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Category: India

  • MIL-OSI Security: Evansville Fentanyl Dealers Sentenced to a Combined Decade in Federal Prison for Manufacturing Counterfeit Drugs Using a Pill Press

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EVANSVILLE— Ethan Parker, 31 and Joshua Harvey 33, of Evansville, have been sentenced for their parts in a fentanyl trafficking scheme. Parker was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of a tableting machine. Harvey was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

    According to court documents, between January 1, 2022, and April 4, 2022, Parker and Harvey conspired together to manufacture and distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl laced pills to individuals in and around the city of Evansville.

    In the furtherance of the conspiracy, on multiple occasions in February and March of 2022, Harvey sold fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills in Evansville, Indiana, and Henderson, Kentucky. On March 23, 2022, Parker, communicating through an encrypted messaging application, agreed to sell Harvey 100 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills for $350. On April 4, 2022, Harvey possessed approximately 31.9 grams of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills with the intent to distribute them to dealers.

    On August 25, 2021, Parker sold a blue pill press, along with an Alprazolam imprinting die, for $1,400, knowing that the pill press would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The die could be used to manufacture counterfeit Alprazolam (Xanax). On April 4, 2022, Parker was found in possession of another pill press and pill imprinting dies of various shapes and imprints for use in the manufacture of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.

    “Fentanyl dealers value their profits far more than the lives of our families and neighbors,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We must fight to save lives by investigating and prosecuting criminals who exploit the epidemic of substance use disorder to satisfy their own greed. Our office, the DEA, and the Evansville Police Department are committed to holding fentanyl traffickers accountable for pushing deadly poison on our streets.”

    “The charges against Mr. Parker and Mr. Harvey were necessary and justified. This case exemplified high level investigative work conducted by the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force in collaboration with the DEA Evansville HIDTA Task Force,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “Mr. Parker and Mr. Harvey were responsible for distributing significant quantities of fake pills containing fentanyl. In addition, the investigation led to the seizure of two pill presses capable of manufacturing fake Xanax pills and fentanyl pills.  Taking two pill presses off the streets is a major win for our community. The DEA remains committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to hold reckless drug dealers, who peddle poison to our communities, accountable for their actions and make our community safer.” 

    The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. This prosecution is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.

    According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.

    One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    February 19, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family

    iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring the fast performance of the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, extraordinary battery life, and a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system — all at an incredible value

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 lineup that offers powerful capabilities at a more affordable price. iPhone 16e delivers fast, smooth performance and breakthrough battery life, thanks to the industry-leading efficiency of the A18 chip and the new Apple C1, the first cellular modem designed by Apple. iPhone 16e is also built for Apple Intelligence, the intuitive personal intelligence system that delivers helpful and relevant intelligence while taking an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI. The 48MP Fusion camera takes gorgeous photos and videos, and with an integrated 2x Telephoto, it is like having two cameras in one, so users can zoom in with optical quality. When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features — including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite — help iPhone 16e users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most.1

    iPhone 16e will be available in two elegant matte finishes — black and white — with colorful cases available to accessorize. Pre-orders begin Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28.

    “iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.”

    A Beautiful and Durable Design with Breakthrough Battery Life

    iPhone 16e is built to last, featuring splash, water, and dust resistance with a rating of IP68; the Ceramic Shield front cover with an advanced formulation that is tougher than any smartphone glass; and the toughest back glass in a smartphone.2 The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology has an edge-to-edge design that is perfect for watching HDR videos, playing games, and reading crisp text.3 iPhone 16e has the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE.4 And with Face ID enabled by the TrueDepth camera system, users can securely unlock their iPhone, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more. iPhone 16e also offers convenient charging options, including both wireless charging and USB-C for easy connection to a wide range of accessories.

    Performance and Connectivity

    iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s latest-generation A18 chip, which enables fast, smooth performance, incredible power efficiency, and Apple Intelligence. The 6-core CPU is up to 80 percent faster than the A13 Bionic chip on iPhone 11, handling both everyday and intensive tasks with ease — from simple workloads, to more demanding actions with Apple Intelligence. The 4-core GPU powers stunning graphics performance and unlocks next-level mobile gaming on the go, enabling graphically demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections. The 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for large generative models and runs machine learning (ML) models up to 6x faster than A13 Bionic.

    Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon — including C1 — the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life.

    Built for Apple Intelligence

    iPhone 16e is built for Apple Intelligence, unlocking exciting new capabilities that make iPhone even more helpful and powerful. With the Clean Up tool, it’s easy to remove distracting elements in images, and natural language search in the Photos app allows users to search for just about any photo or video by simply describing what they are looking for.

    Users can also explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, create the perfect emoji with Genmoj, and make their writing even more dynamic with Writing Tools. They can now type to Siri, and Siri is more conversational with the ability to follow along if users stumble over their words. Siri can also maintain context from one request to the next. With extensive product knowledge, Siri can answer thousands of questions about the features and settings of Apple products, so users can learn how to do things like take a screen recording or schedule a text message to send later.

    With access to ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can choose to access ChatGPT’s expertise without jumping between applications, so they can get things done faster and easier than ever before. In addition, 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 to use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT.

    Apple Intelligence marks an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI and is designed to protect users’ privacy at every step. It starts with on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power Apple Inteligence run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Apple’s groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of iPhone 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.

    Access Favorite Features and Unlock Visual Intelligence with the Action Button

    iPhone 16e features the Action button, allowing users to easily access a variety of functions with just a press. Once customized in Settings, the Action button can be used to quickly open the camera or flashlight; switch between Ring and Silent modes; recognize music with Shazam; activate Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or use Shortcuts for more options. The Action button can even access in-app functionality like launching the camera in Snapchat, unlocking a car door with FordPass, tracking a child’s sleep schedule with Napper, and more.

    The Action button on iPhone 16e also unlocks a new visual intelligence experience that builds on Apple Intelligence to help users learn about objects and places. Visual intelligence can summarize and copy text, translate text between languages, detect phone numbers or email addresses with the option to add to contacts, identify an animal or plant, and more. Visual intelligence also allows users to search Google so they can see where they can buy an item, or benefit from ChatGPT’s problem-solving skills. Users are in control of when third-party tools are used and what information is shared.

    A Powerful Camera System to Capture Any Moment

    The powerful 2-in-1 camera system on iPhone 16e is perfect for capturing everyday moments and important memories, including in Night mode and Portrait mode. Using computational photography, the 48MP Fusion camera takes super-high-resolution photos, so users can capture gorgeous images that balance light and detail. With an integrated 2x Telephoto, users have the equivalent of two cameras in one, and can zoom in with optical quality to get closer to the subject and easily frame their shot. And the front-facing TrueDepth camera with autofocus enables sharper close-ups and beautiful group selfies. The latest generation of HDR captures subjects and the background with true-to-life renderings of skin tones, while ensuring photos have bright highlights, rich mid-tones, and deep shadows.

    iPhone 16e takes stunning videos with the ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and users can stop and restart a recording for more flexibility when capturing the moment. iPhone 16e also records video in Spatial Audio for immersive listening with AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or a surround sound system, and enables more ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix. Users can adjust their sound after capture to focus on the voice of the person on camera, make it sound like the video was recorded inside a professional studio, or position vocal tracks in the front and environmental noises in surround sound. With wind noise reduction, powerful ML algorithms automatically reduce unwanted noise for better audio quality.

    Groundbreaking Safety and Communication Capabilities

    iPhone 16e helps users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most. Apple’s satellite features help users text via satellite when they’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This includes Messages via satellite to text friends and family; Emergency SOS via satellite to connect with emergency services; and Roadside Assistance via satellite to reach a roadside assistance provider in case of car trouble. Users can also use the Find My app to share their location via satellite, reassuring friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid. Crash Detection on iPhone 16e can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone.5

    Featuring iOS 18

    iOS 18 makes iPhone 16e more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever.6 With more customization options, users can give apps and widgets a new dark or tinted look and arrange them in any open space on the Home Screen. The controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen can be customized; Control Center has been redesigned to provide users with easier access to many of the things they use every day, including third-party apps; and new privacy protections include the ability to lock and hide apps to protect sensitive apps and the information inside them. iOS 18 also provides powerful updates for staying connected. In Messages, users can use text effects to bring words, phrases, sentences, and more to life. Tapbacks expand to include emoji, Genmoji, or stickers, and now users can schedule a message to send later. When messaging contacts who do not have an Apple device, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging when compared to SMS and MMS.

    Better for the Environment

    iPhone 16e 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 charge all Apple products, including iPhone 16e. 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. iPhone 16e features over 30 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled cobalt and 95 percent recycled lithium in the battery, 85 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, and more.7 Additionally, the main logic board and back glass of iPhone 16e are designed to be manufactured more efficiently, reducing the amount of raw materials needed. The packaging is also entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal of removing plastic from its packaging by the end of this year.8

    Pricing and Availability

    • iPhone 16e will be available in white and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.
    • Apple offers great ways to save and upgrade to the latest iPhone. With Apple Trade In, customers can get up to $120 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $170 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 12. With a carrier offer, customers can get up to $400 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to $599 (U.S.) in credit when they trade in iPhone 12 to put toward an iPhone 16e. Customers can take advantage of these offers by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location. For carrier offer eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers. To see what their device is worth and for Apple Trade In terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.
    • Customers in 59 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 16e beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28.
    • Apple Intelligence is available 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.
    • Visual intelligence is available in iOS 18.2 or later on all iPhone 16 models. For more information on visual intelligence, visit support.apple.com/guide/iphone.
    • iPhone 16e Silicone Case will be available in five colors for $39 (U.S.): winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white.
    • AppleCare+ for iPhone provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know iPhone best. For more information, visit apple.com/support/products/iphone.
    • iCloud+ plans start at just $0.99 (U.S.) per month and offer up to 12TB of additional storage to keep photos, videos, files, and more safe in the cloud and available across devices. An iCloud+ subscription gives access to premium features such as unlimited event creation in the new Apple Invites app, as well as Private Relay, Hide My Email, and custom email domains. With Family Sharing, users can share their subscription with five other family members at no extra cost.
    • Customers who purchase iPhone 16e may receive three free months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+, with a new subscription. Offer and services availability varies by region. See apple.com/promo for details.

    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. Apple’s satellite features are included for free for two years starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14 or later. For Emergency SOS via satellite availability, visit support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426. Messages via satellite will be available in the U.S. and Canada in iOS 18 or later. SMS availability will depend on carrier. Carrier fees may apply. Users should check with their carrier for details. Roadside Assistance via satellite is currently available in the U.S. with AAA and Verizon Roadside Assistance, and in the UK with Green Flag. Participating roadside assistance providers may charge for services, and iPhone users who are not members can take advantage of their roadside assistance services on a pay-per-use basis. Apple’s satellite features were designed for use in open spaces with a clear line of sight to the sky. Performance may be impacted by obstructions such as trees or surrounding buildings.
    2. iPhone 16e is splash-, water-, and dust-resistant. It was tested under controlled laboratory conditions and has a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes). Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions. Resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.
    3. The display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.06 inches diagonally. The actual viewable area is smaller.
    4. All battery claims depend on the cellular network, location, signal strength, feature configuration, usage, and many other factors; actual results will vary. The battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPhone units. See apple.com/batteries and apple.com/iphone/compare for more information.
    5. Crash Detection is designed for four-wheel passenger vehicle crashes with certain mass, G-force, and speed profiles consistent with severe, life-threatening crashes. It was designed for severe, life-threatening, high-impact front and rear, side-swipe, T-bone, and rollover crashes. Crash Detection is available worldwide on iPhone 14 or later, Apple Watch Series 8 or later, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra or later.
    6. Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas. For more information on iOS 18, visit apple.com/ios/ios-18.
    7. All cobalt and lithium references use a mass balance allocation.
    8. 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

    Blair Ranger

    Apple

    blair_ranger@apple.com

    Alex Kirschner

    Apple

    alexkirschner@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Winnebago Woman for Second Degree Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Acting United States Attorney Matthew R. Molsen announced that on February 7, 2025, a jury found Michelle Lee Marr, 49, of Winnebago, Nebraska, guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with documents or evidence after an almost five-day federal trial in Omaha, Nebraska. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the trial. Marr faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the second-degree murder charge and a maximum 20 years in prison for the tampering with documents or evidence charge.

    On March 12, 2022, Marr contacted Winnebago EMS to report the victim was not waking up and requested an ambulance respond to her residence. EMS transported the victim to Twelve Clans Unity hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was taken by helicopter to Mercy One Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  The medical treatment team at Mercy determined the victim had brain trauma and swelling. Nurses also noted significant amounts of makeup applied to the victim’s face, which revealed bruising when removed, as well as numerous bruises on the victim’s body. On March 13, 2022, the victim succumbed to his injuries. A subsequent autopsy determined the victim’s cause of death to be blunt force trauma and the manner of death to be homicide. The pathologist testified the victim’s injuries were consistent with inflicted trauma as opposed to trauma which might result from some type of fall.

    Marr claimed to have been passed out from approximately 5:00 PM on March 11, 2022, until finding the victim on March 12, 2022. Social media evidence and evidence from Marr’s phone, found during the investigation, contradicted Marr’s claims. During the trial, witnesses testified to observing previous incidents of Marr physically assaulting the victim. 

    Marr will be sentenced on June 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM, before Judge Buescher in Omaha.

    This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. rescues seven mariners

    Source: United States Navy

    Following a distress signal from the mariners, the Coastguardsmen embarked a rigid-hull inflatable boat to offer assistance. After determining the vessel was no longer sea worthy, the Coastguardsmen brought the mariners back to their ship. Devastator provided back-up support during the operation.

    None of the mariners appeared to be injured.

    “Providing assistance at sea to mariners in distress is a core Coast Guard mission,” said Coast Guard Lt. Michael O’Dell, Clarence Sutphin, Jr.’s commanding officer. “It is inherently dangerous, but the team executed without hesitation – without fear – to extend their compassion to people in a dire situation. I’m incredibly proud of to be a part of this team.”

    Clarence Sutphin, Jr. is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Devastator is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship also forward deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet. Both ships help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

    The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: DEI programs are designed to help white people too – here’s how

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Liza Bondurant, Associate Professor of Secondary Math Education, Mississippi State University

    Many DEI programs support students with a disability, about a fifth of whom are white. simonkr/E+ via Getty Images

    While diversity, equity and inclusion may on the surface seem focused on certain groups, in fact DEI programs benefit people from all walks of life – including white people.

    President Donald Trump and other conservatives have increasingly attacked such initiatives as discriminatory based on the presumption that they benefit only students of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

    Most recently, Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, directing federal agencies, including the Department of Education, to eliminate support for DEI positions and projects. The order labels them “illegal and immoral discrimination” and “radical and wasteful.”

    The impact of this sweeping order has been seismic across the U.S. government, private sector and in education in particular as universities have begun eliminating or rebranding their DEI programs and the Department of Education has removed any initiative and even any document or material that referenced diversity, equity or inclusion.

    As professors of education who have studied DEI programs in higher education, we believe these attacks represent a misconception about which groups DEI higher education programs actually support. The reality is, DEI policies help a wide range of people access and succeed in college regardless of their racial or ethnic background.

    Breaking down DEI funding by race

    It’s a challenge to determine the exact percentages of federal DEI funding allocated to groups of students broken down by race and ethnicity. There is limited publicly available data.

    Broadly speaking, a large majority of people within most racial and ethnic groups receive some kind of federal funding – some of which is connected to DEI programs. That includes 81% of Black students, 74% of American Indian/Alaska Native students, 72% of Hispanic or Latino students, 70% of white students, and 66% of Asian students, according to a 2023 report from the National Center for Education Statistics based on data during the 2019-20 academic year.

    The center’s data does not indicate whether those grants were explicitly designated for DEI initiatives. For example, Pell Grants are need-based, but not explicitly DEI.

    That said, DEI initiatives encompass a broad range of programs that support various underrepresented groups, including first-generation college students and students with disabilities. They also benefit women and veterans. Each of these groups invariably includes many white students.

    University DEI programs support underrepresented students from all kinds of backgrounds, such as those who are the first in their family to attend college, about half of whom are white.
    AP Photo/Darron Cummings

    First-generation students

    At most universities, a portion of DEI funding is dedicated to programs designed to support the success of first-generation students, or students whose parents did not graduate from college.

    DEI initiatives enhance first-generation students’ academic success by addressing their unique challenges, such as financial constraints, cultural adjustments and unfamiliarity with college environments. They do this through tailored support programs, inclusive learning communities and mentorship opportunities.

    Research shows that first-generation students are likely to adopt what psychologists call performance avoidance goals – such as the fear of looking incompetent – so they play it safe and don’t try too hard, which can hinder their academic success. But DEI efforts such as faculty engagement programs and dorm communities that mix academics and social support help foster supportive environments that mitigate those challenges.

    National data shows that 56% of college students are first-generation attendees. White students represent 46% of that group, more than any other single race.

    Students with disabilities

    People with disabilities make up the largest minority group in America – and represent a growing share of college students.

    Disability access is a vital yet often overlooked component of DEI efforts, with 20.5% of undergraduate students reporting a disability. Many institutions address this through disability services, which ensure students receive such appropriate testing accommodations as extended exam times, classroom support and access to assistive technology.

    Accommodations for individuals with both sensory and physical disabilities are universally accepted and ensure access to everyone regardless of their ability. DEI initiatives, particularly those focusing on accessibility and support services, play a pivotal role in ensuring students with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed.

    Given that disabilities affect people from every ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic background, the erasure of DEI programs that support them hurts all groups – and that includes white people, who made up 21.1% of all undergraduate students with disabilities in the 2019-20 academic year.

    We believe it is particularly critical to fund programs that include students with disabilities because, in the past, public providers did not create equitable opportunities for all.

    Before the passage of key legislation such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with disabilities were often excluded from mainstream educational settings or received inadequate support. Even since those laws were enacted, enforcement has been inconsistent, and gaps in accessibility persist today.

    Women and veterans

    In addition to those two groups, DEI programs also target women and veterans.

    For women, who make up more than half of college students, they promote equity in male-dominated fields such as science, technology, engineering and math, and leadership roles in government, academia and the private sector.

    For veterans, DEI programs provide tailored resources like academic support, mental health services and career transition assistance that recognize the unique challenges some of them face in higher education.

    The GI Bill, which provides financial assistance to veterans pursuing higher education, has also gotten caught up in Trump’s DEI purge. While it wasn’t designed back in 1944 as a DEI initiative – and has often failed to ensure equitable access for Black veterans – the Department of Veterans Affairs has recently tried to provide targeted support to veterans of diverse backgrounds. Trump’s order ended those programs.

    While veterans make up only 6% of undergraduate students, the majority of them – about 60% – are white, with 16% Black, 14% Hispanic and 3% Asian.

    Close to home

    Collectively, those groups and others have benefited from the over US$1 billion in grants the Education Department has allocated to DEI programs since 2021.

    Diversity encompasses a lot more than just race, and that’s why DEI programs are intended to benefit a broad range of people who historically have been underrepresented at universities or have lacked support.

    For both of us, the end of these types of programs hits close to home. One of us is white, and one of us is Black, but we’ve both benefited from DEI initiatives aimed at first-generation college students and women.

    We also both have family members who are veterans or who have disabilities and who have received financial support and resources that made a significant difference in their ability to go to college.

    Most American families – even if they don’t realize it – can tell a similar story of how programs aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion helped them achieve the American dream.

    Trump’s order describes DEI programs as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” and says Americans deserve “a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect.”

    In our view, the orders are more likely to have the opposite effect.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. DEI programs are designed to help white people too – here’s how – https://theconversation.com/dei-programs-are-designed-to-help-white-people-too-heres-how-248989

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Ataccama and Concord Partner to Accelerate Data Modernization in Regulated Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ataccama, the data trust company, today announced a strategic partnership with Concord USA, LLC (“Concord”), a leading technology consultancy, to tackle the complex challenges of data modernization in highly regulated industries. This partnership builds on Ataccama’s Solution Partner Program to support joint enterprise clients to accelerate data-driven digital transformation and deliver measurable business value.

    Many organizations struggle to achieve high-quality, trusted data due to siloes created by legacy systems and fragmented data environments. This creates unstructured, inconsistent data that complicates analytics. These issues are magnified in highly regulated sectors like healthcare and financial services where inaccuracies can have costly—even critical—consequences. For example, healthcare requires 99.9% data accuracy to support confident decision-making and meet stringent regulatory standards, far exceeding the 80% threshold acceptable in other industries.

    Ataccama’s unified data trust platform tackles these challenges by enabling organizations to catalog and classify their data, giving them clarity on its health and origin, and allowing them to improve the quality of their data by fixing all identified issues. With data cleansed, standardized, and consolidated into a single, trusted source of truth, organizations are empowered to make informed, compliant decisions and drive meaningful outcomes.

    Concord brings a proven track record in healthcare and financial services, specializing in digital transformation and seamless data migration for Fortune 500 clients. Together, Ataccama and Concord help organizations modernize data ecosystems, and achieve digital transformation with the confidence that comes from trusted, high-quality data.

    “Healthcare and insurance organizations face some of the most complex data challenges, from fragmented legacy systems to meeting stringent regulatory requirements,” said Florin Ibrani, Chief Executive Officer at Concord. “Our partnership with Ataccama better enables highly-regulated organizations to future-proof their data infrastructure and achieve the data accuracy and availability required to advance their modernization goals confidently.”

    “Data trust is non-negotiable in healthcare and insurance—where inaccuracies can have costly, even critical, consequences,” said Jessica Goulart, vice president of Partnerships at Ataccama. “Our solution partner program supports consultancies and system integrators to provide the implementation services to support our joint clients to implement the Ataccama unified data trust platform for data quality, catalog, lineage, observability and master data management. Through our partnership with Concord, we help organizations overcome their regulated industry challenges and advance their digital transformation initiatives to drive success.”

    For more information about the Ataccama Partner Program, visit the Ataccama Partner Hub.

    About Ataccama
    Ataccama is the data trust company. Organizations worldwide rely on Ataccama ONE, the unified data trust platform, to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and actionable. By integrating data quality, lineage, observability, governance, and master data management into a single solution, Ataccama enables businesses to unlock value from their data for AI, analytics, and operations. Trusted by hundreds of global enterprises, Ataccama helps organizations drive innovation, reduce costs, and mitigate risk. Recognized as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Augmented Data Quality and the 2025 Magic Quadrant for Data and Analytics Governance, Ataccama continues to set the standard for trusted data at scale. Learn more at www.ataccama.com.

    About Concord
    Concord USA, LLC (“Concord”) is a next-generation technology consultancy focused on experience, data, and cloud engineering & modernization. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with supporting operations across the United States, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and India, Concord serves leading enterprises and innovators in the healthcare, technology, consumer, manufacturing, distribution, and financial services industries. With a unique combination of industry expertise, technology know-how, and project execution reliability, Concord helps customers unlock business value by solving their most difficult data and technology problems. For more information, visit concordusa.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: High Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah approves Rs.1554.99 crore of additional Central assistance to five States

    Source: Government of India (2)

    High Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah approves Rs.1554.99 crore of additional Central assistance to five States

    Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura to get funds for floods/ flash flood, landslides, cyclonic storm that occurred during 2024

    This shows the resolve of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to help the people of five States who faced these natural disasters

    During financial year 2024-25, Central Government has released Rs. 18,322.80 crore to 27 States in SDRF and Rs. 4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 States

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 10:52AM by PIB Delhi

    The High-Level Committee (HLC), under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, has approved Rs.1554.99 crore of additional Central assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to five States, affected by flood, flash flood, landslides, cyclonic storm during year 2024. This shows the resolve of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to help the people of five States who faced these natural disasters.

    The HLC approved central assistance of Rs.1554.99 crore to five States from NDRF, subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance for the year available in the SDRF. Out of the total amount of Rs.1554.99 crore, Rs 608.08 crore has been approved for Andhra Pradesh, Rs 170.99 crore for Nagaland, Rs 255.24 crore for Odisha, Rs. 231.75 crore for Telangana and Rs. 288.93 crore for Tripura.

    This additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the States in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at the disposal of the States. During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 18,322.80 crore to 27 States in SDRF and Rs. 4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 States, Rs. 2208.55 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 14 States and Rs. 719.72 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 08 States.

    The Central Government had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to these States, immediately after the calamities, without waiting for the receipt of a formal Memorandum.

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    RK / VV / RR / PS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Argentina Strengthen Cooperation in Lithium Exploration and Mining with a MoU

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, along with Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, held a meeting with H.E. Raúl Alejandro Jalil, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, in New Delhi today. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in lithium exploration and investment opportunities. A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, which will pave the way for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals.

    Argentina, known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the ‘Lithium Triangle,’ is a crucial partner for India in securing essential minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. The discussions covered ongoing lithium exploration efforts by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) & Greenko in Catamarca and the possibilities of increasing participation of Indian companies in mining projects of Argentina. Both sides explored avenues for investment, long-term supply agreements, and joint ventures that would help strengthen India’s access to this critical mineral.

    Senior officials from both sides engaged in discussions on policy frameworks, regulatory aspects, and sustainable mining practices to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership. Additionally, there was a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and infrastructure support to enhance India’s engagement in Argentina’s mining sector.

    With the signing of the MoU, India and Argentina have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in the critical minerals domain. This collaboration is expected to accelerate lithium exploration projects, enhance resource security, and create new opportunities for Indian companies in the Latin American mining landscape.

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    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2104761) Visitor Counter : 162

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister pays homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 9:01AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti.

    Shri Modi wrote on X;

    “I pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti.

    His valour and visionary leadership laid the foundation for Swarajya, inspiring generations to uphold the values of courage and justice. He inspires us in building a strong, self-reliant and prosperous India.”

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2104547) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India elected to Vice Presidency of International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi

    India is elected to the Vice Presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore.

     

     

    Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways led the Indian delegation comprising Shri Mukesh Mangal, Joint Secretary, Shri N.  Muruganandam, Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, and Shri S. Saravanan, Dy. Director, in the ongoing 1st General Assembly of IALA in Singapore.

     

     

    The first General Assembly of IALA also marks its transition from a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an inter-governmental organization (IGO), where India was elected to its Vice Presidency.  This underscores India’s strong leadership and contributions to maritime affairs, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable and secure marine navigation.

    IALA, established in 1957 as an NGO, transitioned to an IGO to enhance its role in shaping international standards and best practices for safe and efficient navigation. The new IGO status amplifies IALA’s mandate to harmonise global maritime navigation systems, promote maritime safety initiatives, and collaborate with member states, international organizations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.

     

     

    India is hosting the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai. India’s election to this prominent position reinforces its dedication to advancing maritime safety, enhancing navigational aids, and fostering international cooperation within the maritime sector.

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    G.D. Hallikeri / Henry

    (Release ID: 2104773) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Boost to Global Reporting of Clinical Data and Evidence-Based Research in Ayush with WHO 2025 Update to ICD-11

    Source: Government of India

    Boost to Global Reporting of Clinical Data and  Evidence-Based Research in Ayush with WHO 2025 Update to ICD-11

    A Significant Step toward Global Integration of Traditional Medicine: Secretary Ayush

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:44PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant milestone for the global recognition of traditional medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The update introduces a pioneering new module dedicated to traditional medicine conditions, marking a monumental step in the systematic tracking and global integration of traditional systems of healthcare practices related to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.

    This update follows the successful year-long testing and deliberations after the launch of ICD-11 TM-2 (on January 10, 2024, in New Delhi) for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems of medicine for country implementation testing. It culminates in the deliberations held at the WHO meeting at the National Institute of Health in Malaysia in November 2024. The ICD-11 TM 2 module is now officially released on the ICD-11 Blue Browser of WHO.

    This groundbreaking inclusion of traditional medicine in WHO’s internationally recognised health framework ensures that the traditional health systems of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are officially documented and categorized in ICD-11, alongside conventional medical conditions. This elevates their status in global health reporting, research, and policymaking.

    Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, stated, “The release of the ICD-11 update 2025 represents a significant step toward global integration of traditional medicine, specifically Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. By allowing dual coding and improving data collection, this update fosters evidence-based policymaking, enhances patient care, and supports the inclusion of traditional medicine in national healthcare strategies, promoting holistic and inclusive healthcare worldwide. This update also marks a pivotal moment for traditional medicine, paving the way for its global integration and empowering evidence-based integrative healthcare policies that embrace holistic well-being.”

    “With the new updates, the ICD-11 offers more ease of use, improved interoperability and accuracy, which will benefit national health systems and the people they serve,” said Dr. Robert Jakob, Team Leader, Classifications and Terminologies Unit, WHO.

    Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani: A New Global Platform

    Traditional medicine has long been an essential component of healthcare, particularly in Asia, Africa, and other regions where indigenous practices complement modern medical approaches. The introduction of the ‘Traditional Medicine Conditions’ module in ICD-11 is a major step toward acknowledging the vital role of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in the modern healthcare landscape. This move aligns with WHO’s mission to promote universal health coverage and sustainable development goals, recognizing the therapeutic potential of these systems alongside contemporary medical treatments.

    This new module allows healthcare providers to use dual coding for both traditional and conventional medicine diagnosis, enabling comprehensive data collection on the use and effectiveness of traditional medicine practices. By formally categorizing these systems, WHO is facilitating a structured way for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to systematically track and assess the impact of traditional medicine in health systems worldwide.

    Empowering Global Research and Evidence-Based Policy
    Including traditional medicine within ICD-11 offers a host of advantages for global healthcare. By providing standardized terminology and definitions, the module will:

    Enhance data collection: Enabling the global tracking of traditional medicine usage, ensuring comprehensive reporting of its application.

    Facilitate evidence-based policymaking: Supporting the integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare strategies, ensuring its contribution to global health priorities.

    Improve patient care: Allowing healthcare providers to incorporate traditional medicine practices into clinical decision-making for more holistic treatment plans.

    Boost global comparability: Providing a framework for researchers to analyze the efficacy of traditional medicine alongside modern medical treatments.

    By systematically documenting traditional medicine practices, WHO has created a platform for enhancing both the visibility and credibility of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani on the world stage.

    A Step Forward for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani
    Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are centuries-old systems of healthcare systems that have served as the cornerstone of healthcare for millions of people in India and beyond. Their formal recognition in ICD-11 offers a powerful opportunity to showcase these systems as integral components of holistic healthcare.

    This inclusion enhances the global recognition of these practices and underscores their relevance to universal health coverage and broader health equity efforts. It marks a shift toward inclusivity, with traditional medicine now positioned alongside modern medicine in global health dialogues.

    Strengthening Traditional Medicine’s Role in Healthcare
     The traditional medicine module in ICD-11 is designed to capture morbidity data, rather than mortality and will help governments and healthcare institutions assess the frequency, quality, and cost-effectiveness of traditional medicine interventions. This evidence-based approach will allow policymakers to make informed decisions about the integration of traditional medicine services into national health frameworks.

    As more people turn to traditional medicine alongside modern medical treatments, WHO’s initiative reflects its commitment to ensuring that all forms of healthcare—both modern and traditional—are accounted for in public health strategies. By incorporating traditional medicine into ICD-11, WHO is not only fostering inclusivity but also advancing evidence-based healthcare solutions for diverse populations.

    The inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani within ICD-11 marks a turning point in how the world views and integrates traditional healthcare systems. With global research, policy formulation, and healthcare practices increasingly influenced by evidence-based approaches, this historic update is set to reshape the future of traditional medicine, ensuring its continued relevance in modern healthcare systems worldwide.

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    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2104767) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation and Arghyam Sign MoU to develop Digital Public Infrastructure for WASH sector

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation and Arghyam Sign MoU to develop Digital Public Infrastructure for WASH sector

    The partnership aims to conceptualize, design, and implement a digital ecosystem to support the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:42PM by PIB Delhi

    Dr.Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS) and Arghyam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the WASH sector. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision to enhance water and sanitation service delivery through digital solutions.

    The partnership aims to conceptualize, design, and implement a digital ecosystem to support the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-G). Under this agreement, SPM-NIWAS will lead the implementation, while Arghyam, a key knowledge partner, will contribute its expertise in technology-driven water governance.

    Key focus areas include:

    • Developing open APIs and interoperable solutions to enable data-driven decision-making.
    • Strengthening state institutions for efficient operation and maintenance of water assets.
    • Building participatory digital platforms for sustainable water management.

     

    A Consultative Committee comprising representatives from SPM-NIWAS, DDWS, and Arghyam will oversee the project’s execution. This collaboration will accelerate digital transformation in the WASH sector, ensuring safe, sustainable water access for all.

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    Dhanya Sanal K

    (Release ID: 2104764) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Argentina Strengthen Cooperation in Lithium Exploration and Mining with a Landmark MoU

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, along with Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, held a meeting with H.E. Raúl Alejandro Jalil, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, in New Delhi today. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the mining sector, particularly in lithium exploration and investment opportunities. A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, which will pave the way for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals.

    Argentina, known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the ‘Lithium Triangle,’ is a crucial partner for India in securing essential minerals required for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. The discussions covered ongoing lithium exploration efforts by Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) & Greenko in Catamarca and the possibilities of increasing participation of Indian companies in mining projects of Argentina. Both sides explored avenues for investment, long-term supply agreements, and joint ventures that would help strengthen India’s access to this critical mineral.

    Senior officials from both sides engaged in discussions on policy frameworks, regulatory aspects, and sustainable mining practices to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership. Additionally, there was a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and infrastructure support to enhance India’s engagement in Argentina’s mining sector.

    With the signing of the MoU, India and Argentina have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties in the critical minerals domain. This collaboration is expected to accelerate lithium exploration projects, enhance resource security, and create new opportunities for Indian companies in the Latin American mining landscape.

    ****

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2104761) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Clarification on New FASTag Rule

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

    In reference to the news items carried by some publications regarding change of FASTag Rule declining transactions on FASTags which are not active for more than 60 minutes prior to read time and up to 10 minutes after read time, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) clarifies that the Circular No NPCI/2024-25/NETC/004A, dated 28.01.2025 issued by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has no impact on FASTag customer experience.

    The Circular has been issued by NPCI to facilitate resolution of disputes between Acquirer Bank and Issuer Bank on FASTag status while vehicle crosses Toll Plazas.  The Circular also aims to ensure that the FASTag transactions are created within reasonable time of vehicle passing a Toll Plaza so that customers are not harassed by late transactions.

    All National Highway Toll Plazas operate on ICD 2.5 protocol which gives real-time tag status, hence the FASTag customers can recharge any time before crossing the Toll Plaza.

    Some Toll plazas on State Highways are still on ICD 2.4 protocol which needs regular updates of Tag status.  It is being planned to shift all such Toll plazas to ICD 2.5 protocol, shortly.

    The FASTag customers are encouraged to link their FASTag wallet to UPI/Current/Saving Accounts under auto-recharge setting to eliminate the need for manual recharges.  Customers can continue to recharge their FASTag any time before reaching the toll, using a variety of payment channels such as UPI, net banking, and more.

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    G.D.Hallikeri / Henry

    (Release ID: 2104728) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes celebrates its 22nd Foundation Day

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 4:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram lauded the proactive initiatives of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, emphasizing its vital role in implementing and monitoring the Forest Rights Act using its Constitutional powers. He was addressing the gathering at the 22nd Foundation Day celebrations of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes here today.

    Shri Jual Oram assured that the Tribal Ministry, in collaboration with the Commission, will continue working towards ensuring a better and dignified life, social justice, and holistic development for Scheduled Tribe communities. Highlighting key initiatives of the Central Government for Scheduled Tribes, he mentioned programs such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools, pre- and post-matric scholarships, and the National Overseas Scholarship. Additionally, he discussed the identification of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across the country as part of a specialized development plan.

    In his address during the Foundation Day programme, Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Shri Antar Singh Arya, elaborated on the activities of the Commission. He stated that since assuming office, the current Commission has been continuously visiting Scheduled Tribe communities across the country. The Commission has successfully implemented a 100-day action plan to review the progress of various states, districts, and public sector undertakings. He highlighted the work and achievements of the Commission and emphasized that it remains steadfast in its efforts to safeguard the rights and ensure the development of Scheduled Tribes.

    The event also featured speeches by Commission members, including Shri Nirupam Chakma, Dr Asha Lakra and Shri Jatothu Hussain, who shared their experiences and thoughts. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, and Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Shri Vaddepally Ramchander, along with other dignitaries such as chairpersons, members, and secretaries of various national commissions, representatives of Scheduled Tribe communities, and university students, were also present at the event.

    During the inaugural session, the Secretary of the Commission, Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, welcomed the guests and presented an overview of the Commission’s key activities, successful cases and a brief introduction to its work. Following the inaugural session, various sessions on tribal community progress, development, skill enhancement, and entrepreneurship were conducted. Experts from the National Skill Development Corporation, academicians from Delhi University, and policymakers shared their insights during these sessions. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Joint Secretary of the Commission, Shri Amit Nirmal.

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    PSF/DK

    (Release ID: 2104722) Visitor Counter : 48

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN NAVY’S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON DEPARTS SIHANOUKVILLE PORT, CAMBODIA

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 4:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) comprising – INS Sujata, and ICGS Veera departed from Sihanoukville, Cambodia on 17 Feb 25 marking the conclusion of a successful visit. During the three-day visit, the Indian Navy engaged with the Royal Cambodian Navy on various fronts, forging deeper bonds and strengthening Bridges of Friendship.

    A media interaction was organised, which was attended by Senior Officer, 1TS along with Commanding Officers of INS Sujata and ICGS Veera. The interaction highlighted the engagement of Indian Navy with regional Navies towards wider maritime cooperation and the role of First Training Squadron in furthering this mission. During the port call, Capt Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer, 1TS called on Admiral Tea Vinh, Commander, Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN) at Naval Headquarters, Phnom Penh. The meeting was also attended by VCNS, DCNS, COL, and Chief of Operations of the RCN. Discussions were held on issues of bilateral cross training, interoperability, joint exercises, regional security, and goodwill activities. The Senior Officer, 1TS also called on Governor of Sihanoukville province and Rear Admiral Mey Dina, Commander, Ream Naval Base.

     A Small Arms Simulator was handed over to the Royal Cambodian Army as a part of ongoing exchanges and defence engagement. Strengthening people-to-people ties, trainees of First Training Squadron and Royal Cambodian Navy participated in friendly sports fixtures enhancing camaraderie and mutual understanding. A guided walk-around of the ships was organised for the Indian community at Sihanoukville. A reception was hosted onboard, which was attended by Ambassadors and diplomats of various countries, senior leadership of Royal Cambodian Navy and Army, alongwith other distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora.

    The goodwill visit of 1TS reaffirms bilateral engagement and enduring maritime partnership between India and Cambodia aligned with the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

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    (Release ID: 2104717) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya & Maharashtra CM, Sh. Devendra Fadnavis Undertakes ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat’ Padyatra on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Jayanti in Pune, Maharashtra

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya & Maharashtra CM, Sh. Devendra Fadnavis Undertakes ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat’ Padyatra on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Jayanti in Pune, Maharashtra

    Over 20,000 MY Bharat Youth Volunteers Join Padyatra to Celebrate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Glorious Heritage

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life teaches us that true leadership is about selfless service and unwavering dedication to the nation: Dr. Mandaviya

    Padyatras Held Simultaneously Across All 36 Districts of Maharashtra to Honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis led the grand ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat’ Padyatra on the historic occasion of the 395th Jayanti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Pune, Maharashtra today. They were joined by over 20,000 MY Bharat Youth Volunteers, showcasing immense enthusiasm and reverence for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.

    Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, along with several State Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and MLCs, also participated in the grand padyatra, making it a remarkable tribute to the visionary Maratha leader.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya urged the youth to draw strength from the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He emphasized that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s principles of Swabhiman (self-respect) and Samman (honour) continue to guide India’s youth in building a self-reliant and prosperous nation. Expressing gratitude for India’s rich heritage, he highlighted that leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have shaped the nation’s values and inspired generations with their courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the motherland. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life teaches us that true leadership is about selfless service and unwavering dedication to the nation,” he stated.

    Dr. Mandaviya spoke about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s visionary governance, his efficient administration, and his deep respect for all sections of society. Taking inspiration from these ideals, he emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to strengthen the nation through progressive policies focused on good governance, social welfare, and economic growth. He highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering youth, fostering innovation, and instilling national pride—principles that align with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s vision of a resilient and self-reliant society. He urged the youth to take responsibility, as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did in his time, and contribute to making India a Viksit Bharat. “The youth are not just the future, they are the present force that will drive India towards greatness,” he remarked.

    Dr. Mandaviya further emphasized that India’s youth have the potential to be the driving force of national progress. He encouraged them to embrace qualities such as determination, integrity, and a sense of duty towards the country. Just as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj envisioned a strong and self-sufficient nation, today’s youth must work towards innovation, social harmony, and inclusive development. “By following Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s ideals, we can build a nation that stands tall with pride, resilience, and unity,” he affirmed. 

    Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, highlighted the global reverence for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, noting that his birth anniversary is celebrated not only in India but across 20 countries. He emphasized Shivaji Maharaj’s visionary leadership in governance, taxation, welfare policies, defense, and naval management. He also acknowledged Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s efforts in nominating 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for UNESCO World Heritage status, expressing confidence in their forthcoming approval. He called upon the youth to uphold the principles of Shivaji Maharaj and contribute to nation-building.

    Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, in her address, highlighted the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a beacon of bravery, wisdom, and justice. She emphasized that his leadership and unwavering commitment to Swarajya continue to inspire the nation to uphold unity and righteousness. Reflecting on Maharashtra’s deep-rooted connection with Shivaji Maharaj’s ideals, she stated that just as he led a revolution by mobilizing the youth, the vision of a Viksit Bharat can be realized by uniting the young generation. Reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief in the power of youth to shape the nation’s future, she called upon everyone to pledge their commitment to building a developed India guided by the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    Before commencing the grand ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat’ Padyatra, the esteemed guests participated in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative by planting a sapling, symbolizing their commitment to environmental sustainability and reverence for nature. Following this meaningful gesture, they led the grand procession, paying tribute to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    Covering a 4 km route, the Padyatra started from COEP College and made halts at AISSPMS College Pune (at the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), Rani Laxmibai Chowk, and Goodluck Chowk, before concluding at Fergusson College.

    At each halting point, Maharashtra’s vibrant culture was on full display, with youth performing traditional dances and songs. The traditional sport of Mallakhamba was also showcased, reflecting the state’s rich heritage. Adding to the grandeur, Dhol Nagada performances welcomed the Padyatra at every stop, keeping the padyatra energized throughout the journey.

    The ‘Jai Shivaji Jai Bharat’ Padyatra in Pune, Maharashtra, marked the sixth in a series of 24 padyatras planned across the country to commemorate 75 years of the Constitution and celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. This grand event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 20,000 youth in Pune alone. Additionally, simultaneous padyatras were held in all 36 districts of Maharashtra, with each district seeing the active involvement of around 3,000 participants, collectively paying tribute to the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

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    Himanshu Pathak

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MeitY introduces Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) to harmonizes government’s Digital presence & hosts CIO Conference 2025 to strengthen India’s digital governance

    Source: Government of India

    MeitY introduces Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) to harmonizes government’s Digital presence & hosts CIO Conference 2025 to strengthen India’s digital governance

    DBIM aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Reform, Perform, and Transform”, making India’s digital governance more accessible, inclusive, and citizen-centric: Shri Jatin Prasada

    DBIM Provides a toolkit for a uniform identity, Gov.In CMS for streamlined management, CCPS for centralized content, and social media guidelines for standardized communication.

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) yesterday marked a significant step in India’s digital governance with the launch of the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and the inaugural Chief Information Officer (CIO) Conference 2025. Held in New Delhi, the event was presided over by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Commerce & Industry and Shri S. Krishnan Secretary for Minister of Information Electronics Technology, under the Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India’s Digital Footprint initiative.

    Standardized and cohesive digital presence across platforms

    During launch Shri Jitin Prasada emphasized that the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) will enhance the government’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” approach by introducing “Uniform Governance,” ensuring a standardized and cohesive digital presence across all ministries and platforms.

     He also highlighted that DBIM aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Reform, Perform, and Transform”, making India’s digital governance more accessible, inclusive, and citizen-centric, thereby strengthening the country’s e-governance ecosystem on a global scale. The initiative focuses on simplifying and standardizing government websites, ensuring that citizens from diverse backgrounds can easily navigate and access essential government services.

    In addition to above, he stressed the role of the Central Content Publishing System (CCPS) in making key government policies, schemes, and initiatives readily available, improving transparency and public engagement. He also emphasized the importance of innovation, agility and security in digital governance, leveraging AI-driven tools and robust security measures to build a seamless, trustworthy and future-ready digital ecosystem, contributing to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

    Govt unveils DBIM for efficiency

    MeitY Secretary, S. Krishnan highlighted the Prime Minister’s directive to establish a common interface across government websites, ensuring a user-friendly and standardized digital experience. He emphasized a user-centric approach, where government portals must offer accessibility and efficiency comparable to private sector websites across both desktop and mobile devices. A unified digital branding manual (DBIM) has been introduced to enhance service delivery, and centralized content pushing will ensure consistent messaging across ministries, making government priorities more transparent.

     He also stressed the critical role of NIC in providing technological support and modernizing government infrastructure to meet evolving digital demands. With the digital economy set to reach 20% of GDP, the Secretary urged ministries to adopt digital tools for better service delivery.

     Features of DBIM initiative

    The DBIM launch was accompanied by the introduction of several critical components to harmonize India’s digital presence:

    • DBIM Toolkit for ensuring uniformity in digital identity.
    • Gov.In CMS Platform for streamlined website management.
    • Central Content Publishing System (CCPS) for centralized content governance.
    • Social Media Campaign Guidelines to standardize digital communication.

    The launch also featured the unveiling of the DBIM-compliant MeitY website, demonstrating a consistent and citizen-friendly digital experience. Additionally, four other ministry/department websites have migrated to the Gov.In CMS platform, with more set to follow.

    First CIO conference 2025: key discussions

    The First Chief Information Officer (CIO) Conference 2025 convened experts from MeitY, NIC, MyGov and various ministries to discuss the adoption and implementation of DBIM. Key discussions revolved around:

    • Harmonizing government websites under a unified digital brand identity.
    • Managing websites on the Gov.In platform for enhanced accessibility and performance.
    • Localizing content and optimizing digital services for inclusivity.
    • Compliance with Guidelines for Indian Government Websites and Apps (GIGW) and STQC Certification for quality assurance.

    The nationwide adoption of DBIM is set to revolutionize citizen engagement, strengthen trust, and enhance government service delivery in the digital space.

    Visit the newly launched DBIM-compliant MeitY website for information: https://www.meity.gov.in/

    Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM)

    As part of the Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India’s Digital Footprint initiative, the DBIM seeks to establish a standardized and seamless digital presence across government ministries, departments, and agencies. This initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform governance through technology, ensuring accessibility, efficiency, and a more citizen-friendly digital experience.

    The primary objective of the DBIM is to create a unified and consistent digital brand for the Government of India. By standardizing elements such as color palettes, typography, and iconography, the manual not only ensures uniformity in look and feel but also strengthens the integrity of government-hosted data. This cohesive approach will enable government departments to present a compelling and trustworthy brand presence, both nationally and globally. The guidelines extend beyond websites to cover mobile applications and social media platforms, reinforcing a seamless user experience across all digital touchpoints.

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Innovate2Educate

    Source: Government of India

    Innovate2Educate

    Learning With Fun And Innovation

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

    Learning With Fun And Innovation

    Introduction

    The Innovate2Educate Handheld Device Design Challenge is an exciting competition aimed at transforming children’s learning experiences. It is part of the Create in India Challenge Season 1 and is celebrated under WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit), which will focus on four key pillars: Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR, Digital Media & Innovation, and Films. Innovate2Educate aligns with Pillar 2 of WAVES dedicated to AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and cutting-edge technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse).

    The event is being organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in partnership with The Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) with Hack2Skill serving as the Innovation Partner and ICT Academy as the Skilling Partner. A total of 334 candidates have registered so far, including 3 international participants.

    Objective

    In this challenge academia, designers, engineers and innovators can participate to create a prototype of an educational handheld device that:

    1. Engages children in learning Mathematics
    2. Encourages problem-solving through puzzles
    3. Enhances cognitive skills with interactive content
    4. Is affordable and accessible for a broad audience

    Competition Guidelines

                                                               

    The competition guidelines emphasize designing an innovative handheld device that blends education with entertainment. Below are the key guidelines that participants should follow:

     

    Phases of the Competition

     

    The competition consists of three key phases each designed to guide participants from concept to final product. Below is an overview of the process from submitting initial ideas to presenting the finished prototypes.

    Registration Process

    Follow these steps to complete your registration:

    Step 1: Register Online

    Registration process will end on 23rd February, 2025 (11:59 PM IST)

    Step 2: Submit Your Concept

    Provide detailed sketches, descriptions and key features.

    Step 3: Develop and Submit Your Prototype

    Selected participants will be invited to create and submit a working prototype.

    Evaluation Criteria

    Participants submissions will be evaluated based on:

    1. Innovation: Originality and creativity in device design and content.
    2. Educational Value: Effectiveness in teaching math and enhancing cognitive skills.
    3. User Experience: How engaging and user-friendly the device is for children.
    4. Cost-effectiveness: Feasibility of producing the device at an affordable price.
    5. Durability and Design: Practicality and robustness of the design.

    Prizes

    The Innovate2Educate Challenge offers exciting prizes to reward creativity and innovation. Winners will receive cash prizes, support for prototype development and an opportunity to showcase their designs at prominent events.

    • Cash Prizes will be awarded to the top three designs.
    • Prototype Development Support: Assistance in refining and producing the winning prototype.
    • Showcase Opportunity: The winning design will be featured at key IDGS events and showcased to potential investors and manufacturers.

     

    References:

     

    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kamna Lakaria

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants Released for the Rural Local Bodies of Bihar, Haryana and Sikkim

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Government has released Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants during Financial Year 2024–25, for the Rural Local Bodies of Bihar, Haryana and Sikkim. Bihar gets the 2nd installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.821.8021 crores and withheld portion of 1st installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.47.9339 crores. These funds are for the all 38 District Panchayats, 530 eligible Block Panchayats and 8052 eligible Gram Panchayats which fulfilled the mandatory conditions for the release. While Rural Local Bodies in Haryana will get, 2nd installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.202.4663 crores and withheld portion of 1st installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.7.5993 crores. These funds are for the 18 eligible District Panchayats, 142 eligible Block Panchayats and 6195 eligible Gram Panchayats. Sikkim receives the 2nd installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.6.2613 crores during Financial Year 2024–25. These funds are for the 4 eligible District Panchayats and 186 eligible Gram Panchayats which fulfilled the mandatory conditions for release.  

    The Untied Grants will be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/ Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for location-specific felt needs, under the Twenty-Nine (29) Subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and fecal sludge management in particular and (b) supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.

    ***

    Aditi Agrawal

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Nepal Deepen Science and Technology Partnership with New Agreement

    Source: Government of India

    India and Nepal Deepen Science and Technology Partnership with New Agreement

    Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Sign MoU to Strengthen Indo-Nepal Scientific Cooperation

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Marking a significant milestone in Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation between India and Nepal, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18th February 2025 at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi.

    The agreement, signed and exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST, establishes a broad framework to promote bilateral scientific and technological collaboration.

    MoU for S&T cooperation between CSIR, India and NAST, Nepal being exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG CSIR and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST

    CSIR and NAST share a long history of cooperation, dating back to 1994, when an agreement between CSIR and then-RONAST (now NAST) was signed to promote joint research and technological development in areas of mutual interest. To execute the agreement, two Working Programmes were signed in 1997 and 2002, leading to the organization of several joint workshops and training programs that continued beyond the official period of these agreements.

    The newly signed MoU seeks to rejuvenate and expand this collaboration, enhancing scientific engagement between the two institutions.

    The renewed partnership under the 2025 MoU will be implemented through various collaborative activities, including the exchange of scientific information, research materials, and scientists, the organization of joint S&T seminars, workshops, and training programs, the execution of joint research projects, access to each other’s major research facilities, technology partnerships, and the twinning of institutions for capacity development. The cooperation will focus on mutually agreed areas, including biological sciences, food science and technology, water and environmental technologies, fuel and mining sciences, metallurgy, material sciences such as glass, ceramics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology, alternative energy, leather and footwear technologies, metrology, polymer sciences, and drug discovery.

    The apex-level meeting held during the signing was attended by senior leadership from CSIR, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and NAST. Discussions centred on the most effective modes of collaboration and key focus areas for joint research and development efforts. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, emphasized CSIR’s keen interest in strengthening its technology and capacity-building partnerships with Nepal through NAST. She underscored the enormous untapped potential for collaboration in multiple sectors and stressed the importance of swiftly putting the MoU into action with a targeted implementation plan.

    Vice-Chancellor of NAST, Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, reaffirmed NAST’s commitment to this partnership, highlighting the value Nepal places on scientific cooperation with India. He noted that this MoU and the discussions held today would pave the way for a strengthened and enduring S&T relationship between the two nations. He also proposed the formation of subject-specific working groups to facilitate structured collaboration in priority areas.

    With the exchange of this MoU, CSIR and NAST have reaffirmed their shared vision of leveraging scientific and technological advancements to drive progress, innovation, and economic growth. The agreement marks a new era in Indo-Nepal scientific collaboration, opening new avenues for joint research and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Resonate: The EDM Challenge

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Resonate: The EDM Challenge

    Pioneering the Next Wave of Electronic Music

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Pioneering the Next Wave of Electronic Music

    Introduction

    Resonate: The EDM Challenge is set to take centre stage at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), bringing together global talent in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) to celebrate innovation, creativity, and collaboration in music production and live performance. Organised by the Indian Music Industry (IMI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B), this initiative is part of the “Create in India Challenge” and seeks to strengthen India’s status as a global centre for music fusion, electronic music, and DJing artistry.

    WAVES is built on four key pillars i.e. Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality), Digital Media & Innovation, and Films. The EDM Challenge is a part of the Broadcasting & Infotainment segment, which focuses on both traditional and evolving forms of information and entertainment delivery. This pillar prioritises content creation, empowers citizens through information, and explores new ways of taking music and entertainment to a global audience while adapting to the challenges of the 21st century.

    Taking place from 1-4 May 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens, Mumbai, WAVES is a landmark platform designed to propel India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry to greater heights. The summit will serve as a key forum for industry leaders, stakeholders, and creators to explore new opportunities, drive innovation, and shape the future of entertainment. At its core, the Create in India Challenges have already garnered over 73,000 registrations, fostering a dynamic environment for creative excellence. Through Resonate: The EDM Challenge, WAVES further cements India’s role in the global entertainment landscape.

    Eligibility and Participation Guidelines

    The competition is open to artists, composers, musicians, and performers from any country with prior experience in creating and producing Electronic Dance Music (EDM). 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.

    1. The last date to register for participation is 10th March, 2025.

     

    1. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

     

    1. Only individuals or creative teams (maximum of two members) may apply; corporate entities are not eligible.

     

    1. Each participant or team is allowed to submit only one application.

     

    1. Only human-created content is eligible; AI-generated music will not be considered.

     

    1. For a detailed understanding of the participation rules, please refer to the following link: Terms and Conditions.

     

    Challenge Format

     

     

    Submission Process

    1. Participants must email their participation interest to wavesatinfo@indianmi.org.
    1. Submission details must be provided using the designated template, available at the following link: Submission Template.

    Judging Criteria

     

    Prizes and Recognition

    References:

    Click here to see PDF:

    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India is no longer just a follower; it is now leading the way in multiple fields: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:04PM by PIB Delhi

    • India’s Space Sector Soars: From Chandrayaan-3 to Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Nation Emerges as a Global Leader in Space Exploration
    • India Leads Global Healthcare Innovation with DNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine and First Herpesvirus Vaccine for Cervical Cancer
    • India’s Bioeconomy Booms: From $10 Billion to $140 Billion, Poised to Reach $250 Billion with Thriving Biotech Startups
    • India Pioneers Space Biology: Advancing Research in Space Medicine and Sustainable Life Beyond Earth
    • India’s Nuclear Energy Vision: 100 GW by 2047 to Drive Sustainability and Global Climate Leadership
    • India Rises as a Global Research Powerhouse, Poised to Lead the World in Scientific Publications by 2030
    • India’s Space Economy Poised for 10X Growth, Strengthening Global Leadership in Science and Bio-Manufacturing

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh has asserted that India is no longer just a follower but is now setting global benchmarks, offering leadership and pioneering innovations across sectors. He highlighted the remarkable advancements India has made in recent years, in the fields of space, biotechnology, and nuclear energy etc positioning itself as a key player on the world stage.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that India’s space sector has witnessed an unprecedented transformation, with a surge in ambitious missions and international collaborations. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) is a testament to India’s technological progress, paving the way for future space missions, including Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, India’s upcoming international space station.

    India has also emerged as a preferred destination for satellite launches, earning global credibility. The nation has successfully launched 433 foreign satellites, of which 396 were deployed in the last decade alone, generating $157 million and €260 million in revenue from 2014-2023. The historic success of Chandrayaan-3, which made India the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole, has positioned ISRO at the forefront of lunar exploration. The world’s leading space agencies, including NASA, are now awaiting India’s findings from the Moon’s southern pole, a milestone that underscores the nation’s rising dominance in space research.

    The Minister also highlighted India’s pioneering role in biotechnology and bioeconomy. India became the first country to develop a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, demonstrating its leadership in vaccine research and development. Furthermore, India has introduced the first herpesvirus vaccine for cervical cancer, reinforcing its position as a leader in preventive healthcare.

    India’s bioeconomy has surged from $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $140 billion today, with projections to reach $250 billion in the coming years. The number of biotech startups has skyrocketed from just 50 in 2014 to nearly 9,000 today, making India a global hub for biotech innovation. In bio-manufacturing, India now ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region and 12th globally, with its influence expanding rapidly.

    India has also taken a bold step into space biology, laying the foundation for human survival beyond Earth. ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology have signed an MoU to advance space biotechnology research, focusing on growing plants in space to sustain long-term space missions. The study of space medicine and human physiology in extraterrestrial environments is becoming a critical area of research, and India is now setting global standards instead of just following them.

    India’s nuclear energy program, once met with scepticism, is now recognized for its peaceful and sustainable ambitions. The country has set an ambitious target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, a commitment that is influencing global climate strategies. The world has now acknowledged India’s nuclear policy, which was envisioned by Homi Bhabha for peaceful purposes, as a model for responsible energy development.

    India’s scientific output is gaining global recognition, with the country now ranked fourth worldwide in scientific publications. Projections suggest that by 2030, India could surpass the United States to become the world’s top-ranked country in scientific research.

    India’s space economy is set to grow 5 to 10 times in the next decade, further solidifying its leadership. The nation’s rapid economic ascent is evident in its global rankings, including its 12th position in bio-manufacturing and fourth place in scientific research publications.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by emphasizing that India’s rise is no longer just about catching up but about setting the agenda for the world. “The clock has turned 360 degrees. Earlier, we learned from others; now, the world is looking up to us. The traffic is both ways,” he remarked.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India and Nepal Deepen Science and Technology Partnershipwith New Agreement

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India and Nepal Deepen Science and Technology Partnershipwith New Agreement

    Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Sign MoU to Strengthen Indo-Nepal Scientific Cooperation

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 3:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Marking a significant milestone in Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation between India and Nepal, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18th February 2025 at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi.

    The agreement, signed and exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST, establishes a broad framework to promote bilateral scientific and technological collaboration.

    MoU for S&T cooperation between CSIR, India and NAST, Nepal being exchanged by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG CSIR and Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor, NAST

    CSIR and NAST share a long history of cooperation, dating back to 1994, when an agreement between CSIR and then-RONAST (now NAST) was signed to promote joint research and technological development in areas of mutual interest. To execute the agreement, two Working Programmes were signed in 1997 and 2002, leading to the organization of several joint workshops and training programs that continued beyond the official period of these agreements.

    The newly signed MoU seeks to rejuvenate and expand this collaboration, enhancing scientific engagement between the two institutions.

    The renewed partnership under the 2025 MoU will be implemented through various collaborative activities, including the exchange of scientific information, research materials, and scientists, the organization of joint S&T seminars, workshops, and training programs, the execution of joint research projects, access to each other’s major research facilities, technology partnerships, and the twinning of institutions for capacity development. The cooperation will focus on mutually agreed areas, including biological sciences, food science and technology, water and environmental technologies, fuel and mining sciences, metallurgy, material sciences such as glass, ceramics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology, alternative energy, leather and footwear technologies, metrology, polymer sciences, and drug discovery.

    The apex-level meeting held during the signing was attended by senior leadership from CSIR, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and NAST. Discussions centred on the most effective modes of collaboration and key focus areas for joint research and development efforts. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR, emphasized CSIR’s keen interest in strengthening its technology and capacity-building partnerships with Nepal through NAST. She underscored the enormous untapped potential for collaboration in multiple sectors and stressed the importance of swiftly putting the MoU into action with a targeted implementation plan.

    Vice-Chancellor of NAST, Prof. Dr. Dilip Subba, reaffirmed NAST’s commitment to this partnership, highlighting the value Nepal places on scientific cooperation with India. He noted that this MoU and the discussions held today would pave the way for a strengthened and enduring S&T relationship between the two nations. He also proposed the formation of subject-specific working groups to facilitate structured collaboration in priority areas.

    With the exchange of this MoU, CSIR and NAST have reaffirmed their shared vision of leveraging scientific and technological advancements to drive progress, innovation, and economic growth. The agreement marks a new era in Indo-Nepal scientific collaboration, opening new avenues for joint research and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Coal Organizes Roadshow on Opportunities in the Coal Sector & Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in Kolkata

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 2:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Coal successfully organized a Roadshow on ‘Opportunities in the Coal Sector & Commercial Coal Mine Auctions’ at Kolkata today. Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt was the chief guest and graced the occasion accompanied by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority Ministry of Coal, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to supporting stakeholders. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders, showcasing the Government’s commitment to transforming the coal sector through progressive reforms and transparent policies.

    In her welcome addresses Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal reassured investors of the Ministry’s commitment to supporting them throughout the investment process. She emphasized the streamlined clearance processes and continuous enhancements to the ease of doing business in the sector. Ms. Brar stated that the Ministry is dedicated to ensuring a seamless investment journey for all stakeholders, backed by a transparent regulatory framework and accelerated project approvals. She also highlighted the Government of India’s progressive policies promoting coal gasification and underground mining to diversify coal utilization methods, reduce environmental impact, and enhance mining efficiency. She reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to good governance, maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency, while being open to dialogue, feedback, and collaboration with stakeholders.

    In his keynote address, Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Vikram Dev Dutt emphasized the Ministry’s vision to unlock the untapped potential of India’s coal resources. He highlighted how ongoing reforms are fostering sustainable growth and delivering mutual benefits to all stakeholders, ensuring that India’s coal sector remains a strong driver of economic growth and energy security. Shri Dutt also mentioned the Ministry’s active coordination with various State Governments and various Ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to expedite early clearances and enhance logistical support through Ministry of Railways. Secretary, emphasized that underground mining will have its place in upcoming auctions, offering a sustainable and efficient approach to coal extraction while minimizing environmental impact.

    He urged private players to not just invest in mining but also contribute meaningfully to the communities they operate in. He emphasized that the industry owes much to society and should strive to set new benchmarks in afforestation, restoration, and welfare initiatives. “Our growth must be inclusive, and our progress must leave a lasting, positive impact on both people and the planet,” he affirmed.          

    The Roadshow featured comprehensive presentations on the upcoming commercial coal mine auctions, offering insights into investment prospects and policy frameworks. It also provided a platform for investors to engage with key decision-makers, explore new business avenues, and gain a deeper understanding of India’s evolving coal sector landscape.

    The event also served as an interactive platform for stakeholders, including industry leaders, potential investors, mining experts, and policymakers, to exchange insights and explore collaborative opportunities. Stakeholders were able to gain clarity on the auction process, better understand regulatory frameworks, and learn about investment incentives. This engagement reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly ecosystem, ensuring stakeholders can capitalize on the growing opportunities within the coal sector and contribute to India’s energy security and sustainable growth.

    The Roadshow in Kolkata marks a significant milestone in the Ministry of Coal’s efforts to unlock new avenues for investment and foster growth in India’s coal sector, further reinforcing the country’s position as a global leader in coal production.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRIFED signs MoUs with Meesho, IFCA & Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialisation

    Source: Government of India

    TRIFED signs MoUs with Meesho, IFCA & Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialisation

    The collaboration to promote livelihood generation of tribal community

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 1:29PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to transcend from B2C to B2B approach for tribal communities, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) has entered into a strategic partnership with Meesho, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) to facilitate tribal businesses. Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed on 18th February during the ongoing flagship event ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the National Capital being from 16 to 24 February 2025, marking a pivotal step in ensuring the implementation of the B2B approach and augmentation of the tribal product market.

    The principal objective of the MoU with Meesho is to facilitate the onboarding of tribal products onto their social commerce platform, accompanied by training and capacity-building initiatives for tribal suppliers. Whereas the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) will assist in establishing long-term collaborations with culinary professionals and hotel chains through their technology platform. Furthermore, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) has partnered with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) as the knowledge partner to conduct training and capacity building for artisans.

    These MoUs were exchanged by General Managers of TRIFED with Ms Prachi Bhuchar, Head of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Meesho, Chef Manjit Gill, IFCA and Dr. Ashutosh A. Murkute, Director, MGIRI respectively in the presence of Shri Ashish Chatterjee, Managing Director, TRIFED on various aspects leading to social economic development of tribal communities across the country. With this and several other ventures, TRIFED continues further with its efforts to enable the economic welfare of these communities and bring them closer towards mainstream development.

    President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu had inaugurated the festival on February 16, 2025 in the august presence of Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Shri Durga Das Uikey, MoS Tribal Affairs; Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament, New Delhi.

     

    About TRIFED: TRIFED is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products. TRIFED has been organising “Aadi Mahotsav – National Tribal Festival” to provide direct market access to the tribal master-craftsmen and women in large metros and State capitals. The theme of the festival is “A Celebration of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine and Commerce”, which represents the basic ethos of tribal life.

    About Meesho: Meesho is an Indian e-commerce platform that primarily focuses on social commerce. It allows individuals and small businesses to sell products online through their portal and often through social media channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The platform provides a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, home goods, and more.

    About IFCA: The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) is a professional organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the culinary arts in India. It serves as a national body that represents the interests of chefs and culinary professionals across the country. The IFCA works to advance the culinary profession through education, networking, and collaboration among chefs, culinary educators, and the hospitality industry.

    About MGIRI:

    *The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) is an institution in India dedicated to promoting rural industrialization. It was established to carry forward the vision of Mahatma Gandhi regarding sustainable rural development and self-reliance through the promotion of small-scale and cottage industries.

    ******

    Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Secretary co-chairs 13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur

    Source: Government of India

    Defence Secretary co-chairs 13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur

    Both countries enhance cooperation in domains of defence industry, maritime security, multilateral engagements & emerging areas

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 12:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The 13th meeting of Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) took place in Kuala Lumpur on February 19, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary General of Ministry of Defence, Malaysia Mr Lokman Hakim Bin Ali. Both sides expressed happiness at the growing bilateral defence cooperation with regular engagements between the two Armed Forces in recent years.

    The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on effective & practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements and regional & global issues. Both chairs identified steps to further enhance cooperation in emerging areas such as cyber security and AI. They identified ways to deepen existing collaboration, particularly in the defence industry, maritime security, and multilateral engagements. They agreed to form a joint focus group to address non-traditional maritime security threats.

    Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the new initiatives under the defence pillar of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s visit to India in August 2024.

    India and Malaysia also exchanged the finalised Terms of Reference (ToR) on the establishment of Strategic Affairs Working Group. This forum will act as a consultative mechanism intermediate between the MIDCOM and the two sub-committees to progress all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation.

    Both sides also exchanged the finalised ToR on the establishment of Su-30 forum as an outcome of MIDCOM. Su-30 Forum will enable closer cooperation between the two Air Forces in exchanging expertise and best practices in Su-30 maintenance.

    The Defence Secretary highlighted the capability of the Indian defence industry, particularly its potential to collaborate with the Malaysian companies and the Armed Forces in their capability enhancement and modernisation. He congratulated Malaysia on assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus and wished MoD, Malaysia the best for conduct of ADMM Plus and ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting meetings this year.

    India supports ASEAN centrality and unity, which is a crucial element of India’s Indo-Pacific Vision. The Defence Secretary reiterated India’s support to Malaysia’s endeavours as ASEAN chair in promoting a stronger, unified, and prosperous ASEAN that plays a central role in shaping the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.

    India considers Malaysia as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific as Malaysia lies at the confluence of three key foreign policy visions i.e. Act East Policy, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

    ***

    SR/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly embraces National eVidhan Application

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 12:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly has embraced the National eVidhan Application (NeVA) and become a Digital House.

    The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami and Speaker Smt. Ritu Khanduri inaugurated the National eVidhan Application in the Assembly. The Governor of Uttarakhand, Shri Gurmit Singh also graced the event.

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    SS/ISA

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India organises an open house discussion on ‘Ensuring privacy and human rights in the digital era: A focus on corporate digital responsibility’

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC, India organises an open house discussion on ‘Ensuring privacy and human rights in the digital era: A focus on corporate digital responsibility’

    NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian emphasises the need for safeguarding privacy as a human right in the digital world

    Cautions against the consequences of the significant decline in value systems

    NHRC, India Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi raises concerns over the lack of digital literacy in the financial transactions

    Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal says, protecting people’s privacy online is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders

    Among various key suggestions, simplifying the user agreements and policy frameworks to enhance consumer understanding and control over personal data highlighted

    Establishing clear accountability structures for data breaches, especially for research institutions and third-party data processors also emphasised

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 12:25PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India organised an open house discussion in hybrid mode on ‘Ensuring privacy and human rights in the digital era: A focus on corporate digital responsibility’ at its premises. It was chaired by the Chairperson, Justice Shri V Ramasubramanian in the presence of Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, senior officers, domain experts, industry representatives among others.

    Addressing the participants, NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian emphasised that safeguarding privacy as a human right in the digital world is necessary. The technological advancements should align with fundamental human rights and privacy protections. The responsibility must begin with the individual user. He highlighted that maintaining digital hygiene is crucial. He also pointed out the significant decline in value systems, cautioning that one must bear the consequences of this shift.

    He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fostering inclusive discussions on digital rights and corporate accountability for developing a robust regulatory framework that balances innovation, security, and individual privacy.

    NHRC, India Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi raised concerns regarding the lack of digital literacy which make many people dependent on others who may dupe them. He said that simplifying the processes of digital technology to maximise its safe usage by the common people in the country.

    Before this, NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal while setting the agenda for discussion, gave the objective of this discussion on an important emerging issue i.e. ‘Ensuring privacy and human rights in the digital era: A focus on corporate digital responsibility’. He gave an overview of three sub-themes: ‘Establishing a proper regulatory framework and compliance mechanism’, ‘Building a culture of data privacy’, and ‘Identifying threats and best practices’. Citing data from 2023, he mentioned that over 20% of global data is generated in India whereas it has only about 3% of the storage capacity requiring a major role for Indian corporates. He said that while the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other regulations are in place, the challenges in the digital age are increasing. The draft rules have been notified and consultation process is going on. He also said that collection, storage and processing of personal data ‘brings’ huge responsibility of entities and they keep this data as a ‘trustee’. Any breach of trust in this trusteeship, is unacceptable. He stressed that protecting people’s privacy online is a collective responsibility requiring joint efforts from individuals, private sectors which plays a major role and the government and its agencies.

    The meeting extensively discussed the intensity of the problem that arises due to misuse of data and data breaches. Further, several key provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 were also discussed.

    Data Usage and Privacy Concerns

    The participants raised concerns over the extensive control exerted by global technology companies on user data, which complicates regulatory enforcement. Law enforcement agencies often face challenges in accessing critical data due to data storage in offshore centres. Additionally, the increasing reliance on digital platforms makes maintaining individual privacy more challenging.

    Cyber Law and Regulatory Framework

    Discussions also highlighted the gaps in the draft data protection rules, including the requirement to report data breaches within 72 hours and the accountability of research institutions handling personal data. The Government representatives highlighted ongoing consultations on data protection regulations, particularly the introduction of the Right to Nomination to enhance data privacy rights.

    Corporate Digital Responsibility

    The Corporate representatives shared best practices in data protection, digital well-being, and compliance-by-design strategies. However, they also highlighted operational challenges, particularly in navigating complex multi-layered digital operations. Companies transitioning from a low digital penetration environment to a structured data protection framework emphasised the need for regulatory flexibility to accommodate evolving business models and global compliance requirements such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. Referring to the Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, the corporate stakeholders said that it should include explicit penal provisions for non-compliance and guidelines for obtaining verifiable parental consent for minors.

    Consumer Rights and Policy Simplification

    The participants noted that consumers have limited choices in consenting to data collection, as many business models mandate data sharing. The existing Do-Not-Disturb (DND) mechanism by TRAI was deemed ineffective.

    The participants included Shri Shailendra Trivedi, Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Information Technology, Reserve Bank of India, Shri Deepak Goel, Group Coordinator (Cyber Law), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ankur Rastogi, Principle Project Engineering, EGSTM, Centre For Railway Information Systems (CRIS), Shri Sanjoy Bhattacharjee, Chief Data Officer, HDFC Bank, Shri Ajay Gupta, Executive Director, ICICI Bank, Shri Soumendra Mattagajasingh, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, ICICI Bank, Shri Rajiv Kumar Gupta, President, PB Fintech, Policy Bazaar, Shri Sameer Bajaj, Head of Communication & Corporate Affairs, MakeMyTrip, Shri Ashish Aggarwal, Vice President and Head of Policy, NASSCOM, Dr Muktesh Chander, NHRC Special Monitor, Cyber Crime and Artificial Intelligence, Shri Tanveer Hasan A K, Executive Director, Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) in India and Shri Sameer Kochhar, President SKOCH Development Foundation, NHRC, India Registrar (Law), Joginder Singh, Director, Lt Col Virender Singh among others.

    Some of the important suggestions that emanated from the discussion included;

    • Simplify the user agreements and policy frameworks to enhance consumer understanding and control over personal data;
    • Establish clear accountability structures for data breaches, especially for research institutions and third-party data processors;
    • Strengthen user consent frameworks for greater transparency and informed decision-making;
    • Define the mandate and composition of the proposed Data Protection Board;
    • Develop a localised approach to data privacy regulations to support small businesses while addressing India-specific challenges;
    • Encourage companies to integrate privacy-by-design principles in digital operations;
    • Enhance consumer awareness through targeted digital privacy and cybersecurity literacy programmes;
    • Have explicit penal provisions for non-compliance;
    • Need for bilateral agreements to address cross-border security and data-sharing concerns;
    • Address the challenges arising from strict data localisation mandates; and
    • Clear guidelines for obtaining verifiable parental consent for minors.

    ***

    NSK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Examination toppers participate in 8th episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 19 FEB 2025 12:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The insightful discussions initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the inaugural episode of the 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha culminated with the eighth and final episode, where eight young achievers engaged with students. They were Radhika Singhal (CBSE topper 2022-23); Shuchismita Adhikari (ISC Exam topper 2024); Brahmacharimayum Nistha (PPC anchor & MBBS student, Manipur University); Ashish Kumar Verma (PPC anchor & IIT Delhi student); Vavilala Chidvilas Reddy (IIT JEE Advanced AIR – 1, 2023); Jai Kumar Bohara (CLAT AIR – 1, 2024); Armanpreet Singh (NDA AIR – 1, 2024); and Ishita Kishore (UPSC-CSE AIR – 1 2022).

    While interacting with the students, Nistha suggested revising previous years’ questions and learning to prioritize, as advised by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his book, emphasizing the importance of “becoming wise with revise.” Shuchismita encouraged focusing on preparation and advised writing down answers to help articulate learned concepts.

    Jai Kumar highlighted the need for personalized preparation strategies and recommended experimenting with different methods to find the best. He suggested studying for 25 minutes, taking a 5-minute break, and maintaining discipline in this routine. His key advice for students was to be ready to make sacrifices to achieve their goals.

    Armanpreet emphasized focusing on strengths, while Ishita stressed the importance of honesty and not being overpowered by fear. She also highlighted the significance of maintaining a balanced schedule—studying for 7-8 hours, pursuing hobbies for 1-2 hours, and ensuring adequate sleep.

    Radhika underscored the value of extracurricular activities in building confidence. Chidvilas shared tips for managing exam-related stress, suggesting activities such as indoor and outdoor games, reading, or listening to music between study sessions. He also encouraged students to remain happy but never complacent.

    Nistha reminisced about her experience anchoring Pariksha Pe Charcha, highlighting how it enhanced her communication and preparation skills, benefiting her exam readiness. Ashish shared his mantra of the “three wins”—spiritual, mental, and physical.

    Additionally, Ishita and Jai guided students through an interview masterclass, while Ashish conducted a session on question paper strategies, helping students prepare for life through structured time management.

    Students asked questions about board exam preparation, societal support, and mastering life skills. Participants from Japan and Dubai also asked questions to the guests. After the session, students reflected on their learning from the interaction with the panellists.

    To ensure comprehensive development, distinguished personalities from various fields—including sports icons, technical experts, toppers of competitive exams, entertainment industry professionals, and spiritual leaders—are enriching students with insights beyond textbooks. Each session provided students with essential tools and strategies to excel academically and personally.

    The eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2025, in its revamped and interactive format, has been receiving widespread appreciation from students, teachers, and parents across the nation. Breaking away from the traditional Town Hall format, this year’s edition commenced with an engaging session featuring Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the scenic Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, on 10th February 2025.

    In the inaugural episode, the Prime Minister interacted with 36 students from across the country, discussing insightful topics such as Nutrition and Wellness, Mastering Pressure, Challenging Oneself, The Art of Leadership, Beyond Books – 360º Growth, Finding Positives, and more. His valuable guidance offered students practical strategies to tackle academic challenges with confidence while fostering a growth mindset and holistic learning.

    Pariksha Pe Charcha has been a beacon of inspiration for students, empowering them with confidence and resilience to tackle academic and life challenges with a positive mindset.

    Link to watch the 1st episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5UhdwmEEls

    Link to watch the 2nd episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrW4c_ttmew

    Link to watch the 3rd episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMzmDYShXw

    Link to watch the 4th episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CfR4-5v5mk

    Link to watch the 5th episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GD_SrxsAx8

    Link to watch the 6th episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhI6UbZJgEQ

    Link to watch the 7th episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Zg7B_o8So

    Link to watch the 8th episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR9BazO6Vfo

    *****

    MV/AK

    MOE/PPC/18 February 2025/12

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