Bengaluru MTech graduate wins PM Modi's praise for eco-friendly initiative
Bengaluru (PTI): An MTech graduate from Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka won the accolades of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting an enterprise of making products from banana stems, inspired by his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.
During Sunday's episode of his monthly programme, the prime minister said the initiative has motivated several people.
Inspired by an episode of this programme, Varsha from Chamarajanagar started the business of producing manure from the banana plant, the prime minister said.
"'Mann Ki Baat' inspired Varsha to stand on her feet. Inspired by an episode of this programme, she started making bio-fertiliser from bananas. This initiative of nature-loving Varsha has offered lots of employment opportunities to others," Modi said.
Hailing from Ummattur in Chamarajanagar, Varsha started her Akruthi Eco-Friendly Enterprises using the fibre of banana stems to manufacture a variety of products such as mats, mobile stands, pen stands, hats and fridge covers.
Varsha told reporters in Mysuru that she got inspired after listening to the prime minister in one of the episodes of 'Mann Ki Baat' during the Covid lockdown.
The prime minister had talked about a Tamil Nadu-based businessman who started a venture using banana fibres when several businesses were shutting down, she said.
"I am extremely happy that the prime minister is recognising my work. I'm now motivated to take the business to the next level," Varsha said.
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Muslim woman doctor decides not to join Bihar govt job after Nitish Kumar hijab incident
Patna: AYUSH doctor Nusrat Parveen has decided not to join Bihar government service after a controversial incident involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, despite recently receiving her appointment letter.
Parveen was among several hijab-wearing women attending a government Samvad programme in Patna when a video surfaced showing the Chief Minister allegedly pulling down her hijab in public. The incident sparked widespread criticism and political outrage across the country.
Although Parveen is scheduled to join service on December 20, she has chosen to stay away from the job due to the distress caused by the episode. Her family members are reportedly trying to convince her to reconsider the decision.
According to The Wire, Parveen’s brother, who teaches at a government law university in Kolkata, as saying that the family is of the opinion that she should not be held back for the fault of someone else, though they are well aware of her distress over the incident. Her husband works as a clinical psychologist at a college.
ALSO READ: Bihar CM removes hijab from newly appointed doctor's face at govt event, stokes controversy
The incident gained national attention after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared a video clip of the Chief Minister’s interaction with Parveen on its official X account. As per the report, the video quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from social media users, especially women, who described the act as inappropriate and humiliating.
The RJD criticised Nitish Kumar’s conduct and questioned his mental fitness in a strongly worded post. The Congress also entered the debate by condemning the Chief Minister’s behaviour and demanding his resignation, while linking the episode to concerns over women’s safety in Bihar and arguing that such conduct from the state’s highest constitutional authority sent a disturbing message to society at large.
Despite the growing outrage and sustained political pressure, there has been no official clarification or response from Nitish Kumar, his party, or the Bihar government more than a day after the video went viral.
