A huge fire broke out in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area of Shiravane on Friday. Blows of huge smoke were seen in the visuals, and fire tenders rushed to the spot and tried their best to control the fire.
Further details are awaited into the matter.

Earlier, fire broke out at an industry near Mahakali Caves in Mumbai’s Andheri area on Thursday.

Four fire tenders have been deployed to the site to contain the fire.

Further details are awaited. Earlier in the day, a fire broke out in multiple furniture shops at Azad Chowk in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday morning, officials said.

The fire tenders immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Inspector Dilip said that the fire might have started due to a short circuit.

Adityanath was addressing the investors’ meet held in the state capital for the establishment of a Mega Textile and Apparel Park on 1,000 acres on the Lucknow-Hardoi border.

“With a population of 140 crore, why should India lag behind Bangladesh (16 crore) in ready-made garments? We have top-notch training, designing, and packaging facilities,” said the CM.

The project is coming up under the ‘PM MITRA Scheme’ of the Union government. It will help create over 50,000 new jobs.

On the occasion, the chief minister distributed an incentive of ₹210 crore to 80 investors contributing to the state’s textile industry under the Uttar Pradesh Textile and Apparel Policy, 2017. Apart from this, two MoUs of ₹700 crore were signed for the PM MITRA Park.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said: “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Surat in Gujarat became a textile hub. Now, the same vision is being implemented nationwide with the approval of seven PM MITRA Parks, one of which is in Lucknow.

“This is the only PM MITRA Park in the country being set up in a state capital,” he added.

He pointed out that clothing is one of life’s basic necessities and assured investors that the park will offer integrated facilities for weaving, dyeing, printing, designing, and packaging.

“This park will help meet market demand and unlock endless possibilities for the textile industry,” he said.

On the occasion, two MoUs of over ₹700 crore were signed for the PM MITRA Park. Additionally, ₹3,800 crore worth of investment proposals have already been received under 83 MoUs.

“Over 1,000 MoUs have been signed, with 225 projects set for groundbreaking soon, leading to investments exceeding ₹6,000 crore and creating over 50,000 jobs,” said the CM.

He added that Kashi, Bhadohi, and Mirzapur are renowned for silk and carpets, while Varanasi’s sarees remain an integral part of Indian celebrations.

Ayodhya and Ambedkar Nagar are famous for handlooms, and Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Azamgarh, Mubarakpur, and Mau have a deep-rooted textile history. Lucknow’s chikankari embroidery has thrived in households for centuries, added the CM.

He credited the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme for reviving these traditional industries, ensuring a steady flow of orders.

He then announced that apart from the PM MITRA Park, the state government will establish 10 new textile parks named after Sant Kabir Das and two leather parks in the name of Sant Ravidas.

These parks will serve as extension centers for the PM MITRA Park, further boosting the textile and leather industries.

He also stated that the PM MITRA Park will be developed based on Prime Minister Modi’s 5F model—Farm to Fiber, Fiber to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign—ensuring a seamless production-to-export process at a single location.

He also highlighted the state’s excellent connectivity as a major attraction for investors. He said that a dedicated freight corridor and Greenfield Expressway between Lucknow and Kanpur will soon be operational.

“Today, Uttar Pradesh is India’s second-largest economy, and by 2029, we will make it a one-trillion-dollar economy,” said the CM.

He added that Uttar Pradesh contributes 13% to the country’s textile production, ranking third in India and providing employment to over two million people.

Institutions such as NIFT in Raebareli, the Textile Technology Institute in Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Apparel Technology in Varanasi are strengthening the sector, he asserted.

The CM also highlighted the presence of leading textile companies like Arvind Mills, TT Group, Ganesha Ecosphere, Bharat Overseas, and NINE, which are already operating in the state.

CM Yogi assured investors that Uttar Pradesh offers a highly favorable investment environment. “In the past eight years, we have introduced 35 sectoral policies, ensuring a secure land bank, strong connectivity, and robust legal protection for your capital,” he said.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included cabinet minister Rakesh Sachan, chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, additional secretary (Textile Industry, union government ) Rohit Kansal and others.

Several nations want to adopt India’s development model, which has given prominence to initiatives such as Startup India that encourage innovation, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.

Addressing the valedictory function of Vejalpur Startup Festival 2.0, Goyal also said India aims to take the number of unicorns from the existing 118 to 1,000 and 5,000.The startup ecosystem created in the country has encouraged job seekers to become job creators, the Union minister asserted.”Narendra Modi as the then chief minister of Gujarat ensured fast paced development of the state.

Gujarat’s development then became the country’s development. And slowly, several countries, especially developing countries, today want to adopt India’s development model,” Goyal said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation several jewels in this development model, like Swachh Bharat Mission, Make In India, Digital India, Startup India, International Yoga Day, Ayushman Bharat. among others, he added.”There is hardly any leader in the world who has been conferred the highest civilian awards. Modi has been conferred 21 international awards,” Goyal said.

Goyal said startups have worked to help India’s economy grow with their new and innovative ideas, new ways of functioning, adding that Gujarat has remained the best performing state in startups.There is an appetite in people here for taking risks, he said while appreciating the state.”The government has given encouragement to startups, investors, founders and mentors to associate with startups.

The Centre started a Fund of Funds (FoF) for startups with a fund of Rs 10,000 crore. Another Rs 10,000 crore fund was announced in the last budget, and the first instalment has been provided to the department,” he said.Angel tax has also been removed, and a portal ’Bhaskar’ has been launched for startups to connect with investors, Goyal said.Urging youth to create a model of people-centric development through their startup ideas, Goyal said, ”Sometimes you have to face failures. Do not get scared of failure.

The mantra of a startup is to rise from failure and become successful.” Manufacturing will remain important, but startups can help in smart and innovative manufacturing, marketing and packaging, the minister opined.Goyal also mentioned NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who returned to earth early Wednesday after a prolonged mission to the International Space Station (ISS), during his speech.”Her family moved from Mehsana in Gujarat to the US. Williams showed courage during her extended stay at the International Space Station and was always seen smiling,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who inaugurated the assembly-level Vejalpur Start-up Festival 2.0, said the term startup has become the identity of the youth today.”Today’s youth are moving forward very quickly with creative thinking, innovative ideas and innovative ideas. Women are also coming up with new startups today with innovative solutions to various problems,” Patel said.The PM has resolved to build a developed India by taking the strength of youth power, Patel said while asserting that the idea of ’Developed Gujarat for a Developed India’ will be realised.More than 1000 startups and 4500 people are taking part in the festival. A total of 42 startups were given free stalls to showcase their products.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. File
| Photo Credit: X/CM Office, GoUP via ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (March 22, 2025) questioned why India, with its vast population, lags behind Bangladesh in readymade garment exports.

He was speaking at an investor meet for the establishment of a textile park under the PM MITRA scheme here.

“If Bangladesh, with a population of 16 crore, can excel in readymade garment exports, why can’t India, with 140 crore people, achieve similar success?” Mr. Adityanath stated.

He stressed the immense opportunity for India to create a globally recognised textile brand, highlighting the potential within the readymade garment sector.

“There are great possibilities in readymade garments. We have possibilities to reach there by mapping the world market,” he said.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to provide direction and opportunities to India’s large workforce.

“There is a large population that needs work, but there should be someone to show them the way,” he added.

He also highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s significance as a major consumer market.

“The biggest consumer market is Uttar Pradesh, and it is in Uttar Pradesh,” he asserted.

He further explained that the state caters to the needs of a large population, not just within the state but also from neighbouring regions like Nepal, Bhutan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

Mr. Adityanath underscored the importance of establishing comprehensive facilities within the PM MITRA Park, encompassing sewing, dyeing, printing, packaging, and designing, to meet market demands.

Mumbai: He came, he saw, and he charmed with what he spoke. For an hour on Friday evening, Pakistan’s cricketing legend Zaheer Abbas, accompanied by his wife Samina Abbas, who belongs to Kanpur, captivated a select audience with golden nuggets from his playing days, and a simple message for India’s awaam (public)-play bilateral cricket again with Pakistan.
Once the scourge of India’s bowlers and known as ‘Asia’s Bradman’ for having scored a staggering 100 (108 overall) first-class centuries-many of them for Gloucestershire in a 13-year-period, Abbas spoke from the heart, his love for the country he has a personal connection dripping all through.
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Belonging to an era when cricketers hardly had money in their pockets- “We used to get Rs 15 to play a Test match” revealed the 77-year-old- Abbas also recalled his majestic 274, which came in just his second Test, against England at Birmingham in Aug 1971. “After play on Day 1 at Edgbaston, I was 159 not out. Some county secretaries came to me and wanted me to sign up for their county. I told them that ‘I can’t sign up now, because I’m still batting.! See, the contract will be different when you score 159, to that of 274!,” he said before winking, leaving you in splits!

Imparting a batting tip that may be useful for India’s batters in England this summer, he said, “Look, when you are at the crease, be at the crease. You never know when you’ll be out of form. Stay at the wicket.”
The first batter to score three consecutive hundreds in ODIs in 1983, Abbas made a humble revelation, when asked about the modern-day bats, which ensure that even a mishit goes for a six. “I can’t hold the modern-day bat. It’s really very heavy. I don’t know if I can bat with these bats. I used to bat with a weight of 2.2 (ounce bat). I used to time the ball so well with that bat. This is what you call a gift that somebody (almighty) gives you,” he said.

To give an illustration of his special bond with India’s players, Abbas went back to Aug 1971, when India famously beat England by four wickets at The Oval to record their maiden overseas series win over the old Blighty. “I knew Sunil Gavasakar very well. He had scored a double hundred (220) against the West Indies, and I had scored a double century (274) against England. So, I went to the Indian dressing room. Normally, it’s against the norm to go into a team’s dressing room. However, I was so much in love with India’s players that I went there. Gavaskar introduced me to the Indian players. I said: I’m here to wish a win for India. And they won!.” “I must say that we had a great association with Indian players, because our colour, language..almost everything is the same,” he added.
Describing his experience of crossing the Waga hBorder to come to India this time, Abbas said, “when we moved to the immigration, a few army and government officials approached us. I wondered if they were coming to arrest us. Then I told myself: ‘I have such a big proof (pointing to his wife, who belongs to Kanpur), no one can catch me. However, they really gave me a lot of respect. It’s my honour to be here.”

Making an emotional, passionate and heart-felt plea to the Indian public to resume bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan again, Abbas said, “Everyone says that India and Pakistan should play each other. Our teams should start touring each other’s countries, and things become better. However, I don’t understand why it doesn’t happen. If both the countries are neighbours, and passionate about cricket, then their cricket teams should visit each other. God knows what’s the policy. But, in my opinion, they (India & Pakistan) should be playing each other,” Abbas said.
“We enjoyed being with India’s players during our time. People in India love their cricket, they love me, and I’ve a huge number of fans here. Yaar, aate raho (keep coming). Let’s keep meeting each other. We aren’t playing with each other. There’s hardly any distance between our countries. If you go through the (Wagah) border, you’ll be in Pakistan in 2 minutes! There’s just a line between the nations. If India and Pakistan play each other, people like me will be happy and live slightly longer,” he said.

Pointing out to former India allrounder Karsan Ghavri in the audience, Abbas said, “When our heroes would come to Pakistan, did anyone face any problem? And after the day’s play was over, we would sit and eat together, talk about anything. I don’t know why the ‘brakes’ have suddenly been applied to this thing! It shouldn’t happen.”
In his distinguished 78-Test career, Abbas was a scourge for India’s bowlers, scoring 1740 runs in 19 Tests@87.00, with six hundreds. When cricket resumed between India and Pakistan in 1978 after a 23-year hiatus, the bespectacled basman made 583 runs in three Tests@194.33, with a highest score of 235 not out, killing India’s spinners. When India went to Pakistan next in the 1982-83 series, Abbas racked up 650 runs in three Tests@130.00, with three hundreds. Surprisingly, the batter who gave India’s bowlers many nightmares, revealed that he actually endured “sleepless” nights whenever archrivals India came touring.

