Important to revive, preserve Urdu language: NRI businessman Nasir Syed
'Mehfil-e-Mushaira' held in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: In a bid to promote Urdu language, literature, and culture, Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu organized an Urdu poetry festival, 'Urdu Mehfil-e-Mushaira,' on Friday at the Town Hall in Mangaluru.
The event, held in the city, was chaired by Nasir Syed, a distinguished NRI businessman and founder-president of the CHS Group of Dubai, who also sponsored the event.
Participating poets included Azizuddin Aziz Belgaumi from Bengaluru, Dr. Mohammed Haneef Shabab, and Syed Ahmed SaliK from Bhatkal, Siraj Sholapuri from Mumbai, Rahmatullah Rahmat from Shivamogga, Usama Qazi Asad Karnataki from Gangolli, and Abdul Salam Madani from Mangaluru.
Zaheer Ahmed Fanaa, also a poet, compered the event and presented his poetry towards the end.
The event featured the distribution of prizes sponsored by Nasir Syed for students who topped Moulana Azad Model School in Karkala, as well as to toppers of various subjects from the school. Two of the teachers from the school were also awarded for their services and commitment towards teaching the students at the school.
Additionally, prizes were awarded to winners of Urdu Speech and Urdu Essay Writing competitions organized by Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Urdu, DK and Udupi districts.
During his presidential address, Nasir Syed emphasized the need to enhance the status of the Urdu language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. He highlighted a issue, stating that while people in the region can speak and comprehend Urdu, there is a significant portion that lacks the ability to read and write in the language.
Nasir Syed further expressed his commitment to supporting any initiatives or plans put forth by Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu aimed at addressing and improving this situation.
Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Urdu, DK, and Udupi districts also felicitated Nasir Syed for his relentless and selfless services and philanthropy, while also acknowledging his contribution as the sponsor of the event.
The program commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Mohammed Anees, followed by a Hamd presented by Mohammed Bin Tajammul. Master Haneef welcomed the guests and the gathering.
The poets were later felicitated and presented with mementos by the organizers for attending the event and presenting their poetry.
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
