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  • MIL-OSI USA: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    WASHINGTON — FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 25, 2024, and continuing. 

    The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

    Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

    Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. 

    Thomas J. McCool has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments. 

    Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

    erika.suzuki

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Out of the archive: A collection of stories about Mount Elgin Indian Residential School

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mary Jane Logan McCallum, Professor of History, University of Winnipeg

    Brown Tom’s Schooldays, is a semi-autobiographical collection of stories about growing up in a residential school in Ontario in the early 1900s.

    The author is the late Enos Montour, a Delaware writer from Six Nations of the Grand River. As the title suggests, it is an ironic play on Tom Brown’s Schooldays (1857), Thomas Hughes’s popular novel about his boyhood in an English school.

    In Brown Tom’s Schooldays, instead of the main character being an English boy at an elite private boarding school, he is Tom Hemlock, a First Nations boy attending Mount Elgin Indian Residential School between 1910 and 1915. Montour’s narrative is the only known substantive writing by a Mount Elgin student. His stories unfold school life, illuminating the physical and social world of Mount Elgin in powerful ways.

    A new edition of Brown Tom’s Schooldays has recently been published by the University of Manitoba Press Series called First Voices, First Texts. This series aims to reconnect contemporary readers with some of the most important Indigenous literature of the past, much of which has been unavailable for decades.

    The series reveals the richness of these works by providing re-edited texts that give readers new insights into the cultural contexts of these unjustly neglected classics. The diversity and complexity of Indigenous writers and their work was not appreciated by publishers when authors like Montour attempted to have his book published in the 1970s and 80s.

    As a historian and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People, History and Archives at the University of Winnipeg, and band member of the Munsee Delaware Nation who has been engaged in community-based projects chronicling the history of Mount Elgin, I led the project.

    In my introduction, I document Montour’s fascinating life and work and detail Brown Tom’s Schooldays’ publication history, drawing from documents from the United Church of Canada Archives, Trent and McGill University Archives, Library and Archives Canada, private correspondence and other sources. I also show how the book provides insight into the operations of Mount Elgin, as well as social and linguistic histories of the First Nations communities in the area.

    20th century Indigenous print cultures

    Montour, a minister with the United Church of Canada, published several of the early chapters of Brown Tom in United Church magazines.

    After he retired, he gathered these and other Mount Elgin stories together and sought a church or trade publisher for the book. When no publishers moved, Montour felt frustrated that his work might be read as too “mild” for a reading public who expected sensationalized depictions of First Nations life.

    In declining health, Montour ensured a legacy for the book by asking anthropologist Elizabeth Graham to transcribe, edit and photocopy the manuscript. Copies were made for family and friends. One copy of the manuscript was sent by Graham to the National Library in Ottawa. Until this fall, that was the only publicly accessible copy of the work.

    For this new edition of Brown Tom’s Schooldays, with University of Manitoba Press editor Jill McConkey, I consulted with Graham, as well as Montour’s two granddaughters, Mary I. Anderson and Margaret McKenzie, about how we might frame the book. Using archival correspondence between herself and Montour, Graham wrote a new preface. Anderson and McKenzie shared family records, including photos, and wrote an afterword to the book.

    This new edition of Montour’s book is a good reminder that formal published work accounts form a small fraction of the literature by and about Indigenous people and history. A much more representative field is produced in copy shops, and this self-published, limited-run “grey literature” is now held in archives across the country.



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    Looking for Indigenous history? ‘Shekon Neechie’ website recentres Indigenous perspectives

    Industrial School from perspective of young boy

    Brown Tom’s Schooldays is based solidly in a real place and draws from lived experiences. Like the central tension of Tom Brown’s Schooldays, Montour’s book is about moving toward adulthood and the meaning of that for First Nations students at the time. Montour’s layered story shows how, for “Brown Tom,” this journey involved learning and then working through self-doubt and prejudice and confronting the impossible choice of a white or Indian adulthood.

    ‘Brown Tom’s Schooldays,’ by Enos Montour.
    (University of Manitoba Press)

    Montour’s formal education at Mount Elgin was based on set curriculum that endorsed colonial domination, racism and discrimination against people of colour and Indigenous people. Moreover, a federal Indian Residential School, Mount Elgin’s purpose was to facilitate assimilation of First Nations children, and this happened in an underfunded, carceral and abusive setting. Mount Elgin, like other residential schools, emphasized children’s manual labour more than academics.



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    In spite of this early education, Montour loved reading and writing, and he brought this love to his stories of Mount Elgin and the surrounding area, giving the school character and beauty and students humour and agency. The stories are at times strikingly sentimental.

