The Rubber Board has initiated action to implement certifying NR under Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) and for EUDR compliance. Such action has been necessitated because natural rubber and its derivatives are EU-listed commodities for deforestation-free regulations.

M. Vasanthagesan, Executive Director, Rubber Board, inaugurated the EUDR sensitization programme for representatives from rubber plantation companies in Kottayam, which will be followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.  To facilitate the export of rubber and rubber products to the EU, the Board has entrusted Trayambu Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd with supply chain mapping and developing traceability systems as mandated in EUDR regulations. The Board is rolling out 100 per cent polygon mapping of all the rubber plantations.

Start geo-mapping

The Board will start geo-mapping large estates in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka next week. This digital mapping effort will initially focus on these areas before expanding to other regions in the country. The mapping process will cover supply chain traceability and details like land ownership, area and boundaries of rubber holdings using geo-mapping, etc. The data collected will be stored in a centralized database hosted by the Board, and confidentiality of the data will be ensured.

In a major bid to elevate the global stature of Indian natural rubber while ramping up domestic production, the Board has initiated action to implement certification of Natural Rubber/Rubber products under Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) for EUDR compliance and issue of a due diligence certificate. As part of compliance with these EUDR regulations, supply chain mapping, development of traceability systems, and geo-mapping of the plantations are prerequisites for this process.

On March 23, 2025, a fiery debate erupted when senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain publicly challenged the naming of Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). Speaking at the ‘Bihar Diwas 2025’ event, Hussain argued that the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had no significant role in the airport’s development, calling the decision to name it after him a move that overlooked the real contributors.

Shahnawaz Hussain Questions Rajiv Gandhi’s Role in RGIA’s Development, Credits Unsung Heroes

Hussain, who served as the Civil Aviation Minister during RGIA’s construction, didn’t hold back. “Hyderabad airport was named after Rajiv Gandhi, but let’s be real—who actually made it happen?” he asked the audience. He credited three key figures for the project’s success: himself, former Defence Minister George Fernandes, and then-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. According to Hussain, the trio worked tirelessly, holding weekly meetings at the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure the airport’s timely completion. “The land belonged to the Defence Ministry, and we collaborated closely to bring this vision to life,” he added, emphasizing the role of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in supporting the project.

The BJP leader’s comments have sparked a fresh controversy over the naming of public infrastructure in India, a topic that often stirs political passions. Hussain pointed out that when the Congress-led UPA government came to power, they named the airport after Rajiv Gandhi in 2008, ignoring the contributions of Fernandes, Naidu, and himself. “It’s an excellent airport, and I’m proud to say two Biharis—George Fernandes and I—along with Chandrababu Naidu, played a key role in its creation,” he said, taking a subtle jab at the Congress for what he sees as historical erasure.

Hussain also used the platform to highlight development in Bihar under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, contrasting it with the past. Without naming the RJD directly, he mocked their election symbol, the lantern, saying, “The days of the lantern are over. Bihar now has 24/7 electricity, water, and better roads under Nitish Kumar’s governance.”

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, located in Shamshabad, was inaugurated in 2008 by then-UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during Congress rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Since then, it has grown into one of India’s busiest airports, but its name has occasionally been a point of contention. Hussain’s remarks tap into a broader narrative of renaming landmarks in India, a trend that has gained momentum in recent years as political parties debate legacy and recognition.

This isn’t the first time the BJP has questioned the naming of public projects after Congress leaders. Hussain’s critique aligns with the party’s broader push to honor figures they believe have been sidelined by history. But his comments have also drawn criticism from Congress supporters, who argue that Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to modernizing India, including in aviation, justify the airport’s name.

For Hyderabad residents and travelers, this debate might seem like political noise, but it raises a deeper question: who truly deserves credit for the infrastructure we use every day? As the conversation unfolds, it’s clear that the naming of RGIA is more than just a label—it’s a battle over legacy, recognition, and political power.

Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan has stepped into the heated controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra, raising a powerful question: Where is the freedom of speech in India today? Her reaction comes in the wake of the shocking closure of Mumbai’s beloved Habitat Comedy Club on March 24, 2025, after Kamra’s stand-up act targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde sparked outrage and vandalism.

Kamra’s performance, part of his Naya Bharat show, included a biting parody song that labeled Shinde a “gaddar” (traitor) for his 2022 defection from the Shiv Sena. The clip went viral, shared by leaders like Sanjay Raut, but it also triggered a fierce backlash from Shinde’s supporters. On March 23, 2025, Shiv Sena workers stormed The Habitat in Khar, Mumbai, smashing equipment and even attacking the Hotel Unicontinental, where the club is housed. The venue announced its indefinite closure, citing safety concerns and leaving Mumbai’s comedy scene reeling.

Jaya Bachchan Slams Attacks on Free Expression Amid Kunal Kamra’s Mumbai Comedy Club Fallout

Jaya Bachchan, known for her outspoken stance on social issues, didn’t hold back. “This is a direct attack on free speech,” she said in a statement. “If a comedian can’t speak his mind without fear of violence, what kind of democracy are we living in? The government must protect artists, not silence them.” Her words echo a growing concern among many Indians who see this incident as a chilling sign of shrinking space for creative expression.

The controversy has also drawn mixed reactions from political figures. While some, like Aaditya Thackeray, called the vandalism a “cowardly act,” others, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, criticized Kamra, saying, “Freedom of comedy doesn’t mean freedom to insult.” An FIR has been filed against Kamra for defamation, and 11 Shiv Sena workers have been arrested for the attack. Meanwhile, Kamra, currently in Pondicherry, posted a subtle yet defiant response on social media—a photo of himself with the Indian Constitution, captioned, “The only way forward.”

For fans of stand-up comedy and advocates of free speech, this incident hits hard. The Habitat was more than just a venue—it was a safe space for laughter and bold ideas. Now, with its doors shut, many are left wondering: will comedians in India ever feel safe to speak their truth again? Jaya Bachchan’s question about freedom of speech isn’t just rhetorical—it’s a call to action for all of us to reflect on the state of democracy in India.