NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Fifty-two affordable homes open for First Nations in Merritt

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    First Nations elders, families and youth in Merritt now have access to new affordable homes with the opening of a 52-unit building.

    “By investing in housing in rural areas, and helping First Nations people and families find the homes they need, we’re helping people stay connected to their culture and loved ones, and thrive in the community they call home,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “I’m proud that B.C. is the first province to invest in on- and off-reserve housing.”

    The four-storey building at 2640 Spring Bank Ave. will provide homes for community members from Nicola Valley’s five First Nation bands: Coldwater Indian Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band and Upper Nicola Band.

    “Working in partnership with First Nations in the Nicola Valley supports self-determination and reconciliation in a way that these Nations’ members can see and feel,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “I applaud the leadership by the Nicola Native Lodge Society and the five Nations for coming together with the Province to provide a culturally significant space moving forward.”

    The Nicola Native Lodge Society (NNLS) provided the land for the project and will operate the building, which includes a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, each with a private balcony. Five of the units are accessible and 31 are adaptable to accommodate changing accessibility needs. The building includes an amenity space for social gatherings and cultural ceremonies, with direct access to an outdoor amenity space.

    This project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including approximately 250 homes in Merritt.

    Quick Facts:

    • The Province, through BC Housing, provided a grant of approximately $10 million for the development through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund.
    • BC Housing will also provide approximately $413,000 in annual operating funds.  
    • A joint contribution of approximately $1.3 million, through the Canada-British Columbia Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy, also went toward the project.
    • The Nicola Native Lodge Society provided land valued at approximately $588,000 for the project.

    Quotes:

    Vaughn Sunday, co-ordinator, Nicola Native Lodge Society —

    “This marks a proud moment, as we celebrate the opening of the Nicola Native Lodge. This historic occasion could not have been accomplished without the support of the members of the five Nicola First Nations, the elected leadership, the board members of the NNLS, BC Housing and the Province.” 

    Mike Goetz, mayor, Merritt —   

    “The City of Merritt is proud to support this important housing initiative, which provides much-needed homes for local First Nations families, elders, and youth. We are grateful to the Nicola Native Lodge Society and our local First Nations for their leadership and collaboration in building a stronger, more inclusive community.”

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the B.C. government’s new Homes for People action plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

    To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

    To see a map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C., visit: https://www.bchousing.org/projects-partners/Building-BC/homes-for-BC

    Join BC Housing to listen and learn from people in British Columbia who are creating strong, inclusive housing communities. Subscribe to BC Housing’s podcast, Let’s Talk Housing, on:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s Address at Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu in Udhagamandalam

    Source: Government of India

    Thiru R.N. Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Tiruchirapalli, Thiru R. Kirlosh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Dignitaries, Vice Chancellors and Distinguished audience present in the hall.

    We are having access to this discourse through LIVE coverage by Sansad TV. So, what is being transacted here is not limited to those present here, it will resonate not only to Vice-Chancellors but to all who are stakeholders in the rise of this nation, in improving the academic environment in the country.

    A while ago, we observed silence. I join the nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, that claimed innocent lives. It is a grim reminder that terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison.

    Bharat is the world’s most peace-loving nation and our civilisational ethos, reflected in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is getting global resonance. Our visionary leadership in the shape of a Prime Minister who is in his third term is our greatest assurance that the nation’s rise cannot be handicapped by any situations- internal or external. 

    But we all must bear in mind that National Interest is supreme. This was echoed by no one else than Dr. B.R. Ambedkar while imparting his final address to the Constituent Assembly. We therefore have to take a resolve to always keep Nation First. National interest cannot be intertwined with partisan interest, it has to be uppermost. This cannot be subservient to any interest political, personal, or for a group. It was with this spirit that we observed silence. 

    Distinguished audience, I owe my present position only to education, was extremely fortunate to get a scholarship and good education. And I therefore realise the importance of good education. One that can cut into inequities. Can bring about dignity, can contribute to rise of the nation and therefore Hon’ble Governor, It is an absolute honour and privilege as also profound responsibility to share thoughts with those, the Vice-Chancellors, the academicians, the administrators in the field of education who shape those who are destined to shape our nation. That is our youth, our youth demographic dividend, is the envy of the world. It is contributing that is making a great difference.  

    I must commend the Hon’ble Governor Thiru R.N. Ravi for his very thoughtful initiative taken by him in 2022 to have ‘Conference of Vice-Chancellors’. The present one is one such in the series. 

    I have no doubt the deliberations will be very fruitful because when deliberations take place. Dialogue takes place, when there is sharing of thoughts, sharing of problems- Resolutions emerge. Issues that require to be addressed we get a way out. But I must commend Governor Ravi for another reason, he is doing this because it is his constitutional ordainment. 

    He has taken oath under the Indian Constitution, under Article 159. His oath as that of the Hon’ble President is very significant. The oath he has taken as Governor is to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law”. By his oath he is further enjoined, to devote to the service and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu. By organising such events which are extremely relevant to the field of education, Governor Ravi is vindicating his oath. 

    Distinguished audience, Education is the most impactful transformative agent of change, and you all are aware the only constant is change, and change must be soothing to society, must be meaningful to society, must give order to society, respect to every individual. The citizen must pride himself or herself in the system in which he or she lives. 

    We need to nurture our education ecosystem in the backdrop of our historical legacy, Gurukul ! The Gurukul concept is sublime. A facet of service to society by Guru. There was free access to those who had earned knowledge, education. The Guru in Gurukul took everyone under his fold, as part of that family. That is our legacy, that calls for revival.

    No one knows better than the people here and the people listening to me all over the country and some will come to know of it through print media and social media. I assert, Accessibility and affordability of education is vital but what is more significant in a world that is changing very fast. Accessibility and affordability has to be of quality education. Fortunately, in our country it is emerging as a national priority. Only quality education system for all can be transformative. The people here and people watching it are the prime motivators.

    Time for your category, Distinguished audience to fire on all cylinders to bring about much needed change in education which can gain momentum with pro-active affirmative stance of Vice Chancellors, and others who are stakeholders by virtue of being in governance, political executive and bureaucracy.

    Such Conferences and Congregations are crucibles of thought, policy, and purpose. And the thoughts are nurtured here, policies evolved. There is a purposeful definition of brainstorming sessions that catalyse the change we all need. I have no hesitation in indicating to you, this is a contemporaneous imperative need and essential. We need to focus on it as our supreme priority. These are also occasions for collective reflection, self-audit, soothingly auditing each other. Trying to monetize each other’s experience, Also, occasions for introspection, and then re-imagination to lay a blueprint for future, give direction to education in Bharat that is emerging as a world power. Never have we seen the might of the Indian Prime Minister being acclaimed by world leaders in countries, political sagacity within the country and outside have given Indians, Bharatiya a new respect. We are a nation to reckon with because Bharat stands for peace and welfare of all. Growth for all. Such interactions also help us to be in sync with emerging global trends. We can’t be an island in ourselves. We have to see what is happening in other parts of the world and we also have to take notice of global trends and needs. We have to define our trajectory of growth as also of the world which we did centuries ago. 

    I am particularly elated that Tamil Nadu is taking a lead in this matter. Tamil Nadu is a land of vibrant learning centers, those learning centers must be our North star now. Tamil Nadu has been home to such widely accoladed learning centers like Kanchipuram and Ennayiram that attracted thousands of students from all over Bharat. I see these conferences as crucibles of ideation that will rekindle the spirit of Kanchipuram and bring back the glory of Ennayiram .

    We must take pride that it was in Tamil Nadu, Madras University was established in 1857. Modern education was exemplified in this land, and University then and now has leadership in science, law, and liberal education and is reckoned as a prestigious Institution throughout the country.

    Distinguished audience, Research and Development is now quintessential to progress. We can no longer depend on to gain from research elsewhere. We have to be on our own strength, our educational Institutions particularly Universities, IIMs, IITs, Institutes of excellence in science and otherwise have to be laboratories of research and innovation.

    Our institutions must transform themselves from credential outfits into crucibles of innovation and character. We cannot reduce our Institutions just to hand out degrees. A degree from a university must be a potent power in the hand of a degree holder that can help him or her to fully exploit his or her potential and realize his/her talent and ambition. 

    I must express my one concern to this very distinguished audience, Research must correlate to much needed solutions. Research must be authentic and not just surface scratching or assimilation. You understand much better than I do, Research for the sake of research is no research.  

    A research paper must magnetically attract others as a solution provider. Research must be beyond self. 

    For leapfrogging to the education that our next generations would require; we would require a larger convergence of thought leaders and all stakeholders. This conference is a step in that direction. Those present and those not present all are gainers, a compulsive system sometimes comes in the way but as I indicated it is momentary. I cannot visualise anyone in the country whose heart does not pursue national growth. I have no doubt the benefits will be there and therefore Hon’ble Governor this conference series you started in 2022 is a well taken step in the right direction.

    A sense of gratitude to Hon’ble Governor’s farsightedness, At the heart of India’s great institutions of the past, there were visionary leaders, or what we call modern day Vice Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellors of today are enormously talented, they are no less visionaries, they are giving everything which they can. They might face uphill tasks, difficult terrain or air pockets but I believe in their power to transform. They are worthy academicians who have the capacity to bring about results. They represent and epitomise the Kulapatis we had once. 

    I urge everyone in governance at the center and the state to believe in the institution of Vice-Chancellor and ensure they can perform undeterred by ordinary situations. 

    Today, we face formidable challenges: rapid technological disruption, it is far more severe than Industrial revolutions we had, A paradigm shift is taking place every moment. It is difficult to keep pace. The global order on this count is becoming increasingly complex .

    Every facet of life is being affected, and it is therefore in the lap of Universities ably led on the front foot by Vice-Chancellors to act as stewards of India’s academic landscape. More the challenges, the more formidable, we must rise as impregnable not only to overcome them but also to deliver results for the nation and the world.

    One challenge which the Vice-Chancellors must be facing is faculty. Faculty availability, faculty retention and sometimes faculty attrition. I would appeal to all of you to engage in sharing with one another. Use technology. Don’t be an island in yourself, it is not a time to be stand-alone because this challenge has to be fixed, we have no time. 

    As I indicated, I emphasize, we have well passed the era of stand-alone Institutions. It can’t be IITs, IIMs. The Stand-alone era of Institutions is already behind us. There is now need of convergence of various verticals to give

    institutions cutting edge. Multi-disciplinary approach across academic pursuits is the only answer. Share your faculty talent virtually, technologically and otherwise also. That will have two fold purposes while giving it, you will be receiving also.

    The winds of innovation and change must have free passage in educational institutions. Evolve a mechanism, there has to be a tolerance for varying ideas. Intolerance to a thought defines democracy the wrong way. The nectar of University is that a solo voice that has an opinion different from the majority is heard with defiance by engaging in discourse not by being judgmental. 

    I appeal from this very important platform, Industry, business, commerce and corporates must channelise their CSR funds to handhold Universities liberally fund Research and Innovation. There is a great need for the emergence of Greenfield Institutions because new areas have come up suddenly – Disruptive Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain. They require a new kind of mindset, Space, Oceanography- new areas are emerging. Growth in those areas can be sustained only when you get to these sectors with skilled minds, trained minds. 

    The more fundamental question which we all are aware of, and that is we must go back to cultural roots of education also. It is multi-dimensional. We should, and why we should not, Our Institutions should reclaim the glory of the past. On this count I would share some concerns, Universities, Institutions of excellence and higher learning must assume the role as spaces of free thought and fearless ideation. 

    Ideation is very vital; A concept emerges out of ideation. Execution is not difficult. Ideation requires brain-storming, exchange of various opinions and the challenges we face to day—climate change, artificial intelligence, sustainability— they require interdisciplinary thinking and also ethical reasoning.

    It is only in our Universities that we can go back to our Vedic knowledge, our civilisational wealth— A gold mine when it comes to ethics, innovation. 

    We must foster campuses where intellectual risk is encouraged. Risk is required. A failure is not a failure you must impart to your students. A failure is a myth. A failure is a stepping stone to success. We must believe in discovery, innovation and encourage people to engage in that activity.

    In this rapidly shifting global landscape, Universities must not be passive observers but active change-makers. You have to catalyse the change you need, and the change you need is the change society needs. Our curriculum must be designed to prepare students not just to respond to change, but to lead the change. To define the trajectory of the change, to see the change which we need, not the change that overtakes us. 

    Our administrative structures must be a guiding principle to others. That is an attention not given for too long. Education must be distanced just from giving credentials and degrees. No, it must be purposive, it must serve societal causes, and therefore there must be partnership with all stakeholders– the government, the industry, the society, the NGOs and it must be beyond transactional purposes. It must be guided by the sole spirit to serve the nation. This collaborative approach is long overdue, I am sure you will bestow attention to this. 

    Distinguished Vice-Chancellors, your leadership must enable faculty and students to act not merely as recipients of institutional policy—but as co-creators of the future. We must promote high-impact, high-risk research that tackles real-world problems.

    We must incentivize collaborations between universities, industries, and international partners. Fortunately, the present Government has shown a lot of focus on this but above all, we must reintegrate research with teaching. Our ancient model did not separate inquiry from instruction. We must return to that integrated spirit.

    Today’s Bharat is different, we never imagined we would be in this shape. Exponential economic upsurge, Infrastructural phenomenal growth, technological penetration, global reputation, system of hope and possibility. When this is the landscape we must find a way for the ambitions of our youth to be satisfied. Right now there is a mechanism, and I wish it is disseminated extensively in a revolutionary manner.

