Leopard enters CRPF camp in J&K’s Anantnag, injuries trooper

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Srinagar, Dec 24 (IANS) A leopard entered the CRPF camp on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district and injured a trooper inside the camp.

Officials said that a leopard entered the Kapran CRPF camp in the district, creating panic and chaos there.

“Head constable, Kamleshwar Kumar, was injured in the leopard attack. He was given first aid at the local primary health centre, and his condition is stable. He is back in the camp,” the officials said.

Wildlife protection department field staff have been called in to relocate the leopard safely.

Recently, a leopard attacked a flock of sheep, killing at least seven and injuring many others in a village in North Kashmir’s Sopore. The incident triggered fear among the villagers, who appealed to the Wildlife Department to deploy teams and set up cages to capture the leopard before it caused further damage. A team from the Wildlife Department launched a hunt to track and capture the wild animal.

In September, an eight-year-old boy sustained injuries after being attacked by a leopard in the Chetragam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) incidents have alarmingly increased in the Valley during the last decade. Frequent incidents of wild animals like bears and leopards devouring livestock by entering villages, attacking a child or causing an injury to the villagers come to light here.

The HWC refers to the negative interactions between humans and wild animals, with undesirable consequences both for people and their resources on the one hand, and wildlife and their habitats on the other. The conflict caused by competition for natural resources between humans and wildlife influences human food security and the well-being of humans and other animals.

In many regions, the number of these conflicts has increased in recent decades as a result of human population growth and the transformation of land use. HWC is a serious global threat to sustainable development, food security and conservation in urban and rural landscapes alike.

In general, the consequences of HWC include: crop destruction, reduced agricultural productivity, competition for grazing lands and water supply, livestock predation, injury and death to humans, damage to infrastructure, and increased risk of disease transmission among wildlife and livestock.

At the national level, collaboration between forestry, wildlife, agriculture, livestock and other relevant sectors is key.

–IANS

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New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Wednesday welcomed the Indian armed forces’ successful counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor, in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, but expressed disappointment over what he described as a “missed golden opportunity” to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

While acknowledging the unity of the opposition with the government on matters of national security, Alvi emphasised that the strike could have gone further in terms of strategic objectives.

“Right now, we are waiting for more details of the operation. We have consistently said that the entire country, including the entire opposition, stands with the Government of India. But we were hoping that this would be the moment to strike Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was a golden opportunity to take back PoK, and we should have acted on it,” he said.

Alvi also mentioned Pakistan Army chief, General Asim Munir, whose name has been linked by Indian intelligence to the orchestration of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. “We wanted Asim Munir brought to Delhi in chains, the man who masterminded this attack, as per several reports. He should have been punished. But that hasn’t happened yet,” he said.

However, the Congress leader dismissed concerns about escalation. “I don’t think this operation will turn into a war. It looks similar in scale and nature to the earlier surgical strikes. I see no reason to believe it will escalate into full-scale conflict,” he contended.

Operation Sindoor was a precision military strike conducted by the Indian Army targeting nine terror infrastructure sites inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The operation was monitored closely by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSA Ajit Doval, and top military leadership.

The Indian Army’s spokesperson emphasised the precise nature of the strikes, stating: “Our actions have been focused and precise. We have only targeted terrorist camps from where attacks against India have been planned and executed.”

–IANS

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Partners in India’s growth and catalysts for deeper ties with Germany: Piyush Goyal on meeting Indian diaspora in Berlin

Berlin, Oct 25 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said he is “delighted” after interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora in the Berlin, adding that India is immensely proud of their achievements across diverse sectors for being critical partners in India’s growth as well as acting as catalysts for further deepening the ties with Germany.

Taking to his official X account, Minister Goyal on Friday wrote: “Delighted to interact with the vibrant Indian community in Berlin. We are proud of their achievements across sectors. Called upon them to continue being partners in India’s growth and catalysts for deeper India–Germany ties.”

The Minister is currently on an official visit to Berlin, which started on October 23, aimed at deepening India’s economic engagement with Germany

The Berlin visit marks a key milestone in enhancing India’s engagement with Germany and holds particular significance, as the year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, highlighting the depth, resilience, and long-standing strength of bilateral ties. Goyal’s meetings are designed to facilitate high-impact interactions with senior government officials, industry leaders, and business associations in both countries, according to an official statement.

As part of his visit, Goyal also participated as a speaker at the third Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) — an annual summit that brought together leaders from business, government, and academia to deliberate on issues shaping the global economy.

