Public and private sector mining leaders convened for a two-day national seminar titled “Safety Challenges in Bulk Material Handling Equipment of Mining (Coal and Non-coal)” to assess current issues and explore solutions for the mining industry.

Held on April 16 and 17, the seminar featured presentations of 30 technical papers from various experts in the mining field. Ujjwal Tan, Director General of Mines Safety, chaired the event, which was attended by prominent government officials and executives from noted mining firms including Tata Steel and JSW.

Key participants included D Bageshwar Naik, Deputy Director General (Mechanical) as Chairman; Shri Ajay Singh, Deputy Director General (Electrical); R.T. Mandekar, Deputy Director General, Northwest Zone, as Co-convener; P.M. Prasad, CMD of Coal India Limited; Amitava Mukherjee, CMD of NMDC; Uday A. Kaole, CMD of MCL; and N. Balram, CMD of SCCL. Additional dignitaries included Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical) of NMDC; S.K. Sinha, Director (Operations) of HCL; Nirbhay Sancheti, Director (SMS); R.A. Meena, DDG (West Zone); Suprio Chakraborty, DDG (East Zone); and Neeraj Kumar, DDG (North Zone). The seminar was presided over by SSatyanarayana, Director of SCCL.

The event included officials from mining companies like CIL, NMDC, SCCL, HZL, HCL, MCL, Tata Steel, and JSW, alongside faculty from leading mining institutions, experts from global mining safety organizations, research institutes, and equipment manufacturers.

In total, 30 technical papers were presented, and 58 papers were published in the seminar’s souvenir to better understand and analyze safety challenges in bulk material handling within the mining sector. Discussions centered on strategies to mitigate risks associated with these challenges.

The seminar established a framework for safety standards and reinforced the enforcement of legal provisions aimed at enhancing the safety and health of workers in the mining industry. It concluded with a valedictory ceremony honoring the participants.

The student wing of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Raj Thackeray, organized a protest in Navi Mumbai against the state government’s decision to make Hindi compulsory for schoolchildren starting from the first standard. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Vashi, waving banners and placards, while they burned copies of the government resolution, all the while chanting slogans against the administration. They accused the government of imposing a language in a region known for its diverse linguistic heritage.

Speaking to the media on Friday, representatives from the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) asserted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 does not include any mandate for making Hindi a compulsory subject.

“This is an unwarranted imposition. The NEP 2020 does not specify Hindi as a mandatory subject,” stated one student leader, drawing comparisons to Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition to the imposition of Hindi and calling for a united protest from political parties across Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Prof. Narendra Phatak, executive president of Sahitya Bharati and a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, criticized the Mahayuti government’s decision as unjust and burdensome for students. He noted that the government’s interpretation misrepresents the NEP 2020 and undermines the principles established by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
“This unilateral decision will only incite resistance against Hindi, which has not been a contentious issue in Maharashtra. Regrettably, such policies allow certain groups to politicize the matter and provoke protests,” remarked Prof. Phatak.

In a significant cultural and tourism initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to create theme parks and experience centers inspired by the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Ram.
The Urban Development Department has submitted a detailed proposal to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the establishment of ‘Krishna Lok Park’ in Mathura and ‘Lav-Kush Park’ along with ‘Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra’ in Ayodhya.

Drawing inspiration from Prayagraj’s Shivalaya Park and Lucknow’s UP Darshan Park, these new developments aim to transform urban waste into artistic and spiritual environments.

These parks will be created under the state’s “Waste to Wealth” initiative, utilizing scrap metal and other urban waste materials. This initiative aligns with CM Yogi’s vision for sustainable urban development, according to officials.

The Krishna Lok Park in Mathura will depict significant moments from Lord Krishna’s life through innovative 3D imaging, interactive models, and light-and-sound presentations. Visitors will relive key events such as his birth, the vanquishing of Putana, Bakasura, and Kansa, as well as his heroic exploits, Draupadi’s rescue, and his Vishwaroop revelation during the Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata.

Additionally, the park will feature engaging areas for children, including swings designed like flutes and peacocks, and visual displays recreating the ancient ambiance of Mathura-Vrindavan.

In Ayodhya, the Lav-Kush Park will concentrate on the tales of Lord Ram’s sons, Lav and Kush, along with other significant episodes from Lord Ram’s life. This park will include a state-of-the-art Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra that offers LED displays, interactive walls, murals, projections, and touch-screen kiosks to share inspiring stories.

For younger visitors, Lav-Kush Park will also host an entertainment zone with photo opportunities, a bow-and-arrow area, horse rides, obstacle courses, a learning section, and storytelling zones utilizing interactive technology.

These theme parks are designed to provide both entertainment and education, generate revenue for local municipalities, and promote spiritual tourism in Mathura and Ayodhya.