    From startups to space tech, from health innovation to green energy, from blue economy to space economy, the opportunity basket is wider than ever before. It is continually getting enlarged, but our youth is in silos. They are not aware of these opportunities and that is why we have mushroom growth of coaching classes. Every newspaper is having their advertisements. Please make our youth aware of the golden opportunities they have. 

    Let me indicate one aspect, the International Monetary Fund, and I know the shift that has taken place. In 1990, I was a Union Minister, I knew the stance of the IMF then, I know the stance of the IMF now. IMF says, India is a global destination of investment and opportunity. We need to tell our youth this accommodation is not for govt jobs, it is for the opportunities that are in the basket for youth. We therefore need a paradigm shift, distinguished Vice-Chancellors, A paradigm shift from our youth job seeking to job creations.

    Now is the time for Bharat to create innovators and job givers. That transformation requires a Saarthi. Lord Krishna was Saarthi in Mahabharata. Our Vice-Chancellors are Saarthis. They have to bring about by navigation into the mindset of our youth that avail the opportunities. Benefit from the ecosystem of hope and possibility. You can realise your talent and potential because the government has affirmative policies, and for this the Vice-Chancellors are required to be proactive and if I may say so in absolute overdrive. 

    It is concerning, and the government has done much to come out of it. The mindset continues to be influenced by colonial remnants. Western narratives have distorted, diluting our achievements. We must neutralise them. Our Universities must become guardians of our cultural pride. They must reflect our civilisational confidence. Imagine which country can boast of such uniqueness, civilisational wealth, and India reminds the world every moment what peace is. What is inclusivity? India is a symbol of inclusivity which globally must be emulated. 

    Our universities must become guardians of cultural pride and civilizational confidence. We must create dedicated centres for the rigorous study of India’s scientific, philosophical, and artistic contributions. For that decolonization drive to fructify all those who are here and listen to this need to lead.  We cannot be in captivity of calibration from outside, we do not know how they calibrate, what agenda they have in calibration? They often turn Nelson’s eye to the impeccable, sustainable, growth trajectory of this country which continuously is getting on a high gradient and to do this the government has taken a great initiative. After 3 decades, taking into consideration inputs from the widest spectrum of stakeholders, there was an evolution of the National Education Policy. This policy aligns with our civilisational ethos. It encourages multidisciplinary learning, values Indian languages, and envisions education as the development of the whole person—not just employability.

    The most significant aspect of NEP is that it allows students to learn in their mother tongue. Neither Buddha nor Pythagoras were thinking in English. Yet, they both arrived at this wonderful theorem in their own mother tongue. And we still continue to cling to this? 

    Contrary to the Constitutional spirit, I don’t want to go much into that, you can study. I have no doubt that as Governor, West Bengal I was closely associated with the evolution of NEP. It is game changing, it is transformative, It is hand holding them, giving them latitude but my problem is that those in academic institutions are not fully aware of this policy. I beseech you all and the faculty and directors wherever they are to please do a thorough study of National Education Policy to realize its real intent and purpose so that we reap the harvest of it.

    From this platform I wish to indicate, NEP is not Government policy. It is a policy for the nation, and therefore I appeal, it is time for all to adopt it, understand it, execute it and reap the fruits. I need to indicate one more aspect, Our languages, their richness and depth are our pride and legacy. This aspect amplifies the fullness and uniqueness of Bharat. Go to any country and you will not find what we have here. Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bangla and other languages are goldmine of literature and knowledge. These have national and global footprints.

    Educational institutions have to nurture this treasure. Tamil has the distinction of being the first language to be accorded the prestige of being the classical language. This well-deserved recognition was imparted in 2004. Which means things started changing in regimes. Today, eleven such languages are recognized as classical languages in India, and classical languages are those which have rich culture, knowledge, literature, depth. Let me just indicate the eleven language because I had the privilege as Chairman, Rajya Sabha to declare to Rajya Sabha that Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali were recently given the status of classical languages, but earlier we had as I said, Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia. Go all over the world, we are matchless, we have to realise our power, our potential. We should not be carried away by insignificant aspects. I don’t want to dilate much because for me this is a pure education aspect. Those present are as important to me as those spread all over the country and getting to know about it by LIVE broadcast of Sansad TV but we have realised that if our students study in their own language, the results are not arithmetic, they are geometrical. They blossom and therefore this focus has come from the government, and must be disseminated.

    There is one more aspect where educational institutions need to focus: alumni engagement. Alumni Associations, on a number of platforms I have addressed this issue. If you look at the global scenario, Alumni associations sustain the reputation of their Alma mater. Alumni Associations create a corpus which is in billions. One such Institution has a corpus of more than 50 billion USD. 

    Let us make a beginning, let us generate a spirit in every student who has been associated with Institution, make fiscal contribution. Quantum thereof is not important. It generates a different kind of connection because you become stakeholders in your alma mater’s growth. Structured robust alumni engagement frameworks across institutions will be game changer and would be transformative. Just imagine if we had confederations of alumni associations from institutions like IITs, IIMs, or AIIMS. We will have such a think tank. We will have a human resource reservoir that can help evolve policies. Why should we deprive ourselves of this? Take initiatives. I am sure you will start working on corpus culture and alumni associations.

    Respected Vice Chancellors, we stand at a momentous crossroads. Behind us lies a legacy of greatness and interruption. I say interruption because 1300 years ago we had Nalanda, it was blossoming, it was set on fire. Fire consumed precious books and continued for days. 

    Ahead of us, the path is unwritten—but rich with possibility.  Let us build institutions worthy of our civilizational past and capable of meeting the future with wisdom and strength. Let us build institutions that transform our universities into sanctuaries of timeless knowledge and laboratories of timeless innovation. The intellectual revitalization of Bharat is the highest category of renaissance, and that renaissance is awaiting Bharat. It is awaiting actions at your end. Make Bharat super academic power, that means it will be a global research resource. It is not a dream; it is a destination. Achievable like Viksit Bharat. If we could traverse our economy from fragile 5 to big five and now on way to big 3. Nothing stops us from making Bharat Vishwaguru. 

    Once again, I would like to impart a suggestion to Governor Ravi, certain things must not be taken emotively, those who could not make it must be having a situation. We must be understanding, we must appreciate everybody’s presence, we must appreciate everybody’s absence also. I am grateful for the patience you have shown.

    Thank you so much. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government published the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette today (April 25) to make amendments to the existing legislation for the implementation of the new phase of tobacco control measures. The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on April 30.

         The Health Bureau (HHB) announced the overall tobacco control strategy in June last year, setting out the directions under the strategy and short, medium and long-term measures to reduce the social hazards posed by smoking products and safeguard public health. These measures are formulated around four directions under the tobacco control strategy, namely, Regulate Supply, Suppress Demand: reducing the demand for and supply of smoking products; Ban Promotion, Reduce Attractiveness: minimising the attractiveness of smoking products; Expand No Smoking Areas, Mitigate Harm: protecting the public from the hazard of second-hand smoke; and Enhance education, Support Cessation: strengthening the provision of smoking cessation services, with a view to taking forward the tobacco control process in a multipronged and progressive approach. Among the 10 short-term tobacco control measures announced, eight of them require legislative amendments.  

         The Bill seeks to amend Ordinances including the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) and the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 600) to provide a legal basis for the implementation of the eight short-term measures as follows:

    (1) Implement a duty stamp system for cigarettes

    • Require importers/local manufacturers to ensure that each package of duty-paid cigarettes is affixed with a duty stamp when put on the market for sale 
    • Ban the sale or supply of cigarettes whose packages are not affixed with a duty stamp
    • Require that cigarettes sold at a price lower than the tobacco duty be proved to be duty-paid 
    • Plan to roll out a pilot scheme in the third quarter of 2025
    • The official launch date will be separately specified. The transitional phase is planned to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the full implementation is targeted for the second quarter of 2027. 

    (2) Increase penalties for duty-not-paid tobacco 

    • Raise the maximum penalty for relevant offences from a $1 million fine and two-year imprisonment to a $2 million fine and seven-year imprisonment
    • List the relevant offences under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455) to enable the Customs and Excise Department to freeze assets associated with illicit tobacco activities
    • Increase the penalty for offences of failing to declare to Customs Officers compoundable under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance from $2,000 to $5,000 
    • Plan to take immediate effect upon gazettal of the amended Ordinance

    (3) Prohibit the possession of alternative smoking products (ASPs) 

    • Ban the possession of ASP substances (i.e. capsules, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes) in public places
    • Smoking or using ASP in public places will be considered possession and a contravention of the requirement
    • Introduce a fixed penalty of $3,000 for incompliant cases involving possession of small quantities of ASP substances for non-commercial purposes
    • Plan to take effect on April 30, 2026

    (4) Implement plain packaging requirement 

    • Require that the packaging of conventional smoking products be uniformly designed, restricting or prohibiting the display of any logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on the packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in standard colour and font style, thereby dampening promotion effects 
    • The official launch date will be separately specified. It is targeted to take effect in tandem with the duty stamp system in the second quarter of 2027

    (5) Prohibit smoking while queuing 
         1. Prohibit smoking while queuing for public transport

    • Prohibit doing a smoking act while queuing in a line of two or more persons to board a public transport carrier (such as queuing for buses, minibuses, taxis and trams) at a designated boarding location
    • Prohibit smoking while staying in the delineated area of a designated boarding location (such as areas underneath bus shelters or inside areas where queuing positions are clearly indicated at ground level)

         2. Prohibit smoking while queuing to enter specified places  

    • Specified places include areas with high pedestrian flow, where queues may easily form, such as hospitals, designated clinics or health centres, public pleasure grounds, swimming pools and stadiums.
    • Prohibit smoking while queuing in a line of two or more persons to enter specified places, or queuing within the specified places.  

         3. Any person who contravenes the ban is liable to a fixed penalty, and the penalty level is on par with illegal smoking in a statutory no-smoking area (NSA)

    • Plan to take effect on January 1, 2026

    (6) Extend statutory NSAs  

    • Expand statutory NSAs to public areas that lie within 3 metres from entrances/exits exclusively used for the specified premises (i.e. child care centres, residential care homes, schools, hospitals and designated clinics or health centres)
    • Empower the Secretary for Health to designate a large area as NSAs with specifications and exemptions having regard to circumstances in districts and actual needs.
    • Raise the fixed penalty level for smoking offences to $3,000
    • Plan to take effect on January 1, 2026

    (7) Prohibit the provision of smoking products to persons aged below 18 

    • Cases involving the provision of small quantities of conventional smoking products will be liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000, while cases exceeding the specified quantities will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 
    • Provision of ASPs will be liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment. 
    • Plan to take effect on January 1, 2026

    (8) Ban flavoured conventional smoking products

    • Prohibit the sale of conventional smoking products that contain specified additives to counteract the intention of tobacco companies to use flavourings to disguise the toxicity of conventional smoking products and attract young people to smoke
    • Ban conventional smoking products containing specified additives other than menthol in the first stage
    • Introduce a Certification regime, requiring that suppliers needs to obtain a “certificate of compliance” issued by the Director of Health for distributing conventional smoking products.
    • Maximum penalty of relevant offences will be a fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment 
    • The official launch date will be separately specified. It is targeted to officially commence after the full implementation of the duty stamp system (i.e. around the second quarter of 2027)

         The other two short-term measures, namely “continuously reviewing the effectiveness of increasing tobacco duty and the pace of future adjustments” and “strengthening smoking cessation services as well as publicity and education”, are ongoing and do not involve legislative amendments. 

         A spokesman for the HHB said, “The Government is committed to further reducing Hong Kong’s smoking prevalence and mitigating the impact of second-hand smoke on the public through various measures in a progressive manner, thereby safeguarding public health. To further alleviate the threat posed by tobacco to public health, the Government needs to put in place more proactive measures to curb tobacco use and minimise its harmful effects on society. After factors such as the effectiveness, practicability and public receptiveness of these measures were weighed, the HHB put forward these measures last year and has further refined the details of the proposed legislative amendments after considering the views of various stakeholders in the community.”

         According to figures of the Census and Statistics Department, the proportion of persons aged 15 and above with a daily smoking habit of conventional cigarettes in Hong Kong was 9.1 per cent in 2023, meaning there are still about 580 000 people in Hong Kong who are daily smokers of conventional cigarettes.  

         A spokesman for the HHB said, “The various smoking-induced diseases among smokers will pose a heavy burden on the healthcare system and society as a whole. A local study revealed that the economic loss resulting from tobacco-induced health problems in 2021 was estimated to be about $8.2 billion per year in Hong Kong. The Government will fully work with the LegCo to scrutinise the Bill, with a view to seeking the LegCo’s support and passage of the Bill, thereby building a legal framework to curb smoking hazards and stepping towards a ‘tobacco-free Hong Kong’ through concerted efforts.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 2-Day NSS National Convention, Calls for a Modern Era of ‘Seva’

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 2-Day NSS National Convention, Calls for a Modern Era of ‘Seva’

    Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya Highlights MY Bharat’s Role in Transforming Youth Volunteerism

    Youth Must Lead Environmental Activism and Heritage Preservation: Dr. Mandaviya

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 8:40PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the National Service Scheme (NSS) – National Convention at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi today, marking the return of the prestigious gathering after a break of 15 years. The two-day convention will witness participation from more than 200 NSS officers from across the country.

