NewzIntel.com

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

Category: India

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: India expands UK footprint as £41 billion partnership boosts countries’ growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    India expands UK footprint as £41 billion partnership boosts countries’ growth

    Britain and India bolster trade ties during Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar’s visit to UK.

    • Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar visits UK to boost £41 billion trading relationship  
    • UK welcomes the opening of 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester  
    • move set to enhance economic growth and support further regional Indian investments in the UK delivering on the government’s Plan for Change   

    The UK-India partnership will strengthen further with the opening of 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester, boosting regional economic ties and delivering on the growth agenda.  

    It comes as the UK welcomes Indian investment deals worth more than £100 million which is creating jobs, strengthening growth, and helping working people by putting more money in their pockets.   

    Before opening the consulates, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will meet with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House.   

    At Chevening, the foreign ministers will drive forward the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This will focus on fostering mutual economic growth, technological innovation, and collaboration on global challenges including climate change. They will also discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the Middle East and other global affairs.  

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:   

    One of my first visits as Foreign Secretary was to India because deepening our partnership for our shared growth and security is a key part of this government’s Plan for Change. 

    Dr Jaishankar and I are supercharging our £41 billion trading relationship with India, after trade talks were relaunched in Delhi. It is the floor, not the ceiling of our ambitions that will benefit both our economies.  

    The opening of new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester demonstrate the growing links between our peoples and how we are working together to deliver growth not only in London, but right across the UK. This expansion of India’s diplomatic presence will further boost our trading relationship and support the valued Indian community in the UK.

    Ministers are also set to discuss the Technology Security Initiative, launched during the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Delhi in July 2024. They will touch on the opportunities for citizens in both countries that will come from closer collaboration in sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecoms and critical minerals. Opportunities include more effective and affordable healthcare and more resilient supply chains, as well as greater innovation, investment and job creation.  

    And the visit will highlight the living bridge between the UK and India, including a special reception with Chevening scholars at Chevening House, celebrating India’s position as home to the world’s largest Chevening programme.  

    Background  

    • Chevening is the UK government’s flagship international scholarships and fellowships programme. It offers fully funded scholarships (including tuition, travel and living expenses) for a one-year postgraduate course in the UK
    • it also offers short term fellowships to mid-career professionals in cyber security, science and innovation, journalism, and leadership and excellence
    • it is mandatory for scholars and fellows to return to their home country upon completion of their course
    • the Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefiting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983. Over 40% of Chevening scholars in India come from outside metro cities, are first generation learners, and belong to lesser privileged groups

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 5 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip and a sky blue color

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip and a sky blue color

    March 5, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with the soaring performance of the M4 chip, a gorgeous new sky blue color, and a lower starting price of $999

    The world’s most popular laptop delivers more value than ever with greater performance, up to 18 hours of battery life, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and enhanced external display support — all in its strikingly thin and light design

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new MacBook Air, featuring the blazing-fast performance of the M4 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life,1 a new 12MP Center Stage camera, and a lower starting price. It also offers support for up to two external displays in addition to the built-in display, 16GB of starting unified memory, and the incredible capabilities of macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence — all packed into its strikingly thin and light design that’s built to last. The new MacBook Air now comes in an all-new color — sky blue, a metallic light blue that joins midnight, starlight, and silver — giving MacBook Air its most beautiful array of colors ever. It also now starts at just $999 — $100 less than before — and $899 for education, making it an incredible value for students, business professionals, or anyone looking for a phenomenal combination of world-class performance, portability, design, and durability. With two sizes to choose from, the new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air are available to pre-order today, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 12.

    “MacBook Air is by far the world’s most popular laptop, and today we’re giving everyone even more reasons to love it, including a big boost in performance with the M4 chip, a new Center Stage camera, and a beautiful new sky blue color,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Combined with its thin and light, fanless design, all-day battery life, and the incredible capabilities of macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence, MacBook Air is unlike any other laptop. And with a new lower starting price of $999, MacBook Air delivers more value to consumers than ever before, making this the perfect moment to upgrade or experience the Mac for the first time.”

    A Fresh New Hue: Hello, Sky Blue  

    Adding a new choice to the lineup of MacBook Air colors is the all-new sky blue. A beautiful, metallic light blue that creates a dynamic gradient when light reflects off of its surface, sky blue joins midnight, starlight, and silver to complete the brilliant array of color choices for MacBook Air. All color options, including sky blue, come with a color-matched MagSafe charge cable.

    M4: Performance to the Next Level 

    With M4 in MacBook Air, everything from daily activities like multitasking between apps to more demanding tasks like photo and video editing is faster and more fluid. The M4 chip features a powerful 10-core CPU, an up to 10-core GPU, and support for up to 32GB of unified memory, making the new MacBook Air up to 2x faster than the M1 model.1 When compared to the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, the M4 model delivers up to 23x faster performance.1 With battery life on the new MacBook Air up to 18 hours, Intel-based upgraders will get up to six additional hours, so they can get more done on a single charge.1 The powerful Neural Engine in the M4 chip, which accelerates AI-based tasks, is also up to 3x faster than on MacBook Air with M1, significantly increasing speed in tasks like automatically enhancing photos and removing background noise from a video.

    MacBook Air with M4 delivers a new level of performance:

    • Spreadsheet calculation performance in Microsoft Excel is up to 4.7x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 1.6x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.1
    • Video editing in iMovie is up to 8x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 2x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.2
    • Photo editing in Adobe Photoshop is up to 3.6x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 2x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.1
    • Web browsing is up to 60 percent faster when compared to a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and more demanding tasks get up to 2x faster performance.1

    Built for Apple Intelligence

    MacBook Air is built for Apple Intelligence, unlocking exciting new capabilities that make Mac even more helpful and powerful. Users can explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, create the perfect emoji with Genmoji, and make their writing even more dynamic with Writing Tools. With new Siri improvements, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac features and settings, with step-by-step instructions for how to do something on Mac. With access to ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can choose to access ChatGPT’s expertise so they can get things done faster and easier than ever before. Users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. Users can choose whether to enable ChatGPT integration, and are in full control of when they use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT.

    Designed to protect users’ privacy at every step, Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power it run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of Mac into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request.

    Always Camera-Ready

    A new 12MP Center Stage camera with improved video quality keeps MacBook Air users looking their best, whether at home, school, or work. Center Stage automatically keeps users centered in the frame as they move around — great for connecting with friends and family over FaceTime or joining an important meeting. It also supports Desk View, which simultaneously displays the user and a top-down view of their desk, making video calls even more engaging for those who want to show off their latest DIY project or present a prototype at work.

    Enhanced Display Support 

    MacBook Air can easily power a multi-display setup to make viewing and interacting with content a breeze, for anyone from business professionals at the office multitasking across multiple windows, to students in a dorm room tackling a big project across several apps. For users who like to spread their work out, MacBook Air now supports up to two 6K external displays, in addition to its built-in Liquid Retina display.

    Everything Users Already Love

    More people choose MacBook Air over any other laptop. In addition to what’s new, MacBook Air with M4 includes all of the useful features and capabilities that have made it so popular, including:

    • Reliability and durability: The 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air feature a durable aluminum unibody enclosure that’s built to last, and are both less than half an inch thin, so users can work, play, or create from anywhere. The 13-inch model provides the ultimate in portability for users on the go, while the 15-inch model offers even more room to multitask.
    • Touch ID and Magic Keyboard: With the advanced security of Touch ID, users can easily and securely unlock their MacBook Air, make online purchases with Apple Pay, and download apps. The comfortable and quiet Magic Keyboard is backlit and comes with a full-height function row.
    • Gorgeous display: MacBook Air features a brilliant 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness, support for 1 billion colors, and up to 2x the resolution of comparable PC laptops. Content looks vivid with sharp detail, and text appears super crisp.
    • Versatile connectivity: MacBook Air with M4 features fast Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It also includes MagSafe charging and two Thunderbolt ports for connecting accessories like external storage and security keys, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
    • Mics and speakers: Users will sound their best with a three-mic array and enhanced voice clarity on audio and video calls. And with an immersive sound system that has support for Spatial Audio along with Dolby Atmos, users will enjoy a three-dimensional soundstage for music and movies.

    An Unrivaled Experience: macOS Sequoia

    macOS Sequoia completes the new MacBook Air experience with a host of exciting features, including iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to wirelessly interact with their iPhone, its apps, and notifications directly from their Mac.3 Safari, the world’s fastest browser,4 now surfaces relevant information on sites in Highlights; summarizes articles in the redesigned Reader; keeps videos front and center in a new Video Viewer; and lets users hide distracting items with Distraction Control. Gaming gets even more immersive with features like Personalized Spatial Audio and improvements to Game Mode, along with a breadth of exciting titles, including Civilization VII, Wuthering Waves, and more. Easier window tiling means users can stay organized with a window layout that works best for them. The all-new Passwords app gives convenient access to passwords, passkeys, and other credentials — all stored in one place. And users can apply new, beautiful built-in backgrounds for video calls, which include a variety of color gradients, or use their own photos.

    Next month, macOS Sequoia 15.4 will make it easier than ever to set up the new MacBook Air with iPhone. By simply bringing iPhone close to Mac, users can quickly and conveniently sign in to their Apple Account to get their files, photos, messages, passwords, and more on their new MacBook Air.5

    Better for the Environment

    MacBook Air is designed with the environment in mind. As part of Apple 2030, the company’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade, Apple is transitioning to renewable electricity for manufacturing, and investing in wind and solar projects around the world to address the electricity used to charge all Apple products, including MacBook Air. Today, all Apple facilities run on 100 percent renewable electricity — including the data centers that power Apple Intelligence.

    To achieve Apple 2030, the company is designing products with more recycled and renewable materials, which further drives down the carbon footprint. MacBook Air features over 55 percent recycled content overall, the most in any Apple product. This includes 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. The battery contains 100 percent recycled cobalt and — in a first for any Mac — over 95 percent recycled lithium. MacBook Air meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from all packaging by the end of 2025.6

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Air with M4 starting today on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 12.
    • The 13-inch MacBook Air with M4 starts at $999 (U.S.) and $899 (U.S.) for education, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air with M4 starts at $1,199 (U.S.) and $1,099 (U.S.) for education. Both are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
    • Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options, and accessories are available at apple.com/mac.
    • Apple Intelligence is available on all Mac models with M1 and later, in localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the U.S. Additional languages — including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), English (Singapore), and English (India) — will be available in April, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features, applications, and services may not be available in all regions or all languages.
    • With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
    • AppleCare+ for Mac provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know Mac best.
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.
    • Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple in January 2025. See apple.com/macbook-air for more information. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/batteries for more information.
    2. Results are compared to previous-generation MacBook Air systems with Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD; and 1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based MacBook Air systems with Intel Iris Plus Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.
    3. Available on Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip. See requirements on apple.com/macos/macos-sequoia. Some iPhone features (for example, camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
    4. Testing was conducted by Apple in August 2024. See apple.com/safari for more information.
    5. Available next month on macOS Sequoia 15.4 with iPhone and iPad running iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or a later version.
    6. Based on retail packaging as shipped by Apple. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from our calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.

    Press Contacts

    Starlayne Meza

    Apple

    starlayne_meza@apple.com

    Lizette Viviana Du Pond

    Apple

    ldupond@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple unveils new Mac Studio, the most powerful Mac ever

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils new Mac Studio, the most powerful Mac ever

    March 5, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple unveils new Mac Studio, the most powerful Mac ever, featuring M4 Max and new M3 Ultra

    With Thunderbolt 5, up to 512GB of unified memory, and an up to 16TB SSD, all in a compact design, the ultimate pro desktop delivers even more performance

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new Mac Studio, the most powerful Mac ever made, featuring M4 Max and the new M3 Ultra chip. The ultimate pro desktop delivers groundbreaking pro performance, extensive connectivity now with Thunderbolt 5, and new capabilities in its compact and quiet design that can live right on a desk. Mac Studio can tackle the most intense workloads with its powerful CPU, Apple’s advanced graphics architecture, higher unified memory capacity, ultrafast SSD storage, and a faster and more efficient Neural Engine. It provides a big boost in performance compared to the previous generation, and a massive leap for users coming from older Macs.

    Mac Studio is a powerhouse for AI, capable of running large language models (LLMs) with over 600 billion parameters entirely in memory, thanks to its advanced GPU and up to 512GB of unified memory with M3 Ultra — the most ever in a personal computer. It’s also built for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves, while protecting their privacy. The new Mac Studio is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning March 12.

    “The new Mac Studio is the most powerful Mac we’ve ever made,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “A complete game-changer for pros around the world — powering both home and pro studios — Mac Studio sits in a class of its own, offering a staggering amount of performance in a compact, quiet design that fits beautifully on your desk. With this new Mac Studio, we’re delivering even more extreme performance with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, support for half a terabyte of unified memory, up to 16TB of superfast storage, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Mac Studio truly is the ultimate pro desktop.”

    Mac Studio with M4 Max: A Performance Juggernaut

    The new Mac Studio with M4 Max is the perfect choice for video editors, colorists, developers, engineers, photographers, creative pros, and other users who need to blaze through intensive workflows. It delivers phenomenal single-threaded CPU performance with the world’s fastest CPU core, along with outstanding multithreaded CPU performance for complex workloads. Featuring an up to 16-core CPU, an up to 40-core GPU, over half a terabyte per second of unified memory bandwidth, and a Neural Engine that is over 3x faster than M1 Max, Mac Studio with M4 Max can run on-device AI models incredibly fast. Mac Studio with M4 Max is up to 3.5x faster than Mac Studio with M1 Max, and is up to 6.1x faster than the most powerful Intel-based 27-inch iMac.1

    The GPU in M4 Max also brings Apple’s advanced graphics architecture to Mac Studio for the first time, including dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and a second-generation ray-tracing engine for more seamless content creation and gaming. Mac Studio with M4 Max starts at 36GB of unified memory, with support for up to 128GB, so users can do everything from sorting through thousands of images with speed and precision, to producing complex compositions with hundreds of tracks, plug-ins, and virtual instruments, all played in real time. And with the powerful Media Engine in M4 Max, which features two ProRes accelerators, Mac Studio performance is outstanding for videographers who can effortlessly work with multiple streams of 4K ProRes.

    Mac Studio with M4 Max enables:1

    • Up to 1.6x faster image processing in Adobe Photoshop when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Max, and up to 2.9x faster when compared to the 27-inch iMac with Core i9. 
    • Up to 2.1x faster build performance when compiling code in Xcode when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Max, and up to 3.1x faster when compared to the 27-inch iMac with Core i9. 
    • Up to 1.2x faster ProRes transcode performance in Compressor when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Max, and up to 2.8x faster when compared to the 27-inch iMac with Core i9. 
    • Up to 1.6x faster video processing performance in Topaz Video AI when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Max, and up to 5x faster when compared to the 27-inch iMac with Core i9.

    Mac Studio with M3 Ultra: The Pinnacle of Pro Performance

    Mac Studio with M3 Ultra pushes demanding workflows to a whole new level. It delivers nearly 2x faster performance than M4 Max in workloads that take advantage of high CPU and GPU core counts, and massive amounts of unified memory.2 Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is up to 2.6x faster than Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, and up to 6.4x faster than the 16-core Intel Xeon W-based Mac Pro.1 With the new M3 Ultra, Mac Studio features an up to 32-core CPU with 24 performance cores, 50 percent more than any previous Ultra chip and the most CPU cores ever in a Mac. It also offers an up to 80-core GPU, more than any Apple silicon chip; a powerful 32-core Neural Engine for on-device AI and machine learning (ML); and a high-bandwidth memory architecture that delivers over 800GB/s of unified memory bandwidth.

    Mac Studio with M3 Ultra starts with 96GB of unified memory, which can be configured up to 512GB — the most unified memory ever in a personal computer — and up to 16TB of ultrafast SSD storage, so content and data can be kept locally. That’s enough storage for over 12 hours of 8K ProRes video. The advanced graphics architecture brings Dynamic Caching, along with hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, so graphics workflows like GPU-based renderers are up to 2.6x faster than Mac Studio with M1 Ultra.

    Mac Studio with M3 Ultra enables:1

    • Up to 16.9x faster token generation using an LLM with hundreds of billions of parameters in LM Studio when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, thanks to its massive amounts of unified memory.
    • Up to 2.6x faster scene rendering performance in Maxon Redshift when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, and up to 6.4x faster when compared to the 16-core Intel-based Mac Pro with Radeon Pro W5700X.
    • Up to 1.1x faster basecalling for DNA sequencing in Oxford Nanopore MinKNOW when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, and up to 21.1x faster when compared to the 16-core Intel-based Mac Pro with Radeon Pro W5700X. 
    • Up to 1.4x faster 8K video rendering performance in Final Cut Pro when compared to Mac Studio with M1 Ultra, and up to 4x faster when compared to the 16-core Intel-based Mac Pro with Radeon Pro W5700X.

    Thunderbolt 5 for High-Bandwidth Accessories and Expansion

    The new Mac Studio features Thunderbolt 5 ports that deliver transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s, up to 3x faster than the prior generation, enabling faster external storage, expansion chassis, and powerful hub solutions. For those who rely on PCIe expansion cards for their workflows, Thunderbolt 5 allows users to connect an external expansion chassis with higher bandwidth and lower latency. And with M3 Ultra, Mac Studio now drives up to eight Pro Display XDRs at the full 6K resolution. Mac Studio also offers a wide array of connectivity within easy reach for pros, including a 10Gb Ethernet port, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot on the front to conveniently import photos and video, along with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    Built for Apple Intelligence

    Mac Studio helps pros push the boundaries of what they can do, and Apple Intelligence elevates those experiences even further. Writing is even more dynamic with Writing Tools, which can help users rewrite, proofread, or summarize — whether they are responding to emails or using summarization to draft an abstract in seconds in apps like Scrivener. Pros can minimize unnecessary distractions with Priority Notifications and use live transcription in Notes to record and easily recap important meetings. With new Siri improvements, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac features and settings, with step-by-step instructions like how to combine PDF files in Preview. With access to ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise, so they can get things done even faster and easier. Users can choose to enable ChatGPT integration, and are in full control of when to use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT. Users can also explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, and drop their original image right into their paper, mood board, or Keynote presentation. Whether users are researching their next project, editing a video, creating new designs, or preparing for their next lecture, these new tools will help pros be even more productive.

    Designed to protect users’ privacy at every step, Apple Intelligence uses on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power it run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of Mac into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users’ data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request.

    macOS Sequoia: An Unrivaled Experience

    macOS Sequoia completes the new Mac Studio experience with a host of exciting features, including iPhone Mirroring, which allows users to wirelessly interact with their iPhone, its apps, and notifications directly from their Mac.3 Pros can now move files, photos, and videos between iPhone and Mac as easily as they can drag and drop between apps on Mac. Easier window tiling means users can stay organized with a window layout that works best for them. The all-new Passwords app gives convenient access to passwords, passkeys, and other credentials, all stored in one place. And users can apply beautiful built-in backgrounds for video calls, which include a variety of color gradients and system wallpapers, or upload their own photos. Safari, the world’s fastest browser,4 now surfaces relevant information on sites in Highlights; summarizes articles in the redesigned Reader; keeps videos front and center in a new Video Viewer; and lets users hide distracting items with Distraction Control. Gaming gets even more immersive with features like Personalized Spatial Audio and improvements to Game Mode, along with a breadth of exciting titles, including Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition by CD PROJEKT RED, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and more.

    Next month, macOS Sequoia 15.4 will make it easier than ever to set up the new Mac Studio with iPhone.5 By simply bringing iPhone close to Mac, users can quickly and conveniently sign in to their Apple Account to get their files, photos, messages, passwords, and more on their new Mac Studio.

    The Ultimate Studio Setup

    Mac Studio, together with Studio Display, empowers creative users to build the studio of their dreams. Studio Display perfectly pairs with Mac Studio with its expansive 27-inch 5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, studio-quality three-mic array, and six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. For users working on HDR workflows, Pro Display XDR offers a 32-inch Retina 6K display with up to 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. Customers can also add matching Magic accessories — including Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse — that beautifully complement the elegant design of Mac Studio and Studio Display.

    Better for the Environment

    The new Mac Studio is designed with the environment in mind. As part of Apple 2030, the company’s ambitious goal to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade, Apple is transitioning to renewable electricity for its manufacturing, and investing in wind and solar projects around the world to address the electricity used to power all Apple products, including Mac Studio. Today, all Apple facilities run on 100 percent renewable electricity — including the data centers that power Apple Intelligence.

    To achieve Apple 2030, the company is designing products with more recycled and renewable materials, which further drives down the carbon footprint. Mac Studio features over 30 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. Mac Studio uses far less energy and materials than desktops in its class, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, and PVC. The packaging is entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from all packaging by the end of 2025.6

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new Mac Studio starting today on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Wednesday, March 12.
    • Mac Studio starts at $1,999 (U.S.) and $1,799 (U.S.) for education. Additional configure-to-order options are available at apple.com/store. 
    • More information on Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, and Magic accessories is available at apple.com/shop/buy-mac.
    • Apple Intelligence is available on all Mac models with M1 and later, in localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the U.S. Additional languages — including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (simplified), English (Singapore), and English (India) — will be available in April, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features, applications, and services may not be available in all regions or all languages. 
    • With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth. 
    • AppleCare+ for Mac provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know Mac best. 
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.
    • Customers in the U.S. who shop at Apple using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0 percent APR when they choose to check out with Apple Card Monthly Installments, and they’ll get 3 percent Daily Cash back — all up front. More information — including details on eligibility, exclusions, and Apple Card terms — is available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple in January and February 2025. See apple.com/mac-studio for more information.
    2. Results are compared to Mac Studio systems with Apple M4 Max, 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 128GB of RAM, and 8TB SSD.
    3. Available on Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip. See requirements on apple.com/macos/macos-sequoia. Some iPhone features (for example, camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
    4. Testing was conducted by Apple in August 2024. See apple.com/safari for more information.
    5. Available next month on macOS Sequoia 15.4 with iPhone and iPad running iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, or a later version.
    6. Based on retail packaging as shipped by Apple. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.

    Press Contacts

    Michelle Del Rio

    Apple

    mr_delrio@apple.com

    Starlayne Meza

    Apple

    starlayne_meza@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Byrna Technologies Announces Preliminary Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Record Revenue of $26.2 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Byrna Technologies Inc. (“Byrna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BYRN), a technology company, specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions, today announced select preliminary financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended February 28, 2025.

    Preliminary First Quarter Results
    Based on preliminary unaudited results, the Company expects total revenue for the fiscal first quarter of 2025 to be $26.2 million, representing a 57% increase compared to $16.7 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2024. The significant year-over-year growth in first quarter revenue is primarily attributable to the continued success of Byrna’s marketing strategies and increased production levels at Byrna’s Fort Wayne, Indiana factory.

    As a result, Byrna’s e-commerce channels were up $6.7 million over last year, representing 74% of Byrna’s total sales for the quarter. To meet heightened demand and support its growth initiatives for 2025, Byrna produced a record 68,916 launchers in the first quarter, a 26% increase from the fourth quarter of 2024 and a 219% increase year-over-year. Dealer sales also experienced strong growth, rising $1.9 million year-over-year.

    Management Commentary
    “We are gratified to see the growth in Q1, as this is the first year-over-year quarterly comparison where we were comparing our performance against a prior year quarter where we had implemented our celebrity endorsement strategy,” said Byrna CEO Bryan Ganz. “Historically, Q1 has been our slowest quarter, yet sales decreased only 6% sequentially from what is our seasonally strongest quarter of the fiscal year. This success is a testament to the growing brand awareness that we have built since pivoting our marketing strategy in 2023.

    “To support our ambitious growth targets, we produced a record 68,916 launchers in the quarter. With new celebrity influencers including Megyn Kelly, Lara Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., an expanding retail store presence, the kickoff of our store-within-a-store partnership with Sportsman’s Warehouse, and the launch of the Compact Launcher, we are well-positioned to continue our strong growth trajectory throughout 2025.”

    Preliminary Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Sales Breakdown:      
    Sales Channel ($ in millions) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 % Change
    Web 19.4  12.7  53 %
    Byrna Dedicated Dealers 4.4  2.5  76 %
    Law Enforcement / Schools / Pvt Security 0.0  0.0  0 %
    Retail Stores 0.3  0.2  53 %
    International 2.0  1.3  56 %
    Total Sales 26.2  16.7  57 %


    Tariff Exposure Update
    Byrna remains well-positioned to navigate evolving trade policies with minimal impact on its cost structure. As previously stated, Byrna sources no critical components from Mexico or Canada, and its limited exposure to China is mitigated by a dual-sourcing strategy. The Company is on track to move most, if not all of the current supply chain to the United States in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to domestic manufacturing. Additionally, higher tariffs on Chinese goods could benefit Byrna by raising costs for competitors that rely on China for production.

    Conference Call
    Byrna plans to report its full financial results for the fiscal first quarter in April, which will be accompanied by a conference call to discuss the results and address questions from investors and analysts. The conference call details will be announced prior to the event.

    About Byrna Technologies Inc.
    Byrna is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative non-lethal personal security solutions. For more information on the Company, please visit the corporate website here or the Company’s investor relations site here. The Company is the manufacturer of the Byrna® SD personal security device, a state-of-the-art handheld CO2 powered launcher designed to provide a non-lethal alternative to a firearm for the consumer, private security, and law enforcement markets. To purchase Byrna products, visit the Company’s e-commerce store.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, are forward-looking. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and “believes” and statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “might,” “occur,” “be achieved,” or “will be taken.” Forward-looking statements include descriptions of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, our statements related to preliminary revenue results for the first fiscal quarter 2025, the timing of the release of full financial results for the quarter, expectations for future sales growth and demand trends, the impact of marketing strategies, the anticipated performance of new products and retail store expansion, and the Company’s ability to sustain momentum throughout 2025.Forward-looking statements are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates, and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied.

    Any number of risk factors could affect our actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, disappointing market responses to current or future products or services; prolonged, new, or exacerbated disruption of the Company’s supply chain; the further or prolonged disruption of new product development; production or distribution or delays in entry or penetration of sales channels due to inventory constraints, competitive factors, increased shipping costs or freight interruptions; prototype, parts and material shortages, particularly of parts sourced from limited or sole source providers; determinations by third party controlled distribution channels not to carry or reduce inventory of the Company’s products; determinations by advertisers to prohibit marketing of some or all Byrna products; the loss of marketing partners or endorsers; potential cancellations of existing or future orders including as a result of any fulfillment delays, introduction of competing products, negative publicity, or other factors; product design defects or recalls; litigation, enforcement proceedings or other regulatory or legal developments; changes in consumer or political sentiment affecting product demand; regulatory factors including the impact of commerce and trade laws and regulations; import-export related matters or tariffs, sanctions or embargos that could affect the Company’s supply chain or markets; delays in planned operations related to licensing, registration or permit requirements; and future restrictions on the Company’s cash resources, increased costs and other events that could potentially reduce demand for the Company’s products or result in order cancellations. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority. We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive; accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Investors should carefully consider these and other relevant factors, including those risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, (“Risk Factors”) in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, should understand it is impossible to predict or identify all such factors or risks, should not consider the foregoing list, or the risks identified in the Company’s SEC filings, to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties, and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860
    BYRN@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: USAID’s history shows decades of good work on behalf of America’s global interests, although not all its projects succeeded

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christian Ruth, America in the World Consortium Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Florida

    Volunteers at a camp for internally displaced people in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, carry wheat flour donated by USAID in December 2021. J. Countess/Getty Images

    The Trump administration’s sudden dismantling of nearly all foreign aid, including the work carried out by the U.S. Agency for International Development, has upended the government agency’s longtime strategic role in implementing American foreign policy.

    The Trump administration said at the end of February 2025 that it is freezing 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, leaving few projects intact. It has also recalled nearly 10,000 USAID staff from countries around the world.

    USAID is a government agency that, for more than 63 years, has led the United States’ foreign aid work on disaster recovery, poverty reduction and democratic reforms in many developing and middle-income countries.

    Reuters reported that a senior USAID official wrote in a March 2 internal memo that a yearlong pause in USAID’s work on health, food and agriculture in the world’s poorest countries would raise malaria deaths by 40%, to between 71,000 and 166,000 annually. It would also result in an increase of between 28% and 32% in tuberculosis cases, among other negative effects.

    As a historian of USAID, I know well that the agency has long faced a surprisingly high degree of scrutiny for its relatively tiny portion of the national budget.

    USAID’s budget has always been small – recently, in 2023, making up a roughly US$50 billion drop in the $6 trillion ocean of the federal budget. But USAID’s projects have had an outsized effect on the world.

    From a foreign policy standpoint, USAID’s greatest contribution to American influence abroad has always been its intangible soft-power effects. It helps to create an image of the U.S. as a positive, helpful world power worth partnering with.

    A poster for USAID in Beirut marks the U.S. donation for rebuilding lighting infrastructure near a destroyed city port in August 2023.
    Scott Peterson/Getty Images

    Responding to a Soviet threat in the 1960s

    USAID dates back to 1961, born from Cold War confrontations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

    In 1961, President John F. Kennedy merged several separate foreign aid agencies and offices – including the Mutual Security Agency, the Point Four Program and the Foreign Operations Administration – into one new agency.

    Kennedy, like other American presidents in the early years of the Cold War, fretted over the spread of communism.

    A well-known development economist, Walt Rostow, who served in Kennedy’s administration, was among the experts who argued that the Soviet Union could easily influence poor countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. It was possible, Rostow argued, to help these countries grow their economies and become more modern.

    This possibility pushed Kennedy in 1961 to sign the Foreign Assistance Act, creating USAID that November.

    USAID immediately began to oversee U.S. foreign aid programs to develop farming, irrigation and dam construction projects throughout Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, taking over the existing projects of the various other aid departments that were now defunct.

    USAID was also responsible for public works projects in Cold War conflict zones, particularly Vietnam. There, USAID struggled in its efforts to build dams, improve rural agriculture techniques and construct South Vietnamese infrastructure. There were various environmental challenges working in the dense jungles, the physical threats caused by the ongoing Vietnam War and the realities of rural poverty.

    For example, USAID introduced new farming technologies to Vietnam, including modern fertilizers and tractors. This helped some farmers produce more crops, faster. But it also created disparities between wealthy and poor farmers, as modern fertilizer and other improvements were expensive. A growing number of poor farmers simply gave up and moved to nearby cities.

    Throughout the 1960s, USAID also funded the construction of hydropower water dams in Asia and Africa. This led to higher energy production in those regions, but also resulted in environmental degradation, as recklessly dammed rivers flooded forests and arable fields.

    Rostow and other development experts had unrealistically high goals for helping poor countries grow their economies. By the end of the decade, across the board, USAID beneficiary countries in Asia and Africa fell short of the economic growth expectations the U.S. set at the beginning of the 1960s.

    Still, USAID made substantial progress in developing food production and some economic growth, and improving the health of people in rural parts of countries such as India and Ghana.

    But that progress had limits and did not magically turn these economies into modern, Western-style capitalist democracies.

    With the help of a USAID grant, people lay pipework to bring water from a mountain spring to a town called Korem in Ethiopia in 1968.
    Paul Conklin/Getty Images

    Mixed results and focus

    As a result of USAID’s uneven progress in modernizing poor countries, the agency’s approach shifted in the 1970s and ‘80s.

    In the early 1970s, Congress and development experts pushed USAID away from grand, gross domestic product-focused modernization projects like dams, which they ostracized for their high costs and lack of tangible results.

    Instead, with the support of the Carter administration, USAID began to work more on meeting poor people’s basic human needs, including food, shelter and education, so they could lift themselves out of poverty.

    The agency shifted priorities once again in 1981, after President Ronald Reagan took office. His administration created programs meant to advertise American businesses and draw developing countries into the global marketplace.

    Rather than USAID giving money to a local government to build a well in a rural village, for example, the agency increasingly started contracting local or American businesses to do so. The U.S., in other words, began outsourcing its foreign aid.

    U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Stapleton Roy, right, presents Indonesia’s food and agriculture minister, A.M. Saefuddin, with food donated by USAID in Bandar Lampung, South Sumatra, in July 1998.
    Bernard Estrade/AFP via Getty Images

    USAID’s next phase

    At the end of the Cold War in 1991, the United States’ interest in spending money on helping poorer countries develop and modernize declined around the world.

    USAID shifted priorities once again.

    Without the threat of the Soviet Union, USAID’s mission throughout the 1990s became increasingly focused on new issues. These included democracy promotion in former Soviet countries in Eastern Europe. Sustainable development – a broad term that means promoting economic growth while respecting environmental concerns and long-term natural resource usage – was another focus in different regions.

    After the U.S. invaded Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s, USAID struggled to fulfill its existing international projects while also rebuilding critical infrastructure to resurrect the Iraqi and Afghani economies during wartime.

    USAID’s funding remained stagnant in the 2010s after the recession. At the time, its annual budget was roughly $25 billion.

    At the same time, China expanded its own international development program to entice governments toward its side and to tether them to the Chinese economy.

    China’s aid work in South America has expanded rapidly over the past several years, and it is now the region’s top trading partner and also a major contributor to investment, energy and infrastructure projects. China’s aid and investment work in Africa has also grown considerably over the past few decades.

    Now, with USAID’s dissolution, Chinese influence throughout poor and middle-income countries is expected to grow.

    A lasting mark

    Despite its limitations and frustrations, in my view, USAID has had an undeniable, and often massive, positive impact on the world.

    USAID’s efforts to promote American businesses and exports abroad have resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs, both domestically and abroad, in a wide variety of industries, ranging from farming to medical sciences.

    The tens of thousands of water wells and other forms of critical rural infrastructure the agency has funded, or created itself, have provided clean, safe drinking water for millions in Africa. The agency’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance has provided decades of critical disaster assistance during famines, earthquakes and hurricanes around the world.

    These humanitarian efforts cost money, however. Some Republicans, including politicians and voters, say they have found the idea of American tax dollars being sent abroad, whether during the Cold War or today, wasteful, and others have worried over how aid funds may have been [abused].

    USAID has always straddled a difficult line, as development is a messy field. But ending U.S. foreign aid will be much messier, and it could also cost millions of people who are reliant on USAID their health or lives.

    Christian Ruth receives funding from America in the World Consortium.

    – ref. USAID’s history shows decades of good work on behalf of America’s global interests, although not all its projects succeeded – https://theconversation.com/usaids-history-shows-decades-of-good-work-on-behalf-of-americas-global-interests-although-not-all-its-projects-succeeded-249337

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Jan Aushadhi- Pharmacist’s Awareness Seminars: Fifth day of celebrations for Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Jan Aushadhi- Pharmacist’s Awareness Seminars: Fifth day of celebrations for Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025

    Seminars conducted in Pharmacy Colleges/Universities across the country to spread awareness among Pharmacy students about the scheme; students also made aware about the entrepreneurial opportunities being offered through Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana

    Information about “Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile App” highlighted for spreading awareness about the proper usage of this application by the citizens

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 5:32PM by PIB Delhi

    On the fifth day of 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 seminars were organised in Pharmacy Colleges/Universities in 30 cities in 30 different States across country to spread awareness among Pharmacy students about Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana so that pharmacy students can take the advantage of the scheme by opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras and become self-employed.

    Pharmacists play a crucial role in our society by dispensing the medicines through various mediums to patients and citizens in the proper way and providing support to take medicines on time with prescribed dosage. In order to spread awareness among Pharmacy students about the salient features of the scheme, various seminars were conducted. In these seminars, students were given information about Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana and its benefits to the society. The students were also made aware about the entrepreneurial opportunities which are being offered through Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The students were also told about the high-quality products which are being sold through dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras. At the end, students were encouraged to become a part of this noble project through which quality medicines are being provided at affordable rates.

    During these seminars, information about “Jan Aushadhi Sugam Mobile App” has been highlighted for spreading awareness about the proper usage of this application by the citizens. Presently, more than 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country covering all the districts of the country. Under the scheme, the Government has set a target to open 25000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 31st March, 2027 across the country.

    At the initiative of the Prime Minister, the 7th of March is celebrated every year as “Jan Aushadhi Diwas” with a view to enhance awareness about the scheme and promote generic medicines. As in earlier years, week-long events have been planned at various locations across the country from the 1st to the 7th of March 2025.

    *****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2108537) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Attention Electronic Music Producers and DJs: Last call to board the WAVES 2025 Challenge bus!

    Source: Government of India

    Attention Electronic Music Producers and DJs: Last call to board the WAVES 2025 Challenge bus!

    Registration Deadline for ‘Resonate: The EDM Challenge’ extended to March 31st, 2025

    Don’t Miss Your Chance to shine on the Global Stage to showcase your talent for electronic music!

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 4:26PM by PIB Mumbai

    : Mumbai, March 5, 2025

    World Audio and Video Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 is providing a platform for aspiring DJs, producers, and electronic music artists to shine and showcase their talents in electronic music and DJ artistry! So, if you are an electronic music producer and have a flair for DJing, then the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 is the ultimate stage to showcase your talents.

    The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) in collaboration with Indian Music Industry (IMI) is organizing “Resonate: The EDM Challenge” as part of the ‘Create in India Challenge’ which offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your creative talents and innovation in the world of audio, visual, and entertainment. The competition is open to artists, composers, musicians, and performers from any country with prior experience in creating and producing Electronic Dance Music (EDM). This challenge seeks to strengthen India’s status as a global center for music fusion, electronic music and DJing artistry. The theme of the competition is “Resonate: The EDM Challenge” focusing on the use of Global music styles to create a cohesive and culturally rich musical piece.

    Due to an overwhelming demand for this genre of music, the registration deadline for the EDM Challenge has been officially extended to March 31st, 2025.

    For details on eligibility criteria, click here.

    To Register, click on to https://indianmi.org/resonate-the-edm-challenge/    

    Further details here.  and here.

    This is a golden opportunity for electronic music enthusiasts and performers to make a mark in the global electronic dance music scene. So, make best use of this final chance to be part of this groundbreaking competition under the ‘Create in India Challenges’ initiative at the WAVES 2025.

    About the Grand Finale of “Resonate: The EDM Challenge”: 

    The grand finale of this Challenge, which will take place in Mumbai between May 1-4, 2025,  will be an opportunity for the top 10 finalists to perform in front of all the who’s who of the electronic music industry. This unmatched exposure will earn them unmatched recognition by the audience, creators, music producers, and industry stalwarts. Hence, the finalists will also have a chance to collaborate and network with upcoming artists as well as prominent creators as part of India’s creative sphere.

    The clock is ticking, and the beats are dropping!  Don’t let this opportunity provided by the Union Ministry of Information slip away.

    The world is ready to listen to you. Are you ready to drop the beat?

    For further details, contact – wavesatinfo@indianmi.org

    Scan the QR Code to register in Resonate: The EDM Challenge

    About WAVES 2025:

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

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

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

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now (Coming soon!).

    *** 

    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Nikita Joshi/ Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Preeti Malandkar | –

    (Release ID: 2108493) Visitor Counter : 79

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves development of ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) in the State of Uttarakhand under National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji. The project will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.

    Currently, the journey to the Hemkund Sahib Ji is a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat and is covered on foot or by ponies or palanquins. The proposed ropeway is planned to provide convenience to pilgrims and visiting the Hemkund Sahib Ji and the tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers and will ensure all-weather last mile connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji.

    The ropeway is planned to be developed in public-private partnership and will be based on Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km), seamlessly integrated with the most advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km) with a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) carrying 11,000 passengers per day.

    The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods & beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

    The development of ropeway project is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last mile connectivity for pilgrims and fostering rapid economic growth of the region.

    Hemkund Sahib Ji is a highly revered pilgrimage site situated at an elevation of 15,000 ft in Chamoli district of the State of Uttarakhand. The Gurudwara established at the holy site is open for about 5 months in a year between May and September and is visited by about 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. The trek to Hemkund Sahib Ji also serves as the gateway to the famous Valley of Flowers, a national park recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the pristine Garhwal Himalayas.

    *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2108417) Visitor Counter : 49

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO conducts high-altitude trials of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:37PM by PIB Delhi

    The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Bengaluru-based lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft, on March 04, 2025.

    The OBOGS-based ILSS is a cutting-edge system designed to generate and regulate breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, eliminating dependence on traditional liquid oxygen cylinder-based systems. The ILSS underwent rigorous testing on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)/ Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), meeting stringent aeromedical standards in varied flight conditions, including altitudes of up to 50,000 feet Above Mean Sea Level and high-G maneuvers.

    Performance evaluations covered critical aspects such as oxygen concentration, demand breathing, availability of 100% oxygen, aerobatic maneuvers at required altitudes for full functional testing of Anti – G Valve, Breathing Oxygen System (BOS) ON during taxying, Take off, Cruise, G turns and rejoin approach & landing. Following flight clearance from Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), the system successfully met all specified parameters. Beyond OBOGS, the ILSS integrates 10 Line Replaceable Units, including the Low-Pressure Breathing Regulator, BOS, Emergency Oxygen System, Oxygen Sensor, Anti-G valve, and other advanced components. This would ensure real-time oxygen generation, enhancing pilot endurance and operational effectiveness.

    The system has been manufactured by L&T as a Development cum Production Partner, reflecting a significant collaboration between DRDO and Indian defence industries. Notably, the ILSS has 90% indigenous content, furthering India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology. With appropriate modifications, the system can also be adapted for use in MiG-29K and other aircraft. This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of DEBEL, ADA, HAL, CEMILAC, National Flight Test Center, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance, and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF, Public Sector Undertakings, and industry partners on this remarkable achievement, emphasising that this development reinforces India’s commitment to cutting-edge defence technologies and aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also lauded the DRDO team, the IAF, and industry partners for their contributions towards the successful high-altitude trial of the Indigenous ILSS for LCA Tejas.

    ******

    SR/MR/KB

    (Release ID: 2108329) Visitor Counter : 8

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of certain shareholding of Schott Poonawalla Private Limited by TPG Scion SG Pte. Ltd.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of certain shareholding of Schott Poonawalla Private Limited by TPG Scion SG Pte. Ltd.

    The proposed combination involves the acquisition by TPG Scion SG Pte. Ltd. of certain shareholding in SPPL by way of a secondary purchase from Serum Institute of India Private Limited. (Proposed Combination).

    The TPG Scion SG Pte. Ltd. (TPG Scion/Acquirer), is a newly incorporated special purpose investment vehicle incorporated in Singapore on 11th October 2024 for the purposes of the Proposed Combination. Currently it does not have any operations in India. TPG Scion is an affiliate of the TPG Group, which is a global, diversified investment firm founded in 1992. TPG Scion is ultimately managed and controlled by an entity, which is advised by the affiliates of TPG Inc. (TPG), the ultimate holding company of the TPG Group. TPG, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, are together referred to as “TPG Group”.

    Schott Poonawalla Private Limited (SPPL/Target) is  engaged in the business of developing, manufacturing and selling, sterile or non-sterile glass containers such as ampoules, vials, cartridges or syringes for primary pharmaceutical packaging and their ancillary components by converting tubular glass into ampoules, vials, cartridge and prefilled syringes or otherwise.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108317) Visitor Counter : 13

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commission approves acquisition of equity shares of PSP Projects Limited by Adani Infra (India) Limited

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of equity shares of PSP Projects Limited by Adani Infra (India) Limited.

    The proposed transaction involves the acquisition by Adani Infra (India) Limited (Acquirer) of equity shares of PSP Projects Limited (Target) from: (i) Mr. Prahaladbhai S. Patel (Seller) (Initial Acquisition); and (ii) public shareholders by way of an open offer (Open Offer), such that, post-closing of the Initial Acquisition and Open Offer, the Acquirer (on the one hand) and the Seller and other existing promoters (on the other hand) would hold equal shareholding.

    The Acquirer is an infrastructure development company with specialization in comprehensive engineering, project management, and construction services for power generation and transmission sector. The Acquirer provides Project Management Consultancy (PMC) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services for road, water, and power projects.

    The Target is in the business of providing EPC services across sectors such as industrial, institutional, residential, government, government residential and all and other work relating thereto. It offers construction and allied services across industrial, institutional, government, government residential and residential projects in India. It provides its services across the construction value chain, ranging from planning and design to construction and post-construction activities, including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) work and other interior fit outs to private and public sector enterprises.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108315) Visitor Counter : 16

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of up to 72.8% shareholding of Orient Cement Limited by Ambuja Cements Limited

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:20PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of up to 72.8% shareholding of Orient Cement Limited by Ambuja Cements Limited.

    Ambuja Cements Limited (Acquirer) is engaged in the manufacture and sale of grey cement, including Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Pozzolona Portland Cement (PPC), and Pozzolona Composite Cement (PCC). The Acquirer (including its subsidiaries) operates 22 integrated cement plants across India, as well as 10 bulk cement terminals and 21 grinding units.

    Orient Cement Limited (Target) is involved in the business of manufacturing grey cement, including PPC and OPC. It has three manufacturing facilities at Devapur (Telangana), Chittapur (Karnataka) and Jalgaon (Maharashtra), with distribution in 10 states across India.

    The proposed transaction comprises of the following steps:

    1. Step 1: Acquisition of 46.80% of the issued share capital in the Target by the Acquirer, including 37.90% held by the current Promoter and Promoter Group and 8.90% from certain public shareholders.
    2. Step 2: Step 1 triggers an obligation on the Acquirer to make an open offer under Regulation 3(1) and 4 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 for acquisition of up to 26% of the expanded share capital of the Target (Open Offer). Assuming full acceptance of Open Offer, the shareholding of the Acquirer will stand at 72.8%.  

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108314) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed combination involving acquisition of pharma solution segment and product lines of Nourish segment of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.(IFF) by Roquette Frères S.A.(Roquette)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:19PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination involving acquisition of pharma solution segment and product lines of Nourish segment of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.(IFF) by Roquette Frères S.A.(Roquette).

    The Proposed Combination involves acquisition by Roquette of the Pharma Solutions business and certain product lines of the Nourish business (i.e., collectively the Target Business) of IFF by way of Roquette’s purchase of equity interest in certain IFF entities that collectively  house / are proposed to house the Target Business.

    Roquette is a family-owned French company active in the production and sale of plant-based ingredients, excipients, and plant proteins for various applications. Roquette is active in India through several Indian-based subsidiaries, namely Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., Sethness-Roquette India Ltd., and Roquette India Pvt. Ltd.

    The Target Business is currently part of IFF, a U.S. public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Target Business primarily comprises the business, operations and activities of IFF’s Pharma Solutions segment, with certain adjustments to include relevant businesses and product lines of the Nourish segment. The “Pharma Solutions” segment produces a variety of cellulosics and other types of plant-based pharmaceutical excipients. The “Nourish” segment comprises flavours, and ingredients such as texturising solutions and food designs. The Target Business is present in India through one entity, namely Danisco Nutrition and Biosciences India Private Limited.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108312) Visitor Counter : 10

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of 100% equity share capital of Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited by Shell Deutschland GmbH and Shell Overseas Investments B.V.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:19PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of 100% equity share capital of Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited by Shell Deutschland GmbH and Shell Overseas Investments B.V.

    The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 100% equity share capital of Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited (Raj Petro Specialities) by Shell Deutschland GmbH and Shell Overseas Investments B.V.

    Shell Plc is the ultimate parent company of the Shell Group of companies. Shell Group is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, active in oil and gas exploration, production, manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals, as well as renewable energy products. The acquirer group is also engaged in manufacture and sale of various lubricants globally as well as in India.

    Raj Petro Specialities is a manufacturer of hydrocarbon chemistry based high performance petro-speciality products, which are based on fully refined crude derivative feedstocks.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108313) Visitor Counter : 8

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding in KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited by JSW Energy Limited

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:17PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding in KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited by JSW Energy Limited.

    JSW Energy Limited (JSWEL) is a public listed company having established its presence across the value chains of the power sector with diversified assets in power generation, transmission and trading with strong operations, robust corporate governance and prudential capital allocation. Presently, JSWEL (through its subsidiaries) is engaged in power generation, power transmission, power trading, coal mining, and power equipment manufacturing.

    JSW Thermal Energy One Limited (JSW Thermal) is a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of JSWEL, incorporated in October 2024 for the purposes of facilitating the Proposed Transaction. JSW Thermal currently does not have any business activities of its own.

    KSK Mahanadi Power Company Limited (KMPCL) was incorporated in 2009 and is involved in the business of generation and sale of power. Currently, KMPCL is generating and supplying power through its thermal power plant of 6 x 600 MW situated at Janjgir- Champa District, Chhattisgarh. Currently KMPCL is undergoing the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).

    The Proposed Transaction involves the acquisition of 100% shareholding in KMPCL (which is currently undergoing CIRP initiated under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016), by JSWEL (through JSW Thermal) (Proposed Combination).

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108310) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves the acquisition by Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP of a 12.44% shareholding in Advanta Enterprises Limited

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:19PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition by Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP of a 12.44% shareholding in Advanta Enterprises Limited.

    The Proposed Combination envisages the acquisition by Alpha Wave Ventures II, LP (AWV II) of a 12.44% shareholding in Advanta Enterprises Limited (Advanta).

    AWV II is the flagship global private equity fund managed by Alpha Wave Ventures GP, a joint venture between Alpha Wave Global, LP and Lunate Holding RSC Ltd. AWV II aims to invest in best-in-class growth-stage companies and endeavours to be helpful long-term partners.

    Advanta is engaged in the business of breeding, producing, researching, developing, introducing, and commercializing, sale, purchase, export and import of seeds and seed varieties.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    *****

     NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2108311) Visitor Counter : 10

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI releases report on Independent Drive Tests (IDT) conducted in Nine cities including Highways and Railway routes of Gujarat LSA, Jammu & Kashmir LSA, Kerala LSA, Madhya Pradesh LSA, Mumbai LSA, Odisha LSA, Uttar Pradesh-East LSA, Uttar Pradesh-West LSA and West Bengal LSA during Dec-2024.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 12:12PM by PIB Delhi

    TRAI, through its appointed agency, conducted Independent Drive Tests (IDT) in nine cities, highways and railway routes viz. Aligarh city and Meerut to Dehradun Railway route (UP-West LSA),Bhubaneshwar city (Odisha LSA), Jammu City & Jammu to Srinagar Highway (J&K LSA),Lucknow city and Fatehpur to Varanasi Highway (UP-East LSA), Navi-Mumbai city (Mumbai LSA), Raipur city (MP LSA), Siliguri, Darjeeling &Kalimpong city (West Bengal LSA), Thiruvananthapuram city (Kerala LSA) and Vapi-Rewari Highway (Gujarat LSA). Drive tests were conducted to assess the quality of service provided by Cellular Mobile Telephone Service providers for voice and data services in December-2024.

    In IDT, the performance of M/s Bharti Airtel Ltd., M/s BSNL/MTNL, M/s Reliance Jio Infocom Ltd. and M/s Vodafone Idea Ltd., providing services in a Licensed Service Area (LSA) through various technologies (like 2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) for voice and data, has been measured by conducting drive test. The observations presented in drive test reports represent the performance of the service providers on the area/ route under test on the day/ time of conducting the drive test.

    The following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Voice as well as Data service were assessed for the networks of all Telecom service providers operating in the region.

    1. Voice services:

    1. Call setup success rate

    2. Drop call rate (DCR)

    3. Speech Quality using MOS (mean opinion score)

    4. Downlink & Uplink packet (voice) drop rate

    5. Call Silence Rate

    6. Coverage (%)- Signal strength

    1. Data Service:

    1. Data Throughput (Downlink and uplink both)

    2. Packet drop rate (Downlink & Uplink)

    3. Video streaming delay

    4. Latency

    5. Jitter

    1. The details of drive tests conducted in thenine areas are given below:

    S. No.

    City / Routes Covered

    Licensed Service Area

    Period of Drive Test

    Distance Covered

    Performance summary

    (attached at)

    1

    Aligarh & Meerut to Dehradun Railway Route

    UP West

    16-12-2024 to 20-12-2024

    City :204 Kms

    Walk Test: 7.3 Kms

    Railway: 242 Kms

    Annexure A

    2

    Bhubaneshwar

    Odisha

    10-12-2024 to 13-12-2024

    City :355.8 Kms

    Walk Test: 10.8 Kms

    Annexure B

    3

    Jammu City & Jammu to Srinagar Highway

    J&K

    09-12-2024 to 13-12-2024

    City :257.5 Kms

    Highway :295 Kms

    Annexure C

    4

    Lucknow & Fatehpur to Varanasi Highway

    UP East

    09-12-2024 to 13-12-2024

    City :370.2 Kms

    Walk Test: 5.5 Kms

    Highway: 248 Kms

    Annexure D

    5

    Navi-Mumbai

    Mumbai

    16-12-2024 to 20-12-2024

    City: 350.26 Kms

    Walk Test: 12.85 Kms

    Railway: 31.03 Kms

    Coastal: 6.71 Kms

    Annexure E

    6

    Raipur

    Madhya Pradesh

    02-12-2024 to 05-12-2024

    City: 315 Kms

    Walk Test: 5.2 Kms

    Annexure F

    7

    Siliguri, Darjeeling &Kalimpong

    West Bengal

    01-12-2024 to 09-12-2024

    City :467 Kms

    Walk Test: 2.05 Kms

    Annexure G

    8

    Thiruvananthapuram

    Kerala

    02-12-2024 to 06-12-2024

    City: 177 Kms

    Walk Test: 13 Kms

    Highway: 224 Kms

    Railway: 212 Kms

    Annexure H

    9

    Vapi-Rewari Highway

    Gujarat

    17-12-2024 to19-12-2024

    Highway: 1242.64 Kms

    Annexure I

    1. The detailed reports are available at TRAI website www.trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-I) TRAI may be contacted on email: adv-qos1@trai.gov.in or at Tel. No. +91-11-20907759.

    Click here to see Annexure

    *****

    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2108308) Visitor Counter : 37

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coal Production from Captive and Commercial Mines Grows 32.53% YoY to 167.36 MT

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 11:17AM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Coal is pleased to report that total coal production from captive and commercial mines for the financial year 2024-25 has reached 167.36 million tonnes (MT) as of February 2025. This represents a 32.53% year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to the 126.28 MT produced by February 28, 2024.

    Coal dispatch has also witnessed a significant surge, with total dispatch for the financial year reaching 170.66 MT, surpassing the 128.45 MT recorded in the previous year. This marks a 32.86% YoY growth, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted coal supply to key sectors such as power, steel, and cement.

    Bhaskarpara Coal mine of M/s Prakash Industries Limited commenced coal production on February 15, 2025, with a Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of 15 MT.

    Figure 1: Glance at the coal production for last three consecutive years till February.

    Looking ahead, the Ministry of Coal remains committed to fostering a sustainable and efficient coal sector that contributes to national growth and development. This vision aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims to establish a developed India by 2047. The coal sector will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal by ensuring energy security, promoting sustainable development, and driving economic progress.

     

    ****

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2108284) Visitor Counter : 114

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M.Scindia Showcases India’s Telecom Transformation at MWC 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M.Scindia Showcases India’s Telecom Transformation at MWC 2025

    Innovation, Inclusivity, Sustainability & Trust forms the core of India’s guiding principles towards tech governance: Shri JM Scindia

    Ensuring spectrum management, market stability, telecom regulation & consumer protection key towards balancing innovation with regulation: Shri JM Scindia

    Participation in MWC 25 underscores the global standing of India’s telecom revolution and reflects India’s commitment to tech governance

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 10:53AM by PIB Delhi

    Minister for CommunicationsShri Jyotiraditya M Scindia visited the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, engaging in top level meetings with CEOs, addressed key sessions and witnessed major tech innovations in one of the world’s largest gatherings for the mobile and telecommunications industry.

    This visit showcased India’s telecom transformation at Mobile World Congress 2025, with Bharat’s rapid 5G rollout, world’s lowest data tariffs, indigenous 4G/5G stacks & robust cybersecurity measures highlighted in the prestigious event.Participation in MWC 25 underscores the global standing of India’s telecom revolution and reflects India’s commitment to tech governance.

    The Minister addressed key sessions on ‘Global Tech Governance: Rising to the Challenge’ and Balancing Innovation & Regulation: Global Perspectives on Telecom Policy’ at the event.

    He said that “Innovation, Inclusivity, Sustainability & Trust forms the core of India’s guiding principles towards tech governance”and highlighted the successof Aadhaar, BharatNet in serving every citizen of the country.

    The Minister also spoke about the four steps ofIndia’s efforts towards balancing innovation with regulation such as spectrum management; ensuring market stability; introducing telecom regulation to ease up various processes; and bringing cybersecurity measures for consumer protection.

    During the MWC 2025 visit, Shri Scindia unveiled the curtains of India Mobile Congress 2025 and inaugurated Bharat Pavilion organized by the Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) with the support of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, featured 38 Indian telecom equipment manufacturers showcasing their state-of-the-art products, both hardware and software.

    The Minister also inaugurated VVDN’s indigenously designed & manufacturedAI based Wi-Fi-7 during his visit to Bharat Pavillion. He also visited other booths such as Meta and Google Cloud, catching a glimpse of their various technological solutions.

    As part of the visit, the Minister interacted with top industry leaders from Qualcomm, Cisco, Mavenir, Ericsson, Nokia, AMD, AT&T, Airtel, BSNL, CDOT, TEPC, during dinner with CEOs, enabling strategic partnerships and innovation in Telecom.

    The event also featured bilateral meetings with FCC,along with booth visits to Companies exploring cutting-edge developments in 5G, artificial intelligence, and next-generation mobile technologies.

    The Minister’s participation in MWC 2024 highlights India’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for enhancing digital infrastructure. This engagement also reflects India’s strategic focus on strengthening international partnerships, driving investments in the telecommunications sector, and shaping global policies to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. Through active dialogue and collaboration, India aims to play a key role in shaping the future of global connectivity and technologicaladvancements.

    AboutMobileWorldCongress2025

    MWC 2025, themed “Converge. Connect. Create.”, is taking place from March 3–6 in Barcelona, bringing together 101,000+ attendees, 2,700+ exhibitors, and leaders from 200+ countries to showcase the latest in 5G, AI, IoT, and digital transformation. With 1,200+ speakers, including top executives and policymakers, key themes include 5G Inside, AI+, Connect X, Enterprise Re-invented, Game Changers and Digital DNA.. MWC 2025 is the world’s leading platform for mobile innovation, networking, and future connectivity.

     

    ****

    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2108275) Visitor Counter : 213

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to Visit Uttarakhand on 6th March

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM to Visit Uttarakhand on 6th March

    PM to offer Prayers at the Winter Seat of Maa Ganga in Mukhwa

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 11:18AM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Uttarakhand on 6th March. At around 9:30 AM, he will perform pooja and darshan at the winter seat of Maa Ganga in Mukhwa. At around 10:40 AM, he will flag off a trek and bike rally and also address the gathering at a public function in Harsil.

    The Uttarakhand government has initiated a Winter Tourism programme this year. Thousands of devotees have already visited the winter seats of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The programme is aimed to promote religious tourism and boost the local economy, homestays, tourism businesses, among others.

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2108283) Visitor Counter : 23

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary (Labour & Employment) Participates in Round Table Discussion on Improving Female Workforce Participation in India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Secretary (Labour & Employment) Participates in Round Table Discussion on Improving Female Workforce Participation in India

    India has witnessed a positive trend in female workforce participation over the past six years: Smt. Dawra

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 11:12AM by PIB Delhi

    The Round Table Discussion on Improving Female Workforce Participation in India, led by the Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, and the Director, LBSNAA, were held in the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie on 3rd and 4th of March 2025. This event marks a significant step toward realizing the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of 70% female workforce participation.

    With India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) at 41.7% (PLFS 2023-24), this platform brought together government policymakers, industry leaders, global organizations, and skilling institutions to address key challenges and barriers, including employment barriers, workplace safety, pay parity, and digital job opportunities. The two-day deliberations focused on shaping policy reforms and industry-driven solutions that will unlock India’s full workforce potential, ensuring safe, inclusive, and equitable workplaces that drive sustained economic growth.

    Smt. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, emphasized the crucial role of this Round Table in shaping effective workforce policies. “Focused discussions on identifying systemic barriers and policy gaps are crucial for formulating innovative solutions that align with India’s broader economic and social development goals, ensuring sustainable and equitable workforce participation for women,” she stated. She highlighted how India has witnessed a positive trend in female workforce participation over the past six years, with higher economic engagement, declining unemployment, and more educated women entering the workforce. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 years and above has risen from 22.0% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, while the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women has increased from 23.3% to 41.7% in the same period, she mentioned. Notably, female unemployment has dropped significantly from 5.6% to just 3.2%, reflecting a shift toward greater inclusion and economic empowerment, she added.

    The Round Table focused on four key themes: Care Ecosystem, Future of Jobs & Skilling, Safe & Equitable Workplaces, and AI & Digital Interventions. The Ministry of Labour and Employment identified key action areas critical to enhancing women’s workforce participation under its mandate. Expanding affordable and quality care services was recognized as a labour market enabler, emphasizing the need to integrate care policies into employment frameworks to support working women. The alignment of skilling initiatives with industry demand was highlighted as essential to ensuring women’s access to high-growth sectors, reinforcing the Ministry’s role in facilitating demand-driven skilling and employment linkages. Strengthening workplace safety, equitable policies, and gender-sensitive labour laws emerged as a priority, underscoring the need for compliance mechanisms, gender audits, and enforcement of PoSH regulations. Finally, as India advances in AI and digital transformation, Government is focused on leveraging digital employment platforms, enhancing women’s digital literacy, and integrating AI-driven skilling programs to ensure women’s equitable participation in the future of work.

    The Round Table Discussions concluded with clear, actionable recommendations aimed at accelerating women’s workforce inclusion. Participants outlined policy reforms, industry-driven initiatives, and institutional mechanisms to break barriers and build a safe, skilled, and inclusive workforce. Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Sumita Dawra, reaffirmed that this is not a one-time discussion but the beginning of a sustained effort, with a task force ensuring continued collaboration and implementation. The Joint Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment, Sh. Ajoy Sharma extended his gratitude to all participants and LBSNAA for facilitating this critical dialogue, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to translating these deliberations into measurable progress for women’s workforce inclusion.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2108281) Visitor Counter : 48

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Workshop on ‘Capacity Building in Indian Knowledge Systems’: Documentation, Validation, and Communication

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 11:09AM by PIB Delhi

    CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in collaboration with Dwarka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, successfully organized a one-day National Workshop on ‘Capacity Building in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): Documentation, Validation, and Communication’ at DDGD Vaishnav College, Chennai as a part of the CSIR-NIScPR’s national initiative SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) to communicate scientifically validated Indian traditional knowledge to the society. The workshop aimed to give an insight to the participants including faculty members, teachers, scientists, and science communicators, on various aspects of IKS and its documentation, validation, and dissemination.

    The workshop was inaugurated by Padma Shri Prof M D Srinivas, Chairman, Centre for Policy Research, Chennai and Chief Guest of the session, Dr K Vijayalakshmi, Research Director, Centre for Indian Knowledge System, Dr. S. Santhosh Baboo, Principal of DDGD Vaishnav College, and the Coordinators from CSIR-NIScPR and DDGD Vaishnav College.

    Dr. Uthra Dorairajan, Associate Professor, DDGD Vaishnav College, Chennai welcomed the speakers and participants andemphasised on the integration of Indian traditional knowledge with modern science. Dr. S. Santhosh Baboo, Principal of DDGD Vaishnav College, highlighted the various initiatives of the college’s to promote IKS and its importance in education.

    Padma Shri Prof M D Srinivas, a renowned expert in theoretical physics delivered the keynote address. Hehighlighted India’s rich intellectual traditions, the relevance of IKS in modern science, andemphasised on collaborative efforts and initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between ancient knowledge and present-day advancements.

    First technical session on India’s Science & Technology Heritage chaired by Prof M S Sriram, President, Prof K V Sarma Research Foundation, Chennai featuredplenary talks by Dr K Vijayalakshmi, Research Director, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Chennai and Dr V Aarthi, Research officer (Siddha), Central Council for Research in Siddha, Chennai, and Dr Charu Lata, Principal Scientist and Coordinator SVASTIK, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. Dr K Vijayalakshmi emphasised about the indigenous knowledge in agriculture for sustainable development. She mentioned about various traditional rice landraces and the need to conserve them. Dr V Aarthi delivered an engaging talk on the Traditional Siddha Medicine. She highlighted various aspects of the Siddha system of medicine and ways to integrate this traditional medicine system with modern sciences. Dr Charu Lata gave insights on the ongoing activities of the national initiative SVASTIK. She talked about the process, challenges and way forward in the area of disseminating IKS to the masses. The second session on Hands-on Training on IKS Communication was led by Dr Paramananda Barman, Senior Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi and Team SVASTIK, who provided interactive learning experiences on effective science communication strategies. They introduced attendees to various science communication tools and the ways to use them for designing infographics and short videos. The workshop concluded with a feedback session from the participants where many of them shared their learning experiences from the workshop. An exhibition of SVASTIK stories and publications was also put up by the team for the participants and dignitaries attending the workshop.

    Dr Uthra Dorairajan expressed gratitude to all participants and emphasized the significance of such initiatives in preserving and promoting India’s rich scientific heritage.

     

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2108280) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia Showcases India’s Telecom Transformation at MWC 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia Showcases India’s Telecom Transformation at MWC 2025

    Innovation, Inclusivity, Sustainability & Trust forms the core of India’s guiding principles towards tech governance: Shri JM Scindia

    Ensuring spectrum management, market stability, telecom regulation & consumer protection key towards balancing innovation with regulation: Shri JM Scindia

    Participation in MWC 25 underscores the global standing of India’s telecom revolution and reflects India’s commitment to tech governance

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 10:53AM by PIB Delhi

    Minister for CommunicationsShri Jyotiraditya M Scindia visited the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, engaging in top level meetings with CEOs, addressed key sessions and witnessed major tech innovations in one of the world’s largest gatherings for the mobile and telecommunications industry.

    This visit showcased India’s telecom transformation at Mobile World Congress 2025, with Bharat’s rapid 5G rollout, world’s lowest data tariffs, indigenous 4G/5G stacks & robust cybersecurity measures highlighted in the prestigious event.Participation in MWC 25 underscores the global standing of India’s telecom revolution and reflects India’s commitment to tech governance.

    The Minister addressed key sessions on ‘Global Tech Governance: Rising to the Challenge’ and Balancing Innovation & Regulation: Global Perspectives on Telecom Policy’ at the event.

    He said that “Innovation, Inclusivity, Sustainability & Trust forms the core of India’s guiding principles towards tech governance”and highlighted the successof Aadhaar, BharatNet in serving every citizen of the country.

    The Minister also spoke about the four steps ofIndia’s efforts towards balancing innovation with regulation such as spectrum management; ensuring market stability; introducing telecom regulation to ease up various processes; and bringing cybersecurity measures for consumer protection.

    During the MWC 2025 visit, Shri Scindia unveiled the curtains of India Mobile Congress 2025 and inaugurated Bharat Pavilion organized by the Telecom Equipment & Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) with the support of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, featured 38 Indian telecom equipment manufacturers showcasing their state-of-the-art products, both hardware and software.

    The Minister also inaugurated VVDN’s indigenously designed & manufacturedAI based Wi-Fi-7 during his visit to Bharat Pavillion. He also visited other booths such as Meta and Google Cloud, catching a glimpse of their various technological solutions.

    As part of the visit, the Minister interacted with top industry leaders from Qualcomm, Cisco, Mavenir, Ericsson, Nokia, AMD, AT&T, Airtel, BSNL, CDOT, TEPC, during dinner with CEOs, enabling strategic partnerships and innovation in Telecom.

    The event also featured bilateral meetings with GSMA, FCC, Poland and Sweden,along with booth visits to Companies exploring cutting-edge developments in 5G, artificial intelligence, and next-generation mobile technologies.

    The Minister’s participation in MWC 2024 highlights India’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for enhancing digital infrastructure. This engagement also reflects India’s strategic focus on strengthening international partnerships, driving investments in the telecommunications sector, and shaping global policies to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. Through active dialogue and collaboration, India aims to play a key role in shaping the future of global connectivity and technologicaladvancements.

    AboutMobileWorldCongress2025

    MWC 2025, themed “Converge. Connect. Create.”, is taking place from March 3–6 in Barcelona, bringing together 101,000+ attendees, 2,700+ exhibitors, and leaders from 200+ countries to showcase the latest in 5G, AI, IoT, and digital transformation. With 1,200+ speakers, including top executives and policymakers, key themes include 5G Inside, AI+, Connect X, Enterprise Re-invented, Game Changers and Digital DNA.. MWC 2025 is the world’s leading platform for mobile innovation, networking, and future connectivity.

     

    ****

    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2108275) Visitor Counter : 94

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRI busts major gold smuggling racket with seizure of 14.2 kg foreign-origin gold worth Rs. 12.56 crore and other assets worth Rs. 4.73 crore

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 10:30AM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant operation against gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), successfully intercepted a passenger carrying foreign-origin gold bars valued at Rs. 12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

    Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an Indian lady passenger aged around 33 years, who had arrived from Dubai to Bengaluru via Emirates flight on March 3, 2025. Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at Rs. 12.56 Crore was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

    Following the interception, DRI officers conducted a search at her residential premises located at Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewelry worth Rs. 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs. 2.67 crore. The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and remanded to judicial custody.

    The total seizure in the case stands at Rs. 17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks. The haul of 14.2 kg is one of the biggest seizures of gold at Bengaluru International airport in recent times.

    ****

    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2108270) Visitor Counter : 66

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Vice President to visit Mumbai (Maharashtra) on 6th March

    Source: Government of India

    Vice President to visit Mumbai (Maharashtra) on 6th March

    VP to be Chief Guest at the inaugural ‘Murli Deora Memorial Dialogue’

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 10:28AM by PIB Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, will be on a one-day tour of Mumbai, Maharashtra on 6th March, 2025.

    During his visit, the Vice-President will preside as Chief Guest at the inaugural edition of the Murli Deora Memorial Dialogue in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2108269) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister remembers Shri Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 9:51AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remembered the former Odisha Chief Minister Shri Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary today. He recalled latter’s contribution towards Odisha’s development and empowering people.

    In a post on X, he wrote:

    “Remembering Biju Babu on his birth anniversary. We fondly recall his contribution towards Odisha’s development and empowering people. He was also staunchly committed to democratic ideals, strongly opposing the Emergency.”

    Remembering Biju Babu on his birth anniversary. We fondly recall his contribution towards Odisha’s development and empowering people. He was also staunchly committed to democratic ideals, strongly opposing the Emergency.

    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2025

    ******

    MJPS/SR/SKS

    (Release ID: 2108267) Visitor Counter : 22

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘Open University Culture’ to Get Boost from National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Says Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at the 38th Convocation of IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ‘Open University Culture’ to Get Boost from National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Says Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at the 38th Convocation of IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu

    NEP 2020 allows students to change subjects or combine subjects to diversify learning as per their choice and changing employment needs- a practice followed by IGNOU

    Hails Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma Yojana which foster youth with self-employment and livelihood opportunities, rather than waiting for formal jobs

    Dr. Jitendra Singh credits Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for the new state of the art IGNOU campus in Jammu

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 4:55PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, affirmed that the ‘Open University Culture’ will receive a significant boost from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the 38th Convocation of the IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu today.

    Addressing the convocation in online mode, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the role of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) in transforming the education landscape, particularly for those unable to access formal educational setups due to socio-economic constraints. He emphasized that NEP 2020’s progressive features, such as flexible entry and exit, choice-based credit systems, and diverse learning opportunities, align with the objectives of Open Universities like IGNOU.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh elaborated on the importance of NEP 2020 in enabling students to diversify their learning paths by changing subjects or combining them based on personal choice and changing employment needs—an approach already practiced by IGNOU.

    The Minister expressed his admiration for IGNOU’s remarkable growth since its inception in 1985. He underscored that it is now the largest university in the world by student enrollment and has earned an A++ accreditation.

    Highlighting key features of IGNOU’s programs, such as flexible entry and exit, modular program design, and multimedia-based learning, Dr. Singh noted that these innovations cater to students’ diverse needs, enabling them to learn at their own pace and convenience.

    “Many of these features, including flexible degrees, choice-based credits, and the ability to change or combine subjects, are incorporated into NEP 2020, making IGNOU a true pioneer in the educational landscape,” said Dr. Singh.

    The Science and technology Minister praised IGNOU for its global outreach, citing its 25 overseas study centers in 15 countries, with a robust international presence. Additionally, IGNOU’s collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Central Hindi Directorate (CHD) to offer a three-month online Basic Hindi Awareness program to foreign nationals in nine countries was also acknowledged.

    Furthermore, he noted that through the e-VidyaBharati and e-Aarogya Bharati (e-VBAB) Network Project, 45 online programs are being offered in 19 African countries.

    Dr. Singh also credited Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for securing a strategic alliance between IGNOU and the Open University of Kenya (OUK), enhancing the global education ecosystem.

    During his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed government initiatives such as the Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which empower youth by providing self-employment and livelihood opportunities. He explained that the Mudra Yojana offers skilled youth collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 20 lakhs to start their ventures, while the PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports traditional artisans by providing advanced toolkits and stipends during training, easing the financial burden on their families. Dr. Singh also emphasized the importance of skill development and recognized the special skill-based bachelor’s degree programs designed to enhance the skills required for serving in the defense forces.

    Acknowledging the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in modern education, Dr. Singh lauded IGNOU’s efforts in integrating technology into learning. He specifically mentioned the six SWAYAM PRABHA channels operated by IGNOU, which provide students with access to quality educational content and resources online.

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed his delight and satisfaction with the new state-of-the-art IGNOU campus in Jammu, inaugurated on February 7, 2024calling it a significant milestone for the region. Recalling that the establishment of the campus was a long-awaited dream since the center’s inception in 1998, he described the new campus as a gift from Prime Minister Modi to the youth and aspiring learners of Jammu. He further highlighted the cumulative enrollment of nearly 6 lakh students at the Jammu Regional Centre, with over 2 lakh learners enrolled since 2020.

    In his closing remarks, Dr. Singh urged the youth to contribute actively to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi for the year 2047, marking the centenary of India’s independence. “Today’s graduates are the fortunate ones who are witnessing India’s transformative growth, and I urge them to be a part of this monumental journey toward a brighter future for the nation,” Dr. Singh concluded.

    38th Convocation – A Historic Moment for 11,293 Graduates

    A total of 11,293 students from the IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu successfully completed their respective programs, marking a significant achievement. The program-wise breakdown of the successful graduates is as follows:- Bachelors: 5,852, Masters: 4,988, Diplomas: 316, Certificates: 137

    *****

     NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2108515) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh affirms ‘Huge democratisation of Civil Services, IAS no longer confined to an elite section’

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh affirms ‘Huge democratisation of Civil Services, IAS no longer confined to an elite section’

    Dr. Jitendra Singh denounces the reincarnation of ICS into IAS: Collectors of Revenue transformed into development and change makers

    Gender inclusivity, remarkable integrity and increased accountability along with good governance are the features of today’s civil services in India: MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Dr. Jitendra Singh urges parents to rethink investments in costly coaching programs shares many successful candidates from government schools

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 4:55PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh affirms ‘Huge democratization of Civil Services, IAS no longer confined to an elite section’ at the Indian Express Next Gen Conclave “Excellence in Governance Awards” held on Tuesday.

    In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the profound democratization of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), noting that it is no longer restricted to an elite section of society. The minister pointed out that the Civil Services have evolved to represent the diverse fabric of India, ensuring broader accessibility for citizens from various backgrounds.

    Reflecting on India’s journey post-Independence, Dr. Singh acknowledged that governance in the country underwent a fundamental shift from the midnight of August 15, 1947. He denounced the reincarnation of the British-era Indian Civil Services (ICS) into the IAS, emphasizing that the role of the District Collector has radically transformed. Previously focused on revenue collection, the modern District Collector now serves as the “District Development Commissioner (DDC),” leading development and being a key agent of change within their districts.

    Although acknowledging the lingering remnants of colonial attitudes where civil servants once maintained a royal distance from the public, Dr. Singh noted a profound change. “Today, several districts across the country everyday witness protests in front of colleges, where citizens freely voice their concerns and grievances,” he stated, underscoring the increased interaction between civil servants and the people they serve.

    The Minister of State also lauded the growing inclusivity within the Civil Services, citing the increased representation of women in leadership roles and their consistent performance in securing top ranks across India’s diverse regions. He expressed his pride in the continued rise of women in civil services, reflecting the success of India’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh further stressed the importance of integrity, urging civil servants to embody honesty and ethical conduct in their daily professional lives. He remarked that increased accountability, transparency, and good governance are hallmarks of today’s Civil Services in India.

    One notable initiative Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted was the three-month stint for IAS probationers in various ministries as Assistant Secretaries. This experience, he shared, provides IAS officers with valuable exposure to policymaking processes at the heart of governance, enriching their understanding of national policy and administration.

    In closing, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged parents to rethink investments in costly coaching programs for their children aspiring to join the Civil Services. Drawing on his own experience, he emphasized that many successful candidates from diverse backgrounds—often from government schools like Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas—have succeeded without the need for expensive coaching.

    ****

     NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2108516) Visitor Counter : 47

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves development of ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) in Uttarakhand under National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of 12.4 km ropeway project from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji in Uttarakhand. The project will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 2,730.13 crore.

    Currently, the journey to the Hemkund Sahib Ji is a challenging 21-km uphill trek from Govindghat and is covered on foot or by ponies or palanquins. The proposed ropeway is planned to provide convenience to pilgrims and visiting the Hemkund Sahib Ji and the tourists visiting the Valley of Flowers and will ensure all-weather last mile connectivity between Govindghat and Hemkund Sahib Ji.

    The ropeway is planned to be developed in public-private partnership and will be based on Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) from Govindghat to Ghangaria (10.55 km), seamlessly integrated with the most advanced Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib Ji (1.85 km) with a design capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) carrying 11,000 passengers per day.

    The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods & beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

    The development of ropeway project is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last mile connectivity for pilgrims and fostering rapid economic growth of the region.

    Hemkund Sahib Ji is a highly revered pilgrimage site situated at an elevation of 15,000 ft in Chamoli district of the State of Uttarakhand. The Gurudwara established at the holy site is open for about 5 months in a year between May and September and is visited by about 1.5 to 2 lakh pilgrims annually. The trek to Hemkund Sahib Ji also serves as the gateway to the famous Valley of Flowers, a national park recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the pristine Garhwal Himalayas.

    *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2108417) Visitor Counter : 160

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cabinet approves development of Ropeway Project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km) in Uttarakhand under National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 05 MAR 2025 3:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of 12.9 km ropeway project from Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km) in Uttarakhand. The project will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 4,081.28 crore.

    The ropeway is planned to be developed in public-private partnership and will be based on the most advanced Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology with a design capacity of 1,800 passengers per hour per direction (PPHPD) carrying 18,000 passengers per day.

    The ropeway project will be a boon to the pilgrims visiting Kedarnath as it would provide an environment-friendly, comfortable and fast connectivity and reduce travel time in one direction from about 8 to 9 hours to about 36 minutes.

    The ropeway project will also generate substantial employment opportunities during construction and operations as well as in allied tourism industries like hospitality, travel, foods & beverages (F&B) and tourism throughout the year.

    The development of ropeway project is a significant step towards fostering balanced socio-economic development, enhancing last – mile connectivity in hilly regions and fostering rapid economic growth.

    The journey to the Kedarnath temple is a challenging 16-km uphill trek from Gaurikund and is currently covered on foot or by ponies, palanquins and helicopter. The proposed ropeway is planned to provide convenience to pilgrims visiting the temple and ensure all-weather connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath.

    Kedarnath is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas situated at an elevation of 3,583 m (11968 ft) in the Rudraprayag district of the State of Uttarakhand. The temple is open for pilgrims for about 6 to 7 months in a year from Akshaya Tritiya (April-May) to Diwali (October-November) and is visited by about 20 lakh pilgrims annually during the season.

    *****

    MJPS/BM

    (Release ID: 2108413) Visitor Counter : 189

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 6, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 316 317 318 319 320 … 488
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

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

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress