The concluding ceremony of the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2026 held at NTPC Jhankor was completed with enthusiasm, excitement, and inspiring presentations. The chief guests included Regional Executive Director (West-I) and CEO (UPL) E.

Satya Phani Kumar and Chairperson of Sakhi Mahila Samiti, Mrs. E. Saroj. The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp, followed by colorful cultural performances by the participating girls.

The girls raised awareness on social issues such as cleanliness, single-use plastic elimination, and waste management through impactful theatrical presentations. Additionally, they showcased the knowledge, experience, and skills acquired during a month of training through yoga, self-defense demonstrations, patriotic songs, and other activities. In his address, E.

Satya Phani Kumar stated that with an installed capacity of 90,807 megawatts, NTPC plays a significant role in meeting the country's energy needs while also contributing to the overall development and welfare of the community through initiatives like the Girl Empowerment Mission. He praised the confidence, talent, and enthusiasm of the participating girls and congratulated everyone on the success of the program. On this occasion, the project head of Jhankor mentioned that the organization has believed in the potential and possibilities of the girls from the beginning.

He stated that this workshop would serve as a strong foundation for realizing their dreams, and now it is the responsibility of the girls and their parents to take this foundation forward. He expressed confidence that these girls would achieve remarkable success in various fields in the future. During the program, GEM 2022 participant Dhruvi Chandrakant Machhi shared her inspiring experiences and presented her paintings to the distinguished guests.

The commemorative booklet of GEM 2026 was also released, and all participating girls were honored with certificates. At the end of the ceremony, gratitude was expressed. Parents appreciated NTPC's initiative, stating that the Girl Empowerment Mission is making a significant contribution to the personality development, confidence enhancement, and bright future of their daughters.

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On the occasion of World Environment Day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reiterated the commitment of the state and central government towards environmental protection, green development, and building an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He wished the citizens a happy World Environment Day and stated that amidst current global challenges and uncertainties, the trust of the citizens in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has strengthened.

The Chief Minister mentioned that environmental protection is being transformed into a broad public movement by linking it with public participation. The government is working on various plans and policies to lead India towards low-carbon and environmentally friendly development by 2047. He emphasized that green development and environmental protection have become the greatest necessity of our time.

He informed that the state and central government are jointly undertaking numerous initiatives to promote the conservation of natural resources, the use of clean energy, and an environmentally friendly development model. Special emphasis is also being placed on promoting natural farming to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and make agriculture more sustainable and profitable. The Chief Minister stated that natural farming will not only increase farmers' income but also help maintain soil fertility and environmental balance.

He urged farmers to adopt environmentally friendly farming practices along with modern technology. In his address, he highlighted the concept of sustainable development as a government priority, stating that efforts are being made to ensure the benefits of development reach the last person in society through various welfare schemes. The goal of inclusive development is being achieved by connecting the poor, marginalized, and needy sections with the mainstream of development.

The Chief Minister appealed to citizens to actively participate in environmental protection, stating that activities like tree planting, water conservation, and the enhancement of natural resources are not just the government's responsibility but the duty of every citizen. He called for planting more trees and contributing to the creation of a green environment. During the program, a collective resolution towards environmental protection, natural farming, and sustainable development was also expressed.

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Bharuch, Gujarat — Every successful company has a founder. Few have a story held together by family, sacrifice, and survival.

Behind the remarkable rise of AADIJAY® — now operating more than 300 outlets across Gujarat — stands not one individual, but three people whose resilience transformed a home kitchen into one of the region’s fastest-growing hospitality brands.

While the public story often focuses on founder Amit B Choudhury, a former banker who left the financial sector to build a food business from scratch, the company today acknowledges the two women without whom the brand would never have survived.

The first is Kousika Sahoo — Amit’s wife and the original inspiration behind the brand. What began as a simple homemade biryani prepared for family became the foundation of an entire hospitality venture. From managing the kitchen during the company’s first online orders to eventually becoming a primary director of the organization, Kousika played a defining role in shaping the quality, culture, and operational discipline of AADIJAY®.

