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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special...

Centre pushes for early sugarcane crushing

Mills seek special subsidy Kolhapur: Despite an estimated 30-40 lakh tonnes of sugar being available in excess of domestic demand, the Centre is stepping up efforts to keep sugar prices under control. The Union Food Ministry has urged Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka to advance the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season so that fresh sugar reaches the market before the existing stock is exhausted. Sugar mills, however, say an early start will come at a cost. They are seeking special financial assistance to compensate for the likely fall in sugar recovery and the reduction in cane weight that could result from crushing in October. India produced around 280 lakh tonnes of sugar last season. The season began with stocks of nearly 50 lakh tonnes, while annual domestic consumption is estimated at around 280 lakh tonnes. With about 35 lakh tonnes expected to remain in stock by September 30, the Centre wants the new season’s production to start flowing into the market without waiting for the traditional crushing cycle. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 80 per cent of India’s sugar production. The Union Food Ministry has therefore written to the chief ministers of the three states, asking them to bring forward the start of the 2026-27 crushing season. The push comes against the backdrop of a sharp movement in sugar prices. Ex-mill prices had earlier climbed to around Rs 68 per kg, pushing retail prices close to Rs 80 per kg. Following a series of measures by the Centre, ex-mill prices have since declined to around Rs 41 per kg. Yet, the government is looking at further measures to bring prices down and ensure that stocks move into the market. One such measure has been the approval of imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar. Since initial applications covered only around eight lakh tonnes, the Centre has invited applications for the remaining quota. It has also reduced the permissible stockholding limit for traders from 400 tonnes to 200 tonnes. The next major point of discussion will be the meeting convened by Union Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra with the sugar industry in New Delhi on September 8. The secretaries of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have also been invited. West Indian Sugar Mills Association (WISMA) president B. B. Thombre said the Centre was pushing for crushing to begin around the middle of October. Traditionally, most mills in Maharashtra begin operations around November 15, largely because sugarcane harvesting labour becomes available only after Diwali. The industry is, however, willing to explore an early start between October 20 and 25. But early crushing could have significant implications. According to Thombre, sugar recovery could fall by around 1.5 percentage points, while the weight of sugarcane supplied by farmers could decline by 10-15 per cent. The industry will therefore seek special assistance for cane crushed between October 15 and November 15. At the September 8 meeting, it plans to demand a subsidy of Rs 500 per tonne for sugar mills and Rs 300 per tonne directly for sugarcane farmers.

Sanskrit’s Enduring Legacy

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Sanskrit’s Enduring Legacy

Sanskrit, an ancient language with profound cultural and intellectual significance, is often hailed as the “mother of all languages.” Its influence extends beyond its historical context, impacting many modern languages and fields of study. Among its contributions are the well-known Indian phrase, Atithi Devo Bhava, (The guest is God) and Karma, a globally recognised concept referring to the idea that a person’s actions directly influence their future experiences. Both terms originate from the Sanskrit language.

With a rich literary heritage that includes the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, Sanskrit has significantly influenced modern languages, particularly those in the Indo-European family. Its precise grammar and extensive vocabulary have made it a subject of study for centuries, and its mathematical structure even draws parallels with modern computer programming.

While there are no native speakers of Sanskrit today, it remains a revered ceremonial and ritual language in Hindu and Buddhist hymns and chants. Beyond its literary and religious significance, Sanskrit embodies a vast repository of knowledge in various fields, including science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and art. Its systematic approach to language has contributed to our understanding of various disciplines, reflecting its timeless relevance.

Organisations like Samskrita Bharati actively preserved and promoted this rich heritage. For over 43 years, Samskrita Bharati has played a pivotal role in teaching and revitalising Sanskrit, both within India and globally. Known for its unique direct method of instruction—teaching Sanskrit without translation—the organisation’s flagship program is a popular ten-day free conversation camp that has been running for decades.

Participants can advance their studies through classroom or distance education programs like Geetakendram and Patradwara Samskritam. For children, Samskrita Bharati offers structured programs such as Balkendram (fun learning) and Devavaani (textbook-based curriculum). Learning Sanskrit also helps improve proficiency in regional languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati.

`With over 4,000 locations in India and 25 countries globally, Samskrita Bharati engages with influential figures through initiatives like the “Sampark Saptaah” campaign. The organisation arranges conferences every three years and celebrates Samskrit Day on the full moon of the Shravan month. This year, Samskrit Day is on August 19, 2024, and will be observed as part of Samskrit Week from August 16 to 22, 2024.

As we look forward to events like Samskrit Week, we are reminded of the enduring power of this ancient language to inspire, connect, and unify us across cultures and time. Its legacy not only bridges the past with the present but also offers a timeless source of wisdom and cultural continuity.

(The writer is an official of Sanskrit Bharti. Views personal.)

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