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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visits the cultural corridor highlighting the technological advancement in the handloom sector, particularly by the North Eastern Region (NER) in the ongoing ITU-WTSA 2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visits the cultural corridor highlighting the technological advancement in the handloom sector, particularly by the North Eastern Region (NER) in the ongoing ITU-WTSA 2024

    The corridor beautifully combines India’s rich cultural traditions with its technological advancements, captivating delegates from around the world.

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 10:57AM by PIB Delhi

    The Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri. Jyotiraditya M Scindia yesterday visited the vibrant Cultural Corridorwhich has been set up at Bharat Mandapam to share a glimpse of India’s rich heritage with thousands of international delegates participating in the ITU-WTSA 2024. The corridor features exquisite handlooms and handicrafts from various corners of the country, displayed and available for display and purchase at 14 stalls organized by the Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Development of North eastern Region DONER.

    The corridor also highlights technological advancements in the handloom sector, particularly by the Northeastern Region (NER). Delegates can experience India’s technological leadership through its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which facilitates cashless transactions for goods and services during the event via UPI services.

    Another notable highlight of technology adoption is a demonstration of NEHHDC’s (North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd) case study on the application of Blockchain for the Traceability of Eri cocoon “fibre to fashion” value chain. NEHHDC is working with LW3 to design and develop Digital Product Passport for handloom sector that uses blockchain technology and unique non cloneable QR codes to create a digital passport for handloom and handicraft products using Eri silk cocoon as sustainable fibre. This passport provides transparency, traceability, and authenticity, ensuring fair trade practices and protecting the intellectual property of artisans and weavers. By recording the product’s journey, chain of custody, and consumer interaction with the artisan and weaverd, LW3 empowers consumers to make informed choices and supports a more ethical and sustainable market for handcrafted goods. The platform also allows artisans to gain social recognition through positive consumer feedback.

    Additionally, the corridor features three stalls dedicated to NEHHDC under MoDONER, showcasing handlooms and handicrafts from the Northeastern states. Highlights include the Shaphee Lanphee from Manipur, at the Handlooms of North Eastern Region stall. The Handicrafts of North Eastern Region stall features items like cane sling bags and coin purses by artist Mrs. Keisham Babita Devi from Manipur. Additionally, the Technology Adoption in Handlooms of NER stall showcases Manipuri home textiles by National Awardee Smt. Indira Chirom and provides insight into traditional Manipuri weaving techniques passed down through generations. Textiles crafted on loin looms, throw shuttles, and fly shuttle looms, including Enaphees and Moirangphees, are also on display.

    Overall, The Cultural Corridor includes artisans who are National Awardees and skilled craftspeople, presenting a diverse array of handloom and handicraft products from various states, including Kutch shawls and Tangaliya weaves from Gujarat, Manipuri home textiles, Kullu shawls from Himachal Pradesh, and Pochampally Ikat from Telangana.

    The visit was a part of the side events of the ongoing WTSA 24 & IMC24 being held in New Delhi. The event marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s digital journey, reinforcing the country’s commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced communication technologies.

    About WTSA 2024:

    WTSA 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as a platform for the development and implementation of global telecommunications standards, uniting regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of communications worldwide.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Launch of Pilot projects in Steel Sector under the National Green Hydrogen Mission

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 11:21AM by PIB Delhi

    As part of National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Union Government has sanctioned three pilot projects for use of Hydrogen in steel production. Earlier the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had issued guidelines for Implementation of Pilot projects in Steel Sector under this Mission.

    The objectives of the scheme were to identify advance technologies for utilizing green hydrogen in steelmaking, through pilot projects. These pilot projects can demonstrate safe and secure operations of green hydrogen-based steel making processes, validating technical feasibility and performance, evaluating their economic viability thereby leading to low-carbon iron and steel production. Accordingly, the proposals were invited for three components (i) Pilot project to produce DRI using 100 % Hydrogen using vertical shaft, (ii) Use of Hydrogen in Blast Furnace to reduce coal/ coke consumption and (iii) Injection of Hydrogen in vertical shaft based DRI making unit.

    Based on the evaluations of the proposals received, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has sanctioned total three pilot projects in the steel sector, (a) Matrix Gas and Renewables Ltd (Consortium members: Gensol Engineering Ltd, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Metsol AB, Sweden) with pilot plant capacity 50 ton-per-day (TPD), (b) Simplex Castings Ltd (Consortium member: BSBK Pvt. Ltd., Ten Eight Investment, IIT Bhilai) with pilot plant capacity 40 TPD and  (c) Steel Authority of India Ltd (Ranchi) with plant capacity 3200 TPD.

    The total financial support made available will be Rs. 347 Crore from the Government of India. These pilot projects are likely to be commissioned in next 3 years, paving way to the scaleup of such technologies in India.

    The Scheme Guidelines can be accessed here.

    The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on 04th January 2023 with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30. It will contribute to India’s goal to become Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) through clean energy and serve as an inspiration for the global Clean Energy Transition. The Mission will lead to significant decarbonization of the economy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to assume technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.

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    Navin Sreejith

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to launch ‘Karmayogi Saptah’ – National Learning Week on 19th October

    Source: Government of India

    PM to launch ‘Karmayogi Saptah’ – National Learning Week on 19th October

    Each Karmayogi to achieve at least 4 hours of competency-linked learning

    Ministries and Departments to organise workshops and seminars to enhance domain-specific competencies

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 11:42AM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the ‘Karmayogi Saptah’ – National Learning Week on 19th October at around 10:30 AM at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

    Mission Karmayogi was launched in September 2020 and it has made substantial progress since then. It envisions a future-ready civil service rooted in Indian ethos, with a global perspective.

    The National Learning Week (NLW) will be the largest event of its kind providing fresh impetus towards individual and organisational capacity development for Civil Servants. This initiative will stimulate a renewed commitment to learning and development. NLW aims to create a “One Government” message, align everyone with national goals and promote lifelong learning.

    NLW will be dedicated to learning through various forms of engagement by individual participants and Ministries, Departments, and Organizations. During NLW, each Karmayogi will commit to achieving a target of at least 4 hours of competency-linked learning. The participants may complete the targeted hours through a mix of individual role-based modules on iGOT, webinars (public lectures/policy masterclasses) by eminent persons. During the week, eminent speakers will deliver talks on their areas of prominence and help them work towards citizen-centric delivery in a much more effective manner. During the week, the Ministries, Departments and Organisations will also organise seminars and workshops to enhance domain specific competencies.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ITUWTSA 2024 Champions Gender Equality in Telecommunication Standards with Historic Milestone in Women’s Leadership Participation

    Source: Government of India

    ITUWTSA 2024 Champions Gender Equality in Telecommunication Standards with Historic Milestone in Women’s Leadership Participation

    Witnessed highest ever female participation in the history of ITUWTSA events, marking a significant step toward gender-balanced delegations and leadership roles

    Boosting women’s participation in standards development is not just about numbers—it’s about ensuring that women’s voices are heard, empowering future leaders, and fostering inclusion: Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the ITU

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 11:44AM by PIB Delhi

    The ITU-WTSA 24 which is being held in Delhi in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, saw a landmark event yesterday, focused on promoting gender diversity in the field of telecommunication standardization. The special event, The Network of Womenin Standards (NoW), led by the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T), underscored the commitment to advancing women’s leadership roles in STEM and standardisation.This topic is particularly significant for India as the government is implementing various measures to create an inclusive technology sector and empower women through technology platforms, in line with the vision of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, who advocates for women-led development. India is making progress in this area, with an increasing number of women co-founders in startups and over 40% of participants in STEM education being women. Initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi, Bank Sakhi, and Mahila E-Haat are empowering women to take on leadership roles in technology.

     

    The Network of Women (NoW) in ITU-T, aligned with WTSA Resolution 55 (Rev. Geneva, 2022), is dedicated to fostering active female participation in standardization activities and ensuring a gender-inclusive approach across all ITU-T processes. This initiative is critical as the global push for digital inclusion accelerates, with women playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.

     

    In her opening remarks, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the ITU, emphasized the importance of addressing gender imbalances in the field. She stated, “We can, and we must, increase the number of women in leadership roles, especially in our standards study groups. It’s crucial for women to step up, take the floor, and make their voices heard. This is what the Network of Women stands for—creating an environment where women feel empowered and supported. Mentorship plays a vital role in this transformation. It’s through mentoring, creating opportunities, and sharing our knowledge that we can truly progress. If there is no seat at the table, we must bring our own chair—and bring one more for those who will follow. Let’s continue pushing forward, lifting each other up, and ensuring that the digital future is shaped by all of humanity. Together, we can and will make real progress toward digital inclusion.”

