Loktej English Team - Loktej English

Surat: A Unique Confluence of Devotion and Service at Swaminarayan Gurukul with Floral Decorations for Thakorji

Loktej English Team — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:41:22 +0530

A unique example of devotion and service was witnessed at the Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul on Ved Road in Surat during the summer season. Here, saints, alumni, devotees, and female worshippers came together to prepare an attractive floral attire for the Lord using flower buds and petals.

This service activity, which took place from 8 AM to 3 PM, involved the use of fragrant flowers such as dollar, mogra, jasmine, rose, orchid, and gerbera to create colorful designs. This service is based on the Vaishnav tradition of 'as the body, so the service,' where devotees express their intent to please the Lord by serving according to the season. The saints of the Gurukul explained that just as a person adapts their lifestyle according to seasonal needs, the service to the Lord is also performed in accordance with the seasons.

During the summer, special adornments with flowers and sandalwood are made to provide coolness to the Lord. Under the guidance of priest Vivekswarupdasji Swami, saints and devotees prepared a beautiful floral attire for Thakorji. Many saints, council members, youth, and female devotees actively participated in this service, including Vivekswarup Swami, Vishwaswarup Swami, Nirmal Swami, Sarju Swami, Atmiyasarup Swami, Premaswarup Swami, Shreyaswarup Swami, Radharamana Swami, and Harikirtan Swami.

During the four months of summer, there is a tradition in the Swaminarayan sect to adorn the Lord with garlands of fragrant flowers, armlets, bangles, crowns, and other ornaments. Additionally, devotional songs and prayers related to floral decorations, composed by saints nearly 200 years ago, are sung. On this occasion, Mahant Swami Dharmavallabhdasji Swami and other saints presented devotional songs and kirtans to please the Lord, creating an atmosphere of devotion and joy throughout the premises.

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Vadodara: Western Railway Vadodara Division to Celebrate 'World Heritage Day', Free Entry to Railway Heritage Museum

Loktej English Team — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:41:04 +0530

On the occasion of 'World Heritage Day', the Western Railway's Vadodara Division has announced a special initiative for the general public. The division has decided to open the Railway Heritage Museum, Rolling Stock Park, and Heritage Park located in Pratapnagar for free from April 13 to April 18, 2026.

According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vadodara Division, this complex will be open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during this period. The aim of this initiative is to familiarize as many people as possible with the rich and glorious heritage of Indian Railways. Anil Kumar, the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer of Vadodara Division, mentioned that the Railway Heritage Museum in Pratapnagar preserves the narrow-gauge heritage of Indian Railways.

The displayed items are of historical significance and play an important role in informing the new generation about the development and technological progress of the railways. He stated that this invaluable heritage has been preserved and showcased through the Heritage Park, Museum, and Rolling Stock Park, allowing visitors to closely understand the history of the railways. The Western Railway, Vadodara Division has appealed to all citizens to take advantage of this opportunity and visit this historical site with their families and friends to connect with the heritage of Indian Railways.

Surat: Grand Shri Ram Katha Event in Bhestan from 17th

Loktej English Team — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:35:29 +0530

This year, as every year, a grand Shri Ram Katha event will be held in the Bhestan area from April 17 to 24, 2026. The religious event will take place at the Shri Ram Katha premises located behind Mulberry Haven, near Priyanka Chowkdi, Bhestan, Surat.

A grand Kalash Yatra will commence on April 17, Friday, at 9:00 AM from the Rameshwar Mahadev Temple in Vrindavan Township. This procession is expected to attract a large number of devotees as it passes through various routes to reach the Shri Ram Katha premises. Daily Katha will be held from 4:00 PM until the Lord's wish during the event.

Acharya Yuvraj Pandey Maharaj will narrate the divine Shri Ram Katha to the devotees from the dais. The organizers have called upon all followers of Sanatan Dharma to attend the Katha and earn religious merit. The main committee members, including Manoj Giri, Omprakash Chaube, Kapil Pandey, Ramjanak Shukla, Guddu Singh, Bablu Dubey, Shrikant Narayan, and Devendra Singh, along with all coordinators and Shri Ram devotees, are actively engaged in the preparations for the Shri Ram Katha.

