New Delhi : India exported more than 7,000 metric tonnes of Makhana and value-added Makhana products to over 20 international destinations, including the US, the Middle East and Africa, in last fiscal (FY26), the government informed on Saturday.

Bihar accounts for nearly 85 per cent of India’s Makhana production. To further strengthen the sector, a separate HS Code for Makhana came into effect from July last year under the Finance Bill, 2025.

In a new feat, APEDA facilitated first-ever commercial sea shipment of 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from the BIADA Industrial Area in Bihta, Bihar, to Australia.

The consignment, sourced from Makhana growers of Darbhanga district, is expected to strengthen the international presence of Bihar’s flagship GI product while creating enhanced income opportunities for farmers through export-led market access, according to Commerce Ministry.

The initiative has enabled farmers to realise nearly 18 per cent higher returns than prevailing market rates, highlighting the benefits of export-oriented value chains and direct market linkages.

The export is expected to strengthen the international presence of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana, create sustainable export opportunities for Bihar’s Makhana sector and contribute to higher farmer incomes.

State Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said Makhana is the identity of Bihar and greater participation of Bihar-based exporters in international trade would enable farmers to secure better price realisation.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining quality standards to meet global market requirements and stated that the Government of Bihar is continuously working to strengthen the Makhana value chain by supporting growers, processors and exporters.

The minister further said that all necessary support would continue to be extended to the Phori community, whose traditional skills are integral to Makhana processing.

The first-ever sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia reflects the growing global demand for Bihar’s agricultural products and opens new opportunities for farmers and exporters, he added.

New Delhi, Aug 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday drew laughter and applause when he mentioned Baba Bageshwar while congratulating the students during the Convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

Baba Bageshwar, widely known as Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, is the head priest of the Bageshwar Dham Temple located in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district. He draws large crowds for his spiritual discourses and “divine courts” (divya darbar).

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “All of you are gathered here today, but there must be something going on in your hearts. Now, I am not Baba Bageshwar, but there must be something going on. Some must be thinking of their future, some about their salaries, some must be preparing for a new start in a new city, some must be thinking of start-ups… Everyone has a different path and dreams, but one feeling must be mutual — recalling the first day in IIT Delhi and today. You must be feeling satisfied by your journey from orientation to convocation… You all should cherish this moment.”

A total of 3,000-plus students, including 587 PhD scholars, were conferred their degrees during the ceremony. He congratulated the students, wishing them all the best for their futures, adding that they aren’t just taking degrees but taking forward a dream of doing something for the country.

He expressed his joy in attending the convocation ceremony and said, “The way your families are feeling proud today, I am also proud of you all. You are not just taking a degree, but taking forward the dream of doing something for the country.”

The Prime Minister also presented IIT Delhi’s prestigious academic honours to meritorious students in recognition of their outstanding performance. The awards include the President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal and Perfect Ten Gold Medal.

On a lighter note, PM Modi said, “If some daughters were meritorious students, then it would have been much better. Sorry, not just some but many.”

“Whenever life gives you a reason to look back, then this campus life, your friends, teachers and support staff — the ones who have become your families and home — you will remember all this and be thankful for everyone,” he added.

PM Modi also virtually inaugurated ‘Param Pragya’ — an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at the institute’s Sonipat campus.

The facility is expected to strengthen the institute’s capabilities in Artificial Intelligence, data science, advanced computing and interdisciplinary research.

New Delhi, Aug 8: East District Police has apprehended seven African nationals, including five Nigerians and two Ghanaians, during a special drive against overstaying foreign nationals in Delhi. The operation was carried out by the Special Staff and Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS) in the jurisdiction of Pandav Nagar police station through Intelligence-based verification and field enquiries.

According to police, all seven foreign nationals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi, after completion of the necessary documentation and verification process. FRRO has issued Restriction Orders against all seven individuals under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Pending further legal proceedings, their movement has been restricted to Sewa Sadan, Lampur, Narela, Delhi. Deportation proceedings have also been initiated in coordination with the FRRO.

Police said the action was part of a special campaign launched to identify and verify foreign nationals residing illegally in the district after the expiry of their visas or immigration permissions. Dedicated teams of the Special Staff and ANS intensified Intelligence gathering, conducted discreet field enquiries, and verified available records to identify suspected overstayers.

The Special Staff team, led by Inspector Jitendra Malik under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Pawan Kumar, apprehended four foreign nationals from the Pandav Nagar area on August 4. They were identified as Osita Nkemen (54), a Nigerian national; Ngota Cynthia (38), a Nigerian national; James (25), a Ghanaian national; and Livy Otughana (27), a Ghanaian national.

During verification, Ngota Cynthia was found to have a previous criminal case registered against her. Police said she is an accused in FIR No. 48/2021 under Section 22 of the NDPS Act registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Bengaluru, and the matter is currently pending before a court. Further legal action in her case is being taken as per law.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Narcotics Squad, headed by Inspector Arun Kumar and working under the supervision of ACP Pawan Kumar, conducted verification drives in Smaspur Village, Patparganj, under the jurisdiction of PS Pandav Nagar. The operation led to the detention of three Nigerian nationals identified as Kelechi Cornelius (32), Okechukwu Solomon (36), and Chukwudi Alison (43).

Police said the names of Kelechi Cornelius and Okechukwu Solomon were already reflected in the list of overstaying foreign nationals maintained by the authorities concerned.

Following verification of their immigration status, all seven individuals were detained and produced before FRRO. Restriction Orders were subsequently issued, and the deportation process was initiated in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.

East District Police said it remains committed to the strict enforcement of immigration laws and will continue Intelligence-based verification drives to identify overstaying foreign nationals and take appropriate legal action in coordination with FRRO and other concerned agencies.