Author: sureshzmc07

Kanpur’s unique blend of tradition and modernity makes it an ideal destination for discussions on Uttar Pradesh’s growth trajectory. In the fifth edition of TOI Dialogues in Kanpur, industry leaders, experts, and policymakers came together to decode how the city plays a pivotal role in the state’s progress and contributes to India’s growth story.
The panel featured prominent guests, including Sudeep Goenka, Director of Goldiee Masale; Manoj Gupta, Chairman of MKU Ltd.and Chairman of the CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Committee; Maneesh Mansingka, Director of Singer India Limited and JK Urbanspaces; Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, Professor of Business Environment at IIM Lucknow; and Mayur Maheshwari, CEO of Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC).

Kanpur: A city of economic potential

Sudeep Goenka, Director of Goldiee Masale, addressed the need for workforce retention in Kanpur. He began by reflecting on the city’s economic allure: “Kanpur is a city that people want to settle in. If you want to earn money and build a life, it’s an ideal place.” He then highlighted the issue of brain drain, stressing the need for skill development initiatives to reverse the trend.
“Today, India has the youngest population in the world, yet we are seeing a brain drain from Kanpur,” Goenka said. “If we can open training centres and promote skill development within the city, we can reverse this trend and retain talent.”
Goenka also noted the vast potential in the MSME sector, stating, “Currently, over 5,000 MSMEs are registered in Kanpur, and while 8% of startups in India are from Uttar Pradesh, only 1% come from Kanpur. If we develop incubation centres, we can foster new startups and retain local talent.” He further added, “Entrepreneurship runs in Kanpur’s blood. If we get the right ecosystem, we don’t need anything else.”

Connectivity and strategic location

Manoj Gupta, Chairman of MKU Ltd. and the CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Committee, spoke about Kanpur’s strategic location and its connectivity advantages. “Kanpur is naturally well-placed, with the GT Road and expressways passing through the city,” Gupta stated. He emphasised the importance of waterways in bolstering the city’s trade and transport capabilities.
“Kanpur is situated along the banks of the Ganges, and we must utilise this natural asset. Waterways are critical, especially since Kanpur is a landlocked city,” Gupta said, urging policymakers to prioritise the development of waterways. “If we can expand waterways and integrate them with other infrastructure, connecting Kanpur with regions like Meerut, it will provide a significant boost to the city’s trade potential.”
Gupta also mentioned the advantages of Kanpur’s location in the broader context of Uttar Pradesh’s development, pointing out the potential of the city as a hub for rail and road connectivity across the region.

Building infrastructure and employment

Maneesh Mansingka, Director of Singer India Limited and JK Urbanspaces, spoke about the importance of infrastructure development to facilitate economic growth. Responding to a question about how Kanpur can utilise its workforce, he pointed to recent government initiatives. “Kanpur was among the top five cities in the 1960s in terms of tax revenue,” he said. “There’s a possibility to rejuvenate the city and bring back industries like engineering, IT, garment exports, and even new sectors with the upcoming defence corridor.”
Mansingka identified a critical challenge: “There’s a chicken-and-egg problem—industries will come if employment is available, and employment will rise if industries invest here. To attract industries, we need infrastructure—high-grade offices, residential developments, and hotels. Look at cities like Mumbai, Jaipur, or even international examples like London and Singapore.”
He suggested that poorly utilised land in and around Kanpur could be redeveloped for mixed-use projects, drawing inspiration from successful models in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. “By focusing on these underutilised areas, we can stimulate growth and create employment opportunities,” Mansingka added.

Reviving Kanpur’s legacy industries

Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, Professor of Business Environment at IIM Lucknow, offered insights into how Kanpur can maintain long-term, sustainable growth. “Kanpur’s history and legacy are its greatest assets, particularly in leather and textiles,” he said. “The city accounts for 20% of India’s leather production, and there’s huge potential to revive the textile industry, especially by focusing on designer products.”

Dr Singh pointed out that Kanpur’s neighbouring competitor, Bangladesh, has outpaced it in textile manufacturing despite current turmoil. “If we focus on innovation and incubation, especially leveraging IIT Kanpur’s expertise, we can regain that edge,” he said. He also stressed the importance of infrastructure, particularly the role of expressways and industrial corridors in reducing logistics costs. “Once these corridors are fully developed, the disadvantage of being a landlocked city will diminish, and Kanpur could become a major industrial hub.”
Singh suggested that if the government designates Kanpur as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), it could provide a further boost to industries and attract investment from both domestic and international players.

Government support for Kanpur’s industrial growth

Mayur Maheshwari, CEO of UPSIDC, discussed the government’s role in supporting Kanpur’s industrial development. “The government is working in new ways, focusing on decentralisation and creating unified platforms where departments are interconnected,” he said. “For example, when the Dedicated Freight Corridor was being developed, we simultaneously planned a logistics park alongside it, which will facilitate the movement of goods.”
Maheshwari emphasised the importance of the Lucknow-Kanpur industrial corridor, calling it the largest such corridor in the region. “The upcoming Lucknow Expressway will further enhance connectivity and boost economic activity between the two cities,” he said.
In addition, Maheshwari revealed the government’s plans to develop an express rail line between Lucknow and Kanpur, designed to accelerate trade and economic growth. “We’re also exploring partnerships with IIT Kanpur to develop the city as a hub for electric vehicles (EVs),” he added, pointing to the potential for Kanpur to emerge as a leader in the EV industry.

With the Maharashtra assembly polls around the corner, the question of Vidarbha’s statehood could once again come into play, particularly if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself on the losing side, feels Shreehari Aney. A staunch advocate for Vidarbha’s statehood, the former advocate general of Maharashtra believes the upcoming elections may reignite the demand for a separate state.
However, he also warns that political realities make the movement a hard sell for any party.In an exclusive interview, Aney delves into the complex history of Vidarbha’s statehood movement, its near successes, and why it has failed to materialise despite being one of India’s oldest statehood demands.
Vidarbha statehood movement has been ongoing for decades without any success. What are your thoughts…
The Vidarbha statehood movement hasn’t failed in the traditional sense, it has just suffered setbacks. There have been moments when statehood was almost within reach. One of those moments was during the leadership of Jambuwantrao Dhote, who was a strong advocate of Vidarbha. Back in the 1970s, 14 MLAs and two MPs were elected to the Maharashtra Assembly on the statehood platform. Dhote had the ear of then prime minister Indira Gandhi, and it seemed like Vidarbha was closer than ever to becoming a reality. But after Indira’s assassination, the momentum died down. Dhote lost the people’s backing over time, and the movement slowly fizzled out.
The second time Vidarbha came close to statehood was during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure. Ministers like Vasantrao Sathe and NKP Salve — both from Vidarbha — were instrumental in pushing the issue. Rajiv Gandhi seemed open to the idea, but again, it lost steam due to lack of sustained pressure and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. In both instances, we were missing something critical — a leader like K Chandrashekhar Rao, who spearheaded the Telangana movement with unwavering determination. Vidarbha never had that kind of leadership continuity, which is why we’ve struggled.
You led a revival of the statehood movement in 2013-14. What happened during that phase? Why didn’t it succeed?
That was a crucial time. When we revived the Vidarbha statehood movement in 2013-14, BJP was in the opposition, and many of its top leaders supported our cause. People like Nitin Gadkari, Devendra Fadnavis, and Sudhir Mungantiwar were vocal in their support. Congress was in power, and BJP capitalised on that, saying they would push for statehood once they were in power. Fadnavis and Mungantiwar even participated in protests, and Gadkari gave us a written assurance that he would raise the issue in Parliament as soon as BJP assumed power. However, when the BJP came into power at both the state and national levels, the issue was sidelined. This wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it was disappointing. We had even attempted to float a separate party, Vidarbha Rajya Aghadi (VIRAA), and contest the assembly elections, hoping we could get a few legislators elected who would raise the statehood issue in the Assembly. But electoral politics is an expensive exercise — running a campaign costs at least `6 crore, and we didn’t have the financial resources to make it work. Eventually, the movement lost momentum again.
At 75, you’ve distanced yourself from leading the movement. Why did you make this decision?
I’ve always seen myself more as an academician, an ideologue than a political leader. My contribution to the movement has always been through ideas and legal frameworks, not as a leader standing on a platform rallying people. At my age, I simply don’t have the energy I had when I first joined the movement in my mid-40s. Besides, statehood is ultimately a political decision. It requires backing from a national party like BJP or Congress, as they are the ones who can pass a resolution in Parliament. Without the support of a political giant, there’s no realistic way to achieve statehood. Unfortunately, we’ve had to rely on political parties that have bigger priorities and agendas than Vidarbha’s statehood.
You’ve advocated for development boards for Vidarbha. How effectively have they worked so far?
Development boards were formed to address a very real problem — the diversion of funds meant for backward regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada to western Maharashtra. These boards were supposed to focus on critical issues like the irrigation backlog. For years, Vidarbha’s agricultural development was hampered because funds were being diverted elsewhere. The backlog was huge, and the boards were tasked with calculating it and ensuring funds were properly allocated. However, the boards had limited power and jurisdiction. While they did highlight some of the disparities in fund allocation, they didn’t have the teeth to enforce significant changes. The result was that they didn’t serve their intended purpose effectively.
What is the most compelling argument for Vidarbha’s youth to take up the cause of statehood?
For today’s youth, the argument for statehood must go beyond vague promises of job creation. Many young people will rightly ask, “If nothing changed when we had influential leaders from Vidarbha in power, what difference would statehood make?” That’s a valid question. Therefore, every argument for statehood needs to be well-rounded, addressing not just economic development but also regional identity, cultural preservation, and governance. If the movement is to gain traction among the youth, it needs to be grounded. We can’t rely on empty promises of a better future. The argument needs to address the specific concerns of today’s generation, like unemployment, economic disparity, and access to resources. At the same time, we need to remind people that Vidarbha’s rich history and cultural identity are worth preserving.
Do you think Vidarbha is ready for a revolution similar to Telangana?
Vidarbha doesn’t need the kind of revolution we saw in Telangana. Our circumstances are different. Telangana’s movement was fuelled by a history of armed revolts and extreme sacrifices, which is not the case in Vidarbha. We don’t need to take an aggressive, confrontational approach. Instead, the movement needs to be strategic, focusing on building regional pride and addressing the unique challenges we face. Vidarbha has always been resource-rich, which has been both a blessing and a curse. While we’ve had enough to sustain ourselves, it has also made us complacent at times. What we need now is a multi-layered approach — one that appeals to our distinct regional identity while also addressing the economic realities of the region.

A recent survey by LocalCircles has revealed that a significant majority of UPI users (around 75%) would be likely to discontinue using the service if transaction charges were introduced. This finding underscores the strong preference for UPI’s current fee-free model and the potential impact of any changes on its widespread adoption.
The survey, which received responses from over 42,000 individuals across 308 districts, found that 38% of respondents rely on UPI for more than half of their payment transactions, making it their primary method for digital payments.This preference highlights the convenience and efficiency that UPI offers.
Despite its popularity, the survey also indicated that only 22% of UPI users would be willing to pay a transaction fee. The remaining 75% expressed a clear desire to maintain the current fee-free structure.

UPI remains popular, but not enough to get ‘paid’

These findings come as UPI continues to experience rapid growth. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, UPI transactions surpassed 100 billion for the first time, reaching a total of 131 billion. The value of transactions also increased significantly, reaching Rs 199.89 trillion.
The survey’s results are particularly significant given the increasing reliance on UPI for a wide range of transactions, from daily purchases to bill payments. Any potential introduction of transaction charges could have a substantial impact on the usage of UPI and the overall digital payments landscape in India.
In response to the survey findings, LocalCircles plans to escalate the matter with the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure that the concerns of UPI users are taken into account before any decisions regarding transaction charges are made.
“With UPI rapidly becoming an integral part of nearly 4 in 10 consumers, there is strong resistance to any kind of direct or indirect transaction charges being imposed. LocalCircles will escalate the findings of this survey with the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) so that the pulse of the UPI user is taken into account before any MDR charges are permitted,” the survey report said.

In the grand chessboard of Asian geopolitics, a subtle yet significant shift is underway. India, long heralded as a potential superpower, is finally beginning to flex its muscles on the regional stage. The latest Asia Power Index, released by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, offers a nuanced portrait of this ascent, placing India in the third spot, just behind the United States and China, in a ranking that encompasses military capability, diplomatic and cultural influence, resilience, and future resources.
The Lowy Institute report underscores the broader power dynamics in Asia, noting that the region remains dominated by the United States and China. Despite China’s continued economic and military growth, its power is plateauing, largely due to slower economic growth and long-term structural challenges.
“China’s power is neither surging nor collapsing, but plateauing,” the report said. “Flatlining economic capability, driven by slower economic growth and longer-term structural challenges, means that China’s economic clout, while still commanding, is no longer growing.”

In contrast, the United States continues to lead in six of the eight broad measures of power analyzed in the report. However, China has closed the gap in military capability, with experts suggesting that Beijing is now better positioned to deploy military forces rapidly in the event of an interstate conflict in Asia.

India’s rise
For years, the narrative of India’s potential has been a staple of foreign policy discussions, often more aspirational than factual. The 2024 Asia Power Index, however, suggests that the rhetoric may finally be catching up with reality. As the report notes, “The 2024 Asia Power Index finally sees a reversal of fortune for India, with it narrowly surpassing Japan to now rank 3rd for overall power in Asia.”
India’s diplomatic influence saw a notable rise. The report credits PM Modi’s global leadership and strategic ambition for this improvement. “Experts surveyed appraised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global leadership and strategic ambition more highly,” the report said.
India participated in the sixth-highest number of diplomatic dialogues with Asia Power Index countries in 2023, suggesting that its non-aligned strategy has yielded modest gains in its international standing. The Index notes an increase in India’s Diplomatic Influence, attributing it partly to the country’s increased tempo of diplomatic activity in 2023. “Both these results suggest that India’s strategy of nonalignment has modestly benefited its global standing,” the report says.

This ascent is not without its complexities. India’s strength, the report suggests, lies primarily in its vast resources—a burgeoning population, expansive landmass, and an economy that now ranks as the world’s third-largest in terms of purchasing power parity. The country’s post-Covid economic resurgence has been particularly noteworthy, with its Economic Capability score increasing by 4.2 points.
Perhaps more interestingly, India’s score in Future Resources saw a significant bump of 8.2 points. This metric, which projects the future distribution of economic, military, and demographic resources, hints at India’s potential demographic dividend. As the report observes, “India’s youthful population may well deliver a demographic dividend over the decades ahead, unlike many other countries in Asia, including rival China, that are rapidly ageing and whose workforces are contracting.”

The Index notes an increase in India’s Diplomatic Influence, attributing it partly to the country’s increased tempo of diplomatic activity in 2023. “Both these results suggest that India’s strategy of nonalignment has modestly benefited its global standing,” the report states.
Yet, for all its progress, India’s rise remains a work in progress. The Index points out a “large gap” between the narrative of “India rising” and the reality of its limited power projection in Asia. Economic Relationships remain India’s Achilles’ heel, with the country losing ground in this metric and being overtaken by Indonesia. The report bluntly states, “India’s low-level economic integration with the larger economies in Asia and weak participation in regional economic architecture means this trend is set to continue.”

In the realm of defense, India’s position is equally complex. Its score for Defence Networks declined for the third consecutive year, with the country slipping to 9th place. The report attributes this to “India’s nonaligned stance and caution about deepening security cooperation with the US alliance network.” This positioning was exemplified in 2024 by the emergence of the “Squad”—a security-focused group comprising the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia—which notably excluded India.
Perhaps most tellingly, the report highlights India’s significant “power gap”—the difference between its projected influence based on resources and its actual influence. This gap, the largest in the region barring Russia and North Korea, suggests that India has “plenty of latent potential to increase its influence in Asia, especially outside its own Indian Ocean neighbourhood.”
As the geopolitical landscape of Asia continues to evolve, with China’s power “plateauing” and the United States maintaining its lead in six out of eight measures, India’s role becomes increasingly pivotal. In the words of the Lowy Institute’s report, “New Delhi still has limited ability to project power and influence east of the Malacca Strait. However, the fact that its influence remains well below the level promised by its resources suggests it still has ample potential for further growth as a major power.”

As the world watches, the question remains: Can India translate its vast resources and growing diplomatic clout into tangible regional influence? The answer, it seems, will shape not just India’s future, but the balance of power in Asia for decades to come.
(With inputs from agencies)

NEW DELHI: In the fifth edition of TOI Dialogues in Kanpur, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, adviser to the chief minister reflected on the significant transformation Uttar Pradesh has undergone since 2017 under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath.
“Kanpur is close to my heart,” Awasthi said while reflecting on his deep-rooted connection with the city. An alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, Awasthi said he carries a personal sentiment for the city’s future.
“What we have in Kanpur today, what we see in Kanpur today, how do we perceive what Kanpur is going to be tomorrow, how do we perceive how Kanpur is going to be in the next 5-10 years, this is the challenge before us,” he said, highlighting the pivotal role Kanpur plays in the state’s broader development agenda.
Awasthi highlighted that while the state has seen many capable leaders, Adityanath’s tenure marks a pivotal shift.
Awasthi pointed out that since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who took on the task in April of that year.
Awasthi said, “We have worked under so many chief ministers in the state and all of them had qualities which are outstanding, but I would like to say that the journey of UP in the last 7-8 years has started with the joining of the chief minister and it was he who started taking on this entire challenge of taking our state forward.”
He highlighted the dynamic and hands-on approach Yogi Adityanath has brought to governance, operating like the state’s “chief operating officer” and pushing projects with relentless commitment.
Awasthi attributed much of Uttar Pradesh’s progress to this continuous drive, noting that the chief minister has been on the job all the time. “UP saw drastic changes from 2017 when we have a dynamic chief minister who started operating as the chief operating officer of the state, 24 hours on the job, 24 hours putting officers on the job, 24 hours taking projects for the state and 24 hours executing these projects on the ground,” he said.

Speaking on the broader achievements in the state, Awasthi pointed out that the government has been empowering farmers and expanding urban infrastructure in every corner of the state.
“We have catered to the farmers, almost 75,000 crores has been transferred to about 3 lakh farmers in our state directly through digital transformation,” Awasthi detailed.
Kanpur, as one of the major cities in Uttar Pradesh, has also benefited from numerous state-led initiatives. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Uttar Pradesh has constructed 55.83 lakh houses, marking it as a leader in the country.
Awasthi also noted that Uttar Pradesh has made remarkable strides in other essential services. Under the Ujjwala Scheme, 1.75 crore gas connections have been provided, and under the Swachh Bharat mission, over 2.75 crore toilets have been constructed. Electricity access has also been expanded with 1.65 crore connections made through the Saubhagya Yojana.
“The way things have been moved forward, now we have reached almost every house in the village,” said Awasthi.
“With the target of $5 trillion economy for India in mind, the target for the state has been put at $1 trillion. I would like to state that today, UP’s GSDP is 9.2% of the entire country, which means we are almost the second largest economy in the country”, further highlighting the path forward to reach the targets.

BHOPAL: A teenager who went to the local market in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh was allegedly waylaid, kidnapped and held captive by four people who later gangraped her. The survivor went missing on Sept 21 and a report was filed by her kin the same evening. Police have arrested all the four accused in the case on Monday.
The survivor, a resident of Maghgawan area, had gone out to the local market from where she went missing prompting her parents to file a police complaint.Later, on September 22 information was received that the girl was found at Amdara in Maihar. A team of officials from Civil Lines police station in Satna went to Amdara and recovered the missing girl, said police.
The survivor was brought to Satna, where she informed police that on September 21, she went to Satna railway station where she found one of the accused, Guddu alias Dinesh Gupta. He took her to Manikpur on some pretext. There, he and two other accused, Rajji and Vicky, took turns to rape her. Later, Guddu brought her to Maihar on the pretext of visiting Maihar temple. There, he again raped her at an eatery, and another accused, Arjun Patel, also raped her. Later in the night, the survivor managed to escape from their clutches and reached a group of locals, who then took her to Amdara police station, police said.
Police have arrested all four accused, identified as Dinesh Gupta alias Guddu, 23, Vicky Kesarwani, 23, Rajji Kewat, 30, all residents of Manikpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Arjun Patel, 21, a resident of Maihar district.
Police said that the survivor overheard at the eatery that the accused were planning to send her with some truck driver. It was then that she managed to escape. She boarded an auto-rickshaw and reached a place where there was a gathering of people. The accused were also chasing her. The mob nabbed two of the accused and informed Amdara police. The survivor was then taken to Amdara police station and Satna police were also informed, added sources.