He met Anne-Laure Parrical de Chammard, Siemens Energy Executive Board member, on Friday, and held discussions on deepening collaboration for building more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems.

In a post on X, Goyal wrote: “Pleased to meet Anne-Laure Parrical de Chammard, Member of the Executive Board, @Siemens_Energy. Our discussions focused on deepening collaboration for building more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems. The company’s expertise in reducing emissions across the energy landscape aligns well with India’s clean energy transition and growth ambitions.”

Minister Goyal also met with the leadership of the Federation of German Industries in Berlin and discussed efforts to deepen industrial collaboration and strengthen India-Germany trade relations with various business leaders.

“Wonderful meeting with the leadership of the Federation of German Industries, @Der_BDI. Discussed strategic initiatives to further strengthen Indo-German trade relations, deepen industrial collaboration, and enhance the role of our businesses in shaping the future of global trade,” the Union Minister posted on X.

Minister Goyal also met Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB Group, and shared India’s rapid strides in manufacturing.

In a post on X, the Union Minister said, “Met Morten Wierod, CEO, ABB Group. Shared how India’s rapid strides in manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy present vast opportunities for the group to deepen its partnership with our growth story, by leveraging its engineering and digitalisation expertise.”

Goyal, on Friday met Airbus Chairman Rene Obermann, who expressed strong confidence in India’s growth story and technological capabilities.

In a post on X, he said, “Wonderful meeting with Rene Obermann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Airbus. Delighted to hear his confidence in India’s growth story. We discussed how Airbus plans to further strengthen its partnership with India by leveraging the country’s remarkable engineering and technological talent, forward-looking policy initiatives, and improved Ease of Doing Business.”

Earlier, Minister Goyal also met Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, in Berlin.

“Delighted to meet my friend Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and for Implementation and Simplification, over lunch in Berlin. We discussed the significant progress in the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and our commitment to resolving outstanding issues for a balanced and mutually beneficial trade deal,” he wrote on X.

“Met with German CEOs at the Business Leaders’ Roundtable in Berlin. Highlighted India’s robust reforms agenda, vast opportunities, and future potential across sectors. Reiterated how our supportive policy ecosystem, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, continues to make the country one of the most attractive investment destinations globally,” Minister Goyal wrote in another X post.

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Minister Goyal on Thursday met Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, in Berlin, and talks covered Germany’s commitment to finalising the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA).

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“It was a pleasure to meet Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, in Berlin. Our discussions focused on deepening Indo-German ties in trade and investment, joint industrial and technological partnerships in green energy, new and emerging technologies, as well as defence. Talks also covered Germany’s commitment to finalising the India-EU FTA,” said Goyal in a post on X.

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Rural consumption beats urban demand, GDP growth to reach 6.8 pc in FY26: Report

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Rural consumption continues to outperform urban demand in the country despite income tax cuts and GST 2.0 reforms aimed at boosting urban consumption, a report said on Saturday.

The report from brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL) said that rural consumption outshines because of income guarantee schemes, better rainfall outcomes, NBFC-led credit growth, easing input costs and steady MSPs.

MOFSL’s base case projection was that real GDP growth will touch 6.8 per cent for FY26, with a 20–30 basis‑point upside if tariff uncertainties abate, and a nominal GDP growth projection at 9 per cent.

It maintained that urban consumption has recovered since implementation of GST reforms and also from Q3FY25, but rural consumption outshined.

The brokerage firm said that rural consumption has been on a steady uptrend since H2FY25, strengthening further in Q2FY26 (up 7.7 per cent YoY) to its highest level in 17 quarters.

“The upturn was supported by firm growth in real agri and non-agri wages, higher tractor and fertilizer sales, and robust farm credit. Better rainfall distribution and reservoir levels boosted sowing activity, while easing input costs and steady minimum support price (MSP) procurement helped improve farm incomes,” the firm highlighted.

Regarding rural spending, the report detailed that the high‑frequency October data — including E‑way bills, petrol consumption, mall footfalls and PMI readings — were broadly positive in the first full month of GST 2.0 implementation.

Urban spending remained subdued through Q2 FY26 but improved after GST reforms through the festive season, with jewellery demand staying firm in October despite high gold prices.

“Rural demand is expected to remain on a steady upward trajectory, underpinned by rising real wages. Healthy rabi prospects, coupled with lower rural inflation, should help to sustain the ongoing improvement in consumption,” the report noted.

–IANS

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