    Addressing the NSS Convention, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the need to redefine ‘Seva’ in the context of current global challenges. Drawing on his experience as a former NSS volunteer, he emphasized the importance of engaging youth in environmental activism, cultural preservation, and experiential learning.

    “In the digital era, the meaning of ‘Seva’ must transform. Our youth must be at the forefront of environmental activism, heritage preservation etc. Experiential learning should go hand in hand with Seva must be the new norm,” he said.

    He emphasized the transformative role of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched in 2023 under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, describing it as a unifying platform to channel the energy and potential of youth towards nation-building. Dr. Mandaviya urged all stakeholders to work collectively to inspire, empower, and equip young individuals to become informed and active contributors to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

    Earlier in the day, Dr. Mandaviya chaired the meeting of the National NSS Advisory Council, laying emphasis on modernizing youth volunteerism and aligning NSS with emerging national priorities. The Advisory Council comprises eminent personalities such as Dr. Himanshu Rai, Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Mr. Malhar Kalambe, Ms. Usha Sharma and Smt. Geetanjali Kirloskar, along with senior officials from NCC, UGC, AICTE, CBSE, and academic bodies.

    Key resolutions were passed during the meeting include the formation of expert sub-committees for revamping NSS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), introducing research-driven initiatives, updating award mechanisms, and enhancing training frameworks. The strategic convergence of NSS and NCC under the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform was also discussed to create a unified, holistic model for youth engagement.

    The strategic integration of NSS and NCC within the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform was actively explored to foster greater synergy and establish a unified, comprehensive approach to youth engagement. In line with the objectives of the National Education Policy, discussions also focused on linking NSS volunteer activities with enhanced employability, the provision of academic credits, and recognition through nationally accredited skill certifications. Furthermore, the deliberations emphasized the promotion of public-private collaborations, innovation-driven initiatives, and research-oriented volunteerism—marking a pivotal step forward in transforming the NSS into a dynamic vehicle for youth empowerment and nation-building.

    The convention was enriched through breakout sessions, zone-wise presentations of best practices, and interactive group discussions, all of which contributed to the development of key proposals that will inform the MY Bharat National Action Framework.

    The Ministry reiterated its commitment to revitalizing the NSS as a dynamic platform that fosters patriotism, civic responsibility, and progressive values—empowering the youth of India to take the lead in building a brighter, more inclusive future for the nation.

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    Himanshu Pathak

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Breakthrough research paves way for engineering materials vital for emerging quantum technology

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 6:14PM by PIB Delhi

    A breakthrough method of controlling properties of phonons– energy wave travelling through crystal lattice on vibration of atoms of the material, through twist angles between layers of two-dimensional materials, can help engineer materials with tailored thermal, optical, and electronic characteristics, vital for quantum technology.

    A phonon is a collective excitation in a periodic, elastic arrangement of atoms or molecules in condensed matter like a tiny wave of energy that travels through the crystal lattice when atoms in the material start to vibrate. They are similar to movement of ripples in a pond on dropping of a stone.

    Phonon properties and their interactions can play a crucial role in developing optoelectronics tunable photonic devices. Scientists are exploring different methods in controlling properties of phonons for the purpose.

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, have uncovered a method to vary twist angles in WSe2 (Tungsten diselenide) homobilayers to influence phonon hybridization and other key properties. This study, published in ACS Nano highlights the intricate relationship between periodic structures that form when two or more two-dimensional (2D) lattices overlap (moiré superstructures) and their impact on phononic and electronic interactions.

    Fig: Left panel – schematic of twisted WSe2. Right panel – Raman spectra from natural and twisted bilayer of WSe2.

    Using Raman spectroscopy, the team demonstrated that twist angles between 1° and 7° in WSe2 homobilayers induce splitting in phonon modes. They also showed that unusual temperature-driven changes in Raman frequencies and line widths, particularly at low temperatures (below 50 K), emphasizing the interplay of electron-phonon coupling and phonon anharmonicity (restoring force in the system is not perfectly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium) in twisted systems.

    This research which used the Raman facility, set up with support from the FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions) program of Department of Science and Technology, and received funding support of DST, opens new pathways for the design of advanced materials for photonic, quantum, and electronic applications.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO achieves significant milestone in Scramjet Engine Development

    Source: Government of India

    DRDO achieves significant milestone in Scramjet Engine Development

    Conducts Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for over 1,000 seconds

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 8:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has achieved a significant milestone in the field of Hypersonic Weapon Technology. DRDL conducted long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for more than 1,000 seconds at the newly built state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility at Hyderabad on April 25, 2025. The ground-test is in continuation of the earlier test reported for 120 seconds in January 2025. With the successful test, the system will be soon ready for full scale flight worthy combustor testing.

     

     

    Hypersonic Cruise Missile is a class of weapons that can travel more than five times the speed of sound (> 6100 Kmph) for long duration and is powered by Air breathing engine. Air breathing propulsion systems, having supersonic combustion, plays a critical role for long-duration cruise conditions. This test validates the design of long duration scramjet combustor as well as test facility. It is an outcome of an integrated effort put by the DRDO labs along with industry & academia and paves a strong base for the nation’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, Industry partners and academia for the remarkable achievement. He termed the success as a reflection of the Government’s strong commitment in realising critical Hypersonic Weapon Technologies for the nation.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems) Shri U Raja Babu, Director DRDL Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy and the complete team for demonstrating the supersonic combustion for more than 1,000 seconds involving cutting edge technologies.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates the Third International Quantum Communication Conclave held on ‘Future of Secure Communication and Cryptography’

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates the Third International Quantum Communication Conclave held on ‘Future of Secure Communication and Cryptography’

    New Quantum Standards Unveiled as India Strengthens Global Quantum Leadership

    TEC and C-DOT Lead the Charge in Post-Quantum Cryptography and Secure 5G Technologies

    Minister Scindia Calls for Bold Steps into the Quantum Age at International Quantum Conclave

    Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia: Quantum Computing Will Revolutionize Innovation and Scientific Discovery

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), hosted the Third International Quantum Communication Conclave today in New Delhi. This high-level gathering brought together national and international experts, researchers, and policymakers to deliberate on the future of quantum communication, with a strong focus on standardization, research, and secure digital transformation.

    Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region; Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications inaugurated the conclave. Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific advisor; Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman DCC & Secretary (Telecom) and Smt. Tripti Saxena, Sr. DDG & Head, TEC shared the dais.

    The conclave was organised as part of India’s definite steps in taking lead in the areas of quantum communication technologies, especially in light of the National Quantum Mission launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹6003.65 Crore. The mission, a key initiative under the Prime Minister’s Science and Technology Innovation Advisory Council, aims to seed and scale up R&D in quantum technologies while fostering a vibrant and innovative ecosystem across academia, industry, and start-ups.

    As part of the event, three significant documents were unveiled to support and promote the deployment of quantum secure technologies: the Standard on Generic Requirements for Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG), a Technical Report on Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and a Technical Report on Quantum Secure 5G/ Beyond 5G Core using PQC.

    The Standard on QRNG provides a framework that can be used by the organizations for the evaluation of Quantum Random Number Generators. The purpose of Technical Report on Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is to sensitize the organizations to identify their critical digital infrastructures including data and applications and be ready for a smooth transition to quantum safe cryptography.The Technical Report on Quantum Secure 5G/ Beyond 5G Core using PQC  delves into the vulnerabilities of current cryptographic protocols within the evolving 5G core from the emergence of quantum computers and identifies key areas within the 5G Core architecture where post-quantum cryptography (PQC) can be implemented to achieve quantum security.

    Delivering the Inaugural Address at the Opening Plenary of the Conclave, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, spoke about the revolutionary impact of Quantum Technoloy. He pointed out that “quantum computing isn’t just another step forward, it is a giant leap that will define innovation, accelerate scientific discovery and unlock multiple solutions to human problems that were hitherto always thought of as insurmountable”. Shri Scindia added that “the future now is no longer just digital, the future now is quantum. And the ripple effects of quantum computing are already touching not only scientific discovery but also our lives”. He concluded by saying “let’s step into the quantum age with boldness, brilliance, and a clear sense of purpose.”

    Minister Scindia also led the Conclave’s participants to observe one minute silence as a mark of respect to pay homage to those killed in the Terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J & K on April 22, 2025. He condemned the terror attack what he termed as the “cowardly, heinous attack by inhuman elements that claimed innocent lives”.  He added, “My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones and each one of us extend our heartiest, from the bottom of our hearts, our deepest condolences to every single family member.”

    Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, in his Special Address said that under the transformative leadership of Honerable Prime Minister, India is committed to leading the Quantum technology transformation. He informed that “Through the national quantum mission, we are investing deeply in quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing, and quantum materials. Our vibrant startup ecosystem, our world-class research institutions, and our industry pioneers are already delivering indigenous quantum solutions ready for deployment”. The Minister exhorted all researchers, engineers, and visionary entrepreneurs, to ignite their curiosity, expand horizons, and challenge conventional thought.

    The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India , Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, in his address highlighted that the conclave is taking place in the year 2025 which has been declared as the Year of Quantum by the United Nations General Assembly. Prof. Sood dwelt on the evolution of Quantum Technologies over the last 100 years stating that “today we are in the second revolution of Quantum Mechanics of the newest technology frontier where we now have the tools to controlling the quantum systems.”

    Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman DCC & Secretary (Telecom) expressed the hope, “this Quantum Conclave will help us redefine boundaries, foster collaboration—especially since this is an interdisciplinary field—and develop recommendations so that the government is able to take note of them and adapt our policies accordingly.”

    This conclave aimed to create greater awareness about R&D, standardization and testing of quantum-safe technologies, and promote collaboration among stakeholders.

    The technical sessions featured thought-provoking talks and presentations by leading experts and organizations from India and abroad, including Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO C-DOT; Dr. Anandaraman Sankaran – Senior Manager, QKD Technical Marketing, Japan; Dr. Ray Harishankar – IBM Quantum Safe, USA; Dr. Kaveh Delfanazari –Senior Lecturer (Electronic & Nanoscale Engineering) University of Glasgow, UK; Mr. Rowan Högman (Advanced technology Director) M/s Ericsson, Sweden; Dr. Urbasi Sinha, Raman Research institute, Bengaluru;   Prof. Anil Prabhakar, IIT Madras; and several others.

    The conclave also featured exhibition from R&D institutions [C-DOT, CR Rao Advanced Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science] and industries/start-ups [QuNu Labs, QpiAI, Qutess Labs & New Age Instruments & Materials Pvt. Ltd.] offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge advancements in quantum communication and related technologies taking place in India.

    The conclave sought to mobilize contributions in international standard organizations. Additionally, it provided a platform to identify existing standardization gaps and foster contributions to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) creation in quantum communication technologies.

    About:

    Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), is a standards setting organisation for Telecom and related ICT products under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India. It is responsible for formulation of standards, specifications, test procedures, service specifications and technical regulations for Telecom/ICT sector. TEC is actively involved in the standardisation activities on Quantum Technology at domestic as well as international level participating and contributing to ITU, IEEE, etc. TEC has released standards on “Quantum Key Distribution System” and “Quantum-safe and Classical Cryptographic Systems”. TEC has also constituted a “National Working Group on Quantum Technology” (NWG-QT) with members from academia, industry/startups, R&D organizations, service providers, Govt. Organizations, etc. to have a focused and coordinated approach for development of standards on Quantum Technology.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DoSJE and The World Bank Host Seminar to brainstorm on issues affecting Beggars, the Homeless, and the Destitute Population

    Source: Government of India

    DoSJE and The World Bank Host Seminar to brainstorm on issues affecting Beggars, the Homeless, and the Destitute Population

    Need to hear directly from  those who have transitioned out of begging, to understand the root causes and impact of support systems: Secretary DEPwD

    Such events provide valuable grassroots insights and authentic data from the field, essential to identifying and supporting individuals in vulnerable conditions: Lead Economist, World Bank

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 8:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Government of India, in collaboration with the World Bank, organized a powerful and thought-provoking seminar with the theme –  ‘Population Out of Reach – SMILE (Beggary)’ – on 25th April, 2025, in New Delhi.

    The objective of the seminar was to deliberate on strategies and share knowledge regarding the rehabilitation of beggars, the homeless, and the destitute population, with participation from both national and international experts. This event formed part of an ongoing knowledge seminar series aimed at deepening dialogue and action to strengthen social protection systems for the most vulnerable sections of society in India.

    Addressing the Seminar as the Chief Guest, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, shared his vision on inclusive development and disability-friendly outreach. He emphasized the need to hear directly from real stakeholders — those who have transitioned out of begging — to understand the root causes and impact of support systems. He also acknowledged the complexity of the issue, touching upon its social, religious, and economic dimensions.

    On the other hand, the keynote address by Ms. Benedicte Leroy De La Briere, Lead Economist, World Bank, brought a global lens to the discussion on beggary rehabilitation. She highlighted the significance of the partnership between the World Bank and the Ministry of Social Justice, noting that such events provide valuable grassroots insights and authentic data from the field. They emphasized the importance of foundational documentation—such as having a registered address, a bank account, and access to healthcare—as essential to identifying and supporting individuals in vulnerable conditions. The representative concluded by stressing the need to focus today’s discussion on targeted interventions and actionable solutions.

