Economy

Why Bihar’s only Muslim majority district Kishanganj is ailing behind on development indices?

Lead Story

The latest NITI Aayog report states that 64.75 per cent of Kishanganj’s population are multidimensionally poor. This TCN Ground Report looks at the reasons...

Man-made Drought in Maharashtra

Economy

By Dr. Parvez Mandviwala for TwoCircles.net, Drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply-...

Kerala’s timber market sustained by imports

Economy

By Jeevan Mathew Kurian, IANS Kozhikode (Kerala) : Kerala may be one of the greenest states in India with about 28 percent of its total area covered by forests but it is dependent on imports, especially from Southeast Asia, for timber. The imported timber is popularly called Malaysian wood. But according to timber traders, it is mostly sourced from Myanmar.

Maulana Azad Minorities Finance & Development Corporation comes up with loan schemes

Economy

By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,

Mumbai: Now the lower income groups among the minorities need not worry about getting a loan for education or business as the Maulana Azad Minorities Financial Development Corporation (MAMFDC) has got huge funds for the purpose.

Meet Manjuwara Mullah from Assam’s riverine sandbank who is leading Muslim women to social,...

Lead Story

Manjuwara Mullah from the north-eastern state of Assam is a social activist whose initiative Amrapari has changed the lives of many women in the...

Khwairamband Bazaar: a symbol of women empowerment

Economy

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

This Muslim-run NGO run in Hyderabad helps women build sustainable livelihoods

Lead Story

SAFA is an NGO that has changed the lives of thousands of women from poor economic groups in Hyderabad and given them hope...

Is Bitcoin Shariah Compliant?

Economy

By Mansoor Durrani Islamic finance is not just a business. It is, essentially, a system to ensure economic justice followed by economic growth. This is achieved...

A fashion designer turns her village home into garment manufacturing unit

Lead Story

Tabassum Jabeen's entrepreneurial journey began amidst the Covid lockdown. Sufi Parween | TwoCircles.net PATNA (BIHAR) — A whirring sound from a nondescript building in the middle...

Bihar: Hopes and hurdles for minority communities in much-hyped caste census

Lead Story

The ongoing caste-based census in Bihar is considered a possible game-changer in policy-making for all the backward castes of the state. Muslims too...

Shah Rukh Khan calls off deal with Lux Cozy

Economy

By Manzar Bilal,Twocircles.net , Kolkata: In respect to the sentiment of Rizwanur Rehman’s family and the community at large, Bollywood star and owner of Kolkata Knight Rider, Shah Rukh Khan has called off business deal with the famous company Lux Cozi maker of innerwear. Lux Cozi is owned by Ashok Todi who is accused in the infamous Rizwanur Rehman murder case.

In Kolkata, a Sunday paradise for pet and plant lovers

Economy

By Sreya Basu, IANS, Kolkata : If you are an animal, bird or plant lover, a visit to the weekly market at Shakher Haat on north Kolkata's Galiff Street is a must on a Sunday morning. The market brings together an unending variety of animals - from dogs, cats, rabbits and white mice to birds and fish - besides a vast range of flowering and decorative plants. "This is the oldest animal market of the city. Most of the animal and plant sellers have been doing business here for generations," Shankar Jana, who sells dogs and rabbits, told IANS.

“We struggle for our basic needs, don’t have time to think if we are...

Lead Story

Golla(s) are nomadic tribes from the state of Andhra Pradesh. For generations, the gollas have been practising migratory pastoralism. Gollas in other states are...

Pushed from Charminar- Samira’s death symbolises the exploitation by moneylenders

Economy

From Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net Hyderabad: The heart wrenching story of Sameera Begum, who died after being pushed down from the Hyderabad’s historic monument Charminar by her tormentor Arshad Ahmad, has brought the cruel exploitation of the poor families by the money lender in to sharp focus.

Amanath Bank scam: K Rahman Khan clears his position before TCN

Economy

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,

Goa’s feni shows sharp decline in production

Economy

By Frederick Noronha, IANS, Panjim : Feni, that uniquely Goa drink distilled from the cashew apple, is showing a sharp decline in production. This despite the fact that it is one of the best-known local liquors in India. An unorganised as well as complex manufacturing and sale process, which has failed to improve with time, has led to a steep decline in the production of feni.

‘Nothing will be same ever again,’ say residents of Delhi’s Shiv Vihar three years...

Lead Story

In northeast Delhi's Shiv Vihar area, most of the Muslim residents are yet to recover from the traumatic episodes of violence and the...

MA Yusufali named most influential Indian in the GCC

Economy

By TCN News,

Odisha’s applique artisans are struggling to conserve this 12th century traditional artform

Lead Story

Once known as the hub of applique works in Odisha, a market in Chandua has lost its shine with most of the shops selling...

Problems and Prospects of Islamic Banking in India – Road Map ahead

Economy

By H Abdur Raqeeb, Modern, secular and industrialized countries like Britain, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan have become hub of Islamic finance and banking. If London, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong can become hub and house of Interest free Islamic finance and banking, why not Mumbai and Cochin? asks the author while analyzing problems and prospects of Islamic banking in India. The paper was presented at an Islamic banking conference in New Delhi recently— Editor Banking

“Death knell for our trade,” almost year after new anti-cow slaughter bill, cattle traders...