The second is Sunita Mohapatra — the woman the family credits for saving the company during its darkest chapter.

During a severe financial crisis, the founders sold personal assets, jewellery, and savings in an attempt to keep the business alive. As the pressure mounted and the future of the company stood uncertain, Sunita Mohapatra stepped in to rebuild operations from the ground up. Managing sourcing, cooking, customer relationships, and day-to-day execution, she became the force that stabilized the company when it was closest to collapse.

Today, AADIJAY® operates as a family-led enterprise where strategy, operations, and resilience are deeply interconnected. Amit B Choudhury oversees business expansion and financial architecture, Kousika Sahoo continues to lead operational quality and brand consistency, while Sunita Mohapatra represents the institutional strength and emotional foundation of the company.

The company states that AADIJAY® was not built by ambition alone, but by perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering belief during moments when survival itself became uncertain.

What started with a single biryani and seven online orders has evolved into a hospitality movement powered not just by entrepreneurship — but by family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a visit to Gujarat on June 5, World Environment Day. During this visit, he will present national highway projects worth approximately ₹12,421 crore to South Gujarat.

The program includes the inauguration of two significant packages of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway and the foundation laying of four other major road infrastructure projects. These projects are expected to enhance road connectivity, transportation facilities, and economic activities across the state, including South Gujarat. The two packages of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, constructed at a cost of ₹7,689 crore, include the 36-kilometer long Kim-Aena section (Package-6) and the 27.50-kilometer long Gandheva-Aena section (Package-7).

A comprehensive network of major and minor bridges, rail-road bridges, flyovers, and vehicle underpasses has been developed in these projects. To facilitate local commuting, a total of 70 underpasses and 2 interchanges have been constructed. The commencement of these sections of the expressway will provide fast, safe, and uninterrupted traffic flow in the region.

Keeping in mind the convenience of drivers and passengers, a total of 7 modern rest areas are also being developed on both packages. The initiation of the project is expected to increase the speed of goods transportation and reduce logistics costs, benefiting industries. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for four significant projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) worth approximately ₹4,732 crore.

These include: four-laning of the Dhamasia to Bitarda/Movi section under NH-56 (Package-4), four-laning of the Nasarpur to Malotha section under NH-56 (Package-6), construction of a 6-lane vehicle underpass (Reliance Junction) on the Surat-Hazira National Highway (NH-53), and flyover construction including vehicle underpass in the Kavas area, which will improve connectivity to tribal areas and the Statue of Unity. The new four-lane roads being constructed under the upgrade of NH-56 will provide better road connectivity to tribal districts like Narmada, Tapi, Valsad, and Chhota Udaipur. Additionally, these projects will make access to the Statue of Unity more convenient.

The construction of these approximately 107.67 kilometers of roads is expected to reduce travel time by about 40 minutes and increase average vehicle speed by up to 75%. This will particularly benefit farmers, industries, commercial centers, and logistics networks. A 6-lane flyover and underpass will be constructed on the Surat-Hazira National Highway at a cost of approximately ₹149 crore.

This project is considered extremely important for the Hazira port and surrounding industrial areas. The construction of new structures will facilitate faster and smoother movement of heavy goods vehicles, promoting port-based trade and industrial activities.

Additionally, local citizens will benefit from relief from traffic jams and safer commuting. The completion of these national highway projects is expected to provide a new impetus to the transportation network and industrial development in South Gujarat.

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Surat: Nilesh Mandalewala, who has been continuously working in the field of organ donation awareness for the past two decades, has been awarded the 'Padma Shri' honor by the Government of India. Known as the 'Organ Man of India' and the founder of Donate Life, Nilesh Mandalewala was honored by President Droupadi Murmu at the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah.

