June 9, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Union education minister hands over approval letters to foreign universities

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday handed over Letters of Approval to the University of York and the University of Bristol in the UK, and the University of New South Wales in Australia, marking their formal entry into India under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework for internationalisation of higher education.

The development is part of India’s strategy to allow leading global universities to establish a presence in the country and strengthen academic collaboration with Indian institutions, Pradhan said in a post on X.

The initiative is aimed at expanding access to international-quality education within India while promoting joint research, interdisciplinary learning, and industry linkages.

Pradhan also said the partnerships will help nurture the next generation of scholars, researchers, and innovators by combining global academic expertise with India’s education ecosystem.

He noted that the institutions are expected to contribute to scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary learning while building long-term academic and industry collaborations.

The approval ceremony was attended by representatives of the universities along with officials from the Australian and British High Commissions and the Ministry of Education, reflecting the institutional and diplomatic engagement behind the initiative.

The minister further said the entry of these universities is expected to support India’s goal of emerging as a global hub of learning and innovation under NEP 2020 by deepening cross-border academic integration.

States put on tight timeline for July 1 rural employment transition

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday placed states under a strict implementation timeline for the rollout of the ‘Viksit Bharat GRAMG’ framework, directing that the transition must begin from July 1, 2026, without any disruption in rural employment or wage payments.

Chouhan told a high-level meeting of state rural development ministers that the shift is not a routine administrative change but a matter directly linked to the livelihoods of crores of rural workers.

He said that “not a single worker should remain without work even for a day” and stressed that employment generation, wage payments, and statutory rights must continue without interruption during the transition.

The Centre has backed the rollout with significant financial support, announcing an interim allocation of Rs 95,692 crore to states and Union Territories, according to an official statement.

This comes in addition to Rs 30,000 crore already allocated under MGNREGA, taking the total provision beyond Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

Chouhan said the funds must be effectively utilised across nearly 2.80 lakh Gram Panchayats and directed states to ensure advance approval of sufficient works so that implementation can begin immediately from July 1.

He also asked states to complete key preparatory steps, including issuance of state-level notifications, strengthening of digital systems such as DBT, e-KYC, and face authentication, and ensuring capacity-building at district and block levels.

He noted that several states have already made progress, while some, including Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, and Mizoram, have been urged to expedite compliance.

The minister said works under the scheme will continue to be selected through Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, but emphasized that there should be no reduction or delay in employment generation or wage payments during the transition period.

State-wise allocations were also announced during the meeting, with Uttar Pradesh receiving Rs 12,221.48 crore, followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and other states.

Chouhan invited all states to the National Rural Development Conference scheduled at PUSA Institute in New Delhi on June 28 and 29, where further discussions on implementation will take place.

West Bengal CM announces removal of ‘dham’ from Digha Jagannath temple name

June 10, 2026June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The West Bengal government has decided to remove the word “Dham” from the name of the Jagannath temple complex at Digha following concerns raised by the Odisha government over its religious and cultural significance.

The decision came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi formally wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, urging him to drop the word “Dham” from the temple’s name.

In his letter, Majhi said the term “Jagannath Dham” is intrinsically linked to the sacred abode of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath at Puri, one of the four revered Char Dhams of India, and carries immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance for millions of devotees.

Majhi noted that the naming of the Digha temple complex as “Digha Jagannath Dham” had generated concern among devotees, religious scholars, and socio-cultural organisations.

He requested that the temple be renamed with a suitable alternative, such as “Shri Jagannath Temple, Digha,” to preserve the sanctity and distinct identity associated with Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri.

Meanwhile, Puri Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra, who visited Kolkata as a special envoy of the Odisha CM, handed over the letter to Adhikari. Announcing the development, Patra said the Odisha government had never objected to the construction or promotion of Jagannath temples outside the state but had consistently opposed the use of the word “Dham” in the Digha temple’s name.

Patra said that after the communication from the Odisha government, it was decided that the word “Dham” would be removed and the shrine would henceforth be known simply as “Jagannath Temple”.

He thanked Adhikari for accepting the request and described the decision as an important step in respecting the sentiments of millions of Odia people, devotees of Lord Jagannath, and followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country.

The move is expected to ease concerns expressed by various religious and cultural groups in Odisha while reinforcing the unique status of Puri as the traditional Jagannath Dham.

Odisha Self-Help Group exports Amrapali mangoes to London

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

BHUBANESWAR: In a notable boost to women-led entrepreneurship and Odisha’s growing agri-export sector, Maa Kalijai Self-Help Group (SHG) from Angul district has exported 7.5 quintals of Amrapali mangoes to London.

The export marks a significant milestone for the rural women’s collective and highlights the increasing participation of SHGs in international markets, a space traditionally dominated by larger Farmer-Producer Organisations.

The initiative was supported by the Directorate of Horticulture under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment through the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer-Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project.

Marketing facilitation for the export was provided by Palladium Consulting, the implementation partner for the project. Mission Shakti and the Odisha Livelihoods Mission also played a key role in strengthening the SHG and enhancing its capabilities.

Palladium Consulting has been supporting Odisha’s agri-export ecosystem through awareness programmes, field demonstrations, exporter interactions, and coordination with farmers and producer organisations. The agency also facilitates procurement and provides handholding support to strengthen producer institutions and improve market access.

The achievement comes at a time when Odisha has already recorded 90 metric tonnes of mango exports this year through initiatives supported by the Directorate of Horticulture under the PSFPO project.

Officials said the export by Maa Kalijai SHG reflects the growing market readiness of rural women’s groups and their ability to meet quality standards required for international trade. The successful shipment to London demonstrates how grassroots collectives can move beyond local markets and participate in global value chains.

Members of the SHG described the export as a landmark moment for the group. Rupali Pradhan, a member of Maa Kalijai SHG, said the achievement had given the women confidence and proved that small community groups can reach international markets with the right support and opportunities.

Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Agribusiness Expert at Palladium, said the export showcased how institutional support, capacity building, and coordinated interventions can help even small producer groups access global markets. He said the achievement sets a new benchmark for inclusive agri-exports in Odisha.

The development is being seen as an example of how women-led grassroots organisations are increasingly contributing to economic growth while expanding Odisha’s presence in international agricultural markets.

Guns N’ Roses to perform in Guwahati on November 17

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: Legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses is set to perform in Guwahati on November 17, 2026, marking a major addition to Assam’s growing live entertainment calendar.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the announcement, saying the concert would bring one of the world’s most iconic rock bands to the state and further strengthen Assam’s emergence as a destination for major international entertainment events.

In a post on X, Sarma said the event follows the success of singer Post Malone’s concert in the state and is expected to attract visitors from across India and abroad. He said the concert would provide an opportunity for guests to experience Assam’s hospitality, culture, and vibrancy while boosting tourism and the local economy.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, also welcomed the band’s visit, describing it as another milestone in the growth of the Northeast’s entertainment economy.

Scindia said the event would help draw visitors, create economic opportunities, and showcase the region to a global audience.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1985, Guns N’ Roses has remained a prominent name in rock music for four decades.

The American hard rock band built a global fan base through a string of commercially successful releases and live performances, becoming one of the defining acts of modern rock and earning recognition across generations of music listeners.

India’s pharma industry can double to USD 120 billion in five years, says Piyush Goyal

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s pharmaceutical industry, currently valued at around USD 60 billion, has the potential to double in size over the next five years, as he invited global pharmaceutical companies to deepen their engagement with the country.

Addressing the Global Ambassador Meet on the Pharmaceutical Sector and the curtain raiser ceremony for GDRC 2026 and IPHEX 2026 in New Delhi, Goyal said India aims to move beyond its traditional strength in generic medicines and expand its presence in innovation-driven pharmaceutical products while continuing to provide affordable healthcare solutions worldwide.

The minister said India sees itself as a trusted partner in global pharmaceutical supply chains, serving as a manufacturing hub, technology partner, innovation centre, clinical trial destination, and supplier of medicines to countries across the world.

Highlighting the country’s economic performance, Goyal said India remains the world’s fastest-growing large economy despite global uncertainties and recorded economic growth of 7.7% at constant prices in the year ended March 2026.

