NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Blog

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi commemorates UDAN’s 8th anniversary

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 12:31PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today commemorated the 8th anniversary of UDAN (Ude Desh ke Aam Nagrik) scheme that has revolutisioned India’s avitation sector. 

    Shri Modi also highlighted the major impacts of this flagship initiative. 

    The Prime Minister posted on X:

    “Today, we mark #8YearsOfUDAN, an initiative that has transformed India’s aviation sector. From an increase in number of airports to more air routes, this scheme has ensured crores of people have access to flying. At the same time, it has had a major impact on boosting trade and commerce and furthering regional growth. In the times to come, we will keep strengthening the aviation sector and focusing on even better connectivity and comfort for the people.”

     

    Today, we mark #8YearsOfUDAN, an initiative that has transformed India’s aviation sector. From an increase in number of airports to more air routes, this scheme has ensured crores of people have access to flying. At the same time, it has had a major impact on boosting trade and… https://t.co/dnSNswBTsV

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2024

     

    ***

    MJPS/RT

    (Release ID: 2066617) Visitor Counter : 61

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi

    When the world is immersed in worry, India is spreading hope: PM

    Today India is working in every sector, in every area with unprecedented speed : PM

    India today is both a developing country and an emerging power: PM

    India is one of the youngest countries in the world with the potential of achieving great heights: PM

     India is now moving ahead with a forward looking thinking: PM

    140 crore people of India have joined the resolution of Viksit Bharat , they themselves are driving it: PM

    India has the advantage of double AI power, First AI, Artificial Intelligence, Second AI, Aspirational India: PM

    India does not believe in taken for granted relationships, the foundation of our relations is trust and reliability: PM

    India has shown the world a new path to digital public infrastructure by democratizing technology: PM

    India has shown that digital innovation and democratic values ​​can coexist: PM

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 12:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the NDTV World Summit 2024 in New Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed all dignitaries and said that discussions on a multitude of issues would take place at the Summit. He also acknowledged the presence of global leaders from different sectors who would put forth their views.

    Reflecting on the past 4-5 years, the Prime Minister pointed out that discussions on the concerns of the future have been a common theme. He mentioned that the recent challenges of Covid pandemic, post covid economic stress, inflation & unemployment, climate change, ongoing wars, disruption of supply chains, death of innocents, geopolitical tensions and conflicts had become a point of discussions in all global summits. Drawing parallels with the discussions taking place in India at the time, the Prime Minister underlined that India is deliberating its century. “India has become a ray of hope in this era of global turmoil. When the world is worried, India is spreading hope”, the Prime Minister remarked. He underlined that even though India is affected by the global situation and the challenges before it, there is a sense of positivity that can be experienced.

    “Today, India is working in every sector and area with unprecedented speed”, the Prime Minister said. Noting the completion of 125 days of the third term of the government, Shri Modi threw light on the work done in the country. He mentioned the government’s approval for 3 crore new pucca houses for the poor, initiation of infrastructure projects worth Rs 9 lakh crore, flagging off of 15 new Vande Bharat Trains, foundation stone laying of 8 new airports, a 2 lakh crore package for the youth, Rs 21,000 crore transferred into the bank accounts of farmers, free treatment scheme for citizens above 70 years of age, installation of rooftop solar plants in about 5 lakh homes, plantation of 90 crore saplings under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign, approval for 12 new industrial nodes, SENSEX and NIFTY growing about 5-7 percent, and India’s forex rising to USD 700 billion dollars among others. The Prime Minister also touched upon the global events taking place in India in the past 125 days and mentioned International SMU, Global Fintech Festival, discussion on Global Semiconductor Ecosystem, International Conference for Renewable Energy and Civil Aviation. “This is not merely a list of events but a list of hope associated with India that shows the country’s direction and the world’s hopes”, the Prime Minister said, underlining that these are issues which will shape the future of the world and these are being discussed in India.

    The Prime Minister stated that in the third term, India’s growth has accelerated to such an extent that many rating agencies have raised their growth forecasts. He also pointed out the enthusiasm of experts like Mark Mobius, who advised global funds to invest at least 50% of their funds in India’s share market. “When such seasoned experts advocate for major investments in India, it sends a strong message about our potential”, he added.

    “India of today is both a developing nation and an emerging  power”, the Prime Minister emphasized, stressing that India understands the challenges of poverty and knows how to pave the path of progress. He highlighted the government’s fast-paced policy-making and decision-making processes and new reforms. Addressing the issue of complacency, the Prime Minister said that this mindset does not drive a nation forward. He underlined that 25 crore people have come out of poverty over the past 10 years and 12 crore toilets have been built and 16 crore gas connections have been provided, but it is not enough.

    The Prime Minister further informed that in the last 10 years, India has built over 350 medical colleges and more than 15 AIIMS, established over 1.5 lakh startups and handed out Mudra loans to 8 crore young people. “This is not enough”, the Prime Minister stressed, emphasizing the need for continuous progress of India’s youth. He underlined that India’s potential as one of the world’s youngest nations can take us to great heights, and we have much more to achieve quickly and efficiently.

    Highlighting the nation’s shift in mindset, the Prime Minister noted that Governments often compare their achievements with previous administrations, considering surpassing them as success looking back 10-15 years. He emphasized that India is changing this approach and success is no longer measured by achievements but by course of the future’s direction. The Prime Minister further remarked on India’s forward-looking vision and said that India is now moving ahead with a future-focused approach. “Our goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is not just a vision of the government but reflects the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. It’s no longer just a campaign for public participation, but a movement of national confidence”, Shri Modi remarked. He mentioned that lakhs of citizens contributed their suggestions when the government began working on the vision document for Viksit Bharat. He informed that debates and discussions were held in schools, colleges, universities and various organizations and the government set the goals for the next 25 years based on these inputs. “Today, discussions on Viksit Bharat are part of our national consciousness and have become a true example of transforming public power into national strength”, he added.

    Talking about AI, the Prime Minister said this is the era of AI and the present and future of the world is linked to AI. He said  India has the advantage of double AI power, the first AI, Artificial Intelligence and the second AI,Aspirational India. Shri Modi said when the power of Aspirational India and Artificial Intelligence combines then it is natural for the pace of development to be faster. Shri Modi underlined that artificial intelligence is not just a technology for India, but a gateway to new opportunities for India’s youth. He mentioned the launch of India AI Mission this year and laid emphasis on increasing the use of AI across sectors like healthcare, education and startups. “India is committed to delivering world-class AI solutions, and through platforms like Quad, we are taking significant initiatives to drive this forward”, he said. Focusing on Aspirational India, the Prime Minister said that the middle class, general citizens, enhancing the quality of life, empowering small businesses, MSMEs, youth, and women is at the heart of the government’s policy making process. The Prime Minister pointed to India’s remarkable progress in connectivity as a prime example of fulfilling national aspirations and said that the government has focused on fast, inclusive physical connectivity which is essential for a developing society, especially in a vast and diverse country like India. Due to this, the Prime Minister said that air travel was given special emphasis. Recalling his vision of affordable air travel, he said those wearing ‘hawai chappal’ should be able to afford air travel and mentioned the UDAN scheme which has completed 8 years in operation. He informed that new airport networks in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities have made air travel affordable for the masses. Highlighting the success of UDAN scheme, the Prime Minister mentioned that around 3 lakh flights have operated under UDAN, carrying 1.5 crore common citizens so far. He further added that there are over 600 routes under this initiative most connecting smaller towns. He pointed out that the number of airports in India have grown to more than 150 compared to around 70 airports in 2014.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering India’s youth to become a driving force for global growth and highlighted the government’s focus on education, skill development, research, and employment. He said that the result of the efforts in the last 10 years are now visible and mentioned India’s highest improvement globally in research quality as reflected in the latest Times Higher Education ranking. He noted that the participation of Indian universities in international rankings has grown from 30 to over 100 in the past 8–9 years. The Prime Minister  underlined that India’s presence in the QS World University Rankings has increased by more than 300% in the last ten years while the number of patents and trademarks filed in India is at an all-time high. He said that India is fast becoming a global hub for research and development where over 2,500 companies worldwide now have research centers in India, and the country’s startup ecosystem is undergoing unprecedented growth.

    Highlighting India’s rising global prominence as a trusted friend,  Shri Modi said India is taking the lead in providing direction to global future in several areas. Reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, Shri Modi said that India could have earned millions of dollars from its capacity of essential medicines and vaccines. “India would have benefited from that but humanity would have lost. These are not our values. We supplied medicines and life-saving vaccines to hundreds of countries during these challenging times,’ he said, adding,” I am satisfied that India was able to help the world in difficult moments.” Reinforcing India’s commitment towards building strong international relations, the Prime Minister said that the foundation of India’s relationships is trust and reliability ,it does not believe in taking relationships for granted and the world is also understanding this. Referring to India’s harmonious ties with the rest of the world, Shri Modi said, “India is a country whose progress does not invoke envy or jealousy from others. “The world rejoices from our progress because the entire world benefits from it.” Reflecting on India’s rich contribution to the world, Shri Modi said that in the past Bharat has played a positive role in increasing global growth, adding that its ideas, innovations and products left an indelible mark on the world for centuries. The Prime Minister said that Bharat could not take advantage of the industrial revolution due to colonization. “This is the era of Industry 4.0. India is no longer a slave. It has been 75 years since we gained independence, and therefore, now we are ready with our belts tightened,” Shri Modi added. 

    The Prime Minister emphasized that India is working swiftly on the skill sets and infrastructure required for Industry 4.0. He noted that during the past decade, he has participated in various global platforms, including G-20 and G-7 summits significant discussion about India’s Digital Public Infrastructure have taken place. “Today, the whole world is looking at India’s DPI,” he stated, referencing his discussions with Paul Romer, who praised India’s innovations like Aadhaar and DigiLocker. “India did not have the first-mover advantage in the era of the internet”, Shri Modi pointed out, noting that private platforms led the digital space in countries with the advantage. He said that India has provided a new model to the world by democratizing technology and highlighted the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile which provides a robust system for faster and leakage-free service delivery. He also touched on UPI facilitating over 500 million daily digital transactions and said that the driving force behind this is not corporations but our small shopkeepers and street vendors. He also mentioned the PM Gati Shakti platform created to eliminate silos in infrastructure project construction which is now helping to transform the logistics ecosystem. Similarly, the ONDC platform is proving to be an innovation that democratizes and enhances transparency in online retail. Shri Modi underlined that India has demonstrated that digital innovation and democratic values can coexist and reinforced the notion that technology is a tool for inclusion, transparency, and empowerment, rather than control and division.

    Shri Modi stated that the 21st century is the most significant period in human history, emphasizing the urgent needs of today’s era: Stability, Sustainability, and Solutions. He noted that these elements are essential for a better future for humanity, with India striving to address them. He noted the unwavering support of the Indian public and said that the people have given a government their mandate for a third consecutive term, sending a strong message of stability for the first time in six decades referring to the recent elections in Haryana where the public reinforced this sentiment.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the global crisis of climate change, stating that this is a crisis faced by all of humanity. Despite India’s minimal contribution to the global climate challenge, the country is taking the lead in addressing it, he said. Shri Modi explained that the government has made green transition a key driver of growth adding that sustainability is at the core of India’s development planning. He gave examples of this commitment and mentioned PM Suryagarh Free Electricity Scheme and solar pump schemes for agriculture, EV revolution, Ethanol Blending Program, large wind energy farms, the LED light movement, solar Powered Airports and Biogas Plants. He further added that every program reflects the strong commitment to a green future and green jobs.

    The Prime Minister highlighted that alongside Stability and Sustainability, India is also focusing on providing Solutions to address global challenges. He said that over the past decade, India has worked on numerous initiatives essential for tackling these challenges, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the India-Middle East Economic Corridor, the Global Biofuel Alliance, as well as efforts in Yoga, Ayurveda, Mission Life, and Mission Millets. “All these initiatives represent India’s commitment to finding solutions to the world’s pressing issues” he stated.

    Expressing pride in India’s growth, the Prime Minister remarked, “As India progresses, the world will benefit even more.” He envisions a future where India’s century becomes a victory for all of humanity. He said that India’s century thrives on everyone’s talent and is enriched by innovations. Shri Modi stressed the significance of India’s efforts in promoting global stability and peace. “This is a century in which India’s initiatives contribute to a more stable world and enhance global peace”, Shri Modi concluded.

    Addressing the #NDTVWorldSummit. @ndtvhttps://t.co/92yfOt9vBF

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2024

    जब दुनिया चिंता में डूबी है, तब भारत आशा का संचार कर रहा है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/1vHKLPq8Tc

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    आज भारत हर सेक्टर में, हर क्षेत्र में जिस तेजी से काम कर रहा है, वो अभूतपूर्व है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/FdVDGvAWXZ

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत आज एक विकासशील देश भी है और उभरती हुई शक्ति भी है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/EutjT37shN

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    आज भारत दुनिया के सबसे युवा देशों में से एक है।

    इस युवा देश का पोटेंशियल…हमें आसमान की ऊंचाई पर पहुंचा सकता है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/k7jJwR72O6

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    अब भारत forward looking सोच के साथ आगे बढ़ रहा है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/nidsZlucxi

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    विकसित भारत के संकल्प से आज भारत के 140 करोड़ लोग जुड़ गए हैं। वो खुद इसे ड्राइव कर रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zEN8jVWFCO

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत के पास डबल AI पावर की एडवांटेज है।

    पहली AI…Artificial Intelligence…

    दूसरी AI…Aspirational India… pic.twitter.com/KBpMnmSNNB

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत टेकन फॉर ग्रांटेड रिश्ते नहीं बनाता… हमारे रिश्तों की बुनियाद- विश्वास और विश्वसनीयता है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/XllkeZclgh

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत ने टेक्नॉलॉजी को डेमोक्रटाइज़ करके डिजिटल पब्लिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर का नया रास्ता दुनिया को दिखाया है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/gTzgttGegN

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    भारत ने दिखाया है कि digital innovation और democratic values, coexist कर सकती हैं: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/OewYyydqcQ

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 21, 2024

    *****

    MJPS/TS/RT

    (Release ID: 2066613) Visitor Counter : 11

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Sports: Progress of Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 11:45AM by PIB Delhi

    Special Campaign 4.0 has been launched by Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) for institutionalizing swachhata and minimizing pendency in Government offices from 2nd October to 31st October, 2024. The Department of Sports began Special Campaign 4.0 with the launch of Fit India Swachhata Freedom Run 5.0 on 02.10.2024 at Major Dhyanchand Stadium. The Department of Sports along with the organizations under it which includes Sports Authority of India (SAI), Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), National Sports University (NSU), National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) are actively participating in the Special Campaign 4.0.

    This year, like previous years, the Campaign is divided into two phases. Phase-I, from 16th to 30th September 2024, was focused on identifying pending issues such as references from MPs, State Governments, and other Ministries, as well as public grievances. It also involved identifying areas that need cleaning, beautification, and improvement. Phase-II, which runs from 2nd to 31st October 2024, is dedicated to resolving the identified issues and carrying out the cleaning, sprucing up, and beautification of the selected sites.

    In Phase 1 of the campaign, 15 References from MPs, 2 Parliamentary Assurances and 30 Public Grievances were identified for resolution. Additionally, 210 physical files and 220 e-files were set aside for review. Apart from this, 44 Cleanliness drives are to be conducted in organizations under this Department. In the first two weeks of Phase 2 of the campaign, the Department successfully disposed of 8 References from MPs, 2 Parliamentary Assurances and addressed 22 Public Grievances. Additionally, 210 physical files and 130 e-files were reviewed, 29 outdoor cleanliness drives were also conducted.

    The Department is dedicated to disposing all pending matters that are ready for resolution and making sure that the selected sites for cleaning and beautification are well-maintained and cleaned as per the objectives of the campaign. Given below are some of the pictures of cleaning activities being carried out in of office premises/ campus under Special Campaign 4.0 at NDTL, New Delhi and LNIPE, Gwalior.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2066598) Visitor Counter : 48

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ADMIRAL DINESH K TRIPATHI, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 11:00AM by PIB Delhi

    Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) is visiting UAE from 21 – 24 October 2024. This visit aims to strengthen the defence cooperation between the two countries, in line with the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors, and consolidate bilateral maritime relations between India and UAE, and to explore new avenues of cooperation between the two navies.

    The CNS is scheduled to hold discussions with Rear Admiral Pilot Saeed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces and other senior Government officials of UAE. He is also scheduled to visit the National Defence College of UAE, where he will interact with the Student Officers. During the visit, the CNS will also witness the conduct of 3rd Edition of India-UAE Bilateral Naval Exercise.

    The cooperative engagements between the Indian Navy and the UAE Navy include Operational interactions through Port Calls, Bilateral Naval Exercise & reciprocal visits, Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks, as well as Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC).

    _______________________________________________________________

    VM/SPS                                                                                                        217/24

    (Release ID: 2066585) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address at the inauguration of RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Har Har Mahadev!

    Shankaracharya of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, venerable Jagatguru Sri Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati; Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel; Chief Minister, Shri Yogi Adityanath; Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak ji; RV Ramani of the Sankara Eye Foundation; Dr. SV Balasubramaniam; Shri Murali Krishnamurthy; Rekha Jhunjhunwala; and all other distinguished members of the organization, ladies and gentlemen!

    Visiting Kashi during this sacred month is, in itself, a profound spiritual experience. Present here are not only the residents of Kashi but also saints and philanthropists, making this occasion a truly blessed convergence! I am fortunate to meet and receive the prasad and blessings of the revered Shankaracharya ji. It is through his blessings that Kashi and the Purvanchal region have been bestowed with another modern hospital today. In this divine city of Lord Shankar, the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is dedicated to the people from today. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the families of Kashi and Purvanchal.

    Friends,
    Our scriptures proclaim: “तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय:” – meaning, lead us from darkness to light. This RJ Sankara Eye Hospital will remove the darkness from the lives of countless people in Varanasi and this region, guiding them towards the light. I have just returned from visiting this eye hospital, and in every sense, it represents a fusion of spirituality and modernity. This hospital will serve the elderly and give new sight to children. A significant number of poor people will receive free treatment here. Moreover, this eye hospital has created new employment opportunities for the youth. Medical students will be able to do internships and practise here, and numerous individuals will find work as support staff.

    Friends,

    I have had the privilege of being associated with the noble endeavours of the Sankara Eye Foundation in the past as well. During my tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, I was involved in the inauguration of the Sankara Eye Hospital there. I had the honour of undertaking that work under the guidance of your revered Guruji. Today, I once again have the opportunity to contribute under your guidance, and this fills me with immense satisfaction. In fact, Pujya Swami Ji reminded me that I have been blessed in another way. I was fortunate to have received the blessings of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadheepati Jagatguru Shankaracharya Chandrashekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal. I had the privilege of sitting at the feet of Param Acharya Ji on numerous occasions and received immense affection from Param Pujya Jagatguru Shankaracharya Shri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal Ji. I have completed several important projects under his guidance, and now I am blessed with the company of Jagatguru Shankaracharya Shri Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati Ji. In a way, being connected with three Guru traditions is one of life’s greatest blessings. This is something that gives me deep personal satisfaction. Today, Jagatguru has kindly taken time out to come to my parliamentary constituency for this programme. As the representative of the people here, I extend my heartfelt welcome to you and express my profound gratitude.

    Friends,

    On this occasion, it is only natural to remember my dear friend, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Ji. The world is well aware of his stature in the business community, and much has been said about him in that regard. However, his dedication to social causes is evident here today. His family is now continuing his legacy, and Rekha Ji is devoting considerable time to this noble work. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet Rakesh Ji’s entire family today. I recall requesting both the Sankara Eye Hospital and the Chitrakoot Eye Hospital to establish themselves in Varanasi, and I am deeply grateful to both institutions for honouring the wishes of the people of Kashi. In the past, thousands of individuals from my parliamentary constituency have received treatment at Chitrakoot Eye Hospital. Now, the people of this region will benefit from two new modern institutions right here in Varanasi.

    Friends,

    Kashi has long been recognized as a centre of religion and culture. Now, it is also gaining recognition as a major healthcare hub for Uttar Pradesh and the Purvanchal region. Whether it is the trauma centre at BHU, the super-specialty hospital, the enhanced facilities at Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital and Kabirchaura Hospital, specialised hospitals for the elderly and government employees, or the medical college – many healthcare advancements have been made in Kashi over the past decade. Today, Banaras also boasts a modern cancer treatment facility, enabling patients who once had to travel to Delhi or Mumbai to receive quality care locally. Thousands of people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and other parts of the country now come here for treatment. Our Mokshadayini Kashi is evolving into a centre of new vitality, offering fresh energy and enhanced healthcare resources.

    Friends,

    During the tenure of previous governments, the healthcare infrastructure in Purvanchal, including Varanasi, was grossly neglected. The situation was so dire that, just 10 years ago, there were no block-level treatment centres for brain fever in Purvanchal. Children would tragically lose their lives, and the media would be filled with reports of this distress. Yet, the former governments did nothing to address the issue. I am gratified that over the past decade, we have seen an unprecedented expansion of healthcare facilities, not only in Kashi but across the entire Purvanchal region. Today, more than 100 centres are operational, providing treatment for brain fever throughout Purvanchal. Over the last 10 years, more than 10,000 new hospital beds have been added to primary and community health centres across the region. In the same period, over 5,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established in the villages of Purvanchal. A decade ago, there were no dialysis facilities in the district hospitals of Purvanchal. Today, more than 20 dialysis units are functioning, offering patients these services free of charge.

    Friends,

    The new Bharat of the 21st century has transformed the outdated thinking and approach to healthcare. Today, Bharat’s healthcare strategy is built on five key pillars. The first is preventive healthcare – taking steps to prevent illness before it occurs. The second is timely diagnosis of diseases. The third is providing free and affordable treatment, including access to inexpensive medicines. The fourth is ensuring quality medical care in smaller towns, addressing the shortage of doctors. And the fifth pillar is the expansion of technology in healthcare.

    Friends,

    Protecting individuals from disease is a top priority of Bharat’s health policy and forms the first pillar of the health sector. Illness only deepens the poverty of the disadvantaged. As you know, over the past 10 years, 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty. However, a serious illness could easily push them back into the depths of poverty. This is why the government is placing significant emphasis on disease prevention. Our government is focusing particularly on cleanliness, yoga and Ayurveda, nutritious food, and related areas. We have also extended the vaccination campaign to as many households as possible. Just 10 years ago, the country’s vaccination coverage stood at only around 60 percent, leaving crores of children unvaccinated. Furthermore, the rate of increase in vaccination coverage was a mere 1 to 1.5 percent annually. At that pace, it would have taken another 40 to 50 years to achieve universal vaccination coverage for every child and every region. You can imagine the great injustice this was doing to the younger generation of the nation. Therefore, upon forming the government, we prioritised child vaccination and expanding its coverage. We launched Mission Indradhanush, involving multiple ministries in this effort simultaneously. As a result, not only did the vaccination rate rise significantly, but crores of pregnant women and children who were previously excluded from it were vaccinated. The strong emphasis Bharat placed on vaccination proved highly beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the vaccination campaign continues to progress rapidly across the country.

    Friends,

    In addition to disease prevention, timely detection of illnesses is equally important. For this reason, lakhs of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established nationwide, enabling early detection of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Today, we are also building a network of critical care units and modern laboratories across the country. This second pillar of the health sector is saving the lives of lakhs of people.

    Friends,

    The third pillar of healthcare is affordable treatment and inexpensive medicines. Today, the average medical expenditure for every citizen in the country has reduced by 25 percent. People are now able to purchase medicines at an 80 percent discount through PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Whether it be heart stents, knee implants, or cancer medicines, the prices of these essential treatments have been significantly reduced. The Ayushman Yojana, which offers free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for the poor, has become a lifesaver for many. So far, more than 7.5 crore patients across the country have benefited from free treatment under this scheme. Moreover, this service is now being extended to the elderly in every family throughout the nation.

    Friends,

    The fourth pillar of healthcare aims to reduce the dependency on major cities like Delhi and Mumbai for treatment. Over the past decade, we have established AIIMS, medical colleges, and super-specialty hospitals in smaller cities. To address the shortage of doctors in the country, thousands of new medical seats have been added in the last decade. Looking ahead, we have decided to add 75,000 more seats in the next five years.

    Friends,

    The fifth pillar of healthcare is increasing access to health services through technology. Today, digital health IDs are being created, and patients can receive consultations from the comfort of their homes through platforms like the e-Sanjeevani app. I am pleased to share that over 30 crore people have already taken advantage of consultations via the e-Sanjeevani app. We are also advancing towards integrating drone technology with healthcare services.

    Friends, 

    A healthy and capable young generation is essential for achieving the vision of a developed Bharat. I am immensely pleased that in this mission, we are blessed with the support of the revered Pujya Shankaracharya Ji. I pray to Baba Vishwanath that this mission for a healthy and capable Bharat continues to grow stronger. Today, as I sit at the feet of Pujya Shankaracharya Ji, I am reminded of memories from my childhood. When I was young, a doctor from my village would travel to Bihar for a month each year with a group of volunteers. There, he would conduct a large-scale cataract surgery campaign, which he referred to as “Netra Yagna.” He dedicated one month every year to this cause, and many people from my village would accompany him as volunteers. Even as a child, I was aware of the immense need for such services in Bihar. Therefore, today, I make a heartfelt request to Pujya Shankaracharya Ji to consider opening a similar Sankara Eye Hospital in Bihar. Those memories from my childhood remind me of how impactful such a service would be for the people of Bihar. Maharaj Ji has a vision of reaching every corner of the country, and I am confident that Bihar will be given priority and receive your blessings. It would be a tremendous honour to serve the diligent and hardworking people of Bihar, and contributing to their well-being would bring us great fulfilment in life. Once again, I extend my best wishes to all of you, especially our dedicated doctors, paramedical staff, and all the brothers and sisters working in this noble mission. With deep reverence, I bow before Pujya Jagatguru Ji, offering my heartfelt prayers for his continued blessings and guidance. With gratitude in my heart, I conclude my speech.