In recognition of his invaluable contributions to social service and organ donation, the Government of India announced his name for the Padma Shri award on January 26, 2026. After receiving the honor, an emotional Nilesh Mandalewala stated that this recognition is not just for him or the Donate Life organization, but for the entire city of Surat, the state of Gujarat, all organ donors, their families, and everyone associated with the organ donation campaign. He dedicated this award to his late parents and Lord Dwarkadhish.

Nilesh Mandalewala mentioned that the success of the organ donation campaign has been significantly supported by doctors, hospitals, Surat City Police, Airport Authority, the forensic department of the civil hospital, CISF, media organizations, volunteers, and social organizations in Surat and South Gujarat. He expressed that this honor would inspire him to advance the organ donation awareness campaign with even greater responsibility. It is noteworthy that Nilesh Mandalewala started the organ donation awareness campaign in Surat in 2005.

In the initial phase, there was a significant lack of awareness among people, but he did not give up. He spent hours standing outside hospital ICUs, explaining organ donation to the families of brain-dead patients. He faced opposition, humiliation, and difficult situations multiple times, but he continued his mission.

In 2014, he established the 'Donate Life' organization, through which extensive awareness about organ donation has been spread across the country via seminars, walkathons, exhibitions, radio-TV programs, and digital and social media campaigns. The organization has reached over 100 million people so far. Thanks to the efforts of Nilesh Mandalewala and his organization, over 1380 organs and tissues have been donated, giving new life and hope to more than 1270 people both domestically and internationally.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in donating 203 organs and tissues from Surat, providing new life to 182 patients. For his contributions in the field of organ donation, he has received over 70 awards from various organizations in India and abroad, including the highest civilian award from the Gujarat government, the 'Gujarat Garima Award'. Today, the city of Surat, recognized as a textile and diamond city, has also made a distinct identity in the field of organ donation awareness, largely credited to Padma Shri Nilesh Mandalewala and his organization Donate Life.

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In a significant step towards education and social upliftment, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed 'Jamanaba Vidyarthi Bhavan' by Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj-Surat, aimed at providing excellent higher education facilities to the community's youth. The magnificent 'Jamanaba Vidyarthi Bhavan', located at Maniben Chowk in Valak Patiya, Surat, features accommodation and study facilities for 1,000 students, an AI research lab, and a state-of-the-art library.

Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi unveiled a 31-foot tall, 9-ton Panchdhatu statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Distinguished guests paid floral tributes to the statue of Sardar Saheb. The inauguration of the auditorium named after the late former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel was conducted by Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Sports Mansukhbhai Mandaviya, and Rajya Sabha MP Govindbhai Dholakia.

The building was inaugurated by Jayantibhai Babaria (Eklara) and Ravjibhai Vasani, Chairman of Annapurna Dham, by cutting the ribbon. On this occasion, the Chief Minister stated that every good deed and dedication done in the holy month of Adhik Maas yields immense rewards, and the Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj has done the greatest work in truly pleasing Lord Purushottam through public welfare activities. This Patel organization is a living example of how quickly and on a large scale development can occur when we all work together.

Praising the sacrifices and generosity of the Patidar community, the Chief Minister noted that this community has always been accustomed to giving to others. Even in times of economic hardship, this community has maintained the tradition of helping those in need who come to their doorstep without worrying about their own families. The Patidar community, which has the strength to extract water by breaking stones, is no longer limited to agriculture but has become leaders in every field from industry, business, education, health, to the Parliament, conveying a message of social harmony and unity.

He further mentioned that it is the hard work of Patidar entrepreneurs that has made Surat famous worldwide as the 'Diamond City'. Besides diamonds, this community has also worked hard in the fields of textiles, embroidery, and construction, making Surat a major center for global trade. The Chief Minister praised this community, stating that a society that prioritizes education has always reached new heights of progress and prosperity.

While living in Surat and sustaining in the industrial world, this community has adopted the Prime Minister's mantra of 'Development through Heritage' and has preserved the rural culture and traditions of their homeland, prioritizing the development of their homeland as well. Commending the 44-year remarkable social journey of Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj, the Chief Minister mentioned that the organization has conducted around 67 mass weddings, showing a new direction for social revolution. Additionally, the ongoing 'Planting Ideas' program for the past 140 weeks, aimed at guiding people towards better ideas, is also commendable.

The Chief Minister referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to make the country 'Developed India and Self-Reliant India' by the year 2047. He made a special appeal to the people of Surat and community leaders to adopt the Prime Minister's call for the wise use of resources in the interest of the country in their daily lives. Saving petrol, making wise purchases of gold, and conserving water and electricity are all beneficial in the long run for us and the country.

The Chief Minister expressed firm confidence that the people of Surat and Saurashtra Patel Seva Samaj will fully support the Prime Minister's appeal and accelerate the work of nation-building. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi congratulated on the establishment of Jamanaba Bhavan, stating that it will be a boon for the sons and daughters of common families coming to Surat city for education from rural or remote areas of Saurashtra and Gujarat. He praised the donors, trustees, and Patidar leaders for the construction of the building, emphasizing that youth will no longer have to live in expensive rented flats in the city but can reside in a homely environment to realize their and their families' dreams.

Highlighting the need for social awareness to face the challenges of today's digital age, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that in today's era of social media and mobile phones, instead of scolding children for being busy on their phones, grandparents should take their grandchildren to the community grounds or temples to instill values. Regarding women's safety, the Deputy Chief Minister clearly stated that when a daughter falls prey to antisocial elements, instead of engaging in negative discussions about her or her family in society, she should be given courage and support. Generally, due to social fear, people hide such incidents, creating an atmosphere of fear in society.

Society should unite to support the police and government to teach a lesson to such antisocial elements and bring them back to the right path. He mentioned that the 31-foot statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the entrance of the building will inspire all the youth residing in the hostel to work dedicatedly for the country, state, and society, expressing gratitude for the construction of the world's tallest statue in Gujarat as 'Statue of Unity' to keep alive Sardar Saheb's ideals and contributions to the nation.

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The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for Central Gujarat will be held in Vadodara in the last week of June this year, as informed by officials. According to an official release, the region includes the districts of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhota Udaipur, Narmada, and Mahisagar, which contribute 28 percent to Gujarat's total manufacturing.

Official data indicates that in the district-level figures of the annual survey of industries for the financial year 2022-23, Central Gujarat contributed 93 percent to the state's other transport equipment manufacturing output. Additionally, it contributed 92 percent in vehicles and vehicle parts, 70 percent in beverages, and 63 percent in pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.

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Surat. The first phase of the crucial Census-2027 for the country's development plan has begun across the country and in Surat city, Gujarat.

Under the Government of India's digital initiative 'Self-Enumeration', Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi participated actively in this national process by filling in family information on the online portal from his home on the second day of the campaign. He appealed to the citizens of Gujarat to consider it their national responsibility and join the digital census campaign by completing the 'Self-Enumeration' process from home. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi stated that Census-2027 is not just a population count, but a strong foundation for the future development of the country.

Based on the data obtained from the census, effective planning for health, education, housing, employment, transportation, and other welfare schemes is prepared and helps in reaching the right people. He mentioned that reliable and accurate data guides the government in policy-making and plays a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of development reach every section of society equally. He emphasized that a 'correct census is a significant step towards a strong India.' Harsh Sanghvi informed that under the 'Self-Enumeration' process, which will run from May 15 to May 31, citizens can fill in their family information online themselves.

This process, completed through digital means, will help the government understand the real needs of the people and implement more effective plans in the future. The Deputy Chief Minister advised citizens to remain vigilant and not share any OTP or other confidential information received during the census process with unknown individuals, and to pay special attention to cyber security.

Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Shivach, along with census officials and staff were present during this event.

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Kandla (Gujarat), May 17. Amid the crisis in West Asia, a ship carrying 20,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has crossed the Hormuz Strait and reached the Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, Gujarat.

