June 12, 2026

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice on June 14, aimed at deepening India-France collaboration in deep technology, innovation and start-up ecosystems. Ahead of the event, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday released two strategic documents profiling the selected start-ups and research projects that will be presented in Nice.The three-day event, organised by the Union education ministry under the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups, 15 leading higher education institutions and more than 500 investors, venture capital firms, corporate leaders and global CEOs.The event is expected to showcase India’s innovation capabilities across sectors including semiconductors, advanced computing, biotechnology, space technology, healthcare, energy and manufacturing. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood are expected to attend.Pradhan said Bharat Innovates reflected the vision of transforming India from a knowledge-consuming nation into a knowledge-creating and innovation-driven economy. “Bharat Innovates is a pathway for strategic engagement opportunities,” he said, adding that it represented “the intellectual strength of youth and a powerful platform for India’s expanding startup ecosystem”.According to the ministry, the 120 start-ups were selected from more than 3,000 applicants. The cohort collectively holds over 1,500 patents and has raised more than $1.5 billion in funding. It includes listed companies such as ideaForge and Ather Energy.Pradhan said the initiative had already generated investor interest, with nearly $20 million in commitments either finalised or nearing closure. He added that roadshows had been organised in Paris, Tokyo and Bengaluru to connect Indian start-ups with global investors.The ministry said Bharat Innovates is expected to facilitate partnerships in research, technology transfer, co-development, manufacturing and cross-border investments between Indian and international innovation ecosystems.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpaceX lists at $1.75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice on June 14, aimed at deepening India-France collaboration in deep technology, innovation and start-up ecosystems. Ahead of the event, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday released two strategic documents profiling the selected start-ups and research projects that will be presented in Nice.The three-day event, organised by the Union education ministry under the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups, 15 leading higher education institutions and more than 500 investors, venture capital firms, corporate leaders and global CEOs.The event is expected to showcase India’s innovation capabilities across sectors including semiconductors, advanced computing, biotechnology, space technology, healthcare, energy and manufacturing. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood are expected to attend.Pradhan said Bharat Innovates reflected the vision of transforming India from a knowledge-consuming nation into a knowledge-creating and innovation-driven economy. “Bharat Innovates is a pathway for strategic engagement opportunities,” he said, adding that it represented “the intellectual strength of youth and a powerful platform for India’s expanding startup ecosystem”.According to the ministry, the 120 start-ups were selected from more than 3,000 applicants. The cohort collectively holds over 1,500 patents and has raised more than .5 billion in funding. It includes listed companies such as ideaForge and Ather Energy.Pradhan said the initiative had already generated investor interest, with nearly million in commitments either finalised or nearing closure. He added that roadshows had been organised in Paris, Tokyo and Bengaluru to connect Indian start-ups with global investors.The ministry said Bharat Innovates is expected to facilitate partnerships in research, technology transfer, co-development, manufacturing and cross-border investments between Indian and international innovation ecosystems.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpaceX lists at .75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result


Modi, Macron to jointly launch Bharat Innovates in Nice on June 14

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly inaugurate Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice on June 14, aimed at deepening India-France collaboration in deep technology, innovation and start-up ecosystems. Ahead of the event, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday released two strategic documents profiling the selected start-ups and research projects that will be presented in Nice.The three-day event, organised by the Union education ministry under the India-France Year of Innovation, will bring together 120 Indian deep-tech start-ups, 15 leading higher education institutions and more than 500 investors, venture capital firms, corporate leaders and global CEOs.The event is expected to showcase India’s innovation capabilities across sectors including semiconductors, advanced computing, biotechnology, space technology, healthcare, energy and manufacturing. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood are expected to attend.Pradhan said Bharat Innovates reflected the vision of transforming India from a knowledge-consuming nation into a knowledge-creating and innovation-driven economy. “Bharat Innovates is a pathway for strategic engagement opportunities,” he said, adding that it represented “the intellectual strength of youth and a powerful platform for India’s expanding startup ecosystem”.According to the ministry, the 120 start-ups were selected from more than 3,000 applicants. The cohort collectively holds over 1,500 patents and has raised more than $1.5 billion in funding. It includes listed companies such as ideaForge and Ather Energy.Pradhan said the initiative had already generated investor interest, with nearly $20 million in commitments either finalised or nearing closure. He added that roadshows had been organised in Paris, Tokyo and Bengaluru to connect Indian start-ups with global investors.The ministry said Bharat Innovates is expected to facilitate partnerships in research, technology transfer, co-development, manufacturing and cross-border investments between Indian and international innovation ecosystems.



