Source: Government of India
Posted On: 04 NOV 2024 5:27PM by PIB Delhi
India’s Green Leap: A Shift from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy
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Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia
(Release ID: 2070636) Visitor Counter : 66
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Santeena McBride, age 35, of Santee, Nebraska, was sentenced October 30, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for felony child abuse and neglect. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced McBride to 48 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McBride is released from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 23, 2022, the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department received an intake from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services related to a minor child in need of a welfare check at a home on the Santee Sioux Nation Indian Reservation. Santee Tribal Police responded to the home where the minor child was found to be living in unsanitary conditions. The minor child was pale and not moving. Investigation revealed the child had not been receiving adequate care and she was hospitalized for both anemia and malnutrition. Investigation revealed McBride was responsible for the minor’s care and McBride had placed the minor in a situation that endangered her life or physical health, which resulted in serious bodily injury to the child.
This case was charged in United States District Court because McBride and the minor child are both Native American and the offense, a felony level child abuse offense, occurred on an Indian Reservation giving rise to federal jurisdiction.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nelson W. McCauley, age 44, of Sioux City, Iowa, most recently residing on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for two counts of domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced McCauley to 90 months’ imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McCauley’s release from prison, he will begin concurrent 3-year terms of supervised release on both counts.
In August 2023, McCauley physically assaulted a female victim known to him by striking her repeatedly with his fists. In May 2024, McCauley physically assaulted the same female victim again by striking her multiple times with his fists. The victim required medical attention after each of McCauley’s assaults to address substantial bodily injuries, including large bruises, contusions, and a hematoma on her head. Prior to his assaults on the victim in August 2023 and May 2024, McCauley had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offenses were felonies and occurred on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
RENO – A Reno man was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting three teenagers, leaving one seriously injured, on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony reservation.
According to court documents, on September 2, 2023, Roy Ramirez, 25, pistol-whipped a teenager in the face, pistol-whipped a second teenager in the head, and pointed the firearm at a third teenager. The second teenager was a 13-year-old child who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries. Ramirez was on state parole at the time of the assault.
Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Within Indian Country and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Within Indian Country.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI, Nevada Parole and Probation, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Brady prosecuted the case.
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Source: United States Small Business Administration
WASHINGTON– Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for more 34 million small businesses, kicked off Native American Heritage Month byhighlighting the unprecedented progress made in supporting Native small business owners across the country.
“Native American small businesses are a vital component of the economic fabric of our nation, contributing to job creation, innovation and community development across the U.S.,” said SBA Administrator Guzman. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has made significant strides in its work to support and uplift these businesses, delivering the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. Every month we honor and respect Tribal Nations, and during Native American Heritage Month in particular, we acknowledge the many contributions Indigenous people have made to this country. We are proud to honor their achievements and support their continued success.”
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has prioritized engagement with Native communities, resulting in significant advancements in federal contracting, access to capital and policy development. Currently, there are 13 Native banks or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that lend with SBA programs, representing a 30% increase since January 2021. The SBA has nearly doubled its lending dollar amount to Native entrepreneurs from FY20 to FY24, reaching $267 million for both 7(a) and 504 lending in the last fiscal year. Native American contracting, including Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), has also experienced unprecedented growth, with a remarkable 49% increase from FY20 to FY23.
Additionally, in recognition of the importance of Tribal consultation, the SBA has updated its Tribal Consultation Policy and successfully held rounds of consultations that have directly influenced final policy outcomes. The Biden-Harris Administration has also developed two groundbreaking programs to further support Native small businesses: The Small Business Tribal College Achievement (TCSBA) grant program, which enhanced entrepreneurship education and training, and the Native Trade Export Program (NATEP), which expanded Native businesses’ access to international markets.
Since taking office, Administrator Guzman has made it a priority to visit Native communities, lands and convenings, surpassing the record of any previous SBA Administrator. Notable visits include the Winnebago Tribe, Navajo Nation, All Pueblo Council of Governors, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, North Dakota, Chickasaw Nation, Anchorage, Nome, Juneau, Honolulu, Maui and participation in the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Additionally, the Administrator has participated in the White House Tribal Nation Summits on three occasions, demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to Tribal consultation.
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About SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA)
The Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) is in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) headquarters in Washington, DC. Our goal is to promote and support Native American entrepreneurs. We engage in numerous outreach activities including tribal consultations, development and distribution of promotional materials, attendance and participation in national economic development conferences.
ONAA facilitates full access to business growth and expansion tools for small businesses owned by Native Americans. ONAA engages in tribal consultations, produces promotional materials and participates in national economic development conferences.
American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians can use our local assistance tool to find nearby offices and resources. There, you can get counseling on whether our 8(a) Business Development Program is right for you.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: NASA
Every November, satellites detect large numbers of small smoke plumes and heightened fire activity in northern India and Pakistan as farmers burn off excess straw after the rice harvest. Many farmers, particularly in the Punjab region, use fire as a fast, inexpensive way to clean up fields before planting winter wheat crops. However, the influx of smoke to the densely populated Indo-Gangetic Plain often contributes to a sharp deterioration of air quality in October and November.
Levels of air pollution soared during the last week of October and first week of November in 2024 as weather patterns kept air bottled up in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. On November 3, 2024, the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the Suomi NPP satellite acquired this natural-color image of plumes of smoke streaming from large numbers of small fires burning in Pakistan and India.
Air quality sensors in Lahore, Pakistan, recorded concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at hazardous levels—above 300 on the air quality index (AQI)—on several days in October and November, according to data posted by AirNow. As pollution levels rose, authorities in Pakistan announced school closures, partial lockdowns, and halts in construction in a bid to limit the health impacts, according to news reports.
Smoke from crop fires is not the only contributor to the hazy skies, explained Pawan Gupta, a lead scientist for AERONET, a NASA-sponsored network of ground-based sensors that measures the concentration of aerosols at hundreds of locations around the world. Influxes of dust sometimes arrive from the Thar Desert to the west. An array of other human-caused sources of air pollution in cities, including motor vehicle emissions, industrial and construction activity, fireworks, and fires for heating and cooking, also produce particulate matter and other pollutants, Gupta added.
Geography and weather can exacerbate the region’s poor air quality. Temperature inversions are common in November and December as cold air rolls off the Tibetan Plateau and mixes with smoky air from the Indo-Gangetic Plain. An inversion can function like a lid, with warm air trapping pollutants near the surface. The low-hanging haze becomes hemmed in between the Himalayas to the north and the Vindhya Range to the south.
Pollution levels in Lahore typically peak in late November and December, “so this is just beginning,” Gupta said. “The worst pollution days are probably still ahead of us.”
Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Morgan State University, uses the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)—a measure of the land’s “greenness”—to anticipate fire activity in the region each year. Based on the NDVI data, he expects that NASA’s Aqua satellite will detect between 15,500 and 18,500 fires in 2024—higher than most years since 2002 but lower than 2016 and 2021, years with especially bountiful rice crops.
NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. Story by Adam Voiland.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kevin Quigley, Scholarly Director of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, Dalhousie University
Should Donald Trump be re-elected on Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is likely facing a major shake-up. Many Republicans were frustrated by the CDC’s performance during the pandemic. Project 2025, authored by leading Republicans with ties to Trump, describes the CDC as incompetent and arrogant.
In fact, no matter who wins the United States presidential election on Nov. 5, the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a cautionary tale for Canada.
While there is significant and justifiable criticism to be leveled at Trump about his administration’s handling of the pandemic in the early stages, as former chief medical advisor to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci noted to Congress in 2024, the U.S. health system is not designed for an effective co-ordinated response to a health crisis.
There was clearly a disconnect between Trump and the CDC during the pandemic. For weeks in early 2020, President Trump had described the threat as low risk; he said that the situation was under control in the U.S. and that only a few cases had been reported.
While the president was on a return flight from India, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, announced that the situation in the U.S. was about to change quickly and severely. Officials say that Trump was very upset by the announcement and concerned about potential lockdowns causing panic and disruption to financial markets.
Throughout the early stages of the pandemic, the actions of the CDC sparked a high degree of politicization. The Trump administration was criticized for interfering with the CDC’s operations and censoring internal experts. Disagreements between federal and state political leaders and public health experts led to inconsistencies in public health messaging, reporting, enforcement of directives and timing of public health restrictions.
The CDC itself was not above criticism. The agency’s infrastructure had been neglected for decades, and years of declining funding resulted in insufficient preparations for a possible pandemic. The CDC had also been criticized for being too insular and academic.
The CDC made key mistakes, particularly regarding surveillance and testing. It was criticized for underestimating the threat of the virus and overestimating its ability to design, manufacture and distribute a test quickly.
Rapid responses are crucial during such events, and the early stages of the U.S.’s pandemic response provides salient lessons for Canada, both about its relationship with the U.S. and to global threats more generally.
Pre-event planning is necessary, but audits and world rankings of emergency preparedness can be unreliable. In 2019, Johns Hopkins University ranked the U.S. as the best prepared country in the world to address a health crisis. The pandemic demonstrated that it was not.
Canada needs to establish a strong and independent capacity to assess health threats. Trump’s early handling of the pandemic has been widely criticized, yet the Canadian government’s speaking points in the early stages were the same: the virus was low risk. It was only when the CDC and the World Health Organization increased its threat assessment that Canada followed suit.
Borders can re-assert themselves. Despite decades of global political and economic agreements that saw a freer flow of goods, services and people, many western governments were unable or unwilling to assume the risks associated with letting those from other jurisdictions cross their borders, and as such, imposed strict rules to prevent non-citizens from entering. This aggressive stance was ironic and unforeseen, as during previous public health crises such as the H1N1 flu episode in 2009-10, many governments underscored that closing borders had little impact on disease spread.
The weaknesses of supply chains were highlighted as the global economy shut down in March 2020. Canada’s Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland described competition for medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) as resembling the “wild west.” Shipment delays, order shortages, trade restrictions and defective or contaminated items prevented governments from effectively procuring supplies.
Global manufacturing capabilities for vaccines were below what was needed, with only about a dozen countries able to produce COVID-19 vaccines early on, including the U.S. More than any other country, the U.S. enabled the rapid development and production of the vaccine, highlighting Canada’s considerable dependence on the U.S. Canada has since funded vaccine manufacturing initiatives, but the investments have produced little to-date.
The adage “When the U.S. sneezes, the world catches a cold” applies nowhere more than in Canada. Should Trump be re-elected, the CDC will likely exist on a smaller budget with a reduced role internationally. This will increase Canadian vulnerabilities.
Whatever the criticisms, the CDC has more capacity and influence than any other health agency in the world. If Canada cannot depend on strong and co-ordinated response from the U.S. administration during a health crisis, Canada has to be better prepared to adapt. Lessons from the pandemic provide a powerful to-do list.
Kevin Quigley is the Scholarly Director of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, an independent, non-partisan research institute located at Dalhousie University.
– ref. Friends like these: What a second Trump term may mean for the CDC, and how it affects Canada – https://theconversation.com/friends-like-these-what-a-second-trump-term-may-mean-for-the-cdc-and-how-it-affects-canada-242673
Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs
This week I will welcome India’s Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar to Canberra, for the 15th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.
Australia and India are close partners with strong strategic, economic and community ties – almost one million Australians trace their heritage to India.
We share a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.
Ahead of 2025 – the fifth year of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue is an opportunity to take stock of the progress we have made, and to chart the way forward for the next phase in our relationship.
Minister Jaishankar and I will discuss how we can advance our cooperation in important sectors – including science and technology, clean energy, trade and investment – and how we can deepen our defence and maritime security engagement.
India is the world’s fastest growing major economy, and on track to be the third largest by the end of the decade. India is an essential partner as we diversify our trade links and secure our supply chains.
Minister Jaishankar and I will also attend ‘Raisina Down Under’, the Australian iteration of India’s Raisina Dialogue. This is an important forum to share views on the trends shaping our region.
I look forward to what will be my 19th meeting with Minister Jaishankar and continuing to advance the Australia–India relationship.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Frank Deer, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba
Independent Special Interlocutor Kimberly Murray has released her final report after two years of examining the issue of missing and disappeared Indigenous children and unmarked burials sites at residential schools in Canada.
During the ceremony last week in Gatineau, Que., Murray said governments do not often implement recommendations given on such reports. So she opted to identify 42 “legal, moral and ethical obligations” for governments, churches and other institutions. These are proposals on how to make holistic reparations to Indigenous Peoples.
Murray emphasized that the children were “victims of enforced disappearance.”
Since the 1870s and continuing for more than 150 years, over 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were taken from their families and forced to attend church-run, government-funded residential schools. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has documented more than 4,100 deaths of children at the schools.
After potential unmarked graves were identified at former residential school sites, the Canadian government appointed Murray to make recommendations on unmarked graves and burial sites.
The report, “Sites of Truth, Sites of Conscience” focuses on aspects of the Indian Residential School experience: unaccounted missing children, unmarked grave sites, the roles of government and churches in the Indian Residential School genocide and failure to maintain records of the deaths and burials of deceased children.
The report centres Indigenous strategies for research and advances a framework of reparations to “support the search for and recovery of the missing and disappeared children and unmarked burials.” It is an extension of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) whose final report devoted an entire volume toward missing children and unmarked burials. The newest report is even more bold than the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The TRC report observed that “the most basic of questions about missing children — Who died? Why did they die? Where are they buried? — have never been addressed or comprehensively documented by the Canadian Government.”
Since the TRC report was released in 2015, efforts to investigate this issue of missing children and unmarked graves has increased significantly.
Murray explores the issue of genocide in the Indian Residential School system in ways that indict the Canadian government and other institutions of crimes.
The report says Canada must refer to “the enforced disappearance of children,” as a “crime against humanity” and the issue needs to be taken to the International Criminal Court. It further states that the “federal government and other institutions have worked harder to protect perpetrators than they ever did to protect Indigenous children, families, and communities,” and that Canada has embraced a culture of “settler amnesia and willful forgetting.”
In support of this indictment, Murray shows how the government and church were not only responsible for acts of omission in that somehow failed to protect Indigenous children in their care. Instead, they were acts of commission: deliberately created situations in which Indigenous children in their care were severely harmed.
Murray refers to this as forced disappearances — when the liberty of Indigenous children is taken away and their fate was concealed.
In addition, the Independent Special Interlocutor also focuses on, among other things, our moral and ethical obligations as foundational frames for reparations.
Murray put forth 42 obligations that reflect the morally and ethically centred responsibilities of governments, churches and other institutions.
These moral and ethical responsibilities inform the reparations that Murray articulates in her report.
These responsibilities and obligations include:
Calls for long-term financial support of investigations into missing and disappeared Indigenous children and Indian Residential School burial sites
Support for survivors
The recording of their stories
Underlining the report is a moral principal that efforts to find missing children and unmarked graves must be Indigenous-led.
These moral principles, this foundation for action, articulated by Murray, can provide a compelling rationale that may help change attitudes and action.
The recent report puts forth several moral and ethical principles which we need to consider.
One of the report’s powerful statements is:
“Children must be cared for in life and after death.”
This might seem to some a simple point that is obvious and even unnecessary. However, the distance between such important declarations and the policies of Canadian governments and institutions has been vast.
That this particular principle refers to the importance of care “after death” ought to be familiar to any of us who’ve lost loved ones. However, stating it clearly here strengthens the point that government and other institutions have obligations to children who died in their care.
Another important principle from the report is that “search and recovery work is sacred.”
The need to discover who died, the reasons why they died, and the location of their remains is one so connected to the emotional well-being of living descendants and fellow community members that it is a spiritual journey.
This is why the search and recovery processes must be Indigenous-led.
This report, like the TRC’s and the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, contains demands for action that should be accepted and acted upon by governments and institutions.
The moral and ethical principles that inform those demands can be as important for informing change. It is in these principles that we may find moral guidance and direction toward righteousness.
We may also find, if we’re paying attention, our humanity.
Frank Deer receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
– ref. Canada and churches have moral obligations for the reparations of missing and disappeared Indigenous children: Final Report – https://theconversation.com/canada-and-churches-have-moral-obligations-for-the-reparations-of-missing-and-disappeared-indigenous-children-final-report-242560
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: Reserve Bank of India
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On a review of the current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided to conduct a Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction on November 05, 2024, Tuesday, as under:
2. The operational guidelines for the auction as given in the Reserve Bank’s Press Release 2019-2020/1947 dated February 13, 2020 will remain the same. (Puneet Pancholy) Press Release: 2024-2025/1429 |
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2024-2025/1430 |
Source: United Nations secretary general
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami – one of the deadliest disasters in recent history. More than 230,000 people lost their lives.
On this World Tsunami Awareness Day, we honour the victims and recommit to protecting the 700 million people around the world who are at risk from tsunamis.
The best way to do so is by all partners delivering on the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative that helps ensure every person on Earth is alerted when tsunamis and other disasters are on the way.
Education is vital to saving lives, and as this year’s theme reminds us, the participation of children and young people is critical. I urge governments and partners in coastal communities to raise awareness, so children and young people know how and where to evacuate to higher ground.
Together, let’s ensure people’s futures are not swept away by tsunamis. Let’s build resilience – now.
***
Cette année marque le vingtième anniversaire du tsunami survenu dans l’océan Indien, l’une des catastrophes les plus meurtrières de l’histoire récente, qui a coûté la vie à plus de 230 000 personnes.
En cette Journée mondiale de sensibilisation aux tsunamis, nous honorons la mémoire des victimes et nous renouvelons notre engagement à protéger les 700 millions de personnes dans le monde qui sont menacées par les tsunamis.
Le meilleur moyen d’y parvenir est que tous les partenaires mettent en œuvre l’initiative « Alertes précoces pour tous » des Nations Unies, qui permet d’alerter chaque personne sur Terre à l’approche de tsunamis ou d’autres catastrophes.
L’éducation est essentielle pour sauver des vies et, comme le rappelle le thème de cette année, la participation des enfants et des jeunes est cruciale. J’invite les gouvernements et les partenaires dans les zones côtières à sensibiliser les populations, afin que les enfants et les jeunes sachent comment procéder, en cas d’évacuation, pour regagner des zones plus élevées.
Ensemble, agissons pour que l’avenir de nos semblables ne soit pas balayé par les tsunamis. Renforçons la résilience, maintenant !
Source: China State Council Information Office 3
Some 2,100 to 1,800 years ago in what is today’s northwestern Pakistan, the Gandharan civilization produced sculptures of Buddha and other Buddhist figures with the features of Greek gods wrapped in aristocratic robes.
The Gandhara art persisted until the 7th century and had some influence on the Buddhist sculptures seen in China and other East Asian countries.
“The Buddhist art of Gandhara has amazed and puzzled modern observers since its rediscovery in the 19th century, for the artists of Gandhara … took imagery and styles that ultimately originated in ancient Greece, and they made them Buddhist and Asian, and thereby introduced them into the later traditions of Chinese Buddhist art,” says Peter Stewart, professor of ancient art and director of the Classical Art Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
“They, and that story (of Gandhara), are emblematic of the fascinating filaments that run through all the periods and places explored in this publication,” Stewart says, speaking of the six-volume publication of From Mediterranean to the Yellow River: Hellenistic Civilization and the Silk Road, via video during the book’s signing ceremony for the production of an English version at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair in October.
Stewart is coeditor of the fourth volume, From Apollo to Buddha: Hellenistic Art and the Silk Road Arts, which deals with the dissemination and fusion of art, and which according to him, “traces Western classical art traditions from its Greek origins, looking at how it was disseminated and transformed in the Hellenistic world, how it became the heritage of the Roman Empire, and how it eventually became deeply embedded in the cultures of Central Asia and the steppe”.
Stewart is among the 40-odd researchers and contributors from across the world, who spent almost 10 years finishing the interdisciplinary studies, which were published by the Zhonghua Book Company as a series of books containing around 1,500 pictures.
“The project was vast, but at its heart was a simple proposition — that two distinct areas (the Hellenistic civilization and the Silk Road) of study were intimately connected and could usefully be researched and explained alongside each other,” Stewart says.
“Hellenistic civilization and the Silk Road seem to be two unrelated research fields, but in fact, there is an intrinsic logical relationship between them,” says Yang Juping, the book’s chief editor and a leading professor of Hellenism at Nankai University.
Yang says that the vast empire established by Alexander the Great, and the Hellenistic world he created that extended from the Mediterranean to Central Asia and the borders of India, laid the foundation for the opening of the Silk Road later on. Meanwhile, the ambitions of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) rulers to manage the western regions of their territory and the “exploration” of Central Asia by Zhang Qian ushered in a new era of cultural exchange and mutual learning between the Chinese and Hellenistic civilizations.
“The series is one of the first comprehensive studies of the relationship between the Hellenistic civilization and the Silk Road in China and abroad,” Yang says, adding that the perspective the book brings opens up a new field of research, and has allowed the voices of Chinese scholars to be heard on a global stage on matters that were little known or long disputed.
Each volume has a specific theme, but they are interconnected, and examine the general picture, the historical background, the cities, the currencies and the economic overview of the two areas, along with the Hellenistic heritage in China and along the Silk Road.
The publishing group Springer Nature will serve as an amplifier of these voices by bringing the series to a wider international audience with an English version.
“Today, we are not just releasing a book series, but also launching a dialogue that spans continents and centuries,” says Niels Peter Thomas, Springer Nature’s managing director for books.
Zhang Jihai, deputy editor-in-chief of the Zhonghua Book Company, believes that the series will provide valuable historical references for the Belt and Road Initiative, and be a delight to general readers, providing a glimpse of the overall picture of ancient cultural exchanges between China and the West.
Source: United Nations – English
his year marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami – one of the deadliest disasters in recent history. More than 230,000 people lost their lives.
On this World Tsunami Awareness Day, we honour the victims and recommit to protecting the 700 million people around the world who are at risk from tsunamis.
The best way to do so is by all partners delivering on the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative that helps ensure every person on Earth is alerted when tsunamis and other disasters are on the way.
Education is vital to saving lives, and as this year’s theme reminds us, the participation of children and young people is critical. I urge governments and partners in coastal communities to raise awareness, so children and young people know how and where to evacuate to higher ground.
Together, let’s ensure people’s futures are not swept away by tsunamis. Let’s build resilience – now.
***
Cette année marque le vingtième anniversaire du tsunami survenu dans l’océan Indien, l’une des catastrophes les plus meurtrières de l’histoire récente, qui a coûté la vie à plus de 230 000 personnes.
En cette Journée mondiale de sensibilisation aux tsunamis, nous honorons la mémoire des victimes et nous renouvelons notre engagement à protéger les 700 millions de personnes dans le monde qui sont menacées par les tsunamis.
Le meilleur moyen d’y parvenir est que tous les partenaires mettent en œuvre l’initiative « Alertes précoces pour tous » des Nations Unies, qui permet d’alerter chaque personne sur Terre à l’approche de tsunamis ou d’autres catastrophes.
L’éducation est essentielle pour sauver des vies et, comme le rappelle le thème de cette année, la participation des enfants et des jeunes est cruciale. J’invite les gouvernements et les partenaires dans les zones côtières à sensibiliser les populations, afin que les enfants et les jeunes sachent comment procéder, en cas d’évacuation, pour regagner des zones plus élevées.
Ensemble, agissons pour que l’avenir de nos semblables ne soit pas balayé par les tsunamis. Renforçons la résilience, maintenant !
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 2:41PM by PIB Delhi
953327 Corporal Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabai Environmental Support Services Assistant was enrolled in the IAF on 28 Dec 11 and is on the posted strength of a Transportable Radar Unit with effect from 03 Oct 23.
On 04 May 24, Corporal Dabhi was detailed as an armed escort for Ashok Leyland Stallion vehicle towards collection of ration for the unit from Indian Army Field Supply Depot located 40 km from the unit Op location. At around, 1759h, while returning from the field supply depot, the vehicle was ambushed by three terrorists near Doba ridge at Shahsitar, 1.5 km short of the unit Op location.
At the time of ambush, he was seated on the extreme left of the rear seat of the cabin as per his earmarked role along with two of his fellow armed escorts. Due to heavy and concentrated small arms fire and grenade attack from two sides, he was hit by bullets in his right hand and got inflicted with multiple splinter injuries on face and upper body. Unmindful of his gunshot wound and profuse bleeding, he maintained his composure, tactically adjusted himself and opened retaliatory fire from left side window from his personal weapon (AK-103) on the terrorists. He was the first responder to the attack and continued firing single shots towards terrorists from different angles. Because of his tactical firing, one of the advancing terrorist had to hide behind a boulder located merely 20 meters from the vehicle. However, Cpl Dabhi understood the motive and kept on firing single shots towards the likely position of the hiding terrorist which helped in halting his advance towards their vehicle and finally forced the terrorists to retreat into the nearby jungle. This courageous act of Corporal Dabhi resulted in saving the precious lives of his team members and other collateral damage to service property.