    When I first read this collection, I did not know what to think of it. For me, Montour’s consistent references to the Bible and classic works of English literature did not fit with what I expected in an Indian Residential School memoir. I chaffed when reading Montour’s characters written in terms that seem to accept standard racist stereotypes of First Nations at the time. His representation of the early 20th century seemed too funny, or rosy, too Anglophile and too naive.

    At the same time, I knew that Montour wrote stories true to his experience, as he understood it, and by his ironic play on English literature through the eyes of a First Nations boy. This way of writing is a window into a sense of humour and way of telling what mattered that reminded me of people of my great-grandfather’s generation.



    Read more:
    How stories about alternate worlds can help us imagine a better future: Don’t Call Me Resilient EP 7

    There is backlash to Indian Residential School historical research and a hardcore fringe who deny that the research of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and trained professional historians is reliable. They deny systemic harms of the Indian Residential School system primarily by likening it to a slightly harsher version of boarding schools.

    But I don’t think Montour would have feared how the book would be received and read. He writes compellingly about youth, school life and friendship, but also about the callous and disorienting experience of arriving at Mount Elgin and the everyday pervasive hunger and homesickness felt there.

    He also describes extraordinary moments, including the death of a fellow student, Noah, who had tuberculosis. Short, moving and profoundly troublesome, this chapter shows the pervasive apathy towards student life at Mount Elgin and the ungreivablity of student death.

    Ultimately, even in retirement and ill health, Montour insisted on completing the book and making it accessible because the stories mattered to him. And they matter to us, too.

    Brown Tom’s Schooldays can be purchased from anywhere you buy books.

    Mary Jane Logan McCallum receives funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada

    – ref. Out of the archive: A collection of stories about Mount Elgin Indian Residential School – https://theconversation.com/out-of-the-archive-a-collection-of-stories-about-mount-elgin-indian-residential-school-237099

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Reflections on the Canadian Medical Association’s apology to Indigenous Peoples

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Marcia Anderson, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba

    On Sept. 18, I was on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations to stand with my Indigenous physician family as the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) delivered its apology to Indigenous Peoples in Victoria, B.C. This wasn’t the first time that we have stood together to witness a collective apology.

    In June 2008, many of us were at a gathering of the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress in Kauai, Hawaii. Our hosts ensured that we had time and space to watch Prime Minister Stephen Harper issue an apology on behalf of Canada to Indigenous Peoples for Indian Residential Schools.

    As Harper said sorry for the federal government’s attempt to “kill the Indian in the child,” Canadians had a range of reactions from ignorance to collective humility to ongoing residential school denialism.

    That day, we hoped the apology signalled a turning point and that a new day was coming. What we’ve seen since, as evidenced by multiple reports on progress on reconciliation, is that it takes a long time for that new day to come, and progress on reparations and reconciliation is not linear or always forward-moving.

    I carried the lessons from that 2008 experience with me to Victoria to witness the apology from CMA — Canada’s national association of physicians — and knew this would be different for me. My experiences of racism in the health-care system are significantly more direct than my experiences of residential schools.

    Racism in health care

    I navigated medical education as a Cree-Anishinaabe woman, experiencing significant amounts of both non-malicious and malicious racism. This ranged from being asked if there were polar bears where I grew up (the North End of Winnipeg) to being asked by an attending emergency room physician if I had to “jump out of the Indian Posse” to transfer from Winnipeg to Saskatoon.



    Read more:
    As an Indigenous doctor, I see the legacy of residential schools and ongoing racism in today’s health care

    I have experienced racism when seeking health care myself (like when a training physician commented on my reading ability even though I was already a practising physician and national Indigenous health leader) and when my father needed emergency care while having a massive heart attack.

    Collective apology

    What would this collective apology for systemic racism in health care mean to me, an Indigenous physician, who has and continues to experience racism from my physician peers?

    So when the CMA said “we are deeply ashamed” for the deplorable racism that Indigenous patients and health-care providers face I wondered who was included in that “we.”

    Did/does the ER physician whose behaviour escalated to include putting his hand in the back pocket of my jeans when I was on call to both grope me and “check if I had stolen their reflex hammer” feel deep shame? Probably not, and that disconnect impacted how the apology landed.



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    Within “the national voice of the medical profession” are those of us who have experienced and continue to experience anti-Indigenous racism; those we work with in consensual solidarity or allyship to dismantle white supremacy within the profession; and those who are actively perpetuating the spread of false and harmful anti-Indigenous stereotypes that contribute to the unequal health care we receive. Many of these behaviours are described in British Columbia’s In Plain Sight Report

    A collective apology cannot speak to this range of experiences or contributions to harm. As racism operates at multiple levels, so must accountability.

