Sonowal welcomes India’s first very large gas carrier 'Shivalik' at Visakhapatnam Port
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday accorded a ceremonial welcome to India’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) ‘Shivalik’ during its maiden call at Visakhapatnam Port.
The vessel, inducted under the Indian flag by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) on September 10, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s maritime and energy logistics.
"Welcome to India’s first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) ‘Shivalik’ at Visakhapatnam Port… The induction of ‘Shivalik’ under the Indian flag is a proud milestone, reflecting India’s maritime growth and aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Maritime India Vision 2030," Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said while addressing the ceremony.
He congratulated the SCI team and lauded the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) for facilitating smooth operations during the vessel’s inaugural LPG consignment handling.
The arrival of ‘Shivalik’ aligns with the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant) vision and the Maritime India Vision 2030, promoting self-reliance and indigenous growth in the shipping sector.
Sonowal interacted with the crew of ‘Shivalik’, appreciating their contribution to India’s maritime excellence, and commended VPA’s efforts to modernise infrastructure and strengthen energy logistics.
The event underscored the government’s commitment to developing Visakhapatnam as a leading energy logistics hub on the eastern coast.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
