Tag Archives: Bharat First

INTERNATIONAL: DEFENCE : MADE IN INDIA / COLLABORATION WITH FRANCE : Welcome progress in Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul (MRO) for LEAP, Rafale Engines, Scorpene Subs to be Made in India, IMRH Engine Partnership

The joint statement was released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting French President and Republic Day chief guest Emmanuel Macron Thursday and Friday.

India and France on Friday welcomed the progress in establishing the MRO (Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul) facility for LEAP engines in India by French defence major Safran and plans to add MRO for Rafale engines, a joint statement released by the two countries stated.

Both the countries also welcomed a comprehensive helicopter partnership with a Joint Venture for Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) engine between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran, and the Scorpene submarines constructed in India, including indigenisation, it added.

The joint statement was released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting French President and Republic Day chief guest Emmanuel Macron Thursday and Friday.

As per the statement, they also welcomed the discussions between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA), and intend to conclude an Arrangement MoU in an early timeframe.

Both countries had adopted a roadmap on Defence Industrial Cooperation which was further elaborated in the joint statement.

It said President Macron and Prime Minister Modi reiterated their commitment to further deepening the integration between the two countries’ respective defence industrial sectors and to work together to identify opportunities for co-design, co-development, co-production with the objective of not only fulfilling the defence needs of the Indian armed forces, but also of providing a viable and reliable source of defence supplies to other friendly countries.

It said that they noted that defence industrial collaboration, especially from the design stage, not only creates quality jobs for the youth and advances Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, but also supports a broader progress in scientific, technological, digital and material sciences fields to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat for 2047.

“Towards this end, the two leaders welcomed the adoption of an ambitious Defence Industrial Roadmap,” it said.

As per the statement, defense and security partnership has been the cornerstone of India-France partnership in the Indo Pacific region, which include a comprehensive range of bilateral, multinational, regional and institutional initiatives, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.

“They also agreed to intensify their cooperation in the Southwest Indian Ocean, “building on the joint surveillance missions carried out from the French island territory of La Reunion in 2020 and 2022,” it stated, adding that they also welcomed the extension of those interactions in India’s maritime neighbourhood.

“These interactions may contribute positively to the securitization of strategic sea lanes of communication,” it said.

“In addition, the two leaders welcomed the progress in bilateral dialogue and identification of specific opportunities for using India as a base for the manufacture and export of defense equipment for friendly countries in the region,” it added.

India and France have been talking over collaborating on manufacturing an engine for India’s planned fifth generation aircraft—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The plans for the joint development of the engine were announced during PM Modi’s visit to France last year. At that time, both countries also said they will support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the IMRH programme with the French Safran Helicopter Engine, adding that a a Shareholders’ Agreement between HAL and Safran Helicopter Engine has been concluded for engine development.

India and the US will be jointly manufacturing the F-414 engine which will power its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2 and the initial version of the AMCA.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: AVIATION & DEFENCE: HELICOPTERS: Airbus, Tata team up to set up India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly line

The Final Assembly Line will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter for India and neighbouring countries.


In the backdrop of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, Airbus Helicopters has announced that it is partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for civil helicopters in the country, making it India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. Under this partnership, the FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 single-engine civil helicopter for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries, the company said.

Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters. Airbus and Tata are already setting up a FAL in Vadodara for the C-295 military transport aircraft as part of a contract to supply 56 aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

“The FAL in India will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine,” Airbus said in a statement. “It will also do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region.”

The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026, it stated. “The location of the FAL will be jointly decided by Airbus and the Tata Group.”

The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter that outclasses other helicopters in its category, according to Airbus and is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 38 million flight hours worldwide. It can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and many others, Airbus said. “The H125 is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest, demonstrating its agility in operating in high altitude, extreme environments.”

Airbus currently does $750 million worth of sourcing from India every year to its global supply chain and this expected to go up to $1.5 billion per year by 2026, company officials said.

India’s fast growing aerospace sector has a large requirement for both military and civil helicopters.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: SPORT / TENNIS : World No.1 Ranking will Inspire ‘Gen-Next’ of Indian Tennis, says Rohan Bopanna after Achieving the Feat

Bopanna is set to become the oldest tennis player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in men’s doubles after reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open along with his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia.

Rohan Bopanna feels that his ascent to world No. 1 in doubles rankings at the twilight of his career is perfect boost that Indian tennis needed just when it was falling off the radar.

Bopanna is set to become the oldest tennis player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in men’s doubles after reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open along with his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia here on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old, who had entered the tournament with a career-high ranking of world No. 3, and Ebden recorded a comfortable 6-4 7-6(5) win over sixth seeded Argentinian duo of Máximo González and Andrés Molteni in the quarterfinals that lasted an hour and 46 minutes here.

Bopanna will be crowned the new numero uno spot on Monday after the end of the tournament.

“It (the feat) means a lot not to just me but for Indian tennis also. You need something to inspire the next generation. Sumit (Nagal) also had a great Australian Open. He won a round,” Bopanna told PTI in an exclusive interview from Melbourne.

And the star player said the feat came with a lot of sacrifices.

“Extremely proud of this (world no.1 ranking in men’s doubles). It’s a special moment. Lot of sacrifices have gone into this. My coaches, family everyone. My family is travelling with me, so different feeling,” he said.

In fact, he is more happy that for the past week, Indian tennis has been in the news.

“Nothing at all was happening in Indian tennis. You (journalists) also did not have much to write about, so this has happened at the right time.” Earlier, Rajeev Ram of the USA was the oldest player to be ranked world no. 1 when he had achieve the top ranking in October 2022 at the age of 38 for the first time in his career.

Ebden, on the other hand, is set to reach the world no 2 spot.

Bopanna twice reached the US Open final but never won a men’s doubles major.

He, however, has a mixed doubles trophy at the French Open when he and his partner Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada won the crown at the 2017 French Open, defeating Anna-Lena Grönefeld and Robert Farah in the final 2–6 6–2 12–10.

But Bopanna’s desire to win a men’s doubles title at the Slam still remains unfulfilled, something which we wants to achieve before hanging up his racquet.

“That’s a personal goal (winning men’s doubles title at a Grand Slam). It’s no one else’s goal,” he said.

For the veteran, it is always one step at a time.

“When you reach second round, next you want is third round then fourth, quarters, semi-final. So, yes I have been in two Slam final and now want to win but it’s a natural. You always try to go one better,” Bopanna said about his future goal.

Bopanna, who had achieved the highest of world No. 3 for the first time in 2013, is the fourth Indian after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza to take the world number one rank in doubles.

He also didn’t forget to acknowledge the contribution of his long-time coach Scott David of the USA in his breathtaking journey in the game.

“I am probably fifty world number one of coach Scott David. It’s a proud moment for him also. I switched to doubles in 2010 and since then I have been with him only,” Bopanna said.

Bopanna and Ebden have been one of the most consistent pairs on the tour over the last 12 months. The duo reached the final of US Open 2023, their best result so far in Grand Slams.

En route the semifinals here, the second seeded Bopanna and Ebden, had to over come two close contests in the first and third rounds to book their place in the semifinals.

Their first hurdle came in the opening round against wildcards James Duckworth and Marc Polmans of Australia, whom Bopanna and Ebden defeated 6-7(5) 6-4 6-7(2).

Their next steep challenge came in the third round where they overcame 14th seeds Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Croatian Nikola Mektić 7-6(8) 7-6(4).

And Bopanna attributed the ability to finish close matches to his experience on the circuit.

“Experience is a great factor in getting those wins. Ever since, I started focussing only on doubles in 2010, it has taken me 13-14 years to reach this. I have been a journeyman,” said Bopanna, who will take over the top position from USA’s Austin Krajicek, who and his Croatian partner Ivan Dodig lost in the second round.

The Indo-Australian pair will play unseeded Tomas Machac of Czech Republic and Chinese Zhizhen Zhang in the semi-finals.

His former Davis Cup teammates Mahesh Bhupathi and Somdev Devvarman termed it as one of the greatest stories in Indian sport.

“Rohan Bopanna getting to World Number 1 today after 20 years on tour in my opinion is one of the greatest stories in Indian Sport!!!,” Bhupathi wrote on ‘X’.

“Bops first told me he was contemplating retirement 5 years ago, then 4 years ago, then 3 years ago…Moral of the story is…. Who cares… He’s number 1! Couldn’t be happier for the Bopanna family! rohanbopanna is the best story in indian sport,” Devvarman wrote.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH: National Institute of Technology-Warangal (NIT-W) Faculty Members Develop Innovative Wastewater Treatment System for Textile Industry Effluents

The brains behind this sustainable innovation — Prof Shirish Sonawane, Dr Murali Mohan Seepana, Dr Ajey Kumar Patel and Malkapuram Surya Teja — started working on the project in 2019.

