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New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Jharkhand is set to pay tribute to the late iconic industrialist Ratan Tata through its tableau for the Republic Day celebrations, showcasing his enduring contribution to the state and the nation.

The highlight will be Jamshedpur, the city the business leader helped build, famously known as the first ‘steel city’ of India.

Jamshedpur, located in southeastern Jharkhand at the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers, stands as a symbol of India’s industrial prowess.

Named after Jamsetji Tata, who established a steel plant there in 1911, Jamshedpur has grown to become the state’s largest urban hub and an important industrial and transportation centre.

This year’s tableau, praised for its creative design, emphasises Ratan Tata’s significant role in Jharkhand’s development as it was his visionary initiatives in the 1960s that laid the foundation for the state’s formal establishment in 2000.

The display will present a panoramic view of the industrial units of Jamshedpur, also known as Tata Nagar, and will highlight Jharkhand’s progress while celebrating its cultural richness.

Alongside industrial achievements, the tableau will showcase Jharkhand’s traditional dance forms, handicrafts, and art. Sohrai and Khobar paintings, created by tribal artists, will take centre stage.

Shalini Verma, Deputy Director of the Information & Public Relations Department of Jharkhand, told IANS, “This time we have decided to honour Ratan Tata, as he started the industrialisation in Jamshedpur. Along with this, we have shown women empowerment by showcasing how they generate employment by working.”

“We have also focussed on education. Because industrialisation and education, both reflect Viksit Bharat and Viksit Jharkhand,” she added.

These murals, deeply rooted in the state’s tribal heritage, celebrate themes of harvest, fertility, and spirituality, underscoring Jharkhand’s strong connection to nature.

The middle section of the tableau will feature rural women engaged in crafting traditional handicrafts, symbolising the integration of heritage and development.

This element reflects how Jharkhand’s traditions and resources are contributing to the nation’s progress, embodying the theme of “Virasat and Vikas.”

Adding to the tableau’s vibrancy, the UNESCO-recognised Chhau Dance of Saraikela will be performed as part of the ground element. This traditional dance, rooted in mythological themes, will showcase the dynamic cultural heritage of the state.

Having previously highlighted themes like ‘tassar silk’ and the Baba Baidyanath Temple, Jharkhand’s participation in this year’s celebrations will stand out as one of 15 states and Union Territories presenting tableaus in the national Capital.

The tableau is expected to reflect Jharkhand’s unique blend of tradition and progress, making it a captivating centrepiece of the Republic Day celebrations.

It is a fitting tribute to Ratan Tata and the late industrialist-cum-philanthropist’s transformative vision that helped shape the state’s identity and future.

–IANS

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Ottawa/New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) After high-level trade talks in Ottawa, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian business delegation through an intensive programme of industry roundtables and B2B engagements in Toronto from May 26–27, aimed at translating ministerial-level commitment into concrete commercial partnerships across priority sectors, the government said on Tuesday.

The visit carries forward the mandate set by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney during Carney’s New Delhi visit in March 2026, and builds on sustained high-level engagement between the two countries since mid-2025.

With bilateral trade currently standing at approximately $8.5 billion, both governments have set an ambitious shared target of expanding this to $50 billion by 2030.

Goyal arrived in Ottawa, heading the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Canada comprising industry leaders from over 100 companies, in a landmark step towards the full revival of India-Canada economic relations, according to Commerce Ministry.

The three-day visit to Canada is aimed at advancing bilateral trade and economic ties between India and Canada, with a particular focus on accelerating the ongoing negotiations for the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the ministry added.

In Ottawa, Goyal held a series of high-level meetings with senior Canadian leaders and Ministers to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, technology, agriculture, and strategic sectors.

Calling on Carney, Goyal conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi. Both sides held forward-looking discussions on further deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple domains and expressed optimism towards the early conclusion of the India-Canada CEPA.

Carney affirmed that the proposed free trade agreement with India would be a game changer, unlocking a massive new market.

Goyal also held constructive bilateral discussions with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, on advancing the India-Canada CEPA negotiations. The CEPA is expected to strengthen economic partnerships and deliver tangible benefits to businesses and citizens of both countries, deepening the bilateral economic relationship to its fullest potential.

In a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, with a focus on food security, sustainability, and agri-technology.

Goyal also held wide-ranging talks with Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, and emphasised the importance of trade, investment, and technology linkages for the India-Canada Strategic Partnership.

He highlighted India’s expanding infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, and consumer sectors as offering significant opportunities for greater collaboration and long-term Canadian investments.

–IANS

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Chennai, June 30 (IANS) The Mettur Dam reached its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 120 feet, leading authorities to ramp up the water release from 26,000 to 58,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs).

According to officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD), this is the first time this year that the dam has attained its FRL, marking a significant milestone that brings relief to farmers and water-dependent communities across Tamil Nadu.

Of the total water being discharged, around 22,500 cusecs is being released through the dam’s main powerhouse and tunnel powerhouse. An additional 2,600 cusecs is being channelled through the High-Level Sluice (HLS), while the remaining water is flowing out through the Ellis Saddle surplus channel.

The surge in the dam’s water level comes after weeks of steady inflows from the Cauvery catchment areas in Karnataka, which have witnessed heavy rainfall since early June.

“The continuous rainfall in the upstream regions of the Cauvery basin in Karnataka has led to a sharp increase in the inflows into Mettur. This helped the reservoir touch its maximum capacity of approximately 93.4 TMC feet,” a senior WRD official said.

Farmers in the delta districts, who depend on Mettur water for irrigating paddy and other crops, welcomed the development. “This is a huge relief for us. The water will help us take up Kuruvai cultivation with confidence,” said S. Marimuthu, a farmer from Thanjavur district.

The dam, one of the oldest and largest in Tamil Nadu, was constructed in 1934 and continues to serve as the primary source of irrigation for over 12 lakh acres across the Cauvery delta.

Officials have urged residents living along the riverbanks downstream of Mettur to remain vigilant, as the increased discharge may lead to a rise in water levels in the Cauvery and its tributaries.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. The release is necessary to maintain the dam at safe levels given the heavy inflows,” the official added.

The state government has also alerted district administrations in Salem, Erode, Tiruchirapalli, and downstream regions to prepare for potential flooding in low-lying areas.

With the monsoon expected to remain active over the Cauvery basin in the coming days, authorities said they would continue to adjust the water release from the dam based on inflow trends and safety requirements.

–IANS

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