Officials provided this information on Sunday. They stated that the vessel 'MV Simi', flagged under the Marshall Islands, had departed from Qatar and arrived at Kandla port around 11:30 PM on Saturday after crossing the Hormuz Strait on May 13. According to officials, 13 Indian-flagged vessels have crossed the Hormuz Strait since the beginning of March, including 12 LPG tankers and one crude oil carrier.

The Hormuz Strait, located near the coast of Oman, is considered a crucial maritime route for the world's energy supply, through which nearly one-fifth of global energy supply passes. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely impacted this maritime route. Following joint attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, retaliatory actions have begun, leading to one of the largest energy crises in recent decades.

During a special meeting organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on energy and supply flow security, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, stated that targeting commercial vessels in Hormuz, endangering the safety of civilian crews, and obstructing freedom of navigation is unacceptable. Meanwhile, on May 13, an Indian-flagged commercial vessel was attacked near the coast of Oman.

Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel coming from Somalia safely. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.

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A helicopter flying from Surat Airport to Juhu Airport in Mumbai made a safe emergency landing near Bhata village in Navsari district due to a technical malfunction. There are no reports of injuries to any passengers or crew members.

According to the information received, the helicopter VT-NIR took off from Surat Airport at approximately 10:11 AM on May 13, 2026, with two crew members and three passengers on board. When a technical issue arose during the flight, the pilot made a precautionary safe emergency landing near Bhata village in Navsari. Timely actions prevented a major accident.

According to officials, all passengers and crew members are completely safe and no one has sustained any injuries. Following the incident, a team of technical experts arrived at the site and began inspecting the helicopter. Currently, necessary actions are being taken at both technical and administrative levels by the relevant department.

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Surat. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to save fuel and adopt frugality, Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil has made an important and symbolic decision.

He announced that until the current war-like conditions normalize, he will not use pilot and escort cars for any government or private events. The Union Minister has implemented this decision with immediate effect. On Tuesday, he arrived at his scheduled programs without a pilot and escort vehicle.

The main objective of this step is said to be saving petrol and diesel to contribute to the nation's interest. C.R. Patil stated that the entire world is currently facing a crisis of crude oil and increasing challenges. At such a time, it is the duty of every responsible public representative to save fuel.

He mentioned that just as he has tried to turn the Prime Minister's campaigns like 'Jal Shakti' and 'Catch the Rain' into a people's movement, he now wants to spread the message of fuel saving to the public. This decision by the Union Minister has been praised in political and social circles.

It is believed that this will inspire other public representatives and state governments towards simplicity and prudent use of resources. C.R. Patil's initiative has also sent a positive message among common citizens that when leadership sets an example, widespread change in society becomes possible.

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On May 11, a grand event named 'Somnath Amrit Mahotsav' was organized to commemorate the historic occasion of the 75th anniversary of the renovation of the Somnath Temple, the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended this glorious celebration.

This festival marks the 75th anniversary of the consecration and inauguration of the temple, which was reconstructed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India, on May 11, 1951. On this occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized the nation's progress and the revival of cultural pride.

During the event, he performed worship of Lord Mahadev in the sanctum sanctorum of the Somnath Temple with full rituals. He participated in special religious ceremonies organized by the temple trust and prayed for the welfare of the people through water offerings. The Prime Minister greeted the devotees present in the temple complex and recalled the historical significance of this sacred site.

Senior officials of the temple trust and several dignitaries were also present, creating a divine and devotional atmosphere. In his address, the Prime Minister stated that the Somnath Temple is a living symbol of India's unwavering faith and the power of reconstruction. He expressed pride that a temple which has faced numerous attempts of destruction in history now inspires the new generation with its grandeur.

Through the Amrit Mahotsav, future generations are being introduced to India's spiritual glory and the contributions of Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Sardar Patel. The temple complex has been specially decorated with lights and flowers as part of the festival, attracting the attention of devotees.

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