    Har-Har Mahadev!

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST/IG

    (Release ID: 2066527) Visitor Counter : 427

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address at the laying of foundation stone and inauguration of multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Namah Parvati Pataye …

    Har Har Mahadev!

    Present on the stage Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji, the esteemed Governors and Chief Ministers of other states who are connected to this event via technology, my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Shri Naidu ji, other members of the Union Cabinet connected via technology, Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak ji, other ministers of the UP government, members of parliament, and legislators, and my dear brothers and sisters of Banaras!

    Today, once again, I have the opportunity to visit Banaras… today the Nakkataiya Fair is also happening in Chetganj … Dhanteras, Diwali, and Chhath festivals are approaching… and today Banaras is witnessing a celebration of development before these festivals. Heartiest congratulations to all of you.

    Friends,

    Today is an auspicious day for Banaras. I have just inaugurated a big eye hospital and then came here, which is why I was a bit late. The Sankara Eye Hospital will be a great help to the elderly and children. With the blessings of Baba Vishwanath, projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been either inaugurated or their foundation stones laid. These projects will boost the development of the country and UP to new heights. Today, airports in UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have been inaugurated. This includes not only Babatpur Airport but also airports in Agra and Sarsawa in Saharanpur. In total, projects from education, skill development, sports, health, and tourism sectors have been granted to Banaras. These projects will not only bring convenience but also create numerous employment opportunities for our youth. This land boasts of Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his teachings. I recently participated in the Abhidhamma Mahotsav. Today, I also had the opportunity to inaugurate development projects worth crores of rupees related to Sarnath, and as you know, we recently recognized some languages as classical languages, including Pali and Prakrit. Both Pali and Prakrit have special connections to Sarnath and Kashi. Their recognition as classical languages is a matter of pride for all of us. I congratulate all my fellow citizens of Kashi and the nation on these development projects.

    Friends,

    When you entrusted me with the responsibility of serving for the third consecutive time, I had promised to work at triple speed. It has not even been 125 days since the government was formed, and in such a short period, projects worth more than 15 lakh crore rupees have been started across the country. Most of this budget has been allocated for the poor, farmers, and youth. Just think, headlines in newspapers were dominated by scams worth lakhs of crores of rupees 10 years ago. The conversation always revolved around corruption worth lakhs of crores of rupees. Today, discussions in every household are about projects worth 15 lakh crore rupees within 125 days. This is the change the country desires. It is our priority that the people’s money is spent on the people, on the development of the country, and spent honestly.

    Friends,

    We have launched a massive infrastructure development campaign in the country in the last 10 years. This infrastructure campaign has two major goals. The first is to increase the convenience of citizens through investments, and the second is to create jobs for the youth through investments. Today, modern highways are being built across the country, new railway tracks are being laid on new routes, and new airports are being built. This is not just about the work of bricks, stones, iron, and iron rods; it is also increasing convenience for people and providing jobs for the country’s youth.

    Friends,

    Look at the Babatpur Airport Highway we built and the modern facilities added to the airport. Did only those travelling to and from the airport benefit from it? No, it provided jobs to many people in Banaras. It boosted agriculture, industry, and tourism. Today, the number of people coming to Banaras has increased rapidly. Some come for tourism, and some come for business, and you are benefiting from it. Therefore, now that the expansion of Babatpur Airport is underway, you will benefit even more. The work on this airport has started today. Once it is completed, more planes will be able to land here.

    Friends,

    In this ‘maha yagna’ of building modern infrastructure, our airports, their magnificent buildings, and the most advanced facilities are being talked about worldwide. In 2014, our country had only 70 airports. And as Naidu ji has explained in detail, today we have more than 150 airports. We are also renovating older airports. Last year, new facilities were built at over a dozen airports across the country—on average, one airport per month. This includes airports in Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot. Ayodhya now has a grand international airport, welcoming Ram devotees every day. Remember the time when Uttar Pradesh was mocked for its poor roads. Today, UP is known as the state of expressways. Today, UP is recognized for having the most international airports. A grand international airport is also nearing completion in Noida’s Jewar. I commend Yogi ji, Keshav Prasad Maurya ji, Brajesh Pathak ji, and their entire team for this progress in UP.

    Friends,

    As a Member of Parliament from Banaras, I feel happy when I see the development here. We all have a shared dream of making Kashi a model city for urban development—one where progress is made while heritage is also preserved. Today, Kashi is known for the grand and divine Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the Rudraksh Convention Centre, and infrastructure projects like the Ring Road and Ganjari Stadium. A modern ropeway system is also being built in Kashi. These wide roads, alleys, the beautiful ghats of the Ganga—all are captivating.

    Friends,

    We are making continuous efforts to turn Kashi and the entire Purvanchal region into a major business hub. Just a few days ago, the government approved the construction of a new rail-road bridge over the Ganga. Near the Rajghat Bridge, a grand new bridge will be built. Trains will run underneath, and a six-lane highway will be constructed on top. This will benefit lakhs of people in Banaras and Chandauli.

    Friends,

    Our Kashi is also becoming a major centre for sports. The Sigra Stadium has been renovated and is now in front of you in a new form. The new stadium is equipped for national competitions and for the Olympics as well. Modern sports facilities have been built here. We witnessed the potential of Kashi’s young athletes during the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita. Now, our sons and daughters from Purvanchal have access to excellent facilities for major sports preparations.

    Friends,

    A society develops when its women and youth are empowered. Keeping this in mind, the government has given new strength to ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power). Millions of women have been given Mudra loans to help them start their own businesses. Now we are working to create ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages across the country. Today, our sisters from the villages are even becoming drone pilots. And this is Kashi, where even Lord Shiva seeks alms from Mother Annapurna. Kashi teaches us that society prospers when women are empowered. With this belief, we have placed ‘Nari Shakti’ at the centre of every goal for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has gifted millions of women their own homes. Many women in Banaras have also benefited from this scheme. You know the government is now planning to build 3 crore more homes. Women in Banaras who haven’t yet received homes under the PM Awas Yojana will soon get them. We have already provided tap water, Ujjwala gas, and piped water to homes. Now, we are launching a scheme for free electricity and earning income from electricity. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana will make the lives of our sisters even easier.

    Friends,

    Our Kashi is a vibrant cultural city. It is home to the sacred Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, Manikarnika, the holy site of Moksha, and Sarnath, the place of knowledge. After so many decades, so much development work is happening in Banaras simultaneously. Otherwise, Kashi was left as if abandoned. So today, I pose a question to every resident of Kashi: What was the mentality that kept Kashi deprived of development? Think about the situation 10 years ago when Banaras was starved for development. The parties that ruled UP for long periods, and those who enjoyed power in Delhi for decades, never cared about Banaras. The answer lies in the politics of dynasties and appeasement. Be it Congress or Samajwadi Party, Banaras’s development was never a priority for such parties, nor will it ever be in the future. These parties even discriminated in development. But our government works with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Our government does not discriminate in any plan. What we say, we do loudly and clearly. A grand Ram Temple is being built in Ayodhya. Today, lakhs of people visit Ram Lalla every day. The reservation for women in assemblies and parliament was stalled for years. This historical work has also been achieved by our government. Many families were suffering due to the evil practice of triple talaq. Our government worked to free Muslim daughters from it. It was the BJP government that gave constitutional status to the OBC Commission, and it was the NDA government that gave 10% reservation to the economically weaker sections without taking away anyone’s rights.

    Friends,

    We have done our work. We implemented policies with good intentions and worked honestly to transform the lives of every family in the country. That is why the nation continues to bless us. We saw how the BJP government was re-elected for the third consecutive time in Haryana. The BJP received a record number of votes in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Friends,

    Today, Bharat faces a significant threat from family-based politics. These dynastic politicians cause the most harm to the youth of the country. They never believe in giving opportunities to young people. That is why, I called upon the nation from the Red Fort that I will bring 100,000 such young individuals into politics who have no family ties to politics. This is a campaign that will change the direction of Indian politics. It is a mission to eradicate corruption and the dynastic mentality. I urge the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh to openly become the pillars of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament from Kashi, I am committed to bringing the youth of this region forward as much as possible.

    Friends,

    Once again, Kashi has become the launching ground for new standards of development across the country. Kashi has once again witnessed a new surge for the nation. I extend my congratulations to all the states, Hon’ble governors, chief ministers, the people of Kashi, and citizens of the country who are associated with today’s development programs.

    Join me in saying: 

    Namah Parvati Pataye…

    Har Har Mahadev!

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST/VK

    (Release ID: 2066550) Visitor Counter : 368

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Dedicates Key Maritime Projects at 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival

    Source: Government of India

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Dedicates Key Maritime Projects at 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival

    Steps to Enable Coastal Communities around Lighthouses to Preserve, Protect & Promote as Tourist Hubs: Shri Sonowal

    The Union Minister announced Two New Lighthouses at Chaumuck and Dhamra on Odisha’s Coastline

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal dedicates ‘New Kalwan Lighthouse’ in Jamnagar, Gujarat along with Stacker-cum-Reclaimant & a Flyover at the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha, to the nation

    Under the Visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, Lighthouse Tourism soared by more than 400% since 2014: Shri Sonowal

    Shri Sonowal inaugurates multifaceted celebration with beach activities like Sand Art, Boat Art competition, Yoga session

    Shri Sarbananda Sonowal leads Swachhata Abhiyan at Niladri Beach, lauds efforts of people’s Participation

    2nd edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival witnessed electrifying performances by noted singers like Papon, Sona Mohapatra among others

    The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal at the Valedictory Session of the Festival

    Assam & Odisha share a close spiritual, historical, cultural, commercial ties as Srimanta Sankardeva, Lakshminath Bezbarua & Bholanath Barooah strengthened it over the years: Shri Sonowal

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 7:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal dedicated key maritime projects to the nation during the 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival here today. At the valedictory session here, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also announced that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Govt of India, would take necessary steps to enable coastal communities around the Lighthouses in order to empower them to preserve & promote the lighthouses – the rich heritage of India’s marine sector. The Union Minister also announced two new lighthouses on Odisha’s coastline – one at Chaumuck at Narayanpur in Balasore district and another at Dhamra in Bhadrak district of the state. The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined Sonowal as the second edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival draws a closure here today.

    The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the coastal communities of the country would be developed as societies in order to enable and empower the communities within the vicinity of lighthouses. The effort is aimed at community engagement to take pride in the lighthouses for their preservation, protection, and promotion. A central association of all these societies would be created to give a national momentum to celebrate the lighthouse as national icons as cultural heritage & legacy of India’s rich maritime sector.

    The new Kalwan reef Lighthouse at Jamnagar in Gujarat as well as two projects in Padadip Port, Odisha; i.e., Stacker-cum-Reclaimant & a Flyover bridge, were inaugurated. The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated Sand Art Competition, Boat Art Competition, Beach run, Beach Yoga and many other activities at the second day of the 2nd edition of multifaceted Indian Lighthouse Festival. Sonowal also led a Swachata Abhiyan at the Niladri beach where the collective effort led to removal of garbage.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “The Indian Lighthouse Festival or Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav has been receiving laurels from all quarters of the country as we continue our effort to further bolster facilities for the tourists – both domestic and foreign – for a memorable experience at these wonderful monuments. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the government is taking all steps to realise the full potential of India’s rich cultural heritage as well as its historical legacy in propelling the economic growth of the country. Modiji’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat has resonated well with people and we, the Ministry, remain committed to usher in a new chapter of growth in India’s blue economy. Lighthouse Tourism is part of this vision of Modi ji. It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that a rise of more than 400% footfall of tourists in the lighthouses since 2014. From 4 lakhs in 2014, it reached 16 lakhs tourists in the last fiscal. We have already crossed 9 lakhs in the first half of the current fiscal, and it is evident, that the growing trend of lighthouses as tourists hotspots to continue. For years, the guardians of our shores have remained unnoticed, even while they guided vessels and seafarers through the most challenging nights. The ‘Lighthouse Festival’ is our effort to shift this perception. Our goal is to raise awareness, foster involvement, and enlighten people about the significant contribution these iconic structures have made to our country’s maritime legacy.”

    Shri @sarbanandsonwal, Union Minister, MoPSW said that this initiative seeks to showcase the significance of India’s centuries-old lighthouses, spread across our vast coastline & celebrate their rich heritage at the inauguration of the 2nd Lighthouse Festival. @PIBBhubaneswar pic.twitter.com/7YZYbSwoE9

    — Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) October 19, 2024

    Highlighting the importance of coastal communities in preservation of the Lighthouses, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced, “In order to rope in the coastal community, the government is keen to enable and empower them to preserve, conserve, and promote these iconic structures. A national framework is being mooted to ensure that a well thought out system is in place for the coastal communities to preserve, protect & promote the lighthouses as the torchbearers of India’s rich maritime history and legacy.”

