staff. Sikkim has been under lockdown since 6th of May.

-Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawaarchand Gehlot has  launched the website for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.The day was observed worldwide to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a sustainable world free of substance abuse.Addressing the gathering on the occasion on Saturday, Gehlot stated that according to the National Comprehensive Survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there are more than 60 million drug users in the country of which a large number of users are in the age group of 10 to 17 years. He said, the activities of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, despite the situation arising out of COVID-19 in the country, have continued in full force.He urged that the common man must become a part of Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign since the evil can be eradicated from the society only with people’s participation.He explained that his Ministry is the Nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction.

-In a major boost to export of exotic fruits, a consignment of fibre and mineral rich ‘Dragon Fruit’, also referred as Kamalam, has been exported to Dubai.A consignment of Dragon Fruit for export was sourced from the farmers of Tadasar village in Sangli district of Maharashtra.Ministry of Commerce and Industry in a statement said that scientifically referred to as Hylocereusundatus, the dragon fruit is grown in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, the USA and Vietnam.The fruit contains fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.It can help in repairing the cell damage caused by oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, and also improving the digestive system.Since the fruit has spikes and petals resembling lotus, it is also referred as ‘Kamalam’. Dragon fruit production commenced in India in early 1990s and was grown as home gardens.Dragon Fruit has become increasingly popular in recent years in the country as it has been taken up for cultivation by farmers across various states.The Ministry said, at present, dragon fruit is grown mostly in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The cultivation requires less water and can be grown in various kinds of soils. There are three main varieties of dragon fruit.