Lead Story

The introduction of the controversial new anti-cow slaughter bill in Karnataka in December 2020 has badly impacted the cattle traders and meat sellers of...

Toni & Guy to set up four hairdressing academies in India

Economy

By Shweta Thakur, IANS New Delhi : Global hairdressing brand Toni & Guy is set to give India's hairstyling institutes a run for their money with its decision to set up four academies in the country by the end of March 2009. "We want to convert hairstyling into a career option. Hence, we are planning to open four Toni & Guy hairdressing academies in the country," says Rohit Sood, director, sales and marketing, Brushman India Limited. The Delhi-based company distributes, markets and promotes the UK based brand Toni & Guy.

Credit society run by Muslims offers respite for low-income wage groups

Lead Story

Headquartered in a small building in the state capital Patna, Al-Khair Co-operative Credit Society, with thirteen branches in four states, has transformed lives by...

Uttarakhand: Muslim area residents protest court order for demolition of over 4000 houses, demand...

Lead Story

The High Court ordered the authorities to evict unauthorised occupants of the railway land adjacent to Haldwani Railway Station, known as Gaffur Basti,...

“We need employment, not help,” Nagpur’s sex workers decry ban, barricading of area

Lead Story

Ganga Jamuna area of Nagpur in Maharashtra is the oldest Red Light area of the city and has always been bustling with people. In...

New Citigroup CEO has a strong religious streak

Economy

Nagpur(IANS) : He may be a financial wizard with a keen eye for a flaw in the market and a rare acumen to turn around a bad economy. But in personal life, Vikram Shankar Pandit, the newly appointed CEO of New York-based Citigroup, remains an exceptionally "simple and unassuming man" with a strong religious streak.

New property tax imposed in Rajasthan

Economy

By IANS Jaipur : The government in Rajasthan has imposed a new property tax in urban areas of the state. In a notification issued here late Wednesday evening the state government imposed urban development tax with immediate effect. The urban development tax is being levied as an alternate to house tax, which was abolished in January. Abolition of house tax was one of the promises made in the Bharatiya Janata Party manifesto released at the time of the assembly elections in 2003.

BJP wants beef ban, but is happy to take exporters’ money

Economy

By Afroz Alam Sahil, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: Bharatiya Janta Party may strongly pitch for beef ban across the country, but the ruling party...

Thousands denied drinking water, farmers denied water for irrigation: The true cost of Sabarmati...

Economy

By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net The ‘Sabarmati Riverfront’ has been for many, one of the crowning jewels of the Gujarat government during the period of Narendra...

Tailor made insurance for Indians in UAE

Economy

By IANS

Dubai : Two specially designed insurance schemes for Indians working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been launched taking into consideration some of the problems faced by them.

Giving shoes a new life in Patna

Lead Story

Shazia Qaiser runs the state’s first shoe laundry service. Sufi Parween | TwoCircles.net PATNA (BIHAR) — A black and green board reading “Revival: Service Centre for...

Farmers in Himachal Pradesh turn to kiwi cultivation

Economy

By Vishal Gulati, IANS, Shimla : Fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh are increasingly taking to commercial cultivation of the exotic kiwi fruit. Horticulture experts say it's a good step towards crop diversification and fetching them good returns too. Successful cultivation of kiwi along with pomegranate, cherry and strawberry by progressive farmers in the state has encouraged the horticulture experts to promote the cultivation of this fruit crop, a shift from traditional apple cultivation.

TCN इम्पैक्ट : बदल गई ‘अजहरुद्दीन’ की किस्मत,अमेरिका से पढ़ाई का...

Economy

आसमोहम्मद कैफ। Twocircles.net कबाड़ से इलेक्ट्रिक कार बनाने वाले मेरठ के मजदूर के बेटे अजहरुद्दीन की किस्मत बस बदलने ही वाली है। टीसीएन में...

Explained: Why is resentment growing in Ladakh three years after UT status?

Lead Story

Leaders from two regions of Ladakh - Kargil and Leh, have put forth four agenda points for the Centre to fulfill. TCN Staff Correspondent SRINAGAR...

इनोवेशन | एक माह में सोलर बाइक बनाने वाले असद की कहानी

Economy

फिल्म देखकर सात सीटर सोलर बाइक बनाई, आईआईटी कानपुर से बुलावा यह कहानी है 23 वर्ष के असद की, जो बचपन से ही काफी...

Islamic banking may solve farmer suicide crisis: Swaminathan

Economy

By TCN News, Chennai: Eminent economist and Father of Indian green revolution, M S Swaminathan sees Islamic banking and finance system as solution to the farmer suicide crisis. At an award ceremony here yesterday Swaminathan said Islamic banking may be the solution to farmer suicide crisis in Vidarbha.

Kolkata Metro ridership April-December sets new record

Economy

By IANS,

Rubber gets a new home in Maharashtra’s Konkan region

Economy

By Quaid Najmi, IANS, Raigad (Maharashtra) : Rubber plantations are taking strong roots in Maharashtra's coastal Konkan region, thanks to a salubrious climate, improved yield and the state's own initiative to popularise the cash crop. And the fact that several farmers from Kerala, the traditional home for rubber plantations, have invested in the business in the coastal districts is only helping the trend catch on further.

2020 Delhi riots: ‘My soul trembles when I recall that day,’ shopkeepers at Gokulpuri...

Lead Story

Shopkeepers at Gokulpuri tyre market, where 97 shops were set ablaze during the 2020 Delhi riots, are still struggling to rebuild their lives...

What does EWS quota mean for SC, ST, OBCs?

Economy

The Supreme Court's reservation for economically weaker sections, especially for the forward castes, has sprung up a debate that it will only create...

Jharkhand poultry sales hit, fish and meat dearer

Economy

By IANS Ranchi : The outbreak of avian influenza in neighbouring West Bengal has hit poultry sales in Jharkhand and sent fish and mutton prices soaring even though no bird flu case has been reported in the state. The price of broiler chicken has gone down from Rs.70 per kilogram at the beginning of this year to just Rs.35-40 a kg.

Ahead of UP polls, report on socio-political condition of Muslim community paints a picture...

Lead Story

The report by the Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP) ‘Development of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh—released on January 9, paints a picture...

India’s oldest British law firm returns to London after 152 years

Economy

By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS London : India's oldest British-established law firm is now back in Britain. Fox Mandal and Little, India's largest law firm that began life as Little & Co. in 1856, opened its London office Wednesday to offer India-specific legal services to British companies. "The timing is just right," said Som Mandal, a partner in the firm and the man who will be overseeing operations in London.

India’s much neglected periodic Haats or weekly markets: An equitable model for small farmers?

Lead Story

Amid the farmers' protests in India, a TCN Ground report from the weekly markets or haats of West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand demonstrates a...

In photos: Kozhikode sewage treatment plant faces stiff opposition from locals

Lead Story

Since January this year, a Muslim fisherman community in Kozhikode, Kerala is up in arms against the administration for its plan to construct a...

Closure of slaughter houses in UP brought 400-year-old bone carving trade to an end

Lead Story

Over-400-year-old bone carving trade in UP has been hit hard by the government’s crackdown on illegal slaughter houses. A Tripathi | TwoCircles.net UTTAR PRADESH — Abrar Ahmed,...

Parvez Damania turns passion for films into business

Economy

By Jivraj Burman, IANS Mumbai : Entrepreneur Parvez Damania shocked his friends when he went into the aviation business days after the government ended its monopoly in the sector in the mid-1990s. And once again he has surprised them by venturing into Bollywood as a producer. Watching sensible movies in his spare time had always been his way of relieving the cares of the world. But the idea of making films occurred to him rather late, but not so late as to abandon it as wishful thinking.

In riot-hit Khargone, WhatsApp forwards advocate economic boycott of Muslims

Lead Story

More than two weeks after the communal clashes, calls for boycotting Muslims are repeatedly being made both offline and online causing fear among the...

Orissa titanium plant offers villagers jobs, work resumes

Economy

By IANS, Bhubaneswar : The work at the site of a proposed titanium dioxide plant in Orissa's Ganjam district was resumed after the company assured employment opportunities to villagers affected by the project, a government official said Monday. "The local villagers and administration allowed the company to resume work after it assured that it will provide work on priority basis to all the people who lost land due to the project," additional district magistrate Madan Mohan Deo told IANS.

Goat sellers begin flocking to Jaipur’s Bakra Mandi

Economy

By IANS Jaipur : Like every year, Mohammad Ahmad, the resident of a nearby village, is once again in this city for the next 15 days or so. He has brought with him three goats weighing 15, 18 and 20 kg. He desperately hopes to get lucky like last year and make a few thousands before heading back to his village.

May Day: ‘No way out of tea estates,’ housing woes, low wages compel workers...

Lead Story

Assam’s tea estates contribute to more than fifty percent of the total tea production in India. However, the workers working at these estates have...

Corporation Bank to migrate to new core banking solution

Economy

By IANS,

SBI to launch sharia compliant mutual fund in December

Economy

India to become second country outside the Islamic world to run sharia compliant MF, will Islamic banking follow? By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: Country’s largest public sector bank the State Bank of India is launching an ‘open ended equity scheme’, complying with the Islamic laws, popularly known as ‘Sharia equity fund’ in December. The new fund will open on December 1, and closes on December 15, 2014.

Wearing slogans on sleeves: Rupali Jadhav designs her activism on T-shirts

Lead Story

33-year-old Rupali Jadhav started designing and selling T-shirts in early 2020, a year after the arrest of six activists of Kabir Kala Manch (KKM). Riya...

Amul innerwear eyes Rs.2.1 bn turnover in fourth quarter

Economy

By IANS Kolkata : J.G. Hosiery Pvt Ltd, owner of the leading brand Amul Macho, Tuesday projected a turnover of Rs.2.1 billion ($52.6 million) at the end of the fourth quarter in March 2008 against Rs.1.5 billion in the corresponding period of last fiscal, with a net profit of over 10 percent. "The company is currently on a major expansion spree. We are planning to enter the premium range of kids and ladies' innerwear market in a big way," Sandeep Seksaria, director of the company said here.

Adivasi villages in Jharkhand, Odisha face severe neglect, reveals new report

Lead Story

The report titled “Status of Adivasi Livelihoods 2021” highlights the difficulties and scarcities faced by the tribal communities. Muhammed Nihad PV | TwoCircles.net NEW DELHI —...

Himachal Pradesh approves 13 hydropower projects

Economy

By IANS, Shimla : Himachal Pradesh has given the go-ahead to independent power producers for executing 13 hydropower projects having a total generation capacity of 1,583 MW. A senior government official associated with power project allocation said the selected companies include Moserbaer, DCM Sriram Infrastructure and Jindal Steel and Power. The official, on condition of anonymity, said the selected companies have been invited to sign pre-implementation agreements with the government and deposit the fixed upfront premium of Rs.2 million (Rs.20 lakh) per megawatt.

‘Picked up from garbage, dropped in gutter,’ Muslim slum dwellers in Ahmedabad see no...

Lead Story

Local Muslims residing in the ghettos of Vatva and Ajit Mill complained about negligence from government officials and elected representatives. Aquilur Rahman and Vipul...

Hapur, a hub of flower, vegetable production

Economy

By S.P. Singh, IANS, Hapur (Uttar Pradesh) : Exporting fresh flowers to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and selling high-value vegetables to hotels and embassies in Delhi, this town in western Uttar Pradesh has become the hub of flourishing new businesses. While much of the flowers and vegetables are exported, a lot go to hotels and embassies in New Delhi, and the rest is sold in Connaught Place, Khan Market and INA Market in the capital.

Charring the Kutch desert with charcoal

Economy

By Yoginder Sikand The Great Rann of Kutch, stretching over much of the northern part of Gujarat’s remote Kutch district and spilling over across the border in Pakistan’s Sindh province, is a fragile desert ecological zone. It consists of flat sandy and stony plains that stretch as far as the horizon, interspersed with small rocky hillocks, dotted, in some parts, with thorny, ankle-length bushes. Large parts of the area do not boast of any vegetation at all, being covered with massive sheets of salt.

Drip by drip, farmers grow more in Rajasthan’s vegetable basket

Economy

By Rajeev Ranjan Roy, IANS, Chomu (Rajasthan) : Farmers in this vegetable-growing oasis amid Rajasthan's semi-desert scrubland are improving yields from their farms, thanks to drip irrigation and financial help from a soft drinks major. Young and old, the farmers keep thronging the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK - agriculture science centre) at sub-divisional headquarters town Chomu, 40 km from state capital Jaipur, to learn new tricks to grow more and better vegetables.

Bihar gets increased budget for minority welfare, observers raise questions on implementation

Lead Story

After Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar recently announced an increase in the budget allocation for minority welfare in the state, observers from the...

In Pictures: Amid pandemic, award winning Chennai based Dalit folk artist Karthick Annan takes...

Lead Story

Karthick Annan is a 35-year-old Dalit folk artist from Chennai, mastered in different folk art forms produced from an indigenous culture in Tamil Nadu...

Locals of a West Bengal village decry construction of Dolomite factory in area, say...

Lead Story

The construction of a Dolomite factory in Sishujhumra village of West Bengal has left residents aghast as the factory poses health and environmental hazards....

Bollywood producer keen to set up studio in Ajmer

Economy

By IANS Jaipur : Bollywood film producer and director K C Bokadia has shown interest in setting up of a film studio and an acting school in Ajmer. Bokadia, who hails from Rajasthan, has directed and produced Hindi movies like "Police Aur Mujrim", "Phool Bane Angaarey", "Lal Baadshah" and "Aaj Ka Arjun" among others, met officials of Ajmer Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) Wednesday to discuss the project.

Bogey of ‘economic jihad’: a conspiracy to target livelihood of Indian Muslims

Lead Story

The purpose of these bogus conspiracy theories is to target the livelihood of Muslims and weaken them economically. Md Asif Khan | TwoCircles.net The term ‘economic...

They only come for the poor: Tughlakabad residents who received demolition notices

Lead Story

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) posted notices in over 1000 homes in Tughlakabad area of New Delhi earlier this month, causing consternation...

Chhattisgarh to set up three cashew nut processing units

Economy

By IANS Raipur : Chhattisgarh will set up three cashew nut processing units in the iron ore rich Bastar region, a government official said Saturday. The three units will be set up at Kumharvand, Karmari and Turenaar. These are remote areas having tribal stronghold.

Kishor Kharat appointed as CEO and MD of IDBI bank

Economy

By Yogesh Maitreya, Twocircles.net, Mumbai: Kishor Kharat has been appointed as the CEO and MD of IDBI Bank. The announcement was made on August 14,...

Ragpickers seen through the prism of art

Economy

The underprivileged and marginalized ragpicker community has rarely been depicted in art forms in India. Aatika S | TwoCircles.net NEW DELHI - The work of progressive...

Modern slavery: Adivasi labourers in Gujarat’s sugarcane fields

Economy

Every year more than two lakh Adivasis from the Maharashtra-Gujarat border region immigrate to work in sugar mills as sugarcane harvesters—but without any...

India, Israel set up fruits centre in Haryana

Economy

By IANS,

Northeast India’s biggest steel plant begins production

Economy

By IANS, Agartala : The biggest gas-based steel plant in northeast India started commercial production in Tripura Friday. The Noida-based Dharampal Premchand Ltd (DPL), manufacturers of the "Baba" brand of tobacco products, has diversified into steel production to set up the Rs.250-crore steel plant at Bodhjungnagar, 12 km north of Tripura's capital Agartala.

Indo-Spanish venture to offer electronic manufacturing services

Economy

By IANS

Bangalore : Two Spanish firms Electronica ITEL and DigiProces have roped in two Indian serial entrepreneurs Anil Gupta and Alok Garg to set up an electronic manufacturing services (EMS) joint venture (JV), with an upfront investment of $10 million (Rs.410 million).

India’s growing rich-poor divide: Richest 1% gross 73% wealth in 2017

Economy

Davos (IANS): India's richest, just 1 per cent of its 1.3 billion people, grossed 73 per cent of the wealth generated in 2017 while the...

‘Was forced to change name of restaurant & menu, fire Muslim staff, and hire...

Lead Story

In the temple city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim hotelier claimed to change the name of his restaurant from Hotel Taj to...

“Want affected people to have security,” activists raise concern over world’s second-largest coal block...

Lead Story

The Deocha Pachami Harinsingha Dewanganj Coal Mine Project, in Birbhum, West Bengal is the second largest coal mining block in the world. While the...

Castor farming project to help distressed Vidarbha farmers

Economy

By Shyam Pandharipande, IANS Nagpur (Maharashtra) : A Mumbai-based oil firm has launched an ambitious contract farming project in the crisis-ridden western Vidarbha region under which it will procure castor seeds from farmers at an assured price. The programme by Jayant Oils and Derivatives Ltd (JODL) hopes to support at least 25,000 farmers.

Why are tribals from Jammu and Kashmir protesting inclusion of Paharis in ST list?

Economy

Members of the Gujjar Bakarwal community in Jammu and Kashmir are on a protest march from Kupwara to Jammu against the government of India's...

Van Versus Vikas: New documentary dismantles mythology of India’s “progress” from worldview of Adivasi...

Lead Story

The film chronicles the resistance of an Adivasi family, along with other city activists and residents, to stop the Mumbai Metro Rail project...

Farmers abandoning opium cultivation in Uttar Pradesh

Economy

By IANS Lucknow : What was once considered a lucrative cash crop, opium cultivation has become a losing proposition in Uttar Pradesh. Many opium growers, concentrated in parts of Barabanki, Shahjahanpur and Barielly districts, have switched over from opium to other crops. While Lucknow-based Deputy Narcotics Commissioner Ashok Kumar declined to comment on the issue, official records show a steady fall in opium cultivation and production in the state.

JPMorgan Chase’s Anil Bhalla appointed to USIBC Board

Economy

By Arun Kumar, IANS, Washington : The US-India Business Council (USIBC), an advocacy group seeking stronger US-India commercial ties, has appointed Anil Bhalla, Vice Chairman (Investment Banking-Asia Pacific) of JPMorgan Chase, to its Board of Directors. "We are delighted to have someone of Anil's stature and reputation as a member of the USIBC Board," said Indra Nooyi, chairperson of USIBC, which represents 280 of the largest US companies investing in India, joined by two dozen of India's largest global companies.

Tatas’ Singur withdrawal `slap’ for West Bengal: Biman Bose

Economy

By IANS, Kolkata : The withdrawal of the Tatas from Singur is a "slap" for West Bengal, Biman Bose, chairman of the state's ruling Left Front, said Saturday. "The withdrawal of the Tatas from Singur is a slap on West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress and its partners are responsible for this loss," Bose told reporters at a press conference at the party headquarters at Alimuddin Street here. "However, the government must continue to implement industrialisation here despite all obstructions and arrange for job security of the unemployed youths," he maintained.

Sun Fruits to cultivate stevia in West Bengal, northeast

Economy

By IANS Kolkata : Sun Fruits Ltd, a Pune-based natural sweetener producing major, is looking at cultivating a sweet herb in northern districts of West Bengal and in the northeast states to tap the growing potential of natural sweetener market in India. "We will grow stevia rebaudiana bertoni (SRB) 128 variety by bringing about 1,000 acres of land under its cultivation. We are already in talks with tea estate owners who have huge volume of unused land in north Bengal districts and the northeast states," Sun Fruits director Shivraj Bhosle told IANS here Thursday.

“Land is our only source of income,” Kashmir village erupts against land transfer to...

Lead Story

On November 29, scores of villagers from Pulwama assembled in Press Enclave Srinagar and protested against the "allotment of their agricultural land to CRPF"...

पाठा का अमूल्य पानी : भौरा तेरा पानी ग़ज़ब करी जाए,गगरी न फूटै, खसम...

Economy

चित्रकूट से ज़ियाउल हक़ Twocircles.net के लिए जैसे जैसे गर्मियां बढ़ती है वैसे वैसे पाठा के जलश्रोत सूखने लगते हैं। आलम यूं हो जाता है...

“Nothing has been left our homes. Where will we go?” Patna’s Nat community face...

Lead Story

Scores of families belonging to the marginalized Nat community of Patna, Bihar were left homeless after a demolition drive carried out by the Patna...

Uttar Pradhesh’s Tharu tribals fear growing privatization will result in lack of govt jobs

Lead Story

Growing privatization of public sector units during the current government is giving sleepless nights to the people belonging to the Tharu tribe in Uttar...

Jharkhand: For last 56 days, Adivasis are on hunger-strike against ‘illegal’ mining; govt unmoved

Lead Story

While the government of India makes claims of Sab Ka Vikaas (Development for everyone)—the concerns and voices of Dalits and Adivasis are often...

For many rural women in Bihar, Kheta embroidery work aims to boost livelihood

Lead Story

Kheta is said to be a 500-year-old quilting heirloom practised exclusively by Shershahabdi women. Today, Kheta embroidery work is getting popular among non-Shershahabdi people...

New attraction in Bangladesh: Taka 1000 currency note

Economy

By IANS, Dhaka : Bangladesh has introduced new Taka 1000 currency notes and they are much in demand with many heading to street vendors in the capital and even paying extra money to get hold of one. While Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank that issued the new currency notes Oct 27, deals with the banks, the general public can collect them from vendors at Gulistan and Nababpur localities and at Sadarghat, the river front on the Buri Ganga.

In Pictures: The last Bhil Adivasi folk artists of Gujarat

Lead Story

The Bhil Adivasi folk musicians of the Narmada district in western Indian state of Gujarat are facing extinction as these musicians and artists are...

‘There is rift after 2020 riots,’ say Brahmpuri residents after posters surface urging Hindus...

Lead Story

Most residents of Brahmpuri expressed displeasure against the appearance of such posters while some supported it. Shruti Sharma | TwoCircles.net NEW DELHI — Early last...

Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor project on schedule

Economy

By IANS Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) : The project to build the 500-MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam was well on schedule, and the safety vessel for it will be lowered into the reactor vault early November. The safety vessel, 13.4 metres in diameter and 13.4 metre tall, with a dish bottom has been fabricated by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) at the project site. "This is the first time the reactor vessel has been fabricated at site," Prabhat Kumar, project director, told the media here Tuesday.

“Modi talks about self-sufficient India but in Kashmir, they are doing opposite,” 15000 engineers...

Economy

By Shakir Mir Srinagar: Hilal Rasool (now 45) was a young engineering graduate in 2003 when Kashmir was starting to emerge out of a decade...

No diamonds or gold in this necklace, but costs Rs.2 crore!

Economy

By Asit Srivastava, IANS,

Dying of hunger in an age of food apps

Economy

By Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net For most of us especially those living in urban spaces, food items are now available at the mere touch of a...

Promoting Muslim entrepreneurship

Economy

By Shahid Sayed, 'Threshold India 2009' is brain child of Shahid Sayed to promote entrepreneurship amongst the Muslim youth, to bring them closer to the mainstream and make them committed global citizens that value life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as a goal worth achieving by their own efforts.

Mahindra opens defence vehicle plant in Haryana

Economy

By IANS, New Delhi : Auto major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Tuesday inaugurated a defence-vehicle manufacturing plant in Haryana's Prithla region. The Rs.400-million (Rs.40-crore) facility is expected to roll out 200 vehicles by year-end. "The company is also looking for a long-term strategic partner for its naval business," Mahindra chief executive Khuttub Hai told reporters. The factory, which started production in January, will initially build armoured version of Mahindra's Scorpio and Bolero sports utility vehicles (SUV).

Twenty-year battle of the people of Noamundi against Tata Steel still continues

Economy

By Xavier Das Friends/comrades,

TI to peddle premium cycles for niche market

Economy

By Venkatachari Jagannathan, IANS, Chennai : The Rs.23.48-billion Tube Investments of India Ltd (TI) is negotiating with three foreign companies to enter the ultra premium cycle segment - price range starting from Rs.13,000 and going up to Rs.160,000. "Though the market size is small we cannot afford to be absent in this segment," TI Cycles senior vice-president Arun Alagappan told IANS. The proposed range will be in addition to the division's existing premium range bikes sold under the Hercules brand.

Chhattisgarh electricity board split into five companies

Economy

By IANS, Raipur : The Chhattisgarh government Thursday announced that it has split the state electricity board into five entities - one holding company and four others to manage transmission, distribution, production and trading. The new companies are - Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Co. Ltd, Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Co. Ltd, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Co. Ltd, Chhattisgarh State Power Trading Co. Ltd and Chhattisgarh State Power Holding Ltd.

Muslim Professionals Network launched a crowdfunding site for charity projects

Economy

By TCN News Hyderabad: A network of Muslim professionals working for the empowerment and development of the community announced the launch of www.idohelp.org, an online...

How and why to organize workers for a democratic and secular India

Economy

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net Cambridge, Massachusetts: Thousands of miles from Bihar, Kamayani Swami and Ashish Ranjan of Jan Jagaran Shakti Sangathan (JJSS) talked about their...

‘No designation and delayed salaries’: Hard lives of Delhi’s Dengue Breeding Checkers

Lead Story

Even after rendering their services for more than 25 years now, these contractual workers feel exploited and left out. Sanjana Chawla | TwoCircles.net NEW DELHI — Thousands...

Modi to face farmers’ anger in 2019: Yogendra Yadav

Economy

New Delhi (IANS): Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav on Tuesday warned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will face the anger of the farmers in...

Hunar Haat – Modi govt’s mega mission for economic empowerment of artisans

Economy

TCN News Indore (MP), 09th Feb, 2020: Celebrated as “mega mission” of economic empowerment, “Hunar Haat” has been inaugurated at Vijay Nagar in Indore by...

“They only demolish homes of defenseless and weak,” despite UN intervention, demolition at Khori...

Lead Story

The Supreme Court ordered the demolition of a settlement in Khori Gaon in Faridabad, Haryana on June 7 and given the municipal corporations until...

Empowering Wardha’s Dalits through e-commerce

Lead Story

Sanghamitra Store is an online e-commerce platform run by five Dalit youth that showcases affordable handicrafts and art made by the community. Riya Talitha...

Gujjar Lung or Covid-19: Explaining cause of deaths in Gujjar-Bakarwal community in Jammu and...

Lead Story

The Gujjar-Bakarwal live in the hilly areas of the Indian subcontinent, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Pakistan, Tibet. The nomadic community...

High on honey: Uttar Pradesh could become largest producer

Economy

By Rajat Rai, IANS, Lucknow : The buzz is Uttar Pradesh could become the largest producer of honey in India in the next 10 years with some encouragement. Apiculture and horticulture experts say conditions in the state augur well for beekeeping. "As the state has a variety of flora and crops, honey could be produced here throughout the year. States like Bihar and Jharkhand tribals are doing exceptionally good," said R.K. Lakra of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research.

Indian firm to build sugar mill in Ethiopia

Economy

By Groum Abate, IANS, Addis Ababa : An Indian company is planning to build a new sugar mill in Ethiopia, the east African nation that is attracting a lot of Indian investment and attention.

Manmohan Singh’s 10-point social charter for India Inc

Economy

By IANS

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday presented a 10-point charter to make the country's growth process inclusive and invited the corporate sector to become the government's partner in creating a "culture of caring, sharing and belonging".

Jharkand’s Bamboo artisans experience livelihood crunch amid lockdown, worry for future of profession

Economy

By Nazish Hussain, TwoCircles.net Jaggarnath Mahli of Hesal village, situated 20 kilometres from Ranchi city, makes bamboo articles for a living. Due to the coronavirus...

Bihar Awami Bank: serving the community, profitably

Economy

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,

Sustainable development goals for char areas presented at Al Ameen meeting in Guwahati

Economy

TCN News The 16th annual general meeting of Al-Ameen Welfare Society (AWS), a leading welfare organisation of Assam, was held at the Bishnu Nirmala Bhawan...

Dalits in Punjab bank on land reforms for economic, social prosperity

Lead Story

With the new Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government promising to bring reforms, it will be interesting to see how things unfold for Dalit farmers...

Part II: Gujjar-Bakerwal community in Jammu and Kashmir face depleted livelihood, exclusion, fear of...

Lead Story

The Gujjar-Bakarwal community live in the hilly areas of the Indian subcontinent, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Pakistan, and Tibet. In...

“No one’s helpers,” West Bengal’s women domestic helpers stare at bleak future as livelihood...

Lead Story

The predominance of informal employment in the unorganized sector has been one of the central features of the labour market scenario in India. According...

DMK to launch two new TV channels

Economy

By IANS

Chennai : Tamil Nadu may soon get two new television channels sponsored by the ruling DMK and its leader M. Karunanidhi, with one being launched on June 3 - his 84th birthday.

Adivasis from Chhattisgarh march to save their habitats from ‘hazards of coal mining’

Lead Story

Nearly 350 residents from the villages of central Chhattisgarh are on a 300-km long march that started on October 2 to reach the capital...

ERP (SAP-HR) inaugurated in BHEL Bhopal unit

Economy

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net

Bhopal: In a simple programme held at IFX conference hall in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, (BHEL), Bhopal unit ERP (SAP-HR) was inaugurated by RK Singh, Executive Director, BHEL, Bhopal.

The magic wand of Mr. Modi

Economy

By Shaiq Ali Khan for TwoCircles.net If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it...

Punjab to auction vehicle registration numbers

Economy

Chandigarh, Nov 5 (IANS) The Punjab government has decided to auction vehicle registration numbers, taking a cue from the union territory of Chandigarh that auctions all VIP and preferential vehicle numbers, generating millions in revenue annually.

Dying handloom industry in Azamgarh

Economy

By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent, Varanasi: Mr. Imam Ali s/o Mr. Muzammil Husain originally belongs to Mohalla Pura Diwan of Mubarakpur (District Azamgarh). He migrated to Varanasi in November 2000 after prolonged sectarian violence in Mubarakpur. He is involved in manufacturing Banarasi Silk Sarees and has continued this business in Varanasi.

Why are minorities disappointed with Union Budget 2023?

Lead Story

Slashing the budget for minority affairs from Rs 5020 crore last year to Rs 3079 crore this year has led some to question...

“We celebrated abrogation of Article 370 but we didn’t know Jammu will be its...

Lead Story

Two years after the BJP government abrogated Article 370 of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the region where it promised the abrogation...

Devoid of work, artists of Kathputli colony in Delhi turn to odd labour jobs

Lead Story

As part of India's first in-situ slum redevelopment project in a public-private partnership, Kathputli Colony in Shadipur, Delhi, is being developed as a mall...

Pran to be India’s first Bangladeshi investor

Economy

By IANS Dhaka : Bangladeshi beverage producer Pran is to set up a food and soft drink processing plant in Tripura with an eye on the vast market potential in India's northeastern region. Pran, one of Bangladesh's leading brand names, Wednesday announced plans to build a factory, it first foreign manufacturing bid, taking advantage of India's recent decision to lift its ban on Bangladeshi investment.

Privatization gone sour, EPFO turns to NIC for modernisation

Economy

By Devirupa Mitra, IANS New Delhi : The modernization of the Employees Provident Fund, which has 40 million subscribers across the country, is now back in the hands of a government body - after Rs.60 million and seven years spent on a private consultant. 'Reinventing EPF' was launched in 2001 as a way to modernize one of the world's largest social security organisations to manage its corpus of over Rs.2 trillion through computerisation of records, distribution of smart cards and access to online accounts, as well as faster processing of withdrawal claims.

India develops hybrid mustard seed, better yield expected

Economy

By IANS, New Delhi : India has developed a better variety of hybrid seed of mustard, which it is saying will catapult the output of the country's key oil crop. The new hybrid of the rapeseed-mustard seed has been developed by scientists at the National Research Centre (NRC) in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. NRC is an affiliate of India's premier farm research body, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). The Delhi-headquartered ICAR under the ministry of agriculture Thursday claimed the new rapeseed-mustard seed was the first hybrid one ever developed by Indian scientists.

IIBFI to offer online certification course in Islamic finance

Economy

By TCN News

Gujarat Adivasis object to Govt’s “misuse” of tribal development funds for Ram temple visit...

Lead Story

Neglecting Adivasi deities, rituals and culture, the Gujarat government announced an aid of Rs. 5000 to tribals for a trip to the Ram temple...

Muslim clerics launch Islamic investment advisory board, pitch for Islamic banking

Economy

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: India’s eminent Islamic clerics today pitched for introduction of Islamic banking and financial system in the country while opening to the public the Islamic Investment & Finance Board, an advisory committee headed by clerics to assist both corporations and markets as well as common people regarding Shariat-compliant investment and finance.

Cement price in Himachal reduced

Economy

By IANS, Shimla : Three cement majors Thursday reduced the price of cement by Rs.25 per bag in Himachal Pradesh, said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

For these underprivileged girl students in Bihar, availing higher education is a long mile

Economy

By Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net Rumi Khatoon is an aspiring graduate but the online selection system for admission in the colleges is keeping her running and...

Kerala to build urban entertainment centre

Economy

By IANS, Thiruvananthapuram : State-owned Tourist Resorts Kerala Limited (TRKL) will set up an urban recreation-cum-commercial centre in the city through public-private partnership to boost tourism in the state further. TRKL head T.K. Manzoor told IANS that the centre would come up at a cost of Rs.1,500 million on a 20-acre plot overlooking the Veli Lake. "The project is being implemented by TRKL. Twenty-one major players, including experienced groups such as Tata Infrastructure Limited, Oberoi Constructions, Chalet Hotels (Raheja Group), have shown interest," said Manzoor.

‘Think global, act local’ new slogan of Indian advertising

Economy

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS New Delhi : A new Coca-Cola advertisement featuring Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan is pegged on the theme "Jashan Mana Le" or just have fun. It's simple. A group of youngsters venture out for a late night bite, only to find the eateries shut. They meet Hrithik on the way and go on a magical midnight tryst with the star. Cola adds the fizz.

Challenges in Implementation of National Food Security Act discussed

Economy

By TCN News New Delhi: The Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) in association with FIAN India and The Child Trust organised a consultation on “National...

Waqf Board schemes paid little attention under NDA rule

Economy

By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net, Information provided by The Ministry of Minority Affairs in Lok Sabha has revealed that Waqf Board schemes have found no...

Unorganized mica workers in mineral-rich Jharkhand in disarray as govt disallows ‘illegal mining &...

Lead Story

For nearly two lakh unorganized workers involved in mica business in Jharkhand, the March 2 directive by the government has put their livelihood at...

Ajmal, the only Indian competitor in global perfume market: Chhagan Bhujbal

Economy

By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi

Sowing the SEED of progress among Indian Muslims

Economy

By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net, Hyderabad: India may have the third- largest concentration of Muslims around the world and 10% of total world’s Muslim population,...

Advocacy group set up in Kashmir to educate people about Islamic Banking

Economy

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: Mehboob Makhdoomi, an expert on Islamic Banking and alumnus of Harvard and Pennsylvania University, has...

New trend in jewellery industry attracting Muslim consumers

Economy

By Ziaulla Nomani, India is the world's second largest single consumer of gold after China. The consumption of gold in India is about 50% in jewelry, 40% in investments, and 10% in industry.

Economic success of Mappilas

Economy

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net TCN Malabar series: Part 9

Pray tell us where is the economy going?

Economy

Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam Over the last several months we have been hearing claims about the economy going great guns. Government leaders tell us that...

Assam Evictions: “No longer having land to cultivate is death sentence to us,” 250...

Lead Story

The Darrang district authorities in Assam have taken over the farmland of over 250 Muslim families in Niz Shalmara village and asked them to...

Meet Shiekh Asif from Kashmir, a tech entrepreneur who believes an idea can change...

Lead Story

Twenty-eight-year-old Sheikh Asif from Kashmir’s capital Srinagar never thought that "an idea" will change his life and he will become an owner of a...

BSNL launches IPTV in Jaipur

Economy

By IANS, Jaipur : Indian public sector telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), in association with optical fibre cable maker Aksh Optifibre Ltd, launched the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) in the state of Rajasthan here Monday. Aksh Optifibre, which posted total revenues of Rs.1.8 billion in the last fiscal ending September 2007, said in a statement that with the launch of its IPTV brand icontrol here the company has become the first to launch IPTV services in Rajasthan and in this city and will revolutionize TV viewing.

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