India's households hold more gold than the top 10 largest gold reserves in the world, Assocham advises including household gold in the economy

Loktej English Team — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:35:15 +0530

New Delhi, April 11. Discussions about the country's economy often highlight gold reserves.

According to the World Gold Council, India currently has the eighth-largest gold reserve in the world. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holds a stock of 880 tons of gold. However, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) states that the gold held by Indian citizens in their homes exceeds the total gold reserves of the top 10 countries with the largest gold reserves.

A report released by Assocham estimates the value of gold stored in Indian households to be around five lakh crore dollars, making it one of the largest reserves of financial assets held by households or individuals. If such a large quantity of gold were to be invested in the country's economy, it could significantly strengthen the Indian economy. The report also indicates that the value of gold held by Indian families exceeds the annual gross domestic product (GDP) of almost all economies in the world, except for the United States and China.

According to the report, if even two percent of the gold reserves held in homes were included in the economy through financial means each year, it could lead to an increase of 7.5 lakh crore dollars in India's GDP by 2047. Currently, various estimates suggest that India's GDP is expected to reach 34 lakh crore dollars by 2047. If two percent of the gold held in homes contributes annually, India's GDP could surpass 40 lakh crore dollars.

The report notes that most of the gold held in Indian households is in physical form, limiting its utility in the economy. To accelerate the country's economic growth, Assocham emphasizes the need to formally invest household gold in various sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and agriculture.

The report suggests that effective use of gold monetization schemes, gold loan schemes, or gold-linked savings instruments could facilitate the inclusion of household gold in the formal economic system. This way, gold that is considered almost unusable in the economy could gradually contribute to the country's economic growth through financial means like gold loans, gold savings, and gold monetization.

Establishment of 2.722 MWp Solar Plant by Vadodara Division to Save Rs. 2.92 Crore Annually

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:30:44 +0530

The Vadodara division of Western Railway is making significant progress in energy efficiency by continuously increasing the use of solar energy in line with Indian Railways' green energy policy. During the financial year 2025-26, under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Raju Bhadke, the electrical department of the Vadodara division installed rooftop solar plants with a total capacity of 2.722 megawatts peak (MWp).

These solar plants will result in an annual savings of approximately Rs. 2.92 crore for the division, marking a significant achievement in optimizing energy costs. Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (Power) Pradeep Meena mentioned that this initiative is also making a significant contribution to environmental protection.

The plants are expected to produce approximately 3.64 million units of solar energy annually, leading to a remarkable improvement in energy utilization efficiency. Additionally, based on the standard grid emission factor, these plants are estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 2632 tons. Over the estimated lifespan of 25 years, approximately 65,800 tons of CO₂ emissions can be avoided.

He noted that the electrical department (Power) is promoting clean energy through the installation of rooftop solar plants at railway stations, service buildings, and complexes, thereby reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. Solar plants have been installed at various key locations in the division, including the Vadodara station complex, electric loco shed, and other service buildings such as Ankleshwar station. Solar energy production has been ensured by utilizing the rooftops of the running room, TTE rest room, retiring room, RRI, lobby, and office buildings at Vadodara station.

Similarly, effective use of available infrastructure has been made in the loco shed and other complexes. The Vadodara division is committed to further enhancing the use of clean energy through the expansion of solar energy capacity and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the future. With planned implementation and continuous monitoring, the division is progressing towards building an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly railway system.

Surat: Inauguration of New Connectivity from Green Space in Sachin GIDC, Shortcut Route for Industrial Area

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:49:00 +0530

A significant step has been taken to facilitate industrial activities in the Sachin GIDC area. The green space located behind plot number 435 near the 8/4 junction at Road Number 8 has been cleaned and leveled by the Sachin Notified Authority, and a new arrangement has been developed for the movement of small vehicles like two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

The Secretary of the Sachin Industrial Society, Mayur Golwala, informed that with the commencement of this new facility, industrialists and workers will no longer need to travel approximately 1 kilometer. They will be able to reach the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Zone in the colony directly through this shortcut route, saving both time and energy. The road was inaugurated by industrialists Bharat Movaliwa and Girishbhai Godhani by cutting the ribbon.