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Photo credit: ANI DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday highlighted the anti-poverty initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that during his tenure, over 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty.Addressing a gathering, CM Dhami said, “During his tenure, PM Modi has worked to lift 25 crore people out of poverty. Under the Congress regime, corruption had become an integral part of the system. The Modi government adopted the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) process to eliminate this corruption; with DBT, there is no scope for any leakage in the funds intended for beneficiaries’ accounts…. Congress’s politics was one of appeasement and was limited to vote-bank…”Meanwhile, on Thursday, CM Dhami listened to the address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NDA Conclave held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.He stated that the Prime Minister’s leadership consistently inspires and energises everyone to strengthen their commitment to nation-building.The Chief Minister noted that 75 representatives from 35 constituent parties participated in this important NDA meeting.All alliance partners expressed their unwavering confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership and extended their felicitations to him.He said that India is currently witnessing a historic and proud era in which a new chapter of development is being written, guided by the principles of service, good governance, and the welfare of the poor.The chief minister further said that the vision of a Developed India has gained renewed momentum under the PM’s leadership, while the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” has become the foundation of public trust across the nation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpaceX lists at .75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom headaches to mobile phones: Brain tumour myths doctors want you to stop believingFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of history123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Photo credit: ANI DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday highlighted the anti-poverty initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that during his tenure, over 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty.Addressing a gathering, CM Dhami said, “During his tenure, PM Modi has worked to lift 25 crore people out of poverty. Under the Congress regime, corruption had become an integral part of the system. The Modi government adopted the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) process to eliminate this corruption; with DBT, there is no scope for any leakage in the funds intended for beneficiaries’ accounts…. Congress’s politics was one of appeasement and was limited to vote-bank…”Meanwhile, on Thursday, CM Dhami listened to the address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the NDA Conclave held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.He stated that the Prime Minister’s leadership consistently inspires and energises everyone to strengthen their commitment to nation-building.The Chief Minister noted that 75 representatives from 35 constituent parties participated in this important NDA meeting.All alliance partners expressed their unwavering confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership and extended their felicitations to him.He said that India is currently witnessing a historic and proud era in which a new chapter of development is being written, guided by the principles of service, good governance, and the welfare of the poor.The chief minister further said that the vision of a Developed India has gained renewed momentum under the PM’s leadership, while the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” has become the foundation of public trust across the nation.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSpaceX lists at $1.75 trillion — here’s what Indian investors need to know before buyingAIUDF To Challenge Assam UCC In Court, Says Law Is Not Truly UniformAI-171 Crash Probe Continues A Year Later; AAIB Says Final Report Yet To Be CompletedAIMIM Eyes Major Expansion In UP, Opens Door To Possible BSP Alliance | WatchIndira Gandhi Lost Her Party Twice — And Came Back Both Times. Can Mamata Banerjee?PM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in Place123PhotostoriesFrom headaches to mobile phones: Brain tumour myths doctors want you to stop believingFrom Sujni to Manjusha: 10 artworks of Bihar and places travellers should visit to find themPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of history123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPTravis KelceSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

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NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.”If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

NEW DELHI: Celebrated internationally as a symbol of peace and compassion, Aloka, the “Peace Dog”, arrived in Delhi on Monday with an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, meeting former Union minister Maneka Gandhi.The gathering at Gandhi’s Jor Bagh residence brought together Buddhist monks, peace walkers and animal welfare supporters who highlighted Aloka’s remarkable journey from a community dog born as a stray in Odisha to a globally recognised mascot of peace, coexistence and non-violence, a statement said.Members of the delegation said Aloka first appeared during one of their peace walks and chose to remain with the group. Over time, he accompanied them across long distances, difficult terrain and varying weather conditions, becoming both a companion and a guardian.They described him as a dog who would sense danger and alert walkers while maintaining a calm and gentle temperament, qualities that endeared him to people across countries and cultures.Speaking on the occasion, Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, said it was inspiring that an Indian street dog had come to represent peace and compassion around the world while many community dogs continued to face misunderstanding and hostility in India.”If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace and unconditional love,” she said.According to the delegation, Aloka was born on the streets of Odisha and joined the peace walkers of his own accord, forging a bond based on trust rather than ownership. As the group travelled through different countries promoting peace and non-violence, the dog became an integral part of their journey and attracted attention from people drawn to his calm demeanour and unwavering loyalty.His story has since resonated with animal lovers and peace activists around the world. Through social media and public appearances alongside Buddhist monks, Aloka has emerged as an unlikely ambassador for compassion, helping spotlight both the potential of community animals and the values of coexistence and empathy.The visitors expressed hope that Aloka’s return to India would encourage greater empathy towards community animals and promote the idea that peaceful coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting compassion, non-violence and humane treatment of animals, the statement said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

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Representative image The government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ push is opening the hills of Uttarakhand to a new generation of destination weddings and four towns are quietly becoming the names every couple is taking note of.For years, Rishikesh and Mussoorie have been the state’s most prominent wedding destinations. However, they seem to have become too popular in recent years. Hotels are booked months in advance, caterers are stretched and the roads on a weekend can resemble a wedding procession themselves.With just these two towns carrying the burden, Uttarakhand’s wedding tourism became a victim of its own success.Which is precisely why the Uttarakhand government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative, launched with considerable intent at the Global Investors Summit, where the Prime Minister personally endorsed the push, is significant not merely as policy, but as a deliberate act of demand redistribution.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to ensure that when a couple in Mumbai or Delhi begins planning a hill wedding, the conversation does not begin and end with those two names.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to open up a Uttarakhand that most of India has not yet discoveredJim Corbett: Where the jungle becomes the venueJim Corbett has long been India’s most storied wildlife reserve. What is newer, made possible by the state’s hospitality investment push, is its emergence as a serious destination wedding location.The resort properties that have opened in and around Corbett now offer settings that no decorator can replicate: jungle backdrops, open-air ceremony spaces, and the kind of raw natural drama that turns a wedding into an experience guests talk about for years.A baraat that arrives at the edge of a forest is a different kind of experience. The morning after, guests go on a safari. These are the memories that live beyond the photographs.The Uttarakhand government has invested in road connectivity to the Corbett belt, improving access from Delhi-NCR, the primary feeder market for destination weddings, while the state’s hospitality development framework has encouraged resort-grade properties to invest in the region.The private sector responded. The government created the conditions; the market followed.Nainital: The lake and the lightNainital has always been loved. In the context of destination weddings, however, it has never been fully explored.The combination of a lake-facing ceremony, colonial-era venue architecture, and a town that slows down to receive you makes it a natural fit for couples seeking grandeur without the airport-scale logistics of Udaipur or Jaipur.The Uttarakhand government’s improvement of the Nainital road corridor has meaningfully reduced travel time from Pantnagar Airport and from the Delhi highway.For wedding guests, this is the difference between a destination that feels accessible and one that feels like an expedition.Bhimtal: The quiet argumentFifteen kilometres from Nainital, Bhimtal sits around a lake that is, depending on your loyalties, either larger or more beautiful than Naini Lake.The town has fewer tourists, quieter streets, and boutique properties that have grown in quality alongside the state’s broader hospitality push.For destination weddings, this quietude is the point. A three-day celebration that takes over a boutique lakeside property in Bhimtal has an intimacy that no large wedding venue can manufacture.The government’s homestay policy, which has developed accommodation supply across Kumaon, has helped address one of the perennial challenges of a hill wedding: where do you put 200 guests in a town without a Marriott? Bhimtal now has an answer.Lansdowne: The best-kept secretOf the four destinations at the heart of the government’s wedding push, Lansdowne is the one couples have not considered yet, and perhaps the hardest to set aside once they do.A Garhwali hill town with deep army connections, pine forests, and a quietude increasingly rare in hill tourism, Lansdowne is central to the government’s strategy precisely because it is not yet overcrowded.The ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative is directing attention and infrastructure investment towards places like Lansdowne that possess the natural assets, but not yet the footfall.Hospitality backdrop that makes it all possibleNone of this works without the hospitality transformation Uttarakhand has undergone. Whether Taj, Westin, or Lemon Tree, the arrival of major hotel groups across the state has fundamentally changed what a destination wedding can look like.One district magistrate in Kumaon reported five major lifestyle-grade properties opening in a single district within a short period.The Uttarakhand government’s role has been both direct and indirect: directly through policy support for hospitality investments and the state’s single-window clearance system, and indirectly through infrastructure improvements that have enhanced accessibility.For couples planning a wedding in 2026 or 2027, the message from Uttarakhand is simple: the hills are ready, but you have to choose which one.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

Representative image The government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ push is opening the hills of Uttarakhand to a new generation of destination weddings and four towns are quietly becoming the names every couple is taking note of.For years, Rishikesh and Mussoorie have been the state’s most prominent wedding destinations. However, they seem to have become too popular in recent years. Hotels are booked months in advance, caterers are stretched and the roads on a weekend can resemble a wedding procession themselves.With just these two towns carrying the burden, Uttarakhand’s wedding tourism became a victim of its own success.Which is precisely why the Uttarakhand government’s ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative, launched with considerable intent at the Global Investors Summit, where the Prime Minister personally endorsed the push, is significant not merely as policy, but as a deliberate act of demand redistribution.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to ensure that when a couple in Mumbai or Delhi begins planning a hill wedding, the conversation does not begin and end with those two names.The goal is not to replace Rishikesh or Mussoorie. It is to open up a Uttarakhand that most of India has not yet discoveredJim Corbett: Where the jungle becomes the venueJim Corbett has long been India’s most storied wildlife reserve. What is newer, made possible by the state’s hospitality investment push, is its emergence as a serious destination wedding location.The resort properties that have opened in and around Corbett now offer settings that no decorator can replicate: jungle backdrops, open-air ceremony spaces, and the kind of raw natural drama that turns a wedding into an experience guests talk about for years.A baraat that arrives at the edge of a forest is a different kind of experience. The morning after, guests go on a safari. These are the memories that live beyond the photographs.The Uttarakhand government has invested in road connectivity to the Corbett belt, improving access from Delhi-NCR, the primary feeder market for destination weddings, while the state’s hospitality development framework has encouraged resort-grade properties to invest in the region.The private sector responded. The government created the conditions; the market followed.Nainital: The lake and the lightNainital has always been loved. In the context of destination weddings, however, it has never been fully explored.The combination of a lake-facing ceremony, colonial-era venue architecture, and a town that slows down to receive you makes it a natural fit for couples seeking grandeur without the airport-scale logistics of Udaipur or Jaipur.The Uttarakhand government’s improvement of the Nainital road corridor has meaningfully reduced travel time from Pantnagar Airport and from the Delhi highway.For wedding guests, this is the difference between a destination that feels accessible and one that feels like an expedition.Bhimtal: The quiet argumentFifteen kilometres from Nainital, Bhimtal sits around a lake that is, depending on your loyalties, either larger or more beautiful than Naini Lake.The town has fewer tourists, quieter streets, and boutique properties that have grown in quality alongside the state’s broader hospitality push.For destination weddings, this quietude is the point. A three-day celebration that takes over a boutique lakeside property in Bhimtal has an intimacy that no large wedding venue can manufacture.The government’s homestay policy, which has developed accommodation supply across Kumaon, has helped address one of the perennial challenges of a hill wedding: where do you put 200 guests in a town without a Marriott? Bhimtal now has an answer.Lansdowne: The best-kept secretOf the four destinations at the heart of the government’s wedding push, Lansdowne is the one couples have not considered yet, and perhaps the hardest to set aside once they do.A Garhwali hill town with deep army connections, pine forests, and a quietude increasingly rare in hill tourism, Lansdowne is central to the government’s strategy precisely because it is not yet overcrowded.The ‘Celebrate in Uttarakhand’ initiative is directing attention and infrastructure investment towards places like Lansdowne that possess the natural assets, but not yet the footfall.Hospitality backdrop that makes it all possibleNone of this works without the hospitality transformation Uttarakhand has undergone. Whether Taj, Westin, or Lemon Tree, the arrival of major hotel groups across the state has fundamentally changed what a destination wedding can look like.One district magistrate in Kumaon reported five major lifestyle-grade properties opening in a single district within a short period.The Uttarakhand government’s role has been both direct and indirect: directly through policy support for hospitality investments and the state’s single-window clearance system, and indirectly through infrastructure improvements that have enhanced accessibility.For couples planning a wedding in 2026 or 2027, the message from Uttarakhand is simple: the hills are ready, but you have to choose which one.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi To Showcase 120 Top Indian Startups In France; Global Investors Eye OpportunitiesIndia Flags Serious Concerns, Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack Incidents | WatchMamata Banerjee Faces FIR Over Rally Speech; Complaint Alleges Threat To Communal HarmonyAshok Gehlot Responds To Buzz Around Remarks, Says “Facts Needed To Be Told”Amit Shah Reviews Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Multi-Agency Plan in PlaceLight-Hearted Exchange Between Jaishankar And Finland FM Steals Spotlight | WatchGehlot Supports Opposition Unity Push As Congress Merger Debate Gains MomentumSC Refuses Relief For Congress’ Meenakshi Natarajan In Rajya Sabha Nomination DisputeBomb Threat On Delhi-Bound IndiGo Flight Turns Out To Be Hoax, 180 Passengers Deboarded At LucknowHooghly Row: Huge Cache Of Government Relief Material Recovered Near Ex-TMC MLA’s Residence123PhotostoriesPower rituals for Gen Z based on your birth dateBefore R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali became the ‘Golden Chess Siblings’; their mother built the foundation: How Nagalakshmi nurtured two grandmastersScientists discovered this 7-minute trick that completely resets a stressed brainSpanish love proverb of the day: “Love is blind, but the neighbours are not”Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian women cricket team captain’s, home in Moga, Punjab is a reflection of her humble roots, family values and cricketing successThe bizarre defence mechanisms lizards use to stay aliveAnkita Lokhande and Vicky Jain’s Rs 50 crore lavish house: Grand entrance, a massive living room and moreThis European city has no cars; just canals, boats, and centuries of historyFIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo to Jude Bellingham – 5 players who dress better than most celebrities8 GI-tagged Bengali sweets that are a must-try123Hot PicksSpaceX IPOKick StreamerJaspal RanaShakiraMP Board 12 Supplementary ResultISC Revaluation ResultSpaceX IPONora FatehiVirat KohliTop TrendingTMC rebel MPKakoli Ghosh DastidarSpaceX IPOFIFA World Cup 2026Women T20 World CupSean SticklandBharatiya Antariksh HackathonKerala SSLC Revaluation ResultUPSC result 2026CBSE Class 10 Second Board Result

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