    Dr. Rim Belhassine-Cherif, Chair of NoW, ITU-T, and Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer responsible for Digital Transformation at Tunisie Télécom, highlighted the progress made in achieving gender balance at ITU-WTSA 2024. She noted, “One of the key objectives of ITU-WTSA 2024 was to promote gender-balanced delegations and increase the number of women in leadership roles, particularly as heads of delegations. Through various initiatives such as panel discussions, training sessions, tutorials, and the support of regional preparatory groups, we have achieved the highest-ever participation rate of women in ITU-WTSAhistory.”

    The increasing involvement of women in ICT standardization is crucial as disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerge. Women’s contributions can help ensure the development of inclusive, equitable, and sustainable standards that will drive technological progress for the benefit of all humanity.

    The event featured a dynamic fireside chat, moderated by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, with Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Burkina Faso, and Neha Satak, Founder & CEO of Astrome. The discussion focused on closing the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and in standardization. Panelists stressed the importance of a supportive environment and early capacity building to encourage more girls to pursue careers in tech.

    Expert panelists examined and discussed the challenges surrounding gender equality in AI and shed light on incentives and opportunities for technical standards to support inclusive AI during panel discussion on “Standards for inclusive AI”.  Also discussed were the ways to explore how standards could help address gender bias and ensure an equitable future. The session was  moderated by Ms Susan Ferguson, UN Women India Representative and panelists were Prof Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board, Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (Portugal’s national regulatory authority for the communications sector), Mr Vishnu Ram, AI expert, Vice Chair of ITU Focus Group on Autonomous Networks, Dr Alessandra Sala, Sr. Director of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Shutterstock, Global President of Women in AI, Dr Ebtesam Almazrouei, Founder and CEO of AIE3, Expert AI Executive and Tech Visionary Leader and MsPico Velazquez, founder & CEO at VIIRA, Computational Architect & Multiverse Thought Leader.

    The session also recognised the leading women in ITU Standardisation. Mr. Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and Ms. Madhu Arora, Member, Technology/Digital Communication Commission, Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Communications, Government of India felicitated Dr. Rim Belhassine-Cherif, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, TunisieTélécom, Tunisia; Dr. Hyoung Jun Kim, Vice Chair, NoW, Chair of ITU-T;Ms. Rebecca MukiteNoW in ITU-T Regional Representatives, Africa; Ms. Tania Villa, Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT), Mexico; Ms Basma Tawfik, International Organizations Manager National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt​; Ms Miho Naganuma, TSAG Vice Chair, Senior Executive professional, NEC Corporation, Japan; Ms Maria Bolshakova, Acting Deputy Director General, Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC), Russia; Ms Izabela Iglewska, Minister Advisor, Ministry of Digital Affairs, Poland; Additionally, member states from Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, Ghana and Europe were also felicitated for their high female participation rates in delegations.

     

    ITU-WTSA 2024 continues to drive pivotal conversations on gender equality in telecommunications, addressing both statistical and stereotypical biases, mitigating biases, and promoting active participation of women in the telecom and tech sector.

    WTSA 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as a platform for the development and implementation of global telecommunications standards, uniting regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of communications worldwide.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Revolutionizing Fisheries: Workshop on Drone Technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture to be held tomorrow at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, Bihar

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Revolutionizing Fisheries: Workshop on Drone Technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture to be held tomorrow at Gyan Bhawan in Patna, Bihar

    Bihar Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar along with Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh to grace the occasion

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 1:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organizing a Workshop on Application and Demonstration of Drone Technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture on 19th October 2024 at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, Bihar. The event will be graced by Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar along with Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry  of Panchayat Raj,  Smt. Renu Devi, Minister Animal & Fisheries Resource Department, Bihar, Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar and other esteemed dignitaries. The workshop will bring together scientists, state fisheries officials, fishermen  and fisherwomen on one platform to showcase innovative drone technology for advancing fisheries and aquaculture practices.

    Chief Minister, Bihar, Union Minister of MoFAH&D and other key dignitaries will address the gathering during the inaugural session. Cheques to the beneficiaries of PMMSY and various State schemes along with fish feed and fish seeds will be distributed to the farmers during the event.

    The workshop also features technical sessions on the transformative potential of drone technology in the fisheries sector. ICAR-CIFRI Director along with innovative startups will present and share about their work, on-ground experiences, findings practical applications of drones’ technology and way forward during the event.

    The workshop will conclude with the river ranching program in the Ganga River at Digha Ghat, Patna, led by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh. This initiative aims to enhance fish stock in the river and promote ecological balance for sustainable fisheries management.

    This workshop will provide a unique platform to showcase technological advancements emphasizing the transformative role of drone technology in revolutionizing the fisheries sector and unlocking its full potential. As the technology continues to evolve, the Department of Fisheries is committed to embrace these advancements for boosting sustainable fisheries, fostering greater innovation and productivity throughout the entire fisheries value chain.

    Drone Technology is expected to play a crucial role in transportation of fish and fish products by delivering fish and fish products to remote locations by overcoming access barriers and enabling faster delivery.  To further explore the potential of drone technology in the fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries has allocated a pilot project with an investment of Rs 1.16 Cr to ICAR-CIFRI for developing drone technology for live fish transport.

    Background :

    The fisheries and aquaculture sector, often referred to as the ‘sunrise sector,’ has played a vital role in providing livelihood and employment opportunities to around 3 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level, as well as many more along the fisheries value chain. Recognizing the potential for focused development in this sector, the Government of India (GoI) established a dedicated Department of Fisheries (DoF, GoI) in February 2019, followed by the creation of the Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D) in June 2019.

    Since 2015, investments have been stepped up in the fisheries sector to a total of Rs 38,572 crore through initiatives such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a Central Sector sub-scheme under PMMSY. These initiatives by the GoI have significantly advanced the sector, improving the welfare of fish farmers, as well as marginalized and tribal communities engaged in fisheries.

    Drone technology, with its rapid advancements, has many innovative applications in various sectors for activities such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster relief. Recognizing its transformative potential, the Department of Fisheries is actively exploring how drones can revolutionize fisheries and aquaculture operations such as enhancing monitoring and surveillance, improving resource & farm management, fish transportation and a wide range of other applications.

    Key activities such as surveillance, stock assessment, environmental monitoring, disease detection, dispensing feed in aquaculture farms, water sampling and precision fishing are promising technological advance. To safeguard the marine ecosystems, drones can help in monitoring water quality, detect pollutants, identifying harmful algal blooms etc. In emergency situations, drones prove invaluable by. To aid disaster response scope of drones extends further, assessing damage to fisheries infrastructure during natural disasters like floods or hurricane, assisting in search and rescue operations, locating missing persons or vessels quickly and efficiently etc. Underwater drones can monitor fish behaviour in their natural habitats that can help in identifying signs of distress such as erratic swimming patterns or surface gulping that can aid in early disease detection. High-resolution drone imagery can detect visible symptoms of diseases, like ulcers or haemorrhages on fish bodies, facilitating timely intervention and management.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DIPAM is conducting ‘Special Campaign 4.0’ from 2nd to 31st October, 2024 for institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 1:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) is conducting ‘Special Campaign 4.0’ from 2ndto 31stOctober, 2024 for institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency.

    The targets identified by the Department for disposal of VIP References and Public Grievances have been achieved fully and pendency brought to Zero. Out of 274 physical files identified for review, 62 files have been reviewed and weeded out so far. The remaining files are being reviewed. Apart from this, the disposal of obsolete/ unserviceable items is actively in progress.

    DIPAM has no Attached or Subordinate officers or Autonomous Bodies etc.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurates second edition of Art Exhibition ‘Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre’ in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurates second edition of Art Exhibition ‘Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre’ in New Delhi

    Union Minister Sh. Bhupendra Yadav says Coexistence Vital in Addressing Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

    Exhibition displays the Conservation Wisdom of Tribal Communities

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 1:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated the second edition of the art exhibition “Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre” in New Delhi on 17 October, 2024. The four-day exhibition has been organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation, the National Human Rights Commission and the International Big Cat Alliance .

    While inaugurating the exhibition, Dr. S Jaishankar emphasized that India’s development journey is deeply connected with environmental conservation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of Scheduled Tribes through various initiatives, highlighting that the Antyodaya scheme is rooted in the principle of uplifting marginalized communities and ensuring that no one is left behind.

