Strategic Partnership reflects the trust between India-Cyprus: President Murmu

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu has received the Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital and hosted a banquet in his honour.

President Murmu said on Friday that the elevation of India–Cyprus relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership reflects the trust that has existed between our two countries for decades, and opens new opportunities for expanding mutual cooperation.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Christodoulides held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

PM Modi announced that ties between India and Cyprus have been elevated to a strategic partnership.

He said that Cyprus President Christodoulides’ visit to India marks the “next milestone” in the shared journey of the two nations.

“Today’s meeting stands as a confirmation that Cyprus and India are not simply strengthening bilateral ties. We are building a partnership with strategic depth and global relevance. For our countries, our peoples, and for our respective regions,” Christodoulides said on social media platform X after the meeting.

“A partnership built on trust and on the conviction that dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation, is the path forward,” he added.

While addressing a joint press meet with President Christodoulides following their talks at Hyderabad House on Friday, PM Modi said, “Cyprus is one of India’s top 10 investors. In the last decade, investments from Cyprus in India have nearly doubled. Trust between the two countries has grown. The India-EU FTA has opened up new opportunities. Leveraging this, we aim to double this investment once again over the next five years, and to realise this commitment, today we are elevating our trusted partnership to the level of a strategic partnership.”

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting outcomes include elevation of ties to a strategic partnership, besides signing of several agreements — including on a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, diplomatic training between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Diplomatic Academy of Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also in the field of higher education and research.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) The number of consumer complaints pending in commissions and district fora across the country at the start of 2025 has risen by 12,021 in the first seven months of the current year, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution B. L. Verma said in a written reply that as many as 76,318 consumer complaints were filed in courts across the country this year till July 22.

During this period, as many as 64,297 consumer cases, including those which were filed in previous years, were disposed of in consumer courts, the minister said.

Thus, the number of fresh complaints filed this year is higher by 12,021 than the number of matters disposed by consumer fora till July 22, 2025.

The MoS, in response to questions by MPs Kavita Patidar and Manan Kumar Mishra on pending cases in consumer commissions, said the number of matters filed from 2022 till July 22 this year is 5.99 lakh.

The Minister said that as many as 5.91 lakh consumer complaints have been disposed of by consumer courts from 2022 till July 22 this year. The matters disposed of also included backlog from previous years.

In 2024, as many as 1,73,160 consumer complaints were filed, while 1,58,290 cases, including backlog from previous years, were disposed of, as shown in data shared by the Minister.

The number of consumer cases filed in 2022 and 2023 was 1,75,676 and 1,74,278, respectively. The number of cases disposed of during 2022 and 2023 was 1,82,870 and 1,85,777, respectively.

MoS Verma informed the Rajya Sabha that 685 district consumer courts are functional across the country, in addition to 10 benches of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and 35 benches of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRC).

A maximum of 79 district consumer fora are operating in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 48 in Madhya Pradesh, the MoS said.

He said that to serve the interest of speedy justice to the end consumers, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 states that no adjournment shall ordinarily be granted by the consumer commissions unless sufficient cause is shown and the reasons for the grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the Commission.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, says that every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within five months if it requires analysis or testing of commodities.

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Arunachal Guv suggests institutional training centre for indigenous faiths

Itanagar, Aug 22 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) on Friday suggested an institutionalised training and teaching centre for the indigenous faiths in the state.

Indigenous priests, led by Nangram Kani, called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar on Friday and discussed indigenous rituals and practices.

A Raj Bhavan official said that the Governor engaged in a meaningful interaction with them, listening to their experiences and gaining valuable insights into the challenges they face as well as the opportunities that lie ahead for promoting and preserving indigenous culture.

Lt. General Parnaik (Retd.) called upon the indigenous priests to remain steadfast in upholding their age-old traditions while also adapting their practices in tune with the changing times.

He emphasised that rituals should be meaningful and guided by scientific reasoning, ensuring that they continue to serve society positively.

Highlighting the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage, the Governor suggested that indigenous rituals and practices must be carefully documented for future generations.

He said that such efforts would not only preserve the richness of tribal traditions but also strengthen the identity of the community in the face of rapid modernisation.

Suggesting an institutionalised training and teaching centre for the indigenous faiths in Arunachal Pradesh, the Governor said that such a step would ensure the passing on of sacred knowledge to future generations in a structured and sustainable way.

He described the indigenous priests as custodians of tribal wisdom and spiritual heritage, entrusted with the god-gifted responsibility of carrying forward the cultural legacy.

Lt. General Parnaik (Retd.) urged them to inspire their people to live in harmony with nature, protecting flora and fauna, and fostering a way of life rooted in respect for the environment.

The Governor said that the advice and guidance of priests must always be for the good of society, promoting unity, peace, and sustainable living, so that traditional values continue to remain a source of strength and pride for the people.

–IANS

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Weekly yoga podcast launched to promote holistic wellness

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The weekly podcast has been launched by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush on his social media platforms.

This podcast aims to bring the timeless wisdom of yoga to every household, blending ancient practices with modern lifestyles.

According to the ministry, the inaugural episode of the podcast, sets the tone for a transformative journey into the world of yoga. The podcast series is designed to engage listeners with insightful discussions, guided practices, and expert interviews, making yoga accessible and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds.

The launch comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address during the 120th episode of his Mann Ki Baat programme on March 30, 2025, where he emphasised the significance of International Yoga Day and its 2025 theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”

The theme underscores yoga’s role in fostering physical, mental, and environmental well-being, resonating with India’s global vision of unity and sustainability.

In the first episode, listeners are welcomed into a vibrant conversation about the essence of yoga and its global impact. The podcast highlights how yoga, once a sacred Indian tradition, has become a worldwide movement for health and harmony.

It also explores the philosophical roots of this year’s theme, inspired by India’s G20 presidency and the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family.

The episode also throws light on the special nature of this year’s Yoga Day. Being the 10th anniversary of International Day of Yoga observance to mark this observation the government has initiated activities along ten signature tracks. All of them together giving a practical interpretation of the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth One Health’

To mark a decade of International Yoga Day, the Ministry of AYUSH has also unveiled 10 Signature Events to celebrate and expand the reach of yoga.

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