    Key Highlights of the Seminar:

    Shri Ajay Srivastava, Economic Advisor (MoSJ&E), shared that approximately 18,000 individuals have been identified under the SMILE initiative, of which 1,612 have already been rehabilitated. He assured that efforts are underway to accelerate the rehabilitation of the remaining individuals. Ms. Debolina Thakur, Joint Secretary and Economic Advisor (DoSJ&E), also addressed the gathering, highlighting that many social challenges are shared globally. She noted that several international organizations are actively working to address these issues, and India too has many institutions making commendable efforts.

    Global Best Practices:

    Mr. Alemseged W Yohannes Bedane, Senior Social Protection Consultant, Ethiopia, shared the success story of the Urban Destitute Support Programme, which has led to the rehabilitation of thousands of homeless individuals. From Brazil, Ms. Beatriz Oliani and Ms. Camila Cabral presented São Paulo city’s progressive policies and urban social welfare strategies.

    Initiatives from across India:

    The seminar featured compelling presentations by nodal officers and grassroots organizations. Notable contributions came from Ms. Anuradha Chagti (Secretary, Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration), Shri Snehil Kumar Singh (District Collector, Kozhikode). Partner organizations including Atchayam Trust (Tamil Nadu), PRAWES Rehabilitation Centre (Madhya Pradesh), UMMEED (Uttar Pradesh), and Udayam Homes (Kerala), also shared on-the-ground realities, challenges, and success stories in engaging with hard-to-reach populations. Further, Ms. Neena Pandey, Head of the Department of Social Work, and Dr. Tarique, Founder of Koshish Trust, delivered insightful presentations focusing on policy frameworks, ethical aspects, and the importance of community-based rehabilitation models.

    The event was held in a hybrid format, ensuring inclusive participation from a broad spectrum of practitioners, policy-makers, international delegates, officials from the World Bank and students of social development across the country. Lively discussions, experience sharing, and actionable insights made this seminar a meaningful step towards building a more inclusive and responsive social protection system in India. Detailed discussions were held on creating structured frameworks to address social issues systematically.

    The Department of Social Justice reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such knowledge-sharing platforms in the future, to promote innovation, foster collaborations, and work toward building a just and inclusive society.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps organises National Games in Touch: Chaoshan Exchange Tour 2025 (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) organised the three-day National Games in Touch: Chaoshan Exchange Tour 2025 from April 22 to 24. As the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will cohost the 15th National Games for the first time this year, the exchange tour provided an opportune time for IDYL members to gain insights into the preparations for the Games by visiting the competition venues in Shantou in person, while learning more about Chaoshan’s history and culture.
     
         Addressing the opening ceremony on the first day of the exchange tour, the Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, expressed his hope that IDYL members would enhance their understanding of the motherland and national affairs by interacting with local youth through site visits, so that they could contribute to the country’s development in the future.
     
         Led by the Commissioner of the IDYL, Dr Cheng Kam-chung, and members of the IDYL Advisory Committee, participants visited Shantou Haojiang Innovation Center, Chaoshan Historical Culture Expo Center, Shantou Sports Center, Nan’ao Island and Chaozhou Ancient City, among others. They also interacted with young entrepreneurs from Chaoshan and student athletes from Shantou Sports School. In addition, the group visited Shantou Offshore Wind Power Industrial Park, where they learned about the country’s key wind power projects and its sustainable development strategies.

         The IDYL will continue to actively organise exchange programmes on a variety of themes to deepen members’ understanding of Chinese history and culture, thereby fostering their sense of nationhood, national identity and affection for the nation.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interaction of Secretary, MoSPI, with the Officer Trainees of 2023 and 2025 Indian Statistical Service batches at NSSTA

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 7:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA) organized a review meeting for the officers of the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) 2023 batch to share insights from their six-month On-the-Job Training conducted at various Sub-Regional and Regional Offices under the Field Operations Division of MoSPI.

    The event commenced with a warm welcome extended to Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI; Shri PR Meshram, Director General (Data Governance); Ms. Puja Singh Mondal, Additional Secretary, MoSPI; Shri K.B. Surwade, Additional Director General (Capacity Development Division); Smt. Sunitha Bhaskar, Additional Director General (Field Operations Division); Dr. JS Tomar, Deputy Director General (NSSTA) and other senior dignitaries from the ISS fraternity.

    The officers of the ISS 2023 batch had the valuable opportunity to interact with Dr. Saurabh Garg and other senior dignitaries, where they shared their field experiences, key learnings, challenges encountered, and provided constructive suggestions for further improvement.

    Simultaneously, the ISS 2025 batch officer trainees, who joined the service on 21st April 2025 at NSSTA, were also present. This event served as their first occasion to engage with senior officers before the commencement of their training journey.

    During the interaction, the Secretary, MoSPI acknowledged the rich field insights and thoughtful suggestions shared by the ISS 2023 officers based on their postings across the country. He emphasized the critical role of data and statistics in today’s world, and referenced the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s address on Civil Services Day, underscoring the vital importance of evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation in governance. He notably remarked, “As part of the country’s statistical system, it is essential that we measure what we treasure, and treasure what we measure.”

    This event at NSSTA successfully created a collaborative platform for both the 2023 and 2025 ISS batches to interact with one another and engage in meaningful discussions with senior officials from the Ministry and the Field Operations Division, fostering a spirit of learning and mentorship.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

    Source: Government of India

    Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

    Meeting of Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR)

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:49PM by PIB Delhi

    TRAI convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCOR) on 25thApril, 2025, at its headquarters in New Delhi to deliberate issues needing cross-sectoral regulatory collaboration and formulate collaborative measures including dealing with unsolicited commercial communication (UCC)/ spam and fraudulent communications. Members of the JCoR, including representatives from RBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, SEBI, MoCA, and MeitY, participated in the meeting. Additionally, DoT, and MHA representatives attended the meeting as special invitees.

    The Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR), an initiative of TRAI, was established to foster collaborative efforts among sectoral regulators from the telecommunication, IT, Consumer Affairs, and financial and insurance sectors to deliberate cross sectoral  regulatory issues in the digital world and work collaboratively on adopting appropriate regulatory measures.  Members of the committee have since leveraged this platform to reinforce their regulatory framework and ensure its effective implementation. The JCoR has provided a very useful collaborative forum to address the issue of UCC & regulatory challenges in the digital era and enhance regulatory frameworks to control UCC through collective effort.

    In his opening address, TRAI Chairman Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti highlighted the critical need for a collaborative approach to combat spam messages and calls creating inconvenience and defrauding the citizens, especially, the senior citizens, the progress made by JCOR in this regard and the challenges ahead.

    The following are some important items deliberated in the meeting:

    1. Modalities for implementation of 1600 series numbers, allocated specially for making transactional and service voice calls by the entities belonging to the government and financial sector, were discussed. The committee members agreed to take up the issue with entities within their jurisdiction for expediting its implementation in a time bound manner and regular monitoring. The CoAI also made a presentation before the committee regarding various solutions that can offer an entity one 1600 series number CLI to be presented to the recipients across all the TSPs and LSAs in the country.
    2. Modalities for onboarding of senders of commercial communication on Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) platform were deliberated. JCOR members agreed to engage with the senders/Principal Entities (PEs) within their jurisdiction to onboard them on DCA.
    3. During the deliberations, I4C discussed various measures to counter fraudulent communication and the problem of Digital Arrest scams. In this regard, measures such as deletion of unused message headers and content templates to avoid their misuse by spammers, prompt action on fraudulent SMS headers, blocking of the Mobile Numbers/IMEI utilized in sending fraudulent messages etc. were discussed.  The members agreed to work further on modalities for implementation of the same.
    4. The issue of spam and scam through OTT and RCS communication platforms were discussed. MeitY will engage with the stakeholders in this regard to take measures analogues to those for conventional telecommunication.

    The JCOR members agreed to further strengthen the collaborative efforts to address these issues collectively so as to increase cross sectoral collaboration and also protect consumers from the harms of spam and fraud while ensuring a more secure and efficient telecom commercial communication ecosystem.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister meets Prime Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 7:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today.

    The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X :
     
    “Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri @ncbn, met Prime Minister @narendramodi.”

    @AndhraPradeshCM

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Evidence-based Policy Making Needed in Agriculture sector: ICAR DG Dr. M L. Jat

    Source: Government of India

    Evidence-based Policy Making Needed in Agriculture sector: ICAR DG Dr. M L. Jat

    NAAS and TAAS sign MoU to enhance collaboration in Agricultural science and research

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) jointly organized an interactive meet and felicitation ceremony to honour two eminent agricultural scientists — Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, and Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & Director General, ICAR—on their appointments to prestigious leadership roles in their respective institutions, in New Delhi today.

    A significant highlight of the programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TAAS and NAAS, aimed at enhancing collaborative initiatives in agricultural science, research, and policy development.

    During the event, Dr. M.L. Jat called upon the agricultural fraternity to come together in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Amrit Kaal. He emphasized the urgent need for science and evidence-based policymaking in agriculture and bringing smile on their faces, while also underscoring the importance of creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers. It is a time for common collaborative mission to bring smiles in famers face and align our goals to our nation’s goals, he added.

    “We must study emerging agricultural demands in the context of global megatrends. Strengthening both internal systems and external capacities, and ensuring their synergy, is key to building a resilient agricultural ecosystem,” he stated. He further highlighted the challenges arising from the diversity of Indian agriculture and the necessity for well-planned, integrated approaches to address them.

    Dr. Himanshu Pathak spoke on the critical role of science in societal transformation. He emphasized that every society must adopt and promote scientific thinking, and acknowledged the past successes of collaborative efforts between the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and NAAS. He expressed optimism that continued partnershipsparticularly between ICAR, CGIAR, and the Special Innovation Team (SIT)would further strengthen agricultural research and innovation in India.

    Dr RS Paroda, Chairman, TAAS, stated that our agricultural challenges encompass national food security, nutritional security, and environmental sustainability. These can be addressed by mitigating climate change, transforming grey areas into green spaces, and promoting regenerative agriculture, he added.

    The ceremony also featured addresses from leading agricultural experts and dignitaries, including Dr. P.K. Joshi; Dr. Ashok K. Singh; and Dr. W.S. Lakra, who emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to address future challenges in Indian agriculture.

    The event concluded with a collective reaffirmation of commitment to innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI responds to the DoT’s back-reference in respect of the TRAI’s recommendations dated 12.04.2024 on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 7:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued its response to the back-reference received from Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in respect of the TRAI’s recommendations dated 12.04.2024 on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector”.

     Earlier, DoT, through a reference dated 10.03.2023, inter-alia requested TRAI, under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, to provide recommendations on framework for Regulatory Sandbox for emerging technologies, services and business model in telecom sector.  After a detailed consultation with stakeholders, TRAI provided its recommendations on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector” dated 12.04.2024 to DoT.

    Subsequently, DoT, through a back-reference dated 19.03.2025, asked TRAI to reconsider its recommendations dated 12.04.2024 on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector”.

    After examining the issue, TRAI has finalized its response to the back-reference. TRAI’s response to the back-reference has been placed on the TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).

     For any clarification or information, Shri Abdul Kayum, Advisor (Broadband and Policy Analysis), TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907757.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: World Malaria Day – 2025

    Source: Government of India

    World Malaria Day – 2025

    Towards a Malaria-Free India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:29PM by PIB Delhi

    “Malaria has been a big challenge confronting humanity for four thousand years. Even at the time of Independence, it was one of our biggest health challenges. Today, I can say with satisfaction that the countrymen have collectively, strongly fought this challenge.”

     

    • Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi

    Summary

    • World Malaria Day is observed globally every year on 25th April.
    • With an 80.5% decline in Malaria cases, between 2025-2023, India exited WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, marking a global milestone.
    • Malaria deaths declined by 78.38% between 2015 and 2023.
    • 122 districts reported zero malaria cases in 2023, showing strong localized impact.
    • Intensified Malaria Elimination Project (IMEP) -3 targets 159 high-burden districts to accelerate malaria elimination in vulnerable areas.
    • The nationwide “Test, Treat, Track” strategy ensures early detection and timely treatment.
    • India aims to achieve zero indigenous malaria cases by 2027 and full elimination by 2030.

     

    World Malaria Day is observed globally on 25th April each year, following its institution by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) member states during the 2007 World Health Assembly. The theme for 2025, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” calls for renewed global commitment to end malaria through innovation, collaboration, and sustained action.  

    Once among the world’s highest malaria-burdened countries, India has demonstrated remarkable progress through sustained political will, grassroots participation, and targeted interventions. A defining milestone came in 2024, when India exited the WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group—

    signalling a paradigm shift in the country’s malaria trajectory.  Backed by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030) and the National Strategic Plan (2023–2027), India has aligned its strategy with global standards while tailoring solutions to local needs.

    With an 80.5% reduction in malaria cases and 78.3% reduction in deaths between 2015 and 2023, and over 122 districts reporting zero cases last year, the country is advancing with renewed momentum towards achieving zero indigenous cases by 2027 and setting a global benchmark in public health elimination efforts. India reaffirms its steadfast commitment to eliminating malaria by 2030.

    Overview of Malaria

     

    What is Malaria? How does it occur?

    Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites and spread to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is common in tropical regions, but is preventable and treatable. Malaria does not spread from person to person, though it can also be transmitted through infected blood or contaminated needles. If left untreated, especially in cases of Plasmodium falciparum infection, it can lead to severe illness or even death within 24 hours.

     

    What are its symptoms?

    The most common early symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and chills, usually appearing 10–15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms may be mild, especially in people who’ve had malaria before, making early testing essential for timely treatment. Severe symptoms can include extreme fatigue, confusion, repeated seizures, breathing difficulties, dark or bloody urine, jaundice, and abnormal bleeding. Some types of malaria can cause severe illness and death.

     

    How can it be prevented?

    Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and, in some cases, by taking preventive medicines. If you’re travelling to areas where malaria is common, consult a doctor about taking preventive drugs (chemoprophylaxis) in advance. To lower the risk of mosquito bites, use mosquito nets while sleeping, especially in areas where malaria is present. Apply mosquito repellents that contain DEET, IR3535, or Icaridin after dusk. You can also use coils, vaporizers, and window screens to keep mosquitoes away. Wearing long-sleeved clothing in the evenings helps protect exposed skin.

     

    How can it be treated?

    Early diagnosis and treatment are key to curing malaria and stopping its spread. Anyone with symptoms should get tested using microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test. Malaria is a serious illness that always requires treatment with medicine. The type of medicine used depends on the type of malaria parasite, the person’s age, weight, whether they are pregnant, and if the parasite is resistant to certain drugs. The most effective treatment for Plasmodium falciparum is Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs). Chloroquine is used to treat Plasmodium vivax in areas where it is still effective. Primaquine is added to prevent relapses in P. vivax and P. ovale cases. Most treatments are given in pill form, but people with severe malaria may need to be treated with injectable medicines at a hospital or health centre.

     

    Global Burden of Malaria

    According to the World Malaria Report, the estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 5 lakhs 97 thousand in 2023, compared to 6 lakhs in 2022.

    In 2023, the 11 HBHI countries were responsible for 66% of global malaria cases and 68% of deaths.

    India’s Commitment and National Goals

     

    India remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030, with the intermediate target of zero indigenous cases by 2027. The strategic roadmap for this mission is guided by:

     

    • The National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India (2016–2030) outlines the vision, goals, and targets for phased malaria elimination.
    • The recently launched National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2023–2027) builds upon earlier frameworks and aligns with the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.

    Key Interventions and Strategic Approach by the Government for Malaria Control

     

    To translate its malaria elimination vision into actionable outcomes, India has adopted a comprehensive, evidence-driven strategy. This approach integrates disease management, vector control, and community-driven interventions to ensure lasting impact and inclusive health coverage.

    Strategies for elimination of Malaria:

     

    • Malaria surveillance as a core intervention for malaria elimination.
    • Ensuring universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment by enhancing and optimizing case management -“testing, treating and tracking”.
    • Ensuring universal access to malaria prevention by enhancing and optimizing vector control
    • Accelerating efforts towards elimination and attainment of malaria –free status.
    • Promoting research and supporting the generation of strategic information for malaria elimination and prevention of re-establishment of malaria transmission.

    Other Supportive Interventions

    • Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for community mobilization. This includes mass media campaigns, community engagement, and leveraging local influencers.
    • Inter-sectoral convergence involving various ministries and stakeholders to address the socio-economic and environmental determinants of malaria.
    • Capacity building: Over 850 health professionals trained in 2024 and conducting studies on insecticide resistance and therapeutic efficacy.
    • The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016–2030 categorizes regions by malaria prevalence, with Category 3 – Intensified Control Phase targeting high-burden areas. This phase focuses on aggressive disease control, district-level planning, and specific strategies for P. vivax, supported by robust systems and resources to move towards elimination.
    • Intensified Malaria Elimination Project-3 (IMEP-3) targets 159 high-burden districts across 12 states, focusing on malaria-prone and vulnerable populations to accelerate elimination efforts.
    • Funding supports key interventions such as LLIN distribution, entomological surveillance, and data-driven monitoring systems to ensure sustained impact.
    • Integration of malaria services under Ayushman Bharat and delivery through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Community Health Officers.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had lauded the community-led malaria control as a key driver in the 117th edition of the Mann Ki Baat programme on 29th December, 2024. These examples highlight the power of grassroots action in achieving a malaria-free India.

     

    Conclusion

    On World Malaria Day, India stands at a defining moment in its public health journey, transforming from a high-burden nation to a global exemplar in malaria control. This progress has been made possible through science-led strategies, resilient health systems, and the power of people’s participation. As the nation advances towards eliminating indigenous malaria by 2027 and achieving full eradication by 2030, the call to action is clear: we must reinvest in innovation, reimagine community partnerships, and reignite collective resolve. Under the banner of “Malaria Ends With Us” every effort counts—because a malaria-free India is not just a goal, but a shared responsibility.

    References

    Click here to see PDF.

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    Santosh Kumar / Ritu Kataria / Vatsla Srivastava

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Under Rozgar Mela, PM to distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in Government departments and organisations on 26th April

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 6:55PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various Government departments and organisations on 26th April, 2025 at around 11 AM through video conferencing. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

    In line with Prime Minister’s commitment to accord highest priority to employment generation, the 15th Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country. It will provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and effectively contributing to national development.

    The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Central Government in various Ministries/Departments including Department of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Labour & Employment among others.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Eight more trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given agreement-in-principle by Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said that the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel (Working Group) led by the EEB has given agreement-in-principle to eight more applications of trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology at its meeting today (April 25).  
     
    The relevant projects involve:

    (a) an application jointly submitted by International New Energy Industry Alliance Limited, Wing Tat Cargo & Trading (HK) Limited, H2 Powertrains Limited and Ontime International Logistics (HK) Co Limited, to try out 10 hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) goods vehicles for cross-boundary transport; 
    To date, the Working Group has given agreement-in-principle in stages to a total of 26 applications of hydrogen energy trial projects. Among them, the three HFC street washing vehicles from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have passed the examination with the Certificate of Roadworthiness issued, and Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited has completed all commissioning and testing for the public hydrogen filling station at Au Tau, Yuen Long. The operational trials are expected to be launched in the first half of this year.
     
    The Working Group will continue to make reference to the operational data and experience collected from all local trials, in order to provide advice for the continuous enhancement of the safety and technical guidelines on the local application of hydrogen energy.
     
    The spokesman said, “The Government announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong (the Strategy) in June last year, establishing an action timeline across five key areas: regulatory framework, standards formulation, supporting infrastructure, regional co-operation, and capacity building. At the meeting, the EEB and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) briefed the Working Group on the latest implementation progress of the Strategy, including introducing the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025 to the Legislative Council to incorporate safety regulations for hydrogen fuel, taking forward the consultancy study on establishing a green and low-carbon hydrogen certification standard, setting up safety training courses for hydrogen technology professionals, stepping up publicity and education work and promote local, regional, and international collaboration on hydrogen energy development, including organising science popularisation activities and seminars (such as the International Hydrogen Development Symposium 2025 held this year). The Working Group will continue to regularly review the progress of the Strategy and provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of its various measures.”
     
    The spokesman supplemented, “To promote the green transformation of transport, the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced the earmarking of funding under the New Energy Transport Fund to launch a new Subsidy Scheme for Trials of HFC Heavy Vehicles. The EEB has announced the acceptance of applications in December last year.”
     
    The spokesman further supplemented, “The Government is also committed to promoting hydrogen development through regional collaboration. The working plan of the Pearl River Delta Air Quality Management and Monitoring Special Panel under the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection and Combating Climate Change covers demonstration projects of cross-boundary delivery vehicles transiting into HFC vehicles. Moreover, the liaisons between the EMSD and the State Administration for Market Regulation as well as the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on the technical level, and the EEB’s exchanges with the Mainland authorities regarding exchanges involving hydrogen development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, have all been making good progress.”
     
    The Working Group is formed by the EEB, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Environmental Protection Department, the EMSD, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Marine Department, the Planning Department, the Lands Department, the Buildings Department, the Architectural Services Department and the Labour Department.   

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chairs a high-level meeting of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and key ministries to review India’s weather and disaster preparedness

    Source: Government of India

    Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chairs a high-level meeting of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and key ministries to review India’s weather and disaster preparedness

    Also rolls out future roadmap for accurate forecasts

    For Delhi, which has 18 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in operation, the Minister directs officials to expedite the installation of 50 additional systems, with a long-term goal of scaling up to 100 AWS, this move aims to bring Delhi’s weather forecasting infrastructure on par with global standards

    Minister briefed about the progress of “Mission Mausam” initiative launched by PM Modi, which aims to revolutionize India’s weather monitoring infrastructure

    India to Have 126 Doppler Radars by 2026 as Govt Ramps Up Weather Monitoring

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

     In a decisive move to strengthen India’s meteorological capabilities, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and key ministries to review India’s weather and disaster preparedness, and also rolled out roadmap for accurate forecast.

    The Minister called for expediting expansion of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) coverage and modernization of meteorological systems across the country.

    At present, Delhi has 18 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in operation. During the review, the Minister directed officials to expedite the installation of 50 additional systems, with a long-term goal of scaling up to 100 AWS. This move aims to bring Delhi’s weather forecasting infrastructure on par with global standards. These automated systems are designed to deliver highly specific, accurate, and timely forecasts, significantly enhancing the city’s capacity to monitor and respond to changing weather conditions.

    Amidst the growing frequency of extreme weather events, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the urgent need for real-time, impact-based forecasting that can help minimize damage and save lives. “No weather hazard should go undetected or unpredicted,” the Minister asserted, underscoring the government’s resolve to build a resilient early warning system that reaches every corner of the country.

    A key highlight of the review was the ambitious expansion of the Doppler Weather Radar network, which is set to rise from the current 37 operational radars to 73 by 2025-26, and further to 126 by 2026. The new installations are being planned in high-priority regions such as Bengaluru, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Guwahati, and Port Blair, among others.

    The Minister was briefed on the selection of radar sites and the overall progress of the “Mission Mausam” launched by PM Narendra Modi, which aims to revolutionize India’s weather monitoring infrastructure. The plan includes improved satellite meteorology systems, upgraded numerical prediction models, and a more robust radar-based forecasting mechanism.

    “The ability to track extreme weather events with greater precision will not only boost disaster management efforts but also directly benefit farmers, fishermen, aviation, and various other sectors,” Dr. Jitendra Singh noted during the meeting, which included senior officials such as Earth Sciences Secretary Dr. M. Ravichandran and IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

    The review also took stock of financial allocations and approvals pending for key weather-related infrastructure projects. Dr. Jitendra Singh urged ministries to fast-track decisions to ensure timely implementation.

    With climate change intensifying the unpredictability of weather systems, the push for enhanced radar coverage and more efficient dissemination of forecasts is seen as critical for national preparedness. The meeting, according to ministry officials, marks a significant step in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

    The Minister’s review has now set the wheels in motion for a more coordinated and technologically advanced response to India’s meteorological challenges.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video) 
         Following the successful Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conferences in Beijing and Shanghai respectively in September and November last year, the Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum, with the theme of “Hong Kong, joining hands with Zhejiang and meeting in Ningbo, the channel for more opportunities”, brought together a number of business leaders from various sectors including finance, supply chain, innovation and technology (I&T) and professional services to share their insights on Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities in different areas and attracted more than 600 participants. The concurrent Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum has been held alternately in Hong Kong and Ningbo every year since 2002 to facilitate bilateral exchanges and co-operation on economic, trade and investment and has been well received by the business communities of the two places.
     
         Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said he is pleased to attend the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference together with the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Hao, yesterday to witness the establishment of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism, symbolising a new stage of comprehensive exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang. Mr Lee noted that Ningbo in Zhejiang Province is a manufacturing and port hub in the Yangtze River Delta, while Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping centre. Both Ningbo and Hong Kong are important gateways in the opening up of the country, with complementary advantages and limitless opportunities for collaboration. Hong Kong is the largest source of external investment in Ningbo and more than 1 000 enterprises and institutions from Ningbo have been established in Hong Kong, reflecting the close economic and trade ties between the two places.
     
         Mr Lee said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages of having the strong support of the country while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world, serving as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. Hong Kong acts as a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global and for attracting overseas enterprises. Despite the United States’ bullying and unjustified imposition of tariffs, and the emergence of unilateralism that disrupted the global landscape and geopolitics and posed risks of economic destruction and recession, the country’s immense economic strength and vast market provide certainty for global investors, and a new economic and trade order is taking shape. Hong Kong will continue to proactively serve Mainland enterprises in going global to explore international markets, and attract overseas enterprises to tap into the Mainland market.
     
         Members of the HKSAR Government delegation attending the Conference included the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau; and the Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming.
     
         The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji; Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee, Mr Peng Jiaxue; Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government Mr Lu Shan; the Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr Xie Shaofeng; the Chief Risk Officer and the Director General of the Department of Public Offering Supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Yan Bojin; and the Chairman of the HKTDC, Dr Peter Lam, also spoke at the opening ceremony.
     
         In his remarks on promoting Hong Kong’s advantages at a themed promotion activity, Mr Wong said that on finance, Hong Kong is the most trusted international financial safe haven for Mainland enterprises, offering diversified financing channels and financial services for companies to expand their businesses internationally. Regarding I&T, Hong Kong is in a golden age of development. The Northern Metropolis will serve as an important base for collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong on promoting I&T development. He invited Ningbo enterprises to visit the Northern Metropolis to explore opportunities for co-operation with Hong Kong.
     
         Furthermore, Invest Hong Kong held a signing ceremony of a number of key Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation projects, covering various sectors including finance, technology, transportation, aviation, I&T and consumer goods.
     
         Co-founder of Casa Bauhinia in Ningbo Professor Anna Pao Sohmen was also invited to deliver a keynote speech to share the outlook of Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation, encouraging Mainland enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong’s business and investment platform. A number of Hong Kong business leaders also participated in the panel discussion as guests, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bonnie Chan; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung. They discussed the unique status and advantages of Ningbo and Hong Kong in I&T, finance and professional services, and explored ways to promote complementary strengths and shared prosperity. A key enterprise from Hangzhou also shared its successful experience in co-operating with and investing in Hong Kong.
     
         In the afternoon, the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC and relevant authorities of the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government jointly organised three special promotion activities on finance, multinational supply chain management centre and I&T to promote investment in Hong Kong, during which Mr Chan, Ms Lau and Dr Ge delivered speeches. A number of government officials, relevant experts and representatives of enterprises of the two places also spoke and shared their successful experiences at the events, which helped deepen local enterprises’ understanding of Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities in the respective sectors, with a view to attracting more Mainland enterprises to partner with Hong Kong to achieve mutual benefits.
     
         Mr Lee and the delegation departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.
    Issued at HKT 19:38

    NNNN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Consumer Affairs, GoI, organises round table conference on Legal Metrology, Ease of doing business and protection of consumer rights

    Source: Government of India

    Department of Consumer Affairs, GoI, organises round table conference on Legal Metrology, Ease of doing business and protection of consumer rights

    Decriminalised sections of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 would eliminate barriers, foster growth of businesses and help citizens and business to live without fear of imprisonment for minor violations: Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA)

    All State Legal Metrology departments to align their enforcement rules with provisions stipulated in Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023: Department of Consumer Affairs

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 6:50PM by PIB Delhi

    The decriminalised sections of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 would eliminate barriers, foster growth of businesses and will help citizens and business to live without the fear of imprisonment for minor violations, said Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Government of India while inaugurating the Round Table Conference on “Ease of Doing Business and Protection of Consumer Rights” here at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today.

    In her keynote address the Secretary highlighted the importance of using the latest IT technology to increase efficiency and ensure proper accuracy. She stressed the importance of legal metrology department in the States/UTs, which are ensuring guarantee for measurement accuracy for consumers. She emphasized on the need to have correct weights and measures. She apprised that India has achieved significant milestone of becoming the 13th country to issue OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) certificates, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to international standards. She urged State Legal Metrology departments to align their enforcement rules with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, and to onboard the eMaap portal within one month. She further apprised that the revised timeline for implementation of amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 as January 1st & July 1st.

    Sh. Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), delivered the welcome address at the Round Table Conference on Legal Metrology. He highlighted the importance of creating a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative policy development. Mr. Khera also urged state officers to refrain from procedural violations and uphold the principles of fairness and transparency.

    Sh. Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), delivered a presentation at the Round Table Conference on Legal Metrology. He highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the Legal Metrology Division, including the latest amendment in Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, decriminalisation of sections of Legal Metrology Act,2009 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act,2023. State authorities were advised to prioritize effective enforcement over revenue targets, ensuring better consumer protection through improved implementation of the Act and Rules.

    The Joint Controller (Legal Metrology) of Andhra Pradesh, at the Round Table Conference, delivered a virtual presentation and highlighted key initiatives such as geo-tagging and calibration of weighbridges to protect farmers. He also emphasised on effective enforcement of Rule 9 under the AP Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011 in gold/precious metals bullion trade, ongoing upgrades to fuel dispensing units with anti-tampering technology, enhancements to OVR, GVR, and MIDCO systems, simplification of the licensing process, introduction of user-friendly tools for net content checks, the development of standard operating procedures, and accurate milk procurement practices. He also outlined future plans to bring new instruments, such as Gold Caratage Machines, Lacto Scan Analyzers, and Moisture Meters, under the Legal Metrology Rules, along with regular LMO training at national institutes such as NPL and CDAC.

    Dr. Anant Sharma from Consumers World (VCO) suggested that the violations which impact at large scale may be enforced strictly. The QR code for mandatory declarations on label of a packaged commodity   may not help the consumers and emphasized that the Rules should be stricter and penalty may be as per turnover of the company.

    Sh. Shirish Despande from VCO raised the issue of overcharging on milk and water in Maharashtra and other products along with the issues of dual MRPs for same products at different places. He requested to examine whether consumers are being exploited in the name of MRP whereby exaggerated MRPs are printed.

    The representative of Uttar Pradesh informed about the best practices and the action taken by them on E-commerce platforms and there warehouses for violations of the provisions of the Act & Rules. He informed that the weighing machines used at 77,999 fair price shops for PDS systems are verified. He informed that during 2024-25, 516 case for declarations of ecommerce websites were booked out of which 364 case were compounded and around Rs 11 crore as compounding fees were recovered.

    Dr. Ashish Agarwal, Chief Scientist at NPL, delivered a brief presentation on the Time Dissemination project and its implementation roadmap. Sh. G. Mayil Muthu Kumaran, DDG at NIC, presented an overview of the eMaap portal.

    Presentation about the best practices related to Legal Metrology were also given by other states viz Odisha, Punjab and Goa.

    The Round Table Conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative policy development, paving the way for an improved Legal Metrology framework that supports both business innovation and consumer rights in India.

    The conference was attended by around 250 participants including Controllers of Legal Metrology from various states, representatives from prominent industry associations such as FICCI, Retailers Association of India, ASSOCHAM, PHD, IBHA, CAIT, AIBA, CII and Voluntary Consumer Organisations.

     

        

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Governor Ravi Is Vindicating His Oath, Acting In Line With His Constitutional Ordainment: Vice-President At The Conference Of Vice Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu

    Source: Government of India

    Vice President’s Secretariat

    Governor Ravi Is Vindicating His Oath, Acting In Line With His Constitutional Ordainment: Vice-President At The Conference Of Vice Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu

    Urge Everyone In Governance To Believe In The Institution Of Vice-Chancellor: VP

    Vice-Chancellors Must Act As Stewards Of India’s Academic Landscape, Urges VP

    Bharat Is The World’s Most Peace-Loving Nation, Says Vice-President

    Terrorism Is A Global Menace, Needs To Be Addressed In Unison, Says VP

    National Education Policy Is Not A Government Policy; It Is A Policy For The Nation, says VP

    Tamil Nadu Is A Land Of Vibrant Learning Centers, Says VP

    VP Addresses the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu in Udhagamandalam

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:59PM by PIB Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today lauded the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Vice-Chancellors conference saying, “The Hon’ble Governor is doing this conference because it is his constitutional ordainment. He has taken oath under the Indian Constitution under Article 159. His oath, as that of the Hon’ble President, is very significant. The oath he has taken as Governor is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law. By his oath, he is further enjoined to devote to the service and well-being of people of Tamil Nadu. By organizing such events, which are extremely relevant to the field of education, Governor Ravi is vindicating his oath. I must commend him for this very thoughtful initiative taken by him in 2022 to have conference of Vice-Chancellors. The present one is one in such series.”

    Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu in Udhagamandalam today, Shri Dhankhar said, “At the heart of India’s great institutions in the past, we had visionary leaders, what we call modern Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellors of today are enormously talented. They are no less visionaries. They are giving everything which they can. They might face a big task, difficult terrain or air pockets, but I believe in their power to transform. They are worthy academicians who have capacity to bring about result. They represent and epitomize the ‘Kulapatis’ we had once. I urge everyone in governance at the Center and at the state level to believe in the institution of Vice Chancellor and ensure they have played the joints and can perform undeterred by ordinary situations.”

    He further underscored the importance of changing academic landscape saying, “Today, not only Bharat but the entire world is faced with formidable challenges, rapid technological disruption. It is far more severe than industrial revolutions we had. A paradigm shift is taking place every moment. It is difficult to keep pace. The global order, on this count, is becoming increasingly complex. Every facet of life is being affected and it is therefore, in the lap of universities ably led on the front foot by Vice-Chancellors, to act as the stewards of India’s academic landscape. More the challenges, more the formidability of challenges, we must rise as impregnable, not only to overcome them, but to deliver results for the nation and the world. One challenge which the vice-chancellors must be facing is faculty. Faculty availability, faculty retention, and sometimes faculty addition. I would appeal to all of you to engage in sharing with one another. Use technology, don’t be an island in yourselves. It is not a time to be standalone because this challenge has to be fixed. We have no time.”

    Shri Dhankhar expressed deep sorrow over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, saying, “Today I join the Nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed innocent lives. It is a grim reminder that terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison. Bharat is the world’s most peace-loving nation and our civilisational ethos reflects Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

    He further added, “Our visionary leadership in the shape of the Prime Minister who is in his third term is our greatest assurance that the nation’s rise cannot be handicapped by any situation internal or external. But we all have to bear in mind that national interest is supreme. This was echoed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar while imparting his final address to the Constituent Assembly. We therefore have to take a resolve to always keep nation first, national interests cannot be intertwined with partisan interest, it has to be uppermost. This cannot be subservient to any interest political, personal or for a group.”
    Touching upon the transformative National Education Policy, the Vice-President said, “After three decades, taking into consideration inputs from the widest spectrum of stakeholders, there was the evolution of the National Education Policy. This policy aligns with our civilization ethos. It encourages multidisciplinary learning. It gives priority to Indian languages. It envisions education as the development of the person, not just employability.”

    He further stated, “The most significant aspect of the National Education Policy is that it allows students to learn in their mother tongue. It has got us out of the colonial regime. Even medicine and engineering in local languages, which could not be entertained at one point of time, even in dreams, It is getting shape on the ground.”

    Calling upon institutions to study and adopt the policy in full spirit, he urged, “I beseech you all and the faculty and directors wherever they are to please do a thorough study of National Education Policy to realise its real intent and purpose so that we reap the harvest of it. From this platform, I wish to indicate National Education Policy is a government policy. It is a policy for the nation. And therefore I appeal, it is time for us all to adopt it, understand it, execute it, and to reap the fruits.”

    He further emphasized that the future of Indian higher education lies in moving beyond traditional silos, “We are well past the era of standalone institutions. It can’t be just IIMs, IITs etc. Standalone era for institutions is already behind us. There is now need of convergence for various verticals to give institutions cutting edge. Multi-disciplinary approach across academic pursuits is the only answer. Share your faculty talent virtually, technologically and otherwise also. That will have twofold purpose. While giving it, you will be receiving also. The winds of innovation and change must have free passage in educational institutions. Evolve a mechanism. There must be tolerance for varying ideas. Intolerance to a thought defines democracy the wrong way. The nectar of university is that a solo voice that has an opinion different than that of the majority is heard with deference by engaging in dialogue and discourse, not by being judgmental.”

    Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s historical role in India’s academic evolution, the Vice-President said, “Tamil Nadu is a land of vibrant learning centers, those learning centers must be our North Star now. Tamil Nadu has been home to such widely accoladed learning centers like Kanchipuram and Ennayiram. Ennayiram attracted thousands of students from all over Bharat. I see in these conferences emergence of crucibles of ideation that will rekindle the spirit of Kanchipuram and bring back glory of Ennayiram. We must take pride that it was in Tamil Nadu, Madras University was established in 1857. Modern education was exemplified in this land.”

    He concluded with a stirring reflection on India’s rich linguistic heritage, especially Tamil’s historic recognition, saying, “Our languages, their richness and depth are our pride and legacy. This aspect amplifies the fullness and uniqueness of our culture. Go to any country, and you will not find what we have here. Our treasure is unfathomable. Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bangla, and other languages are a goldmine of literature and knowledge. These have national and global footprints. Educational institutions have to nurture with deep focus this treasure.”

    He further said that “What a pride for Tamil Nadu and the entire country. The Tamil had the distinction of being the first language to be accorded the prestige of being a classical language. This well-deserved recognition was imparted in 2004, which means things started changing in regimes. Today, there are 11 languages that are classical languages and Classical languages are those that have rich culture, knowledge, literature, depth. Let me just indicate the 11 languages because I had the occasion, as Chairman, Rajya Sabha, to declare to the Rajya Sabha that Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali were recently given the status of classical languages, but earlier we had, as I said Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. Go all over the world, we are matchless. We have to realise our power, our potential. We should not be carried away by insignificant aspects.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES Bazaar unveils Its First-Ever ‘Top Selects’ Lineup Showcasing 15 Projects in 9 Languages

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:10PM by PIB Mumbai

    India occupies a dominant position in Media & Entertainment sector with talents spread across different geographies of the country, creating compelling contents through its rich cultural heritage. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), to be held from 1st to 4th May in Mumbai, is poised to become one of the landmarks in the Media and Entertainment sector. The summit will promote India as one stop destination for content creation, Investment destination and leverage ‘Create in India’ opportunities as well as for global outreach.

    WAVES Bazaar is the premier global marketplace for the media and entertainment industry, a dynamic platform designed to foster connection, collaboration, and growth. It offers filmmakers and industry professionals the opportunity to engage with buyers, sellers, and a wide range of projects and profiles, while also showcasing their skills and expanding their professional network.

    The Viewing Room is a dedicated physical platform set up at Waves Bazaar, taking place from May 1st to 4th, 2025. It serves as a space for showcasing recently completed films and projects in Post Production from around the world. These films are actively seeking opportunities for film festivals, global sales, distribution partnerships, and finishing funds.

    Designed for film programmers, distributors, world sales agents, investors and other industry professionals, the Viewing Room offers a secure environment where delegates attending Waves Bazaar can watch these films, access detailed project information, and connect directly with filmmakers through our specialized Viewing Room Software.

    For the first ever WAVES Bazaar, a total 100 films from 8 countries namely India, Sri Lanka, USA, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Germany, Mauritius and UAE will be available to watch in the Viewing Room Library. The overall lineup includes 18 titles of NFDC produced and co-produced films and adds 8 restored classics from the National Film Archive of India (NFAI). It also includes 19 student projects from Film & Television Institute of India (FTII, Pune) and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI, Kolkata)

    These 15 Projects selected for the WAVES Bazaar Top Selects Section from the Viewing Room includes 9 Feature projects, 2 documentaries, 2 Short films and 2 Web-Series which will pitch their films to producers, sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and potential investors in an open pitching session during WAVES Bazaar at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai on 2nd May, 2025.

    WAVES Bazaar Top Selects 2025

    1. The Wage Collector | Tamil | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Infant Soosai | Producer – Bagavathi Perumal

    1. Putul | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Radheshyam Pipalwa | Producer – Sharad Mittal

    1. Doosra Byaah ( Levir) | Haryanvi,Hindi | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Bhagat Singh Saini | Producer – Parveen Saini

    1. Pankhudiyaan (Petals in the Wind) | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Abdul Aziz | Producer – Abdul Aziz, Jyotsana Rajpurohit

    1. Khidki Gaav (If on a Winter’s Night) | Malayalam | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Sanju Surendran | Producer – Dr. Surendran M N

    1. Suchana – The Beginning | Bangla | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Pausali Sengupta | Producer – Avinanda Sengupta

    1. Swaha In the Name of Fire | Magahi | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Abhilash Sharma | Producer – Vikash Sharma

    1. Gotipua – Beyond Borders | English ,Hindi,Odia  | India | Documentary Feature

    Director & Producer – Chintan Parekh

    1. From India | English | USA | Documentary Short

    Director & Producer – Mandar Apte

    1. Third Floor | Hindi | India | Short Film

    Director – Amandeep Singh | Producer – Amandeep Singh

    1. Jahaan | Hindi | India | Fiction Short

    Director & Producer – Rahul Shetty

    1. Planet India | English,Hindi | India | TV Show

    Director – Colin Butfield | Producer – Tamseel Hussain

    1. Bharti Aur Bibo | Hindi | India | Animation Web-Series/TV

    Director – Sneha Ravishankar | Producer – National Film Development Corporation &

    Puppetica Media Pvt. Ltd

    1. Achappa’s Album (Grampa’s Album) | Malayalam | India | Fiction Feature

    Director – Deepti Pillay Sivan | Producer – National Film Development Corporation

    1. Duniya Na Mane (The Unexpected) | Hindi | India | Fiction Feature

    Director & Producer – V. Shantaram

     

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now

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    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Nikita / Parshuram | 102

     

    Follow us on social media:  @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH urges public to receive initial and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at appropriate time as COVID-19 activity reaches six-month high in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH urges public to receive initial and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine at appropriate time as COVID-19 activity reaches six-month high in Hong Kong The CHP will continue to monitor the local situation of COVID-19 through means such as sewage surveillance, the number of severe/death cases, and relevant laboratory testing figures on human infections. For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP’s weekly COVID-19 & Flu ExpressIssued at HKT 18:55

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSD holds passing-out parade (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CSD holds passing-out parade  
    At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the abbreviation of the Department, “CSD”, and a heart pattern during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising their devotion to Hong Kong and readiness to shoulder the CSD’s mission of guarding the last element of the criminal justice system.
     
    Speaking at the parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that the CSD shoulders the missions of safeguarding national security and social stability. The CSD has long been committed to adopting a secure, safe and humane approach in detaining persons in custody (PICs), and has introduced a number of measures to optimise management effectiveness and bring convenience to the public, such as the implementation of the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service which enables visitors to order approved hand-in articles for PICs through an online platform. The Service reduces the time for visitors to source the articles in the market and the inconvenience of carrying the articles to correctional institutions, as well as enhances the operational efficiency of correctional institutions.
     
    Mr Tang commended the CSD for actively launching new initiatives in the area of rehabilitation work to assist PICs to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, including organising a two-year full-time Associate Degree programme for graduates of the Ethics College, extending the Ethics College to Pik Uk Prison and launching Project JET to provide one-stop training and career development opportunities for PICs. Moreover, the Department has actively promoted crime prevention education. Through the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project and the Captain Gor Union, the CSD is committed to instilling in young people correct values and nurturing them into a new generation of law-abiding young people with an affection for the country.
     
    He mentioned that the CSD has actively fostered collaboration with Mainland and overseas correctional institutions. The Department hosted the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators last year, playing the role of an international link. The Department organised the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition in January this year and plans to provide tactical skills training courses at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Base for correctional officers on the Mainland and overseas, with a view to deepening exchanges among correctional institutions, making its best endeavours to tell good correctional stories and to tell good stories of Hong Kong.
     
    Furthermore, the CSD is committed to the community and cares for the vulnerable. The Correctional Services Department Sports Association launched an online gift sales platform for charity called Made in Prison early this year to sell handicrafts made by PICs. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to local registered charitable organisations, thereby providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to society.
     
    Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to become new forces of correctional officers who are staunchly devoted to their duties and who contribute wholeheartedly to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as to the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems”.
     
    During the parade, Mr Tang presented the Principal’s Shield to Officer Mr Chu Yan-ching; and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Ms Lee Wing-yan, Mr Tsang Hou-sing, Mr Mok Pak-kin and Mr Ng Chiu-kit, for their outstanding performance in recruit training.
    Issued at HKT 19:35

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on festival arrangements (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 25) chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements to holistically co-ordinate and steer the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended. 

         Mr Chan said, “We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to prepare well for crowd management, information dissemination and arrangements of public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), with a view to responding promptly to various kinds of emergencies and ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience to them.”

    Estimated visitor flow and preparatory work 

         According to the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s estimate, around 5.71 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during this year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (i.e. from May 1 to 5), among which 4.90 million passengers will pass through land control points.

         The ImmD estimates that the peak period of outbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 3 (Saturday) with around 590 000 passengers; whilst the peak period of inbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 5 (Monday) with around 580 000 passengers. Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the ImmD website at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP at any time or place via the Immigration mobile app. They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. 

         In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, it is estimated that around 840 000 passengers will visit Hong Kong via various sea, land and air control points during the five-day Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Compared with last year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland and this year’s Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by 10 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Major tourist spots have formulated special arrangements to handle the estimated increase of people flows. The Hong Kong community is expected to become more vibrant and highly patronised during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, bringing opportunities to various sectors.

    The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) has also reminded travel agents receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to adopt appropriate diversion measures to enable proper management of visitor flows and tour buses, with a view to offering a pleasant travel experience to visitors. In addition, District Offices will closely monitor the flow of visitors within their respective districts and notify relevant departments having regard to the actual circumstances with a view to strengthening management of the relevant spots.

    Co-ordinate control points, traffic and public transport facilities

         Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable flexible deployment of manpower and operation of additional counters and channels, with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flows. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the ImmD, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and other relevant departments will be activated from May 1 (Thursday) to May 5 (Monday) to monitor the real-time situations at various control points. The Joint Command Centre will maintain close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanisms, and take timely contingency actions as necessary to flexibly deploy manpower at BCPs to ensure smooth operation of the land control points. 

         For transport arrangements, the Transport Department (TD) has co-ordinated with relevant operators to enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to less than one minute during peak hours, and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to about two minutes at its highest frequency, as well as increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and formulating a contingency plan by providing a dedicated passage for public transport vehicles at the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Shenzhen Bay Port when necessary to ensure smooth public transport services. In addition, Zhuhai’s traffic management department will also arrange a dedicated lane at the HZMB for the use of the Gold Bus, cross-boundary coaches and large vehicles when necessary. Regarding local public transport services, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance their capacity, and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 1 to May 5 to provide convenience for the travelling public and visitors. During these periods, the train frequencies to and from Lok Ma Chau will increase to approximately every 7.5 to 10 minutes, while services to Lo Wu will be enhanced to approximately every five minutes. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the TD will continue to operate 24 hours a day to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services in all districts, BCPs, and major stations across Hong Kong, and take prompt measures to address service demands and disseminate the latest traffic updates through various channels. 

    Protection of visitors

         The TIA will conduct inspections in districts where relatively more registered shops for inbound tour groups are located during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, and offer assistance to visitors and tourist guides to protect inbound tour group visitors’ rights. Additionally, the Police will continue to step up enforcement actions against any illegal acts of taxi drivers including overcharging and refusing hires. The C&ED will also step up inspections of shops serving visitors to combat unfair trade practices. 

    Weather forecast

         It is expected that the weather will be hot from May 1 to May 4 with sunny periods apart from isolated showers. The weather may become more unstable, with more showers towards the latter part of the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The chances of being affected by tropical cyclones are relatively low. The above forecast is a preliminary assessment, and the Hong Kong Observatory will update the forecast depending on the latest change in weather. 

    Information dissemination

         To assist visitors in planning their itineraries, the Government will strengthen information dissemination including the latest inbound visitor arrivals, the situation at various BCPs, transport arrangements, latest weather forecasts, etc to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

         The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also launched a dedicated webpage (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan/traveller-info/goldenweek-special-info.html ) to consolidate useful information during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The webpage includes information about the opening hours of major sightseeing attractions, public transportation, boundary-crossing services, and other events during the period, including the drone show at the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries more conveniently.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CBIC introduces several trade facilitative measures relating to transhipment and air cargo

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

    In line with the announcement in the Budget Speech 2025-26 by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, on facilitating upgradation of infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo including high value perishable horticulture produce and streamlining the cargo screening and customs protocols and making it user-friendly, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced several trade facilitative measures in Air cargo in particular and transhipment movement in general.

    For logistical convenience or other business decisions, Logistics operators sometimes undertake movement of imported cargo during the customs clearance between Customs areas (Ports/Container Freight Stations/Inland Container Depots etc.) without payment of duty by following transhipment procedure under The Customs Act, 1962. Since old times, transhipment permit fee is required to be paid for every transhipment permit. Over a period of time, due to increase in volume of trade, including transhipped cargo, some experienced delay in the process. As a measure for ease of business, CBIC has examined this matter and with effect from 24th April 2025, CBIC has decided to waive transhipment permit fee henceforth for all the transhipment movements. Changes to the Regulations has been issued vide Notification No. 30/2025-Cus (N.T) dated 24th April 2025 (https://www.cbic.gov.in/f2d0927b-945d-411c-8c34-65d272a6d047) in this regard.

    Further, with increase in the volume of air cargo, need was felt by the trade for temporary removal of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area in certain cases of high-value or perishable cargo. Currently, the cargo is being off-loaded in the Air cargo Complexes from ULD before the clearance. As a first step towards streamlining Customs Protocols, and aligning with the international best practices for movement of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area, CBIC has stipulated simplified and harmonised procedure for temporary import of ULDs on the lines of procedure already stipulated for marine containers being handled through the seaports since 2005.

    With this simplified procedure, ULDs/air containers could also be imported temporarily outside the Customs area on execution of a Continuity Bond by the air carriers/air console agents, who take responsibility to export back within the specified time period. Earlier, it required the importer of the goods to under the responsibility of exporting the ULDs/air containers back, in case of such temporary import. It is clarified that, the option of importer taking up the responsibility for re-export still exists, if he opts so.

    It is further to inform that, the facility of ‘All-India National Transhipment Bond’ at air cargo complexes is operational since 2022.  This facility has been intended to avoid multiplicity of the bonds that are submitted by airlines at multiple Customs stations for transshipment of import cargo. In addition, Online filing of Transhipment application has also been enabled in ICEGATE, obviating the need for visiting Service Centre at the Air cargo.

    Board Circular No. 15/2025-Customs dated 25th April 2025 may be referred to, for more information.

    Above measures are aimed easing of compliances and facilitating trade at Air cargo complexes. The Airlines, Console Agents or other stakeholders are encouraged to use the above facilities. 

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    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2124318) Visitor Counter : 49

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SUFALAM 2025 Kicks Off at NIFTEM-K, Igniting Innovation in Food Processing

    Source: Government of India

    SUFALAM 2025 Kicks Off at NIFTEM-K, Igniting Innovation in Food Processing

    Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates SUFALAM 2025, Calls for Innovation-Driven Food Ecosystem

    SUFALAM 2025 :Day 1 Highlights India’s Vision to Emerge as a Global Food Basket

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Sonipat, April 25, 2025 – The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), in collaboration with NIFTEM-Kundli, inaugurated the second edition of SUFALAM 2025 (Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors) today at the NIFTEM-K campus. The two-day conclave is a pivotal initiative aimed at strengthening India’s food processing sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, and aligns with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    The event was formally inaugurated by Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, who underscored the vital need to empower India’s youth and position the country as a global leader in food innovation.

    “There is no dearth of talent in India—what we need is to harness it better by equipping our youth with the right skill sets. The food processing sector holds endless opportunities, and with focused innovation, we can not only meet our own needs but also establish India as a global food basket. This journey of innovation and capacity-building will not only strengthen our economy but also create vast employment opportunities across the country. The Ministry is committed to enhancing India’s food processing capacity, empowering farmers, and supporting the industry at every step,” he stated.

    Dr. Subrata Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, attended the event as Guest of Honour and echoed similar sentiments. He emphasized the importance of improving food productivity while minimizing wastage.

    “With rising food demands and limited land, the challenge before us is not just to feed a growing population—but to do so sustainably and efficiently. The Ministry is actively supporting the industry through a slew of measures, focusing on increasing production, reducing wastage, and building robust infrastructure. To move the food industry forward, we must empower our youth with the right skills and develop cutting-edge technologies. The Ministry remains fully committed to enabling this transformation and ensuring a resilient, future-ready food ecosystem,” he said.

    Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K, highlighted the institute’s growing role in bridging academia and industry.

    “True success in any industry lies in the seamless collaboration between academia and industry. At NIFTEM, with the unwavering support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, we are not just preparing students for jobs — we are empowering them to create jobs. By bridging the talent gap in the food sector and fostering entrepreneurship through collective action, we are shaping the future of India’s food ecosystem,” he remarked.

    The inaugural day of SUFALAM 2025 witnessed a dynamic convergence of industry leaders, academicians, investors, and budding entrepreneurs for meaningful knowledge exchange and inspiration. Experience-sharing sessions offered valuable insights into the journeys of emerging startups, while expert-led discussions focused on themes such as sustainable growth, branding, digital outreach, and policy incentives.

    A keynote address by Prof. Harpal Singh of IIT Delhi inspired the audience with key learnings from his entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), shared expert insights on global trade dynamics and food entrepreneurship.

    More than 250 startups from 23 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, participated in the event. Innovations showcased ranged from cell-cultured meat and plant-based food products to functional foods and rapid detection kits, each contributing to a safer and more robust food ecosystem.

    A total of 35 startups registered to pitch their ideas before industry evaluators from esteemed organizations such as Nestlé, Bühler Group, Eureka Analytical Systems Pvt. Ltd., and the Indian Angel Network.

    In addition to formal sessions, SUFALAM 2025 featured a dedicated Mentor Lounge, extensive networking opportunities, and an exhibition area showcasing innovations by MSMEs and startups.

    With over 300 participants and 65 exhibitors from 20 states, Day 1 of SUFALAM 2025 reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, driving innovation, and accelerating the growth of India’s food processing industry.

    The conclave will continue tomorrow with a series of engaging sessions featuring emerging entrepreneurs, expert panel discussions, and live startup pitches—collectively aimed at shaping the future of India’s food ecosystem.

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    Shahid

    (Release ID: 2124313) Visitor Counter : 94

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NMCG Approves Action Plan 2025 to Strengthen Urban River Rejuvenation under River Cities Alliance

    Source: Government of India

    NMCG Approves Action Plan 2025 to Strengthen Urban River Rejuvenation under River Cities Alliance

    The plan focuses on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities

    In alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision, the NMCG is steering the development of a URMP for the national capital

    River Cities Alliance is a pioneering initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

    With a current membership of 145 cities, the Alliance promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river management

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant step towards sustainable urban river rejuvenation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an annual master plan for the River Cities Alliance (RCA), charting out a vibrant and action-oriented roadmap of initiatives to be undertaken across the year. The plan encompasses a series of capacity-building programs, knowledge exchange platforms, development of technical tools, expert guidance, and thematic case studies, all focused on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within India’s growing cities.

    Launched in 2021, the RCA is a pioneering initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. With a current membership of 145 cities, the Alliance promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river management—one that strengthens institutional capacity, fosters inter-city collaboration within river basins, and supports the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs). This year’s approved plan is tailored to further operationalize these goals by rolling out a range of strategic interventions.

    A major focus this year will be the promotion of river considerations within city master plans through the organisation of River-Sensitive Master Planning (RSMP) training programs across states. Simultaneously, to support the formulation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs), the NMCG will conduct training sessions including onboarding programs specifically for RCA cities in Tamil Nadu, with further sessions planned for additional states.

    The URMP framework, launched in 2020 by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and NMCG, represents a first-of-its-kind approach to ensure that environmental, economic, and social dimensions are considered in the urban management of rivers. Five cities—Kanpur, Ayodhya, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Moradabad, and Bareilly—have already developed their URMPs, setting the benchmark for other urban centres. Notably, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar’s Kham River Restoration Mission was globally recognised by the World Resources Institute’s Ross Center Prize for Cities, underlining the transformative potential of this initiative.

    The year ahead will also see the development of 25 more URMPs as part of the first phase of a larger mission to create 60 such plans across India over the next two to three years. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative marks a bold step in deepening river-sensitive urban governance. Steering Committees have already been constituted in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to facilitate plan formulation and guide implementation.

    In alignment with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision, the NMCG is also steering the development of a URMP for the national capital. This initiative seeks to redefine Delhi’s rivers as vital ecosystems and not just water channels, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive urban river management in alignment with national environmental priorities. The URMP in Delhi will serve as a model for other metropolitan cities, anchoring the vision of resilient and river-sensitive urban development.

    In an effort to foster basin-linked urban thinking, NMCG will issue an advisory on “Effective vertical coordination among basin, district and city-level river management plans.” Complementing this, a variety of tailored knowledge products will be developed, alongside a feedback mechanism to identify knowledge gaps faced by member cities. Technical support will be strengthened through the formation of Thematic Expert Groups, which will also guide eco-friendly riverfront development initiatives.

    To facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best practices, key events such as DHARA, a basin-level RCA meet, and exposure visits to Udaipur and Hyderabad are scheduled. Enhancing governance capacity in river-sensitive urban planning is another priority, with formal training programs to be rolled out in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of member cities.

    Additionally, RCA will focus on documenting successful on-ground practices through weekly case studies every Monday, showcasing urban river rejuvenation efforts. Public awareness campaigns and sensitisation programs will be launched to promote river-conscious behaviour among citizens. Financial advisory services will be provided to support cities in mobilising resources for river-related projects. Furthermore, NMCG will benchmark member cities on urban river management using the URMP framework to track performance and guide improvements.

    Among the initiatives already completed, the development of a new, comprehensive RCA website stands out and the participation in the prestigious World Economic Forum held in Davos in February 2025—demonstrating the growing national and international engagement

    The NMCG’s approval of the 2025 plan under RCA marks a pivotal advancement in institutionalising river-sensitive urban planning across India. With a robust calendar of capacity-building programs, technical interventions, collaborative platforms, and city-level support systems, the year ahead promises to be transformative. These efforts not only reflect NMCG’s enduring commitment to revitalizing India’s urban rivers but also strengthen the foundation for resilient, inclusive, and water-secure urban ecosystems nationwide.

    ***

    Dhanya Sanal K

    (Release ID: 2124307) Visitor Counter : 84

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Demands Answers on Reports of Secretary Bessent’s Early Leaks of Tariff Policy Decisions to Wall Street

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 25, 2025
    Reports Indicate Secretary Bessent and Other White House Officials Appear To Have Provided Exclusive, Advance Tips About the Trump Administration’s Trade Policy
    “You owe Congress and the public an explanation for why you and other White House officials appear to be providing Wall Street insiders secret information on the tariffs, while withholding that information from the public.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent following reports that, earlier this week, he provided a room full of Wall Street executives and wealthy investors exclusive, advance tips about the Administration’s trade policy. The letter seeks information on whether Bessent shared nonpublic trade policy tips hours before President Trump’s broader announcement backing down on escalating tariffs against China. The exclusive details may have created the opportunity for insider trading or other financial profiteering by well-connected friends of the Administration. 
    According to reporting by Bloomberg, Secretary Bessent had “told a closed-door investor summit Tuesday that the tariff standoff with China cannot be sustained by both sides and that the world’s two largest economies will have to find ways to de-escalate [and] [t]hat de-escalation will come in the very near future.” These remarks were made at a closed private investor event hosted by JP Morgan not open to the media or the public. A few hours later, President Trump publicly echoed Secretary Bessent’s private remarks, causing the stock market to jump.
    Another report yesterday indicated that White House officials also gave Wall Street executives non-public information about a potential trade agreement with India.
    “It is unclear why these executives would be receiving this information ahead of the public,” wrote the senator.
    “Chaos, confusion, economic damage, and opportunities for corruption have become the hallmark of President Trump’s rollout of his tariff policies,” continued the senator. “President Trump’s opaque decision-making on tariffs and frequent, seemingly random changes of course have created a scenario where wealthy investors and well-connected corporations can get special treatment, receiving inside information they can use to time the market, or obtaining tariff exemptions that are worth billions of dollars—while Main Street, small businesses, and America’s families are left to clean up the damage.”
    To better understand what information was potentially provided to wealthy investors and Wall Street executives, Senator Warren demanded Secretary Bessent answer the following questions: 

    Which individuals attended the JP Morgan event at which you provided remarks on April 22, 2025?

    Were your remarks prepared in advance? If so, please provide a copy of any written remarks or notes.

    What time did you make your remarks at this conference? How long was the gap between your private comments and the public reports from Bloomberg about their content?

    Why was this event closed to the public and the press?

    Did the Treasury Department take any actions or make any agreements to prevent individuals in attendance from making trades or other investment decisions based on these private remarks?

    When you made your remarks at this conference, were you aware that the President would, later that day, announce that tariffs would “come down substantially”? 

    Did Treasury or White House officials provide non-public information to Wall Street executives on a potential trade deal with India?

    If so, which individuals provided this information, and to whom did they provide it?  Why was this information not provided to the public?

    Have Treasury Department or White House officials provided any other insiders with non-public information about the status of potential tariff decisions or trade agreements? 

    Due to the serious nature of these allegations, Senator Warren requested a response to her questions by May 8, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s tariffs: poor workers in countries like Cambodia will be among the biggest losers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sabina Lawreniuk, Principal Research Fellow, University of Nottingham

    I Love Coffee dot Today/Shutterstock

    Politicians and economists have been pretty vocal in their response to the ongoing saga of Donald Trump’s tariffs. But much less has been heard from the world’s poorest workers about how they will be affected.

    For when the US president first set out his reciprocal tariffs – later paused for 90 days – some of the highest rates were for countries like Vietnam (46%), Bangladesh (37%) and Cambodia (49%).

    These are places that make huge amounts of the clothes we wear, and even the reduced 10% tariff could be a big blow to their economies – and the people who depend on them.

    Because aside from the well known sweatshop conditions suffered by many workers in these places, brands and manufacturers often offset new costs by passing them on to workers in the form of lower wages and higher demands.

    This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as “social downgrading”, was seen during the pandemic, when garment workers around the world faced mass layoffs and even worse working conditions to protect corporate profits when consumer demand decreased.

    And those working conditions are already challenging. The minimum wage for one of Cambodia’s 1 million garment workers (from a total population of 16 million) is just US$208 (£155.50) per month.

    Around 80% of those workers are women, whose wages often support children and elderly parents, who don’t have the security of a state pension safety net.

    It is these workers and their families who may end losing the most in Trump’s trade war. But they are used to geopolitics affecting their everyday lives, having suffered the impact of tariffs fairly recently – from the EU.

    In 2020, Cambodia’s duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market (usually granted to developing countries) was partially revoked as a punitive response to human rights concerns. Tariffs averaging 11% were added to some product lines, mostly clothing and footwear, which covered about 20% of Cambodia’s total exports to the EU.

    The Cambodian government immediately responded by cutting public holidays and workplace benefits to try offset any increase in costs.

    It has since slowed the rate of minimum wage growth to below inflation. Both actions slashed real wages and made the challenge of economic survival even harder for those who depend on the industry.

    Now, as Trump’s latest tariffs take hold – even at the lower rate of 10% – many garment and footwear industry workers will fear for their jobs.

    But even those “lucky” enough to keep them will face mounting pressures to produce more, and more quickly, to offset rising costs – at the direct expense of their own financial security and wellbeing.

    The idea that tariffs will ultimately bring jobs back to the US ignores that fact that these jobs – precarious, underpaid and frequently dangerous – are not the kind of jobs that any American would want.

    International supply chains are deeply embedded.
    PX Media/Shutterstock

    Supply chained

    And the evidence suggests that if even if they did want them, international manufacturing supply chains are more deeply embedded than people might think.

    After the EU imposed its tariffs on Cambodia for example, brands could have looked to circumvent those added costs by relocating production. As it turned out, the volume of trade between Cambodia and the EU has remained steady since – because sometimes there’s no alternative.

    With Cambodia, companies have not been willing or able to shift production to competitors like Bangladesh, Myanmar or Sri Lanka, partly due to the political volatility in those countries.

    Added to this is the fact that clothes production has become highly specialised geographically. Cambodia’s distance from the EU means it focuses mainly on seasonal fashion “basics” such as T-shirts and knitwear.

    Closer countries like Turkey and Morocco concentrate on the latest fast fashion trends, as their shorter shipping routes mean they can be quicker to respond to changing tastes.

    It is not that easy to unsettle the systems and markets that are already in place.

    As a result, in the global garment industry at least, Trump’s tariffs may not trigger a complete restructuring of the world’s supply chains. In the short term, they are instead likely to cause great uncertainty, reducing investors’ appetite for long-term planning, and reducing their confidence.

    Orders may slow and prices may rise. And Cambodians making the world’s T-shirts and trainers will face even more pressure on their wages and working conditions.

    Sabina Lawreniuk receives funding from UKRI through a Future Leaders Fellowship (grant ref MR/ W013797/1).

    – ref. Trump’s tariffs: poor workers in countries like Cambodia will be among the biggest losers – https://theconversation.com/trumps-tariffs-poor-workers-in-countries-like-cambodia-will-be-among-the-biggest-losers-254408

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –