S. Korean, Brazilian firms call for closer ties in manufacturing, key minerals

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Seoul, Feb 23 (IANS) South Korean and Brazilian business communities on Monday proposed measures to strengthen cooperation in strategic areas, including advanced manufacturing and key minerals, at a bilateral business forum held in Seoul, industry officials said.

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency presented such proposals at the Korea-Brazil Business Forum, held on the occasion of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s three-day state visit to South Korea, reports Yonhap new agency.

“Brazil is a resource powerhouse with competitiveness in food, energy and aerospace and has strategic significance in global supply chains,” FKI Chairman Ryu Jin said during the event.

“Korea and Brazil should move beyond trade-centred cooperation and toward a new era of shared prosperity based on investment and industrial collaboration,” he added.

During the event, the business communities of the two countries presented Lula with measures for expanding bilateral economic cooperation in three core areas, namely lifestyle, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.

The two sides also discussed enhancing cultural ties by building on the strong popularity of Korean entertainment in South America, along with potential opportunities to link Brazil’s rich cosmetic raw materials with South Korea’s beauty ecosystem.

In terms of agriculture, business officials shared ideas on utilizing Brazil’s food production capacity alongside South Korean firms’ competitiveness in processing, distribution and branding.

“Participants discussed measures to combine Brazil’s resource strengths with Korea’s manufacturing competitiveness to expand cooperation from traditional manufacturing into advanced industries,” the FKI added, noting the two countries also explored potential ties in the artificial intelligence (AI) and strategic mineral sectors.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1959, Brazil has become South Korea’s largest trading partner in South America.

Around 300 Brazilian business officials joined Lula’s first state visit to Asia’s No. 4 economy in 21 years, said the report.

–IANS

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Bihar: Youth shot dead in moving train in Lakhisarai

Patna, Jan 21 (IANS) A youth was gunned down onboard the Gaya-Howrah Express train near the Kiul outer signal in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Tuesday, creating panic among passengers.

The train, travelling on the Kiul-Bhagalpur railway section, was stopped following the incident, after which passengers disembarked from the train in fear. The victim has been identified as Dharmendra Kumar Sahu, a resident of Mahisona village in Lakhisarai block.

Dharmendra was seated in the general compartment next to the engine when the train departed from Kiul railway station.

According to the police, an individual already inside the train allegedly shot him in the head and then jumped off the train near the outer signal of Kiul station and fled from the scene.

Upon receiving the information, a team of railway police, led by Kiul Railway DSP Jagir, arrived at the spot and began investigating the matter.

“The victim was seated in the general compartment when the incident occurred. The accused fled by jumping off the train near the Kiul outer signal,” said DSP Jagir.

The incident caused significant panic among passengers, leading to the train being stopped and passengers deboarding.

Authorities are investigating the matter to identify the accused and uncover the motive behind the incident.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident could be linked to a property dispute. The victim was carrying property-related documents at the time of the attack,” Jagir said.

“The victim’s identity has been confirmed, and his family members have been informed about the incident,” he said.

A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has been called to the scene to gather evidence and aid in the investigation. The railway police have informed the local police to investigate the background of the incident, particularly in the victim’s village, to uncover any connections to the property dispute.

“We are investigating all aspects of the incident and pursuing all possible angles. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the accused. The local police have been tasked with investigating any property-related disputes in the victim’s village,” said Jagir.

–IANS

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Won’t act outside framework of Constitution, no matter the criticism: CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday reiterated that he would not take any step outside the framework of the Constitution given by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, stressing that any reservation granted beyond the ambit of law would not sustain.

CM Fadnavis’ statement comes when pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has stepped up his protest demanding reservation to the Maratha community from the OBC quota. “No matter how much anyone abuses me, I cannot go beyond what is in the interest of society and what is stated in the Constitution of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The demand is to include Marathas in the OBC category. But both the Supreme Court and the High Court have delivered verdicts on this issue. We cannot disregard them,” he said.

Taking a swipe at Jarange-Patil, he added, “I cannot say which issue he will understand or not. If I could enter his mind, the protest at Azad Maidan would have ended, and the reservation issue resolved by now.”

On Jarange-Patil’s criticism directed at him, CM Fadnavis said, “I am used to ridicule and insults. It does not affect me in any way. Ultimately, our achievements are recorded in history, and people remember them. What is important is what we do.” He further stated that the MahaYuti government has always taken decisions in the interest of the Maratha community.

“During my tenure and that of Eknath Shinde (as chief minister), reservation was given to the Maratha community. The Maratha community is taking advantage of this reservation. We are looking positively at the demands that Jarange-Patil is making today,” he added.

Commenting on the ruckus when Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule went to Azad Maidan, CM Fadnavis expressed that it was not appropriate. “If any leader goes there, he should be treated properly. Chanting slogans or throwing bottles is not appropriate. Nothing will be gained by creating a ruckus. We are trying to find a way out of the discussion and resolve the reservation issue through legal means,” he remarked.

CM Fadnavis said, “Our government is looking positively at the demands that Jarange-Patil is making. If any demand is to be accepted, it should be within the framework of the law. He demands to include Marathas in the OBC category. However, there is a big issue of social balance. For that, we may have to argue our case before the court. Therefore, if we take such a decision outside the framework of the law, it will not last. We can take such a decision to please the people. But that decision will not last. By doing so, the people will be cheated.”

The Chief Ministers said that a cabinet sub-committee headed by Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is holding discussions to find a solution to the demands of Jarange-Patil. “We are talking to legal advisors. We are also checking the decisions given by the court in this regard earlier and are trying to find a solution to all these issues,” he added. He reiterated that solutions cannot come from a rigid stance but through discussion.

“The government runs by law. The government will solve all the issues through legal means. We will try to solve the issue by using all the provisions in the law,” he commented.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Amit Thackeray appealed to his party workers to assist Maratha protesters camping in Mumbai. “Thousands of Maratha brothers have gathered here. The reservation issue is in the government’s hands, but no Maratha brother should feel alone. Every MNS worker must ensure they get food, water, shelter, safety, and medical help when needed,” he said.

–IANS

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Bihar farmers thank PM Modi for transferring PM KISAN instalment in their accounts

Bhagalpur, Feb 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 19th instalment of the PM-KISAN fund on Monday from Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, benefiting over 9.8 crore farmers across the country.

“I feel extremely proud to transfer the 19th instalment of PM-KISAN into accounts of food-providing sisters and brothers from the holy land of Bihar, along with the inauguration of various development projects,” PM Modi wrote on X and added that the nation is proud of its ‘Annadatas’.

Many farmers from the city showered praise on the Centre’s flagship scheme and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for financial assistance for them.

Farmer Sitaram Mandal told IANS, “This scheme is very good. The money is deposited directly into the accounts of farmers, due to which we benefit a lot.

Suresh Mandal, another farmer said, “I am getting the benefit of ‘PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana’. This is a very good scheme. Money is deposited in the bank account from time to time. Earlier, there were a lot of problems as we had to do farming by taking loans. But, now with this amount, I buy seeds and fertilisers.”

Farmer Kailash Kumar Mandal remarked, “This is a very good scheme. Our whole family is being taken care of with this assistance.”

Ravi Kumar said, “My entire family is dependent on farming. Money is being deposited in the bank account under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. This scheme has brought a lot of relief.”

Manoranjan Prasad, another farmer spoke about the impact of the scheme on the mental well-being of farmers and how this has relieved them from the burden of loans.

Hareram Kesari said, “PM Modi has done very good work for the farmers. They are getting a lot of benefits from this scheme. Fertilisers and seeds are purchased with this amount. There was a lot of difficulty in farming in the earlier governments.”

Farmer Bhupal Singh says, “I came here to listen to PM Modi’s speech. While checking my phone, I found that the money under the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has been credited. I am very thankful to PM Modi.”

Sanjeev Kumar Singh remarked, “PM Modi is working for the welfare of farmers. He is emphasising things related to farming including fish farming and makhana. If the farmers of Bihar pay attention to these things, Bihar will run fast on the path of development.”

–IANS

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