Additionally, a modern LED alphabetical board has been installed at entry gate number 4 of Sachin GIDC by the Notified Authority, enhancing the beauty and identity of the gate. This board was inaugurated by the Society's Director, Gaurang Chapatwala.

Present at the event were Sachin Industrial Society President Kishor Patel, Vice President Nilesh Gami, Secretary Mayur Golwala, Director Gaurang Chapatwala, Bhikubhai Nakrani, Mukesh Chaturvedi, Hemant Jarivala, Manager Arvind Ahir, along with other officials and staff members. This initiative is expected to improve traffic flow in the area and accelerate industrial activities.

Surat: Chamber of Commerce to Host AI-Based 'Speed Business Networking Conclave

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:48:43 +0530

Surat. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCCI) will organize an AI-based 'Speed Business Networking Conclave' on April 18, 2026, at the Platinum Hall in Sarsana.

The conclave will run from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and is being described as the first of its kind in the country. The Chamber's President, Nikhil Madras, stated that the purpose of the conclave is to provide entrepreneurs and professionals with the opportunity to create new business connections quickly and effectively. The networking process will be made smart and result-oriented through artificial intelligence.

According to the Chamber's Vice President, Ashok Jirawala, more than 500 entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and professionals from various sectors will participate in this event. They will have the chance to establish new business relationships and exchange ideas through face-to-face meetings. During the conclave, business meetings will be held in three rounds of 30 minutes each, allowing each participant to interact with approximately 21 different entrepreneurs.

This entire process will be managed digitally, making networking faster and more transparent. The Chairman of SGCCCI Business Connect, Chandrakant Prajapati, mentioned that QR codes will be placed on each table, allowing participants to register their interests. This will ensure that all business interaction data is recorded in the system immediately and displayed on a live screen.

The Chamber Group Chairman, Deepakkumar Sethwala, and Advisor Tapan Jarivala stated that this conclave will play a significant role in strengthening, modernizing, and making Surat's business ecosystem more competitive. Amit Pathak from Mumbai and Vishal Shah from Surat will participate as expert speakers, providing guidance on new dimensions of business growth through artificial intelligence. This conclave is considered a crucial initiative to promote technology-based networking in Surat's industry and business sector.

Surat: Guidance on New Opportunities in Technical Textile and Sporttech Sector

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:48:26 +0530

Surat. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a special session on emerging opportunities in the technical textile, MMF (man-made fiber), sporttech, and activewear sectors.

This event was held on April 9, 2026, at Samriddhi in Nanpura, with support from the Ministry of Textiles, Office of the Textile Commissioner, ITADC Surat, and Concepts and Strategies. At the beginning of the program, the Chamber's President Nikhil Madrasi highlighted the growing potential in new areas like technical textile and sporttech for Surat's textile industry and encouraged entrepreneurs to step forward in these sectors. Nilay Pandya, Assistant Director of ITADC Surat, provided detailed information about various government schemes, policies, and support in the technical textile and MMF sectors.

Expert speaker Kishan Kumar Daga emphasized the increasing global demand in the technical textile and sporttech sectors and the opportunities available for Surat. He mentioned that this sector would rapidly develop in the future, opening new doors for local entrepreneurs, and stressed the importance of innovation, quality, research and development, and adopting modern technology. Ms.

Ambika Kumari, Senior Consultant at Concepts and Strategies, informed industrialists about the necessary strategies, market studies, and product development required to enter the technical textile sector. She also advised them to take advantage of government schemes, export promotion, and cluster development initiatives. The session was conducted by Amrish Bhatt, Co-Chairman of the Chamber's GFRRC, while Paresh Thumar, Chairman of the Technical Textile Committee, introduced the speakers.

A large number of industrialists and representatives from the textile sector were present at the event. This session is considered a significant initiative towards expanding into new areas for Surat's textile industry and preparing for global competition.

Supreme Court Takes a Firm Stance on the Return of 26 Indians Held Hostage in Russia

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:23:08 +0530

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider a petition for the safe return of 26 Indian citizens allegedly detained in Russia and forced to fight in the Ukraine war. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M.

Pancholi, ordered Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to take instructions from the central government, given the seriousness of the matter. The petitioners' lawyer informed the court that these Indian citizens are trapped in extremely unsafe conditions on the battlefield and are being compelled to participate in military activities against their will. The petition filed in court seeks directions to the central government to take immediate diplomatic and consular steps through the Indian embassy in Russia.

It mentions providing consular access to these Indians under the Vienna Convention (1963) and bilateral agreements to accurately ascertain their current legal status and safety. The Solicitor General assured the bench that he would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and inform the court with the government's instructions. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for the end of this month.

The petition emphasizes that the Indian government should make all necessary efforts for the dignity, safety, and return of these citizens within the framework of international laws. This case has emerged amid ongoing reports of several Indians being stranded due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Following the Supreme Court's intervention, there is now hope that the central government will expedite the process of locating these youths and bringing them home safely. All eyes are on the response to be presented by the government in the upcoming hearing.

15-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Shines in IPL 2026

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:22:10 +0530

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a young batsman from Rajasthan Royals, stunned the cricket world with a blistering 78 runs off just 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In this innings, he hit 8 fours and 7 sixes, fearlessly playing shots against swing specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Australian star Josh Hazlewood.

Thanks to Vaibhav's aggressive batting and Dhruv Jurel's composed 81 runs, Rajasthan achieved the massive target of 202 runs in just 18 overs. Earlier, in a match against Mumbai Indians, Vaibhav had also showcased his talent by hitting two sixes off the world’s number one bowler Jasprit Bumrah in a single over. After being named 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance, Vaibhav shared the secret to his success.

When asked if he felt scared facing such big bowlers, he humbly stated that he tries to focus on playing the ball rather than the bowler's name. Vaibhav mentioned that he relies on his strength and practice. Although he is aware of who the bowler is, once he reaches the crease, his entire focus is on the direction and speed of the ball, which helps him play fearlessly.

Despite scoring 78 runs, Vaibhav appeared slightly disappointed upon getting out, as he wanted to return only after leading his team to victory. He credited his mature thinking to the guidance of his father and local mentor Romi Sir. Vaibhav noted that his coach always reminds him that the journey is long and he should focus solely on his game and discipline.

This sense of responsibility reflects why he has emerged as one of the most talked-about young players in this season of IPL. Rajasthan's victory has further strengthened their position in the points table.

Vijay Deverakonda expresses anger over the leak of 'Jai Nayakan', extends full support to the film

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:21:39 +0530

The entire South film industry has united against the leak of the much-anticipated Tamil film 'Jai Nayakan' starring Thalapathy Vijay. Following the leak before the film's release, Vijay Deverakonda has expressed his anger, recalling a similar incident with his film 'Dear Comrade', which was leaked on social media shortly after its release, significantly impacting the film's connection.

He expressed both sadness and anger over the leak of 'Jai Nayakan'. The actor mentioned on the social media platform X that he was very angry about the leak of 'Jai Nayakan'. He shared that he had experienced the pain and sadness of such an incident early in his career, feeling as if he was targeted and that hopes were dashed.

He emphasized that this issue is not just about him but also concerns the dreams of the artists, directors, producers, and many others who work with him. He stressed the need to identify those responsible for leaking films, warning that if they are not stopped, they will continue to harm cinema. He further stated that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible and those behind it should be identified, as failure to do so would reflect a failure of the system.

He expressed his condolences and unconditional support for the entire film team. It is noteworthy that Vijay Deverakonda's film 'Dear Comrade' also fell victim to piracy, with the film being uploaded online, revealing all its suspense, which deeply saddened the actor, prompting him to express his feelings on social media.

Astronauts of Artemis II mission return to Earth after orbiting the Moon: NASA

Loktej English Team — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:20:54 +0530

NASA announced that the astronauts who orbited the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission have returned to Earth. The crew included NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist), and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist), who successfully landed off the coast of San Diego after a 10-day mission.

NASA posted on X welcoming Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy back home. The Artemis II astronauts landed at 8:07 PM Eastern Time (5:37 AM Indian Time on April 11), marking the end of their historic 10-day mission around the Moon. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the evening of April 1.

NASA reported on April 6 that the spacecraft was over 406,000 kilometers away from Earth. The four-member Artemis II crew, led by Reid Wiseman, completed the ten-day lunar flight, representing the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years and the longest human spaceflight.