The foundation stone for the ₹80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme has been laid at North Fulkabari, Tripura.
Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme (₹80 Crore)
The scheme aims to develop the complete agarwood value chain, from cultivation by farmers to finished products in international markets.
Focus is on leveraging the natural strength of Tripura and Assam, where most of India’s agarwood is produced.
Intended to eliminate middlemen and ensure maximum income for farmers.
Central Processing Centres (CPCs)
Two CPCs will be established:
Golaghat, Assam
Tripura (North Fulkabari region)
CPCs will handle:
Processing
Value addition
Branding
Marketing
This will enable farmers to directly access markets and receive fair pricing.
Global Market Enablement Measures
Steps taken to make the agarwood sector globally competitive:
GI (Geographical Indication) tag process initiated.
Export quotas increased six-fold.
Agarwood chips export limit raised:
From 25,000 kg to 1.5 lakh kg
Agarwood oil export limit raised:
From 1,500 kg to 7,500 kg
Digital integration of permissions and sites to simplify exports.
Objective: Direct farmer-to-global buyer linkage.
Fulkabari as a Model of National Vision
Fulkabari’s agarwood sector cited as a prime example of:
‘Local to Global’
‘Vocal for Local’
‘One District One Product (ODOP)’
India has approximately 150 million agarwood trees, with nearly 90% located in the Northeast.
Tripura’s agarwood production capacity is expected to increase by up to 50% under the scheme.
Economic Potential
Tripura’s agarwood sector is projected to achieve:
₹2,000 crore annual turnover within the next 3–4 years.
Buyer–seller meets are being organized to ensure direct international trade.
Example cited: Qatar-based buyers directly engaging with Tripura’s farmers.
Broader Development Initiatives in Tripura
On the first day of the visit, projects worth ₹220 crore were inaugurated or had foundation stones laid.
Key projects reviewed:
Agartala Government Inter College – ₹192 crore
Maternal & Child Health Hospital – ₹200 crore
On Sunday, the Minister will lay the foundation stone for the ₹280 crore Matabari TourismCircuit, described as a major gift to the state.
First Full Rake Of Foodgrain (Rice) Reached Anantnag
Key Milestone in Rail Freight Connectivity
The first full rake of foodgrain (rice) reached Anantnag, Kashmir Valley on 22 January 2026, marking a historic milestone in freight transportation.
This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.
Details of the First Full Rake Movement
A complete rake of 42 wagons carrying 2,768 metric tonnes of rice was transported by rail.
The rake was loaded from Sangrur rail terminal, Punjab on 21 January and reached Anantnag within 24 hours.
Earlier, only mini rakes of:
21 wagons
1,384 metric tonnes were transported to the Valley.
The operation was executed through close coordination with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to optimise logistics and reduce costs.
Despite adverse weather and snowfall, unloading was successfully managed.
Strengthening the Foodgrain Supply Chain
The successful movement marks a new phase in strengthening the foodgrain distribution network in the Kashmir Valley.
Rail-based transportation ensures:
Faster and more reliable delivery
Lower logistics and freight costs
Improved maintenance of buffer stocks, especially during winter and weather disruptions
Enhanced foodgrain availability benefits local households and public distribution systems.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Reduced dependence on heavy truck traffic on national highways, leading to:
Lower congestion
Environmental benefits
Improved transport efficiency
Rail logistics is already supporting the movement of:
Apples
Cement
Fertilisers
Foodgrains
This supports sustained economic activity, resilience, and long-term supply chain stability in the region.
Role of the USBRL Project
The development highlights the transformative impact of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
USBRL is one of the most ambitious railway engineering projects in India.
Even during harsh winter and snowfall, rail connectivity ensures dependable access to essential goods.
Overall Significance
The milestone strengthens trade, logistics, and food security in the Kashmir Valley.
It directly benefits:
Farmers
Traders
Households
The initiative enhances regional integration, resilience, and economic stability through reliable rail infrastructure.
Expansion of Vizhinjam International Seaport
Inauguration & Event Details
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the capacity augmentation works of Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The event was attended by Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, senior Central and State officials, and representatives of the concessionaire.
The inauguration marked the start of construction for Phases II, III, and IV of the port.
Vizhinjam International Seaport: Current Status
Phase I commercial operations began on 3 December 2024.
Designed initial capacity: 1 million TEUs.
Actual performance:
Handled over 1.43 million TEUs in a short operational period.
Operating at over 130% capacity utilisation.
Established direct connectivity with major global shipping routes across:
Europe
Americas
Africa
Far East
Emerging as a key national container transshipment terminal.