While the textile industry helps many across the state earn their livelihoods, the chemical effluents from the units affect the lives of people living in the vicinity. To address this, a team of faculty members at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal (NIT-W), has developed an environment-friendly hybrid wastewater treatment system for textile industry effluents.

The brains behind this sustainable innovation — Prof Shirish Sonawane, Dr Murali Mohan Seepana, Dr Ajey Kumar Patel and Malkapuram Surya Teja — started working on the project in 2019.

According to Prof Sonawane, conventional methods involve the extensive use of chemicals. However, in order to reduce pollution levels to permissible limits of discharge, the team put forward a combination of coagulation, hydrodynamic cavitation (HC)-based oxidation system and a ceramic membrane (CM)-based filtration process. In the course of the coagulation process, the turbidity of the effluents is removed. Meanwhile, HC, a process involving the generation and collapse of microbubbles in a liquid, is employed afterwards to initiate the breakdown/mineralisation of complex organic compounds.

In place of polymeric membranes, the novel methodology uses ceramic membranes. “After two years, polymeric membranes need to be discarded. It becomes solid waste,” he adds.

As per the innovators, the integrated system achieved an 80% reduction in organic pollutants. The use of ceramic membranes makes the methodology more sustainable, he mentions. The surface-modified CM further improves filtration efficiency, ensuring the removal of even finer particles and impurities.

The team has filed three patents — two for the processes and one for design — for the cost-effective technology.

Elaborating on the hurdles they faced, Surya Teja says the textile pollutants are very stubborn in nature. “To degrade the pollutants, we have to remove the turbidity in the initial phase. That was the challenging task,” he says.

The second hurdle in front of the team was the soluble nature of dyes. “Even after the advanced oxidation process, there will be remnants of dyes in the water,” he adds.

Speaking to TNIE, NIT-W director Prof Bidyadhar Subudhi underlines the need for HEIs to come up with sustainable innovations. “A lot of the research coming from IITs and NITs are primarily on sustainable generation of energy. The expected outcome from different institutes towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals is a big challenge,” he adds.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: ARTS & CULTURE : MUSIC & SINGING RECORD : Indian student Suchetha Satish in Dubai sets Guinness World Record for Singing in 140 Languages at concert

Suchetha Satish performed for 9 hours straight, all from memory, as prelude to COP28.

An Indian expat in Dubai has set a new Guinness World Record for the most languages sung in a concert by singing in 140 languages – for nine hours at a stretch, all from memory.

Suchetha Satish had performed her ‘Concert for Climate’ on November 24, 2023 at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai as a prelude to COP28 UN climate conference, which concluded in December in Dubai.

The Guinness World Records officially announced the success of her attempt on their website on January 3. She was presented the Records certificate by the Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, who congratulated her. Though Satish could have sung in 150 languages, she preferred to sing in 140 as a tribute to the 140 heads of states invited to COP28.

Message of preservation

She told Gulf News: “I’m delighted and humbled by the fact that the Record has been reported and applauded by media across India and rest of the world. And more importantly the Concert for Climate and the message for climate preservation has spread far and wide, which really justifies the whole effort. We have to do everything possible to make this world a better place to live in.”

She tries to emulate her role model Shreya Ghoshal in rendering the songs “perfectly”.

Award-winning music composer M Jayachandran, who was present at Satish’s concert, said: “It was so heartening to see her smile as she was journeying through these songs. I felt so proud to be there. Suchetha is indeed an extra-ordinary artist. She sang the songs with total dedication, understanding the inner meanings of each word she was singing and at the same time not compromising on the musicality or nativity of each song.”

The first-year digital media student at Middlesex University Dubai – who also learns carnatic, hindustani and western vocals from teachers Asha Menon, Jerry Amaldev and Hanna Nielazina – aims to become an accomplished international performer and playback singer.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: MANUFACTURING / AVIATION COMPONENTS: Airbus Signs Contracts with Mahindra Aeroscape, 3 others for Manufacturing of Aircraft Components

The latest contracts follow the allocation of the A320neo family cargo and bulk cargo doors manufacturing to Tata Advanced Systems earlier this year, Airbus said.

European aircraft and aerospace major Airbus on Monday said it has signed new contracts with multiple India-based suppliers for the manufacturing of components for commercial aircraft.

Contracts have been signed with Aequs, Dynamatic, Gardner and Mahindra Aerospace for the supply of airframe and wing parts across Airbus’ A320neo, A330neo and A350 programmes, the company said in a statement.