“I was in form. Can I tell you one thing? When India came to Pakistan, I didn’t sleep till the Indian team was there. I used to wake up thinking that I’ll face the best spinners of the world. I used to think: which bowler would I face tomorrow, who is playing, who is not playing. This is what you call only and only concentration, and I had plenty of it. (Afterall), a person who has scored 100 hundreds, should have concentration!” he said with a chuckle.
Recalling that 1978 series when he almost single-handedly nullified India’s famed spin quartet with his brilliant strokeplay, Abbas said, “I was playing very well in that series. I remember that Bishan Singh Bedi (Indian captain on that tour), came to me. He said, “’Z,’ which was my nickname, after the day’s play, all of us four spinners brainstorm about how to get Zaheer out. I replied to him, ‘No, that’s not the case. I’m in form. When you are in form, no bowler in the world can disturb you. So, please don’t take it seriously. But, you know how our people are. They take things seriously!”
Decoding the secret of his sublime timing of the ball, which helped him become prolific run-making at the international level, Abbas said, “I used to practice a lot, from morning to evening. Till the time my father would return from the office, I would keep playing cricket. Now you tell me, if someone would keep playing cricket from morning to evening, that person’s timing would have to be good!.”

Legendary Zaheer Abbas during a ceremony.

His humility wouldn’t allow Abbas to take credit for that famous tip that he gave to former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin to loosen his bat grip, which enabled the batter to revive his then sagging career, before the first Test at Karachi during India’s tour of Pakistan in 1989. “He was a wise guy. I just told him a small thing, and he learnt so much from it! He just told me that he wasn’t being able to impart power in his shots. I asked him about his grip on the bat, and I gave him advice about that. He scored 109 In the second Test) at Faisalabad. I told him: ‘Just remember why you scored many runs.’ It’s a great thing to help someone with the right advice. That was my principle. If someone seeks an advice from you about his game, you should definitely help that person with it.”
How tough was it to face the likes of Sarfaraz Nawaz and Imran Khan in the nets, he was asked. “Sarfaraz used to swing the ball all over, while Imran was quick, and a very good bowler. But facing them in the nets was ‘normal.’ See, when you score 274 against England in your first Test there,..it all depends on how you concentrate. If you have the will to stay at the wicket, you can bat.”
Don’t Pakistan’s cricketers come to the run-machine of the 70s & 80s to seek advice? “I really want to give them my advice, if they have the time,” he responded cheekily.
Despite being someone who scored runs by the tons at every level of cricket, Abbas was candid enough to admit that ageing does lead to a batsman losing his powers. Responding to a question on who was the toughest bowler he faced, he said: “No one! When you are young, no bowler appears difficult to you. Yes, when you start ageing, bowlers start troubling you.”

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He’s in awe of the current set of India players. “All of them are very, very good. India is producing very good players.”
In jest, Abbas recalled an umpiring incident in India. “I was playing a match in Bengaluru, and I was given out stumped. It was our first match on that tour. I was given out stumped. After that, I thought to myself: ‘It looks difficult that I’d score runs here! The umpires on both sides were similar!”
Unlike other former Pakistan cricketers, Abbas is rather optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. “I think India and Pakistan possess the most talent in cricket. Pakistan cricket will be fine. See, today Pakistan chased down 205 (against New Zealand in the T20I at Auckland), losing just one wicket. When we look to play well, we do it! Hopefully, this is a good start!.”
Besides cricket, Pakistan’s decline in hockey too has been painful to watch. “Even India isn’t the same power in hockey anymore. Cricket has become a more popular sport amongst the South Asian public. Once upon a time, football was most popular in Bangladesh. I think the infusion of money into cricket has changed everything,” the cricket great felt.

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