    During the festival, the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi and the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitated eminent personalities from the fields of education, sports and culture. Among them, Odishi dancer, Mamta Ojha; artist Dr Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi; sand sculptor, Om Prakash Sahu; Mariner Nividita Acharya; Oriya Literary figure & poet, Dr Haldar Nath; footballer Sasmita Malik and social worker Sujit Mahapatra, were felicitated. Eight employees of the Directorate General of Lighthouse & Lightships (DGLL) were also felicitated for their good performance.

    Earlier, the 2nd edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated by the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The festival, in its second avatar here, aimed at rejuvenating the rich maritime history of India iconic lighthouses in a culturally vibrant atmosphere. The festival showcased rich flavours of coastal cuisine, amusement park, folk dance & music, coastal hut among many other interesting performances.

    On the historic relationship between Assam and Odisha, Sarbananda Sonowal added, “Assam & Odisha have always shared a close spiritual, historical, cultural, commercial ties through the lives of great saint Srimanta Sankardeva, literary genius Lakshminath Bezbarua & visionary trader Bholanath Barooah which has only strengthened over the years. It is heartening to witness cultural show by the artists of both Assam and Odisha here today celebrating the vibrancy of this festival.”

    The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi joined the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the valedictory session of the festival. The event was also attended by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, MoPSW; Pravati Parida, the Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha; Suresh Gopi, the Union Minister of State of Tourism & Petroleum and Natural Gas; Sambit Patra, MP as well as TK Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW among others.

    During the first day, the festival witnessed sessions on ‘Lighthouse Tourism & Heritage,’ ‘Preservation and conservation of Lighthouse.’

    The festivities began with the invocation dance, Ganesh Vandana, followed by a captivating medley of traditional Assamese performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Assam. The concluding performance began with the invocation dance, Shiva Stuti, followed folk dance. The festival was enthralled by some electrifying performances by noted singer Papon on the first night of the festival while Sona Mahapatra was slated to perform on the concluding night.

    With an investment of ₹60 crore, 75 iconic lighthouses across 9 coastal states and 1 union territory have been developed under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Each lighthouse has become a beacon of both heritage and recreation, with modern amenities such as museums, amphitheaters, children’s parks, and more. In Odisha, five lighthouses—Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point—have been developed as part of this initiative to promote lighthouse tourism.

     

    In the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, the 75 dedicated lighthouses attracted an impressive 16 lakh visitors. As of September 2024, the current fiscal year 2024-25 has already welcomed more than 10 lakh visitors. These developments have also resulted in job creation, with 150 direct and 500 indirect employment opportunities emerging in nearby hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation services, and local shops and artisans.

    In 2023, the maiden edition of Indian Lighthouse Festival took place in Goa with a spotlight on 75 historical sites to be developed into tourists destinations. The ‘Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav’ was conceived with an intent to transform these historical sites into tourist destinations with the help of Public Private Partnerships. The key highlights of India’s First Lighthouse Festival were cultural exhibitions, session highlighting maritime history and culture, classical performances, light and sound shows, melodious evenings with celebrity singers, flavours of the coast and community engagements.

    In Odisha, the Sagarmala Programme encompasses 36 projects with a total value of ₹20,200 Cr. Among these, 15 projects, valued at approximately ₹4,330 Cr., have been successfully completed, while 21 projects, totalling around ₹15,850 Cr., are currently in various stages of implementation. One standout achievement of the Sagarmala Programme is the living example of Paradip Port’s growth Story. This Port today is the number one major port in cargo handling. Paradip Port will transform into a mega port with a formidable cargo handling capacity of over 300 MTPA very soon and will exceed 500 MTPA capacity by Amrit Kaal 2047. The mammoth traffic volume growth at the port in the recent years has been due to the successful implementation of Capacity augmentation projects under the Sagarmala projects. The Sagarmala program also envisions uplifting the fishermen community with the Modernization of Paradip Fishing Harbour project, with a project cost of  ₹108 Crores. The modern fishing harbour will be a strong step towards the coastal community development initiative in Odisha. For upliftment of fishermen community, a fishing harbour at Chandipur in Odisha has also been sanctioned under Sagarmala at a cost of ₹50 Cr. Paradip port is also being developed as a green hydrogen hub in the country.

    Odisha, a principal maritime state situated on the eastern coast of India, has a coastline of about 480 km. Paradip Port (290 MTPA Capacity, Cargo handled in 2023-24 – 145.38 MTPA) is the only Major Port in the State under the control of the Government of India. The Government of Odisha has already identified 14 potential sites for the development of Non – Major Ports, out of which, Dhamra (Adani – 100 MTPA Capacity) and Gopalpur (Shapoorji Pallonji & Odisha Stevedore Ltd. – 25 MTPA capacity) are already functioning.

    *****

    NKK/AK

    (Release ID: 2066548) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr Jitendra Singh releases first of its kind, largest ICMR-India Diabetes ‘INDIAB’ Study, all-India survey’s Jammu related data on prevalence of Diabetes in Jammu region

    Source: Government of India (2)

     Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also a nationally renowned Diabetologist, today released the Jammu related data of the ‘first of its kind’ world’s largest survey ‘ICMR-India Diabetes ‘INDIAB’ Study to assess the prevalence of Diabetes in India, including Jammu & Kashmir in Jammu today.

    According to the survey, the overall burden of the disease in Jammu region covering its 10 districts is 18.9 percent, with 26.5 percent in urban areas and 14.5 per cent in rural areas which is higher than the national average.

    Expressing concern over the rising cases of Diabetes in the region, Dr Jitendra Singh called upon everyone, including medical institutions, NGOs and the media to create awareness in the society about the disease in order to prevent and control it before it assumes an alarming proportion. He said the study offers an opportunity for prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). He called for adopting a multi-sectoral approach involving the government, non-governmental agencies, the community at large as well as the individual to slow down or stop the rising tide Diabetes and other NCDs.

    Describing the ICMR- India Diabetes (INDIAB) nationwide study as landmark, he said its findings will help to estimate the health burden due to Diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic NCD. He added that the study will also help in shifting focus to the prevention and control of Diabetes and other NCDs in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Dr Jitendra Singh further said that the findings of the study are expected to help policymakers, health professionals and stakeholders to develop targeted interventions for prevention and management of Diabetes and other NCDs in Jammu and across India as it was a national responsibility. He also mentioned the need for early detection of the disease as well as the need to break the chain of passing from one generation to another by focussing diabetic pregnant women.

    The Union Minister said that all-out efforts must be made to prevent the youth from falling prey to this preventable disease. Calling the youth architects of a Vikisit Bharat, the Minister said that proper care of their health and well-being must be taken by all the stakeholders. He said that the energy and potential of youngsters cannot be consigned to this silent killer, but must be nurtured and preserved to realise the goal of a developed India by the year 2047.

    Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Government is setting up nearly 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres all over the country with a focus on prevention and control of NCDs like Diabetes, hypertension and some forms of cancer. The Union Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with bringing in a preventable healthcare ecosystem in the country, saying prior to COVID pandemic, this concept was alien to India. “Credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra for awakening the nation to the virtues of preventable healthcare, using traditional medicines like Ayurveda and Unani, and practising yoga for health”, the Minister noted.

    “It is at the initiative of PM Modi that 1.5 lakh Wellness Centres are to be opened across the country” , the Minister said.

    Dr Jitendra Singh called for tapping the vast expanse of unexplored Himalayan resources of J&K. He said these resources have a huge potential for making value addition to India’s economy. He expressed happiness at the recent impressive economic growth of India and said that India has now joined the league of top five economies of the world while mentioning that the journey from fragile five to top five economies of the world has been momentous.

    Further elaborating Dr Jitendra Singh said if the vast bio resources of J&K are tapped, they will contribute to India’s growth story in the times to come.

    According to the ICMR-INDIAB study, 10.8 per cent of the population in Jammu region is affected by prediabetes, emphasizing the urgent need for action against the growing burden of NCDs in the region.

    The Jammu phase surveyed 1,520 participants across urban and rural areas, providing critical insights into the region’s health landscape. As per the survey, the overall prevalence of hypertension, generalised obesity and abdominal obesity in Jammu is 27.1 %, 41.7 % and 62.7 % respectively. The study was conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation with the collaboration of ICMR and the Department of Health Research.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone and inaugurates multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

    Inaugurates and lays foundation stone of multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore

    Development initiatives of today will significantly benefit the citizens, especially our Yuva Shakti: PM

    In the last 10 years, we have started a huge campaign to build infrastructure in the country: PM

    Kashi is model city where development is taking place along with preservation of heritage:PM

    Government has given new emphasis to women empowerment ,society develops when the women and youth of the society are empowered: PM

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today. The projects of today include multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore and multiple development initiatives in Varanasi.

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today is a very auspicious occasion for Kashi as he mentioned inaugurating RJ Sankara Eye Hospital earlier today. He said that the Hospital would be very helpful for the elderly and children. Referring to the development projects of today, the Prime Minister mentioned the inauguration of new airport terminals in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh including Babatpur Airport and Sarsawa Airport of Agra and Saharanpur. He emphasized that development projects pertaining to Education, Skill Development, Sports, Healthcare and Tourism among other sectors have been presented to Varanasi today which would not only boost services but also create employment opportunities for the youth. Shri Modi recalled participating in Abhidhamma Diwas a few days ago and mentioned inaugurating multiple development projects worth crores of rupees today related to the development of Sarnath, the land of Lord Buddha’s sermons. The Prime Minister highlighted the association of Sarnath and Varanasi With Pali and Prakrit languages and mentioned granting them the status of classical language recently. He said that it is a matter of great pride that languages used in the scriptures have been granted classical language status. The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Kashi and India for the development projects of today. 

    Recalling his promise to work three times more when he was given the opportunity to serve the people of Varanasi, the Prime Minister remarked that in less than 125 days of the formation of Government, the work on various schemes and projects worth more than Rs. 15 lakh crore had already begun. He added that the maximum budget of these was dedicated to the poor, farmers and the youths. Shri Modi said that today there was a discussion in every household about the work of Rs. 15 lakh crore as against the scams which were being reported in the newspapers a decade ago. He added that the change that the country desired where the money of the people was spent on the people along with the progress of the country with utmost honesty were the top priorities of the Government. 

    The Prime Minister underlined that the government has initiated a huge campaign for infrastructural development in the country in the last 10 years with two main objectives of improving services for the people and creating employment opportunities for the youth through investments. Giving examples of development works of modern highways, laying of railway tracks on new routes and establishment of new airports, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is enhancing convenience for the people and creating employment at the same time. He said that the construction of the highway for Babatpur Airport not only benefited the travelers but also gave a boost to agriculture, industry and tourism. He informed that work is already underway for the expansion of Babatpur Airport to increase its flight handling capacity.  

    Shri Modi highlighted that India’s airports and their magnificent buildings with amazing facilities is a topic of discussion all over the world. Shri Modi said that in 2014, there were only 70 airports, while today, there are more than 150 airports along with the renovation work of the old airports. He added that last year, the construction of new facilities was completed at more than a dozen airports in the country which include Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti and Chitrakoot airports. Shri Modi remarked that the grand international airport in Ayodhya was welcoming Ram devotees every day. The Prime Minister highlighted that today UP was known as ‘state of expressways’ as against the past when it was taunted for its dilapidated roads. He added that today UP was also known as a state with the most number of international airports with a grand international airport going to be built soon in Jewar, Noida. Shri Modi lauded the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers of UP along with the entire team for the progress of UP.

    The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the rate of progress as a Member of Parliament from Varanasi and reiterated his dream of making Kashi a model city of urban development where progress and heritage go hand in hand. He said that today Kashi is identified by the grand and divine Dham of Baba Vishwanath, Rudraksh Convention Center, infrastructure projects like Ring Road and Ganjari Stadium and modern facilities like ropeway. “City’s wide roads and beautiful ghats of Ganga ji are captivating everyone today”, he added.

    The Prime Minister said that it is the Government’s constant endeavor to make Kashi and Purvanchal a huge center of trade and business as he mentioned  the construction of a new rail-road bridge over River Ganga a few days ago which would comprise a 6 lane highway and railway lines for several trains. He said that it would hugely benefit the people of Varanasi and Chandauli. 

    “Our Kashi is now becoming a very big center for sports”, said Shri Modi. He added that the revamped Sigra Stadium was in front of the people now and arrangements were made in the new stadium for preparations from national competitions to Olympics along with modern facilities for sports. The Prime Minister highlighted the potential of young players of Kashi, which was evident during the Member of Parliament sports competition and now youngsters of Purvanchal were provided with good facilities for preparing for bigger competitions.

