NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Director Rachel Rossi’s Trip to Kansas

    Source: US State of California

    Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Kansas this week to engage with stakeholders about the access to justice challenges rural communities face and to discuss innovative solutions. The visit built upon the ongoing work of ATJ to address the rural access to justice gap in the United States.

    Director Rossi began by meeting with the Executive Director of Kansas Legal Services, a grantee of the Legal Services Corporation that serves all 105 counties in Kansas, to discuss the importance of civil legal aid, the barriers that low-income Kansans face in addressing their civil legal needs and the operational challenges of providing legal services in rural areas of the state. Director Rossi highlighted various initiatives, including the office’s work to expand and modernize the Federal Government Pro Bono Program — which mobilizes federal government employees to engage in pro bono work, often in partnership with legal service providers, and the online resource developed through the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable to make federal funding opportunities more accessible for legal service providers.

    Following her meeting with Kansas Legal Services, Director Rossi met with the Dean of the University of Kansas (KU) School of Law and Directors of the Law School’s Legal Aid Clinic, which offers students the opportunity to represent low-income clients in civil, criminal and juvenile cases under the guidance of supervising attorneys. Director Rossi and KU Law faculty discussed the recruitment and retention issues plaguing public defense and youth defense systems in Kansas. The clinical professors and Dean shared unique insight into current challenges and potential solutions to several access to justice issues in Kansas, focusing on creative recruitment strategies to encourage law students to pursue public interest and public defense careers.

    Later in the day, Director Rossi met with the Executive Director and the Director of Special Projects for the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), which oversees Kansas’ 18 regional public defender offices and manages the statewide assigned counsel program, legal services for people in prison, non-capital appellate services and capital defense. Director Rossi shared ATJ’s Public Defense Resource Hub, a digital compilation of federal resources and materials that can be used to support public defense. The meeting included a discussion of caseload and workload standards, the public defense recruitment and retention crisis and the expansion of public defense in Kansas. Following her meeting with BIDS, Director Rossi met with the Federal Public Defender for the District of Kansas, who also serves as the chair of the Defender Services Advisory Group, to discuss issues federal public defenders are facing, implementation of the Report and Recommendations Concerning Access to Counsel at the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Pretrial Facilities and the innovative defense provided laptop program within the district that ensures discovery access for detained clients.

    On Thursday, Sept. 19, Director Rossi met with the Rural Justice Initiative Committee, which was created in 2022 by the Kansas Supreme Court to collect information and data on unmet legal needs and the availability of legal help in rural Kansas and to issue a report and recommendations to address gaps and promote effective solutions. Director Rossi also met with the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Committee and the Language Access Committee to discuss their programs in rural Kansas and ways in which ATJ can advance access to justice in rural areas. Director Rossi also had the opportunity to meet with a group of state court judges and Kansas Supreme Court justices who serve on these committees to hear their perspective on the role that the judiciary plays in addressing access to justice barriers in the state. She highlighted the work of ATJ to convene all 40 state access to justice commissions quarterly, and the office’s work to expand language access under the leadership of the department-wide language access coordinator.

    Director Rossi next met with the Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Legal Foundation, an organization established by the Kansas Farm Bureau to provide legal education, information and research for those directly engaged in agriculture or related enterprises. They discussed the civil legal help provided by the KFB Legal Foundation to agricultural communities, including programs to educate farmers and ranchers about significant legal issues such as farm bankruptcy and probate issues, farm ownership transitions, agricultural land use and zoning and more. They also discussed the need for more attorneys and legal help in rural communities, and how the KFB Legal Foundation recently responded through the launch of a Rural Law Practice Grant to help defray the educational costs of law school and to encourage new attorneys to locate their legal practice in rural Kansas.

    To conclude the trip, Director Rossi traveled to Washburn University Law School (Washburn Law), in Topeka, Kansas, to meet with faculty, administrators and students participating in Washburn Law’s Rural Law program that focuses on identifying rural externship and employment opportunities and providing support for students to transition into rural law practice. They discussed the program’s effort to expand the range of accelerated and remote study options to lower the barriers to rural students seeking a degree. This engagement highlighted the perspectives of law students, many with backgrounds from rural communities, on effective solutions to the rural lawyer shortage. 

    Director Rossi and ATJ staff met with faculty at the University of Kansas School of Law.
    Director Rossi and representatives from Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.
    Director Rossi and ATJ staff convened with representatives from the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative, Access to Justice and Language Access Committees.
    Director Rossi engaged with Washburn University School of Law faculty and former and present law students.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Museum of History Seeks Community Input for Future Exhibits

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Museum of History Seeks Community Input for Future Exhibits

    North Carolina Museum of History Seeks Community Input for Future Exhibits
    jejohnson6

    WHAT: Wilmington Community Gathering

    WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 3, 6–7:30 p.m.

    WHERE: 1125 North 4th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

    DETAILS: The North Carolina Museum of History invites community members in the Wilmington area to participate in an open discussion to help shape the future of the museum’s exhibits. This is an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts on how the state’s layered history should be presented to future visitors.

    This event is open to all community members interested in contributing to the storytelling of North Carolina’s history at the state museum. During this gathering, participants will be asked to consider and discuss several key questions, including:

    • What makes North Carolina unique?
    • Who should be remembered at the state history museum, and whose stories should be highlighted?
    • What significant changes have taken place in your community over time?
    • How can the museum create a stronger connection with visitors from your community?
    • What advice would you give about how to represent your community’s history at the state museum?

    For more information and to register, click here.

    About the NC Museum of History

    The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. In 2023, more than 355,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network

    Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and other educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

    The NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina—its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages more than 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the NC Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the NC Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the NC Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit dncr.nc.gov.

    Sep 19, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virtual Walking Tour of ‘Old’ Elizabeth City

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Virtual Walking Tour of ‘Old’ Elizabeth City

    Virtual Walking Tour of ‘Old’ Elizabeth City
    jejohnson6

    ELIZABETH CITY

    The Museum of the Albemarle will host History for Lunch Wednesday, Oct. 16, at noon in the Gaither Auditorium. Take a stroll down memory lane through Edward Fearing’s collection of photographs of “old” Elizabeth City dating back to the turn of the century.  Enjoy exploring Elizabeth City’s growth over the last 125 years.

    The Museum will offer the History for Lunch program in-person and through Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance by clicking here to receive the link. Registration is not required to attend the lecture in person.

    The virtual program is supported by Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle.

    About the Museum of the Albemarle

    The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. (252) 335-1453. www.museumofthealbemarle.com. Find us on Facebook! Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and State Holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums within the N.C.

    Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural, and economic future. Information is available 24/7 at www.dncr.nc.gov.   

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

    Sep 19, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter – Another Victory for Election Integrity

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom Labrador Letter – Another Victory for Election Integrity

    Dear Friends,
    This week we delivered another victory in protecting Idaho’s election security.  The U.S. District Court upheld Idaho’s statutes that eliminated student IDs as an acceptable form of identification when it came to registering to vote and voting itself.  As everyone knows, student IDs lack any kind of uniformity and security measures, as well as not requiring any proof of residency.  Our election process deserves more scrutiny and oversight.
    The suit in federal court was brought against the Idaho statutes, specifically House Bill 340, by March For Our Lives.  It was almost identical to the BABE Vote suit we previously defeated all the way to the Idaho Supreme Court, and on the same merits.   Idaho’s statutes allow for driver’s licenses, state-issued ID, tribal identification, and federal ID (like a passport or military ID) to be considered acceptable when registering to vote.  March For Our Lives and BABE Vote claimed that Idaho’s laws were unconstitutionally discriminatory against students, despite the legislature creating a secure, no-cost ID available to anybody who needed one.
    Students, however, are not a defined, protected class of individuals.  In the eyes of both state and federal courts, there is no discrimination occurring because of Idaho’s laws, especially when a free ID option is readily available.  Engaging in the political process of our Republic is a right to be protected and cherished.  Protecting that right demands security so that we as a people can have trust and confidence in the outcomes, knowing the people who participated in the election had the legal right to do so.  I’m pleased that our courts have recognized the importance of secure elections when it comes to valid and uniform identification.
    The U.S. District Court Judge wrote in her decision, “The Government has shown House Bill 340 promotes the State’s important interests of election security and prevention of voter fraud.  Balancing these interests against House Bill 340’s requirement that registrants provide an approved form of identification to register—which may include no-fee identification—the Court concludes House Bill 340 does not pose an unconstitutional burden on registrants and grants the Secretary summary judgment….”
    Best regards,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Funding Secured for Baylor University

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

    WACO- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) announced that the Arctic Acclimatization & Sleep Optimization (ARKTOS) Research Center at Baylor University received federal funding under the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Congressman Sessions was the sponsor of this Congressional Community Project. These funds will support the development of rapid acclimatization protocols and technologies, human-machine teaming, and group dynamics in multi-stressor arctic environments. The purpose of the project is to solidify the dominance of the United States military in complex, multi-stressor environments such as arctic climates. 

    Congressman Sessions said, “As the lead sponsor in the House of Representatives, I am proud to have played a pivotal role in achieving funding to improve the scientific endeavors of Baylor University. These funds will allow Baylor’s excellent researchers to optimize the performance of our military through rapid acclimatization.”

    “We appreciate Congressman Sessions and his staff for their hard work supporting the impactful research being conducted at Baylor University as a Research 1 institution,” said Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D. “Leading-edge research tied to rapid adaptation to extreme environments is greatly needed and critical for our state and country to remain ahead.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Taiwan: Constitutional Court recognizes fundamental flaws in death penalty but fails to abolish it – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    In response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Taiwan that found the death penalty constitutional for offences such as murder, E-Ling Chiu, Director of Amnesty International Taiwan, said:

    “Today’s decision is a small step for human rights in Taiwan. The Constitutional Court has recognized the fundamental flaws of the death penalty and strengthened human rights protections for those on death row. Yet the death penalty remains on the books for several offences. This marks a start in Taiwan’s journey towards abolition, and we must ensure it does not stop here.

    “We have long been concerned about the unfair proceedings that have resulted in the imposition of the death penalty in many cases in Taiwan. Today’s verdict acknowledges that the current procedures are not rigorous – the Taiwanese authorities must now amend the relevant provisions within the two-year timeframe given to ensure fundamental safeguards are put in place. But this does not go far enough.

    “It is also positive that the Constitutional Court determined that current provisions fail to protect from the death penalty people with mental disabilities who are not competent to stand trial or execution. However, it is regrettable that the judgment did not fully reflect safeguards under international law and standards and did not exclude those with mental and intellectual disabilities from the use of the death penalty completely.

    “Despite the progress made today, we are extremely worried that this decision effectively puts close to 40 people at risk of execution. We urge the government of Taiwan to immediately establish an official moratorium on executions as a first critical step. The death penalty is inherently cruel and does not make us safer.

    “As the global trend continues towards abolition, today’s decision stacks Taiwan against the majority of the world’s countries that have already fully consigned this punishment to the history books. The authorities of Taiwan must act to swiftly commute all death sentences, bring about reforms to the criminal justice system that prioritize the protection of human rights and abolish the death penalty once and for all.”

    Background

    On 20 September 2024, the Constitutional Court of Taiwan issued its decision on a challenge on the constitutionality of the death penalty, finding the death penalty constitutional for serious offences such as murder. The constitutional challenge arose from a case filed by Wang Xinfu (Petition No. 2022), the oldest person on Taiwan’s death row, consolidated with petitions by 37 others.

    The Constitutional Court also held that the death penalty may not be carried out on any person with a mental disability.

    It gave the authorities two years to amend the law in order to comply with the judgment, and prohibited the use of the death penalty against anyone with a mental disability in the meantime.

    Amnesty International Taiwan and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty are among several non-governmental organizations who intervened in the case, in support of the full abolition of the death penalty.

    In a joint briefing filed on 8 April, Amnesty International Taiwan and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty argued that the use of the death penalty in Taiwan constitutes a violation of human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of Taiwan (Articles 8 on personal freedom and procedural guarantees in case of arrest and conviction; and 15 on the right to existence).

    The organizations hold that the death penalty violates the human right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as reflected in the development of international human rights law and standards. Amnesty International Taiwan, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and its members have long raised concern at the use of the death penalty in Taiwan, including in relation to proceedings in several cases that violated constitutional and international standards for a fair trial and resulted in the imposition of the death penalty.

    The last execution in Taiwan was carried out in 2020. As of 31 December 2023, 37 out of the 45 people held on death row had their death sentences finalized and were at risk of execution. As of today, 112 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and 144 are abolitionist in law or practice. According to figures by Amnesty International, 16 countries were known to have carried out executions in 2023 – the lowest number of executing countries on record, since Amnesty International began its monitoring.

    Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and  Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Around the world today, our people and economies are increasingly impacted by the severe consequences of the climate crisis.  Coastal communities and military bases are threatened by storms and flooding. Extreme heat, now a regular phenomenon with each passing summer, costs lives, reduces productivity, and damages critical infrastructure.  Vital breadbaskets face historic droughts, and are no longer able to regularly deliver on the food security needs of their regions.  Record-breaking fires ravage forests, spill into communities, and pollute the air.
    The U.S. national security community has long understood climate change to be a “threat multiplier,” intensifying existing security threats and vulnerabilities, and decreasing resilience.  But today, the devastating impacts of the climate crisis increasingly are themselves the new direct threats from which we must protect our communities.  We are witnessing cycles of cascading climate impacts and increasing instability, at home and across the globe.
    U.S. national security requires addressing the growing impacts of the climate crisis.
    As described in our recent U.S. National Climate Assessment, growing climate vulnerabilities have profound impacts for U.S. national security, economic, and strategic interests.  As our military is increasingly called upon to respond to disasters, we risk stretching defense resources.  At the same time, our critical infrastructure—including relatively new infrastructure resulting from the increased investments in the clean-energy transition—risks being degraded more rapidly by the changing environment.  Around the world, changing temperature, precipitation, ecosystems, and ocean conditions threaten supply chains, increase prices, affect the affordability and availability of insurance, and strain public coffers, forcing all levels of government to shift funds away from other priorities.  And alongside these strains, we are witnessing vicious cycles of fragility, where communities may have limited capacity to recover from one disaster to the next.  Simply put, climate hazards are threatening the long-term stability of our governments, our economies, and our global security.
    The United States has prioritized the need to both mitigate and build resilience to these strategic threats.  This new U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security prescribes three actions for turning this prioritization into implementation.
    Assess Climate-Related Threats and Opportunities: Without assessment of the impacts of climate change on our security and defense, it is difficult for our leaders to adapt to a rapidly changing environment or to plan strong responses.  The United States has state-of-the-art scientific capabilities, and thanks to this strategic edge, we are able to predict where climate impacts will exacerbate threats–and act effectively in advance.
    Partner for an Integrated Approach: Each federal department and agency has unique capabilities and comparative advantages in our response to climate hazards, but coordination is critical to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of our communities.  Similar partnerships must also extend to partners overseas at the national, regional, and local levels, civil society, the private sector, philanthropies, and international organizations, to enable the effective use of resources and information, and to incorporate and respond to the needs of those who are impacted most.
    Invest in Collective Resilience: Increasing the resilience of our own investments—including those in our supply chains, physical installations, or the provision of emergency assistance when challenges arise—advances national security objectives and yields economic results.  As our deployment of mitigation resources intensifies through the clean energy transition, we must protect them with commensurate consideration for and investment in resilience that can not only protect lives, and livelihoods, but avoid or lessen future humanitarian and economic assistance needs.
    Ultimately, these are the investments for which Americans across the country, and our partners across the world, are asking.  These are not just about the rising threats of the climate crisis, but ultimately they are critical ingredients for ensuring  economic security.  Realizing these goals will protect lives and property, prepare first responders and defense forces, and improve livelihoods globally.
    We will bring to bear the leadership of the United States to confront these threats, and bring our cutting-edge analysis, partnership, and investment to partners globally.  In doing so, we will be able to turn many of these growing vulnerabilities into strategic opportunities.  Through these efforts, we will build a more resilient and sustainable global security—one that asserts that projecting and withstanding climate shocks and disruptions is better done through partnership and investment.
    Signed,
    John PodestaSenior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy
    Jake SullivanAssistant to the President for National Security Affairs
    The full U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Mfume, Maryland Congressional Delegation Welcome the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus to U.S. Capitol to Discuss Federal Priorities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) welcomed Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Chair Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, the Maryland Black Caucus Foundationand members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to discuss federal priorities for the state.The meeting covered vital issues such as education equity; Black maternal health; Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs; federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge and more. The meeting was the group’s first Congressional Delegation meeting on Capitol Hill and followed last week’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in D.C. Maryland has the largest Black caucus of all state legislatures in the country.

    “It was powerful to welcome Chair Wilkins and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland to Capitol Hill for the first of what we anticipate will be a series of compelling discussions with my colleagues and me,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “There is a strong activist legacy inherited by any member of a Black Caucus. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, we must continue to work alongside one another and advance the work of Black legislators who have come before us,” he concluded.

    “Any opportunity to discuss priorities with Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus is a welcome opportunity. Maryland’s HBCUs are leading the state in entrepreneurship, our minority business community is an engine of economic growth, and we are one of the most diverse states in the country. We celebrate and embrace that diversity,” said Senator Cardin. “The issues that uniquely impact Black and minority communities affect our entire state and nation, and we continue to support federal policies that create more equitable pathways to success for these communities.”

    “One of the keys to our Congressional delegation’s success is our close collaboration with our counterparts in Annapolis. It was a privilege to welcome the formidable Maryland Legislative Black Caucus to the Hill to discuss our efforts on important issues like improving Black maternal health, supporting HBCUs, investing in minority-owned businesses, providing universal early education, and helping communities across the state thrive. Together, we will keep working to deliver on these priorities for our mutual constituents,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus has invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Black Marylanders across our state today,” said Congressman Hoyer. “I was pleased to have the chance to meet with our partners in the Maryland General Assembly to discuss how we can help Maryland’s Black community get ahead in the months and years ahead. From improving Black maternal health to supporting our HBCUs to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Team Maryland will continue our work in both Congress and the General Assembly to promote equity and opportunity in our state and beyond.”

    “The issues highlighted by Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus are critical to our Maryland communities and to Americans across the country. I am proud of the diversity of leadership in our state, and we are stronger because of it. Team Maryland remains committed to advancing policies at the federal level that build a more just, inclusive and equitable future for all,” said Congressman Sarbanes.

    “On Team Maryland, close partnerships among federal, local and state officials help us deliver for communities across our state,” said Congressman Raskin. “That’s why I was delighted to join my fellow delegation members in welcoming Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus, led by MoCo’s own Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, to the Capitol for a conversation about education equity and civil rights, Black maternal health, federal funding opportunities and more. Marylanders depend on our continued collaboration, with leaders in Washington, Annapolis, and across the state working together to ensure our people have access to the resources, programs and opportunities to achieve their dreams.”

    “It was a historic day for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. We had a productive meeting with our Congressional Delegation where we discussed issues of critical importance to the state. We’re excited about future opportunities to come together and collaborate, moving forward, to ensure that Maryland’s residents are being served at every level of government,” said Delegate Wilkins.  

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: This Week at Justice – September 20, 2024

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    #ThisWeekAtJustice

    • Justice Department Awards Over $600M to Hire Law Enforcement Officers, Keep Schools Safe, and Improve Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Services
    • Justice Department Announces Five Cases Tied to Disruptive Technology Strike Force
    • Justice Department and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secure Over $15M from OceanFirst Bank to Resolve Redlining Claims in New Jersey
    • Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel that Destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge
    • Suspect at Trump International Golf Course Charged with Firearms Offenses

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGRCk_SUVW8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: A U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and  Security

    Source: The White House

    Around the world today, our people and economies are increasingly impacted by the severe consequences of the climate crisis.  Coastal communities and military bases are threatened by storms and flooding. Extreme heat, now a regular phenomenon with each passing summer, costs lives, reduces productivity, and damages critical infrastructure.  Vital breadbaskets face historic droughts, and are no longer able to regularly deliver on the food security needs of their regions.  Record-breaking fires ravage forests, spill into communities, and pollute the air.

    The U.S. national security community has long understood climate change to be a “threat multiplier,” intensifying existing security threats and vulnerabilities, and decreasing resilience.  But today, the devastating impacts of the climate crisis increasingly are themselves the new direct threats from which we must protect our communities.  We are witnessing cycles of cascading climate impacts and increasing instability, at home and across the globe.

    U.S. national security requires addressing the growing impacts of the climate crisis.

    As described in our recent U.S. National Climate Assessment, growing climate vulnerabilities have profound impacts for U.S. national security, economic, and strategic interests.  As our military is increasingly called upon to respond to disasters, we risk stretching defense resources.  At the same time, our critical infrastructure—including relatively new infrastructure resulting from the increased investments in the clean-energy transition—risks being degraded more rapidly by the changing environment.  Around the world, changing temperature, precipitation, ecosystems, and ocean conditions threaten supply chains, increase prices, affect the affordability and availability of insurance, and strain public coffers, forcing all levels of government to shift funds away from other priorities.  And alongside these strains, we are witnessing vicious cycles of fragility, where communities may have limited capacity to recover from one disaster to the next.  Simply put, climate hazards are threatening the long-term stability of our governments, our economies, and our global security.

    The United States has prioritized the need to both mitigate and build resilience to these strategic threats.  This new U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security prescribes three actions for turning this prioritization into implementation.

    1. Assess Climate-Related Threats and Opportunities: Without assessment of the impacts of climate change on our security and defense, it is difficult for our leaders to adapt to a rapidly changing environment or to plan strong responses.  The United States has state-of-the-art scientific capabilities, and thanks to this strategic edge, we are able to predict where climate impacts will exacerbate threats–and act effectively in advance.
    2. Partner for an Integrated Approach: Each federal department and agency has unique capabilities and comparative advantages in our response to climate hazards, but coordination is critical to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of our communities.  Similar partnerships must also extend to partners overseas at the national, regional, and local levels, civil society, the private sector, philanthropies, and international organizations, to enable the effective use of resources and information, and to incorporate and respond to the needs of those who are impacted most.
    3. Invest in Collective Resilience: Increasing the resilience of our own investments—including those in our supply chains, physical installations, or the provision of emergency assistance when challenges arise—advances national security objectives and yields economic results.  As our deployment of mitigation resources intensifies through the clean energy transition, we must protect them with commensurate consideration for and investment in resilience that can not only protect lives, and livelihoods, but avoid or lessen future humanitarian and economic assistance needs.

    Ultimately, these are the investments for which Americans across the country, and our partners across the world, are asking.  These are not just about the rising threats of the climate crisis, but ultimately they are critical ingredients for ensuring  economic security.  Realizing these goals will protect lives and property, prepare first responders and defense forces, and improve livelihoods globally.

    We will bring to bear the leadership of the United States to confront these threats, and bring our cutting-edge analysis, partnership, and investment to partners globally.  In doing so, we will be able to turn many of these growing vulnerabilities into strategic opportunities.  Through these efforts, we will build a more resilient and sustainable global security—one that asserts that projecting and withstanding climate shocks and disruptions is better done through partnership and investment.

    Signed,

    John Podesta
    Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy

    Jake Sullivan
    Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

    The full U.S. Framework for Climate Resilience and Security can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Proclamation on Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week,  2024

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
         Our Nation’s nearly 200 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) open doors of opportunity for millions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) students.  AANAPISIs provide a pathway to the middle class and a better life for their students, many of whom often come from low-income neighborhoods and may be the first in their families to attend college.  During AANAPISI Week, we celebrate these critical institutions for the resources and support they provide to students, and we recommit to advancing their mission and success.
         AANAPISIs play a critical role in the lives of so many of our Nation’s AA and NHPI students.  In addition to a quality education, these institutions meet AA and NHPI students where they are and foster inclusive learning environments — providing tutoring, career development, counseling, culturally and linguistically responsive services, and more.  AANAPISIs confer more than half of all associate degrees and more than a third of baccalaureate degrees that AA and NHPI students earn.
         My Administration is committed to strengthening our AANAPISIs so that more AA and NHPI students can reach their full potential.  My American Rescue Plan delivered $5 billion to AANAPISIs.  The Department of Education has invested in increasing the number of diverse and talented teachers by funding programs at Minority Serving Institutions that serve large percentages of AA and NHPI populations.  Across my Administration, Federal agencies are working to expand the capacity of AANAPISIs and strengthen their programs.  And I re-established the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and released a National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities.  These actions work to ensure AA and NHPI communities have the resources they need to thrive.
         My Administration is also working to make college more affordable for all students.  We provided a $900 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award — the largest increase in over a decade, canceled debt for hundreds of thousands of borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and taken steps to help borrowers manage their payments through income-driven repayment.  And earlier this year, I laid out my Administration’s new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we have done so far.
         I have always believed that the American Dream is big enough for everyone — and every generation has benefited by opening the doors of opportunity a bit wider for those behind them.  During AANAPISI Week, may we celebrate the nearly 200 institutions across our Nation that ensure generations of AA and NHPI students can pursue the limits of their talents and ambitions.  May we recognize that diversity will always be one of our Nation’s greatest strengths.  And may we celebrate all our Nation’s AA and NHPI students. 
         NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 23 through September 29, 2024, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.  I call on public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the many ways these institutions and their graduates contribute to our country.
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
                                  JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sh. Bhupender Yadav to participate in the Beach Clean-Up Campaign in Mumbai tomorrow to mark the International Coastal Clean-up Day

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sh. Bhupender Yadav to participate in the Beach Clean-Up Campaign in Mumbai tomorrow to mark the International Coastal Clean-up Day

    International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed every year on the third Saturday of September.

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 7:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sh. Bhupender Yadav will participate in the Beach Clean-Up Campaign on 21 September 2024 (tomorrow) at Juhu Beach in Mumbai. This campaign is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the State Government. The Beach Clean-up Campaign will be exercised at more than 100 beaches across coastal States/UTs.

    The Ministry launched a Beach Cleaning Drive and introduced the campaign #IamSavingMyBeach on World Environment Day 2018 with the theme “Beat Plastic.” Since 2018, the Ministry has regularly organised beach cleaning activities across all coastal States/Union Territories in collaboration with all coastal States and UTs Governments. 

    The International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD) is observed annually on the third Saturday of September. This day aims to inspire people to clean up beaches, raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting the world’s oceans and waterways, and address the issue of marine trash.

    In 2021, the Ministry organized beach cleaning activities at all 10 Blue Flag Certified Beaches as part of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. In 2022, the MoEFCC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, conducted a beach cleaning initiative under the “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/Clean Coast Safe Sea” campaign in celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD). The campaign spanned over 75 days across 75 beaches, where more than 15,000 volunteers collected over 1,500 tons of garbage and waste along the Indian coastline.

    In 2023, under its G20 Presidency, the Ministry launched the Janbhagidari movement to enhance community participation and raise awareness about the sensitivity of ocean and coastal pollution. This initiative focuses on beach cleaning efforts across all coastal states and union territories. The Mega beach cleaning event was held at Juhu Beach in Mumbai on 21st May 2023, wherein more than 1000 participants (including G20 delegates) having representation of local dignitaries (public representatives), community, NGOs, NCC, NSS, Coast Guards, Corporations, State and Central Government officials participated. A national level Inter-School painting competition for school students of classes 8 to 12 was organized wherein more than 5900 students participated.

    In this drive at Juhu Beach, nearly 850 kg of litter, consisting of around 500 kg of plastics and other litter, including single-use plastics and food wrappers, were collected. In India, about 17392 volunteers participated spread across 35 beaches in all coastal States/UTs including Juhu Beach in Mumbai and about 35243 Kg trash collected. Out of which 25% consisted of plastic, followed by glass 11%.

    The live link of the event is as follows: – https://youtube.com/live/C3Sf6Ouhvkw?feature=share.

     

    *****

    NB/GS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal co-chairs 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers meeting in Lao PDR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 9:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister during the 1st day of his visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR co-chaired the 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers (AEM-India) meeting alongwith H.E. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR. The Economic Ministers or their representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the meeting. Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste joined the Meeting as an observer.

    The Ministers reviewed the trade and investment relations between India and ASEAN and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the relations. India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 120.9 billion in 2023-24 with ASEAN accounting for 10.9% of India’s global trade.

    The Ministers in particular took note of the progress in negotiations for the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Minister Goyal in his intervention stressed on the need for addressing injury to industries from the existing FTA and the inequitable tariff liberalisation during the review. He also cited India’s ongoing efforts of integrating with other economies through FTAs and highlighted the urgency in upgrading AITIGA which otherwise may lead to diversion of bilateral trade to other regions.

    The Ministers reiterated the commitment to ensure that the outcome of the review should be mutually beneficial and commercially meaningful and will make the AITIGA more effective, user-friendly, simple, and trade facilitative for businesses. The Ministers encouraged the AITIGA Joint Committee to expedite the negotiations to conclude the review in 2025. 

    The review of the AITIGA is a long-standing demand of Indian industry and India is looking forward to an upgraded AITIGA which will address the current asymmetries in bilateral trade and will make trade more balanced and sustainable.

    Minister Goyal reiterated India’s request for setting up of Joint Committees under the two separate Agreements on Services and Investment, signed in 2014, to review the implementation of these Agreements.

    On the sidelines of AEM-India meeting, Minister Goyal had a productive bilateral meeting with Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Secretary for Economic Affairs, Switzerland. Both sides discussed the progress in ratification of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement signed on 10th March 2024 and discussed the way forward in facilitating US$100 billion FDI commitment by the EFTA States under the FTA.

    Minister Goyal also interacted with the FICCI led industry delegation from India which was visiting Vientiane, Laos to brief the ASEAN-India Economic Ministers on the activities of ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC). FICCI serves as the AIBC Secretariat from the Indian side. The delegation from AIBC ASEAN also met Minister Goyal separately. Industry from both sides briefed the Minister on their perspective of bilateral trade and their expectations from review of AITIGA.

     

     ***

    AD/VN

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  • MIL-OSI USA News: A Proclamation on Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week,  2024

    Source: The White House

         Our Nation’s nearly 200 Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) open doors of opportunity for millions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) students.  AANAPISIs provide a pathway to the middle class and a better life for their students, many of whom often come from low-income neighborhoods and may be the first in their families to attend college.  During AANAPISI Week, we celebrate these critical institutions for the resources and support they provide to students, and we recommit to advancing their mission and success.

         AANAPISIs play a critical role in the lives of so many of our Nation’s AA and NHPI students.  In addition to a quality education, these institutions meet AA and NHPI students where they are and foster inclusive learning environments — providing tutoring, career development, counseling, culturally and linguistically responsive services, and more.  AANAPISIs confer more than half of all associate degrees and more than a third of baccalaureate degrees that AA and NHPI students earn.

         My Administration is committed to strengthening our AANAPISIs so that more AA and NHPI students can reach their full potential.  My American Rescue Plan delivered $5 billion to AANAPISIs.  The Department of Education has invested in increasing the number of diverse and talented teachers by funding programs at Minority Serving Institutions that serve large percentages of AA and NHPI populations.  Across my Administration, Federal agencies are working to expand the capacity of AANAPISIs and strengthen their programs.  And I re-established the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and released a National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities.  These actions work to ensure AA and NHPI communities have the resources they need to thrive.

         My Administration is also working to make college more affordable for all students.  We provided a $900 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award — the largest increase in over a decade, canceled debt for hundreds of thousands of borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and taken steps to help borrowers manage their payments through income-driven repayment.  And earlier this year, I laid out my Administration’s new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we have done so far.

         I have always believed that the American Dream is big enough for everyone — and every generation has benefited by opening the doors of opportunity a bit wider for those behind them.  During AANAPISI Week, may we celebrate the nearly 200 institutions across our Nation that ensure generations of AA and NHPI students can pursue the limits of their talents and ambitions.  May we recognize that diversity will always be one of our Nation’s greatest strengths.  And may we celebrate all our Nation’s AA and NHPI students. 

         NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 23 through September 29, 2024, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.  I call on public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the many ways these institutions and their graduates contribute to our country.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                                  JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship plants 11,778 trees in a day under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative under Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship plants 11,778 trees in a day under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative under Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

    Shri Jayant Chaudhary, MoS (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship participates in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative; plants a tree in Jan Shikshan Sansthan in Ranchi

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:51PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has taken a heartfelt step toward honoring mothers and nurturing the environment with the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, inspired by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and aligned to the ongoing Swachhta Hi Seva campaign of the government. This noble initiative emphasizes the importance of environmental conservation, encouraging citizens to plant a tree in the name of their mothers to symbolize care, growth, and respect.

    On June 5, 2024on the occasion of World Environment Day, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and planted a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in the national capital, marking the beginning of a nationwide movement for environmental conservation.

    During his recent visit to the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) in Ranchi, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India,planted a sapling to mark the ministry’s commitment to this cause. The event was a moving tribute, symbolizing the nurturing role of mothers in shaping lives and society, while highlighting the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

    Simultaneously, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, led the plantation drive at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi. In line with the Prime Minister’s clarion call for environmental stewardship, both events served as catalysts for action across the nation, with MSDE actively mobilizing its institutions to participate in this green mission.

    Pan-India Engagement Across Skill Development Institutions

    The “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign saw enthusiastic participation from various MSDE institutions across India. In total, 11,778 trees were planted across MSDE divisions, including:

    Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs): Special plantation drives were organized across multiple PMKKs, with participants planting saplings and pledging to care for them as part of their commitment to sustainable living.

    National Institutes for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE): Both institutions organized workshops to educate students and the local community on the importance of tree plantation and environmental conservation.

    Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs): These institutes actively engaged students and trainers in tree-planting activities, while also incorporating the importance of sustainable practices into their curricula.

    These events reflect MSDE’s dedication to not only building a skilled workforce but also promoting responsible citizenship. The widespread participation of students, trainers, and staff from across the nation has amplified the message of sustainability, making “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” a symbol of collective responsibility towards environmental protection.

    A Tribute to Mothers and Mother Nature

    The “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative is a humble yet profound gesture that embodies the deep respect for mothers while addressing the critical need for environmental conservation. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, this initiative seeks to inspire citizens across the country to take small yet significant steps in fostering a greener and healthier India.

    MSDE is proud to align its institutions and programs with this visionary initiative, ensuring that skill development goes hand-in-hand with sustainability, community building, and national pride.

    The Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign with the theme: “Swachhta Swabhav, Swachhta Sanskar” is a significant step towards realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Swachh Bharat, with a comprehensive nationwide series of cleanliness drives, awareness activities, and public engagements.

    ******

    SB/DP

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MCTE AND SETS SIGN MoU TO STRENGTHEN CYBER SECURITY, QUANTUM SECURITY AND INFORMATION SECURITY CAPABILITIES

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:51PM by PIB Delhi

    In a major step towards enhancing India’s information security capabilities, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an aim to advance research and development in critical areas of Cyber, Quantum, Hardware Security and Cryptology. Special focus on niche technologies like Bharat Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms, Blockchain Systems, Hardware Security systems, Quantum Safe VPN and Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) will contribute to the Indian Army’s mission of technological self-reliance and future battlefield ready and contribute towards ATMANIRBHAR Bharat.

    The MoU was signed by Lt Gen KH Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE and Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals and Dr N Subramanian, Executive Director of SETS, in the presence of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, O/o PSA to GoI, Maj Gen CS Mann, AVSM, VSM, ADG, ADB, Indian Army and Dr. Rakesh Kaur, Adviser/Scientist ‘G’, O/o PSA to GoI.

    Key Highlights of the MoU

    · Prototyping and Field Trials of cutting-edge technology solutions developed by SETS in AI, Blockchain, Quantum and network security to explore their military applications.

    · Training and Capacity Building through joint workshops, seminars and certificate programs in information security.

    · Infrastructure development by setting up advanced labs in MCTE to foster joint research and learning in cyber & information security.

    · Collaborative approach for developing Bharat PQC algorithms, Hardware Security Systems, PQC based Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and QRNGs and QKD systems under research and development.

    Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India complimented the contributions of MCTE for technology infusion into Indian Army. He commended the initiative as a milestone in fortifying India’s technological capabilities and emphasized the critical role of cyber and quantum security in national defense. Collaborations, driven by innovative research and prototyping, are essential for preparing India for future challenges. He said that overlapping expertise of MCTE and SETS are poised for a seamless collaboration wherein MoU will serve as a catalyst in this inevitable partnership and significantly contributing towards safe secure cyber environment.

    Lt Gen K H Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE, highlighted the significance of synergy between MCTE and SETS Chennai and its alignment towards the initiative of  “Nation First and National Security”. The synergy in multiple domains of Network security, quantum computing and cryptography not only propel the indigenization efforts but also enhance operational efficiency through secure and customised solutions for Indian Army. The partnership aims to exploring innovative solutions and strengthening resilience against emerging threats through collaboration in developing indigenous security infrastructure like Bharat PQC, QRNG, QKD, Quantum Safe VPN and Hardware Security systems.

    Dr. N. Subramanian, Executive Director of SETS stated that the MoU marks a pivotal step towards strengthening the nation’s cyber and quantum defense capabilities. By leveraging the combined expertise of SETS and MCTE, the aim is to create robust solutions to emerging security challenges.

    The MCTE and SETS partnership reinforces India’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defense technology as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By combining the research capabilities of SETS with the military expertise of MCTE, this MoU is expected to generate innovative and creative solutions that will enhance the security of critical military networks and contribute to the nation’s broader cyber defense infrastructure.

    ***

    MJPS/ST

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India and its sub ordinate offices observe ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ 2024 campaign

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:56PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Food and Public Distribution organized a door-to-door awareness campaign on at Firoz Gandhi Camp, New Delhi. The officers and the staff of the department visited the camp in the evening and distributed brooms, dustbins, soaps, sanitizers to the residents of the camp. The officers briefed the residents about the importance of not only keeping their houses clean but also their surroundings. The children of the residents were also sensitized about personal hygiene and keeping their environment clean.

    .

    Meanwhile the following activities were undertaken by the PSUs and Attached offices of the Department.

    Food Corporation of India:-Swachhata ki Bhagidari:-

    Food Corporation of India, in its Headquarter in New Delhi organized a walkathon to Bengali Market which was flagged off by the CMD, Smt. Vanita Ratan Sharma. Around 120 employees of the Corporation participated in this event. Shouting slogans of Swachhata they generated awareness among the general public about cleanliness. During their walkathon they collected around 150 kgs of garbage which was disposed off in the blue and green dustbins.

     Besides this, events like Mini Marathon, human chain formation, walkathon, painting competition for school kids etc. were organized FCI, Regional Offices, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Ahmedabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Raipur, Zonal Office West. Mumbai, Zonal Office (East), Kolkata, Divisional Office Kanuur and Food Supply Depot Muzhuppilangad on 19th September 2024.

    The Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI), Hapur  organized  a successful cleanliness it its Staff Colony. During the drive, organic waste was collected, which will be used in the compost pit to create nutrient-rich compost for our plants and lawns. Some of the photographs of today’s activity are attached.

    Central Warehousing Corporation, Hqrs. Office distributed dustbin to nearby residents  for degradable and biodegradable waste disposal in Shahpur Jatt Village, New Delhi

    Besides this  activities like cleanliness work near Railway Line by Regional Warehouse Corporation , Nishatpura, Bhopal,   distribution of Sanitation kits in slums  & awareness program on Swachhata Pakhwada in a School Maligaon by Regional Office Guwahati, cleaning of dirty space and earmarking them for horticulture activities by Regional Office, Kochi, plantation under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, at Central Warehouse Chhindwara, Gwalior, establishing selfie centres were also undertaken to observe SHS 2024.

    Directorate of Sugar &Vegetable Oils successfully conducted a cleanliness drive as part of the SHS 2024 campaign.

     

    Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority conducted an essary writing competition   under SHS 2024.

     

    National Sugar Institute, Kanpur also had a cleanliness drive in its premises.

    ***

    AD/NS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Brainstorming Session on issue of improving response to Surveys by High-Income Groups and Gated Societies held on 20th September 2024 at New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Government of India, is pleased to announce that the Brainstorming Session aimed at understanding and improving response to surveys particularly in high income groups/gated societies held today at the Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. The session could bring together the key stakeholders, including policymakers, urban economists, survey agencies, institutions,multilateral organisations like World Bank and ILO, officers from state statistical agencies, regulatory bodies and service agencies of the real estate sector, facility management companies, representatives from Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) and gated Societies.

    Around 150 participants from more than 25 organisations/Housing Societies attended the session. In addition to this, representatives from more than 50 housing societies from different part of the country particularly from the metropolitan cities joined virtually through respective Regional Offices of NSSO.  The event marked a significant step in engaging distinguished experts from various domainsalong with the representatives from RWAs/Housing Societies for exploring innovative solutions to improve participation from this specific segment of population and ensure collection of more representative data.

    In the opening remarks, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI,highlighted the need for building trust among the respondents of gated societies to enhance the cooperation and its impact on accuracy and reliability of the data. Thereafter, Sh. Anand Kumar, Chairman, RERA, Delhi & Sh. Shiv Das Meena, Chairman, RERA, Tamil Nadu in their addressemphasized the importance of the accurate data for planning and policy purposes. Further, they appealed to all the Housing Societies to cooperate with the NSSO in data collection and urged that RERA will extend all possible support to create awareness on NSSO surveys.

    The brainstorming session included presentations on recent trends in response, their effects on data quality, and discussions on leveraging technology and customized strategies to enhance survey participation among high-income groups. The event highlighted international best practices and examined the role of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in facilitating data collection.

    The Experts from distinguished institutes, survey agencies from the State Government and private sector, international organizations & Builder’s Association etc, shared their insights on the possible strategies to mitigate non-response. Asession for sharing the views and open discussions by RWAs was also held.

    Based on the discussions, the following major suggestions emerged:

    • Extensive publicity of the surveys to reach out the general public regarding thepurpose and utility of the surveys through various channels including social media.
    • Explore feasibility of useof data available at the National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM),
    • Using the appropriateadministrative machinery for approaching RWAs
    • Use of alternative mode of data capture such as email/web links/CATI etc.
    • Similar kind of sessions may be planned atlocal level at different parts of the country for sensitisation.
    • Using Flexi-timing approach in data collection
    • Shortening of questionnaire to minimise respondent fatigue
    • In view of the improved economic and social status of women in high income group, special focus may be given to create awareness among them.

    Through this initiative, MoSPI aims to enhance collaboration, build trust, and improve data accuracy and comprehensiveness. The session promotes awareness of NSSO’s data privacy practices and the importance of survey participation for evidence-based policymaking. By engaging directly with high-income groups and gated communities, MoSPI seeks to boost response rates and strengthen survey reliability.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MY Bharat Volunteers Lead National Cleanliness Drive as Part of Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

    Source: Government of India

    MY Bharat Volunteers Lead National Cleanliness Drive as Part of Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

    Over 8 Lakh Youth Volunteers Remove More Than 12 Lakh kg of Waste Nationwide in First 3 Days

    15-Day Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Waste, Culminating in Massive Coastal and Beach Clean-Up on October 2

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 5:10PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Youth Affairs has taken the lead in actively participating in this year’s Swachhta Hi Seva campaign, taking place from September 17 to October 2, 2024, with the theme “Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata.” Youth volunteers across India, under the MY Bharat initiative, are leading this nationwide effort to promote cleanliness and environmental responsibility. The campaign will culminate in Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2, 2024, reinforcing the commitment to a cleaner and greener India.


    (Odisha)

    The campaign was formally inaugurated on September 17, 2024, by Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort towards creating a cleaner and greener India. On the first day alone, a remarkable 240,808 young volunteers collected 1,75,627 kg of single-use plastic across 1,562 adopted villages, underscoring the significant impact of the youth’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

    (Madhya Pradesh)

    Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed the government’s vision for this initiative, stating, “We must instill a sense of responsibility and pride in cleanliness among our youth. The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign is not just an initiative; it’s a movement that empowers young Indians to take ownership of their environment. MY Bharat will play a leading role in this nationwide effort, with its youth volunteers at the forefront of driving change and fostering a culture of cleanliness.”


    (Maharashtra)

    As of September 19, 2024, over 8 lakh MY Bharat youth volunteers have actively participated in the campaign, successfully removing more than 12 lakh kilograms of waste from various locations across the country. Under the campaign, over 7,000 villages, 2,000 community centres, 450 Amrit Sarovars, and other historical and public spaces have been cleaned, showcasing the power of collective action.


    (Cleaning of Railway Tracks)

    Throughout the campaign, youth volunteers are engaging in extensive cleanliness activities, with a focus on the removal and proper disposal of single-use plastics. These activities are being carried out across institutional premises, adopted villages, and public spaces such as bus stands, railway stations, markets, and heritage sites across India.


    (Uttar Pradesh)

    The 15-day nationwide drive ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign’ will culminate on October 2, 2024, with extensive beach and coastal area cleaning activities, focusing on the collection and disposal of single-use plastics. Youth volunteers will actively participate, with events organized through the MY Bharat portal, fostering greater community involvement.


    (Kerala)

    The MY Bharat platform is hosting a dedicated window (https://mybharat.gov.in/mega_events/swachhata-hi-seva)  where youth from across India are uploading pictures and videos of their participation in the cleanliness drive, reflecting the spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari se Jan Andolan’. MY Bharat platform is enabling young Indians to share their efforts and inspire others to join the nationwide movement towards a cleaner and greener India.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Smt. Droupadi Murmu graces the centenary celebration of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture in Ranchi, Jharkhand today

    Source: Government of India (2)

    President Smt. Droupadi Murmu graces the centenary celebration of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture in Ranchi, Jharkhand today

    Lac is a small forest product, we will try to get lac recognised as an agricultural product across the country: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Lac processing units will be set up to promote lac products: Union Minister

    There is a need to increase the minimum support price of lac, we will make efforts for this in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Shri Chouhan

    5000 lac producing farmers will be trained at Ranchi Agricultural Education Research Institute: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Ranchi will be made the country’s leading center for Agricultural Education and Research: Union Minister

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the centenary celebration of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA) in Ranchi, Jharkhand today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that besides making farming a profitable venture, there are three other major challenges before agriculture in the 21st century. It is maintaining food and nutrition security, sustainable use of resources and climate change. She stated that activities related to secondary agriculture can help meet these challenges. The secondary agriculture includes the value addition of primary agricultural products as well as other agriculture-related activities like beekeeping, poultry farming, agricultural tourism etc. She said that agricultural waste can be utilized properly through secondary agriculture activities. They can be processed to make useful and valuable things. In this way, the environment can be protected and the farmers’ income will be increased as well.

    The President said that lac is produced in India mainly by the tribal community. It is an important source of their income. She was happy to note that the National Institute of Secondary Agriculture has taken several steps for research and development as well as commercial development of Lac, Natural Resins and Gums. It includes the development of a Small small-scale lac Processing Unit and an Integrated Lac Processing Unit; the development of lac-based natural paints, varnishes and cosmetic products; development of lac-based coating to increase the shelf-life of fruits, vegetables and spices. She expressed confidence that all these steps will help in improving the living standards of tribal brothers and sisters. The President said that NISA has done good work in lac farming. But, there are still many areas in which we can go further. For example, there is a demand for high-quality lac in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries. If the quality, supply chain and marketing of Indian lac are improved, our farmers will be able to supply it in the country and abroad and will get better prices.

    Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in the centenary celebrations of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA). During his address, Shri Chouhan said that today President Smt. Draupadi Murmu is present among us who has a special attachment to Jharkhand. Even when she was the Governor, she has been working a lot for the welfare of the people. The history of lac is as old as India. There is a mention of Lakhshagriha in Mahabharata, that too was made of lac. From then, lac has been cultivated. In today’s time, lac has great importance. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal is to double the income of farmers. To increase the income of farmers, the goal is to increase production in the fields, reduce the cost of production, give fair prices for the produce, compensate for losses and diversify farming.

    The Union Minister said that we will have to move towards other farming along with traditional farming. Prime Minister Shri Modi has also drawn attention towards agro-forestry i.e. income from trees. He said that if we think about all these aspects, then lac farming is very important. We export lac 400 crore rupees. There are many people associated with this farming who are earning more than 1 lakh rupees. Different groups have also been formed; many of them have an income of 25 to 30 lakh rupees. There are infinite possibilities in lac farming, so lac is important for increasing our income and it is also an alternative to plastic. We can use lac to save the environment from plastic.

    Welcoming the women who attended the program, Shri Chouhan said that with the power of women empowerment, our sisters can also cultivate lac very easily. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal is to make women Lakhpati Didi, that is, every woman’s income should be at least 1 lakh rupees annually, we have to make arrangements for this. Lakhpati Didi Yojana has been created for this. He said that the department of Lakhpati Didi Yojana is with me. Lakhpati Didis can also be created through lac. We will leave no stone unturned to increase your income more than 1 lakh rupees. The Department of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research are working on how to process lac, increase production and get a fair price after processing, etc. He said that with the President’s visit, lac cultivation should progress here and the problems of the lac producing farmers and the poor should be solved. The poor, tribals and backward people are engaged in this farming, so the production of lac should at least double, they should get more encouragement, their income should increase.

    Shri Chouhan said that lac production comes under the Forest Department, therefore, the farmers producing lac do not get the benefit of the schemes of the Agriculture Department. I will try to get lac recognized as an agricultural product across the country. He said that the Government of India will focus on helping in setting up cluster-based processing units of lac so that the processing work becomes easy and the farmers also get a fair price after processing. He said that together with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, we will try to fix the minimum support price (MSP). The cost of lac should be fixed by adding at least 50 percent profit to the cost so that the farmers can get more money. He said that right now 1500 farmers are being trained here. From this year, not 1500 but 5000 farmers will be trained here so that farmers can earn more profit by getting training. He said that I assure that Ranchi will be made the country’s leading center in agricultural education and research.

    Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary said in his address that earlier the slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan was raised and then the dream of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to make the country a developed nation by raising the slogan of Jai Anusandhan is being reflected today. The food provider of this country not only feeds 145 crore people but also works day and night in every field. When prosperity comes to the houses of the food providers, not only the houses develop but the country also develops. The farmer cultivating any crop cannot prosper until he is protected from middlemen. The country can become a developed nation only when the farmers of this country prosper. Lac cultivation is the main source of income for many tribal communities of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

    *****

    SS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chapter Convention on Quality Concepts 2024 (CCQC2024) Concludes at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Chapter Convention on Quality Concepts 2024 (CCQC2024) Concludes at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

    We need to invest in people to better equip them so that the challenges of the present business environment are met with more confidence- Sri GVN Prasad, Director (Commercial), RINL

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The 2-day Chapter Convention on Quality Concepts 2024 with the theme “Investing in People, Building a Better Future” organized by Quality Circle Forum of India, Visakhapatanam Chapter on 19th and 20th September 2024 successfully concluded today at the Multipurpose hall of Ukku club of Visakhapatnam steel plant.

    Speaking at the valedictory program which was held today, the Chief Guest Sri GVN Prasad, Director (Commercial), RINL said that the magnitude of this event is like a mini national convention. He congratulated the entire team of QCFI Visakhapatnam Chapter for bringing over 660 delegates from 34 organisations together and for creating an opportunity to share and learn from each other.

    “If we look at the convention theme ‘Investing in People, building a Better Future’, it is very aptly chosen. In order to create a better future, we need to work at our best in the present. In order to sustain in any business, we need to ensure whether the products / services we are delivering really meet the requirements of the customer at a competitive price or not. Organizations do work constantly to deliver the best. However, as the competition is increasing, businesses are required to work at higher precision. Technological improvements and customer choice are dynamically shifting. In this scenario, the only way is to up-skill and empowers the people. For that, we need to invest in people to better equip them so that the challenges of the present business environment are met with more confidence. However, Total Employee Involvement is the key to build a better future for the organization”, Sri GVN prasad added.

    “In the Indian steel Industry, particularly at RINL -Vizag Steel, thrust for adopting Quality & Lean concepts has been given utmost importance. I am glad to say that Vizag Steel is the first Public Sector Steel Plant to have implemented 5S as one of the lean management initiatives across the organization. It is worth mentioning that RINL Vizag Steel is the first 5S certified Steel PSU in the country and QCFI has been a trusted partner in our journey and in achieving this mission” Sri GVN Prasad said.

    Amidst a thunderous applause, Sri GVN Prasad said that “Vizag Steel(RINL) employees are keeping our flag high at National and International fora in the areas of QCs and 5S. Last year, three LQC teams participated at the International Convention on QC Circles ICQCC 2023 held at Beijing, China and bagged “Gold Awards”. Maintaining the same tempo, RINL is regularly participating in the international fora. This year also we have nominated 3 teams to ICQCC 2024 to be held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in the month of November 2024.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Shri R. Vijay Sekhar, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam said that employee involvement is the key to success at the workplace. He reiterated that Organizations need to give top priority for employee involvement and continual improvement initiatives like Quality Circles and 5S Workplace Management system at RINL.

    Guests of Honour Shri Sanjay Kumar Sinha, CGM & Head of Projects, NTPC Simhadri, Visakhapatnam, Sri Gnana Sundaram, Head, Coromandel International, Vizag spoke on this occasion and expressed that such Conventions immensely help the members of various organizations in gaining knowledge and they complimented the efforts of QCFI Visakhapatnam in disseminating the knowledge and guiding the surrounding organizations towards higher quality and productivity.

    Shri G Gandhi, CGM (HR) and the Chairman of QCFI Visakhapatnam Chapter thanked all the participating organizations for nominating their delegates. Vice Chairman, QCFI Shri Cmde Sanjay Kumar, GM (HR&QA) Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam thanked all the participating organizations and for active participation of teams in various events.

    Honorary Secretary QCFI Visakhapatnam Chapter Shri MECV Sagar congratulated the Awardees for their excellent case study presentations, and Prize Winners of various events thanked all the member organizations in making this mega event of CCQC 2024 a grand success by nominating maximum number of delegates this year. Later, the dignitaries presented awards to the delegates who excelled in various competitions conducted on the occasion.

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    MG/SK

    (Release ID: 2057110) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry achieves 100 days target on the International Big Cat Alliance

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry achieves 100 days target on the International Big Cat Alliance

    Framework Agreement has been approved by the Cabinet recently and India became a member of IBCA

    Four countries have become members of IBCA including India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of India to become a member country of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing and ratification of the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).

    On the occasion of Commemorating 50 years of India’s Project Tiger on April 9, 2023 the Prime Minister launched an International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of big cats and landscapes they thrive. Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah. Out of these five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.

    The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 29.02.2024 approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance with Headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of Rs. 150 crores for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

    The Copy of the signed Frame work agreement was handed over by IG Forests, MoEFCC to Interim Head of IBCA today.

    The International Big Cat Alliance aims to be multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and scientific organizations working in the field of big cat conservation besides business groups and corporates willing to contribute to the cause of big cats, to establish networks and develop  synergies in a focused manner so as to bring to a common platform a centralized repository of successful practices and personnel, backed by financial support which can be leveraged to strengthen the conservation agenda in the field to arrest decline in big cat population and reverse the trend. This is a demonstrative step in leadership position on big cat agenda, to bring range countries and others on a common platform.

    IBCA envisages synergy through a collaborative platform for increased dissemination of gold standard big cat conservation practices, provides access to a central common repository of technical know-how and corpus of funds, strengthens the existing species-specific intergovernmental platforms, networks and transnational initiatives on conservation and protection and assists securing our ecological future and mitigate adverse effects of climate change.

    All UN member countries are eligible for becoming the member of IBCA. Twenty-four (24) countries (including India) have consented to be members of IBCA. Nine International Organizations have also consented to be partner organization of IBCA. Framework Agreement has been approved by the Cabinet recently and India became a member of IBCA. So far 4 countries have become member of IBCA including India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia.

    The Framework Agreement is intent to establish IBCA to collectively address common challenges for the protection and conservation of seven Big Cats in the world. The parties to this agreement shall be guided by the principles of coordinated action for protection and conservation of seven big cats, seeking the benefits of collective action under the IBCA.

    The Alliance focuses on sustainable use of natural resources and mitigates challenges emanating from climate change. By safeguarding big cats and their habitats, the IBCA contributes to natural climate adaptation, water and food security and well-being of thousands of communities reliant on these ecosystems. IBCA would instill cooperation among countries for mutual benefit and immensely contribute in furthering long-term conservation agenda.

    India becoming a founder member of International Big Cat Alliance is a great moment that demonstrates country’s leadership in conservation and sustenance of Big Cats. It will definitely help in mutual benefit and understanding in the areas of Big Cats conservation across the globe.

    *****

    NB/GS

    (Release ID: 2057122) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India to host World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit early next year, covering the entire gamut of Media and Entertainment industry

    Source: Government of India

    India to host World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit early next year, covering the entire gamut of Media and Entertainment industry

    WAVES would position India as an unparalleled global powerhouse in the M&E landscape says Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of I&B

    ‘Create in India’ Challenge Season 1of WAVES thrown open, Shri Jaju exhorts youth to participate in large numbers

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 5:08PM by PIB Hyderabad

    The Government of India is gearing up to host the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) early next year from 5th to 9th February to bolster India’s Media & Entertainment industry and extend its global influence.

    Speaking at a roadshow to promote WAVES at the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) in the city today, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Sanjay Jaju said that WAVES would be the first-ever global summit covering the entire gamut of Media and Entertainment industry. Participating in the event, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Department of IT, Electronics & Communications of Government of Telangana said that the state has a curated ecosystem to promote innovations in this sector and would be glad to take it to the national level.

     

    Secretary I&B Shri Sanjay Jaju briefing about WAVES summit in Hyderabad

     

    Shi Jaju said that WAVES would see a close coordinated efforts between the M&E industry and technology. WAVES aims to be a premier forum, fostering dialogue, trade collaboration and innovation within the evolving M&E industry landscape. The Summit will convene industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, attract trade to India, and shape the sector’s future.

    Earlier in the day Secretary I&B Shri Sanjay Jaju met the Film Associations and the industry leaders of the AVGC sector. In the meeting organised by the CBFC Regional office of Hyderabad, he promised strict implementation of punitive measures against piracy faced by the film industry. Shri Jaju also assured Government support to the gaming industry stakeholders.

     

    Shi Jaju said that WAVES would see a close coordinated efforts between the M&E industry and technology. WAVES aims to be a premier forum, fostering dialogue, trade collaboration and innovation within the evolving M&E industry landscape. The Summit will convene industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to explore opportunities, tackle challenges, attract trade to India, and shape the sector’s future.

    Earlier in the day Secretary I&B Shri Sanjay Jaju met the Film Associations and the industry leaders of the AVGC sector. In the meeting organised by the CBFC Regional office of Hyderabad, he promised strict implementation of punitive measures against piracy faced by the film industry. Shri Jaju also assured Government support to the gaming industry stakeholders.

    Meeting of film associations and AVGC sector stakeholders being addressed by Shri Sanjay Jaju

    and Shri Jayesh Ranjan

    Sh Ajay Dhoke, GM of NFDC and CEO of WAVES, Sh Rajendra Singh, CEO of CBFC,

    Smt Shifali Kumar, RO and Shri Rahul Gowlikar EO from   CBFC Hyderabad participated in the meeting.

     

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    *****

    (Release ID: 2057050) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, CONTINUING HIS PUSH TO LAND NEW SKI-BIRD FLEET AT SCHENECTADY COUNTY’S STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, BRINGS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DIRECTOR TO U.S. CAPITOL TO BUILD SUPPORT IN THE…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    Schumer Made Major Breakthrough After Visiting Stratton Air National Guard Base Earlier This Year Securing $229M In Senate Approps, But In Order For $$ To Become Law The House Needs To Agree To This Measure, Which Is Currently Not Included In Their Bill
    Schumer Brought NSF And NY National Guard Top Brass, Who Rely On These Planes For Scientific Research And Maintaining American Competition With China And Russia, To Capitol To Discuss Need For New Ski-Bird Planes To Ensure We Can Continue Missions To Arctic And Antarctic For National Security
    Schumer: We Are The Closest We’ve Ever Been To Landing New Ski-Birds For The 109th Airlift Wing & We Need Everyone To Get On Board To Support This Funding
    After securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY2025 defense appropriations bill to replace the 109th Airlift Wing’s (AW) two oldest LC-130H aircraft, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this week brought National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General for the State of New York, to the U.S. Capitol to build support and describe the need for the House to follow the Senate and back funding to recapitalize the Ski-Bird fleet for the Stratton Air National Guard in Schenectady County.
    “Upgrading the 109th Airlift Wing’s Ski-Bird fleet based in Schenectady is critical for our national security and the National Science Foundation’s polar research mission. That is why I personally brought NSF Director Panchanathan and Major General Ray Shields to the Capitol to highlight the need to land new Ski-Birds in the Capital Region ASAP. Stratton Air National Guard and the 109th Airlift Wing is the only military unit in the world that flies these aircraft and they need the House to back up the funding I was able to secure in the Senate,” said Senator Schumer. “For more than thirty years, the old LC-130H planes have been in service in harsh environments, but now their state of disrepair is threatening aircrew safety and the 109th AW’s mission success. I landed $229 million in federal funding in the Senate’s FY2025 Defense Appropriations bill so now we need the House to follow suit. The brave men and women of the 109th Airlift Wing cannot wait, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail for the inclusion of this funding in end-of-year appropriations so we can finally bring brand new J model LC-130s to the Capital Region.”
    At the meeting Schumer convened at the U.S. Capitol they had a wide range of panelists who highlighted the tremendous need for upgrading the ski-bird fleet including: Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, National Science Foundation; Major General Ray Shields, Adjutant General, New York National Guard; Dr. Jean Cottam Allen, Acting Director, Office of Polar Programs at the NSF; Stephanie Short, Section Head, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics at the NSF; Jennifer Mercer, Section Head, Arctic Sciences at the NSF; Brig. Gen. Gary Charlton II, Assistant Adjutant General (Air), NYANG; and Col Steve Slosek, 109th Airlift Wing, NYANG. Then, panelists covered how the 109th AW’s Ski-Bird mission is crucial to both scientific research and national security, discussing the significant and immediate consequences it would yield if Congress fails to recapitalize the fleet and the aircraft enters restricted flight status. Now, Schumer and these top leaders are advocating for the House to match the Senate Defense Appropriations bill and support its inclusion in the final FY25 appropriations package.
    National Science Foundation Director Dr. Panchanathan said, “The U.S. National Science Foundation’s leadership in both polar regions not only keeps the U.S. at the forefront of critical areas of science and innovation, it also maintains the United States as the dominant global year-round presence in the Arctic and Antarctic. This would not be possible without the LC-130H aircraft and the brave and dedicated servicemembers of the New York Air National Guard and the 109th Air Lift Wing. Together, they provide a unique and invaluable service that allows us to reach the most remote parts of the polar regions. Without this capability, our leadership and presence would be at risk, and the world-class science we invest in, from glaciology to astrophysics would not be possible. I am grateful to Sen. Schumer, the New York delegation, and Congress for continued support to make sure the United States remains the global leader in the Arctic and Antarctic.”  
    “Today Senator Schumer hosted a meeting and panel discussion to address the urgent need to recapitalize the New York Air National Guard’s aging fleet of LC-130H Ski Birds.  The event included the Director of the National Science Foundation as well as key leaders from their Office of Polar Programs.  Senator Schumer was instrumental in securing $229 million in the Senate’s FY-2025 appropriations bill.  The panel and the discussion continued the efforts of Senator Schumer and New York’s Congressional delegation to ensure the critical mission of the 109th Air Wing and their vital National Security and science support missions have the aircraft required. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s steadfast support and commitment to our recapitalization efforts,” said Major General Shields.
    Schumer explained that with these planes quickly approaching the end of their service life—and following his successful efforts to authorize funding for the procurement of two new J model LC-130 aircraft in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), securing this funding in the final end-of-year appropriations bills is a national security priority for New York. The senator explained that the $229 million in the Senate bill will support the procurement of two LC-130J Ski-Birds, as well as essential engineering work to accelerate the design and development of the J model’s capabilities.
    Earlier this year, Schumer wrote to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to urge the Air Force to prioritize recapitalizing the LC-130H fleet and in April, he personally visited the 109th Airlift Wing—the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these aircraft—in person to double down on the urgent need to recapitalize the LC-130H fleet and formally launch his push to secure federal funding for the procurement of two new LC-130Js in the FY25 appropriations cycle. As he explained during his visit and with the top leaders during the meeting he convened in the Capitol this week, this funding is critical for protecting U.S. national security interests, enhancing U.S. competitiveness with Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), maximizing aircrew safety, and continuing to support cutting-edge research in the polar regions which includes finding solutions to limit global warming and combat climate change.
    “As I have repeatedly said, we need to ensure that we deliver new Ski-Birds for the 109th as soon as possible. Now that we’ve secured more than $200 million for LC-130H recapitalization in both the FY25 Senate NDAA and defense appropriations bill, the House needs to follow suit so that new planes can land in the Capital Region. The National Science Foundation and the NY National Guard both agree, and we are closer than we have ever been. ” added Schumer.
    Schumer explained that after more than 30 years, these planes—several of which were built in the 1970s and operate on technology developed in the 1950s—are rapidly approaching the end of their service life, jeopardizing mission success, aircrew and operator safety, and U.S. national security. Schumer said the airplanes often suffer reliability issues and high maintenance costs, with only five planes out of the ten total in the fleet being mission-capable at any given time. Additionally, nearly all of the aircraft in the fleet have parts that require total replacement, but the 109th AW is unable to make the necessary fixes because those parts are no longer in production due to the aircraft’s age and commodity. With both U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which oversees the polar airlift mission, and 109th AW, which supports the NSF’s polar science research missions and is the only U.S. military unit in the world that flies these planes, expressing the urgent need to recapitalize, Schumer took action to push for this major federal funding and upgrade the fleet to support U.S. national security and scientific research.
    The LC-130 is also a necessity for maintaining and strengthening the United States’ presence, operations, and research in the Arctic and Antarctica. The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance, and to compete on a global scale, especially with China and Russia who are expanding their presence in the region, it is vital that the U.S. has the advanced capabilities needed to expand its presence in the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks’ Trip to Baltimore, Md.

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon provided the following readout:

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks traveled to Baltimore, Md., today for a ship naming ceremony.

    During her visit, Deputy Secretary Hicks delivered remarks aboard the USS Constellation after Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that the future Virginia-class Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine SSN 812 will be named USS Baltimore.

    Deputy Secretary Hicks will serve as the ship’s sponsor. In her role as sponsor, she will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew. The crew of the ship may change many times over the course of a ship’s life, but the sponsor remains the same. 

    The future USS Baltimore honors the city of Baltimore, the crews of one Continental Navy ship, and the five previous Navy vessels named Baltimore.

    The naming selection of the future USS Baltimore (SSN 812) continues the recent trend of naming Virginia-class submarines after cities. Previous submarines were named USS Long Island (SSN 809), USS San Francisco (SSN 810), and USS Miami (SSN 811).

    The city of Baltimore has significant ties to American and Naval history. The Port of Baltimore was established in 1706 and the Town of Baltimore in 1729. One of the Navy’s six founding frigates, USS Constellation, was built in Baltimore, and the city’s skilled ship workers later would construct the famous Baltimore clipper ships. In 1814, the Battle of Baltimore inspired the American national anthem.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MY Bharat Volunteers Lead National Cleanliness Drive as Part of Swachhata He Seva Campaign

    Source: Government of India (2)

    MY Bharat Volunteers Lead National Cleanliness Drive as Part of Swachhata He Seva Campaign

    Over 8 Lakh Youth Volunteers Remove More Than 12 Lakh kg of Waste Nationwide in First 3 Days

    15-Day Swachhata He Seva Campaign to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Waste, Culminating in Massive Coastal and Beach Clean-Up on October 2

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 5:10PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Youth Affairs has taken the lead in actively participating in this year’s Swachhta He Seva campaign, taking place from September 17 to October 2, 2024, with the theme “Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata.” Youth volunteers across India, under the MY Bharat initiative, are leading this nationwide effort to promote cleanliness and environmental responsibility. The campaign will culminate in Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2, 2024, reinforcing the commitment to a cleaner and greener India.


    (Odisha)

    The campaign was formally inaugurated on September 17, 2024, by Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort towards creating a cleaner and greener India. On the first day alone, a remarkable 240,808 young volunteers collected 1,75,627 kg of single-use plastic across 1,562 adopted villages, underscoring the significant impact of the youth’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

    (Madhya Pradesh)

    Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed the government’s vision for this initiative, stating, “We must instill a sense of responsibility and pride in cleanliness among our youth. The Swachhata He Seva campaign is not just an initiative; it’s a movement that empowers young Indians to take ownership of their environment. MY Bharat will play a leading role in this nationwide effort, with its youth volunteers at the forefront of driving change and fostering a culture of cleanliness.”


    (Maharashtra)

    As of September 19, 2024, over 8 lakh MY Bharat youth volunteers have actively participated in the campaign, successfully removing more than 12 lakh kilograms of waste from various locations across the country. Under the campaign, over 7,000 villages, 2,000 community centres, 450 Amrit Sarovars, and other historical and public spaces have been cleaned, showcasing the power of collective action.


    (Cleaning of Railway Tracks)

    Throughout the campaign, youth volunteers are engaging in extensive cleanliness activities, with a focus on the removal and proper disposal of single-use plastics. These activities are being carried out across institutional premises, adopted villages, and public spaces such as bus stands, railway stations, markets, and heritage sites across India.


    (Uttar Pradesh)

    The 15-day nationwide drive ‘Swachhata He Seva Campaign’ will culminate on October 2, 2024, with extensive beach and coastal area cleaning activities, focusing on the collection and disposal of single-use plastics. Youth volunteers will actively participate, with events organized through the MY Bharat portal, fostering greater community involvement.


    (Kerala)

    The MY Bharat platform is hosting a dedicated window (https://mybharat.gov.in/mega_events/swachhata-hi-seva)  where youth from across India are uploading pictures and videos of their participation in the cleanliness drive, reflecting the spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari se Jan Andolan’. MY Bharat platform is enabling young Indians to share their efforts and inspire others to join the nationwide movement towards a cleaner and greener India.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2057048) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of September 23, 2024

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.

    At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.

    CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of September 23, 2024, include:

    • H.R. 522, Deliver for Veterans Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 618, Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 1657, Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 1726, Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 1735, Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 2468, Mountain View Corridor Completion Act, as amended
    • H.R. 2706, Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 2950, Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 3208, DHS Cybersecurity On-the-Job Training Program Act 
    • H.R. 3433, Give Kids a Chance Act of 2023 
    • H.R. 3884, Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023
    • H.R. 4094, Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act 
    • H.R. 4259, Think Differently about Education Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 4527, Health DATA Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 4596, Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 5302, Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act 
    • H.R. 5490, Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 5509, Electronic Permitting Modernization Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 5526, Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 5646, Stop Campus Hazing Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 5867, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 109 Live Oaks Boulevard in Casselberry, Florida, as the “Colonel Joseph William Kittinger II Post Office Building” 
    • H.R. 6125, Online Dating Safety Act of 2023, as amended 
    • H.R. 6219, ASCEND Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 6231, Department of Homeland Security Policy Issuance Review act 
    • H.R. 6474, To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas
    • H.R. 6633, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9355 113th Street in Seminole, Florida, as the “Army SSG Ryan Christian Knauss Memorial Post Office Building”
    • H.R. 6656, Stuck on Hold Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 6829, HEARTS Act of 2024, as amended 
    • H.R. 6852, Holcombe Rucker Park Landmark Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7073, Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7189, Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024, as amended 
    • H.R. 7323, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024, as amended 
    • H.R. 7370, Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7422, Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2024, as amended 
    • H.R. 7630, ANCHOR Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7685, IMPACT Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7764, Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 7832, Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act 
    • H.R. 8108, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to add a Medicaid State plan requirement with respect to determination of residency of certain individuals serving in Armed Forces 
    • H.R. 8419, American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act 
    • H.R. 8674, Milestones for Advanced Nuclear Fuels Act, as amended 
    • H.R. 8958, To reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes, as amended
    • H.R. 9459, PATHS Act 
    • H.R. 9460, DHS Joint Task Forces Reauthorization Act of 2024 
    • H.R. 9488, SHIELD Act, as amended 
    • S. 133, NAPA Reauthorization Act 
    • S. 134, Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act 
    • S. 150, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 
    • S. 376, A bill to designate the area between the intersections of 16th Street, Northwest and Fuller Street, Northwest and 16th Street, Northwest and Euclid Street, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as “Oswaldo Paya Way”
    • S. 612, Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act 
    • S. 656, Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023
    • S. 670, IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act 
    • S. 679, GAO Database Modernization Act of 2024 
    • S. 794, CTPAT Pilot Program Act 
    • S. 1549, CBO Data Access Act 
    • S. 2087, Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 
    • S. 2685, Reuse Excess Property Act
    • S. 3639, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2075 West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the “Robert Hayden Post Office”
    • S. 3640, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 155 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Michigan, as the “Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office”
    • S. 3764, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024 
    • S. 3851, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 90 McCamly Street South in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the “Sojourner Truth Post Office”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Empowering exporters and streamlining processes main focus of Department of Commerce in first 100 days of government

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 4:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Commerce (DoC) has focused on empowering exporters, streamlining processes, and promoting economic growth through innovative solutions during the first 100 days of this Government. These achievements underscore the. Below are some of the key highlights:

    1. Empowering Exporters through Trade Connect e-Platform
    The launch of a comprehensive Trade Connect e-Platform has connected over 6 lakh IEC holders, 185 Indian Mission officials, and over 600 Export Promotion Council members with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)/DoC offices and banks. This digital initiative enhances the ease of doing business for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing them with information and guidance, fostering a more seamless and transparent export ecosystem.

    2. Enhanced Insurance Cover for MSME Exporters
    To boost exports, the government has introduced enhanced insurance cover for MSME exporters, which is expected to provide credit worth ₹20,000 crore at lower costs. This initiative will make Indian exports more competitive, benefitting around 10,000 exporters.

    3. Reducing Compliance Burden through Self-Certified Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) system
    The introduction of a self-certified electronic Bank Realisation Certificate system has significantly reduced compliance costs for exporters. Previously costing between ₹500-₹1,500 per eBRC, this system now saves exporters over ₹125 crore and simplifies the process for claiming benefits and refunds. This paperless system also aligns with the government’s broader goals of promoting a digital, eco-friendly economy, cutting down  both administrative and environmental expenses.

    The bulk generation and Application Programming Interface (API) integration of eBRCs significantly reduce time and effort, streamlining the process for exporters and stakeholders. This system is particularly beneficial for small exporters, especially in e-commerce, as it efficiently handles high-volume, low-cost transactions. As a result, it enables them to claim benefits and refunds more effectively, supporting their growth and participation in international trade.

    4. Connecting SME Exporters to the World through E-Commerce Export Hub (ECEH)
    The launch of the E-Commerce Export Hub (ECEH) is poised to revolutionize India’s cross-border e-commerce ecosystem, with projections indicating a potential export value of USD 100 billion by 2030. ECEHs will provide artisans, SMEs, and One District One Product (ODOP) producers easy access to global markets, reduce costs and simplify logistics.

    These hubs will boost employment opportunities in transport, warehousing, and quality assurance. Linking Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as rural areas, with the global marketplace ECEH will play a significant role in driving the digital transformation of these regions. This connection will enable smaller cities to access broader opportunities in international trade, fostering economic growth and inclusion.

    5. Reducing Transaction Costs for MSMEs on GeM Portal

    To promote greater MSME participation in the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), the number of pricing slabs has been reduced, making it easier for vendors to understand and comply with. New cap on charges ensures greater affordability for high-value transactions as Orders above ₹10 Crore will now pay a flat fee of ₹3 Lakh, a massive reduction from the transaction charges previously capped at ₹72.5 lakh.

     

    6. Bharat Mart in Dubai

    In a groundbreaking initiative, the Department of Commerce has facilitated the establishment of Bharat Mart in Dubai. This hub will provide Indian MSMEs cost-efficient access to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), African, and CIS markets, thereby boosting India’s exports to these regions.

    7. Eliminating Human Interface through Jansunwai

    The government has further enhanced ease of doing business by launching Jansunwai, a platform that facilitates smooth communication eliminating intermediaries and providing direct communication between stakeholders and the Department. This fosters transparency and saves businesses time and effort, reducing the need for physical office visits.

    8. Strengthening the Organic Regulatory Ecosystem

    A revamped National Programme of Organic Production (NPOP) is set to benefit approximately 20 lakh farmers from 5,000 grower groups through enhanced export opportunities. With a focus on improving certification standards, organic exports are expected to surpass USD 1 billion by 2025-26.

    9. Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana (PMCSPY)

    Under this initiative, more than 10 lakh workers across 1,210 tea gardens in Assam and West Bengal will have access to better healthcare, education, and resting shed facilities. This marks a major step toward improving the quality of life for tea garden workers and their families.

    10. Rollout of ICEGATE Across All Non-IT/ITES SEZs

    The ICEGATE portal has been expanded to cover all non-IT/ITES SEZ units, enabling them to apply for benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme. This move enhances ease of doing business, offering 24×7 helpdesk support to SEZ units and ensuring more seamless trading operations.

    These transformative initiatives reaffirm the government’s commitment to expanding India’s global trade footprint while ensuring the development and welfare of its people. With the continued efforts of the Department of Commerce, India is well on its way to becoming a global economic powerhouse by 2047.

     ***

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    (Release ID: 2057038) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2024’

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Telecommunications under the leadership of Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia has actively participated in ‘Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2024’ campaign by promoting cleanliness and environment sustainability. Hon’ble Union Minister administered ‘ Swachhata Pledge’ to officers and staff  of  BSNL Telephone Exchange Achleshwar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh on 19.09.2024 .He also  led by example by planting a tree sapling under ”Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative.

    The Department is committed to ensure promotion of cleanliness, hygiene and environment sustainability through active participation of citizen.

    *****

    SB/DP

    (Release ID: 2057043) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Sues Wisconsin Townships to Ensure Accessible Voting

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Department Secures Agreement with Lawrence, Wisconsin, to Resolve Voting Rights Lawsuit

    The Justice Department announced today that is has filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin, and the State of Wisconsin for violations of Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which requires polling places to be equipped with at least one voting machine that is accessible to voters with disabilities during federal elections. The department also secured an agreement with the Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin, to resolve its complaint alleging HAVA violations.

    “Our democracy works when voters with disabilities have the right to vote on the same terms as any other voter,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “By failing to offer accessible voting systems, Thornapple and Lawrence shirked their responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act to provide equal access to the ballot for all voters. We must ensure that all Wisconsin towns, and indeed all jurisdictions throughout our country, fulfill their duty to guarantee all voters equal access to the ballot. We commend Lawrence for working with the Justice Department to swiftly remedy this violation by taking simple action to ensure that federal elections are accessible to all eligible voters.” 

    “Ensuring equal voting access to all citizens, including those voters with disabilities, is a priority of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “We’re pleased that the representatives of the Town of Lawrence agreed to remedy the violations of federal law, and we will continue to work to protect and vindicate the voting rights of voters with disabilities in Wisconsin.”

    Congress passed HAVA in 2002 in part to make in-person voting more accessible for voters with disabilities. Among other things, Section 301 of HAVA requires that each polling place used for federal elections provide at least one voting system that provides voters with disabilities the same opportunity for access and participation as other voters are provided, including the same opportunity to cast ballots privately and independently.

    The complaint alleges that Thornapple and Lawrence violated HAVA by deliberately failing to make accessible voting machines available to voters in certain 2024 federal elections. Specifically, the department alleges that Thornapple violated Section 301 of HAVA by failing to make available at least one accessible voting machine during Wisconsin’s April 2 and Aug. 13 federal primary elections. It also alleges that Lawrence failed to provide an accessible voting machine during the April federal primary election. Both the Thornapple and Lawrence Town Boards voted in 2023 to stop using the accessible voting machines the towns had previously used. Thornapple has neither revisited nor reversed that decision. Lawrence reversed its decision on Sept. 9 as part of its agreement with the department. The complaint alleges that the State of Wisconsin did not ensure that every polling place within the state was accessible to voters with disabilities, as required by federal law. 

    Under the department’s agreement with Lawrence, which is subject to court approval and was filed in conjunction with the complaint, Lawrence will make an accessible voting machine available at every polling place operated by the town in subsequent federal elections and will train its election and municipal staff on the operation of such equipment. The proposed consent decree resolves claims only against Lawrence; litigation against Thornapple and the state will proceed.

    The department also filed a motion for immediate injunctive relief against the Town of Thornapple to remedy the violations of HAVA. Among other things, the department’s motion requests an order requiring Thornapple to ensure that, during the Nov. 5 federal general election, every Thornapple polling place has at least one accessible voting machine.

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about HAVA and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. 

    MIL OSI USA News –