India is one of the largest producers of cashew nuts in the world, with several states contributing significantly to its production. Cashew cultivation is a vital part of India’s agricultural economy, providing livelihoods to millions of farmers. This article explores the top 10 cashew nut producing states in India, highlighting their contributions and key characteristics.

Cashew Production in India

Cashew cultivation in India spans 0.7 million hectares, with annual production exceeding 0.8 million tonnes. From 2019-20 to 2021-22, India’s cashew nut output increased from 0.70 million tonnes to 0.77 million tonnes, highlighting a significant growth in production during this period.

Largest Cashew Producing State in India

Maharashtra is the largest cashew-producing state in India, with an annual production of 199.7 thousand tonnes. The state’s favorable climate, particularly in the Konkan region, supports extensive cashew cultivation. This significant production not only boosts Maharashtra’s economy but also provides livelihoods for numerous farmers, making it a key player in India’s cashew industry.

Top-10 Cashew Producing States in India

Maharashtra with an annual cashew production of 199,700 tonnes, stands as the largest cashew producing state in India, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Karnataka.

Here is the list of top-10 cashew producing states in India:

The Survey on Household Consumption Expenditure by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has found that Rural India’s average monthly capital expenditure stood 71 percent lower than Urban India in the period from August 2022 to July 2023. The survey said that rural India on average, clocked a monthly Per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE of three thousand 773 rupees in the period under review.

About MoSPI

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation came into existence as an Independent Ministry on 15 October 1999 after the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation. The Ministry has two wings, one relating to Statistics and the other Programme Implementation. The Statistics Wing called the National Statistical Office(NSO) consists of the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the Computer center and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The Programme Implementation Wing has three Divisions, namely,

• Twenty Point Programme
• Infrastructure Monitoring and Project Monitoring and
• Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.

Besides these two wings, there is National Statistical Commission created through a Resolution of Government of India (MOSPI) and one autonomous Institute, viz., Indian Statistical Institute declared as an institute of National importance by an Act of Parliament.

What does the Survey says?

• The average monthly per capita consumption expenditure in rural sector has risen more sharply by 40 percent in 2022-23 as compared to 2011-12 at real prices, while  the MPCE in urban sector has risen 33 percent in the same period, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation survey released on June 7 showed.
• In absolute terms, the average monthly per capita consumption expenditure in the rural  sector stood at Rs 1,430 which jumped to Rs 2,008 in 2022-23. While the MPCE in the urban sector rose from Rs 2,630 in 2011-12 to Rs 3,510 in 2022-23.
• The rural monthly per capita consumption has seen a faster growth when compared to the urban sector in India. The difference between the urban and rural MPCE has seen a decrease over the years, with the differential reducing from 90 percent in 2009-10 to 75 percent in 2022-23.
• The difference between the urban and rural MPCE has fallen from 84  percent in 2011-12 to 75 percent in 2022-23, the survey on Household Consumption Expenditure.

National Geographic’s documentary, Billy and Molly, An Otter Love Story, will kick off the screenings at the 18^th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in Mumbai. MIFF is scheduled to be held from 15th June 2024 to 21st June 2024 in Mumbai. The opening film will be screened simultaneously in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune on 15th June. The film will also be screened during the Red Carpet event in Delhi on 17th June, Chennai on 18th June, Kolkata on 19th June, and Pune on 20th June.

Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story

Directed by Charlie Hamilton James is a heartwarming story about a man who forms an unlikely friendship with a wild otter while living in a remote Shetland Islands. This captivating documentary explores the enchanting shores of Scotland’s Shetland Islands through a heartwarming journey of an orphaned otter named Molly. When Molly washes up against Billy and Susan’s secluded jetty, she finds herself embraced by their care and affection. As Billy becomes entranced by Molly’s playful nature, a profound bond forms between them, igniting a tale of love and longing against the rugged backdrop of the Shetlands.

About This Film

• In this film, viewers witness the transformative power of companionship as Billy finds solace and purpose in nurturing Molly back to health and preparing her for life in the wild, exploring the complexities of love and the unyielding connection between man and nature.
• While the film will be screened on 15^th June at 2.30 pm at National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), Pedder Road in Mumbai, the venues at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune are Siri Fort Auditorium, NFDC Tagore Film Centre, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and National Film Archive of India respectively where the film will be screened simultaneously at the same time

About the Director

Charlie Hamilton James is a renowned wildlife filmmaker whose works have won him a News and Documentary Emmy for One Life. He made his directing debut with My Halcyon River, followed by his documentary miniseries I Bought a Rainforest which depicts his adventures in the Amazon after buying land there.

About 18^th MIFF

• MIFF, recognized as the oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films in South Asia, marks its 18th year of celebrating the art of documentary, short fiction, and animation films. Initiated in 1990 and now organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, MIFF has evolved into an international event drawing cine-enthusiasts from across the globe.
• This year’s celebration will also be a special one because there are more than 38 countries participating, with 1018 entries and multiple parallel screenings being held in Delhi, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai, covering the entire canvass of the country.
• While there are over 300 films being screened this year, the 18th MIFF will also host more than 25 engaging masterclasses and panel discussions with industry luminaries such as filmmakers Santosh Sivan, Audrius Stonys, Ketan Mehta, Shaunak Sen, Richie Mehta, and Georges Schwizgebel among others. Moreover, the festival will offer a range of workshops, including the inaugural animation crash course and VFX pipeline workshop, providing valuable insights into the world of filmmaking.

In the heart of India, amidst the fertile plains of Bihar, flows a river that bears both the promise of prosperity and the burden of sorrow. Aptly nicknamed “The Sorrow of Bihar,” the Kosi River holds a significant place in the geography, history, and consciousness of the region.

Which Indian River is Known as the “Sorrow of Bihar”?

The Kosi River, meandering through the heart of Bihar, has earned the melancholic moniker of the “Sorrow of Bihar.” This sobriquet finds its roots in the river’s tumultuous history, marred by devastating floods and capricious course changes that have inflicted profound human suffering on the region.

Why is Koshi River Known as the “Sorrow of Bihar”?

Here are the reasons why Koshi river is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar”:

• Annual floods devastate Bihar’s agricultural lands and rural economy.
• The river’s high discharge during floods, up to 18 times the average flow, causes extensive damage.
• Record-breaking floods, like the one in 1954, highlight the river’s destructive potential.
• The Koshi Barrage, despite being designed for peak floods, struggles to contain the river’s fury.
• The fertile soil and abundant groundwater of the Koshi’s alluvial basin are repeatedly destroyed by floods, exacerbating the region’s agricultural woes.

An Overview of Koshi River

• The Koshi River flows through China, Nepal, and India, encompassing the Tibet Autonomous Region, Koshi province, and Bihar state.
• It originates from the confluence of the Sun Kosi, Arun, and Tamur Rivers at Triveni, Nepal.
• Spanning 729 km in length, it drains a basin area of 74,500 km2.
• With an average discharge of 2,500 m3/s (88,000 cu ft/s), it’s a significant river in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept 34 ministers from his previous Cabinet, including 19 Cabinet ministers, as he embarks on his third term. Prominent leaders such as Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S. Jaishankar have retained their previous portfolios. The new Council of Ministers was unveiled a day after the swearing-in ceremony, where a total of 71 leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took oath to join the government. The restructured ministries reflect Modi’s vision and priorities for his third tenure as Prime Minister.

Here are the Cabinet Ministers

The Modi government has allocated portfolios to the 71 ministers who took oath along with the Prime Minister.

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

Ministers of State

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has slapped a fine of Rs 7.75 crore on 11 individuals for allegedly operating a ‘pump and dump’ scheme in scrip of Svarnim Trade Udyog. The markets regulator has also debarred them from the securities market and ordered disgorgement of Rs 92.37 lakh with 12 per cent annual interest. 

About Pumping and Dumping Scheme:

• In the stock market, a pump and dump scheme is a type of manipulation activity that involves artificially inflating the price of a stock through false and misleading information, only to sell the stock at the inflated price and leave investors with significant losses.
• It is particularly prevalent in the micro-cap and small-cap sectors, where companies often have limited public information and trading volumes are lower.
• The pump and dump scheme was operated through recommendations shared through Telegram channels, resulting in public shareholders purchasing the stock at an inflated price.

How does this scheme work

This process involves several steps:

• • First, a significant amount of stock in a relatively small or thinly traded company is acquired. These stocks are often referred to as ‘penny stocks’ because they trade at low prices and are more susceptible to price manipulation due to low trading volumes.
  • Then the stock is aggressively promoted to create a buzz and attract investors. This promotion can take various forms, including sending out mass emails or newsletters with exaggerated claims about the company’s prospects, as well as misleading social media posts. Promoters aim to create buzz and drive interest in the stock.
  • As the promotion gains traction, more investors buy into the stock, driving up its price due to increased demand. Sometimes, fraudsters may also engage in coordinated buying to further boost the price. During this phase, the stock often experiences rapid and significant price increases, creating the illusion of a hot, high-potential investment.
  • Once the stock price has been pumped up sufficiently, the sell-off begins at the inflated prices. This selling pressure causes the stock price to plummet, often leaving unsuspecting investors with significant losses as the stock returns to its actual value or even lower.

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