Despite extreme adversities, he established communication with the unit from his personal mobile and informed about the situation at ambush site resulting in launch of immediate evacuation team with required medical aid.
For an act of exceptional courage and exemplary gallantry beyond call of duty, Corporal Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabai is awarded with ‘Shaurya Chakra’.
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VK/JS/SM
(Release ID: 2096086) Visitor Counter : 71
Source: Government of India
Jharkhand Girls from rural underprivileged backgrounds to perform at Rostrum opposite Presidential dais
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 2:23PM by PIB Delhi
Three government school teams are all set to perform in the Republic Day Parade for the very first time on 26 January 2025. The team from PM SHRI KGBV Patamda, Jharkhand, will have the honour of performing at the Rostrum opposite the Presidential dais, synchronized with the Army band. Meanwhile, the teams from Govt. Sr. Sec School West Point, Gangtok, Sikkim, and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Belagavi Cantonment, Karnataka, will showcase their performances at the Vijay Chowk. These school bands are among 16 teams competing in the Grand Finale of the National School Band Competition 6.0, taking place on 24-25 January 2025 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
The Pipe Band Girls Team from PM Shri Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) Patamda, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, showcases an inspiring journey of determination and achievement. This 25-member team comprises girls from underprivileged families, many reliant on farming and daily labour. For most, this is their first train journey to Delhi. They have received guidance from instructors of the Sikh Regiment and Punjab Regiment located at Ramgarh Army Regimental Centre.
The team has been practising the pipe band for the past three years. In the 2024-25 State-Level (Inter-District) School Band Competition held in Ranchi, the team claimed first place in the pipe band category, surpassing the previous year’s champions and a strong Ranchi district team. Emerging from humble beginnings in remote villages, these determined young girls committed themselves to mastering the pipe band, braving freezing mornings and enduring long, gruelling practice sessions with unwavering dedication.
The Brass Band Girls’ Team: Govt. West Point Sr. Secondary School, Gangtok, Sikkim, has set benchmarks of excellence, claiming state, zonal, and national-level accolades. Competing against seven champion teams, the team showcased unmatched dedication and emerged as Eastern Region Champions. Many of these students hail from humble and challenging backgrounds.
The pipe band (boys) contingent of PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Belagavi Cantt., Karnataka, has many students from families with parents serving in the Indian Army. The team has been trained by MLIRC (Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre Belagavi).
In tandem with the “whole of Government approach”, initiative has been taken for training of PM SHRI school band teams by the band instructors/teams of Army Regimental Centres. Training has begun in 11 States/UTs and will commence shortly in the rest of the States/UTs. Subsequently, more schools would join the Band System, with support from the Army Regional Centres, opening new opportunities for children. This is a step towards imparting holistic education to students of PM SHRI schools and developing them into well-rounded personalities.
Under the innovation component of the Centrally sponsored scheme – Samagra Shiksha – financial support is being provided to States/UTs for organizing the Band Competition at the State level.
The National Education Policy 2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century and aims at large-scale transformational reforms in the education sector. In that direction, this program will not only instil a sense of patriotism and national pride but will also enhance the musical skills of the students and inculcate discipline among them. This initiative aims to rejuvenate the spirit of patriotism and unity amongst school students throughout the country and help in the furtherance of holistic education.
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MV/AK
MOE/DoSEL/25 January 2025/4
(Release ID: 2096083) Visitor Counter : 75
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 2:08PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark move to advance technological innovation and excellence in India’s maritime sector, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a Scientific Society under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed an umbrella Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today.
The MoU was signed by Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping (DGS) and Shri E. Magesh, DG C-DAC at an event held at MeitY in the presence of Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, Shri Sanket S Bhondve, Joint Secretary, MeitY, Smt. Sunita Verma, Scientist G & Group Coordinator, MeitY, Smt. Savita Utreja, Scientist G, Group Coordinator (Cyber Security) and other Senior officers from MeitY, DG Shipping and C-DAC also graced the occasion.
The event marked the beginning of a strategic partnership to modernize maritime administration through cutting-edge technology and symbolizing the commitment of both organizations to collaborate on initiatives aimed at transforming the maritime industry.
This partnership aligns with DGS’s vision of being a globally recognized and progressive maritime administration. By integrating C-DAC’s expertise in high-performance computing, cybersecurity, Blockchain and e-Governance, the collaboration aims to:
This MoU embodies a progressive vision for tackling challenges and leveraging opportunities in the maritime sector through technology, collaboration, and innovation. It establishes a strong foundation for building a sustainable and advanced maritime ecosystem in India. The event serves as a significant milestone in the effort to modernize maritime administration and drive innovation within the industry.
The signing ceremony was also participated by representatives from both organizations, as well as other stakeholders which includes Shri Manoj Jain, Scientist-G MeitY, Shri Pramod P J. Scientist-F & Head, R&D, C-DAC Corporate, Dr. D Ethirajan, Scientist – F & Centre Head, C-DAC Chennai, Shri Jitesh Choudhary, Director, C-DAC Silchar, Smt. Geeta Singh Scientist-C MeitY, Shri Ravi Kumar Moka, Ship Surveyor-cum-Dy. DG(Tech), Capt. Rajendra Poswal, Nautical Survyeor-cum-Dy.DG(Tech), Shri. Praveen Nair, Engineer & Ship Surveyor-cum-Dy.DG (Tech), Shri. Manish Kumar, NS-cum-DDG(Tech), Shri Mehanathen N, Scientist- E, C-DAC Chennai, Shri. Vimal Laxman P, Scientist – E, C-DAC, Chennai, Shri K Ramkumar, Scientist- E C-DAC Chennai, Smt. Poonguzhali P, Scientist-E C-DAC Chennai, Smt. Dhivya G, Scientist-E, C-DAC Chennai.
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Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha
(Release ID: 2096078) Visitor Counter : 74
Source: Government of India (2)
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan felicitated the Super-100 winners of Veer Gatha 4.0 in New Delhi on January 25, 2025. Among the 100 winners, 66 are girls from different parts of the country. During the felicitation ceremony, each winner was presented with a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a medal & a certificate. These Super-100 are among the approx. 10,000 Special Guests, who will be witnessing the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on January 26, 2025.
In his address, Raksha Mantri congratulated the winners and appreciated the joint efforts of Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Education towards achieving Veer Gatha’s objective of connecting the youth with the glorious history of the country’s bravehearts. He acknowledged the pan-India participation of over 1.76 crore students in this fourth edition of the Project, stating that it is providing recognition to the bravehearts through education. He commended the intelligence, enthusiasm and patriotism of the students who participated in the competition.
Expressing delight over the fact that 2/3rd of the Super-100 winners of Veer Gatha 4.0 are girls, Shri Rajnath Singh made special mention of a Class 10 student named ‘Nemneineng’ from Manipur, who had lost her parents when she was a child. Raksha Mantri commended her perseverance for not giving up her studies despite numerous difficulties and securing a place among the winners.
Explaining the true meaning of a ‘hero’ to the students present on the occasion, Raksha Mantri asserted that a hero works for the upliftment of the nation; whose work gives a new direction to the society. He added that the youth are future heroes of India and they will play a major role in making India ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, as envisioned by the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
“India’s stature has grown on the global stage due to the Prime Minister’s dynamic leadership. Today, when we speak on any international forum, the whole world listens. This has been made possible due to the hard work of every Indian, including our brave soldiers, scientists and young ignited minds. We have a major young population of about 50 crore youth. How can a country with such creative minds not develop?,” Shri Rajnath Singh asked the students.
Raksha Mantri exhorted them to continue taking inspiration from bravehearts such as freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan and courageous soldiers, whose bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. He termed the sense of national pride as the most crucial aspect for the development of any country.
Shri Rajnath Singh encouraged students to not feel afraid in the face of challenges and continue moving forward towards their goals with confidence & good intent. He urged them to never allow the feeling of ego creep into their hearts, even when they touch greater heights. Always remaining polite and modest is the key, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised that initiatives like Veer Gatha educate school students about the valour and sacrifices of the brave gallantry award winners while nurturing the creativity of young minds. He highlighted the record-breaking participation of 1.76 crore students from over 2.5 lakh schools who engaged in activities such as drawing, painting, and essay writing, paying heartfelt tributes to the heroes for their immense service and sacrifice to the nation.
The Minister of Education also noted that this initiative would help instil values of patriotism, grit, and national pride, inspiring students to contribute to the nation’s progress. Congratulating every student who participated with enthusiasm and respect for the gallantry award winners, he lauded the Super-100 awardees for their success. Wishing them a bright future, he remarked that their enthusiasm and creativity would serve them well in life.
During the event, Param Vir Chakra Awardee Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar shared his inspiring experience from the 1999 Kargil War, urging students to embody the values of bravery, selflessness and integrity in their lives. “True bravery lies not only in combat but in standing up for what is right in everyday life,” he said, inspiring the young participants.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani and other senior officials attended the event.
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VK/SR/Savvy/KB
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 1:57PM by PIB Delhi
Union Health Ministry hosted ASHAs who are special invitees at the 76th Republic Day celebrations to honour and respect their tireless efforts contributing to the success of various health initiatives, here today.
To commemorate the outstanding contributions of ASHA, Government of India has invited around 250 ASHA along with their spouses across various States of India as Special Guests to the 76th Republic Day Ceremony. This recognition not only uplifts the morale of these dedicated health workers but also underscores the crucial value of their contributions, setting a strong precedent for acknowledging their essential role. It highlights the significance of their work in advancing public health across India, reinforcing the vital impact they have in improving healthcare access and outcomes.
Speaking at the occasion, the Union Health Secretary stated that “ASHAs are the backbone of health schemes in the country.” Appreciating their immense contribution to the society, she highlighted that “notable success in the TB elimination mission is significantly attributed to the grassroots level work done by the ASHAs.” She also described ASHA as a display of India’s Nari Shakti.
Currently, over 10.29 lakh ASHAs serve as the first point of contact in India’s healthcare system, acting as a crucial link between communities and essential health services. They play a pivotal role in various government health initiatives, such as maternal and child healthcare, promoting immunization, and supporting the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program. ASHAs are also instrumental in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and contribute to a wide range of other national health programs. Through their efforts, they are saving countless lives and ensuring that critical health interventions reach those in need, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Upon their arrival in the capital, they were warmly received by the officials of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Special sightseeing arrangements are made for them to visit Delhi’s iconic landmarks. They will visit the National War Memorial at Kartavya Path with a stop at India Gate allowing them to pay homage to the nation’s martyrs and will witness the 76th Republic Day parade tomorrow.
The event was also attended by Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary & Mission Director (NHM) and Senior Officials of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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MV
HFW/High Tea with ASHAs/25th January 2025/1
(Release ID: 2096075) Visitor Counter : 56
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 1:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalty of ₹ 3 lakh on Vision IAS for advertising misleading claim regarding result of UPSC CSE 2020. The decision was taken to protect & promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
In view of the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner, Smt. Nidhi Khare, and Commissioner, Shri Anupam Mishra has issued an Orders against Vision IAS.
Vision IAS in its advertisement made the following claim-
The CCPA found out that Vision IAS prominently displayed successful candidate’s names & pictures. However, the information with respect to the course opted by the said successful candidates in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2020 was not disclosed in the abovementioned advertisement.
Vision IAS mentioned the course opted by AIR 1- UPSC CSE 2020 i.e. GS Foundation Batch Classroom Student but deliberately concealed information regarding the courses chosen by the other nine successful candidates. This concealment created misleading impression that the remaining nine candidates were also enrolled in the ‘GS Foundation Batch Classroom Student’ course which was not true. Out of remaining 9 candidates- 1 took foundation courses, 6 took test series related to Pre and Mains stage and 2 took Abhyaas test.
Further, CCPA examined the digital profiles and fee receipts submitted by Vision IAS and discovered that the Foundation course is the most expensive, costing ₹1,40,000/-, whereas the Abhyaas one-time prelims mock test costs only ₹750. As per the available information, Rank 1 enrolled in the Foundation Course 2018 (Classroom/Offline), and Rank 8 enrolled in the Online Foundation Course 2015 of the Institute.
CCPA found that Rank 2, Rank 3, Rank 5, Rank 7, Rank 8, and Rank 10 of UPSC CSE 2020 enrolled in the GS Mains Test Series. This comes into play in Mains examination i.e. after clearing prelims examination which is a screening test wherein approximately only 1% students able to clear the said stage, making it the toughest stage with the most competition. The abovementioned students took GS Mains test series which is one of the various components of the Mains examination which implies that the aforementioned candidates cleared the prelims and Interview stages on their own, without any contribution of opposite party.
Additionally, Rank 4 and Rank 9 of UPSC CSE 2020 enrolled in Abhyaas test, a mock test for the Prelims exam. Rank 6 enrolled in the GS Prelims Test Series. This implies that the abovementioned candidates cleared the Mains and Interview stages on their own, without any contribution of opposite party.
By deliberately concealing about the specific course opted by each of the successful candidates, the Vision IAS made it look like all the courses offered by it had the same success rate for the consumers, which was not right. These facts are important for the potential students to decide on the courses that may be suitable for them and should not have been concealed in the advertisement.
CCPA has observed that several coaching institutes use the same successful candidate’s names and photographs in their advertisements while deliberately concealing important information about specific course opted by them to create a deception that the successful candidates were regular classroom students at coaching institute or were students of several courses offered in the advertisement.
Therefore, information regarding the specific course opted by successful candidates is vital for the knowledge of consumers to enable them to make an informed choice while deciding the course and coaching institute/platform to enroll in.
In light of these circumstances, CCPA found it necessary to impose a penalty in the interest of young and impressionable aspirants/consumers to address such false or misleading advertisement.
CCPA had taken action against several coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice. In this regard, CCPA has so far issued 46 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice. The CCPA has imposed a penalty of 74 lakhs 60 thousands on 23 coaching institutes and directed them to discontinue the misleading advertisements.
(Final Order is available on the Central Consumer Protection Authority website https://doca.gov.in/ccpa/orders-advisories.php?page_no=1 )
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AD/NS
(Release ID: 2096067) Visitor Counter : 84
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 11:58AM by PIB Delhi
“Handloom Conclave- Manthan” is an interactive workshop with various stakeholders of Handloom sector viz. Handloom weavers/manufacturers, Retailers, Buyers, Designers, Academicians,Startup Founders,Handloom Entrepreneurs/Innovators,Handloom Co-operatives, E commers companies, from all segments of 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister -Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign to chalk out future road map for handloom sector. The conclave will be attended by almost 250 stakeholders comprising 21 panelists, 120 handloom beneficiaries coming from all parts of the country to join the conference , 35 officials from Weavers Service Centres and IIHTs, around 25 State Govt. Officials (Handloom,Silk & Textiles) and officials from various other departments and establishments of the Textile Ministry. The conclave aims to serve as a platform for various stakeholders to come together and share best practices, innovations, and strategies for growth in the handloom sector.
This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the livelihoods of weavers and improve the overall handloom industry. It will also help in developing the handloom sector as a key sector with immense potential to act as a growth engine for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles will grace the event as the chief guest for the Inauguration. The Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles will be the guest of honour, in the gracious presence of Secretary (Textiles) and Development Commissioner for Handlooms.
Key highlights of the Event:
The Technical session on “Support for start-up eco system in Handloom Sector” will highlight various initiatives of Office of DC (Handlooms) to support start-ups and young entrepreneurs and to create a robust eco-system for start-ups working in handloom sector.
In the panel discussion on “Handloom Marketing Avenues and Strategies” experiences and best practices of the handloom marketing will be shared by the distinguished panellists. This discussion would be useful for the aspiring entrepreneurs, organizations and also for the entire handloom sector.
The final session will be focussed on discussing various strategies for making the handloom sector attractive for the younger generation and involving the youth in creating a more vibrant and sustainable value chain in the handloom sector by adding more value proposition through various technical interventions and help of social and digital media.
The panelists of above technical sessions will be representing various entities of the entire handloom value chain such as Government Officials, Technical Experts, Start-up founders, Handloom Co-operatives, Producer Companies,Academicians from NIFT and other institutes,E-Commerce stores, Handloom retailers, Weaver Entrepreneurs/innovators, Sustainable brands, Handloom Exporters and designers; their valuable insights will benefit the entire handloom community attending Handloom Conclave: Manthan.
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Dhanya Sanal K
Director
(Release ID: 2096040) Visitor Counter : 33
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 10:50AM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, organized the Rashtriya Karmyogi Jan Seva Programme at the Civil Services Officer’s Institute, KG Marg, New Delhi. This interactive event aimed to inspire, enlighten, and guide Central Government employees to adopt the Karmayogi Way, emphasizing a citizen-centric approach to governance.
As part of a large-scale initiative by the Government of India and the Capacity Building Commission, with Illumine Knowledge Resources (P) Ltd. as the Knowledge Partner, the programme focused on fostering Seva-Bhav (a sense of service) and accountability. Under the guidance of Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary, it served as a transformative experience, blending training, introspection, and motivation to enhance work culture and responsiveness to public needs.
The session began with an interactive survey on the Pedgog App, allowing participants to reflect on their perception of work. Through stories from the Ramayana, motivational anecdotes, and comparisons of Karmayogi and conventional approaches, participants explored how shifting perspectives can lead to greater positivity and productivity.
Structured into four modules of 1.5 hours each, the programme encouraged reflective discussions, teamwork, and collaborative problem-solving. Officers were reminded of their inner potential and inspired to adopt a proactive approach, moving beyond a “job-done” mindset to one focused on solutions, responsibility, and a commitment to national progress.
Participants shared insights on the benefits of a Karmayogi approach—developing an attitude of service with accountability and responsiveness. Suggestions were sought on implementing this mindset to meet both citizen needs and ministry objectives. The session emphasized behavioral change, time management, and a solution-oriented work ethic as keys to achieving impactful outcomes.
The ultimate message of the programme was clear: with Seva-Bhav, a sense of purpose, and love for the nation, employees can align personal and professional goals with the larger objectives of the ministry, fostering progress for citizens and the nation alike.
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SB/
(Release ID: 2096028) Visitor Counter : 23
Source: Government of India (2)
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 10:14AM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of JalShakti has been working relentlessly towards achieving the vision and mission of making India a ‘Water Secure Country’ as envisioned by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, formed in 2019 by bringing together all water related departments and organizations under one umbrella Ministry, has been playing a pivotal role in implementation of a focused strategy towards making India ‘Water Secure’ while ensuring optimal utilization of precious and scarce water resources across the nation. During the year2024, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has undertaken several new initiatives and achieved significant outcomes/milestones. Following is some of the key achievements of the Department in 2024:
National Mission for Clean Ganga, in the year 2024, completed 25 projects which resulted in the completion of a cumulative total of 303 projects, sofar, and also sanctioned 39 new projects amounting to ₹ 2,056 crore, bringing the cumulative total to 488 projects sanctioned worth ₹ 39,730 crore. In sewerage infrastructure, 12 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 305 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been sanctioned between January to December 2024. In the same period, 16 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 750 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been completed. Till date, a total of 203 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned in the Ganga Basin for the creation of 6,255 MLD sewage treatment capacity and the laying of a 5,249 km sewer network.
Other key achievements during the year 2024 are as follows:
(A) Inauguration and Laying of Foundation Stones Sewerage infrastructure projects by Hon’ble Prime Minister (Under Nirmal Ganga)
(B) Inauguration and Laying of Foundation Stones Sewerage infrastructure projects by Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Under Nirmal Ganga)
NMCG organized 9 virtual safety training program and trained more than 1,500 officials on “Occupational Health and Safety Audit (OHSA)” From January 2024 to December 2024, to ensure workplace safety and compliance.
The programme has sanctioned projects focused on protecting and rehabilitating fishery, turtles, crocodiles, and dolphins. Projects Sanctioned in the year 2024 are as under :
· Expanding Conservation Breeding Programme of Freshwater Turtle and Gharial at Kukrail Rehabilitation Centre, Lucknow
NMCG, in partnership with CIFRI, has successfully implemented fish ranching programs for Indian Major Carps and other species. In 2024, notable achievements include – Ranching of Indian Major Carps (IMC): 49.25 lakhs, Mahseer: 7,370, Hilsa: 42,117 and Hilsa tagging: 1,387 nos.
The ‘River Atlas for Ganga Main Stem Districts’, an in-house developed knowledge product of the GKC was launched by the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti on 09thDecember 2024 during the 13th Empowered Task Force Meeting. The atlas comprises maps of River Ganga and its tributaries, covering five main stem states in the Ganga basin – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. This comprehensive Atlas is essential for the effective implementation of policies and programs and accurate planning and informed decision-making.
Under National Perspective Plan (NPP) formulated by Government of India, 30 inter-basin water transfer links (16 Peninsular and 14 Himalayan component) have been identified by National Water Development Agency for preparation of Feasibility Reports. Detailed Projects Reports (DPRs) of 11 links, Feasibility Reports (FRs) of 26 links and Pre-Feasibility Reports (PFRs) of all the 30 links have been prepared. The Inter-Linking River (ILR) Programme has been taken up on high priority by Government of India. The works related to ILR projects are already in progress. Five links have been identified as priority links by Govt. of India viz., Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MPKC) and Godavari-Cauvery (G-C) Link Project (comprising of 3 link systems).
System studies of four link projects viz.; Manas-Sanksoh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link, Ganga-Damodar-Subernarekha (GDS) link, Subernarekha-Mahanadi (SM) link and Farakka-Sunderbans (FS) link have been initiated and the work of these four links has been awarded to IIT, Guwahati, NIT, Patna, NIT, Warangal and NIH, Roorkee respectively. Inception Reports have been submitted in June, 2023 by all the four Institutes. The draft final reports of MSTG and GDS have been submitted by the respective Institutes. The system studies of Mahanadi-Godavari link have been completed by NIH, Roorkee and the Final Report has been submitted in May, 2023. Awarding of work for system studies of southern linkage initiated, however, it may be taken up after finalization of quantity of water that can be transferred from MSTG, GDS, FS and SM link projects to Mahanadi river, as per system studies.
Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP): is the first inter-linking of rivers (ILR) project for which implementation has been initiated. The project will be of immense benefit to the water starved Bundelkhand Region, spread across the States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh which includes districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpur&Raisen and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi & Lalitpur respectively. The status of KBLP is as given below:
Cumulative Progress (%) upto December, 2024
Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MPKC):
Godavari-Cauvery (G-C) Link Project (comprising of 3 link systems):
8th India Water Week 2024:
More than 4500 delegates from India & abroad participated in the IWW-2024. About 215 delegates from 40 countries participated in the conference. Parallel to the conference, in the exhibition 143 Exhibitors from Central, States Government, Public Sector undertakings, Private Firms, NGOs, Startups and Schools etc. showcased their technologies.
(i) Central Water Commission has undertaken sedimentation assessment studies of selected reservoirs located in various States using Satellite Remote Sensing technique under the plan scheme “Research & Development Programme in Water Sector”. It is planned to take up the studies in respect of 80 reservoirs during 2021-26. Accordingly, the work of carrying out the study for the first batch of 40 reservoirs was outsourced. Due to non-availability of either the desired water levels or satellite data for a reservoir on date of satellite pass, study in respect of 31 reservoirs was feasible which has been completed and reports published during 2022 to 2024. Besides this sedimentation studies in respect of 30 reservoirs have been completed in-house using Remote Sensing Techniques. Furthermore, a Google Earth Engine-based tool has also been developed by CWC officers, in-house under Smart Water Resources Modelling Organization (SWRMO) – Centre for Excellence, to automate the assessment of sedimentation in the live storage zone of reservoir.
(ii) A World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) team conducted the Mid-Term Review (MTR) mission for the Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) between January 17 and May 3, 2024. The mission held discussions with Implementing Agencies (IAs) in Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), Surat (Gujarat), and New Delhi and undertook field visits to selected dams in Gujarat (Ukai) and Odisha (Hirakud, Rengali). The wrap-up meeting was held in New Delhi, chaired by Joint Secretary, D/o WR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) and attended by Project Director, Central Water Commission (CWC), members of the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU), the Engineering and Management Consultant (EMC), and representatives of all Implementing Agencies (IA). As part of the mission, a detailed exercise on the use of the rapid risk assessment tool for Indian dams, in compliance with the National Dam Safety Act 2021, was carried out between March 5 and May 3, 2024.
(iii) The quarterly dialogues on Coastal Area Management, initiated as per the direction of the Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) was held in April and May 2024.These dialogues brought together stakeholders from various levels of government, research institutions, and relevant departments to discuss pressing issues such as coastal erosion, salinity ingress, and the need for robust data collection and management. The dialogues provided a platform for sharing information, best practices, and innovative solutions from all stakeholders. As an outcome of the Quarterly Dialogue, CWC has published a report titled “Status Report on Coastal Area Management- An Indian Perspective, Region Issues & Remedial Measures”. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and initiatives related to coastal management in India. The report highlights the significant impacts of coastal erosion and salinity ingress, emphasizing the need for robust data collection, effective mitigation strategies, and increased collaboration among stakeholders.
(iv) A Smart Water Resources Modelling Organization acts as Centre of Excellence to grow as a pioneering hub for developing in-house expertise and innovation in tackling diverse problem statements and studies in water sector and directly reports to Chairman, CWC.
(v) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 06.06.2024between Central Water Commission (CWC) and IIT, Roorkeefor research work related to Irrigation Efficiency Assessment, Water Accounting studies, Cropped Area Mapping, Water Auditing, Urban Flood Forecasting & Risk Management, Urban Flood Inundation & Hazard Mapping, etc. These works will be carried out through mutual consultations and collaboration, leveraging the expertise and resources of both institutions.
(vi) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Central Water Commission (CWC) and Space Application Centre (SAC) in the field of hydrology and water resources management, leveraging remote sensing and collaborative research efforts for mutual benefit on 08th July,2024.
(vii) Support for Irrigation Modernization Program (SIMP): Central Water Commission (CWC), DoWR, RD & GR has taken up an initiative Support for Irrigation Modernization Program (SIMP) with technical assistance from theAsian Development Bank (ADB) to modernize Major/ Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects in the country.
(viii) SIMP is proposed to be taken up in 4 phases. SIMP Phase-1 concluded on 31.12.2021 under which 4 MMI projects have been identified for inclusion under 1st batch of projects for preparation of Irrigation Modernization Plans (IMPs) out of the 57 proposals received from 14 States and 2 UTs. The entire process including the preparation of IMPs, Detailed Project Report (DPRs), detailed designs and final implementation/ project execution is expected to be completed by Phase-4. Implementation of the project would lie with the concerned States who would have an option to either fund it from their own resources or they can avail loan facility from ADB or any other financial institutions.
(ix) SIMP Phase-2 was initiated from November 2022. Irrigation Modernization Plan (IMP) of four projects namely VanivilasaSagara Project, Karnataka, Palkhed Project Maharashtra, Purna Project, Maharashtra and Loharu Lift Irrigation Project, Haryana have been prepared. As a 1st step for preparation of IMPs, FAO developed RAP-MASSCOTE (Rapid Appraisal Procedure-Mapping System and Services for Canal Operation Techniques) workshops were organized to assess the present status of the identified four projects. The findings of RAP MASSCOTE workshops and issues related to Batch 1 SIMP projects were discussed in a mid-term workshop organized by ADB and CWC on 09.06.2023 at New Delhi.
For capacity building under SIMP phase-II, the following activities were organized:
The Preliminary Project Reports (PPR) of all the four projects has been submitted by ADB to the concerned project authorities. PPR of Loharu, Haryana is under process with Govt department. PPR of Palkhed and Purna, Maharashtra is under process in Planning Department of Haryana, PPR of VVS, Karnataka is under process with state finance Govt of Maharashtra.
PPRs are to be finalized by the states and submitted to DEA. After necessary approval from DEA, action for phase-3 will be taken up for preparation of DPRs.
(x) A Training program on the application of Rapid Risk Assessment tool, in association with the World Bank for the officers of the core group was held during April 22, 2024 – May 3, 2024 at Auditorium, 1st floor, CWC Library Building, Near Sewa Bhawan, Sector-1, R K Puram, New Delhi. Total 66 officials nominated by CWC, NDSA and States / DRIP IAs for taking forward the assignment of carrying out the Rapid Risk Assessment of specified dams in the country.
CWC finalized the criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region in September 2024, which provide a comprehensive methodology for identifying and categorizing Glacial Lakes based on factors such as Glacial Lake size, Glacial Lake type, Side slope, Snout distance from GL etc. and the potential socio-economic impacts of a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood.
In the year 2024, 2 new stations (Inflow) have started functioning. Currently CWC is providing flood forecast at 340 stations (200-level forecasting stations & 140-inflow forecasting stations). During the period from 1st April to 30.11.2024, 10415 (i.e. 7093 Level and 3322 Inflow) forecasts were issued, out of which 9947 (95.5%) forecasts were found within the accuracy limit (±0.15m for level forecast and ±20% for inflow forecast).During flood season, CWC operates the Central Flood Control Room on 24×7 basis at its headquarter in New Delhi and 36 Divisional Flood Control Rooms spread throughout the country for monitoring flood situation. On an average, about 10,000 forecasts are issued during flood season every year by the CWC. Normally, these forecasts are issued 6 to 30 hours in advance, depending upon the river terrain and location of the flood forecasting sites and their base stations. In addition to conventional flood forecasting techniques, mathematical model forecasting based on rainfall-run off methodology is being used for some areas. This has enabled CWC to issue 7-day advance flood advisory.
Automated online 7-day flood advisory for all the level and inflow forecasting stations is maintained. “Flood Situation for next seven days” in respect of stations likely to be above warning level has been added in the “Daily Flood Situation Report cum Advisory” based on the 7-day advisory.
In order to have a reasonable degree of protection, floods need to be managed through both structural & non-structural measures so as to reduce the losses. Non-structural measures are planned activities to modify susceptibility due to flood related damages. These are meant to keep people away from floods. Flood Plain Zoning is one of the main non-structural measures for management of floods worldwide.
A technical committee under the chairmanship of Member (RM) was constituted during November 2022 for formulation of ‘Technical Guidelines on Flood Plain Zoning’ . After due deliberations, the committee submitted the guidelines to Ministry. The guidelines is presently under circulation to the states for their comments/review. Once implemented, these guidelines shall serve as a valuable document in guiding the states in framing their own legislation in protecting their rivers from future encroachments.
The success of a project is largely governed by the hydrological inputs. The success of a project is largely governed by the hydrological inputs. The Hydrological Studies Organization (HSO), a specialized unit under Design and Research (D&R) Wing of CWC, carries out hydrological studies in respect of the water resources projects in the country. The inputs in Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Pre- Feasibility (PFR) stage are made available in the form of:
The country has been divided into 7 zones and further into 26 hydro- meteorologically homogeneous sub-zones and flood estimation models are developed for each subzone to compute the design flood in ungauged catchments. So far, flood estimation reports covering 24 sub-zones have been published. During the year 2024- 25, technical examinations of hydrological aspects of DPRs in respect of 88 projects have been carried out in CWC. Out of this, 46 projects have been cleared and comments were issued for 17 projects. Rest of the projects are under examination.
Some of the major works carried out during this period are:
• Flood frequency analysis & carrying capacity of Yamuna River from Hathnikund Barrage to Delhi.
• Hydrology Chapter for Bakchachuu HEP, Ringyang HEP, &RimbiKhola HEP has been submitted.
• 100 yr& 500 yr Return Period flood of Chandrawal River under Ken Betwa Link project.
• Water Availability of the untapped catchment between alignment of feeder canal, Mahalpur barrage and Navnera Barrage Under MPKC link.
Technical Assistance / Advice tendered
HSO has provided secretariat assistance to various technical/ expert committees for undertaking special studies on various aspects related to water resources development and management. Some of the important contributions during the year 2024- 25 are as under:
Hydrological modeling for tackling issues related to high intensity rainfall, riverine flood, drainage and interrelated issues in urban areas.
CWC is actively associated with design of majority of the mega water resources projects in India and neighboring countries, viz., Nepal and Bhutan by way of design consultancy or in the technical appraisal of the projects. At present CWC is provided design consultancy to 94 projects. Out of this, 31 projects (including 3 from neighboring countries) are at construction stage, 35 projects (including 2 from neighboring countries) are at DPR stage and 28 projects involve special problems.
National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters: –
The National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters (NCSDP) was constituted by MoWR Order dated 21 st October, 1991 with the objective to recommend the seismic design parameters for the proposals received from the dam owners. Member (D&R), CWC is the chairman of the committee with 12 other experts from various engineering disciplines from different technical institutions and Government organizations as its members. Director (FE&SA), CWC is the member Secretary of NCSDP. The 38th meeting of NCSDP was held on 10.05.2024 at CWC, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Member (D&R) wherein six projects were cleared.
Further, a special meeting of NCSDP was held on 05.06.2024 wherein the Guideline for Preparation and Submission Of Site-Specific Seismic Study Report of River Valley Project To National Committee On Seismic Design Parameters was revised comprehensively to be in line with the International practices.
Before enactment of Dam Safety Act 2021, Dam Safety Organisation (DSO) , CWC compiled and maintained the register of large dams across the country in the form of National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) based on information provided by State Govts. / PSUs. After enactment of Dam Safety Act 2021, the NDSA has been mandated to maintain National level database of all specified dam in the country. The National Register of Specified (Large) Dams 2023 was released by Hon’ble Vice President of India in International Conference on Dam Safety held during 14th-15th September 2023 at Jaipur. As per NRLD- 2023, there are 6138 constructed and 143 under construction dams in the country. The NRLD, 2023 is available on CWC’s website and can be accessed by l ink- https:// cwc. gov. in/ publication/nrld.
Hydroelectric project:-
Detailed Project Report (DPR)/ construction drawings of 29 river valley projects in various States/ countries namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Bhutan and Nepal were examined, out of which 4 projects have been cleared with respect to instrumentation aspects and remaining 25 projects are at various stages of examination.
Pumped storage Project:-
Detailed Project Report (DPR)/ construction drawings of 42 river valley projects in various States/ countries namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were examined, out of which 6 projects have been cleared with respect to instrumentation aspects and for remaining 36 projects, clearance from instrumentation aspects is no longer required as per the latest CEA guidelines.
The Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC for providing an overall perspective and guidance in technical scrutiny of research schemes being undertaken at CSMRS. The STAC is composed of 11 members drawn from various public sector institutions and is headed by Member (D& R), CWC. The 39th Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting of CSMRS was held on 25.10.2024
Work related to technical evaluation and critical examination of web-based tool Seismic Hazard Assessment Information System (SHAISYS) being developed by IIT Roorkee and CWPRS Pune under DRIP is being carried out. A meeting is proposed on 18th December 2024 under the chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC with the expert of IIT Roorkee at CWC, New Delhi regarding way forward for development of SHAISYS.
Study on “Physical based Mathematical Modelling for estimation of Sediment Rate and Sediment Transport in Seven River Basin” has been completed.
Extended Hydrological Prediction (multi week forecast) for Yamuna, Narmada and Cauvery basins is in progress.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) is an externally aided project with financial assistance from the World Bank, targeting rehabilitation of some of the selected dams of the Country along with accompanying institutional strengthening component.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (Phase-II & III):
Based on the success of DRIP Phase- I, Ministry of Jal Shakti initiated another externally funded scheme, DRIP Phase-II and Phase-III. The Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme on October 29, 2020.
The scheme has provision for rehabilitation of 736 dams located in 19 States (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and three Central Agencies (Central Water Commission, Bhakra Beas Management Board, and Damodar Valley Corporation). It is a State Sector Scheme with Central component, with duration of 10 years, to be implemented in two Phases i.e. Phase- II and Phase-III, each of six years duration with an overlap of two years. The budget outlay is Rs 10,211 Cr (Phase II: Rs 5107 Cr; Phase III: Rs 5104 Cr) with rehabilitation provision of 736 dams. Out of this cost, Rs. 7,000 crore is an external loan and Rs. 3,211 crores would be borne by the respective participating States and the three Central agencies. The funding pattern of scheme is 80:20 (Special Category States), 70:30 (General Category States) and 50:50 (Central Agencies). The scheme also has provision of Central Grant of 90% of loan amount for special category States (Manipur, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand). The DRIP Phase-II and III Scheme is 10 years duration, proposed to be implemented in two Phases, each of six-year duration with two years overlapping. Each Phase has external assistance of US$ 500 M. The Phase-II of the scheme is being co-financed by World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with funding of US$ 250 million each. The loan agreement by World Bank was signed on August 04, 2021 with 10 States (Gujarat, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh) and became effective from 12th October, 2021. In addition to 10 States, four States (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka) have been notified by World Bank for inclusion under this scheme in June 2022 and their loan declared effective in January 2023.
The loan agreement by AIIB was signed on 19th May, 2022 with 10 States (Gujarat, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh) and declared effective on 29th December, 2022 by AIIB.
Inclusion of four States (Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, Telangana) and two Central Agencies (BBMB and DVC) is under process.
Important project achievements include approval of PSTs of 139 dams costing Rs 3715 Cr by the World Bank. The contract(s) amounting approximately Rs 2906 Cr have been awarded by various Implementing Agencies and an amount of Rs 1487 Cr spent as on 30.11.2024 on various project activities including dam rehabilitation, institutional strengthening and project management activities
A training on DRIP Ph-II &Ph-III was given to 40 officers of Punjab WRD on 12th June 2024 at Shahpur Kandi. Few topics were covered like Overview of DRIP Ph-II &Ph-III scheme; dam structural problems & their identification; Procurement procedures; Hydro-Mechanical structural problems; PST preparation; Financial Management of DRIP scheme etc.
A three days training on DFR organized during 8th to 10th July, 2024, in which 22 participants from seven (7) states and CWC participated.
The Management Information System (MIS-with 05 modules) was officially rolled out to SPMU on 14th August 2024. In this regard a virtual MIS demonstration was organized on 14th August 2024 in which concerned officials of CPMU, SPMU, and EMC participated.
2nd meeting of National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) on DRIP Phase-II and III chaired by Secretary, DoWR, RD and GR were held on 25.09.2024 at New Delhi to discuss the progress and issues of DRIP Scheme.
3rd meeting of Technical Committee of DRIP Phase II and III was held on 18.10.2024 under the chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC at Dehradun, Uttarakhand in which nodal officer and Project Director of DRIP IAs participated. Deliberations in respect of technical matters with regard to pertaining to implementation of the scheme were held during the meeting.
National Task Force for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management (NTFIWRDM) has been set up by DoWR, RD & GR vide its OM dated 25.11.2024.
Sustainable development of water resources and its efficient management is the key to water security and economic growth. As a country, aspiring to be the world leader with the most powerful economy, challenges like increasing population, economic growth, industrialization and urbanization are bound to result in increased and conflicting demands for various purposes across the country. Moreover, the vagaries of climate change have already started to affect the water sector adversely. In the wake of ever-growing challenges in the water resources sector, it has become necessary to prospectively assess the projected water use for various purposes. In view of above, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR has set up a National Task Force for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management (NTFIWRDM) on 25.11.2024 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Member, Niti Aayog with members from various Govt. Departments and experts from different organisations; thereby comprehensively covering various domains of water resources. Chief Engineer, BPMO, CWC is the Member Secretary of the NTFIWRDM. The NTFIWRDM – 2024 is expected to complete its work within 24 months, with interim reports submitted at yearly intervals.
|
Sl. No. |
Publication |
Released during |
|
1 |
Water Sector at a Glance-2022 |
Aug-2024 |
|
2 |
Water & Related Statistics-2023 |
Sept-2024 |
|
3 |
Water Sector at a Glance-2023 |
Sept-2024 |
|
4 |
National Register of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects in India-2024 |
Sept-2024 |
|
5 |
Compendium on Sedimentation of Reservoirs in India |
August 2024 |
|
6 |
Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India |
July 2024 |
|
7 |
Report on Flood Damage Statistics (1953-2022) |
July 2024 |
|
8 |
Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India [Part II: Assessment at Sub-District Level] |
September 2024 |
|
9 |
Criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes in Indian Himalayan Region |
September 2024 |
|
10 |
Status Report on Coastal Area Management – An Indian Perspective, Regional Issues & Remedial Measures |
September 2024 |
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM), which envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of ground water resources. Out of 32 lakh sq km of the entire country, entire mappable area of 25 sq lakh km has been covered under this programme. NAQUIM outputs are shared with various stakeholders including the District Authorities. Building on the experiences of the NAQUIM, the NAQUIM 2.0 has been initiated from the year 2023-24 which emphasizes on detailed mapping and implementable management plans for identified priority areas. CGWB has completed 68 such studies (covering nearly 40,000 sq km) in year 2024.
In order to create infrastructure for data generation under NAQUIM, a Project has been approved by the Public Investment Board (PIB) with an outlay of Rs 805 Cr for implementation by CGWB during the period 2022-2026. As of now, tenders amounting approximately Rs. 550 Cr have been awarded.
One of the components of the project involves the construction of 7000 piezometers and the installation of Digital Water Level Recorders with telemetry devices for strengthening and automation of groundwater monitoring networks in the country. Construction of piezometers for strengthening groundwater monitoring has been initiated in 15 states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh, Chhattisgarh, UttarPradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, WestBengal, Odisha and Jammu&Kashmir). A total of 1796 piezometers have been constructed till 31st December 2024.
Another component of the project involves construction of 1135 Exploratory Wells (EW) and Observation Wells (OW) for completing the data gap in the NAQUIM project area for which work has been initiated under all awarded packages in 11 states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam). A total of 319 EW/OWs have been constructed till 31st December 2024.
Ground Water Resources
The Ground Water Resource Assessment for the water year 2024 was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, through the web-based automated application “INDIA-GROUNDWATER RESOURCE ESTIMATION SYSTEM (IN-GRES) for the entire country. The assessment provides the state wise ground water resource scenario and insights required to adopt an integrated and sustainable ground water management in the Country.
As per the assessment, the total annual groundwater recharge in the country has been assessed as 446.90 billion Cubic Meter (BCM). The annual extractable ground water resource has been assessed as 406.19 BCM. The annual groundwater extraction for all uses is 245.64 BCM. The average stage of groundwater extraction for the country stands at 60.47 %. Out of the total 6746 assessment units (Blocks/ Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 4951 (73.4 %) assessment units are categorized as ‘Safe’. 711 (10.5 %) assessment units are categorized “Semi-critical’’, 206 (3.05 %) assessment units, have been categorized as ‘Critical’ and 751 (11.1%) assessment units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’. Apart from these, there are 127 (1.8%) assessment units, which have been categorized as ‘Saline’ as major part of the ground water in phreatic aquifers in these units is brackish or saline.
Key Highlights:
The Union Minister for Jal Shakti released “National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024” on 31st December, 2024.
High resolution aquifer mapping and management in Arid areas of India
Artificial Recharge Activities
Groundwater augmentation through artificial recharge in identified water stressed areas of Rajasthan, comprising Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Alwar, Jhunjhunu & Sikar districts of Rajasthan has been taken up in three phases
Regulation of Ground Water extraction
Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training & Research Institute (RGNGWTRI)
It is the training wing of CGWB and functions as a `Centre of Excellence’ with the national role of capacity building of Officers and Officials of CGWB, other Central Govt. Depts., State Govt. Depts., Public Sector Undertakings, Non-Governmental Organizations, Academic institutions and other stake holders through three arms -Tier I (National Level), Tier II (State Level) and Tier III (Block level) trainings.
Development of three Indigenous Softwares as part of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2022- a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat
The software applications can be accessed / downloaded from CGWB website (https://www.cgwb.gov.in/freewares-groundwater-data-analysis).
These freeware applications will be useful for students, researchers and groundwater professionals. So far, the software that are used for such kind of analysis are developed mostly in countries other than India. This is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and is likely to reduce India’s dependence on foreign software.
Aquifer Management for Augmentation and Sustainability of Urban Water Supply- Faridabad
CGWB has taken up a study on augmentation of water supply to Faridabad city through sustainable ground water development in active Yamuna flood plain in 2024. CGWB has signed MoU with Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA)
Ground Water Quality Analysis
The comprehensive assessment of Ground Water Quality conducted by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) provides valuable insights that can guide remedial actions and inform future planning by various stakeholders. Notably, this report on Ground Water Quality is the first to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for groundwater quality monitoring, which ensures consistency in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Additionally, the use of internationally recognized methods significantly bolsters the credibility and technical rigor of the findings. On December 31, 2024, Sh. CR Paatil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, unveiled the Annual Groundwater Quality Report, 2024.
Key Highlights:
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068 Crore to benefit about 22 lakh farmers
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP):
The Government of India on 27.07.2016 approved funding of the 99 prioritized irrigation projects (and 7 phases) with an estimated balance cost of Rs. 77,595 Crore (Central share- Rs. 31,342 crores; State share- Rs. 46,253 crores) for completion in phases. The works include both the AIBP and CAD works. Funding arrangement for both Central Assistance (CA) and State Share made through NABARD under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF). Targeted Irrigation Potential to be created under the scheme is 34.63 Lakh ha. An expenditure of Rs. 68891 crore (upto March 2024) has been reported to be incurred by the concerned State Governments on these projects since 2016-17. In January 2020, Ministry of Finance conveyed the continuation of ongoing centrally sponsored scheme up-to 31.03.2021.
Physical Progress: Against the target of 34.63 Lakh Ha. Irrigation Potential of about 25.80 Lakh ha. has been created through AIBP works of the prioritized projects during 2016-17 to 2023-24. The potential created during 2024-25 shall be available only after the end of cropping season.
Project Completed under PMKSY-AIBP: AIBP works of 62 prioritized projects out of identified 99 projects (and 7 phases) were reported to be completed till date.
The Government of India has approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068 Crore on date 15-Dec-2021 to benefit about 22 Lakh farmers. The Union Cabinet has approved central support of ₹37,454 Crore to States and ₹20,434.56 Crore of debt servicing for loan availed by Government of India for irrigation development during PMKSY 2016-21. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ and Watershed Development components have been approved for continuation during 2021-26. Total additional irrigation potential creation targeted during 2021-26 under AIBP is 13.88 Lakh hectare. Apart from focused completion of 60 ongoing projects including their 30.23 lakh hectare command area development, 9 additional projects have been taken up till date. Also, two national projects, namely Renukaji Dam Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand) have also been included for central funding of 90% of works of water component under the scheme.
Inclusion of new Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects as well as funding of National Projects under AIBP.
Financial progress requirement is dropped for inclusion of a project underAIBPand only physical progress of 50% to be considered.
Advanced stage (50% physical progress) criteria are relaxed for projects having command area of 50% or more in Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), tribal, Desert Development Programme (DDP), Flood prone, Tribal area, Flood prone area, left wing extremism affected area, Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) region of Odisha, Vidarbha& Marathwada regions of Maharashtra and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh, as also for Extension Renovation Modernization (ERM) projects and also for States with net irrigation below national average.
Reimbursement is allowed for due central assistance in subsequent year also.
Project completion permitted with physical progress of 90% or more.
Online Management Information System (MIS) has been developed for monitoring of the projects. A nodal officer for each of the 99 priority projects has been identified who updates the physical and financial progress of the project regularly in the MIS.
GIS based Application has been developed for geo-tagging of project components. Remote Sensing Techniques have been used for digitization of the canal network of the projects. Further, the Cropped Area estimation in the command of 99 priority projects is being carried out annually through remote sensing.
To resolve the issue of Land Acquisition (LA) and increase water conveyance efficiency, use of Underground Pipeline (UGPL) has been actively promoted. Guidelines for Planning and Design ofPiped Irrigation Network were released by this Ministry in July, 2017.
Pari-passu implementation of Command area development works in the commands of these projects is envisaged to ensure that the Irrigation Potential Created could be utilized by the farmers. New Guidelines bringing focus on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) have been brought out. Further, transfer of control and management of irrigation system to the Water Users’ Association (WUA) has been made necessary condition for the acceptance of CADWM completion.
The Financial Progress under PMKSY-AIBP is as follows:
|
Funds Released |
2016-17 to 2023-24 |
2024-25 (so far) |
Total |
|
Central Assistance for AIBP projects including special and National Projects |
18550.98 |
629.22 |
19180.20 |
|
State Share |
33830.83 |
180.60 |
34011.4 |
|
Total |
52,381.81 |
809.82 |
53191.6 |
Special Package for Maharashtra: A Special Package approved on 18.07.2018 which provides Central Assistance to complete 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major / Medium Irrigation Projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra in phases up to 2023-24 (extended till March-25). The overall balance cost of the said projects as on 1.4.2018 is estimated to be Rs.13651.61 Crore. Total CA is estimated to be Rs. 3831.41 Crore including reimbursement for expenditureduring 2017-18Balancepotentialof 3. 77 Lakh Ha would be created on completion of these schemes. CA of Rs. 2901.63 crores have been released under the scheme so far. Under the scheme, 53 SMI and 2 MMI projects have been reported to be completed by the State Government of Maharashtra. Overall irrigation potential of 1.66 Lakh ha. has been reported to be created through all these projects during 2018-19 to 2023-24. Further potential created during 2024-25 shall be available only after the end of cropping season.
Modernization of Command Area Development & Water Management (M-CADWM):
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is reviewing the CADWM programme to make it more relevant in the current context of water use efficiency and agricultural productivity. The proposed change is a proposed smart irrigation scheme which envisages transforming the existing command (whether rain fed or gravity based) to a Pressurized Piped Irrigation Command (PPIC) by providing pressurized irrigation water from Established source to Farm Gate below Minor (Tertiary) Level Network. This will make the entire command area micro-irrigation ready with robust back-end infrastructure using Surface Water. The farmers shall be empowered by creating a Water User Society, which will also be an “economic entity”.
The Scheme will develop suitable models for different Agro-Climatic zones, integrating various sources of water, and different levels of water availability, covering both areas of assured irrigation and protected irrigation. These models will pave the way for development of a National Plan for Modernization of water management in rural area in general and irrigation services in particular based on integrated, sustainable, efficient and inclusive water management.
Polavaram Irrigation Project: Polavaram Irrigation Project was declared as National Project under Section 90 of AP Reorganization Act, 2014, which came into force on 1st March 2014. The project with 2467.50 m of earth-cum-rock fill dam and 1121.20 m long spillway aims at irrigating 2.91 Lakh ha in erstwhile East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts besides several other benefits envisaged by it. Central Government is funding 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component of the project, as on 01.04.2014. Government of Andhra Pradesh is executing the irrigation component of the project on behalf of Government of India. The approved cost of the Project as per Revised Cost Committee (RCC) is Rs 29,027.95 cr at 2013-14 PL and Rs 47,725.74 cr at 2017-18 PL up to FRL i.e. EL +45.72 m. After declaration as National Project, a sum of Rs. 15,605.96 cr has been released for execution of Polavaram Irrigation Project so far.
The Union Cabinet has approved the revised cost of the PIP in its meeting held on 28.08.2024, with water storage upto EL + 41.15 m at a cost of Rs. 30,436.95 cr with balance central grant for the project limited to Rs. 12,157.53 cr. Further, an amount of Rs. 2,348 cr has been released on 09.10.2024 as advance payment to GoAP on account of execution of Polavaram Irrigation Project in addition to the reimbursement of Rs 15,605.96 cr made to GoAP.
As reported by Water Resource Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, an expenditure of Rs 18,348.84 cr has been incurred on the project works up to 30.11.2024, after declaration of Polavaram irrigation project (PIP) as National Project.
Atal BhujalYojana (Atal Jal) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India with an outlay of Rs 6000 Crore, with focus on community participation and demand side interventions for sustainable ground water management in identified water stressed areas in 8203 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229 administrative blocks/Talukas in 80 districts of seven States in the country viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The scheme, partly funded by the World Bank, is being implemented from 1.04.2020 for a period of 6 years.
This unique scheme aims at increasing the capacity of States to manage their ground water resources and for ensuring their long-term sustainability with active participation of the local communities through a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches. It also envisages convergence of various ongoing schemes for implementation of interventions for improving ground water availability with emphasis on demand management and also to inculcate behavioral changes in the community to ensure optimal use of available water resources.
The launch of Atal Bhujal Yojana heralds a change in the Government policy for ground water management by emphasizing the importance of community participation in planning, execution, and monitoring of scheme activities; convergence of ongoing schemes for implementing interventions aimed at improving ground water availability; focus on demand side management through improving water use efficiency and incentivizing participating States for awareness creation among the masses on the importance of ground water.
Atal Bhujal Yojana also envisages improving the capacity of States for ground water governance through strengthening of institutions dealing with ground water management, improving ground water monitoring networks, creation of awareness among the public on the importance and criticality of ground water resources and building the capacity of the grass root level stakeholders to plan and utilize the available resources in a judicious manner. It also addresses the gender perspective by making it mandatory to include women in all activities of the scheme.
Atal Bhujal Yojana is expected to improve ground water conditions in the target areas and to contribute significantly to ensure ground water sustainability for interventions planned under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). It is also expected to contribute to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s goal of doubling farmers’ income and to result in optimal use of ground water by the stakeholders in the long-run.
Further, to bridge the gap in the data availability at the GP level for better water management across India, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation in collaboration with Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken the initiative to expand water budgeting exercise to non-Atal Jal areas as well by their inclusion in the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
Key achievements under Atal Bhujal Yojana are as follows:
Minor Irrigation Census conducted quinquennially in order to create a sound and reliable database on groundwater and surface water minor irrigation schemes in the country. The Minor Irrigation Census is conducted under the centrally sponsored scheme “Irrigation Census” with 100% central funding through which State Statistical Cells constituted under different States/UTs are also supported.
The sixth Minor Irrigation Census and the first Census of Water bodies covering all water bodies in the country, both rural and urban have been completed. All India and State-wise report on 6th Minor Irrigation Census and First Census of Water Bodies has been published and are available at the Department website ‘https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in’. Key results have been disseminated on Bhuvan portal and the state wise unit level data has also been disseminated on Open Government Data (OGD) platform.
During 2024, the following progress under the scheme “Irrigation Census” has been achieved:
Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP):
The “Flood Management Programme (FMP)” and “River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas” (RMBA) under operation during XII Five Year Plan were merged as “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme” (FMBAP) for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 and further extended up-to March, 2021. Cabinet further approved the continuation of FMBAP scheme during 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 4100 Crore (FMP-Rs. 2940 Crore and RMBA – Rs. 1160 Crore).
Since the inception of FMBAP (till December 2024), Central Assistance of Rs. 7136 crores have been released to States/UTs under FMP component of Flood Management & Border Area Programme (FMBAP) scheme and Central Assistance of Rs. 1258.73 crores have been released to UTs/States under RMBA component of FMBAP scheme.
Completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project: DoWR, RD & GR has taken up the long pending project for completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project, Bihar and Jharkhand. In August, 2017 the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project at an estimated cost of Rs. 1622.27 crore during three financial years from the start of the project. Subsequently, at the request of both State Governments, certain other components were found necessary to be included in the project. Complete lining of Right Main Canal (RMC) and Left Main Canal (LMC) was also regarded essential from technical considerations to derive envisaged irrigation potential. Thus, the works of Gaya distribution system, lining of RMC and LMC, remodeling of enroute structures, construction of a few new structures and onetime Special Package for R&R of Project Affected Families (PAFs) were to be provided for in the updated cost estimate. Accordingly, Revised Cost Estimate of the project was prepared. Out of the cost of balance works of Rs. 2430.76 crore, the Central would provide Rs.1836.41 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the proposal to complete the balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project at a revised Cost of Rs. 2,430.76 crore on 04.10.2023. Project will provide irrigation benefit to 114,021 hectares of land annually in drought prone areas of Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar and Palamau and Garwa districts of Jharkhand. Project also has the provision for supply of 44 MCM water for drinking and industrial water supply. The execution of balance works of the project on turnkey basis by M/s WAPCOS Ltd., a CPSU under DoWR, RD & GR as Project Management Consultant (PMC). 10% works on dam & appurtenant, 100% of additional works of Mohammad Ganjbarrage, 86% works on left main canal and works on Right Main Canal in Jharkhand Portion & 18% works on Bihar portion have been completed.
India and Bangladesh Matters
A Treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh on 12th December, 1996 for the sharing of Ganga/Ganges waters at Farakka during the lean season. As per the Treaty, the Ganga/Ganges waters is being shared at Farakka (which is the last control structure on river Ganga in India) during lean period, from 1st January to 31st May every year, on 10-daily basis as per the formula provided in the Treaty. The validity of Treaty is 30 years. The sharing of water as per the Treaty is being monitored by a Joint Committee headed by Members, JRC from both sides. The following India-Bangladesh Joint Committee Meetings have been convened.
During the 83rd and 84th Joint Committee meetings, the Indian delegation was led by Mr. Atul Jain, Commissioner (FM), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry of Jal Shakti. During the 85th Joint Committee meeting, the Indian delegation was led by Mr. Sharad Chandra, Commissioner (FM), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of the Republic of India and Member, India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Abul Hossen, Member, India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance. Assistance is provided to State Governments for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers (excluding river Ganga and its tributaries) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments for taking up various pollution abatement works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation, river front/bathing ghat development, etc.
DoWR, RD & GR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with different countries on cooperation in the field of water resources management and development. For effective implementation of activities under the various signed MoUs, to enhance the collaboration under the MoU, certain activities were undertaken including Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, the details of which is as follows –
Bilateral Meetings of Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti with the Ministers of Foreign Nations during India Water Week 2024 in New Delhi: –
During the visit of the Hon’ble President of the People’s Republic of China to India on November 20-23, 2006, it was agreed to set up an Expert-Level Mechanism to discuss interaction and cooperation on provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border Rivers as agreed between them. Accordingly, the two sides have set up the Joint Expert Level Mechanism through a Joint Declaration by both the countries.
The ELM meetings are held alternately in India and China every year. Fifteen meetings of ELM have been held so far. The 15th meeting of ELM was held at Beijing, China during 13th-14th August 2024. The GoI delegation was led by Shri S.K. Sinha, Commissioner (B&B), DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hao Zhao, Director General of the International Economic & Technical Cooperation and Exchange Centre, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China. Representatives of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Central Water Commission (CWC) had also participated in the meeting.
(ii) INDIA-BHUTAN COOPERATION
A Joint Group of Expert (JGE) on Flood Management has been constituted between India and Bhutan to discuss and assess the probable causes and effects of the recurring floods and erosion in the southern foothills of Bhutan and adjoining plains in India and recommend to both Governments appropriate and mutually acceptable remedial measures. Ten meetings of JGE have been held so far. The 10th meeting was held during 28th-29th February, 2024 at New Delhi, India. The GoI delegation was led by Shri S. K. Sinha, Commissioner (B&B), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD& GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI and the RGoB delegation was led by Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), RGoB.
In accordance with the decision taken during the first meeting of JGE, a Joint Technical Team (JTT) on Flood Management between the two countries was constituted. The purpose of JTT is to assess the field situation and provide technical support to JGE on flood management. Eight meetings of JTT have been held so far. The 8th meeting of JTT was held during 18th–20th November, 2024 at Chalsa, Jalpaigudi, West Bengal. The Indian delegation was led by Shri G.L. Bansal, Chief Engineer, Brahmaputra Basin Organisation (BBO), Central Water Commission, GoI and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Dr. SingayDorji, Chief of Meteorological Services Division (MSD), National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology, RGoB.
A Joint Experts Team (JET) consisting of senior officials from the Government of India and Royal Government of Bhutan(RGoB) continuously reviews the progress and other requirements of a network of 36 hydro-meteorological sites located in the catchments of trans-border rivers Puthimari, Pagladiya, Sankosh, Manas, Raidak, Torsa, Aie and Jaldhaka. So far, JET has met 38 times alternately in India and Bhutan since its reconstitution in 1992 and the last JET meeting i.e. 38th meeting was held at Mandarmani, West Bengal, India during 10th-11th December, 2024.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri Subhrangshu Biswas, Chief Engineer, Teesta&Bagarathi-Damodar Basin Organisation (T&BDBO), Central Water Commission, GoI and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), RGoB.
13. NERIWALM
The North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, continued its vital contributions to water and land management across North East India in 2024. As the only institute of its kind in the region, it upheld its mandate of capacity building and skill enhancementfor efficient management of water and land resources for irrigation and agriculture.
During the year (January to December, 2024), the institute organized 76 training programmes, reaching 3,173 beneficiaries. Among these were induction-level courses for newly recruited engineers from the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments of Assam, as well as the Brahmaputra Board. A faculty development program on advancements in agriculture and water management was also conducted. NERIWALM collaborated with leading national institutions and agencies to host a two-day National Seminar on Advances in Irrigation Technologies and Management, fostering knowledge exchange and innovation.
In research and development, the institute undertook a diverse range of projects sponsored by state and central government departments. Key initiatives included the preparation of State-Specific Action Plans for 19 states, evaluations of PMKSY-AIBP and PMKSY-HKKP irrigation projects in Assam and Meghalaya, research project on farmer participation in irrigation management in Manipur, studies on good water management practices and study on the impact of climate change on dam-related hydro-geomorphic and social aspects in Arunachal Pradesh.
NERIWALM’s academic program also progressed with the enrollment of 15 students in the M.Tech course on Water Resource Management for the 2024-25 session. The institute further strengthened its credentials by developing e-learning modules on water resource management for the i-GOT platform. NERIWALM was accredited as “EXCELLENT” under the Capacity Building Commission’s National Standards, while its Soil and Water Laboratory achieved NABL accreditation.
14. NATIONAL HYDROLOGY PROJECT
National Hydrology Project (NHP), with support from the World Bank, envisages establishing a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, collation and management. It has pan-India coverage with 48 Implementing Agencies (IAs) {12 from Central Government (including 3 from River Basin Organisations) and 36 from States/ UTs}. It will also provide tools and systems for informed decision making for water resources assessment, planning and management. The National Hydrology Project has been approved with an outlay of Rs. 3,679.77 Crore as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to State Governments and Central Implementing Agencies. The project originally had a duration of 8 years from 2016-17 to 2023-24. However, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has accorded approval for extension of project till Sept-2025 within the same allocation.
Broad objectives of NHP include: a) To improve the extent, quality, and accessibility of water resources information; b) To create decision support system for floods and basin level resource assessment/planning; and c) To strengthen the capacity of targeted water resources professionals and institutions in India.
Under the ongoing NHP, almost 22960 Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) surface water and ground water stations have already been installed in the country. Besides, 46 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) packages have been commissioned; almost 5667 piezometers constructed; 134 stationary as well as mobile water quality labs have been developed/procured/maintained and put into operation;
high-resolution DEMs, CORS network as well as Geoid model have also been developed. Furthermore, Bathymetric surveys of 464 important reservoirs of the country covering 162 BCM have also been taken up under NHP of which 373 studies have already been completed. Further 36 State Data Centres / Regional data centres / knowledge centres, etc. have been completed under the ongoing NHP. The need for development & maintenance of appropriate institutional framework both at the Central as well as State level for water resources information system intended for collection, collation and dissemination of the database was given shape in the ongoing NHP. As envisaged in the Cabinet note, the National Water Resources Informatics Centre (NWIC) has been created in 2018 and is now functional. Additionally, the formation of the State Water Informatics Centres for development of respective State Water Resources Information Systems was expedited in the ongoing NHP. Till date almost 19 SWICs have already been formed with a few more under process. The information system covering hydro-meteorological, hydro-geological, sedimentation, morphological and water quality data is also important in the context of various studies being done under NHP which
include IT Applications, Digital Products, geospatial hydro products, etc.
15. Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme
Under the Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 7282 schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of ₹ 16113.560 crores. Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 9009.169 crores have been released to states up-to March, 2024. Further, 4965 schemes have been reported to be completed up-to March, 2024. Target irrigation potential creation of these schemes is 11.58 L Ha and out of this, 8.59 L Ha is reported to be created till March, 2024.
16. Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme
Under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 3075schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of Rs. 2834.692 crore. Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 554.279Crore has been released to states up to March, 2024. Further, 2192 water bodies have been reported to be completed up to March, 2024. Target irrigation potential restoration of these schemes is 2.41 L Ha and out of this, 2.00 L Ha is reported to be restored till March, 2024
18. Mass Communication Internship programme
DoWR, RD & GR undertook internship programme in mass communication on during 2024. Students pursuing Degrees or are Research Scholars enrolled in recognized University/Institution in the field of Mass Communication in India are given opportunity to apply as “interns”. The Internship Programme provided short term exposure to “selected candidates” to be associated with the Department’s work related to media/social media activities. The objectives of the programme are to well acquaint the “Interns” with the working of the Department in field of media/social media related activities etc. and simultaneously the “interns” to supplement the process of mass publicity of this Department to create awareness about importance of development and management of water resources in holistic manner.
03 interns were selected for an initial period of 6 months under the program.
*****
Dhanya Sanal K
Director
(Release ID: 2096022) Visitor Counter : 29
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 8:45AM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today remarked that National Voters’ Day is about celebrating our vibrant democracy and empowering every citizen to exercise their right to vote.
Shri Modi in a post on X stated:
“National Voters’ Day is about celebrating our vibrant democracy and empowering every citizen to exercise their right to vote. It highlights the importance of participation in shaping the nation’s future. We laud the ECI for their exemplary efforts in this regard.
@ECISVEEP”
National Voters’ Day is about celebrating our vibrant democracy and empowering every citizen to exercise their right to vote. It highlights the importance of participation in shaping the nation’s future. We laud the ECI for their exemplary efforts in this regard.@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/aewpSJixkT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2025
***
MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2096016) Visitor Counter : 55
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 8:37AM by PIB Delhi
A total of 942Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence(HG&CD) and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medalson the occasion of the Republic Day, 2025.
The break-up is as under: –
GALLANTRY MEDALS
|
Name of the Medals
|
Number of Medals Awarded |
|
Medal for Gallantry (GM) |
95* |
* Police Service-78 and Fire Service-17
Medal for Gallantry (GM) are awarded on the ground of Rare Conspicuous Act of Gallantry and Conspicuous Act of Gallantry respectively in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.
Among the majority of the 95 Gallantry Awards, 28personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 28 personnel from Jammu & Kashmir region, 03 personnel from North-East and 36 personnel form other regions are being awarded for their gallant action.
Medal for Gallantry (GM):-Out of 95 Medal for Gallantry (GM), 78 Police Personnel and 17 Fire Service personnel have been awarded GM, respectively.
SERVICE MEDALS
President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is awarded for special distinguished record in Service and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) is awarded for valuable service characterized by resource and devotion to duty.
Out of 101 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), 85 have been awarded to Police Service, 05 to Fire Service, 07 to Civil Defence& Home Guard Service and 04 to Correctional Service.
Out of 746 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM), 634have been awarded to Police Service, 37 to Fire Service, 39 to Civil Defence& Home Guard Service and 36 to Correctional Service.
Service-Wise Break Up of Medals Awarded
|
Name of Medal |
Police Service
|
Fire Service |
Civil Defence& Home Guard Service |
Correctional Service |
Total |
|
President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) (Total Medal Awarded :101)
|
85 |
05 |
07 |
04 |
101 |
|
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) (Total Medal Awarded :746)
|
634 |
37 |
39 |
36 |
746 |
Details of Awardees List are enclosed as below:
|
Sl No. |
Subject
|
Number of Awardees |
Annexure
|
|
1 |
Medals for Gallantry (GM) |
95 |
List-I
|
|
2 |
President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM) |
101 |
List-II |
|
3 |
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) |
746 |
List-III
|
|
4 |
State Wise/ Force Wise list of Medals Awardees |
As per list |
List -IV |
Details are available atwww.mha.gov.inand https://awards.gov.in.
*****
Raj/Vivek/Ashutosh/Rajeev/Priyabhanshu/Pankaj
(Release ID: 2096015) Visitor Counter : 113
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2024-2025/1417 |
Source: Samsung
Samsung, India’s leading consumer electronics brand, has announced the launch of its largest Experience Store in Gurugram, located at DLF CyberHub—a centre known for its diverse mix of entertainment, lifestyle, and commerce. This sprawling 3,000 sq. ft. space is where consumers can immerse themselves in Samsung’s most advanced mobile and connected technology offerings.
Located in one of Gurugram’s busiest and most accessible areas, the store is designed to cater to the city’s tech-savvy and innovation-driven community. Visitors can experience hands-on interaction with Samsung’s flagship smartphones, wearables, audio devices, and the SmartThings ecosystem in thoughtfully curated immersive zones.
In addition, the store emphasizes personalized customer engagement, with dedicated experts available to guide visitors through Samsung’s latest products, helping them discover tailored solutions that meet their lifestyle needs.
“Our new Experience Store at DLF CyberHub marks a significant step in Samsung’s journey to bring innovative, seamlessly-integrated technology closer to consumers. This store is more than a retail space, it offers a glimpse into the future of connected living, where our SmartThings ecosystem and mobile experiences converge to improve everyday life. Building on the success of our existing experience stores nationwide, the CyberHub location is set to elevate customer engagement through hands-on demonstrations, personalized consultations, and immersive zones that highlight our latest innovations. We invite consumers to explore and experience the cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of how we live, work, and connect,” said Sumit Walia, Vice President, D2C Business, Samsung India.
Samsung’s new Experience Store is a careful blend of the physical and digital worlds. With a full omni-channel experience, customers can transition effortlessly between browsing in-store and purchasing online through Samsung’s Store+ platform. Whether in-store or online, consumers have access to over 1,200 Samsung products, ranging across Mobiles, Smart TVs, Refrigerators and beyond, all available for home delivery.
Samsung is also taking customer engagement a step further with its ‘Learn @ Samsung’ initiative, offering workshops designed for AI education. This includes topics that focus on consumer passion points and interests such as doodling, photography, fitness and productivity. The new Samsung Experience store will also be providing after-sales service for smartphones and the convenience of booking home service calls for all consumer electronics needs.
To mark the opening, Samsung is rolling out special offers for early visitors, including the Galaxy Fit3 at INR 1,999 on select Galaxy purchases and double SmartClub points on all transactions. These exclusive deals add even more value to the immersive experience awaiting customers at DLF CyberHub.
Samsung invites all tech enthusiasts, shoppers, and innovators to visit the new Experience Store and explore the best in mobile technology, connected solutions, and personalized services—all designed to deliver a premium, future-forward experience.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aerospike Inc. (“Aerospike”), the real-time database, announced that Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, sustained performance of its in-house Aerospike database platform at a rate of 95 million transactions per second (TPS) supporting its annual flagship, The Big Billion Days (TBBD).
Flipkart continues to set new benchmarks in e-commerce by transforming the way India shops online during the festive season. To deliver a superior e-commerce experience to the world’s most populous nation, multiple application teams at Flipkart leveraged Aerospike and its Kubernetes Operator, Aerospike Kubernetes Operator (AKO). This combination ensures low-latency, high-throughput database operations at sustained performance levels rarely seen anywhere in the world, powering use cases that require sub-millisecond query times.
Operational Efficiency and Cost Optimization
By automating database management and scaling with AKO, Flipkart optimizes resource utilization, reducing infrastructure costs while efficiently handling peak loads without overprovisioning. This ensures Flipkart delivers a cost-effective, world-class e-commerce experience.
Global Availability and High Resilience
Aerospike assures high availability and resilience across distributed operations, which is critical for a large-scale event. Aerospike empowers businesses to operate with confidence, knowing their infrastructure can handle massive demand. AKO enhances this with self-healing capabilities and built-in redundancy, ensuring resilience in case of failure—critical for a seamless customer experience.
A Breakthrough for Kubernetes in Hyperscale Data Operations
“While Kubernetes initially rose to popularity for its ability to run stateless microservices, Flipkart’s success with the Aerospike Kubernetes Operator validates the use of the container orchestration system for operating durable data platforms at hyperscale,” said Srini Srinivasan, PhD, CTO and founder of Aerospike. “The achievements of Flipkart are incredible—there are very few companies in the world that work on this level of transactional throughput.”
The Aerospike Kubernetes Operator continues to rapidly grow among customers in all sectors and geographies. In the past 12 months, Aerospike has added capabilities to AKO, making it easier to automate all aspects of operating, upgrading, backing up and restoring, and scaling up and down database clusters.
Read about the latest enhancements to the Aerospike Kubernetes Operator for empowering operations teams.
About Aerospike
Aerospike is the real-time database built for infinite scale, speed, and savings. Our customers are ready for what’s next with the lowest latency and the highest throughput data platform. Cloud- and AI-forward, we empower leading organizations like Adobe, Airtel, Criteo, DBS Bank, Experian, Flipkart, PayPal, Snap, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, our offices include London, Bangalore, and Tel Aviv.
Aerospike is a registered trademark of Aerospike, Inc.
Contact:
John Moran
Look Left Marketing
aerospike@lookleftmarketing.com
Source: GlobalData
US accounts for over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, reveals GlobalData
Posted in Business Fundamentals
The US continues to remain the top destination for venture capital (VC) investments globally. Moreover, it also outpaced peer countries by a significant margin for high-value* VC investments and accounted for more than half of deal volume as well as value of those investments during Q1-Q3 2024. The US accounted for 55.4% share of the total number of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, while its share in terms of the corresponding value stood at 56.4%, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US outpaced other nations in terms of both the volume and value of high-value VC deals by a substantial margin. The dominance of the US for high-value VC deals can also be understood from the fact that it was distantly followed by China, which held 12.7% and 16.6% share of high-value VC deal volume and value, respectively, during Q1-Q3 2024.”
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the US saw announcement of 209 high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024 with the total valued of these deals pegged at $48.4 billion. Meanwhile, a total of 48 high-value VC deals worth $14.2 billion in terms of disclosed funding value were announced in China during the same period.
Bose adds: “Of the top 10 countries by high-value VC deals volume during Q1-Q3 2024, five were from Europe, three were from the Asia-Pacific region, and two countries were from the North American region.”
The UK occupied the third spot in terms of the volume of high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024, followed by Germany, India, Canada, France, Japan, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
*Valued more than or equal to $100 million