    Union Minister Dr. Jaishankar said India had achieved remarkable progress in environmental conservation under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He highlighted that the 2022 amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act aim to balance environmental conservation with development needs. He credited the success of the National Tiger Conservation Authority to tribal communities and forest dwellers, whose guardianship has helped forests thrive and who actively combat poaching. He emphasized that policies are most effective when embraced by all citizens, referring to the concept of Janbhagidari

    Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav, emphasized in the video message, that the spirit of coexistence reflects how communities live in harmony with, protect, and respect nature. He praised this approach, especially as the world faces critical challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil desertification.

    On the occasion, a book titled “Hidden Treasures: India’s Heritage in Tiger Reserves” and a magazine called “Big Cats” were also released.

    A cultural program was also organized in the evening, that was attended by Dr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism.

    Background

    The exhibition aims to recognize the conservation ethos of tribal communities and highlight the symbiotic relationship between these communities and the environment. It seeks to inspire future generations to appreciate this connection and provides tribal artists an opportunity to engage with visitors.

    The exhibition features over 200 paintings and 100 art pieces from 22 tiger reserves across India. Tribal art forms such as Gond, Warli, Pata Chitra, Bhil, and Sohrai are showcased and available for sale, with proceeds directly benefiting the artisans. All artworks are crafted using sustainable materials, reflecting the eco-friendly lifestyle of indigenous communities.

    Of the 49 participating artists, 10 hail from tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh, with others from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Mizoram.

    According to the 2011 Census, over 1,70,000 villages in India are located near forested areas, and the India State of Forest Report 2021 indicates that more than 300 million people rely on forests for their livelihoods. On the tiger conservation front, India is home to 75% of the global tiger population, with an estimated 3,682 big cats in 55 tiger reserves as of 2023.

    Shri Jitendra Kumar, Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary, Dr Gobind Sagar Bhardwaj, Member Secretary, NTCA and Shri Bharat Lal, Member Secretary, NHRC and senior officers of the ministry were present.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-ever International Conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda (AROHA-2024) inaugurated today in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    First-ever International Conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda (AROHA-2024) inaugurated today in New Delhi

    Truly delighted to see how AIIA has made remarkable progress in just eight years; Rooted in generational family wisdom, Ayurveda offers valuable insights into integrated well-being: Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are strengthening Ayurveda’s global recognition today: Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush

    Posted On: 17 OCT 2024 10:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The first-ever International conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 was inaugurated today by Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in the august presence of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Health & Family Welfare.

     

    Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, Global Traditional Medicine Centre, WHO, Jamnagar, Gujarat was also present on the occasion. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS); Padma Bhushan Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, ILBS; and AIIA Director Prof (Dr) Tanuja Nesari also graced the event.

    The three-day International conference – Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 is scheduled to be held from today 17th October to 19th October 2024.

     

    Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud during his inaugural address said “ I am privileged to be a part of AROHA 2024; the day also marks the 8th foundation day of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA). I am truly delighted to see how AIIA has made remarkable progress in just eight years, founded with a mandate to foster research based Ayurveda. The institute focuses on three key pillars tertiary care, research and academics. I am an ardent follower of Ayurveda. Beyond addressing specific ailments, Ayurveda promotes holistic wellness through medicine, nutrition, meditation, yoga and lifestyle balance. Rooted in generational family wisdom, Ayurveda offers valuable insights into integrated well-being. The launch of the Ayush Research Portal marks a significant advancement for Ayurvedic research and education,”

     

    Speaking at this event, the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav said “As we gather to explore the vast potential of Ayurveda, I applaud your dedication to integrating traditional wisdom with modern science, which is the need of the hour. This conference represents a significant step forward in our pursuit of holistic healthcare solutions. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are strengthening Ayurveda’s global recognition today. His encouragement has led to Ayurveda being adopted more than any other medical practice. After the Prime Minister’s efforts, Ayurveda’s credibility has also increased, and I am deeply grateful to him for entrusting me with the Ministry of Ayurveda to serve millions. I am fully committed to fulfilling all the aspirations related to the Ministry of Ayurveda under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.’ The Ministry of Ayush remains committed to promoting and supporting research, innovation, and the integration of Ayurveda into mainstream healthcare.”

    Speaking at the occasion Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said “The Ministry of Ayush is committed to developing 5 key botanicals of Ayurveda in the next five years. We are developing a benchmark at par with globally accepted traditional medicine for these botanicals. so we have already started working on it, and this is something very new and it is, we are committed to the effort”.

    “We really want to thank the Government of India, Ministry of Ayush, for the extreme generosity, the leadership and the vision to make traditional medicine a global good that can benefit all people in the world. Already, this leadership is having global impact. We have seen the leadership at the G20 at the BRICS and other regional conferences. Note traditional medicine and its contribution for the health and well being of all people. It’s also having a technical impact with the research collaborations, with the advancements of methods and guidelines.” Said Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, Global Traditional Medicine Centre, WHO, Jamnagar, Gujarat.

    AROHA-2024 will feature both in-person and virtual participation, offering an unparalleled opportunity for participants. The discourse will be centered on the theme- Advancements in Research and Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda” in this global event. The conference agenda covers a wide range of topics, including Ayurveda, ethnomedicine, quality control, standardization, diagnosis, drug delivery, evidence-based understanding, and globalization. It also features an exhibition showcasing stalls from leading brands and institutions, offering insights into herbal products, wellness solutions, Ayurvedic treatments, research innovations, and educational opportunities.

    The conference features three-day workshops and 15 scientific sessions, with over 400 research papers presented. The All India Institute of Ayurveda has a global presence in over 74 countries through academic and scientific collaborations with prominent organizations like the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, FIGZ Germany, AIST Japan, Western Sydney University Australia, UHN Canada, and national institutions like IGIB, AIIMS, CSIR, IIT, and others.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI releases the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 2:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today issued the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters’.

    The Guidelines issued by MIB from time to time for Uplinking and Down linking of Satellite Television channels in India, containing the terms and conditions for TV broadcasting services, make it mandatory for the broadcasters to use satellite medium i.e. uplinking and down linking of television channels through satellite, for providing their channels to the Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs).

    The advancement of technology has made it feasible for the broadcasters to provide their television channels to DPOs terrestrially also i.e. using ground-based technologies. Like traditional TV channels, which are uplinked and downlinked through satellite, the terrestrially transmitted channels may also be carried on multiple DPO networks simultaneously and the DPOs can retransmit them on commercial terms to the subscribers. Therefore, there is a need to have a regulatory framework enabling use of ground-based technologies.

    TRAI had forwarded its recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Platform Services to MIB on 19.11.2014, which included certain recommendations related to ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based broadcasters’.

    In this regard, vide its letter dated 22.5.2024, MIB has, inter-alia stated that the recommendations in relation to regulation of platform services have been examined and the guidelines for the same have been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority on 30.11.2022. MIB has further mentioned that during the course of the examination of the recommendations of TRAI for the Ground Based Broadcasters in the Ministry, it was felt that the context in which the recommendations were made by TRAI may have changed since the year 2014 and there may be a need to look into the matter afresh. Vide the aforesaid letter, MIB has requested TRAI for fresh review and recommendations on “Regulatory Framework for Ground Based Broadcasters” under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI Act, 1997.

    Accordingly, the Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-based Broadcasters ‘is being released for seeking comments from stakeholders. The consultation paper may be accessed on TRAI’s website, http://www.trai.gov. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 15.11.2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by 29.11.2024. The stakeholders are requested to submit their comments and counter-comments, preferably in electronic form, on the email- IDadvbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadv-bcs@trai.gov.in.

    For any clarification/information, Shri Deepak Sharma, Advisor (B&CS) may be contacted at Tel. No.: +91-11-20907774.

    *****

    SB/DP/ARJ

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Rural Development signs MoU with ten banks to promote individual financing for higher order enterprises

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY NRLM) under Ministry of Rural Development signed Memorandum of Understanding with nine Public Sector Banks and one Private Bank. These Banks are Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank and IDBI Bank Limited.

    These Banks have designed specific products for financing individual women entrepreneurs under the fold of DAY-NRLM. The loan products so designed will help women avail bigger ticket size loans for scaling up their enterprises. This move is in lines with the realisation of goal of making Lakhpati Didi, as announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

    Secretary, Rural Development Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh advised Banks to leverage this opportunity to fund women SHG members with improved assets to start their economic activities in rural areas. This initiative will go a long way in providing employment in the rural areas and a number of women SHG members will be benefitted. 

    Additional Secretary, Rural Development Shri Charanjit Singh said that banks to make their branch officials aware about the specific products designed by them so that the rural women do not face difficulty  in getting finance at the branch level.

    DAY NRLM has witnessed SHG Bank linkage grow leaps and bounds as the programme evolved. More than Rs. 9.5 crore loans have been extended by Banks to the self-help groups since the start of the Mission. The move of extending individual loans is a strategic shift in the programme indicating how women have graduated from small enterprises and are aspiring to scale up higher order enterprises.

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    SS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt to provide full support to the private sector in taking lead in the field of defence & making India an innovation & technology hub: Raksha Mantri

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Govt to provide full support to the private sector in taking lead in the field of defence & making India an innovation & technology hub: Raksha Mantri

    Shri Rajnath Singh launches ‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ for innovators to come forward with transformative ideas for defence applications

    Deep-Tech challenges unveiled to drive major advancements in areas critical to defence infrastructure

    “Need to achieve advancements in both incremental and disruptive tech through out-of-the-box thinking & latest innovations”

    Cutting-edge indigenous technologies developed under TDF scheme handed over to users

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the private sector to move forward from ‘participation’ to ‘taking lead’ in the defence sector, assuring the Government’s full support to make India an innovation & technology hub and one of the strongest countries in the world. He was addressing scientists, industry leaders, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs during Twaral, a DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration organised at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi on October 18, 2024.

    Sharing insights on the transformation of the defence sector in the recent past, Raksha Mantri stated that, today, technology has transformed conventional warfare into unconventional warfare. “New dimensions have been added to modern-day warfare such as drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons and space defence. In this transformative phase, R&D in defence will definitely make the defence sector stronger. It is heartening to witness our scientists, industrialists, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs working together in this endeavour. It is time for the private sector to take lead as it has the ability to absorb rapid changes and create new innovations,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh termed the adoption of unconventional ideas, not yet known to the world, as the only way to progress in unconventional warfare. Acknowledging it as a tough task, he stated that the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will continue providing all necessary support to the youth, scientists, industrialists and MSMEs in this endeavour.

    Raksha Mantri reiterated the Government’s commitment to make the defence sector more innovative and technology-oriented. Highlighting the consistent efforts being made by DRDO to strengthen the R&D environment and promote scientific temperament, he said: “Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is providing up to 90% of the total project cost as grant support to eligible industries. The total support is up to Rs 50 crore, a good amount for any MSME and start-up to invest in defence R&D. Since its launch six years ago, 79 projects have been sanctioned, of which, technology has successfully been developed in 18 projects.”

    As part of the event, Shri Rajnath Singh launched ‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ to encourage next generation of innovators & start-ups to come forward with transformative ideas for defence applications. The fifth edition of DRDO’s innovation contest aims to generate cutting-edge solutions for India to progress further in its pursuit to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence technologies.

    Raksha Mantri also felicitated the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0’, recognising individual innovators, start-ups and MSMEs for disruptive solutions and innovations in the fields of countermeasures for drones and swarm of drones; advanced acoustic system to locate gunfire, directed energy technologies, cognitive listening device, target seeking & proximity sensing, free-space laser communication system, multi-terrain multi-utility robot among others.

    Shri Rajnath Singh described the challenges as a testament to the commitment of the industrial ecosystem of the country to protect the future of the defence sector. “Like our brave soldiers, scientists, industry leaders, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and entrepreneurs too are the warriors of the country, prepared to complete every assigned task,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri laid emphasis on the need to achieve advancements in both incremental and disruptive technologies within the defence sector. The solutions to challenges obtained through initiatives such as ‘Dare to Dream’ bridge the critical gap between the two types of technologies, he said. He called upon the scientists, start-ups & young entrepreneurs to think out-of-the-box and come out with latest innovations as if it were their habit to accept & overcome challenges.

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted the private sector to move in line with the unprecedented speed with which the technological changes are taking place across the globe. He urged them to ensure, through timely assessment, that a technology does not become outdated when it is rolled out. He also called for development of projects, under TDF, based on cutting edge tech, and devising a system of comprehensive scan within the scheme to avoid duplication of technologies.

    Deep-Tech Challenges

                Several challenges on Disruptive, Emerging, Enabling and Pioneering Technologies (Deep-Tech) were also launched to drive major advancements in areas critical to the country’s defence infrastructure. The focus on Deep-Tech emphasises the need for India to develop and harness breakthrough technologies to stay at the forefront of defence innovation. The challenges are:

    • Compact Electromechanical Actuators;
    • Development of indigenous thrusters for Yard Craft (Indian Navy);
    • Development of High Purity Silicon Carbide source powder for the bulk growth of SiC single crystal;
    • Deep-Tech for HPM Counter Measures and Protection;
    • Development of a Digital Twin Framework for Aero Gas Turbine Engine Health & Usage Monitoring.

    Tech handed over to end-users

    Several cutting-edge indigenous technologies developed under the TDF scheme were also handed over to the users, including DRDO and Armed Forces, in the presence of Shri Rajnath Singh. These innovations, created by startups and MSMEs with DRDO, mark a significant step in the country’s journey towards self-reliance, enhancing national security. The technologies are:

    • Autonomous Drone as first responder for search and report mission in enclosed/indoor environment by NewSpace Research and Technology Pvt Ltd.  to CAIR, DRDO.
    • Simulator for Unmanned Ground, Marine (Sea Surface and Underwater) and Aerial Vehicles by Combat Robotics India Pvt Ltd to CAIR, DRDO.
    • Data Assessment Active Learning and Believability for Visual Data to CAIR, DRDO & Aero Gas Turbine Engine Health Monitoring System by Chistats Labs Pvt Ltd to GTRE, DRDO.
    • Design and Development of Water Tight/Gas Tight and Fire Class EMI/EMC compliant doors and hatches for Naval Ships by Valdel Advanced Technologies Pvt Ltd. to Indian Navy.
    • Fuel System Temperature Transducer for Aircraft Application by Tejase Aeroscience Private Ltd Mumbai to ADA.

    Twaral

    The DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration brought together all the stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem to explore strategies for expediting the development of critical defence technologies. The discussions were centered on bridging the gap between research efforts and real-world application, with a strong focus on collaboration across sectors. Setting the foundation for future innovations, the workshop underscored the critical role of DeepTech (R&D) in advancing national security capabilities.

    The Amended Standard Operating Procedures for TDF, aimed at simplifying the process for start-ups and MSMEs to collaborate with DRDO, was also released. These updated procedures are designed to foster a more transparent and streamlined approach for innovators, enabling easier access to opportunities for contributing to national defense projects.

    Two in-depth panel discussions were also held. The first, on Critical and Emerging Tech Collaboration, explored the potential for international R&D partnerships and the sharing of Intellectual Property in military technology. The second discussion addressed the theme of self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing, focusing on the need for innovation and strong R&D to build a sustainable and robust domestic ecosystem.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat praised the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0’, emphasising the importance of fostering homegrown talent in building a stronger and self-reliant defence sector. The winners’ contributions serve as a testament to India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem, he said.

    Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew and other senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion.

    ******

    VK/SR/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Conclave on Women-led Entrepreneurship organises by the Ministry of Rural Development

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission under Ministry of Rural Development organised a National Conclave on Women led Entrepreneurship yesterday in New Delhi. Secretary, Rural Development Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh presented awards to the Banks. Additional Secretary, Rural Development Shri Charanjit Singh exchanged MoU with Banks. Joint Secretary, Ms. Smriti Sharan and other officers were also present in the conclave. The conclave was organised to give a push to women entrepreneurship by engaging Banks for extending loans for individual women entrepreneurs.

    Twenty banks were facilitated for their outstanding performance in SHG Bank linkage for the financial year 2023-24. Online integration with Jansamarth portal for SHG was launched during the conclave. Financial Literacy initiative with the support of Reserve Bank of India under the Depositors’ Education and Awareness Fund was also commenced

    Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Rural Development presenting awards to the Banks

    Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh said that women show high degree of empathy, ownership, commitment, honesty, transparency and invest substantial time and energy to implement an intervention of their interest. Banks have a crucial role to play in advancement of women led enterprises.

    Shri Charanjit Singh advised Banks to make their branch officials aware about the specific products designed by them, so that the rural women do not face difficulty in getting finance at the branch level.

     

    Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Development exchanging MoU with Banks.

    Ms. Smriti Sharan said that there is a need to create and nurture an ecosystem which instils confidence among women to pursue entrepreneurship. She urged all stakeholders including Banks, Regulator and other partners present to create a platform for these women entrepreneurs to address the challenges faced by them.

    The conclave witnessed a vibrant panel discussion on “Pathways from Financial Inclusion to Economic Prosperity- Vikshit Bharat@2047”. Esteemed panelists from Banks, IIM Kolkata, Fintech, State Rural Livelihoods Mission and IFMR (a research organisation) deliberated on ways to conceptualise a framework for creating an enabling ecosystem for nurturing women led enterprises in the rural areas. Active deliberations were made on demand side and supply side issues and the possible ways to bridge the gaps.

    DAY NRLM has made substantial strides in the area of financial inclusion. The conclave emphasised on the need to make a shift from group lending to individual lending in order to meet the aspirations of women entrepreneurs and helping them upscale their enterprises. In order to realise the vision of Prime Minister on creation of 3 crore lakhpati didis, Bank financing has a significant role.

    The conclave had participation from Reserve Bank of India, NABARD, Public Sector Banks, Private Banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Co-operative Banks, State Rural Livelihood Missions, various Ministries/Departments of Government of India and CSO partners.

    ******

    SS

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Novel Insights into Electron Scattering in Semiconductors Creates Potential for more Efficient Electronic Devices

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:12PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant advancement for the semiconductor industry, researchers have unveiled novel insights into the mechanisms that limit electron mobility in semiconductors. The study which represents a major leap forward in understanding the electronic properties of semiconductors, holds promise for developing more efficient electronic devices.

    Semiconductors form the backbone of modern electronics, powering everything from smartphones and computers to advanced medical devices and space technologies. The search for new semiconductor materials has intensified as the demand for faster, more efficient, and more reliable electronic devices continues to grow. Scandium Nitride (ScN), a rocksalt semiconductor, has emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation electronics due to its high thermal stability, robustness, and electronic properties. However, despite its potential, the practical application of ScN in electronic devices has been hindered due to its relatively lower electron mobility. This key factor influences the speed and efficiency of semiconductor devices and researchers had been curious to unravel why the mobility of the electrons are limited.

    Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) explored the factors that limit electron mobility in ScN. Their research spearheaded by Associate Professor Bivas Saha focused on identifying and analysing the dominant scattering mechanisms that impeded the flow of electrons and reduced their mobility. Through a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental validation, the researchers were able to pinpoint the specific scattering mechanisms at play. Their results showed that though interactions between electrons and longitudinal optical phonon modes, often described as the Fröhlich interactions set an intrinsic upper bound for ScN’s electron mobility, ionized-impurity and grain-boundary scatterings significantly reduced mobility. Therefore, depositing single-crystalline ScN that are devoid of impurities and defects is expected to increase its mobility significantly.

    “The findings from this study have far-reaching implications for the global semiconductor industry. As manufacturers seek to push the boundaries of electronic device performance, the insights provided by our research could lead to significant advancements in the design and fabrication of ScN-based components,” said Prof. Bivas Saha.  “By addressing the identified scattering mechanisms, it may be possible to engineer ScN materials with improved electron mobility, making them more suitable for a wide range of high-performance applications. These could include thermoelectricity, neuromorphic computing, high mobility electron transistor, and Schottky diode devices,” Sourav Rudra, the lead author of this study pointed out.

    As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, the findings from this study are expected to serve as a foundation for future research into scandium nitride and other semiconductors. Moreover, JNCASR’s work in the field of semiconductor materials is poised to have a lasting impact on the development of future technologies, contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global leader in science and innovation. Apart from JNCASR, Prof. Samuel Poncé, a researcher from the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium also participated in this study.

    The research findings have been published in the journal Nano Letters under the title “Dominant Scattering Mechanisms in Limiting the Electron Mobility of Scandium Nitride.”

    ***

    NKR/AG

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NIF organizes Outreach activity for 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) in Amarapur, Gujarat

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an autonomous Institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India organized an India International Science Festival (IISF) outreach event in Amarapur, Gandhinagar on October 17, 2024. Nearly 500 students of varying age groups (14-18 years) participated in this outreach program.

    The IISF celebrates the country’s scientific achievements every year and creates opportunities for collaboration and innovation. A series of outreach activities of the 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) across the country are being scheduled by Public Institutions.

    The 10th Edition of IISF will bring together scientists, industry leaders, students, and the public to explore the transformative power of science. The event will fuel discussions that will shape India’s future as a global leader in science and technology.

    The students who participated in the outreach programme were made aware of the genesis of IISF, its journey since the year 2015, the various accomplishments on its way and details of the upcoming IISF 2024.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr Arvind C Ranade, Director, NIF, exhorted the students to explore various resources related to IISF like the web portal (www.iisf2024.in), news articles in print, electronic and social media and gain familiarity with its various programs which are being organized.

    He further elaborated about the Mission of IISF 2024– A Prosperous Bharat in Harmony with Modern Infrastructure and Nature, Giving Opportunities for All Citizens of All Regions to Reach Their Potential through Science and Technology. The idea and underlying rationale towards Transforming India into a Science and Technology driven global manufacturing hub was touched upon as well.

    He encouraged students to reach out to NIF for their queries and facilitation of participation in programs like Student Science Village and requested media to help in disseminating the message.

    Dr. Madhvi Joshi, Joint Director, Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Gujarat (GoG) also urged the students to actively take part in the upcoming IISF. Shri Jignesh Borisagar, Prant Secretary, VIBHA and Shri Amrutbhai Patel, Director – Trustee, Grambharti Sanstha were also present on this occasion.

    An exhibition demonstrating NIF’s latest innovations was also organized on the occasion.

     

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    NKR/AG

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP announces one new confirmed melioidosis infection case

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 18) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded from October 10 to 17.

         The case involves a 59-year-old female with underlying illness who lives in Sham Shui Po. She developed a fever and abdominal pain on October 5 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on October 7. She is in stable condition. Her clinical sample was confirmed positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

         The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. So far, 19 melioidosis infection cases have been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2023, 17 melioidosis infection cases were recorded.

         A spokesman for the CHP reiterated that person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but melioidosis bacteria can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year. According to literature, infection cases are more common after typhoons or storms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei of melioidosis in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or storms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or storms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

         The CHP reminded members of the public that melioidosis can be spread by contaminated soil and water during and after typhoons and storms. Where practicable, people should stay indoors during typhoons and storms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and do not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

         Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
     

    Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
    Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;
    Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
    Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings;
    Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
    Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
    Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

         â€‹The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromised conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP at www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Batch recall of two products of Apo-Amitriptyline tablets due to presence of impurity (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Batch recall of two products of Apo-Amitriptyline tablets due to presence of impurity (with photos)
    Batch recall of two products of Apo-Amitriptyline tablets due to presence of impurity (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Department of Health (DH) today (October 18) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, Hind Wing Co Ltd, to recall a total of 14 batches of the following two products from the market as a precautionary measure due to the presence of impurity in the products.  

    Name of product
    Hong Kong registration number
    Batch number

    Apo-Amitriptyline Tablets 10mg
    HK-09273
    RN6384

    RR0266

    RV1644

    RW8597

    TA6008

    TF8585

    TF8587

    TF8589

    Apo-Amitriptyline Tablets 25mg
    HK-09274
    RM8130

    RR0781

    RV1656

    RW8691

    TA6062

    TF8602

         The DH received notification from Hind Wing that the overseas manufacturer of the products is recalling the above batches of Apo-amitriptyline tablets as they exceed or may exceed the accepted level of an impurity, N-Nitrosonortriptyline (NNORT). NNORT is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests. As a precautionary measure, Hind Wing is voluntarily recalling the affected batches of products from the market.     The above products, containing amitriptyline, are prescription medicines used for the treatment of depression. According to Hind Wing, the above batches of products had been imported into Hong Kong. The affected batches of products had been supplied to the DH clinics, pharmacies, private doctors, and private hospitals, and re-exported to Macao.     Hind Wing has set up a hotline (2541 5731) to answer related enquiries.     “So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the products. The DH will closely monitor the recall,” a spokesman for the DH said.     “Patients who are taking the above products should not stop taking the medicine, but should seek advice from their healthcare professionals as soon as possible for appropriate arrangements,” the spokesman added.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 18, 2024Issued at HKT 19:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI imposes monetary penalty on Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank, Andhra Pradesh

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated October 10, 2024, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank, Andhra Pradesh (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Strengthening of Prudential Norms- Provisioning Asset Classification and Exposure Limit’ read with ‘Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning Norms-Guidelines (IRAC norms)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI, conferred under section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 51(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

    The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by NABARD with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions.

    After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charge against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty.

    The bank had not classified certain loan accounts as non-performing assets in accordance with the IRAC norms.

    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1335

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 17/10/2024 Meeting with the South Korean delegation

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Meeting with the South Korean delegation17.10.2024On October 17, 2024, at the Ministry of National Defense, Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda hosted a South Korean delegation led by Deputy Minister of the Defense Procurement Agency (DAPA) Hyunki Cho. The delegation also included South Korean Ambassador Hoonmin Lim and President and CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Gooyoung Kang.

    The main topic of the talks was the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. One of the topics was issues related to the cooperation of industries and Polonization. The Korean guests emphasized the potential of Poland, in which they see the location of the FA-50 service center in Europe based on the WZL-2 plants. The possibility of expanding technological and industrial cooperation was also discussed, including the transfer of technology and joint research and development projects. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation to date and the desire to further develop the partnership, which is of key importance for strengthening the security of both Poland and South Korea.

    Photos (4)

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Christopher Hui to visit Beijing

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui will depart for Beijing tomorrow to attend the Annual Conference of the Financial Street Forum 2024, before returning to Hong Kong the following day.

    More than 500 guests from over 30 countries and regions worldwide will take part in the conference, which is being held from today until Sunday, to exchange views on current economic and financial hot topics.

    Mr Hui will deliver a keynote speech at the main forum on empowering industries through financial support to drive high-quality development.

    Founded in 2012, the annual Financial Street Forum has been enhanced as a national, global and professional forum since 2020.

    This year’s conference is jointly hosted by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Xinhua News Agency and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

    During Mr Hui’s absence, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will be Acting Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs College and International, Hong Kong and Macau Training Center of National Academy of Governance sign Memorandum of Understanding on training cooperation (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Director-General of the International, Hong Kong and Macau Training Center of the National Academy of Governance (NAG), Mr Xie Yutong, today (October 18) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Training Cooperation between the International, Hong Kong and Macau Training Center of the National Academy of Governance and the Hong Kong Customs College at the NAG in Beijing. Both parties aim to establish a more consistent and close co-operative relationship, further enhancing training on national studies among customs personnel who can then play a more active role in supporting the overall national development.

         The NAG serves as a training institution for senior and mid-level national civil servants. Under the framework of the memorandum, both parties will collaboratively formulate training programmes, expand the scale of training and enhance training effectiveness.

         Ms Ho expressed gratitude for the continuous support of the NAG in the national education for Hong Kong Customs personnel, emphasising its significant role in strengthening the national identity and visionary mindset in national matters among customs staff.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public urged to stay alert to emails purported to be issued by Chief Executive of Hospital Authority

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Public urged to stay alert to emails purported to be issued by Chief Executive of Hospital Authority
    Public urged to stay alert to emails purported to be issued by Chief Executive of Hospital Authority
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    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:     ​The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (October 18) urged members of the public to stay alert against fraudulent acts to collect personal information on behalf of HA staff.           The HA has recently received reports on a suspected impersonation of the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, who solicited personal information such as contact details from the recipients through emails. The spokesperson stressed that Dr Ko had never sent such emails and reminded members of the public not to reply to emails from unknown sources or provide personal data to unknown persons, and to avoid clicking on suspicious hyperlinks.           The HA is very concerned about the incident and has reported the case to the Police for investigation. The HA reminded members of the public that the emails sent by the HA end with “@ha.org.hk”, and appealed to members of the public to be vigilant towards fraudulent emails and to report to the Police if in doubt.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 18, 2024Issued at HKT 20:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health meets with health officials of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen Municipality on “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, led a delegation to Shenzhen this afternoon (October 18) to meet with Deputy Director-General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province Mr Deng Linfeng, Deputy Commissioner of the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration Ms Wang Ling and Deputy Director of the Public Hygiene and Health Commission of Shenzhen Municipality Mr Li Chuang, and introduced to them various initiatives on developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, and aspects of deepening medical collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as set out in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” newly announced.

         Professor Lo said, “In the Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, it mentions the further reform of the medical and healthcare systems and support for the development of innovative drugs and medical devices. The Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Development Plan for Shenzhen Park) promulgated by the State Council in August last year put forward the synergistic development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong under the ‘one zone, two parks’ model, expressing clear support for the innovative application of advanced biomedicine technologies by capitalising on the role of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Centre to accelerate and promote the evaluation, inspection and clinical trials of drugs and medical devices in alignment with international standards.

         “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is determined to leverage the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s healthcare professional system to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub to expedite patients’ access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services, and promote the development of the biomedicine research and development (R&D) industry, while actively integrating into the national development by showing support for fostering new quality productive forces in biomedical technology, as set out in the Resolution and the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park.”

         The Chief Executive proposed in the Policy Address directions to complement technological innovation with institutional innovation. The two major policy directions include:  

    (1) To expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices, such as extending the “1+” mechanism to all new drugs and devising the timetable for the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and the roadmap towards adoption of “primary evaluation”; and

    (2) To strengthen R&D and translation of biomedical technology. Following the expected commencement of operation of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute in the fourth quarter this year in the Hetao area, Hong Kong will press ahead with collaboration with Shenzhen in establishing the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform, leveraging the GBA population base of over 86 million under the “one zone, two parks” model in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone to extend the R&D network, enable cross-boundary use of data, bio-samples as well as drugs and medical devices to shorten the time for clinical trials. At the same time, through the establishment of the Real-World Study and Application Centre, Hong Kong will join efforts with Guangdong Province to promote real-world studies, by integrating with data generated from the use of innovative drugs and medical devices in the GBA under the measure of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the GBA to expedite applications for registration which enable the drugs and medical devices to be placed in the market of Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.

         The HKSAR Government will leverage the strengths of mutually beneficial collaborations with the GBA to effectively support innovation and application of advanced biomedical technology, with a view to attracting top-notch global biomedical enterprises and R&D organisations to set up operations in Hong Kong and in the GBA.

         During the meeting, various medical collaboration initiatives in the GBA, such as expanding cross-boundary health record sharing, promoting specialist training in the GBA and extending the Elderly Health Care Voucher GBA Pilot Scheme, were also discussed.

         Professor Lo emphasised, “The Health Bureau will implement various co-operation initiatives with the Mainland as put forward in the Policy Address and continue to deepen medical and healthcare collaboration with the Mainland, in particular the GBA Mainland cities, with a view to building a ‘Healthy Hong Kong’ for integration into a ‘Healthy Bay Area’ and making contributions to a ‘Healthy China’.”

         Members of the delegation include Deputy Secretary for Health Mr Sam Hui; the Deputy Director of Health, Dr Teresa Li; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko. They will return to Hong Kong tonight.   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2024 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale commences in Hangzhou with artworks blending old and new culture by Hong Kong artists (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    2024 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale commences in Hangzhou with artworks blending old and new culture by Hong Kong artists (with photos)
    2024 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale commences in Hangzhou with artworks blending old and new culture by Hong Kong artists (with photos)
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         The 2024 Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale has commenced its display at the Gongwang Art Museum in Fuyang, Hangzhou today (October 18). With the theme “HK Snapshots‧City Walks”, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum curated the Hong Kong section of the biennale. Four groups of young local artists have created visual artworks inspired by Guangcai porcelain, Hong Kong cheongsams, traditional offset printing artistry and local flexible street stalls, demonstrating the city’s culture which blends the East and West and the old and new. The exhibition in Hangzhou will run until November 15 with free admission.      Addressing the opening ceremony of the biennale in Hangzhou today, the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Miss Eve Tam, said that the Hong Kong-Macao Visual Art Biennale is a major arts and cultural exchange event jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and a number of Mainland cities. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has participated in this event since its inception in 2008, presenting to Mainland audiences works created by Hong Kong artists. The National 14th Five-Year Plan has expressed clear support for Hong Kong to develop into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Hong Kong section of the biennale focuses on “Cultural Integration” in which budding artists from Hong Kong make use of their creativity to revitalise traditional crafts, reflecting the city’s cultural characteristics of blending the old and new and telling good stories of Hong Kong.      Four groups of artworks are on display in the Hong Kong section. The fourth-generation Lingnan School artist Rebecca Lo has inherited and applied Guangcai ink painting to ceramics to create five porcelain plate sets depicting natural and urban Hong Kong landscapes. The Hong Kong Cheongsam Association, the protection organisation of the national intangible cultural heritage item, has formed a young designer team led by Association committee members Dr Haze Ng and Eunice Lee, the team has designed and sewed four innovative sets of men’s and women’s cheongsams. Each cheongsam portrays the city’s unique architecture and memories through traditional cheongsam-making techniques and textile design. Printing studio ditto ditto, founded by sisters Donna and Nicole Chan, has utilised traditional offset printing artistry to produce four sets of printed works and postcards featuring Hong Kong attractions, scenic spots and cuisine. Lastly, exhibition designers from Key-Point Productions have drawn inspiration from flexible street stalls to create foldable installations for displaying the three groups of artworks mentioned above, offering visitors a unique “pop-up” exhibition experience.      This year’s biennale begins in Hangzhou and Nanjing, the two cultural hubs of the Yangtze River Delta region, and will later move to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, greatly enhancing cultural exchanges and integration between Hong Kong, Macao and the host cities.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 18, 2024Issued at HKT 19:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tokio, North Dakota, Woman Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Neglect in Indian Country

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that on October 16, 2024, Tierra Lynn Scott, age 30 from Tokio, ND, made her initial appearance and was arraigned in federal court. The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota unsealed an Indictment revealing that a federal grand jury indicted Scott for Involuntary Manslaughter and three counts of Child Neglect in Indian country. Scott was detained and trial has been scheduled for December 10, 2024.

    The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    On August 17, 2024, law enforcement responded to a residence in Fort Totten, North Dakota, where an adult male was later pronounced dead.  The investigation revealed the man had been struck and run over by a motor vehicle driven by Scott. The indictment alleges Scott was under the influence of intoxicating liquor and in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and Scott was backing and otherwise driving recklessly, and without due care for the rights and safety of others. The investigation further revealed Scott had three minor children in the vehicle with her at the time.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lori H. Conroy.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lengthy Sentences in Federal Prison Handed Down in Ongoing Large Scale Drug Conspiracy and Money Laundering Case

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced four individuals convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.

    Nathan Johnson, age 39, from Denver, Colorado, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on June 17, 2024. He was sentenced to 36 years and eight  months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Johnson was sentenced in September of 2024.

    Michele Johnson, age 48, from Steen, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on July 29, 2024. She was sentenced to 31 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. She was sentenced in October of 2024.

    Jesse Richmond, age 51, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments on June 18, 2024. He was sentenced to 24 years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Richmond was sentenced in September of 2024.

    Tony Hunter, age 53, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance on May 29, 2024. He was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Hunter was sentenced in September of 2024.

    Nathan Johnson, Michele Johnson, Matthew Thomas, Jesse Richmond, and Tony Hunter were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. A third superseding indictment was filed in May of 2024 adding defendant, Alfred Siani.

    From December of 2022 to July of 2023, the above-mentioned defendants alongside numerous other co-conspirators transported large loads of methamphetamine from California to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nathan Johnson, acting as the leader of the conspiracy, would travel from his home in Denver, Colorado to meet with his source of supply in Southern California. While there, Nathan Johnson would receive approximately 150-pounds worth of methamphetamine which would go on to be further distributed in Denver, Colorado, as well as South Dakota.

    While in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Nathan Johnson would distribute bulk amounts of methamphetamine to his co-conspirators: Jesse Richmond, Tony Hunter, and Michele Johnson. Richmond, Hunter, and Michele Johnson would go on to further distribute the methamphetamine throughout the Sioux Falls community and into southwest Minnesota.

    The amount of methamphetamine involved was in excess of 300 pounds and over $450,000 in drug proceeds were laundered during the existence of this conspiracy.

    “The multi-decade sentences obtained thus far illustrate the seriousness of the crimes and the dogged commitment of every agency involved to focus our resources on those criminals who choose to distribute dangerous substances in our state,” said United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are grateful for the collaboration of more than a dozen federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and joint task forces, as well as out-of-state agencies, which resulted in the takedown of a network of drug dealers responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics into South Dakota. We are fortunate to have such dedicated men and women doing the difficult investigative and prosecutorial work required to keep our communities safe.”

    “These sentences should serve as a wake-up call to anyone transporting or distributing methamphetamine into South Dakota communities,” Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steve Bell said. “These four people are facing a combined 119 years in federal prison. Each sentence should provide the offender with ample time to reflect on the damage and destruction they’ve inflicted on so many lives.”  

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (including the Rocky Mountain Field Division, Omaha Field Division, Mexico City Country Office, Los Angeles Field Division, Special Operations Division), as well as South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation team, El Paso Intelligence Center, and collaboration received from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Mitchell Police Department, Denver Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Worthington Police Department, Brookings Police Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Forde, and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

    All four defendants were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Student work restrictions lifted

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government announced today that from November 1, full-time non-local undergraduate students will be temporarily exempted from the restrictions on working part-time jobs.

    Since last November, the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs for full-time non-local postgraduate students of locally accredited local programmes have been temporarily exempted.

    With a No Objection Letter (NOL) issued by the Immigration Department (ImmD), full-time non-local postgraduate students are allowed to take up part-time employment with no restrictions on the number of hours or the location of the part-time work. The arrangement has received positive feedback since its launch.

    The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced the temporary exemption of the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs will be extended to full-time non-local undergraduate students.

    The Government said such an arrangement, involving around 20,000 full-time non-local undergraduate students, aims at easing local manpower shortages by making better use of the potential talent residing in Hong Kong.

    It said lifting the restrictions will help attract more foreign students to pursue studies in Hong Kong and prepare them for long-term development in the city after graduation, thereby expanding the local potential talent pool.

    The ImmD will issue NOLs setting out the suspension arrangement to all eligible students through their institutions. They do not need to submit applications separately.

    Students approved for visas or entry permits on or after November 1 will also be issued with NOLs.   

    The Government will review the whole exemption arrangement next year.

    For enquiries, call 2824 6111, or send questions via the department’s fax at 2877 7711 or email enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic at the BRICS University Rectors Forum

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The BRICS University Rectors’ Forum has started at Moscow State University. It is attended by 250 heads and representatives of universities from 20 countries – all BRICS countries (Russia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and South Africa), as well as Belarus, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine and Sudan.

    It is important for us to work together to prepare new generations of personnel who are capable of not only achieving outstanding scientific results, but also increasingly feeling their responsibility for the future of science and humanity. The modern university community, as we see it, is open to equal, mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation, to mutual enrichment with the experience of developing universities in different countries, – the President of the Russian Union of Rectors, Rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy greeted the participants.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky emphasized: Education and science are becoming the most important tools for finding joint answers to global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality and global pandemics. It is thanks to the unification of the BRICS countries that we can implement practical initiatives of mutual interest.

    In his welcoming speech, the Vice Minister of Education of Brazil, Alexandre Brasil Carvalho da Fonseca, noted: The internationalization of education is a global perspective, and we aim to involve all BRICS countries in this process. We understand that the experience of all participants is a valuable resource for creating structures aimed at the internationalization of our activities. Our goal is to ensure access to higher education for Brazilians of different social classes, regardless of their status. We are confident that this cooperation will contribute to the improvement of research activities in universities and the improvement of the quality of life of the population within the BRICS.

    Welcoming speeches on the importance of inter-university cooperation were delivered by the Rector of Ain Shams University Saleh Hasem Mustafa Abdelrazek from Egypt, the Rector of the University of Sharjah Hamid Midwil Al-Naimi from the UAE and the President of the Association of Arab Universities Amr Ezzat Salama.

    Special Representative of the President of Russia for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy noted that the mechanism of regular dialogue at the level of ministers of education and enlightenment, ministers of science, technology and innovation, heads of academies of sciences of the BRICS countries is currently functioning effectively. Interaction is ongoing through the alliance of cooperation in the field of technical and vocational education and training.

    We are confident that this event, unprecedented in its scale and nature, will open a new chapter in the development of scientific and educational cooperation in BRICS, which will be supplemented by creative innovative solutions and joint achievements, he added.

    Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladislav Panchenko emphasized the importance of the BRICS association: Cooperation between the academies of sciences and universities of the BRICS countries opens up enormous prospects for us. The exchange of young scientists and students allows us not only to solve modern scientific and social problems, but also to achieve significant success within the framework of our association. We pay great attention to this process, discussing the importance of the inextricable link between science and education, which was emphasized at the recent meeting of the heads of the academies of sciences of the BRICS countries in Moscow, timed to coincide with the three hundredth anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    The Polytechnic delegation at the forum was headed by Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev. The busy program between business sessions included negotiations with partner universities and national associations. Following the forum, agreements were signed with leading universities of the BRICS countries – Indore Institute of Technology (India), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, State University of Campinas, State University of Sao Paulo “Julio de Mesquita Filho” (Brazil), Isfahan University of Technology (Iran), Gomel State Technical University named after P. O. Sukhoi (Belarus).

    We see significant interest from Brazil, India, and the Arab world in establishing strong long-term relations with Russia. It is gratifying that the Polytechnic University is known in these countries. This means that we are pursuing the right policy of forming our international reputation and promoting the university on the world stage. The agreements reached today create space for opportunities and development potential for us in the BRICS countries, – commented Dmitry Arsenyev.

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    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.

    https://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/polytech-at-the-forum-of-university-rectors-of-Brix-countries/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Successful event gives Derby pensioners crucial information

    Source: City of Derby

    Our recent Pensioner Advice Event saw a fantastic turnout from pensioners and their families. Held on Friday 4 October, the event was part of the council’s broader initiative to help pensioners manage the challenges of rising living costs this winter.

    Pensioners that attended received expert advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, including Pension Credit applications, Winter Fuel Payment information, public transportation resources and much more.

    Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities, and Communities, said:

    We know pensioners across Derby are feeling the strain from rising costs, and it was wonderful to meet so many residents of Derby, taking advantage of this event. This is just one of the many initiatives we’ve introduced to ensure that our older residents receive the support they need. Whether it’s help with pension credit or energy savings, we are committed to helping them navigate these challenging times.”

    For those who were unable to attend, further information is available on our website or Community Action Derby’s cost of living webpage. 

    There will be further cost of living support events happening over the coming weeks across the city.

    These include:

    • Mackworth – Thursday 24 October, 10am-12 noon, St Francis Church, Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth, DE22 4FN
    • New Zealand – Friday 25 October, 10am-12 noon, Lonny Wilsoncroft Community Centre, Stepping Lane, Derby DE1 1GL
    • Chaddesden – Friday 1st November, 10am-12 noon, Age UK Building, Chaddesden Park, Chaddesden, DE21 6LN (There is free parking in the main car park off Maine Drive, Chaddesden)
    • Sinfin – Monday 4 November, 10am-12 noon, Sinfin Moor Church, Arleston Lane, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DH
    • Osmaston – Monday 10 December, 10am-12 noon, Moorways Sports Village, Moor Lane, Derby, DE24 9HY

    Earlier this month, we also confirmed that the Council would be receiving a £2.225m grant from the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) following the Governments recent announcement that the Household Support Funding would be extended for a further six months, running from 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.

    A recent audit by the DWP identified how the Council has previously implemented the fund, stating:

    Derby City Council exemplifies how a well-coordinated and empathetic approach can make a different in a community.  Their strategic use of the Household Support Fund, focussing on both immediate and long-term solutions, services as a model for addressing poverty and deprivation.  Through collaboration with community partners and unwavering commitment to improvement, the team are making a positive and lasting impact on the community.”

    To learn more and stay up to date with the Household Support Fund, visit our website.

    We have recently had a reports of a scam SMS text message received by residents in Derby. The message advised that the resident was eligible for £900 from HSF if they clicked on a link and paid £1 for their bank details for monies to be paid. This is a scam. If you have received this text or have a similar message you are worried is part of a scam, please visit our scam webpage to learn more about how to report it.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO bolsters security cooperation, economic integration among members

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad, Pakistan, Oct. 16, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

    At the just-concluded meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, government leaders from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members called for deepening cooperation in a range of areas including economy and trade, security, connectivity, energy, finance and green development.

    Participants to the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO agreed that in the face of a complex and volatile international environment, all parties need to actively implement the outcomes of the Astana Summit, work closely in solidarity and coordination.

    Since its inception in 2001, the SCO has been committed to strengthening mutual trust, dialogue and cooperation, with its ever-increasing role in bolstering security cooperation and economic integration for its members.

    ENHANCING SECURITY, STABILITY

    “From the very beginning, the SCO Charter was signed based on the fundamental principle of cooperation in countering the types of threats that are still relevant today — terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as drug trafficking, transnational crime and illegal migration,” said Evgenia Makhmutova, associate professor at the department of political science of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

    The member states work on the basis of a list of principles, among which are mutual respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs, the scholar told Xinhua.

    With effective multilateral cooperation and coordination, the SCO has been playing a positive role in improving security situation of the region over the past more than two decades.

    Through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, SCO member countries have been able to enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination, hence more effective efforts in combating terrorism.

    Another important aspect of security cooperation is the exchange of experience and best practices in law enforcement, which encompasses training programs, staff exchanges and technical assistance among member states.

    Energy security also holds an important place on the SCO agenda. In recent years, efforts have been directed toward creating a unified energy market and developing joint projects in the energy field.

    Under evolving circumstances featuring new geopolitical factors and technological advancements, the SCO is also adapting its activities to new challenges, such as protectionism, cybersecurity and climate change, making the organization more flexible and capable of effectively responding to modern-day threats.

    TOWARD ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

    Over the years, the SCO has made remarkable achievements in boosting trade and facilitating economic integration among member states.

    Sohail Mahmood, former foreign secretary of Pakistan and director general of think tank the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, said that trade among SCO members had grown significantly since its founding, reflecting the organization’s growing influence and global relevance.

    As a member state, Pakistan values the SCO mechanism for securing economic cooperation. Amina Masood, professor of the faculty of social sciences of International Islamic University Islamabad, said it’s important to take advantage of the SCO meeting in Islamabad to increase the country’s trade and technical partnership with Central Asian and South Asian countries.

    Economic cooperation has “not only greatly supported socio-economic development in the SCO community, but also contributed to regional and global economic growth and development,” the professor said.

    The 10-member SCO, which covers over half of the Eurasian landmass, has maintained trade growth and closer economic interactions thanks to better connectivity provided by enhanced infrastructure.

    In the region, landmark projects, notably the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the Chinese-built new North-South highway in Kyrgyzstan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor and the Eurasian transport corridor, have greatly facilitated economic exchanges.

    At the same time, with a large combined population, the SCO represents vast market potential. Collective economic development of all members helps fuel demand for goods and services, which in turn drives vigorous growth of the region’s economies.

    GROWING INFLUENCE, VITALITY

    Over the past two decades, the SCO has maintained its vitality and become an influential regional and international organization in an international landscape fraught with changes and turbulence.

    The Shanghai Spirit ensures that every member state has an equal voice, regardless of economic scale, military potential, or international influence, setting an example of multilateral cooperation.

    “As the world today is going through a phase of disintegration of the Western-centred system of international security, and the countries of the Global South are striving for the status of equal and sovereign world players, the potential for the SCO to become a platform for the integration of non-Western forces is noticeably expanding,” Makhmutova told Xinhua.

    “The growing number of countries interested in this format undoubtedly enhances the status and credibility of the organization,” said the Russian scholar.

    As its influence grows, the scope of cooperation for SCO, which currently groups China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, with two observer countries and 14 dialogue partners, is also expanding, thereby adding more vitality to the organization.

    China, the SCO rotating presidency for 2024-2025, has put forward a central theme of “SCO Year of Sustainable Development.”

    Under this theme, closer cooperation will be fostered in a wide range of areas, such as poverty alleviation, food security, public health, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – Controversial Islamic preacher visits the Pakistani government

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Radio Pakistan

    Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – “It is really shocking for us that the controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been invited by the Pakistani government and is appearing in the main Pakistani cities to sow religious hatred,” said to Fides the Dominican Father James Channan, who directs the “Peace Center” in Lahore, which organizes numerous conferences, dialogue forums and interreligious meetings. Father Channan is very concerned about “the denigrations that are being made against Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism, which are very painful”. “We do not understand why Naik is given so much space: he has also preached in the Royal Mosque in Lahore, in front of 150,000 people and hundreds of thousands of Muslim believers connected via the Internet, insulting and ridiculing various religions, causing resentment even among Shiites and Ahmadis.” “His words are causing religious tension and polarization in Pakistan that can turn into violence,” warns the Dominican priest, noting that Naik’s speeches “have caused concern among Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.” “He has uttered words of contempt towards the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Torah and the sacred texts of the Hindus… We are very bitter because these interventions are destroying the constant work of dialogue and peaceful relations that we have patiently built in Pakistan,” laments Father Channan. Leaders of various religious communities condemned Zakir Naik’s hate speech and derogatory remarks and expressed their deep concern and disappointment: “His presence os detrimental to efforts to promote harmony and interfaith coexistence. The Pakistani government has the duty to prevent hatred and violence and ensure the safety and security of minority communities. The Ministry of Harmony should promote tolerance, understanding and respect among different faith communities. We believe that dialogue and cooperation between religions are essential for building a peaceful and harmonious society. Therefore, inviting a controversial leader is an unclear step,” the priest said. Zakir Naik is known for his sectarian speeches and his appearances have already been banned from countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. “So why not invite the Imam of the Kaaba in Mecca, who always proclaims a message of peace and tolerance?” asks Father Channan, pointing to the deep disappointment of many Sunni Muslim believers and religious leaders who also do not appreciate Zakir Naik’s approach. Meanwhile, Christian, Hindu and Sikh leaders boycotted an interreligious conference organized by the Ministry of Harmony in Lahore in recent days. “We wanted to send a signal. The state and religions must work together to promote dialogue and peace and not sow hatred. We are and will always be ready to work together with good will and make our contribution to dialogue, respect, tolerance, peace and harmony,” he concluded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 18/10/2024)
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