Economy

Lakadong turmeric is primarily cultivated in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills and is recognised for its naturally high curcumin content. According to the government, the variety contains around 7 to 10 per cent curcumin, nearly four times the global average. Curcumin is the principal natural compound responsible for turmeric’s characteristic colour and many of its commercial applications in the food, wellness, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries.

The shipment used a specialised sea-route export protocol jointly developed by the ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. It marked the first successful commercial maritime shipment of these mango varieties from Uttar Pradesh involving an extended 25-day period between harvesting and arrival in the destination market.

The two-lakh milestone was formally marked at a special event chaired by Chirag Paswan in New Delhi on July 11, 2026. According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, loans had been sanctioned to more than two lakh micro food-processing enterprises under the scheme. The projects supported through these sanctions have leveraged investments exceeding ₹20,300 crore.

The PLI programme was introduced to expand domestic manufacturing, attract fresh investment, strengthen exports, create employment and improve India’s competitiveness in global supply chains. The schemes cover sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles, food processing, telecommunications equipment, textiles, solar modules, specialty steel, drones, batteries and white goods. The combined approved financial outlay for the 14 sectors stands at ₹1.91 lakh crore.

The figures cover inflows received between the operationalisation of the facilities on June 8 and July 17, 2026. According to data released by the RBI, the largest contribution came through Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR(B), deposits. Banks mobilised $17.406 billion through this route, accounting for the overwhelming majority of the total inflows.

This geographical position has long shaped the military importance of the islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram, is India’s first and only operational joint-services command, integrating the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Its responsibilities include protecting India’s island territories, monitoring the surrounding seas and supporting operations across the eastern Indian Ocean.