    Underlining that development of society occurs when its women and youth are empowered, the Prime Minister stressed that the government has given new strength to women. He mentioned schemes like Mudra Yojna where crores of women have been facilitated loans to start their own businesses. “Today, efforts are being made to create ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in villages and women are even becoming drone pilots”, PM Modi said. Highlighting the belief in Kashi that even Lord Shiva seeks alms from Goddess Annapurna, the Prime Minister said that this belief has driven the government to place Nari Shakit at the center of every initiative for the goal of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, millions of women have been handed out their own homes including women of Varanasi. The Prime Minister also highlighted that the government is set to construct another three crore houses and assured that those women who have yet to receive homes under the PM Awas scheme will be given their houses soon. In addition to providing piped water, Ujjwala gas, and electricity, PM Modi said that the new PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme will further ease the lives of women, allowing them to benefit from free power and even earn from it.

    “Our Kashi is a multi-hued cultural city, with the holy Jyotirlinga of Lord Shankar, a Moksha Tirtha like Manikarnika and also a place of knowledge like Sarnath”, said Shri Modi. He remarked that it was only after decades, that so much work was simultaneously carried out for the development of Banaras. Questioning the previous governments on the poor development and progress of Varanasi, Shri Modi remarked that his Government worked on the mantra of Sabka Saath. Sabka Vikas without any discrimination in any scheme. He added that the Government stuck to its words and cited the example of the grand Ram temple built in Ayodhya, as promised. He also mentioned the historic reservation for women in the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha completed by the government. Shri Modi also mentioned the other achievements of abolition of Triple Talaq, granting constitutional status to the Backward Class Commission and granting 10 percent reservation to the economically backward classes of people.

    “We have done our work with sincerity, implemented policies with good intentions and strive to improve the lives of every family in the country,” said Prime Minister Modi. He emphasized that the nation’s continuous blessings are a result of the government’s efforts as recently seen in Haryana, where the ruling dispensation secured its third consecutive government. He also noted the record number of votes received in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Noting that dynastic politics is a significant danger to the country, especially to the youth, the Prime Minister explained that such form of politics often deprives young people of opportunities. He reiterated his clarion call from the Red Fort to bring one lakh young individuals into politics whose families have no political background. He stressed that this initiative will change the direction of Indian politics eradicating corruption and family-driven mindsets. Encouraging the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, “I urge the youth to become the pivot of this new political movement. As the Member of Parliament of Kashi, I am committed to bringing forward as many young people as possible.” Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that Kashi stands as a symbol of new benchmarks of development for the entire nation. He congratulated the states and people of Kashi on the new development programs launched today.

    Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu were present on the occasion among others. 

    Background

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the airport runway and construction of a new terminal building and allied works of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi worth around Rs 2870 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of New Civil Enclave at Agra Airport worth more than Rs 570 crore, Darbhanga Airport worth around Rs 910 crore and Bagdogra Airport worth around Rs 1550 crore.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated new terminal buildings of Rewa Airport, Maa Mahamaya Airport, Ambikapur and Sarsawa Airport worth over Rs 220 crore. The combined passenger handling capacity of these airports increases to more than 2.3 crore passengers annually. The designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of the region.

    In line with his vision to provide top-quality infrastructure for sports, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment of Varanasi Sports Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under Khelo India scheme and the Smart City Mission. The project aims to create a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a National Centre of Excellence, players’ hostels, sports science center, practice fields for various sports, indoor shooting ranges and combat sports arenas among others. He also inaugurated 100-bed girls’ and boys’ hostels and a public pavilion at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, Lalpur.

    The Prime Minister inaugurated tourism development works in Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath. These enhancements include the construction of pedestrian-friendly streets, new sewer lines and upgraded drainage systems and organized vending zones with modern designer vending carts to promote local handicraft vendors, among others. The Prime Minister also inaugurated multiple other initiatives like tourism development works at Banasur Temple and Gurudham Temple along with beautification and redevelopment of parks etc.

     

    Speaking at the launch of infrastructure projects in Varanasi. These development initiatives will significantly benefit the citizens, especially our Yuva Shakti.https://t.co/wwzjuVyFW8

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2024

    बीते 10 सालों में हमने देश में इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर निर्माण का एक बहुत बड़ा अभियान शुरू किया है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/G4EYxqkUeV

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2024

    समाज का विकास तब होता है, जब समाज की महिलाएं और नौजवान सशक्त होते हैं।

    इसी सोच के साथ सरकार ने नारी शक्ति को नई शक्ति दी है: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/ooZmWvXt7W

    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2024

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR/TS

    (Release ID: 2066539) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: KARMAYOGI SAPTAH

    Source: Government of India (2)

    KARMAYOGI SAPTAH

    National Learning Week: A New Era of Capacity Building for Civil Services Under Mission Karmayogi

    Speakers for tomorrow’s Indic Day Webinar Series

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the National Learning Week (NLW) on the 19th October, 2024, marking a new chapter in civil service capacity building under the Mission Karmayogi initiative.

    This groundbreaking effort aims to foster continuous skill enhancement and lifelong learning among civil servants, ensuring their competencies align with the country’s evolving goals.

    The National Learning Week will feature the Indic Day Webinar Series, on 21st October, 2024. Esteemed speakers from diverse domains will share insights on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), civilizational development and digital infrastructure, offering a rich understanding of how traditional wisdom and modern innovations intersect.

    Key Highlights of the Day:

    • Mr David Frawley: A Vedic scholar, Mr. Frawley shall explore the Karmayogi philosophy and its emphasis on selfless action as a path to personal and societal excellence.
    • Mr Raghava Krishna: Mr. Krishna shall discuss the importance of Indian Knowledge Systems and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle global challenges.
    • Mr Amritanshu Pandey: Historian, Mr. Pandey shall speak about the enduring influence of Sanskrit and Sanskriti in shaping India’s civilizational heritage and future trajectory.
    • Mr Nandan Nilekani and Mr Shankar Maruwada: Tech innovators such as Mr. Nilekani and Mr. Maruwada shall examine India’s digital public infrastructure and the opportunities for future growth and empowerment.

    This series of webinars will underscore the broader themes of Mission Karmayogi, connecting India’s past wisdom with its future aspirations.

    Details and timings are as follows:

     

     *****

    NKK/AG/GS

    (Release ID: 2066530) Visitor Counter : 18

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Saharanpur, Rewa and Ambikapur airports under RCS-UDAN

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Saharanpur, Rewa and Ambikapur airports under RCS-UDAN

    RCS-UDAN celebrates 08 Years in service of the Nation

    1.44 crore people already flown under RCS-UDAN

    601 UDAN routes operationalized so far

    RCS key element of NCAP 2016 to promote Regional Air Connectivity

    Posted On: 20 OCT 2024 6:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated three airports, developed under the  Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. These airports are: Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Ambikapur in Chhatisgarh and Saharanpur in UP. Flights under RCS-UDAN will begin from these airports shortly.

    The RCS- UDAN, a government-backed initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, completes seven years. It is a vital component of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on October 21, 2016, with a 10-year vision.

    The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. The scheme focuses on improving unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizens.

    So far, the RCS-UDAN has facilitated travel of more than 144 lakh passengers, demonstrating its success in enhancing air travel accessibility.

    Over the period of 7 years, various versions of UDAN Scheme were launched, as follows:

     

    • UDAN 1.0: Five airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports)
    • UDAN 2.0: 73 underserved and unserved airports were announced and for the first time, helipads were also connected.
    • UDAN 3.0: In coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Routes were included. In addition to Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes, several routes in the North-East Region came under the ambit of the scheme.
    • UDAN 4.0: Gave impetus to North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States, and Islands. The operation of helicopters and seaplanes incorporated.

     

    UDAN Version 5 – 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 &5.4

    Following the four successful rounds of bidding, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the 5thversion of RCS-UDAN with numerous improvements based on stakeholder feedback.

    UDAN 5.0 where the focus is on Category-2 (20-80 seats) and Category-3 (>80 seats) aircraft. Similarly, the cap of 600 km has been removed and there is no restriction on the distance between the origin and destination of the flight. This round prioritizes the routes that will connect the airports that are ready for operations or will be ready soon, which will lead to quicker operationalization of awarded routes. Consequently, Airlines would now be required to commence operations within 4 months of the award of the route, and they are welcoming this change as this helps them to better plan their operations.

    This was soon followed by UDAN 5.1, This round of RCS-UDAN is designed specifically for helicopter routes by increasing the scope of operations for helicopter operators, enhancing VGF and reducing Airfare Caps. The Scheme will now allow operations on routes provided that at least one origin or destination is in a priority area and at least one origin or destination is a heliport, thereby enhancing the potential range of connectivity. VGF caps have been enhanced to improve viability for operators and airfare caps have been reduced to make flying more affordable for passengers respectively.

    Later, bidding for UDAN 5.2 was launched to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country, achieve last-mile connectivity, and provide impetus to the tourism sector through small aircraft (<20 seats). The Scheme will provide greater operational flexibility to the small aircraft operators, by allowing them to operate a maximum of 40% of annually quoted RCS seats and a minimum of 10% of annually quoted RCS seats in any given quarter.

    The Ministry of Civil Aviation further launched special bidding rounds to operationalize the routes those have been discontinued before completion of tenure or cancelled/terminated due to multiple reasons. In order to further enhance point-to-point air connectivity on such previously identified routes, bids under UDAN 5.3 and UDAN 5.4 were invited from all categories of airline operators. Consequently, UDAN 5.3 was launched in January 2024, while UDAN 5.4 is underway.

    Fueling Growth in the Aviation Industry

    RCS-UDAN is contributing to the growth of the civil aviation industry as many new and successful airlines have come up in the last seven years. The scheme has helped airline operators to start up and develop a sustainable business model. Additionally, it’s providing opportunities to small regional airlines Flybig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air and Fly91 to scale up their businesses and their successful run is evidence of the fact that the scheme is creating an amiable ecosystem conducive to airline business.

    Demand for new aircraft of all sizes

    The scheme’s incremental expansion has generated an escalating demand for new aircraft, concurrently broadening the spectrum of aircraft deployed. This augmentation encompasses a comprehensive range of aircraft and encompasses helicopters, seaplanes, 3-seat propeller planes, and jet planes. Presently, a diversified fleet, including Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, ATR 42 and 72, DHC Q400, Twin Otter, Embraer 145 and 175, Tecnam P2006T, Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, Dornier 228, Airbus H130, and Bell 407 is actively serving on the RCS routes. The heightened demand for aircraft is substantiated by Indian carriers’ orders, which exceed 1,000 aircraft slated for delivery over the next 10-15 years, representing a significant augmentation of India’s existing fleet, which currently comprises approximately 800 planes operated by various airlines.

    Promoting tourism

    RCS-UDAN is not solely dedicated to offering last-mile connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities; it also stands as a prominent contributor to the burgeoning tourism sector. UDAN 3.0 introduced tourism routes connecting several destinations in the Northeast region, while UDAN 5.1 is dedicated to expanding helicopter services in hilly regions to stimulate tourism, hospitality, and local economic growth.

    This initiative has successfully connected destinations such as Khajuraho, Deoghar, Amritsar, and Kishangarh (Ajmer), which have substantial relevance in religious tourism. The entire Northeast region’s tourism industry is experiencing a considerable upsurge due to the introduction of Pasighat, Ziro, Hollongi, and Tezu airports, fostering greater accessibility.The Scheme also achieved another milestone by bringingAgatti Island on the Indian aviation map, further boosting tourism in Lakshadweep.

    Boosting air connectivity

    From Mundra (Gujarat) to Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh andKullu in Himachal Pradesh to Salem in Tamil Nadu, RCS-UDAN hasconnected 34 States/UTs across the length and breadth of the country. A total of 86 aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN. Ten airports have been operationalized in the Northeast regionin addition to two heliports. Many airports that were operationalized under UDAN such as Darbhanga, Prayagraj, Hubli, Belgaum, Kannur, etc. have or may soon become sustainable with many non-RCS commercial flights operating from these airports.

    ******

    PSF/DK

    (Release ID: 2066529) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government provides certainty to horticulture and poultry businesses  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Government has underlined its commitment to the horticultural and poultry sectors by confirming measures to provide stability, including the allocation for the Seasonal Worker visa route for 2025.

    A package of measures to provide certainty and stability to farmers and growers in the UK’s horticulture, poultry and sheep sectors has been announced by the government today (Monday 21 October).   
     
    Underlining the government’s commitment to the horticultural and poultry sectors, the Seasonal Worker visa route has been confirmed for 2025, with a total of 43,000 Seasonal Worker visas available for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry next year. 

    This will provide certainty and will help the sector secure the labour and skills needed to bring high quality British produce, including strawberries, rhubarb, turkey and daffodils to market.  

    Alongside this, the government is taking action to keep costs down and protect poultry farmers from the impact of avian influenza and delivering fairness in the supply chain for sheep farmers by ensuring producers receive a fair price for their livestock through legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting.  

    Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said:  

    This government recognises that food security is national security, and this can only be achieved by supporting food and farming businesses.  

    Confirming the seasonal worker visa allocation for 2025 gives growers and producers certainty, allowing them to plan ahead and secure the labour they need to grow and thrive.    

    This package of measures will also support farmers by protecting our poultry producers from the impact of avian flu outbreaks and ensuring fairness in the sheep supply chain.

    As well as confirming visa numbers for 2025, Defra has also published the 2023 Seasonal Worker’s Survey report. This is an important part of Defra’s commitment to monitoring the welfare of the seasonal migrant workers who help bring home the horticulture harvest each year.

    Conducted in early 2024, the survey shows that the vast majority of respondents (91.0%) reported a positive experience from their time in the UK and 95% expressed a desire to return.  

    The government is working with industry to improve these numbers further through its farm compliance checks to ensure sponsors are adhering to their duties and undertaking welfare checks on workers, and working with international partners to ensure workers know what work to expect before they arrive and can avoid unnecessary costs and fees.  

    Measures announced on egg and poultry labelling will help farmers to deal with the impact of future avian influenza outbreaks.  

    Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced to protect birds from the spread of disease, eggs from free-range birds can only continue to be labelled as ‘free-range’ for 16 weeks after the housing order has come into effect – leading to significant costs to industry. The changes will mean that free-range eggs can continue to be labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.  

    This will be brought in through legislation due to be laid on 4 November, and is expected to take effect in January 2025, ensuring a level playing field for UK free-range egg producers against producers in the EU.    

    A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry is also being launched – proposing the removal of the current restrictions which mean that free range poultry can only be labelled as such for 12 weeks after the introduction of housing measures, and the removal of the need for optional indicator certificates to accompany imported poultry meat.  

    The government is also taking action to ensure fairness across the food supply chain to ensure producers receive a fair price for their livestock by bringing forward legislation to mandate sheep carcase classification and price reporting, bringing the sheep sector in line with the beef and pork sectors.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Over 120 thousand people have taken part in the Abilympics championship in 10 years

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The final of the National Championship of Professional Skills among Disabled People and People with Limited Health Abilities “Abilympics” will be held at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center in Moscow from October 26 to 29.

    October 21, 2024

    The final of the National Championship of Professional Skills among Disabled People and People with Limited Health Abilities “Abilympics” will be held at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center in Moscow from October 26 to 29.

    October 21, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    The final of the National Championship of Professional Skills among Disabled People and People with Limited Health Abilities “Abilympics” will be held at the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center in Moscow from October 26 to 29.

    The final of the National Championship of Professional Skills among Disabled People and People with Limited Health Abilities “Abilympics” will be held in the Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center in Moscow from October 26 to 29. The championship is being implemented within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism”. This year it will be held under the motto “Dream! Act! Win!”

    “In 2024, the Russian Abilympics movement turns 10. This is an important event in the history of inclusive education in Russia. Over the past time, the championship has become more than just a competition for people with disabilities, but a real guide to the world of professions. It helps schoolchildren, students and specialists realize their potential and develop talents – in accordance with the national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. Over 120 thousand people have taken part in the championship at all stages over 10 years. We are especially proud of the high level of employment: more than 93% have already found work, including those who are still studying,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The main goal of the Russian movement “Abilympics” is to form mechanisms for the comprehensive professional rehabilitation of people with disabilities and limited health capabilities, as well as the development of socio-cultural inclusion in society.

    Today, the championship covers all 89 regions of the country, and the number of competitive competencies has increased sevenfold over 10 years – from 29 to 206. About 2.5 thousand enterprises have become partners of the movement at all levels, and all key decisions are now made with the participation of representatives of public organizations of disabled people.

    “The Abilympics Championship includes two main stages. This year, regional stages were held from March to June in 89 subjects of the Russian Federation. Over 25 thousand people competed in 206 competencies, of which over 10 thousand were with disabilities of the first and second groups. I would like to note separately that this year the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions held regional championships for the first time on the basis of their professional institutions. I thank all the organizers for this work,” said Minister of Education Serhiy Kravtsov.

    Traditionally, the final of the national championship will be held in Moscow, where innovative approaches to ensuring special educational needs are widely implemented and an accessible environment is actively being formed. The site will host competitions in 50 basic and 11 presentation competencies, more than 1 thousand people from all regions of the country will compete for medals and the title of the best in their competence. This event is the largest and most recognizable in Russia in the field of skill development among disabled people and people with disabilities.

    This year, the championship final will be attended by more than 12 thousand people, including participants, heads of executive authorities of the regions of Russia, representatives of all-Russian organizations of the disabled, employer organizations, manufacturers of equipment for people with disabilities, educational and non-profit organizations, as well as delegations from friendly countries. Guests of the championship will be treated to a variety of events and activities: a job fair, career guidance consultations and testing, as well as many master classes.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/53066/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman Travels to Italy

    Source: USAID

    Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman will travel to Italy on October 21-24 to engage development partners on key priorities, as well as lead the U.S. delegation to the G7 Development Ministerial Meeting.

    The Deputy Administrator will have engagements in Rome on October 21, which will include convening donors and implementing partners to discuss the dire humanitarian conditions in Sudan, and speaking at a panel discussion on combating the ongoing crisis of child wasting. Deputy Administrator Coleman will emphasize U.S. government support for programs to prevent and treat malnutrition and continued evidence generation and learning. 

    Alongside other G7 development leaders in Pescara, Deputy Administrator Coleman will discuss approaches to mitigating the global food security crisis, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI), global health, and humanitarian needs around the world. She will also emphasize the U.S. government’s ongoing commitment to partnerships and collaboration with our allies and partners, showcase USAID’s efforts to support increased investment in sustainable infrastructure that delivers mutual economic benefits, and call for greater cooperation to increase access to quality health care for vulnerable populations around the world.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: EPA Settles with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC for Failure to Meet Coal Ash Regulations

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Settlement is part of EPA’s larger initiative to protect communities from coal ash contamination

    October 18, 2024

    PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Keystone-Conemaugh Projects, LLC (“KEY-CON”) of Blairsville, PA. This settlement commits KEY-CON to ensure that groundwater at its Conemaugh Generating Station (“Conemaugh”) in New Florence, PA is properly monitored and remediated, if necessary, and to pay a civil penalty of penalty of $185,927.

    The settlement is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative, Protecting Communities from Coal Ash Contamination. This Initiative is needed given the breadth and scope of observed noncompliance with the federal coal ash regulations. Coal ash, which is produced from the burning of coal for energy, is a large industrial waste stream (by volume) and contains certain contaminants known to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Prior to 2015, the management and disposal of coal ash was not regulated at the national level; instead, it was regulated to varying degrees, if at all, by some states. Historically, coal ash was typically disposed in unlined landfills and unlined surface impoundments many of which are in contact with groundwater.

    Without proper containment and management, contaminants from coal ash can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water and the air. The additional enforcement resources under EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to address this issue will help protect both water sources, including drinking water, as well as the often-overburdened communities who live near these units.

    “The Biden-Harris Administration takes seriously the threat to human health and the environment from coal ash contamination, especially in communities historically overburdened by pollution,” said EPA Region 3 Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Our goal is always to bring companies into compliance and ensure that everyone, regardless of zip code, is protected.”

    Conemaugh is a coal-powered electric generation facility and has disposed of coal ash in four Ash Filter Ponds (surface impoundments). KEY-CON has made improvements at its facility, such as installing geosynthetic liners in its Ash Filter Ponds and adding additional groundwater monitoring wells. If groundwater monitoring reveals contamination above the federal groundwater protection standards, then KEY-CON will be required by regulation to design and implement a corrective action program to address the detected contamination.

    In the agreement, EPA alleges that KEY-CON did not meet certain requirements under the coal ash program, including:

    • Failure to install a groundwater monitoring system that accurately characterizes the quality of groundwater passing the waste boundary of the coal ash unit;
    • Failure to monitor all potential contaminant pathways and install a sufficient number of wells to achieve the general performance standard of accurately representing the quality of both background groundwater and groundwater passing the waste boundary of Ash Filter Ponds;
    • Failure to adequately document the basis for including the minimum number of wells in the facility’s groundwater monitoring system; and
    • Failure to perform assessment monitoring after a statistically significant increase (SSI) over background levels was detected for one or more constituents listed in Appendix III to 40 C.F.R. Part 257.

    Read EPA’s Consent Agreement and Final Order here

    Background

    In April 2015, EPA established national rules for coal ash management and disposal to address:

    • Risks from disposal and discharge of coal ash, including leaking of contaminants into groundwater,
    • blowing of contaminants into the air as dust, and
    • Catastrophic failure of coal ash surface impoundments. 

    These rules established a comprehensive set of requirements for the safe handling and disposal of coal ash from coal-fired power plants, including technical requirements for coal ash landfills and surface impoundments.

    For more information on coal ash and the Agency’s coal ash program activities, please visit EPA’s Coal Ash (CCR) website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: EPA Announces Over $5.5M to Missouri Selectees to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Selectees have projects benefitting Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

    October 18, 2024

    LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 18, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections totaling nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants program, including over $5.5 million to Missouri selectees.

    This funding will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions, leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

    These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face particular public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors, including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, over half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks, and provide shore power to marine vessels.

    Missouri selectees may have projects in additional Region 7 states, as noted below:

    • The American Lung Association was selected to receive $1,715,131 to replace one diesel terminal tractor with one zero-emission terminal tractor; replace three diesel regional-haul delivery trucks with three zero-emission, regional-haul delivery trucks; replace 11 diesel refuse haulers with 11 compressed natural gas refuse haulers; and purchase eight auxiliary power units for line-haul locomotives. This selection will benefit projects in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
    • The Metropolitan Energy Center Inc. was selected to receive $2,832,804 to replace three diesel school buses with propane buses; replace four terminal trucks with battery-electric and install two direct-current, fast charger charging stations; and replace eight Class 6-7 delivery vans with battery-electric models. This selection will benefit projects in Kansas and Missouri.
    • The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission was selected to receive $117,164 to replace three dump trucks with new diesel engine vehicles.
    • The Leonardo Academy Inc. was selected to receive $912,017 to replace 16 diesel school buses with 16 propane-powered school buses. This selection will benefit projects in Missouri.

    All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still being processed. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Background

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA- and California Air Resources Board (CARB)-certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly 8 million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for awards, priority was given to projects that:

    • Are in areas designated as having poor air quality.
    • Reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities.
    • Benefit local communities.
    • Incorporate local communities in project planning.
    • Demonstrate planning or action toward reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts.
    • Illustrate preparation for workforce development.
    • Demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring that the DERA program delivers on the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more about the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    # # #

    Learn more about EPA Region 7

    Visit the Region 7 Media page

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: EPA Orders the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation to Comply with the Clean Water Act in Ponce, Puerto Rico

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    October 18, 2024

    PUERTO RICO – The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an administrative order to the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) requiring them to resolve Clean Water Act violations associated with the municipality’s separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and stormwater management program. DTPW owns and operates several storm sewer systems in Puerto Rico, including those located in PR-123 Road and PR-585 Road at Playa Ward in the Municipality of Ponce.

    “Stormwater management is crucial for safeguarding people’s health and the environment. It also helps prevent flooding, especially in coastal communities like Barrio Playa,” said Lisa F. Garcia, Region 2 Administrator. “EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act is addressing past issues such as poor management and flooding, and it is also ensuring a safer, healthier future for the residents of Barrio Playa.”

    EPA has received complaints from the local community about flooding events at PR-123 Road and PR-585 in Ponce Playa. EPA has been inspecting the system since 2022. EPA found that DTPW had not implemented a storm water management plan that would detect illegal discharges into their storm sewer systems at Ponce Playa. Illegal dumping and connections can result in serious pollutants like car oil and sewage getting into storm sewer systems. The most recent EPA investigation was conducted in August 2024. EPA was joined by officials from DTPW, Municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), and Ponce Playa community leaders. The inspection revealed that DTPW’s storm sewer systems lack required operation and maintenance, and unpermitted pollutants are being discharged into the system, to the detriment of the community.

    The order requires DTPW to take a number of actions, including:

    • Develop and submit to EPA a storm sewer map depicting DTPW’s MS4s at specified segments in Ponce Playa.
    • Investigate its storm sewer systems for any connection to PRASA’s sanitary sewer systems that may cause sanitary sewer overflows and notify PRASA of the results of such investigations.
    • Develop an inventory of DTPW’s storm sewer systems discharge outfalls and interconnections in Ponce Playa.
    • Prepare a work plan to perform assessments and make improvements. Thes plan will focus on identifying illegal discharges into the system; inspecting and cleaning storm sewer systems; and replacing or constructing infrastructure, if needed. Perform outfall monitoring for specific pollutants including enterococci, fecal coliform, ammonia, surfactants, boron, pH, and total phosphorus.

    The EPA order includes a detailed schedule for the performance of compliance measures that will result in the elimination of illicit discharges into the Caribbean Sea. 

    For more about EPA’s role in helping prevent Stormwater Pollution:  https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program.

    Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

    24-095

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris EPA announces nearly $2 million to upgrade older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions at three New England ports

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Connecticut Maritime Foundation, Inc. one of 70 selectees nationwide to reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects

    October 18, 2024

    Contact Information

    BOSTON (Oct. 18, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections totaling nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits. These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face particular public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA is tackling air pollution through innovative technologies, making a difference in everyday people’s lives, especially for those living in areas overburdened by pollution,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “With the selection of the Connecticut Maritime Foundation under EPA’s DERA program, we will implement cost-effective emission reductions at the port, improving air quality and protecting the health of surrounding communities and port workers.”

    The Connecticut Maritime Foundation, Inc. was selected to receive $1,999,953 to replace two Tier 0 propulsion engines with two Tier 4 certified propulsion engines and replace two Tier 0 auxiliary generator set engines with two Tier 3 auxiliary generator sets in a single tugboat which operates at the ports of New Haven, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island and Charlestown, Massachusetts. These higher tiered engines emit significantly less pollution.

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly 8 million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

    • Are in areas designated as having poor air quality.
    • Reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities.
    • Benefit local communities.
    • Incorporate local communities in project planning.
    • Demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts.
    • Illustrate preparation for workforce development.
    • Demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $125 Million to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions that are Better for Our Communities

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition in Kentucky to receive $689,772 to replace sixteen municipal on-road and nonroad utility vehicles with ten new vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction

    October 18, 2024

    LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 18, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections totaling nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits. These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    “By promoting clean diesel technologies, these grants help to update fleets with cleaner equipment and reduce harmful diesel exhaust,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “Through these upgrades, communities will continue to see improved health outcomes for their residents, ensuring all communities breathe cleaner air.” 

     

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly eight million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

    • in areas designated as having poor air quality;
    • reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities;
    • benefit local communities;
    • incorporate local communities in project planning;
    • demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts;
    • illustrate preparation for workforce development; and
    • demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $12.1 Million Across Mid-Atlantic to Upgrade Older Diesel Engines to Cleaner and Zero-Emission Solutions that are Better for Our Communities

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    Five selectees in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia will reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects, including upgrades to fire trucks, municipal fleets, and construction equipment

    October 18, 2024

    PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections across the Mid-Atlantic totaling approximately $12.1 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These upgrades will result in significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    “The Biden-Harris Administration is once again delivering on its commitments to ensure clear air for all, regardless of zip code or background,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “These investments will have positive impacts on the neighbors of today and tomorrow, and on communities well into the future.”

    Mid-Atlantic Regional Selectees:

    • Government of the District of Columbia – $3,467,780
      • Replace one fire truck with one Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV)
      • Replace one refuse truck with one ZEV
      • Replace five Transportation Refrigeration Units with Zero Emission Equipment
      • Replace four transit vehicles with ZEVs
    • Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition – $689,772
      • Replace 16 municipal on-road and nonroad utility vehicles with 10 new vehicles equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction
    • Maryland Environmental Service – $3,474,392
      • Replace 13 terminal tractors with eight zero-emission units and five tier 4 final engines
      • Replace 23 forklifts with zero-emission units
      • Replace three tire manipulation trucks, two diesel-powered mobile pumps, and one diesel-powered air compressor with tier 4 final engines
    • James Madison University – $3,500,000
      • Replace 72 short haul combination diesel engines with renewable Compressed Natural Gas trucks
    • Virginia Port Authority – $972,000
      • Replace four diesel utility tractor rigs with four new battery electric utility tractor rigs

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects totally $125 million to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly eight million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

    • in areas designated as having poor air quality;
    • reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities;
    • benefit local communities;
    • incorporate local communities in project planning;
    • demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts;
    • illustrate preparation for workforce development; and
    • demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris EPA announces nearly $5.6 million to upgrade older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions in Massachusetts

    Source: US Environment Protection Agency

    City of Boston and Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. two of 70 selectees nationwide to reduce diesel emissions across a range of projects, including upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment

    October 18, 2024

    Contact Information

    MASSACHUSETTS (Oct. 18, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced selections totaling nearly $125 million under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants Program which will incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of older diesel engines to cleaner and zero-emission solutions leading to significant emission reductions and air quality and public health benefits. These awards are in final workplan negotiations with the tentatively selected applicants. The DERA program prioritizes projects in areas that face air quality impacts, especially those projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and other areas that face particular public health or environmental justice risks or impacts.

    “Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still over-burdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution, and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”

    “Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA is tackling air pollution through innovative technologies, making a difference in everyday people’s lives, especially for those living in areas overburdened by pollution,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Through the selection of the City of Boston and the Columbia Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, we will see cost-effective emission reductions which will improve air quality and protect the health of our children, nearby communities, and port workers.

    In Massachusetts, the City of Boston was selected to receive a total of $4 million under two grants and the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. will receive nearly $1.6 million. The City of Boston is receiving $2 million to retrofit battery electric engines on 15 diesel school buses and install 15 direct current fast chargers and supporting infrastructure and $2 million to replace ten Class 7 diesel school buses with ten battery-electric school buses and to install ten direct current fast chargers and supporting infrastructure. The Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition is receiving $1,554,999 to replace three excavators and five dumpers/tenders with Tier 4 ultra-low sulfur diesel excavators and dumpers/tenders at a port in Everett, Massachusetts.

    In total, EPA has tentatively selected approximately 70 national DERA projects to reduce diesel emissions across a range of transportation sectors including the engine replacements and upgrades to school buses, port equipment, and construction equipment. In addition to funding new cleaner diesel technologies, more than half of these selections will support replacing older equipment and vehicles with zero-emission technologies, such as all-electric school buses, terminal tractors, drayage trucks and provide shore power to marine vessels. All selected projects will reduce diesel pollution and benefit local communities, including disadvantaged communities and other areas facing environmental justice concerns. A small number of awards are still under processing. Once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied and additional selections are finalized, the EPA will update the DERA National Awards webpage.

    Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board  certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. Reducing emissions from diesel engines is one of the most important air quality challenges facing the country. New diesel engines must meet tight standards, however, nearly 8 million legacy diesel engines across transportation sectors remain in service and emit higher levels of harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. These pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death.

    In selecting projects for award, priority was given to projects that:

    • Are in areas designated as having poor air quality.
    • Reduce emissions from ports and other goods movement facilities.
    • Benefit local communities.
    • Incorporate local communities in project planning.
    • Demonstrate planning or action towards reducing vulnerabilities to climate impacts.
    • Illustrate preparation for workforce development.
    • Demonstrate an ability to continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

    DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emissions reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets. EPA is committed to ensuring the DERA Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

    Read more information on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: FBI and CISA Issue Public Service Announcement Warning of Tactics Foreign Threat Actors are Using to Spread Disinformation in the 2024 U.S. General Election

    News In Brief – Source: US Computer Emergency Readiness Team

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued their final four-part joint public service announcement (PSA) today titled “Just So You Know: Foreign Threat Actors Likely to Use a Variety of Tactics to Develop and Spread Disinformation During the 2024 U.S. General Election Cycle.” This PSA highlights efforts by foreign actors to spread disinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. general election with the goal of casting doubt on the integrity of the democratic process and sowing partisan discord. Foreign adversaries are using a variety of sophisticated disinformation campaigns, often leveraging new tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), to craft and spread misleading content. 

    “As we approach Election Day, it is important to remember that while elections are political, election security is not. Election security is national security. Our foreign adversaries are looking to attack our democratic process to further their own objectives, and we need the help of all Americans in ensuring they are not successful,” said CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley.  “There has been incredible effort across local, state and federal governments to ensure the security and integrity of our nation’s election infrastructure. Americans should be confident that their votes will be counted as cast.  They should also know that our foreign adversaries will try to make them believe otherwise. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, verify the information they consume, and rely on trusted sources like their state and local election officials.” 

    The PSA highlights specific examples of tactics we have seen used by Russia and Iran during the 2024 election cycle to target all Americans. These include things from mimicking national level media outlets like the Washington Post and Fox News and creating inauthentic news sites posing as legitimate media organizations to using paid influencers to hide their hand. It is important for voters to critically evaluate information sources, particularly as disinformation campaigns evolve to use AI-generated content. Both agencies urge the American public to rely on trusted information from state and local election officials and to verify claims through multiple reliable sources before sharing them on social media or other platforms. 

    For more information on how to protect yourself from disinformation, visit the official websites of the FBI and CISA’s dedicated election security webpage, cisa.gov/Protect2024.  

    ###

    About CISA 

    As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

    Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: DCR News Release – Campaign underway to recruit additional positions within DCR

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DCR News Release – Campaign underway to recruit additional positions within DCR

    Posted on Oct 18, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION

    KA ‘OIHANA HOʻOMALU KALAIMA A HOʻOPONOPONO OLA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

     

    TOMMY JOHNSON

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 18, 2024

     

    Campaign underway to recruit additional positions within DCR

     

    HONOLULU — With considerable job vacancy woes across all state departments, maintaining vital government functions has become increasingly challenging. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR), which operates eight correctional facilities across the state, has felt the effects of a chronic shortage of employees, but has been taking aggressive steps to rise to the recruitment challenge.

    Over the summer, the DCR launched a multifaceted “Unlocking Potential” recruitment campaign to address its greatest need: filling vacancies of adult corrections officers (ACO).

    At the start of the year, there were more than 425 vacant ACO positions of the 1,535 authorized positions for Hawai‘i‘s correctional facilities.

    The campaign generated more than 755 eligible applicants and filled nearly 190 adult corrections officer positions (including 89-day temporary hires) from January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.

    During the same time period last year, there were approximately 570 eligible applicants and approximately 100 adult corrections officer positions (including 89-day temporary hires) filled.

    As of October 15, 2024, there are nearly 370 vacant corrections officer positions.

     

    DCR Director Tommy Johnson said, “We seek to fill our positions with individuals with the right temperament and attitude. We also conduct thorough background checks that include a criminal history check, psychological examination and physical fitness assessment.”

    “It is not easy. Not everyone makes it through our rigorous screening process and training, but we are making steady progress,” Director Johnson said.

    Another key component of the department’s stepped-up recruitment efforts involves using 89-day temporary hires to fast-track the hiring process, and serves as a way for new hires to assess whether the job is a good fit for them before applying for a permanent position.

    DCR also doubled its recruit training classes to six classes this year from two to three classes.

    What’s more, the starting pay for adult corrections officers increased to approximately $64,000 a year, an increase from $61,200 a year, effective July 1, 2024.

    This year, the recruitment strategy involved engaging teams of off-duty adult corrections officers to conduct on-the-spot interviews of prospective candidates at the Hawaiʻi Career Expo.

    Adult corrections officers will be at the upcoming Career Expo at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 9 am to 2 pm.

    The DCR is now expanding its recruitment efforts to other job positions within the department, positions that are instrumental to the department’s mission: provide rehabilitative services to inmates as well as reduce recidivism.

    “Recruiting adult corrections officers continues to be our priority. We’re building on the foundation of our adult corrections officer campaign, and are now launching our new ‘Champions of Change’ campaign, featuring real employees who hold other job positions to support the inmates and other correctional and administrative functions,” Johnson said.

    This latest recruitment promotes positions in education, health care services, including nursing and behavioral health care or mental health, food service, human resources and other areas.

    Interviews with DCR employees in these areas will be used for a series of recruitment videos. They will be posted on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website and used as recruitment tools through social media.

    “These positions are just as important to help ensure our inmates receive the support services they need to be equipped and ready for release back into the community,” Johnson said. “Like the adult corrections officers, we are looking for extraordinary individuals. Candidates for these positions must have a deep commitment to helping others realize their full potential. They must be champions of change who want to guide inmates who want to be reunited with their families again and are ready to begin a new chapter in their lives.”

    “One of the reasons we changed our name from the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was to emphasize our role in supporting those in our custody and care. Our campaign invites those who share our same vision,” Johnson added.

    # # #

     

     

    Media Contact:

    Rosemarie Bernardo

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

    Office: 808-587-1358

    Cell: 808-683-5507

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Lifting the Advisory for Blue-green Algae at Larkin Pond

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) recommend lifting the advisory for recreational activities at Larkin Pond in South Kingstown. The advisory was related to high levels of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

    Recent consecutive surveys and sample analysis confirmed that blue-green algae have been present but at acceptably low levels and that cyanotoxin is not present in detectable concentrations. These findings meet the advisory guidelines and support lifting the advisory.

    Blue-green algae conditions can change quickly, and it is possible that blooms may affect Larkin Pond or other waterbodies in Rhode Island. The public should avoid contact with any body of water that is bright green or has a dense, floating algal mat on the water’s surface. Blue-green algae blooms may look like green paint or thick pea soup. Toxins may persist in the water after a blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

    For more information and current advisories, consult RIDEM’s website http://www.dem.ri.gov/bluegreen. To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact RIDEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Waikato swampland fire Update #2

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    The ground and air response to a scrub fire burning in swampland off Island Block Road, near Meremere in North Waikato has been stood down for the night.
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand Incident Commander Shane Bromley says the fire is not contained but is burning slowly through swampland.
    “Houses along Island Block Road are no longer threatened,” he says.
    “A crew will monitor the situation overnight, and we will resume our air attack at first light tomorrow morning.”
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the fire around 1.15pm. It has since spread through approximately 35 hectares of scrub and swampland.
    There will be another update after 8am tomorrow. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.207 [2024]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.207 [2024]

    (Open Market Operations Office, October 21, 2024)

    In order to keep liquidity adequate at a reasonable level in the banking system, the People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB208.9 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on October 21, 2024.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Volume

    Rate

    7 days

    RMB208.9 billion

    1.50%

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2024年10月21日

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah pays homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah pays homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi

    Police personnel across the country are determined to fulfil Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of building a fully developed India

    Central structure at the National Police Memorial symbolizes the unwavering commitment of our soldiers to duty, their profound patriotism, and willingness to make the supreme sacrifice

    Country will always be indebted to the police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duty

    Welfare of police personnel is the priority of Modi government

    Modi Government has introduced many welfare schemes related to health, housing and scholarships for police personnel

    The National Police Memorial built by PM Modi in honour of the sacrifice of the Jawans will continue to inspire our youth and remind citizens that the safety and progress we enjoy today is because of the supreme sacrifice of thousands of soldiers

    In the last decade, due to the dedication of the security forces, Left Wing Extremism, decades-long unrest in Kashmir and the North-East came to an end

    Country is facing challenges like drones, narcotics trade, cybercrime, attempts to spread unrest through AI

    No matter how big the threats and challenges are, they will not be able to stand in front of the unwavering resolve of our soldiers

    Soldiers have given their supreme sacrifice for the country and this is why the country is progressing

    On this day in 1959, 10 CRPF soldiers sacrificed their lives while fighting the Chinese army, that is why this day is celebrated as Police Memorial Day

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 2:52PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi today. On this occasion, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Shri Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary, Shri Tapan Kumar Deka, Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), senior officers of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and several other dignitaries were present.

    In his address, Union Home Minister said that the Jawans of the police forces safeguard India’s borders from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Kibithu. He mentioned that the personnel of the forces are always guarding us and the borders, whether it is day or night, during festivals or disasters, in extreme heat, rain, or cold waves.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the central structure at the National Police Memorial symbolizes the unwavering commitment of our soldiers to duty, their profound patriotism, and their willingness to make the supreme sacrifice. He mentioned that on this very day in 1959, 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel bravely faced the Chinese army and sacrificed their lives. Shri Shah said that after becoming Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi decided to build a police memorial in the heart of Delhi to honour the sacrifice of these soldiers. He further stated that this police memorial will continue to inspire our youth and remind citizens that the safety and progress we enjoy today is because of the supreme sacrifice of thousands of these soldiers. He added that 36,468 police personnel have laid down their lives for the safety and security of the country, which has enabled the nation to progress. He also mentioned that in the last one year, 216 police personnel sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, and the country will forever be indebted to these brave soldiers.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that there has been a tradition of our police forces making the supreme sacrifice for the security of the nation. He added that we also have a proud history where brave soldiers, from the icy and treacherous peaks of the Himalayas to the harsh deserts of Kutch and Barmer and the vast oceans, safeguard the country fearlessly, ensuring its security.

    Shri Amit Shah said that there was disruption of peace in Jammu & Kashmir, Left-wing extremism affected areas, and the Northeast for decades, but in the past decade, we have succeeded in establishing peace due to the dedication and efficiency of our security forces. He added that, however, our fight is not over yet. Emerging threats like drones, narcotics trade, cybercrime, attempts to spread unrest through Artificial Intelligence (AI), conspiracies to incite religious sentiments, infiltration, smuggling of illegal weapons, and terrorism are the challenges we face today. Shri Shah stated that no matter how big the threats and challenges are, they cannot stand in the face of the unwavering resolve of our soldiers.

    Union Home Minister said that the police personnel across the country are determined to fulfil Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of building a fully developed India by 2047. He mentioned that the implementation of the three new criminal laws passed by the country’s Parliament has already begun in all the states and union territories. He said that once these laws are fully implemented, our criminal justice system will become the most modern justice system in the world. He further added that in any crime registered in any corner of the country, justice will be served within three years, right up to the Supreme Court. He emphasized that the path to overcoming delays in justice lies in the implementation of these three new laws.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi Government has introduced many schemes for the welfare of police personnel. He mentioned that through Ayushman CAPF scheme, more than 41 lakhs cards have been distributed and 13 lakh claims worth about Rs. 1422 crore have been settled. He said that health of our Jawans and their families is being taken care of anywhere through this card. He said that in the housing scheme also, we have set a target to increase the housing satisfaction ratio. Shri Shah said that the Modi government had approved the construction of 13,000 houses and 113 barracks at a cost of Rs. 3100 crore in 2015, out of which 11,276 houses and 111 barracks have been completed by March 2024. He said through CAPF e-Awas web portal, vacant houses have been allotted. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme has proved to be a blessing for the children of our police personnel. Along with this, 26 seats in MBBS and 3 seats in BDS have also been reserved for the dependents of CAPF personnel. Increasing the central ex-gratia amount to lump-sum compensation provides great relief to the families of our jawans.

     

    Union Home Minister said that our police personnel, especially the personnel of CAPFs, perform many other tasks in addition to maintaining law and order and ensuring the security of the country. He said that from 2019 to 2024, CAPF personnel have planted about 5 crore 80 lakh 90 thousand saplings and are taking care of them like their own child. Shri Shah said that through the Civic Action Programme, efforts are being made to bring all the schemes of the Government of India and state governments to the citizens in all border districts. Home Minister said that the sacrifice of the jawans who laid down their lives for the country will not go in vain. He said that due to the sacrifices of these soldiers, the security of the country will be ensured and by 2047, India will emerge as a developed nation. He added that this grateful nation will always remember the sacrifices of these jawans with reverence during the centenary of independence.

    *****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2066653) Visitor Counter : 100

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: HSBC Bank Plc – Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) – Learning Technologies Group plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
    Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.         KEY INFORMATION

    (a) Name of exempt principal trader: HSBC Bank Plc
    (b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
         Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Learning Technologies Group plc
    (c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: OFFEROR: GASC APF, L.P. and certain of its managed or advised funds (including Atlantic Park), accounts and/or affiliates (collectively, General Atlantic)
    (d) Date dealing undertaken: 18 October 2024
    (e) In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?
         If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A      

    2.         DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales

     

    		 Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received
    (GBP)    		 Lowest price per unit paid/received
    (GBP)
     

    Ordinary Shares

    		  

    Purchase

    		 49,342 92.802 p 91.946 p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description Nature of dealing Number of reference securities Price per unit (GBP)
    e.g. CFD e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 7,115 91.840 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 5,154 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 742 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 8,973 92.302 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,426 92.052 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 751 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 195 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,341 92.282 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 2,643 92.053 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,392 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 362 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 2,485 92.282 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 2,053 92.053 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,081 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 281 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,930 92.282 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 2,132 92.052 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,122 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 292 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 2,004 92.282 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,004 91.920 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 648 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 115 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,138 92.297 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 966 91.846 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 691 92.802 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 101 92.001 p
    ­ Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 1,205 92.301 p

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)         Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

     

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
       

     

    		    

    3.         OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included.  If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)  the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    None
    Date of disclosure: 21 October 2024
    Contact name: Dhruti Singh
    Telephone number: 0207 088 2000

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. 

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Hyperscale Data Announces Twenty-Eight Consecutive Monthly Cash Dividend Payments Timely Paid for Series D Preferred Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), today announced that it has successfully paid twenty-eight consecutive monthly cash dividends for its 13.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”). Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock are cumulative and are payable out of amounts legally available therefor at a rate equal to 13.00% per annum per $25.00 of stated liquidation preference per share, or $0.2708333 per share of Series D Preferred Stock per month.

    Milton “Todd” Ault III, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Company, stated, “We could not be happier with the Company’s progress and its commitment to the strength of the Series D Preferred Stock dividend. The Company remains committed to the long-term nature of the dividend and will continue to work towards enhancing the Company’s credit profile which should ultimately assist the Company as it transitions into a pure-play data center business.”

    Link to NYSE quote for the Company’s 13.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock: https://www.nyse.com/quote/XASE:GPUSpD

    For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors, and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at https://hyperscaledata.com/ or available at http://www.sec.gov.

    About Hyperscale Data, Inc.

    Hyperscale Data is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact. Through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines Bitcoin and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging artificial intelligence ecosystems and other industries. It also provides mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including a social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma, hotel operations and textiles. In addition, Hyperscale Data is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141; Hyperscale Data, Inc.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8- K. All filings are available at http://www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at http://www.hyperscaledata.com.

    Hyperscale Data Investor Contact:
    IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235

    The MIL Network –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bilibili Inc. Announces Repurchase Right Notification for 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bilibili Inc. (“Bilibili” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BILI and HKEX: 9626), an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China, today announced that it is notifying holders of its 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (CUSIP No. 090040AF3) (the “Notes”) that, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of November 23, 2021 (the “Indenture”) relating to the Notes by and between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, each holder has the right, at the option of such holder, to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of US$1,000 principal amount for cash on December 1, 2024 (the “Repurchase Right”). Holders of the Notes may exercise the Repurchase Right from 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

    As required by rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company will file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO today. In addition, documents specifying the terms, conditions, and procedures for exercising the Repurchase Right will be available through the Depository Trust Company and the paying agent, which is Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. None of the Company, its board of directors, or its employees has made or is making any representation or recommendation to any holder as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the Repurchase Right.

    The Repurchase Right entitles each holder of the Notes to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of US$1,000 principal amount. The repurchase price for such Notes will be an amount in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, December 1, 2024, which is the date specified for repurchase in the Indenture (the “Repurchase Date”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes. The Repurchase Date is an interest payment date under the terms of the Indenture and the Notes. As December 1, 2024 is a Sunday, pursuant to the Indenture and the Notes, on Monday, December 2, 2024, which is the next succeeding business day, the Company will pay accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes through November 29, 2024 to all holders who were holders of record as of close of business on Friday, November 15, 2024, regardless of whether the Repurchase Right is exercised with respect to such Notes, with the same force and effect as if paid on December 1, 2024 and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay. As a result, on the Repurchase Date, there will be no accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes. As of October 21, 2024, there was US$432,407,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding. If all outstanding Notes are surrendered for repurchase through exercise of the Repurchase Right, the aggregate cash purchase price will be US$432,407,000.

    In order to exercise the Repurchase Right, a holder must follow the transmittal procedures set forth in the Company’s Repurchase Right Notice to holders (the “Repurchase Right Notice”), which is available through the Depository Trust Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Holders may withdraw any previously tendered Notes pursuant to the terms of the Repurchase Right at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, which is the second business day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date. If a holder has tendered any Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Right, such Notes cannot be converted unless the holder withdraws the tender in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

    This press release is for information only and is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of the Company. The offer to purchase the Notes will be only pursuant to, and the Notes may be tendered only in accordance with, the Company’s Repurchase Right Notice dated October 21, 2024 and related documents.

    Holders of the Notes should refer to the Indenture for a complete description of repurchase procedures and direct any questions concerning the mechanics of repurchase to the Trustee by contacting Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Holders of Notes may request the Company’s Repurchase Right Notice from the paying agent, at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, c/o DB Services Americas Inc., 5022 Gate Parkway Suite 200, MS JCK01-218, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

    HOLDERS OF NOTES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE TO, REPURCHASE RIGHT NOTICE, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BILIBILI INC. AND THE REPURCHASE RIGHT.

    Materials filed with the SEC will be available electronically without charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Documents filed with the SEC may also be obtained without charge at the Company’s investor relations website, http://ir.bilibili.com.

    About Bilibili Inc.

    Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of young generations in China. Bilibili offers a wide array of video-based content with All the Videos You Like as its value proposition. Bilibili builds its community around aspiring users, high- quality content, talented content creators and the strong emotional bonds among them. Bilibili pioneered the “bullet chatting” feature, a live comment function that has transformed our users’ viewing experience by displaying the thoughts and feelings of audience members viewing the same video. The Company has now become the welcoming home of diverse interests among young generations in China and the frontier for promoting Chinese culture across the world.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.bilibili.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China:
    Bilibili Inc.
    Juliet Yang
    Tel: +86-21-2509-9255 Ext. 8523
    E-mail: ir@bilibili.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:
    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 24, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 5,231 5,232 5,233 5,234 5,235 … 5,934
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress