The Government, under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, provides financial assistance to State Government, Union Territories and Implementing agencies for construction of fishing harbour, fish landing centres, modernisation/upgradation of existing fishing harbours and maintenance dredging of the fishing harbours. During the year, last five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs.3490 crore have been allocated under the scheme. The scheme provides for sustainable investment in infrastructure with objective of enhancing production, productivity, exports and addressing key gaps including reduction of post-harvest losses in various component of value chain.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce and Industry promotes and regulates the export of marine products. The initiatives by MPEDA for boosting shrimp exports are oriented towards production and processing and not port specific. To strengthen the export value chain, the Government has sanctioned projects adjacent to Major Ports namely, modernisation and upgradation of fishing harbour at Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Paradip, Cochin and Mumbai Port with 100% financial assistances under PMMSY in convergence with Sagarmala at a total cost of Rs 651.14 crores. During the financial year 2023-24, India exported an all-time high volume of 17,81,602 MT of sea food worth Rs. 60,523.89 crore.
The information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
I am present here to deliver a statement on the grand Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj. Through this esteemed House, I extend my salutations to the millions of countrymen whose contributions made the Mahakumbh a grand success. Many individuals played a crucial role in ensuring the success of Mahakumbh. I congratulate the government, society, and all dedicated workers. I also extend my gratitude to the devotees from across the country, the people of Uttar Pradesh, and especially the citizens of Prayagraj.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
We all know that bringing the sacred Ganga to Earth required an extraordinary effort. A similar grand effort was witnessed in the magnificent organisation of this Mahakumbh. I had emphasized the importance of ‘Sabka Prayas’ from the Red Fort. The entire world witnessed the vastness of Bharat through the Mahakumbh. This is the true embodiment of ‘Sabka Prayas’. This Mahakumbh was a people’s event, inspired by the devotion and dedication of the masses.
Hon’ble Mr Speaker Sir,
We have witnessed the awakening of our national consciousness on a magnificent scale in the grand Mahakumbh. This national consciousness is what drives our country toward new resolutions and inspires us to achieve them. The Mahakumbh has also provided a fitting response to the doubts and uncertainties that some may have had regarding our collective strength.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
Last year, during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, we all experienced how the nation is preparing itself for the next 1,000 years. Just a year later, the successful organization of the Mahakumbh has further reinforced this belief. This collective consciousness of the nation reflects its immense strength. Throughout history, there have been defining moments that become examples for generations to come. Our nation, too, has witnessed such moments that have given it a new direction and awakened its people. During the Bhakti movement, we saw a spiritual awakening spread across the country. More than a century ago, when Swami Vivekananda delivered his speech in Chicago, it was a resounding declaration of Bharat’s spiritual consciousness, instilling a deep sense of self-respect among Indians. Similarly, our freedom struggle was marked by several such turning points—the Revolt of 1857, the martyrdom of Veer Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s clarion call of “Delhi Chalo,” and Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March. These events inspired the nation and paved the way for independence. I see the Prayagraj Mahakumbh as another such defining moment, where we can see the reflection of an awakened nation.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
We witnessed the enthusiasm and spirit of the Mahakumbh in Bharat for nearly a month and a half. Millions of devotees gathered with deep faith, rising above concerns of convenience or hardship. This unwavering devotion is one of our greatest strengths. But this joy and fervour were not confined to Bharat alone. Last week, I was in Mauritius, where I carried sacred water from the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh. When this holy water was offered at the Ganga pond in Mauritius, the atmosphere of devotion, faith, and celebration was truly remarkable. This moment reaffirmed how our traditions, culture, and values are being embraced and celebrated with great intensity.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
I also see how seamlessly our cultural values are being passed down from generation to generation. Look at our modern youth today—how deeply they are connecting with the Mahakumbh and other traditional festivals. The young generation of Bharat is proudly embracing its heritage, faith, and traditions with immense pride and devotion.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
When a society takes pride in its heritage, we witness grand and inspiring moments like those seen during the Mahakumbh. This strengthens our sense of brotherhood and builds confidence that, as a nation, we can achieve great milestones. The deep connection with our traditions, faith, and legacy is a priceless asset for today’s Bharat.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
The Mahakumbh has given us many invaluable lessons, and one of its greatest gifts is the nectar of unity. It was an event where people from every region, every corner of the country, came together as one. Shedding personal egos, they embraced the spirit of वयम (the collective We), rather than मैं (the individual I). People from diverse states became a part of the sacred Triveni. When millions of people from different regions strengthen the spirit of nationalism, the unity of our country grows even stronger. When people speaking various languages chant ‘Har Har Gange’ on the banks of the Sangam, it manifests the essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and strengthens unity. The Mahakumbh demonstrated that there was no distinction between big and small—it reflected Bharat’s immense strength. It reaffirmed that the profound element of unity is deeply ingrained within us. The power of our unity is so great that it can overcome any attempt to divide us. This unwavering spirit of oneness is a blessing for every Indian. At a time when the world is witnessing fragmentation, this grand display of solidarity is our greatest strength. Unity in diversity has always been Bharat’s defining trait—we have always believed in it, felt it, and we experienced its most magnificent form in Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh. It is our responsibility to continue nurturing and strengthening this unique legacy of unity amidst diversity.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
The Mahakumbh has also provided us with numerous inspirations. Our country is home to many small and large rivers, some of which are facing serious challenges. Drawing inspiration from the Kumbh, we should consider expanding the tradition of ‘Nadi Utsav’ (River Festivals). This initiative would help the present generation understand the importance of water, promote river cleanliness, and contribute to the preservation of our rivers.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
I firmly believe that the nectar of wisdom gained from the Mahakumbh will serve as a strong foundation for achieving our national resolutions. Once again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in organizing the Mahakumbh. I bow to all the devotees across the country and convey my best wishes on behalf of this esteemed House.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CSSA caseload for February 2025 The total CSSA caseload at the end of February stood at 195 775 (see attached table), with a total of 262 513 recipients.
Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.1 per cent to 1 354 cases. Single parent cases dropped by 0.3 per cent to 19 025 cases. Permanent disability cases declined by 0.1 per cent to 16 704 cases.
Old age cases registered an increase of 0.2 per cent to 110 943 cases. Unemployment cases increased by 0.1 per cent to 16 069 cases. Ill-health cases remained steady at 27 762 cases. Issued at HKT 17:00
The main objective of the PM Special (Training of Geriatric Care Givers) scheme is to bridge the gap in supply and increasing demand in the field of geriatric caregivers so as to provide more professional services to the senior citizens and also to create a cadre of professional caregivers in the field of geriatric. The Scheme will ensure sufficient availability of dedicated, professionally trained manpower of geriatric caregivers who can attend to diverse and dynamic needs of elderly population relating to recreation and holistic well-being.
32 institutes were empanelled under the Scheme in F.Y. 2023-24, which imparted training to 36,785 trainees. The details of individuals trained under the Scheme State/UT is as under:
Sl. No.
State
Total
1
Andhra Pradesh
150
2
Bihar
750
3
Chhattisgarh
200
4
Delhi
100
5
Gujarat
650
6
Haryana
200
7
Himachal Pradesh
1,575
8
Jammu & Kashmir
2,600
9
Karnataka
1,100
10
Madhya Pradesh
12,450
11
Maharashtra
3,200
12
Punjab
850
13
Rajasthan
2,800
14
Tamil Nadu
150
15
Telangana
60
16
Uttar Pradesh
9,750
17
Uttarakhand
200
TOTAL
36,785
Under the Scheme, free of cost training is provided to the trainees. However, the training cost is being given to the training institutes as per common cost norms of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). There is no provision of stipend to individuals undergoing training under the scheme.
As per Scheme guidelines, the Training Institute are required to tie-up with hospitals, nursing homes, or home-care service providers to facilitate on the job training, wherever applicable, and employment opportunities for trained geriatric caregiver.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The details of the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) provided by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for studying abroad during the last ten years is as under:
S. No.
Year
Number of SC and ST students selected under NOS for studying abroad during last ten years
SC
ST
1.
2014-15
59
20
2.
2015-16
50
15
3.
2016-17
108
16
4.
2017-18
178
20
5.
2018-19
97
20
6.
2019-20
97
20
7.
2020-21
90
20
8.
2021-22
122
20
9.
2022-23
119
20
10.
2023-24
117
23
Total
1037
194
*Vacant slots of previous years were carried forward.
At present, 263 SC students and 39 ST students are studying abroad. New initiatives such as simplification of process, invitation of applications online through portal; doing away with Police Verification and obtaining self-declaration regarding pending case/non-conviction of offense; introduction of QS ranking based selection procedure; enhancing of family income ceiling, number of slots and amount of financial assistance have been taken by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Leading zero-emission commercial vehicles manufacturer opens global headquarters in Hong Kong (with photo) The company also plans to establish a global research and development centre and intelligent manufacturing centre in Hong Kong and is committed to building a high-quality zero-emission commercial vehicle ecosystem for the world.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng said, “We are excited to welcome Wisdom Motor to Hong Kong. The establishment of its global headquarters is a testament to our city’s unparalleled suitability for technological and product development. With a rich talent pool and a strategic location, Hong Kong provides the perfect foundation for companies like Wisdom Motor to forge international partnerships and expand their presence in both the Asian and global markets.”
The Chief Strategy Officer of Wisdom Motor, Mr Felix Xu, said, “Hong Kong is situated in the heart of Asia and in close proximity to the Mainland. It enables businesses to tap into the multitude of opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and throughout the rest of the region. The city is an ideal base for us to promote our technological achievements to the Greater Bay Area, other parts of the Mainland, and developed overseas countries.”
He also said that the Hong Kong global headquarters is a pivotal hub for developing intelligent and connected vehicle applications, including Vehicle Control Unit or Motor Control Unit electronic control systems and hydrogen fuel systems. The company will collaborate with local university research teams and technology companies to develop carbon-neutral technologies and projects tailored to Hong Kong’s unique conditions.
He added that Wisdom Motor is an all-round enterprise with in-house capabilities in design, engineering, manufacturing, and delivery of class-leading smart zero-emission commercial vehicles. It is also at the forefront of integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems, leveraging advanced composite materials and manufacturing processes to achieve significant lightweight advantages. Wisdom Motor delivered Hong Kong’s first battery electric double-decker bus as well as the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen double-deck bus, paving the way to contribute to Hong Kong’s decarbonisation strategy.
PM-DAKSH Scheme a Central Sector Scheme, was started in 2020-21 to provide skill development training to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis, including Waste Pickers through the empanelled training institutes. Till 2022-23, the percentage of trained individuals who have secured employment or started their own enterprises post-training is 56.40%.
The three Corporations of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment are the implementing agencies under the Scheme, which are responsible for addressing grievances or issues reported by the trainees and taking remedial measures. In order to promote PM-DAKSH Scheme among the target group, advertisement is issued through print media and social media on Pan India basis. The training institutes also spread awareness amongst the target group by organizing awareness camps, reaching out to the cluster / communities and spreading awareness about the scheme.
As per scheme guidelines, a Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) is constituted to scrutinize the proposals of training institutes for their empanelment under PM-DAKSH Scheme. The Committee recommends the names of the training institutes based on certain parameters for approval.
In order to meet the skilling standards and deliver quality training, the training institutes are required to get their centres accredited and affiliated with Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), which ensures that the training centres meet the skilling standard and required infrastructure in making their centres smart as per the job roles. Once the training programme is completed, assessment and certification of trainees are conducted through the respective Sector Skill Council (SSC) or Assessment Bodies and the certified trainees are provided with placement opportunities in either wage-employment or self-employment. Currently there are no training institutes empanelled under PM-DAKSH Scheme.
Under the Scheme, it is the responsibility of the empanelled training institutes to have tie-ups with industries or other establishments for proper placement of certified trainees. The final instalment to the training institutes is released only after they submit the details of placement of the certified trainees. After training, stipends are also paid as a training support to the candidates through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, who meet the attendance criteria as per the Scheme guidelines.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
During financial year 2023-24, MOIL Ltd. has produced 1.76 million tonne of manganese ore which is 52% of total domestic production of 3.37 million tonne of manganese ore in India.
MOIL Ltd. ensures welfare and working conditions of mine workers by maintaining several welfare facilities such as residential quarters, canteen, hospital/health care centre and providing support to schools in neighbouring areas of operating mines.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Steel being a deregulated sector, decisions regarding technological advancements in the steel plants are taken by the individual steel companies based on techno-commercial considerations and market dynamics.
The following steps have been taken to enhance utilization of indigenous coking coal, improving energy efficiency and decarbonization of Indian steel sector:-
Coal companies and Steel industries are focusing on increasing domestic coal washing capacity to reduce ash content of coal and make it fit for use in steel industry. Stamp charged coke oven batteries are also being used in steel plants which will increase usage of domestic coking coal.
Ministry of Steel released a comprehensive Report titled “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan” in 2024, which discusses various pathways for the decarbonization of the steel sector and chalks out the strategy, action plan and roadmap to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions from steel sector. This report is available on website of Ministry of Steel.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurates the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has embraced a multi-sectoral, innovation-driven approach to eliminating TB: Smt. Patel
“The number of missing cases reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakhs in 2023; 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh cases in 2024 notified, marking the highest no. of notified cases ever”
“17.7% decline in incidence rate of TB in India, from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023; TB deaths reduced by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023”
“Innovations are crucial for TB elimination, offering faster and more accurate diagnostics, improved treatment regimens, and better prevention strategies”
India is resolved to eliminate 5 diseases in the coming 5 years that include: Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Measles, Rubella and Kala-azar: Dr. VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog
Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 2:01PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel inaugurated the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB, at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, here today. The Summit is being organized jointly by the Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) and the Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). The summit aims to accelerate India’s progress towards TB elimination by 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted India’s remarkable progress in TB control and the pivotal role of innovation in this mission. She stated that “under the pathbreaking leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, India’s public health landscape has seen a remarkable transformation over the past decade and many of you have played a critical role in ensuring innovations and quality healthcare services reach the last mile.”
Highlighting the achievements of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), Smt. Patel stated that “the Program is steadily progressing towards the goal of eliminating TB by 2025. The number of missing cases has been reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakhs in 2023. The programme was able to notify 25.5 lakh TB and 26.07 lakh cases in 2023 and 2024-the highest ever.”
Citing the WHO’s Global TB Report 2024, Smt. Patel stated that “the incidence rate of TB in India has shown a 17.7% decline from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 195 per lakh population in 2023. TB deaths have reduced by 21.4% from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.” She also added that “TB treatment coverage in India increased by 32% in last eight years from 53% in 2015 to 85% in 2023.”
The Union Minister of State also highlighted the new initiatives under NTEP. She stated that “a shorter and safer oral Bedaquiline-containing drug resistant TB treatment regimen has been rolled out across all State/ UTs that has improved treatment success rates of drug-resistant TB patients from 68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022. A more efficacious treatment regimen, mBPaL (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid (300mg) has also been introduced for drug-resistant TB which is 80% more efficacious for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and will reduce treatment duration to 6 months.”
She also highlighted the Energy Dense Nutritional Support (EDNS), offered to under-nourished TB patients during the first 2 months of their treatment along with drugs. Talking about the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative that was launched with the objectives to provide additional support to TB patients in order to improve treatment outcomes, augment community involvement and leverage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, Smt. Patel stated that “this initiative was launched to bring together people from all backgrounds into a ‘Jan Andolan’ and escalate the progress toward TB elimination.” She further added that “the Government has doubled the financial assistance under Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) for nutritional support to TB patients from Rs 500/per month/per patient to Rs 1,000 per month per patient effective from 1st November 2024 while the Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative has also been expanded wherein food baskets to TB patients and their household contacts are being provided.
In addition to this, Smt. Patel also underscored the progress of the ongoing TB Mukt Bharat– 100 Days Intensified Campaign. Launched on 7th December 2024, the campaign covers 455 selected high priority districts and involves a comprehensive strategy to mobilise resources, raise awareness and intensify actions against TB across all prioritized districts. The campaign activities involve active TB case finding in vulnerable populations, early diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation and linkage to nutritional care. The report of the campaign will be released on World TB Day on 24th March 2025.
Underlining the new Innovations rolled out under the program, Smt. Patel stated that “ICMR has validated three indigenous handheld X ray devices, which makes it possible to reach vulnerable population groups for TB screening. Hand-held devices offer advantages of low weight, portability, and low radiation exposure and are being used in the 100-day accelerated programme.” She also added that “ICMR partnered with Institute of Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, to develop DeepCXR, a tool for artificial intelligence-based reporting chest X ray films. AI tools are expected to be a gamechanger in detecting presumptive TB patients and quick initiation of treatment. ICMR also validated CyTb skin test for detection of latent TB infection, developed by Serum Institute of India Ltd. against Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), which is the preferred test for latent TB detection. However, IGRA is expensive and it may not be feasible to be introduced in resource limited countries. Overall performance of CyTb was better than the currently used tuberculin skin test.”
Smt. Patel further added that “ICMR conducted a multicentric validation of PathoDetectTM an indigenous molecular diagnostic NAAT test which can perform 32 tests simultaneously, detects MTB complex and first line drug resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and Isoniazid (INH) simultaneously as a one step process. Overall, the performance of PathoDetectTM was comparable to other molecular assays. Deployment of this test in the 100-day program, along with the already available TruNat test, has enhanced capacity of molecular diagnosis of TB and early detection of drug resistance. Moreover, the Quantiplus MTB FAST Detection Kit developed by Huwel Lifesciences is the first in world indigenous open system RTPCR kits developed in India and validated by ICMR. In comparison to the gold standard liquid culture, sensitivity of the kit is 86 % and specificity is 96 %. These kits are likely to be low-cost and have a potential to expand the outreach of TB molecular testing, including more than 3300 RTPCR machines used during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Health Technology Assessment India under Department of Health Research has assessed the TB health Technologies like Truenat for TB diagnosis, BPAL/BPALM regime for MDR TB, Techo plus for tracking and managing TB health services, AI enabled chest X-ray diagnosis and TMEAD an adherence monitoring device for TB treatment”, she further added.
Underlining the role of innovations in TB elimination, Smt. Patel stated that “innovations are crucial for TB elimination, offering faster and more accurate diagnostics, improved treatment regimens, and better prevention strategies. Use of digital health, artificial intelligence, data collection and health promotion will also play a critical role in reaching the “missing millions” of people with TB who go undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, each year.” In her concluding remarks, she encouraged all innovators “to continue their endeavour to develop useful tools for introduction into the program and help achieve the goal of TB elimination.”
In his address, Dr. V. K Paul, Member NITI Aayog, stated that “the event is an important step in the direction of innovation-led push in achieving the goal of elimination of TB. The Summit is bringing together pioneers in TB research and technology to translate ideas into impactful solutions.
He stated that “India has achieved tremendous success in the direction of eliminating TB under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.” India is resolved to eliminate 5 diseases in the coming 5 years that include: Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis, Measles, Rubella and Kala-azar, he further stated.
Dr. Paul also underlined the need of advanced and better tools for diagnosis of drug-resistant TB and underlined the potential of AI to provide solutions for TB detection and elimination. He further stated that for elimination of TB, technology that can be taken to scale is of high priority along with facilitation of newer technologies and their approval while ensuring funding for important innovations and identify areas for further research.
He concluded his remarks by stating that “India’s efforts for TB elimination are truly global that will be beneficial globally”. He put emphasis on the need of bringing innovative ideas to the forefront that can “bring speed and scale to TB elimination and added that the summit will also help facilitate spin-offs for elimination of other diseases from the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, DHR & Director General, ICMR, highlighted the transformative role of research and indigenous technologies in India’s TB elimination effort. Emphasizing the role of technology in detection, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of TB, he stated that “scientific advancements have been at the forefront of our fight against TB. Through rigorous research, we have validated innovative diagnostics, treatment regimens, and AI-based tools that enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.” He added that “the summit serves as a crucial platform to bring together stakeholders and fast-track the adoption of these solutions into national TB programs.” He underlined the crucial role played by homegrown innovations benefit not only India but also contribute to the global TB elimination mission.
The one-and-a-half-day summit features over 200 groundbreaking innovations, including handheld X-ray devices for rapid TB screening, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and new molecular testing technologies. The event provides a platform for innovators to engage with policymakers, regulators, and experts, ensuring that promising solutions are integrated into national TB programs.
With over 1,200 participants from academia, industry, healthcare, and research, the summit aims to foster crucial collaborations. A key focus is identifying innovations with potential for large-scale implementation and linking them with government initiatives for further development. The India Innovation Summit reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating TB by 2025, leveraging scientific advancements and community-driven efforts to accelerate progress toward this ambitious goal.
More than 200 innovations shaping India’s fight against TB to be showcased at an exhibition along with over 30 scientific sessions on innovations, lectures, roundtable and panel discussions during the summit.
Former Secretary DHR and DG ICMR Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Joint Secretary DHR Ms Anu Nagar, Sr DDG (Admin) ICMR MS Manisha Saxena and other senior officials and scientists from the Ministry and ICMR also participated in the summit. Among the global participants, Dr. Trevor Mundel, President, Global Health, Gates Foundation and Prof. Guy Marks (the Union) marked their presence at the inaugural event.
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MV
HFW/MoS inaugurates India Innovation Summit- Pioneering Solutions to End TB /18March2025/1
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel was launched with an overall budget of Rs.6,322 crore in July, 2021 to promote the manufacturing of ‘Specialty Steel’ within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments. Performance of the scheme is regularly monitored by the Ministry. The current status of the PLI Scheme for specialty steel is as follows:-
Commitment during scheme tenure by selected companies
Actual achievement up to 31st December, 2024
Investment (Rs. Cr)
27,106
18,850
Production (in ‘000t)
7,940
1258
(928 in FY 24-25)
Employment (in Nos.)
14,760
8,930
Incentive Disbursement(Rs.Cr.)
—
48*
Disbursement claim in FY 2024-25
To ensure wider participation irrespective of the company size, following steps have been taken:-
Launch of dedicated web portal for PLI Scheme and wide publicity through media.
Frequent webinars with companies that expressed interest to participate in the scheme.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is organising a brainstorming session onLeveraging Non-Conventional Data Sources for Official Statistics on 20th March, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The session aims to deliberate upon the ways and means of using the non-conventional data along with the conventional data generated through the censuses, surveys, and administrative records.
The rapid advancements in technology have given rise to non-conventional data sources, offering new opportunities for data-driven decision-making. The non-conventional data sources come from earth observation (satellite images); Mobile telecommunications (call records); social networks (sentiment analysis), and citizen-generated data (civil society data). Many of these are considered big data, large volumes of unstructured information that require new capacities for their analysis. The non-conventional data sources become an opportunity to complement the existing official data available with the statistical community.
In recent years there has been a need for better convergence of data arising from these two types of sources, conventional and non-conventional. Discussions about what official statistics are currently measuring and the types of data being used for these measurements have been taking place at the Statistical Institutions of different countries. The time is thus opportune to bring the relevant stakeholders at one platform and ponder upon the right set of frameworks, and systems to confluence the non-conventional data with the conventional data in official statistics.
The event congregates domain experts, policymakers, data scientists, and statisticians to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for supplementing alternative data sources with the conventional data, thereby enhancing the scope, accuracy, and timeliness of official statistics. The panelists of the technical session will delve into various emerging data sources, their features- structural and transactional, and possibility of their integration with the conventional datasets.
The keynote on the brainstorming session will be delivered by Sri Kris Gopalkrishnan, one of the co-founders of Infosys, recognized as a global business and technology thought leader. Mr. Gopalakrishnan serves on the Board of Governors of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), is the Chairman, The Council, IISc Bangalore, and is the Chairman, Board of Governors of IIIT, Bangalore.
In addition, the brainstorming session would be addressed by Sri Rana Hasan, Regional Lead Economist, South Asia, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The panelists of the technical sessions are the representatives from UN agencies, Governments and Private Institutions, namely, Survey of India (Department of Science & Technology), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC: Department of Space), UIDAI (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), IIT, Kanpur, World Bank, IDinsight, GDi, and Great Lakes Institute of Management.
The event is likely to be attended by the representatives of the central Ministries/Departments, UN agencies, Think Tanks, Independent organisations, and Universities and research institutions.
The outcomes of the brainstorming session are likely to be instrumental in understanding methodologies for better use of non-conventional data sources, as also in evolving an institutional arrangement for data integration generated through the conventional and non-conventional sources.
Steel is a deregulated sector and steel prices are determined by demand supply dynamics of market forces, global market conditions, trends in price of raw materials, logistics cost, power and fuel cost, etc. The Government acts as a facilitator, by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector including small and medium producers in the country. Government has taken following steps to facilitate the reduction of Steel imports and to improve the competitiveness of domestic steel manufacturers to reduce dependency on imports:-
Launch of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote the manufacturing of ‘Specialty Steel’ within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments. The anticipated additional investment under the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel is Rs 27,106 crores with downstream capacity creation of around 25 million tonnes (MT) for specialty steel.
Introduction of steel Quality Control Orders thereby banning sub-standard/ defective steel products in domestic market as well as imports to ensure the availability of quality steel to the industry, users and public at large.
Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) has been revamped and SIMS 2.0 was launched on 25.07.2024 for more effective monitoring of imports to address the concerns of domestic steel industry.
Implementation of Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting ‘Made in India’ steel for Government procurement.
Anti Dumping Duty (ADD) measures pertaining to some steel products like seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron, alloy, or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel) (from China PR), electro-galvanized steel (from Korea RP, Japan, Singapore), stainless-steel seamless tubes and pipes (from China PR), welded stainless steel pipes and tubes (from Vietnam and Thailand) are in place currently.
Countervailing Duty (CVD) is in place for Welded Stainless Steel Pipes and Tubes from China and Vietnam.
There is sufficient reserve of iron ore in the country to meet the current demand/consumption by domestic steel industry. The production of Iron Ore in FY 2024 was more than 270 Million tons and the export were approximately 46 Million tons while the import was 4.9 Million tons, as per the data provided by IBM.
The Government has taken various steps to increase supply of minerals which include, inter-alia, Mining and Mineral Policy reforms to ensure enhanced production, early auction& operationalization of mines with expired leases, ease of doing business, seamless transfer of all valid rights & approvals, incentivizing for starting of mining operation & dispatch, transferring of mining leases, allowing captive mines to sell upto 50% of the minerals produced, enhancing the exploration activities etc.
Government has notified the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy in November, 2019. The policy provides a framework to facilitate and promote establishment of metal scrapping centres in India for scientific processing and recycling of ferrous scrap generated from various sources.
The details of country-wise imports of finished steel including from China since 2014 are atAnnexure.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
****
TPJ/NJ
Annexure
Country Wise Import of Finished Steel from 2014-15 to 2023-24 – Quantity (in ‘000 tonnes)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Unemployment and underemployment statistics for December 2024 – February 2025 Comparing December 2024 – February 2025 with November 2024 – January 2025, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Relatively notable increases were observed in the food and beverage service activities sector, transportation sector, construction sector, and professional and business services sector (excluding cleaning and similar activities). Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
Total employment decreased by around 7 100 from 3 716 600 in November 2024 – January 2025 to 3 709 500 in December 2024 – February 2025. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 5 400 from 3 826 700 to 3 821 300.
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1 600 from 110 100 in November 2024 – January 2025 to 111 700 in December 2024 – February 2025. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 2 300 from 43 000 to 40 700.
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.2% in December 2024 – February 2025, though edging up by 0.1 percentage point over November 2024 – January 2025. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1%. The labour force and total employment were at 3 821 300 and 3 709 500 respectively, declining slightly from the preceding three-month period.”
The unemployment rates of various sectors showed diverse movements in December 2024 – February 2025 compared with the preceding three-month period, but they generally stayed low.
Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The labour market should remain largely stable in the near term amidst continued economic expansion, though some businesses would be affected by the uncertainties stemming from the United States’ trade protection measures.”
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
The survey for December 2024 – February 2025 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of December 2024 to February 2025.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Lok Sabha on successful conclusion of Maha Kumbh I bow to the citizens, whose efforts led to the successful organisation of the Maha Kumbh: PM
Many people have contributed to the success of the Maha Kumbh, I compliment all the Karmayogis of the Government and society: PM
We have witnessed a ‘Maha Prayas’ in the organisation of the Maha Kumbh: PM
This Maha Kumbh was led by the people, driven by their resolve and inspired by their unwavering devotion: PM
Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is a significant milestone that reflects the spirit of an awakened nation: PM
Maha Kumbh has strengthened the spirit of unity: PM
In the Maha Kumbh, all differences faded away; this is India’s great strength, showing that the spirit of unity is deeply rooted within us: PM
The spirit of connecting with faith and heritage is the greatest asset of today’s India: PM
Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 1:21PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha today on the successful conclusion of the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He extended his heartfelt salutations to the countless citizens of the nation, whose efforts ensured the grand success of the Mahakumbh. Highlighting the collective contributions of various individuals and groups in making the Mahakumbh a success, he acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of the government, society, and all dedicated workers involved. Shri Modi expressed his gratitude to devotees from across the country, with special mention of the people of Uttar Pradesh and, in particular, the citizens of Prayagraj, for their invaluable support and participation.
Underlining the immense efforts required for the grand organization of the Mahakumbh, comparing it to the legendary Bhagirath’s endeavor to bring the Ganga to Earth, Shri Modi mentioned about his emphasis on the importance of “Sabka Prayas” during his address from the Red Fort. He noted that the Mahakumbh showcased India’s grandeur to the world. “Mahakumbh is a manifestation of the collective resolve, devotion, and dedication of the people, inspired by their unwavering faith”, he added.
The Prime Minister remarked on the profound awakening of national consciousness witnessed during the Mahakumbh, highlighting how this consciousness propels the nation towards new resolutions and inspires their fulfillment. He emphasized that the Mahakumbh effectively addressed doubts and apprehensions held by some regarding the nation’s capabilities.
Highlighting the transformative journey of the nation, drawing a parallel between the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya last year and the Mahakumbh this year, Shri Modi remarked that these events reinforce the nation’s readiness for the next millennium. He emphasized that the collective consciousness of the nation reflects its immense potential. He noted that pivotal moments in a nation’s history, much like in human history, serve as examples for generations to come. Shri Modi reflected on India’s historical milestones that awakened the nation and provided new direction, citing the spiritual resurgence during the Swadeshi movement, Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech in Chicago, and key moments in India’s freedom struggle, such as the 1857 uprising, Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s “Delhi Chalo” call, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March. “Prayagraj Mahakumbh is a similarly significant milestone, symbolizing the awakened spirit of the nation”, he added.
Underscoring the vibrant enthusiasm witnessed during the Mahakumbh in India, which lasted for nearly one and a half months, the Prime Minister highlighted how crores of devotees, rising above concerns of convenience or inconvenience, participated with unwavering faith, showcasing the nation’s immense strength. Citing his recent visit to Mauritius, where he carried sacred water from Triveni, Prayagraj, collected during the Mahakumbh, Prime Minister mentioned the profound atmosphere of devotion and celebration when the holy water was offered at Mauritius’ Ganga Talao. He emphasized that this reflects the growing spirit of embracing, celebrating, and preserving India’s traditions, culture, and values.
Shri Modi remarked on the seamless continuation of traditions across generations, highlighting how the modern youth of India have actively participated in the Mahakumbh and other festivals with deep devotion. He emphasized that today’s youth are embracing their traditions, faith, and beliefs with pride, reflecting a strong connection to India’s cultural heritage.
“When a society takes pride in its heritage, it creates grand and inspiring moments, as witnessed during the Mahakumbh”, said Shri Modi, emphasising that such pride fosters unity and strengthens the confidence to achieve significant national goals. He highlighted that the connection to traditions, faith, and heritage is a valuable asset for contemporary India, reflecting the nation’s collective strength and cultural richness.
Stressing that the Mahakumbh has yielded many invaluable outcomes, with the spirit of unity being its most sacred offering, the Prime Minister highlighted how people from every region and corner of the country came together in Prayagraj, setting aside individual egos and embracing the collective spirit of “we” over “I.” He emphasized that individuals from various states became part of the sacred Triveni, strengthening the sense of nationalism and unity. He noted that when people speaking different languages and dialects chanted “Har Har Gange” at the Sangam, it reflected the essence of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and enhanced the spirit of oneness. Shri Modi observed that the Mahakumbh demonstrated the absence of discrimination between the small and the great, showcasing India’s immense strength. He remarked that the inherent unity within the nation is so profound that it overcomes all divisive efforts. He highlighted that this unity is a great fortune for Indians and a significant strength in a world facing fragmentation. He reiterated that “unity in diversity” is India’s hallmark, a sentiment consistently felt and experienced, as exemplified by the grandeur of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. He urged the nation to continue enriching this unique characteristic of unity in diversity.
Speaking about the numerous inspirations drawn from the Mahakumbh, Shri Modi highlighted the vast network of rivers in the country, many of which are facing challenges. He stressed the need to expand the tradition of river festivals, inspired by the Mahakumbh, adding that such initiatives would help the current generation understand the importance of water, promote river cleanliness, and ensure the protection of rivers.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing confidence that the inspirations drawn from the Mahakumbh will serve as a strong medium for achieving the nation’s resolutions. He appreciated every individual involved in organizing the Mahakumbh and extended his salutations to all devotees across the country and conveyed his best wishes on behalf of the House.
In the Maha Kumbh, all differences faded away. This is India’s great strength, showing that the spirit of unity is deeply rooted within us. pic.twitter.com/m3c6EY3DFX
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025 to be gazetted The spokesperson said, “The Amendment Bill seeks to enhance the buildings energy efficiency management regime of Hong Kong. It improves the energy efficiency of buildings to reduce the demand for power consumption and generation, which will not only reduce carbon emissions but also lessen the financial burden on the public for the increased use of clean fuels for electricity generation, thereby assisting Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
The Amendment Bill contains five parts, namely regulating the energy efficiency standards of building services installations for all data centres in Hong Kong; requiring more types of buildings to conduct regular energy audits; shortening the intervals of energy audits; disclosing certain technical information in energy audit reports; and including more qualifications eligible for registration as Registered Energy Assessors. If the Amendment Bill is passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) and implemented in full, it is estimated that an additional 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 150 000 three-person households, could be saved in 2035.
The spokesperson added, “The proposed amendments to the Ordinance aims to achieve a win-win scenario of saving electricity cost for buildings, reducing carbon emission, and boosting the development of green economy.”
The EEB has extensively consulted relevant stakeholders on the legislative amendment proposals, which include trade associations, the property management sector, the construction industry, professional bodies, public services bodies, and the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs. The views received have been incorporated into the Amendment Bill as appropriate. Stakeholders generally support the proposals.
The Amendment Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading and commencement of the second reading debate on March 26. The Government will fully support the work of the LegCo in scrutinising the Amendment Bill and looks forward to the LegCo’s support and passage of the Amendment Bill. Issued at HKT 15:08
The Government of India has significantly increased the allocation for the Vigyan Dhara scheme, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the country’s scientific research, innovation, and technological development ecosystem. The budget has witnessed a substantial rise from Rs. 330.75crore in 2024-25 to Rs. 1425.00 crore in 2025-26. The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is Rs.10,579.84 crore for the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26, aligning with the 15th Finance Commission. This increased investment underscores the government’s dedication to fostering science and technology as a foundation for national progress.
The Birth of Vigyan Dhara
The Vigyan Dhara scheme came into force with effect from 16.01.2025. It merges three key umbrella schemes into one, focusing on:
❖Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building: This component focuses on strengthening India’s scientific infrastructure and human resource pool. It aims to build and enhance research and development (R&D) labs across academic institutions, creating a robust environment for scientific research.
❖ Research and Development (R&D): Vigyan Dhara emphasises research in various critical areas, including basic research, translational research in sustainable energy and water, and access to international mega facilities. This component also fosters collaborative research through international bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
❖Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment:This segment of the scheme aims to drive innovation at all levels, from schools to higher education and the industry. It seeks to promote technology development and deployment, with a particular focus on increasing collaboration between academia, government, and industry, as well as supporting startups.
This strategic integration enhances efficiency in fund utilization and establishes synchronization among the sub-schemes and programs, ensuring a more streamlined approach to achieving scientific progress in India.
Key Focus Areas of Vigyan Dhara
1. Capacity Building
Establishing advanced research laboratories in academic institutions
Supporting faculty development and student research
Promoting international scientific collaborations
2. Research and Development
Encouraging basic research with access to international mega facilities
Supporting translational research in areas such as sustainable energy, water, etc.
Fostering collaborative research through international bilateral and multilateral cooperation
Contributing to building a critical human resource pool to expand the nation’s R&D base and improve the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count.
3. Innovation and Technology Development
Supporting startups and entrepreneurs in science and technology
Facilitating technology transfer and commercialization
Promoting the development of indigenous technologies
Reinforcing innovation efforts from school-level education to higher education, industries, and startups through targeted interventions
4. Promoting Gender Parity in Science and Technology
Implementing focused programs to increase the participation of women in S&T fields
Ensuring gender equality in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) through strategic interventions
5. International Collaboration
Promoting joint research projects
Facilitating knowledge exchange with international researchers
Strengthening India’s position as a global scientific leader.
Key Impacts:
❖ Enhanced collaboration between academia, government, and industry
❖ Strengthened R&D capabilities, aligned with global standards and national priorities.
All the programs under the Vigyan Dhara scheme are aligned with the 5-year goals of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), contributing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Furthermore, the Research and Development (R&D) component of the scheme is structured to align with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), ensuring that India’s scientific research follows globally prevailing standards while adhering to national priorities.
As of March 2025, 57,869 individual beneficiaries have availed the scheme. The beneficiaries include young students in the age group of 10-15 years and studying in class VI to X availing the benefits under INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) program. This initiative nurtures a scientific mindset, encourages research careers, and fosters innovation among students.
In Telangana alone, 4002 beneficiaries have availed of the scheme, with Rs. 3.3 crore utilized as of 10.03.2025. The increased budget allocation will further strengthen state-level scientific initiatives, enabling more individuals and institutions to benefit.
Vigyan Dhara operates as a central sector scheme, implemented across the country. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has taken proactive measures to raise awareness through:
Extensive media coverage across print, social, and digital platforms
A dedicated web portal providing comprehensive information on various programs
Active engagement with stakeholders to disseminate knowledge about the scheme’s benefits.
Rising Scientific Publications
As per the latest Science & Engineering Indicators report from the National Science Foundation, USA, India has shown a consistent rise in scientific publications. The details are as follows:
The government has taken several steps to strengthen the research ecosystem and encourage researchers for scientific publications, including:
Successive increases in budget allocations for scientific research
Establishment of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through the ANRF Act 2023
Creation of Centres of Excellence
Instituting research fellowships and research programs
Encouraging industry participation in R&D
Providing extramural project funding and fellowship schemes through DST, DBT, and CSIR
Research funding supports areas such as clean energy, water, nano and advanced materials, cyber-physical systems, quantum science, geospatial technology, biotechnology, and industrial technologies. The outcomes of these initiatives include scientific publications, intellectual property creation (patents), technology transfers, and industrial designs. Additionally, researchers are encouraged to conduct research publications and generate intellectual property, as these are key performance indicators for career progression.
A Transformative Vision for India’s Future
Vigyan Dharais set to revolutionize India’s scientific landscape by fostering innovation, strengthening research capabilities, and promoting technological advancements. The government’s increased budget allocation signifies a clear commitment to advancing India’s position as a global leader in science and technology while ensuring inclusive participation and alignment with the nation’s long-term development goals.
Ministry of Culture to Revive and Sustain the ‘Kamba Ramayana’ through Statewide Festival and Educational Initiatives in Tamil Nadu Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the event at Sreerangam Temple, Trichy
Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 11:29AM by PIB Delhi
In an effort to preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is launching a comprehensive initiative aimed at reviving the oral tradition of ‘Kamba Ramayana’recitals and its broader cultural impact. The ceremony will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 18thMarch 2025, in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Government. This will be followed by performances at several temples across Tamil Nadu, including locations in Kumbakonam, Chengalpattu, Ramanathapuram, Chennai, Thanjavur and others.
The inaugural event of this ambitious program will take place at the historic Sreerangam Temple, Trichy, with participation from Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. These local cultural troupes will perform traditional recitals of the epic, showcasing their unique chanting techniques.
This initiative will include a series of performances, workshops, symposia, and educational competitions to ensure that future generations can connect with and appreciate this epic text, which has long been integral to Tamil heritage.
The program will be spread over three distinct phases, each contributing to the preservation and spread of Kamba Ramayana:
Phase I: Inaugural Ceremony (March 18, 2025): The festival will commence at the Sreerangam Temple, with recitals and performances by Kamba Ramayana mandali from across Tamil Nadu. After the opening event, the performances will travel to key temples across the state, including Thirupullambuthangudi, Madurantakam, Thiruneermalai and Vaduvur.
Phase II: Kamba Ramayana Festival at KambarMedu (March 30 – April 06, 2025): A week-long immersive festival will be held at KambarMedu, the birthplace of Kambar in Theraazhundur. This festival will feature continuous recitals of the Kamba Ramayana, dance dramas, and scholarly discussions on the cultural and literary significance of the epic. Esteemed scholars and artists, such as Dr Sudha Seshayyan, Bharathi Bhaskar, and Dushyant Sridhar, will lead symposiums, while dance performances based on the Kamba Ramayana will bring the story to life in innovative theatrical styles.
Phase III: Statewide Program and Schools Engagement (July – October 2025): From July to October 2025, SZCC will conduct a series of workshops and competitions in schools and colleges across Tamil Nadu, encouraging students to engage with the Kamba Ramayana through recitations and scholarly discussions. This phase will culminate in a grand finale at KambarMedu, where the best performers will showcase their talent during the Dusherra celebrations.
Key Program Features:
Isai (Music/Performance): Kamba Ramayana mandali will perform recitals at various locations, culminating in the 9-day festival at KambarMedu.
Iyal (Literature/Scholarly Engagement): A symposium of renowned scholars will explore the literary, cultural, and historical significance of Kamba Ramayana.
Natakam (Theatre/Dance Drama): Dance dramas based on the epic will be performed at the festival, interpreting the story through the medium of theater.
School and College Competitions: Students will participate in recitation workshops and competitions, with winners performing at the festival’s grand finale.
KambarMedu, located in Theraazhundur, Tamil Nadu, is the birthplace of Kambar, the poet who penned the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant literary works in Tamil literature. This version of the Ramayana, composed in the 12th-13th century CE, stands as a unique and culturally rich adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana. Though once integral to Tamil cultural life, the oral tradition of reciting the Kamba Ramayana through local mandali (cultural troupes) has significantly declined. Many younger generations in Tamil Nadu are now unfamiliar with Kambar’s epic, and the cultural practice is at risk of extinction.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) aims to sustain and disseminate the Kamba Ramayana by reviving its performance, education, and engagement through the creation of an integrated festival and educational initiative. This proposal not only seeks to preserve Tamil cultural heritage but also ensures its transmission to future generations.
Objectives of the programme:
To sustain and promote theKamba Ramayanaoral tradition through recitals by cultural troupes (mandali).
To attract the younger generation to engage with and learn about the Kamba Ramayana, ensuring the preservation of this important literary work.
To establish a comprehensive, statewide program that incorporates performances, symposia, and educational competitions.
Long-Term Vision:
This initiative aims to create a sustainable cultural legacy for the Kamba Ramayana:
Annual Festival: The Kamba Ramayana festival will become an annual celebration of Tamil literary heritage.
Museum at Kambar Medu: A museum dedicated to the life and works of Kambar and the Kamba Ramayana will be established at Kambar Medu, ensuring that the epic’s legacy is preserved for future generations.
About South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC): The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of regional cultural heritage across southern India. Through events like the Kamba Ramayana initiative, the SZCC seeks to engage diverse communities, foster cultural understanding, and inspire the younger generation to embrace traditional art forms.
Director General Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA) Lt General DS Rana is set to embark on an official visit to Australia from 19-21 March 2025. This visit aims to further strengthen bilateral defence intelligence cooperation and enhance strategic engagement between India and Australia.
During the visit, DG DIA will hold discussions with senior Australian Defence officials, including the Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence, Director General of National Intelligence (DGNI), Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Joint Operations of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). These high-level interactions will focus on intelligence-sharing mechanisms, regional security cooperation, and avenues for further collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the visit, DG DIA will also visit the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQ JOC) to gain insights into Australia’s operational framework and joint command structures. He is also scheduled to interact with the Director of the Australian Geospatial Organisation (AGO). Additionally, engagements at the Lowy Institute, a leading international policy think tank, will facilitate discussions on strategic defence and security dynamics.
Honouring the strong defence ties and shared military traditions between India and Australia, DG DIA will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial. The visit will also include attending the Last Post Ceremony, a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, symbolising mutual respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made in service to the nation.
This visit underscores the deepening intelligence and security cooperation between India and Australia, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region.
CBDT issues Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to Revised Guidelines for Compounding of Offences under Income-Tax Act, 1961 The FAQs are based on feedback from stakeholders on Revised Guidelines for Compounding of Offences under Income-Tax Act, 1961, issued on 17th October 2025
Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 7:30PM by PIB Delhi
The revised Guidelines for Compounding of Offences under the Income-Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as “the guidelines”) were issued on October 17, 2024. These guidelines supersede all existing guidelines on the subject and are applicable to all pending as well as new applications from the date of their issuance.
Following the issuance of the guidelines, queries were received from stakeholders seeking clarifications on various provisions. Based on these queries, the CBDT has issued Circular No. 04/2025, dated March 17, 2025, in the form of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). These FAQs provide the necessary clarifications on the scope of the guidelines, eligibility for filing applications, the mode of filing compounding applications and payment of fees, terms for compounding, compounding charges and procedures for payment, time limits, and other related aspects.
The guidelines have been simplified compared to the previous version, inter alia, by eliminating the categorisation of offences, removing the limit on the number of occasions for filing applications, allowing fresh applications upon curing of defects, permitting the compounding of offences under sections 275A and 276B of the Act, and removing the existing time limit for filing applications, which was previously set at 36 months from the date of filing of the complaint.
The Union Government has released the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants during Financial Year 2024–25, for the Rural Local Bodies in Maharashtra. Amount released entails 2nd installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.611.6913 crores and withheld portion of 1st installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.8.4282 crores. These funds are for the 4 eligible District Panchayats, 40 eligible Block Panchayats and 21551 eligible Gram Panchayats of the state.
The Untied Grants will be utilized byPanchayati Raj Institutions(PRIs)/Rural Local Bodies(RLBs) for location-specific felt needs, under theTwenty-Nine(29)Subjectsenshrined in theEleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and fecal sludge management in particular and (b) supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling. Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends release of Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants to States for Rural Local Bodies which is then released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocated Grants are recommended and released in 2 installments in a Financial Year.The devolution of Central Finance Commission (CFC) Grants empowers Panchayati Raj Institutions, enabling them to address their local development needs effectively. Aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Viksit Panchayat Se Viksit Bharat – thesegrants strengthen grassroot democracy and accelerates rural transformation.
OPENING REMARKS by Dr Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director UNESCO Pacific Regional Office.
Dear Honorable Minister T. C. Schuster, Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)
Dear Diplomatic Corps, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Heads of UN Agencies
I warmly welcome Dear Representatives from the Pacific Countries who have braved the storm and travelled a long way to be with us today. My most sincere and humble thanks to you. PNG, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, French Polynesia, Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Samoa. Certain experts were held back to monitor the weather situation in their countries.
These experts and representatives are mainly from National Geological Services, National Tsunami Warning Centers, National Volcano Observatories and National Disaster Management Offices (NDMO).
I Warmly thank and Welcome, our partners, the Samoa Meteorological Services, Samoa Disaster Management Office, SPREP, UNDRR, regional partners, the Pacific Community (SPC), JICA, USGS and other partners………… connected online. Especially those who were unable to travel due to the current cyclonic weather conditions.
Dear friends of UNESCO,
It is my honor and pleasure to address you at the opening ceremony of the Science and partnerships for geohazard resilience in the Pacific region towards a Multi-hazard Early Warning System
Firstly, let me extend my deep appreciation to the Government of Samoa for hosting this important event and for their flexibility in organizing this event in such uncertain weather conditions and ALLOWING FOR HYBRID SESSIONS.
Geohazards
Geohazards are defined as an adverse geologic condition capable of causing damage or loss of property or life. These processes only become hazards when humans get in their way.
The Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) proximity to the Ring of Fire, where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis occur, makes it one of the most vulnerable regions to geohazards in the world.
In celebration of the International Geoscience programme on healing the earth, the 50th Anniversary in 2022 noted and I quote
ONE HEALTH
Earth and Ocean Sciences contribution to the implementation of the SDG’s
The Earth gives and the Earth takes away. It gives humanity the rich tapestry of landscapes within which civilisations and complex societies have flourished, providing the raw materials to build livelihoods and the resources to feed and fuel our modern world.
It takes away through the disasters that emerge from geological violence In the coming decades our planet faces a geological tipping point that threatens the future of humanity and the natural world that sustains it. Geoscience – the science of planet Earth an the ocean sciences – will be vital in averting that calamity.
Geosciences and the ocean sciences
Geoscience studies how our planet works, unravels its four and a half billion year history, and applies that past understanding to present and future societal concerns.
Geohazards History of the PICTs
I am told that,
• 30% of global seismicity is observed in the Southwest Pacific Region
(Lebellegard et al., 2007) and less than 3% of seismic stations are available for
real time monitoring within this area (repartition based on GEVN network).
• 15% of deadly tsunami’s originate from the Southwest Pacific
• 80% of these tsunamis are caused by an earthquake.
• 69% of world tsunamis originate from the Pacific Ocean Basin and marginal seas
• 99% of deaths in the Pacific are caused by local and regional tsunamis.
• We need not to be reminded by the recent events in Vanuatu on 17th December
2024 and the 2022 Hunga- Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Volcano Eruption and Tsunami
Why UNESCO and how can UNESCO support the management of geohazards?
Vision of a world at peace could not be a world without science
Since its establishment after WW2, UNESCO promotes international cooperation in the natural sciences, and marine sciences through its inter governmental and international scientific programmes. UNESCO is home to the inter-governmental hydrological programme, international basic sciences and UNESCO is the only organization with a mandate in the earth sciences. This is the S in UNESCO.
The International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) is the oldest and most successful example of a scientific partnership between a non-governmental organization (the International Union of Geological Sciences; IUGS) and an intergovernmental organization (UNESCO). The IUGS, founded in 1961, with 121 national members representing over a million geoscientists, is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations. It encourages international co-operation and participation in the Earth sciences in relation.
Since 1972, UNESCO, through the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and in partnership with the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), has harnessed the intellectual capacity of a worldwide network of geoscientists to lay the foundation for our planet’s future, focusing on responsible and environmental resource extraction, natural hazard resilience and preparedness, and adaptability in an era of changing climate.
For 60 years, UNESCO’s inter governmental Oceanographic Commission promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the oceans, coasts and marine resources.
UNESCO, is leading the United Nations OCEAN DECADE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2020-2023 and have launched the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP) in 2021. This is an effort to bolster the global tsunami warning system by reducing response times and enhancing community readiness.
Its main objectives are to:
o Enhance systems’ capacity to issue actionable and timely warnings for tsunamis from all identified sources to 100% of coasts at risk;
o Guarantee that 100% of communities at risk are prepared and resilient to tsunamis by 2030 through efforts like the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.
Our UNESCO Natural and Ocean Sciences have joined efforts in convening this Regional Geohazards week-long meeting responding to the call of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories.
UNESCO recognizes the efforts of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories in their collaboration to better understand the science and geohazards risks under the Oceania Regional Seismic Network (ORSNET), Melanesia Volcano Network (MVN), Pacific Islands Landslide Network and the Regional Working Group on Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (WG-PICT).
Therefore in 2023, the inaugural Science and Partnership for Geohazard Resilience Workshop in Nadi, Fiji was launched. Since then, we can review the outcomes:
• Among PICTs, UNESCO in collaboration with regional and international partners to strengthen PICTs understanding of geoscience and Geohazards through the UNESCO’s.
o International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and Global Geoparks
In collaboration with SPTO and SPC, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu recently targeted on the establishment of Geoparks.
o DRR Programme, UNESCO supports Member States.
In collaboration with SPC, UNDRR, UNICEF and others UNESCO is supporting PICTs ( Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu) on a 2-year Funded project on Information Management.
o Tsunami Resilience Programme, UNESCO supported;
The review of National Tsunami SOP in Fiji- a pre-requisite for an FJD 72 million Concessional loan
Review of National Tsunami warning and response SOP in Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Pacific Wave Exercise 2024 – Regional PICT Exercise and National Tsunami Drills in Fiji and Tonga.
Official recognition of 6 PICT communities to be UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Ready Community in 2023-2024.
In December 2023, the PSIDS regional geohazards community of practice discussed the need to better understand the science of geohazards to clearly ascertain threats posed by geohazards among PICTs and the status of:
a) in-country capability of geohazard monitoring and detection and multi-hazard early warning system.
b) Volcano, earthquake, tsunami, and landslide sciences among PICTs
c) seismic data sharing for earthquake, volcano and tsunami monitoring and
detection
This Inaugural Science and Partnerships for Geohazards Resilience Meeting identified the need to develop a Regional Geohazards Strategic Framework to inform programmes or projects to address the capacity gaps in scientific hazard monitoring, assessment, warning, and disseminations to enable the public to better understands their risks and threats from a geohazard.
Since December 2023, the PSIDS regional geohazards community have been exploring opportunities to strengthen the science and scientific data and knowledge that informs geohazard programmes, policies.
• UNESCO is a major global partner of the UNEW4ALL supporting the four lead
agencies, UNDRR, WMO, ITU and International Federation of the Red Crescent
Society,
• UNESCO recognizes the call of the Pacific Islands Leaders under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and intends to work closely with regional UN and CROP agencies to accelerate progress of PICTs towards achieving the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
• The PICT geohazards community is critical in advising Pacific Island Leaders on threats posed by Geohazards to PICTs.
Your meeting this week builds on the outcomes of the inaugural 2023 meeting. But also other scientific and technical meetings organised by the partners.
• Your meeting this week is timely in order to;
Identify and consolidate the gaps and needs in your geohazards operations and services.
Identify spaces for constructive and meaningful engagement (on geohazards scientific and technical advice) with Pacific Islands Leaders through the Pacific DRR Ministers Meeting (in consultation with Pacific Disaster Managers Meeting) and the Pacific Meteorological Ministers Meeting (in consultation with the Pacific Meteorological Council.
The PSIDS regional geohazards community mostly includes Geological Services with Geohazard Management Units/ Sections are mostly hosted by Meteorological Services or Mining/Mineral/Natural Resources Departments. These are mainly a small team of technical and scientific officers who monitors, detects, and provide public advisories on geohazards. This regional community is mainly coordinated within UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Warning Systems in collaboration with Geoscience Australia, GNS New Zealand and USGS including CROP Agencies such as The Pacific Community (SPC) and SPREP.
At the regional level, under the Pacific Resilience Programme (PRP), a technical working group on Multi-Hazard Early Warning System have been established to provide the overarching common DRR frameworks as well as guidance and coordination support.
Scientific applications for seismic monitoring and detection like SeisComP is widely used by PICTs however, its full potential is not realized due to limited staff capacity and capacity development. Current Staffs of Geological Servies need proper scientific training with the support of partners such as USGS, Geoscience Australia, and GNS New Zealand.
Measuring the impacts on girls and women who bear the burdens of geohazards in a community. A high number of UNESCO’s geoscience projects are led by women Earth scientists, in 2020 women are project leaders in 38% of the active geoscience projects.
The meeting will also provide a platform to
i) stock take progress and share learning considering vulnerabilities and level of
exposure of different members of public to geohazards such as tsunami, volcano, earthquake and landslides.
ii) The meeting will include sessions of the Inter governmental coordination group
for the Pacific Tsunami warning and mitigation system
iii) It will include sessions on Volcano under Melanesia Volcanic Network (MVN) and
JICA/ volcano research project with Landslides and earthquakes under ORSNET
Oceania Regional Seismic Network.
This meeting comes at a critical point as a culmination of all scientific technical workshops held recently with different stakeholders.
– 2023-UNESCO inaugural science and partnerships for geohazards resilience
– Pacific Islands Science, Technology and Resources Network (STAR) Conference
held in Fiji on 20-22nd November 2024 and the
– Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) project, Understanding Earthquake Hazard and Risk in the Pacific Region Workshop 18-19th November 2024 gathering national officials from National Geohazards Observatories, National Tsunami Warning Centers and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
Two questions arise:
i) Should there be a platform for a PSIDS Regional Geohazards Strategy.
The PSIDS Regional Geohazards Strategy could inform programmes or projects developed at national and regional level and stimulate collaboration and partnerships among government agencies, development partners, universities, CROP Agencies and UN Agencies particularly UNESCO.
ii) Given the success, momentum on geohazards resilience, should there be a
Multi-hazard Early Warning system bringing together the different entities
Thanks
Specifically thank, our partners UNDRR, SPC, Weather Ready Programme at SPREP, USGS and Tokyo University in supporting this Regional Geohazard Meeting.
Lastly, this meeting is brought to you by UNESCO’s Natural Science Programme coordinator Susan Schneegans and UNESCO/IOC Tsunami Resilience Programme Coordinator Jiuta Korovulvula, and their team Arti Devi. Other colleagues from UNESCO based here These programmes coordinate this regional gathering of Pacific Islands Countries and Territories Geohazards Community since the Inaugural 2023 Regional Geohazards Meeting in Nadi, Fiji.
Dear Experts, this is your platform and your meeting. I greatly thank you.
I thank the Diplomatic Corps and heads of agencies for their presence and time. I have no doubt their participation would lead to further avenues for collaboration with the geohazards community to combat and build back better.
I am certain that the exchanges that we will hear in the upcoming days will be inspiring and will provide a basis to extend and increase the excellent cooperation between UNESCO and all of you. UNESCOs’ Intergovernmental scientific and international programmes support its Member States to strengthen their national capacity in oceans and geosciences for the management of both geohazards risk reduction.
Let me end i0 by wishing you all fruitful exchanges and thank once again the Government of Samoa and Honorable Minister Schuster for the great work in converting this into the first Regional meeting on Science and partnerships for geohazard resilience in the Pacific Region: towards a multi- hazard early warning system.
And before I close I would like to go back to the reflection on science and development
Vision of a world at peace could not be a world without science
In 2021 UNESCO’s 193 Member States endorsed the first standard setting instrument Recommendation on Open Science. Open science is a set of principles and practices that aim to make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole. Open science is about making sure not only that scientific knowledge is accessible but also that the production of that knowledge itself is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.
Open science:
• increases scientific collaborations and sharing of information for the benefits of
science and society;
• opens the processes of scientific knowledge creation, evaluation and communication to societal actors beyond the traditional scientific community.
Our interconnected world needs open science to help solve complex social, environmental, and economic challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. By promoting science that is more accessible, inclusive and transparent, open science furthers the right of everyone to share in scientific advancement and its benefits as stated in Article 27.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Honourable Seuula Ioane Tuāau Minister for Education and Culture.
Acknowledgments
• Reverend Dr Taipisia Leilua
• Your Excellency William Robinson, Australia High Commissioner to Samoa;
• Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa;
• Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of APTC partners;
• Chief Executive Officers of Government Agencies and Non-Government Organizations; and Principal of TVET institutions;
• Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) Samoa and Tonga Country Director, Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa and staff;
• APTC Graduands 2025;
• Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
Tālofa lava and a pleasant good morning to you all.
On behalf of the Samoan Government, it gives me a great privilege to be here to deliver the keynote address at today’s graduation ceremony.
Congratulations and Acknowledgements
Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the 89 Samoan women and men on achieving a significant milestone by graduating today.
The Samoan Government acknowledges and appreciates your hard work and resilience in completing your Australian qualifications and we are proud of your accomplishments.
Today, you will be conferred with Australian qualifications in seven (7) different vocational programs: drainage, plumbing services, skills for work and vocational pathways, commercial cookery, light vehicle mechanical technology, tourism, and wall and floor tiling.
To our graduands, as your Minister for Education and Culture, I wish to convey the Government’s sincere congratulations on your achievements.
Malo le finau! Malo le fai o le faiva!
Gender Equality
I am proud to announce that forty (40) of today’s graduates are women who have successfully completed their TVET programs. Notably, ten (10) of these remarkable women have excelled in traditionally male-dominated fields such as drainage and plumbing. Your achievements serve as a powerful testament to your hard work, dedication, breaking barriers and paving the way for future women and girls of Samoa.
Government Support
The Government of Samoa is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the Australian Government’s support through APTC, which offers access bursaries for our Samoan people, providing opportunities for them to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This supports the priorities of the Samoa Education Sector Plan 2019-2024, including inclusive education and TVET. It also supports the priorities of the Government of Samoa’s disability-inclusive development goals, as outlined in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2021-2031.
Today we also recognise the 24 graduates from the various government agencies who have partnered with APTC Samoa. These dedicated individuals from the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Water Authority, and the Land Transport Authority have successfully completed the Certificate II in Drainage qualification. This signifies the positive impact of APTC’s support in our community.
Partnerships
The Samoan Government acknowledges the Australian Government and APTC for their partnership and support to other various government agencies and NGOs including the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services, Electric Power Corporation, Lakapi Samoa, Nuanua ole Alofa, Samoa Faafine Association, National Youth Council of Samoa and more. Your commitment to enhancing productivity, reducing unemployment, and building stronger communities in Samoa is truly commendable.
It is great to see a growing number of our people leveraging these skills for improved livelihoods. The Government of Samoa stands committed to working alongside the Australian Government to ensure that our skills training aligns with industry needs, leading to robust employment outcomes for all Samoans. This collaboration has yielded impressive results, with over 3390 Samoans graduating with Australian qualifications since 2007.
I would like to also highlight APTC’s collaboration with the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA) in bolstering Samoan qualifications and expanding our workforce’s global competitiveness, especially in high-demand fields, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the global market.
Additionally, APTC’s partnership with the National University of Samoa (NUS) which has been ongoing since 2007, ensures that our training programs are relevant and of high quality. Together, APTC and NUS have developed and accredited various programs and have provided numerous capability development opportunities for students as well as staff.
I acknowledge and sincerely thank the Australian Government for its unwavering support and collaboration with the Samoa Education sector and TVET organisations through APTC, which has been crucial in nurturing and shaping Samoa’s future.
Concluding Remarks
To all our graduates, congratulations once again!
I am confident that APTC has provided you with the skills and qualifications necessary to become invaluable contributors to Samoa’s expanding workforce. You now join a network of over 25,850 APTC Alumni across the region, and I eagerly look forward to your contributions to the national growth of Samoa.
For those of you who have trained away from home at other APTC campuses, your dedication to learning sets a powerful example for future generations.
As TVET role models, you now have the power to transform society’s perception of this valuable pathway to fulfilling careers. Remember, your learning journey does not end here. Continue to grow, both personally and professionally, to contribute to the betterment of Samoa.
Well done to all the graduates! May you achieve great success in all your future endeavours.
Faafetai tele lava. Soifua ma ia manuia.
BACKGROUND OF THE AUSTRALIA PACIFIC TRAINING COALITION
A centre of training excellence, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) helps Pacific Island and Timorese citizens gain Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers.
Over 25,860 Pacific Island and Timorese citizens have graduated with Australian qualifications from APTC campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. These qualifications range from accredited short courses to diploma level training for various vocational areas, including automotive, manufacturing, construction, electrical, tourism, hospitality, education, management, health and community services.
These graduates have returned to industry and implemented a range of new skills, with over 90% of employers of APTC graduates reporting their significant contribution to improving workplace productivity.
APTC collaborates with regional governments, industry and training providers to develop a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce aligned with domestic and international labour market requirements, to enhance Pacific prosperity.
APTC’s end-of-program outcomes are:
1. APTC and partner graduates have improved employment outcomes
REMARKS by the Prime Minister, Honourable Fiame Naomi Mataafa On the occasion of the celebration of the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan hosted by the Ambassador of Japan, H.E Ryotaro Suzuki
(Friday, 21 February 2025 at 6.30-8.30pm, Taumeasina Island Resort)
Reverend Semikueva Fa’atoafe Ugapo
Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo
Members of the Council of Deputies
Cabinet Ministers
Speaker of the House
Leader of Opposition
Members of Parliament
Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary
H.E Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Talofa and a pleasant good evening to you all.
I would like to thank Your Excellency, Ryotaro Suzuki, for the invitation to say a few words at this evening’s reception to celebrate the 65th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Emperor Naruhito.
The celebrations this evening, is also about the relationship that both our countries established with the aim to nurture and enhance friendly relations.
Japan and Samoa have developed strong cordial relations that have prospered over the years. Japan and Samoa established diplomatic relations in April 1973 and this year marks 52 years of mutually beneficial partnership.
Like our other development partners, Japan’s generous assistance through development cooperation has ensured that programs which Samoa could not invest in nor manage without the requisite technical expertise were well accommodated and resourced to overcome the constraints. The JICA volunteer programme in Samoa is an integral aspect in our relationship. The deployment of JICA volunteers to critical areas such as education, health, water/sanitation and environmental management has contributed immensely to the development of these areas.
Japan continues to provide key economic infrastructure with related heavy-duty equipment. Last year, we signed an MoU under Japan’s Grant Assistance for
Economic and Social Development Programme for the procurement of a new drilling rig for the Samoa Water Authority and the Exchange of Notes for the new Health Science Campus and resource centre at Le Papaigalagala campus
Japan is committed to funding small-scale projects that directly benefit our village communities contributing to their social and economic development. A number of valuable projects funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass Roots Human Security Projects recently, included the reconstruction of the Samatau Primary school, the building of the Avele College Hall, the construction of the Mental Health Facility of Goshen Trust Mental Health Services, the handover of a Mobile Dental Clinic to the Ministry of Health, the handover of water tank trucks and pumper water tanks to FESA and the handover of 5 Toyota Landcruisers to the Samoa Water Authority to assist with routine inspection and repair works. Two weeks ago, Japan and the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (SUNGO) signed an agreement for the construction of the Samoa Integrated Training Centre for Community Development.
Your Excellency,
Our bilateral relations have achieved much through people-to-people exchange activities and the comprehensive development efforts of both countries. The exchange of high-level visits plays a crucial role in enhancing cooperation and commitment in our bilateral relations. In February 2024, Samoa hosted the visit of Japan’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Ms. Yoko Kamikawa. We also received a senior level visit from the Japanese Ministry of Justice in support of democratic governance with a reciprocal visit of our Minister of Justice and delegation to Japan.
In July last year, I attended the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) in Tokyo and had the opportunity to meet bilaterally with Prime Minister Kishida discussing cooperation that are aligned with the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” which would translate to activities addressing country needs and the delivery of assistance bilaterally.
These are, but a few highlights of the remarkable partnership our two countries have engaged in recently that continue to foster effective cooperation for the development of Samoa and reap mutual benefits for our two countries.
Your Excellency,
To conclude, I would like to offer our warmest congratulations on the celebration of his Majesty Emperor Naruhito’s birthday.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you all to please raise your glasses with me and let us pay tribute: “for the continued good health and prosperity of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, and to continuing good relations between Samoa and Japan.”
[PRESS RELEASE]- Over 100 women from various Government schools in the Faasaleleaga district came together to participate in the Football Federation Samoa (FFS) Women’s Campaign held in Iva, Savaii, on a vibrant Wednesday afternoon.
This marked the inaugural occasion for the program in Savaii, thoughtfully organized by Women’s Football Manager Nadia Malifa and her dedicated Women Coordinator, Ms. Sila Lelevaga. The event drew not only enthusiastic girls but also supportive teachers, all gathered to encourage their students and children while engaging in an array of enjoyable activities.
The first leg of this empowering Women’s Campaign Program was successfully held in Upolu the previous year, employing a similar approach of inviting women from select government schools to join in the festivities.
“Overall, the program in Savaii was a joyful experience that flowed seamlessly. The girls had a fantastic time, forging new friendships and opportunities to connect with peers from different schools,” Ms. Malifa shared, To create a sense of unity and excitement, the organizers provided vibrant orange uniforms—reflecting the event’s spirited theme—alongside an abundance of delicious food and fresh fruit.
Nadia and Sila expressed heartfelt gratitude to each participating school for their unwavering support, emphasizing that the success of the program would not have been achievable without their collaboration and encouragement.
[PRESS RELEASE – 27th February 2025.] – The Independent State of Samoa and Belize have formally established diplomatic relations, effective 25 February 2025. The Joint Communiqués were signed at the Permanent Mission of Belize in New York by H.E. Mr. Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative of Belize to the United Nations, and H.E Mr. Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations.
The establishment of diplomatic relations will not only enhance existing ties but pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries and peoples.
Samoa and Belize have maintained cordial relations through collaboration within the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the Group of 77 and China, the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), the United Nations, and other international organizations. Both countries share a strong commitment to addressing climate change, promoting sustainable development and advancing ocean issues.
[ PRESS RELEASE Apia, Samoa] – The Nevada National Guard visited Samoa from February 17-21, 2025, to continue its ongoing collaboration with the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA). This visit marks another key milestone in the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Samoa through the Nevada State Partnership Program (SPP).
The week was filled with activities designed to strengthen emergency medical response skills which included combat casualty care, trauma management techniques, as well as ambulance operations and patient transportation. The training built on previous successful engagements, including the Nevada National Guard’s emergency medical services program with SFESA in August 2024 and an advanced skills training program in prison operations with the Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Corrections Services in November 2024.
“This partnership represents not just an exchange of knowledge, but a bridge connecting our two communities — one that enhances our capabilities, strengthens our leadership, and ultimately ensures the safety and well-being of those we serve,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires. “Through the Nevada State Partnership Program, we continue to pave the way for a future defined by a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Pacific region.”
ABOUT THE NEVADA NATIONAL GUARD AND THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
The Nevada National Guard has been engaged in the State Partnership Program with Samoa to enhance cooperation in security, disaster response, and emergency preparedness. Through regular exchanges and training workshops, this partnership strengthens regional stability and fosters mutual understanding between the United States and Samoa.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Indore is poised to achieve a major milestone with the launch of India’s first green waste processing plant, developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Indore is all set to make a significant leap towards environmental sustainability with the launch of India’s first PPP-model based green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. This groundbreaking initiative, aims to revolutionize the city’s waste management system by converting green waste into valuable resources. This project underscores the city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in tackling urban waste challenges.
The facility will not only process green waste but also generate revenue, with the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) earning approx. Rs 3,000 per tonne in royalty for supplying wood and branches. Built on a 55,000 square feet land in Bicholi Hapsi, the plant will recycle wood and branches to produce wooden pellets, serving as an alternative to coal and promoting energy conservation.
Branches of large trees will be redirected to the Green Waste Processing Plant at City Forest, where they will be repurposed into valuable products. In addition, green waste generated from the premises of major institutions will be directly collected and sent to the facility, with a fixed fee structure in place. Every day, the bustling city of Indore generates approximately 30 tons of green waste—wood, branches, leaves, and flowers. As the seasons change, especially during autumn, this volume can soar to 60 to 70 tons.
Partnering with the Indore Municipal Corporation, Astronomical Industries Private Limited embarked on an ambitious initiative to transform the city’s green waste into something both sustainable and valuable—a fine sawdust that could be used across a wide array of industries. With a detailed plan in place, the idea is to dry the green waste over a span of three to four months. During this time, the moisture content would decrease by 90%, preparing the material for the next stage. As the months pass by, the green waste, once damp and cumbersome, would become light and brittle, almost ready for transformation. cutting edge machines will then help to break it down into fine dust particles – saw dust. Once an unremarkable byproduct of timber mills, now has a second life, contributing to a sustainable, circular economy.
The saw dust can be transformed into eco-friendly fuel, providing a cleaner alternative to traditional burning methods. It can be used to craft durable packing materials that reduce the need for plastic. Furniture manufacturers find it useful as a composite material, lending strength to products like chairs and tables. Fertilizers made from the sawdust enriches the soil, helping farmers grow healthier crops. And in the food industry, the sawdust can be moulded into disposable plates, offering a biodegradable alternative to plastic and Styrofoam.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the IMC will play a pivotal role by providing and transporting land and green waste to the plant. Meanwhile, the private company will take on the responsibility of setting up the remaining infrastructure, including sheds, electricity, and water facilities. The private firm will also oversee the complete installation and operation of the plant, ensuring its smooth functioning from start to finish.
Other private firms have set up the Meghdoot and sub-grade plants, spanning an area of 10,000 to 15,000 square feet in Sirpur. These facilities are dedicated to processing garden waste, such as leaves and small twigs, sourced from the municipal corporation. As part of this initiative, composting is also being carried out in specially designed compost pits located within the municipal gardens, further enhancing waste management efforts. Wooden pellets, produced from green waste, are utilized across various industries, including the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), where they serve as an eco-friendly alternative for energy production and other applications.
The goal of this initiative is to efficiently manage green waste, promote environmental sustainability, and create additional revenue streams for the Municipal Corporation. It also plays a crucial role in controlling the Air Quality Index (AQI). By improving waste management practices, this initiative will enhance hygiene, reduce pollution, and curb the unnecessary burning of waste, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
The project will also provide an alternative source of coal, contributing to AQI control while offering an effective solution for cleanliness and environmental protection. This initiative aligns with the vision of Garbage-Free Cities under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, advancing efforts toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable urban environment.
BEIJING, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE; HKEX: 2423), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced that its board of directors (the “Board”) approved a final cash dividend (the “Dividend”) of US$0.12 per ordinary share, or US$0.36 per ADS, to holders of ordinary shares and holders of ADSs of record as of the close of business on April 9, 2025, Beijing/Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively, payable in U.S. dollars. The aggregate amount of the Dividend to be paid will be approximately US$0.4 billion, which will be funded by cash surplus on the Company’s balance sheet.
For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the Dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company’s Hong Kong branch share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Dividend to be paid to the Company’s ADS holders through the depositary bank will be subject to the terms of the deposit agreement. The payment date is expected to be on or around April 22, 2025 for holders of ordinary shares and on or around April 25, 2025 for holders of ADSs.
Under the Company’s current dividend policy, the Board has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, the Company’s shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by the Board. If the Company decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will be based upon the Company’s future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant.
About KE Holdings Inc.
KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building infrastructure and standards to reinvent how service providers and customers efficiently navigate and complete housing transactions and services in China, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation and furnishing, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China’s leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 23 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build its infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about KE Holdings Inc.’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Beike’s goals and strategies; Beike’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike’s ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike platform; competition in the industry in which Beike operates; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry; Beike’s ability to protect the Company’s systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike’s dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company’s platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
Seoul, South Korea, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRAVITY Co., Ltd. (NasdaqGM: GRVY) (“Gravity” or “Company”), a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, announced that 仙境传说：破晓(“Ragnarok: Dawn”, Tentative English Title), an idle MMORPG mobile game, has made an early success after its launch in China on February 20, 2025.
Following the ISBN received in June 2024, Ragnarok: Dawn officially launched in China on February 20, 2025, via mobile messenger WeChat Mini Programs. Building on the positive feedback from CBT conducted in January, Ragnarok: Dawn achieved notable success upon launch, ranking eighth in top grossing of WeChat Mini Programs. This early success has further heightened anticipation for the upcoming release of the mobile app version.
Gravity stated, “Following the successful performance of the three Ragnarok IP titles that previously received ISBNs, the successful result of Ragnarok: Dawn is all thanks to the support of our users. We ask for your continued interest and participation with the launch of the mobile app version as well.”.
Gravity is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games. Gravity’s principal product, Ragnarok Online, is a popular online game in many markets, including Japan and Taiwan, and is currently commercially offered in 91 regions. For more information about Gravity, please visit http://www.gravity.co.kr.
Contact:
Mr. Heung Gon Kim Chief Financial Officer Gravity Co., Ltd. Email: kheung@gravity.co.kr
Ms. Jin Lee Ms. Yujin Oh IR Unit Gravity Co., Ltd. Email: ir@gravity.co.kr Telephone: +82-2-2132-7801