$82 bn being invested in port projects: Modi
Ministry ready with list of 400 investable projects
New Delhi, March 2: India will invest $82 billion in port projects by 2035, raise share of clean renewable energy source in maritime sector, develop waterways, augment seaplane services and boost tourism around lighthouses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, urging global players to make India a "preferred investment destination".
As many as 400 projects with investment potential to the tune of $31 billion are ready for investors, who can be a part of India's growth trajectory, Modi said inaugurating the Maritime India Summit.
"More than 574 projects at a cost of $82 billion or Rs 6 lakh crore have been identified under the Sagarmala project for implementation during 2030 and 2035... We will encourage private investment in the port sector... India's long coastline awaits you. India's hardworking people await you.
"Invest in our ports. Invest in our people. Let India be your preferred trade destination. Let Indian ports be your port of call for trade and commerce," the Prime Minister said as he invited players to invest in ports, shipyards and waterways.
The Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways is ready with a list of 400 investable projects with investment potential of $31 billion or Rs 2.25 lakh crore, Modi said adding, this will further strengthen India's commitment of overall development of its maritime sector.
"Through this Maritime India summit, I want to invite the world to come to India and be a part of our growth trajectory. India is emerging as a leading blue economy of the world. Our leading focus area includes upgrading current infrastructure, creating next generation infra, boosting the reform journey. Through these steps we aim to give vision to our Aatmanirbhar Bharat," he said.
Modi noted that "ours is a government that is investing in waterways in a way that was never seen before. Domestic waterways are found to be cost effective and environment friendly ways of transporting freight. We aim to operate 23 waterways by 2030."
He said this will be done through infrastructure enhancement, fairway development, navigation aid and river information system provisions and focus will also be given on augmenting regional connectivity to Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Mumbai, March Ravichandran Ashwin is a thinking cricketer, who is constantly reinventing himself, said former India batsman V.V.S. Laxman, insisting that preparation is key to the veteran offspinner’s success.
Ashwin recently became the fourth Indian bowler to take 400 Test wickets, when he achieved the feat by dismissing Jofra Archer in the pink ball Test at Ahmedabad, which the hosts won by 10 wickets under two days.
Aswin, 34, also became the second fastest bowler to reach the land-mark after Sri Lanka spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.
“I think he’s (Ashwin) a very intelligent person. When you’re playing at the highest level, then it’s not only about your skill, it’s about your preparation, your planning and execution is so critical.
“So, he works out what are the weaknesses of the batsman. He plans those dismissals and that’s why I think he is reinventing himself,” Laxman, a veteran of 134 Tests, said on a Star Sports show.
To prove his point, Laxman cited the example of Steve Smith’s trouble against Ashwin during India’s recent tour Down Under.
“We saw recently in the Australia series how he (Ashwin) troubled someone as great as Steve Smith and that’s another thing that makes Ashwin or any champion player special, that he wants to be the best and compete against the best,” he added.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra too lavished praise on Ashwin, saying he is one of the biggest match winners the country has ever produced.
“78 Test matches for 400 Test wickets. Let the naysayers be! He’s been absolute phenomenal with the craft that he has displayed over a period of time and as he’s growing as a bowler, he’s picking a lot of wickets. So, that question mark is also getting answered quite nicely,” said Chopra.
I have worked with Saif before in the 2020-film,
Prabhas is a gentleman, gracious and easy-going. When you work on a film, there is a lot of research and background work that goes in. Given the current times, one has to be prudent about your approach, especially if he is a historical figure.
— Nachiket Barve,
Some people believe in letting their work speak for themselves. Designer Nachiket Barve is one of them. Low-profile and hardworking, he first shot into prominence when he earned the Maharashtra State Award for the 2015film Katyar Kaljat Ghusali. That is when the film industry first took note of this talented designer. Then, he further upped his game when he won an award for best costume designer for the 2018-Marathi film, Ani Dr Kashinath Ghanekar.
Currently in the throes of designing costumes for the Prabhas–Saif blockbuster Adipurush, Nachiket is snowed under with work. So, when he does find time, he says, he prefers to dedicate those moments to his elevenmonth-old daughter Aarohi and wife Surabhi. “I’m not a party person. I wake up early and spend my mornings with my daughter. I return late at night, so she is asleep by then. I really believe it is more important to spend quality time with your kid. My wife is currently on a maternity
break and will join me
soon,” states Nachiket.
WORK BEFORE STARS
What comes across during our telephonic chat is the quiet confidence that Nachiket exudes. He may be designing for South-Indian heartthrob Prabhas and the Bollywood dude Saif Ali Khan, who play Lord Rama and Ravana, respectively, in Adipurush, but Nachiket remains unruffled. While he clearly respects the stars he is working with, what shows through is that he manages to strike up a good rapport with everyone. “I have worked with Saif before in the 2020-film, Tanhaji. Prabhas is a gentleman, gracious and easy-going. When you work on a film, there is a lot of research and background work that goes in. Given the current times, one has to be prudent about your approach, especially if he is a historical figure. For instance, Sharad Kelkar’s costumes for his character of the Maratha leader Shivaji were well appreciated,” explains Nachiket matter-offactly.
The costume designer then talks about the positive experience of working with the star couple in Tanhaji, Ajay Devgun and Kajol. Nachiket says, “They were both amiable and it was a wonderful experience working with them.” As regards handling creative differences, Nachiket believes that designing for films is a collaborative venture. “Once you understand what the film demands in terms of the characters’ background and looks, and you can implement the director’s vision, it becomes a memorable ride. Also, most of these producers who have reached out to me are familiar with my body of work,” reveals the designer.
MEETING THE BACHCHANS
Nachiket, who has completed almost fourteen years in the world of fashion, made his impact in 2007 at the Lakmé
Fashion Week, impressing international critics such as former
editor of Vogue International, Suzy Menkes, and the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfield, who were bowled over with his work. He quickly made strides in the fashion world, too, winning the British Fashion Council’s ‘Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2010.
But he jumped into the spotlight when he worked on a prestigious jewellery ad with
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. “That was the time I had entered a set,” he recollects. Speaking about the experience of working with the Bachchans, Nachiket can’t help but gush. “He is truly a legend. I remember, for the shoot I wanted him to wear a particular kind of footwear. He ended up bringing twenty pairs of shoes for me to choose from,” he adds with a chuckle. “Between the two of them, they have almost a hundred years of experience, and I have learnt so many finer nuances from both. Mrs Bachchan has a fine eye for detail and she even taught me how to iron a saree properly,” he confesses.
Recently, Nachiket did another jewellery commercial with the Bachchans and their daughter Shweta. Calling it a wonderful experience, he adds, “Shweta is so stylish and even wore the first piece of my new collection, which will be launched across my stores in the country.”
So how does he do the balancing act? “I’m not someone who can multitask well. So, it helps to have a good team in place one can rely on. And this is how I am able to focus on my film projects,” he concludes.
Speaking about the
experience of working with the Bachchans, Nachiket can’t help but gush. “He is truly a legend. I remember, for the shoot I wanted him to wear a particular kind of footwear. He
ended up bringing twenty pairs of shoes for me to choose
from.”
The speculation that Sai Pallavi will be a part of Pawan Kalyan’s next may not be true. Apparently, the actress was approached to be one of the leading ladies in the Telugu remake of Malayalam film, Ayyappanum Koshiyum, also starring Rana Daggubati. As much as the actress wanted to share screen space with Pawan, she found she couldn’t manage her dates, having already allocated her time to another film.
“Sai Pallavi has been trying hard not to lose out on the chance to be in Pawan’s film, but it looks like passing it up is inevitable. She will be expected to join the film sets in March, but the actress has already allocated the dates to another film,” says a source. The chances of the Premam actress being cast in the Sagar Chandra directorial are minimal now,” the source says.
Meanwhile, we learn Aishwarya Rajesh, who agreed to be part of the may not now be available.
The unit is exploring various options. that also film,