Capacity Augmentation Programme (Phases II–IV)
Implemented under a fast-tracked, integrated development plan.
Key infrastructure enhancements include:
Extension of the container berth to 2 km, making it the longest container berth in India.
Extension of the breakwater to 3.88 km.
Development of additional container yards through sea reclamation.
Installation of advanced ship-to-shore and yard cranes.
Designed to handle next-generation container vessels up to 28,000 TEUs.
Post-expansion capabilities:
Handling of five mother vessels simultaneously.
Total throughput capacity of 5.7 million TEUs per annum.
Investment & Timeline
Expansion is being executed under a Supplementary Concession Agreement signed in November 2024 between:
Government of Kerala
Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited
The agreement advances the project timeline by nearly 17 years.
Targeted completion: December 2028.
Total project investment: ~₹16,000 crore
Expansion phases alone: ~₹7,398 crore.
Strategic & National Significance
Capacity augmentation aims to:
Reduce India’s dependence on foreign transshipment hubs
Improve logistics efficiency
Support growth in external trade
Aligned with national policy frameworks:
Maritime Vision 2030
Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
Expected to contribute to a resilient, efficient, and globally competitive maritime sector.
Kerala Government’s Perspective
CM Pinarayi Vijayan stated that:
Vizhinjam currently serves mainly Indian container ports as a transshipment hub.
Upon completion of Phase II, Vizhinjam is expected to become a global transshipment hub connecting:
Asia
Europe
America
Africa
Overall Significance
Vizhinjam International Seaport is poised to become a regional and global transshipment hub.
Strengthens India’s position in global maritime trade.
Supports long-term economic growth, trade competitiveness, and port-led development.
National Voters’ Day
National Voters’ Day (NVD) Overview
Observed annually on January 25 to celebrate democracy and empower citizens to participate in elections.
Marks the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950 (Article 324 of the Constitution).
Theme for 2026: “My India, My Vote”
Tagline: “Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy”.
Significance
Encourages youth participation and universal adult suffrage.
Promotes voter registration and awareness about electoral rights.
Recognizes the role of eligible voters in a functional democracy.
New voter enrolment is a key focus; new voters are felicitated across India.
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Multi-member body: Chief Election Commissioner + two Election Commissioners.
Responsibilities: General and State Assembly elections, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Councils, Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.
Introduced reforms and technology platforms for electoral integrity:
SVEEP – Voter education and awareness.
ECINET – Global technology sharing for election management.
cVIGIL – Quick reporting of violations.
100% webcasting at polling stations for transparency.
EPIC delivery fast-tracked to 15 days.
Key Activities on NVD
Main event in New Delhi:
President distributes EPICs to newly enrolled young voters.
Awards given to Election Officers, civil organizations for excellence in electoral management.
Celebrations across India at 11 lakh polling booths.
Activities include: cycle rallies, human chains, folk art, marathons, competitions, targeting youth engagement.
National Electoral Awards (NVD 2026)
Recognize Best Election Districts for:
Innovative voter awareness initiatives
Effective use of technology in elections
Training & capacity building of election officials
Election management & logistics
Model Code of Conduct implementation
Media campaigns across print, TV, radio, and social media
Outcome: Delhi Declaration 2026 – Five pillars for global electoral integrity:
Purity of electoral rolls
Free, fair, and transparent elections
Research & publications on democracies
Use of technology for electoral integrity
Training and capacity building (via IIIDEM)
India’s Chairship of International IDEA 2026:
Theme: “Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world”
Focus on AI, diversity, SDGs, voter education, and strengthening independent EMBs.
Conclusion
NVD reflects India’s commitment to democratic values and inclusive governance.
Focuses on youth participation, women voter enrolment, and electoral infrastructure.
Reinforces that every vote counts, promoting electoral awareness and citizen-centric processes.
India’s democratic journey continues to inspire globally through reforms, capacity-building, and international leadership.
Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Inauguration: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
Nature of the facility: Granth Kutir is a library and archival space dedicated to preserving India’s literary and intellectual heritage.
Languages represented: The collection includes works in 11 classical languages of India, namely:
Tamil
Sanskrit
Kannada
Malayalam
Odia
Marathi
Pali
Prakrit
Assamese
Bengali
Cultural significance: The facility highlights India’s rich and diverse cultural, philosophical, literary, and intellectual traditions.
Collection size:
Approximately 2,300 books
Around 50 manuscripts
Official source: Details were shared through a release issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Overall purpose: Granth Kutir serves as an important institutional effort to preserve, showcase, and promote India’s classical knowledge systems and heritage.