The latest contracts follow the allocation of the A320neo family cargo and bulk cargo doors manufacturing to Tata Advanced Systems earlier this year, Airbus said.

The company already procures components and services worth $750 million every year from India, and the latest round of contracts will add significantly to those volumes, it said.

“Make in India is at the core of Airbus’ strategy in India. We are proud that we are putting in place all the critical building blocks for an integrated industrial ecosystem that will propel India into the front ranks of aerospace manufacturing nations,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia.

“For Airbus, India is not just a market but a strategic resource hub for both human capital and aerospace components and services. We are proud to extend our partnership with Aequs, Dynamatic, Gardner and Mahindra Aerospace,” he said.

These contracts will support the ramp-up of Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes globally, while strengthening capability and capacity in the aviation ecosystem of India across multiple technologies, including sheet metal, machining and extrusion profiles, the company said.

Together with its supply chain, Airbus said, it supports nearly 10,000 jobs in India, which is expected to go up to 15,000 by 2025.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: WORLD’S BRIGHTEST: 9-year-old Indian-American girl Preesha Chakraborty on ‘World’s Brightest’ Students List by Johns Hopkins Centre

At the age of 6, Preesha secured a lifetime membership in the esteemed Mensa Foundation, the world’s oldest high-IQ society.

Nine-year-old Indian-American student Preesha Chakraborty has been named in the “world’s brightest” students list by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth, based on the results of her exceptional performance in the above-grade-level tests, which assessed over 16,000 students from 90 countries. 

Preesha is a Warm Spring Elementary school student in Fremont, California, and took the US-based Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (JH-CTY) test in Summer 2023 as a Grade 3 student.

The CTY Talent Search evaluates students through various tests, including the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and School and College Ability Test. Preesha received recognition for her outstanding performance in these assessments. She excelled in both the verbal and quantitative sections, achieving a level on par with the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 performances, earning her the prestigious Grand Honors.

Notably, less than 30% of students each qualify for either High Honors or Grand Honors/SET based on their test scores. This accomplishment opens several doors for Preesha, allowing her eligibility for more than 250 JH-CTY courses. These advanced courses, spanning grades 2-12, encompass a diverse range of subjects such as mathematics, computer programming, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing.

At the age of six, the child prodigy secured a lifetime membership in the esteemed Mensa Foundation, the world’s oldest high-IQ society.

This recognition follows in the footsteps of other Indian-American students like Samedha Saxena and Natasha Perianayagam, who were featured in previous years for their exceptional performances in JH-CTY tests.

The Center for Talented Youth, a non-profit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, has been identifying and rewarding gifted students since its founding in 1979.

(With inputs from agencies)

source/content: ddnews.gov.in / DD News (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DISTRIBUTION & WAREHOUSING LOGISTICS:Boeing Opens Its First India-Focused Distribution Centre In Uttar Pradesh

The aerospace company asserted that the new site is part of its continued commitment to expanding its presence in the country and delivering an efficient, cost-effective and local solution.

Global aerospace major Boeing has opened its first India-focused distribution centre in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. The 36,000-square-foot parts warehouse will support regional aviation customers in maximising fleet utilisation. 

The aerospace company, in a release issued on Monday, asserted that the new site is part of its continued commitment to expanding its presence in the country and delivering an efficient, cost-effective and local solution. 

“The Boeing India Distribution Center illustrates Boeing’s commitment to supporting the growth of this market, aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. This centre will support the emergent needs of spare parts for Boeing aircraft in India, reducing lead times, improving availability and supporting the MRO industry here,” said Salil Gupte, president, of Boeing India. 

The new India location is one of eight distribution centres around the world. 

“The India Distribution Center represents another significant step forward in Boeing’s strategy to provide parts and services when and where customers need them,” said William Ampofo, vice president, Parts and Distribution Services and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services. 

“It also represents our commitment to delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions for Boeing’s commercial airplane customers in the region.” 

The aerospace company announced its investment in the distribution centre less than a year ago during Aero India 2023 and the first parts were shipped to customers in December 2023. 

The India distribution centre is positioned strategically along India’s Eastern Freight Corridor, with proximity to both Delhi and the upcoming Jewar airport. The warehouse, which prioritises innovation, safety and sustainability, is operated in collaboration with third-party logistics provider DB Schenker. 

These initiatives encompass a partnership with GMR Aero Technic to establish a Boeing Converted Freighter line in Hyderabad and the establishment of a Global Support Center in Gurgaon. 

Additionally, Boeing has committed a USD 100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to support India’s growing demand for pilots in the coming two decades. (ANI) 

source/content: businessworld.in / BW Business World (headline edited)

INDIA: INFRA-STRUCTURE : INDIA’s LONGEST: Atal Setu: Mumbai gets India’s Longest Sea Bridge, operations begin today

PM inaugurates the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), perhaps the most anticipated infrastructure project in the city, is set to open for regular traffic this Saturday, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest sea bridge on Friday. 

Named the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, the 21.8 km-long, six-lane engineering marvel, of which 16.5 km is in the sea, has been built at a cost of Rs 17,840 crore, and will cut the distance between the Mumbai island city and its satellite city Navi Mumbai shorter. 

“The inauguration of Atal Setu exemplifies India’s infrastructural prowess and underscores the country’s trajectory toward a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” Modi after inaugurating the bridge. He arrived at the programme in Navi Mumbai in the evening, after his convoy drove across the sea bridge – the foundation stone of which the PM had laid around seven years ago.  

The prime minister also laid foundation stones for other development projects in the state worth more than Rs 12,700 crore. “…a budget of Rs 44 trillion for infrastructure has been presented in the 10 years of the present government. In Maharashtra alone, the central government has either completed infrastructure projects worth about Rs 8 trillion or work on them is in progress,” he said. 

The MTHL project is one of the four main infrastructure projects in the city that are likely to become operational this year — an election year for both country and Maharashtra.  

The other three, along with MTHL, are estimated to cost upwards of Rs 84,000 crore.

The MTHL project — 80 per cent of which has been funded through a debt from Japan International Cooperation Agency, where the MMRDA is the borrower – is expected to spur further economic development in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The MMRDA, or Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, is the nodal agency for the project.

Sanjay Mukherjee, the Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, anticipates “a consistent uprising in business opportunities and economic growth in the surrounding regions” as one of the many positive outcomes of the project.

“The Atal Setu will be a huge contributor to the steady escalation of the MMR’s humongous share in our nation’s GDP in the forthcoming years,” he said.

Sanjay Sethi, chairperson for Jawaharlal Nehru Port Agency (JNPA), located in Navi Mumbai, said: “The increased connectivity, especially in the JNPA vicinity, will open up new trade opportunities, attracting investments in warehousing and logistics infrastructure, further boosting JNPA SEZ’s economy.”

The MTHL project — first conceived in the 1970s and finally awarded in 2017 – was to be completed in the early part of 2022. However, its execution saw delays, partly because of pandemic-related supply chain woes.


source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: EQUINES: Bhimthadi Horses get stamp of Independent Breed

The pride of the cavalry of the Maratha Army in the 17th and 18th centuries, Bhimthadi horses to get the status of an independent breed.

Ranjeet Pawar, founder, All India Bhimthadi Horse Association, in a joint announcement with Sharad Mehta, head, regional station, National Research Centre of Equines, Bikaner, Rajasthan at Deccan Gymkhana on Tuesday, said that authorities will soon issue a gazette notification officially recognising the indigenous breed.

According to Pawar, Bhimthadi breed of horses originated on the banks of Bhima River in Maharashtra and “thadi” means a riverbank. The breed is found on the plateau of Deccan, including some parts of Pune, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Sangli and Kolhapur districts.

The breed was part of the cavalry of the Maratha Army in its fight against the Mughals

“As this indigenous breed was not officially recognised in India, with the support of the Agricultural Development Trust (ADT) at Baramati, a team was formed in association with the National Research Centre for Equines, Bikaner to fulfil the administrative and scientific requirements for its inclusion in the national list. A delegation of scientists led by Dr Sharad Mehta visited Baramati and surrounding areas where they interacted with farmers and horse keepers to understand the hardiness and utility of the breed,” Pawar said.

According to Mehta, blood samples of over 1,000 Bhimthadi horses were tested at the National Research Centre on Equines, Bikaner while DNA testing of over 500 samples was done to ensure that the animal does not share its DNA with any of the established breeds in India.

“The process took about three years. Of the 66 applications received for getting the recognition, eight have been approved by the committee and Bhimthadi horse is one of them. The gazette notification is expected in a month’s time,” Mehta said.

“As per the government records, the current population of Bhimthadi horses in India is 5,134,” he said.

Pawar plans to introduce Bhimthadi horses in sports like endurance and polo after getting the official stamp. Breed shows and educational workshops would also be conducted through the state to retain the breed characteristics and to improve the breeding practices of the animal.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)