He said India is prepared to provide market access to high-quality innovative pharmaceutical products from partner countries and pointed to the preferential access available under the country’s free trade agreements.

According to the minister, India has concluded nine free trade agreements in recent years and now enjoys trade arrangements covering more than 50 countries.

Emphasising the role of generic medicines, Goyal said affordable drugs manufactured in India benefit millions of patients globally. He noted that generic medicines account for 80-90% of the volume of medicines sold in the US while representing only 10-15% of their value, underscoring their affordability, according to an official statement.

The minister identified trust, innovation, and partnerships as the three pillars driving the growth of India’s pharmaceutical sector. He said India has aligned its Good Manufacturing Practices framework with international standards and remains a major contributor to global vaccine supplies, with around 65-70% of World Health Organization vaccine requirements sourced from the country.

He also said India hosts the highest number of US FDA-approved pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities outside the US.

On innovation, Goyal said patent filings in India have nearly doubled in recent years and highlighted government initiatives such as the Biopharma Shakti programme and a USD 10-billion innovation support programme covering multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals.

Odisha cabinet clears Rs 1,500-crore land bank scheme to boost tourism infrastructure

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha cabinet has approved a new scheme titled “Land Bank for Hospitality Infrastructure” aimed at strengthening tourism-led economic growth and attracting large-scale investments in the hospitality sector across the state.

The scheme envisages the creation of a dedicated Tourism Land Bank under the Department of Tourism to address the shortage of readily available, contiguous, encroachment-free, and investment-ready land for tourism projects.

Under the initiative, around 5,500 acres of government and private land parcels will be identified and developed across major tourism destinations in Odisha.

These include Chilika, Konark, Puri (Shamuka), Dhauli, Hirakud, Satkosia, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, Daringbadi, Deomali, the Buddhist Circuit, Jiranga, Talsari and Tampara-Aryapalli. Additional destinations may be included in the future based on tourism potential and development requirements.

The scheme will be implemented over five years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 with an annual outlay of Rs 300 crore, taking the total financial implication to Rs 1,500 crore.

According to the government, the proposed Tourism Land Bank will support destination-level master planning and provide investors with access to infrastructure-ready land parcels, helping reduce project gestation periods and improve ease of doing business.

The initiative is expected to facilitate investments in hotels, resorts, convention centres, eco-tourism projects, wellness retreats, recreational facilities, and other tourism-related infrastructure.

The government said the scheme has been designed as a state-wide intervention to promote balanced regional development and support the growth of emerging tourism destinations.

It is also expected to generate employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities, tourism service providers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and youth.

The Department of Tourism will serve as the nodal agency for implementation in coordination with IDCO, OTDC, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, and other concerned agencies.

The government said the initiative would help attract greater private investment in the tourism sector, expand quality accommodation capacity, strengthen local economies, and advance Odisha’s long-term vision of becoming a leading tourism destination in India and Asia.

Beijing says India-China ties stable, calls for expanded cooperation

June 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: China has said that maintaining sound relations among India, China, and Russia is important for regional as well as global peace, stability, and development.

Responding to recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Russia–India–China relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that the three countries are major emerging economies and that healthy ties among them serve shared interests.

Addressing a press conference, the spokesperson added that China is ready to stay in communication with Russia and India on strengthening trilateral cooperation.

On India–China relations, Jian said the border situation is “generally stable,” and that communication channels between the two sides remain open. It stressed that the two countries should view each other as development partners rather than competitors, and work towards expanding cooperation while properly managing differences.

On India–Pakistan relations, the spokesperson reiterated its position that both sides should resolve issues through dialogue and consultation to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The remarks came in response to observations made by Putin during a recent interaction with the media, in which he discussed relations among Russia, India, and China. Putin noted that India and China were working to address issues of mutual interest, including the boundary question.

He also underlined that Russia’s ties with India and China had developed independently of one another, and that Moscow’s relations with New Delhi and Beijing did not interfere with each other.

Referring to India’s concerns over China-Pakistan ties, Putin said Pakistan maintains multifaceted relations with various countries.