    This is why on the day of the apology I was apprehensive and feeling somewhat pressured to respond positively to it, to make a show of unity. Since the apology hadn’t really spoken to the breadth and depth of experiences of racism I’ve had or that I know many of my Indigenous physician colleagues have had, I was not ready for that. I suspected some of my colleagues felt the same.

    After the apology was delivered, in a small group that included many of the Indigenous physicians who were there, I shared my feelings. I said, “An apology has been offered. Whatever your reaction is to what was said today is valid. You don’t have to accept this apology today, tomorrow or ever. It’s okay to wait and see what comes next.” I saw people nodding and tears being shed.

    I sat with that feeling, and then a couple days later I was reading Cole Arthur Riley’s This Here Flesh. Riley is a Black American author and founder of the incredibly popular Black Liturgies Instagram account. Her writing of Black liberation and the reparations needed for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and other injustices strongly parallel the need for Canada’s ongoing truth and reconciliation work — which we will be recognizing on Sept. 30.

    This passage from This Here Flesh resonated with me when reflecting on this latest apology:

    “There are some of us who have grown weary of talk of reconciliation. This is probably because it comes to us on the tongues of men who have paid no time to the process of true repair. It is both ego and shame concealed in shallow unity-speak that regresses any progress that has been made.”

    Racism, reconciliation and repair

    Anti-Indigenous racism is embedded across and within all institutions of the Canadian state, and the medical profession is no different.

    Based on the fallout after the Indian Residential School apology, we can accurately predict the actions following this apology will not be linear with forward progress.

    As Indigenous physicians we know both ourselves and our relatives are vulnerable to ongoing harms while the organizational level actions unfold.

    If we are hesitant to fully accept this most recent apology, it is because we have learned the hard way that our safety, and sometimes our survival, depends on first seeing the integrity of the other party we are in union with.



    Read more:
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    There is a deep social contract between the medical profession and the public we serve. There is an individual contract between each physician and each patient they see. There is also a contract between physicians as colleagues, teachers and learners, embedded in our Modern-Day Physician’s Pledge.

    This apology is meaningful because it addresses a tragic breach between the medical profession and the public. The CMA has committed to followup actions.

    This, however, does not offer “true repair” for the past breaches, and the ones still to come, in all of these contracts. That is a gap that remains to be closed and without it we will not see the end of anti-Indigenous racism in health care.

    Marcia Anderson received funding from Health Canada to develop Indigenous Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism Training.

    – ref. Reflections on the Canadian Medical Association’s apology to Indigenous Peoples – https://theconversation.com/reflections-on-the-canadian-medical-associations-apology-to-indigenous-peoples-239716

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
    mseets

    President Biden has granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    The declaration means that FEMA will be able to speed additional help to the state, and provide Individual Assistance to people living in those counties, as well as Public Assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and non-profits or other eligible organizations for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure.

    “The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” said Governor Cooper. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”

    The counties in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. As response operations and eligible damages dictate, North Carolina may be able to add additional counties or programs as assessments move forward. This declaration will also provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for future efforts to mitigate the impacts of future events.

    This declaration is in addition to the federal emergency declaration already in place prior to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.

    Read the declaration summary here.

    ###

    Sep 29, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: UPDATE: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration’s Continued Response Efforts to Hurricane  Helene

    Source: The White House

    Under President Biden and Vice President Harris’s leadership, the Administration is continuing to provide robust and well-coordinated Federal support for the ongoing response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Helene’s impacts. The President and Vice President are closely monitoring these efforts and receive regular updates from their teams.
     
    At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Florida over the weekend to assess damage alongside local and state officials. She continued surveying damage today in parts of Georgia before she moves into North Carolina on Monday.

    Earlier this evening, Administrator Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall briefed President Biden on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene in multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. Administrator Criswell also updated the President on Federal actions to support response and recovery.  

    The President directed Administrator Criswell to determine what more can be done to accelerate support to those who are having the most difficult time accessing assistance in isolated communities. He also advised the FEMA Administrator that as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations, he intends to travel this week to impacted communities.

    Additionally, the Federal government is closely monitoring an additional weather disturbance in the Caribbean Sea that has the potential to form into another storm in the coming week. Residents throughout the Gulf Coast should remain alert, listen to local officials, and make additional preparations as needed.
     
    Additional Federal response actions include:
     
    Approving Major Disaster Declarations
     
    Yesterday, President Biden approved Major Disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. People in 17 counties in Florida and 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, can now apply for assistance with FEMA. People can apply in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.
     
    FEMA assistance in Florida and North Carolina may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
     
    Emergency declarations were also approved for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct Federal support to states for life saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue.
     
