October 22, 2025 - IndiaVerve

India Rises to 9th Position Globally in Forest Area

October 22, 2025 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India has climbed to the 9th position in the world in terms of total forest area, marking a significant milestone in its environmental conservation efforts. The ranking was announced in the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali.

According to the latest report, India has also maintained its 3rd position globally in terms of annual forest area gain, highlighting the country’s continued success in afforestation and sustainable forest management.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, shared the achievement on social media platform X, describing it as a reflection of India’s “collective commitment to protect and expand green cover.”

The GFRA is one of the most comprehensive global assessments of forest resources, tracking changes in forest area, management practices, and conservation trends across countries. India’s improved ranking underscores ongoing national efforts like the Green India Mission, large-scale plantation drives, and community-led forest protection programmes.

With this development, India reaffirms its leadership role in global environmental stewardship and its commitment to achieving sustainable development and climate goals.

Indian Railways to Operate 1,500 Special Trains to Manage Chhath Festive Rush

October 22, 2025 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced that 1,500 special trains will operate over the next five days to manage the heavy passenger rush during the Chhath Puja and Diwali festive season. The initiative aims to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel for millions returning home to celebrate with their families.

According to a release from the Ministry of Railways, an average of 300 additional train trips will be run each day across key routes in the country. This comes alongside other efforts to manage the seasonal surge, including crowd-control measures, extra staff deployment, and improved passenger facilities at major stations.

The Railways said that during the 61-day festive period from October 1 to November 30, more than 12,000 special trains are being operated nationwide. So far, 11,865 special trips — covering 916 trains — have been announced, including 9,338 reserved and 2,203 unreserved services.

In the last 21 days alone, 4,493 special train trips have been run, averaging 213 per day. These services helped passengers reach their hometowns safely for Diwali and will continue to operate through the Chhath festival period.

This year’s festive operations mark a substantial increase from 2024, when 7,724 Puja and Diwali specials were operated. The expansion reflects Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity and ensuring affordable travel options for the public.

“Indian Railways continues to play a vital role in connecting people across the nation, particularly during the festive season,” the ministry said, adding that safety and passenger convenience remain top priorities.

The Railways has intensified cleaning drives, deployed additional security personnel, and activated control rooms to monitor train operations in real time. At several busy stations, helpdesks and passenger assistance counters have been set up to guide travellers.

Passengers have welcomed these arrangements, particularly the special services on high-demand routes linking Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, which traditionally witness massive festive migration.

With enhanced schedules, improved coordination, and focus on passenger comfort, Indian Railways continues to reinforce its role as the country’s most reliable mode of transport during India’s busiest travel season.

President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Woman to Offer Prayers at Sabarimala

October 31, 2025October 22, 2025 by India Verve Desk

President Droupadi Murmu created history on Wednesday by becoming the first woman President of India to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, one of Kerala’s most revered pilgrimage sites.

Her visit marks a significant moment in the temple’s history, as no woman holding the nation’s highest constitutional office has previously entered the shrine. The President’s pilgrimage formed part of her four-day official tour of Kerala.

Sabarimala, nestled in the forests of Pathanamthitta district, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and draws millions of devotees each year, particularly during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

President Murmu’s visit also carries symbolic importance — she is only the second Indian President ever to visit Sabarimala. The last head of state to do so was President V. V. Giri in the 1970s.

Murmu’s visit has been widely noted as a moment of both religious and historical significance, reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of India’s constitutional democracy.

Odisha’s Demat Account Surge in 2025: A Snapshot of Growth and Potential

October 25, 2025October 22, 2025 by Deepak Acharya

In 2025, the country’s demat account scenario has seen unprecedented growth, with the total number surpassing 20 crore (200 million). This massive growth is largely attributed to the increasing participation of young investors under 30, who are embracing digital investing platforms.

While big states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead in absolute numbers, Odisha is emerging as a major contributor to this national trend.

Odisha’s position in 2025 Demat Account Landscape

The latest data provided by depositories CDSL and NSDL shows that Odisha ranks 16th among states in terms of demat account holdings, with approximately 41 lakh (4.1 million) active accounts.

This positions the state with a 2.45% share of the national demat account base.

But what drives demat growth in Odisha ?

1. Urban Centers Leading the Charge: Major cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela are witnessing a significant uptick in demat account openings. The proliferation of digital platforms and increased financial literacy in these urban areas play key roles in this growth.

2. Financial Literacy Initiatives: The Odisha government’s collaboration with top financial institutions to carry out investor awareness programs has played a key role. These initiatives aim to educate the populace about the benefits of demat accounts and the stock market, thereby fostering a culture of investing.

3. Youth Engagement: One of the key trends is the increasing number of young investors in Odisha. This demographic is leveraging mobile trading apps and online platforms to participate in the stock market, contributing significantly to the rise in demat account openings.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges: Rural Penetration: While urban areas are experiencing growth, rural regions in Odisha still have limited access to demat account services.

Awareness Gaps: Despite efforts, a considerable portion of the population remains unaware of the advantages of demat accounts.

Opportunities

Expansion of Services: There is a significant opportunity to extend demat account services to rural areas, tapping into an underserved market.

Targeted Awareness Campaigns: Implementing focused campaigns can bridge the awareness gap, encouraging more individuals to open demat accounts.

Odisha’s demat account landscape in 2025 reflects a state on the cusp of a financial revolution. With continued efforts in education, infrastructure development, and service expansion, Odisha has the potential to significantly increase its share in India’s demat account base. The current trajectory suggests a promising future for retail investing in the state.