    Supporting On-The-Ground Response Efforts
     
    As of today, more than 3,300 personnel from across the Federal workforce are deployed and supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts across the impacted states. This includes the most experienced incident management teams to help identity Federal resources to address unmet needs, as well as Urban Search and Rescue personnel using high water rescue equipment for rescue missions across the region. 
     
    At least 50,000 personnel from 31 states and the District of Columbia and Canada are responding to power outages and working around the clock throughout parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to restore power to those communities that can receive power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power generation assets into the hardest hit areas of South and North Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal allows. As of this afternoon, approximately 2.3 million customers are without power, down from the region-wide peak of 4.6 million on September 27.
     
    Additional Interagency Support Efforts
     
    Together with state and local partners, the Federal government is actively supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts and is coordinating requests for Federal assistance.

    • FEMA distribution centers are fully stocked and ready to provide commodities and equipment to any impacted state, as required.
    • FEMA is trucking dozens of trailers containing food and water in North Carolina to support the State as they start to set up care-sites for survivors.
    • FEMA is also working with the Federal Communications Commission and private sector telecommunications partners to deploy emergency mobile communications assets while they work to restore network services, particularly in remote areas.
    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency for Florida and Georgia, giving health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. About 200 medical responders are in Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina, along with medical equipment and supplies, to help ensure the delivery of health care services following the landfall of Hurricane Helene.
    • Twenty-four federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces are deployed across the affected regions. Roughly 1,302 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are assisting in the impacted areas. Together with local and state responders, teams have rescued and supported over 1,400 of people across the impacted area.
    • The U.S. Coast Guard has thousands of personnel working on response efforts and are conducting post-storm assessments to support the rapid reopening of impacted ports.
    • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed teams for temporary emergency power, debris removal, and infrastructure assessment, including for dams throughout the region.
    • The Environmental Protection Agency has personnel on the ground who are offering technical assistance and guidance on water systems, debris management, and maintaining critical public health and environmental protections in place as storm impacts are assessed.
    • The U.S. Small Business Administration deployed more than 50 personnel to support survivors and small businesses as they recover from the hurricane.
    • The U.S. Department of Energy has responders deployed across the region and are closely monitoring power, fuel, and supply chain interruptions.
    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has deployed personnel to the impacted region to extend much-needed emergency credit to farmers and agriculture producers who lost crops and livestock.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Administrator Visits Impacted Areas by Helene, Federal Family Continues Response and Recovery Efforts Multi-State Disaster

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Administrator Visits Impacted Areas by Helene, Federal Family Continues Response and Recovery Efforts Multi-State Disaster

    FEMA Administrator Visits Impacted Areas by Helene, Federal Family Continues Response and Recovery Efforts Multi-State Disaster

    WASHINGTON — As FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to meet with state and local emergency managers in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, today, she was in several areas of Georgia assessing damage, talking with survivors and meeting with emergency workers. She will be traveling to North Carolina on Monday, Sept. 30. 

    In five states – Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee – federal agencies, private sector, nonprofit and faith-based organizations are responding to large disasters. Each of these states are at different stages of their response and recovery efforts. However, all states are addressing the impacts including impassable roads, communications and water systems disruptions and power outages.   

    President Biden approved major disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery. People in 17 counties in Florida and 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, can now apply for assistance with FEMA. People can apply in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.

    FEMA assistance in Florida and North Carolina may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.

    Emergency declarations are still in effect for Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA can provide support for urgent disaster response activities. 

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assessing the impact of the water systems and what is needed to bring these online in several areas across the southeast.  Several counties in all states have issued boil water notices. Also, several federal agencies are moving in portable equipment to help reestablish communications in some of the hardest hit areas.  

    As water rescues continue in northwest North Carolina for more than a dozen search and rescue teams, Florida is distributing state supplies of food and water at dozens of points of distribution.  In addition, as state supplies are being distributed, FEMA and other federal agencies have moved more commodities into the region to help supplement these efforts, if needed. 

    These snapshots highlight some of the various response and recovery efforts underway. 

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    VALDOSTA, GA – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator Robert Samaan and Georgia Rep. Austin Scott, visit Helene survivors in front of their home in Valdosta GA. 

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    VALDOSTA, GA – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator Robert Samaan and Georgia Rep. Austin Scott, visit Helene survivors in front of their home in Valdosta GA. 
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”55447″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/b197d49c02bd4cf7da30d7a307d1774a.jpeg?itok=-oBqrMXz” alt=”Caption:

    Bradenton, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2024) – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams help survivors of Hurricane Helene. 

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Bradenton, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2024) – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams help survivors of Hurricane Helene. 
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”55457″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/451f5d0a3929253441bb510857096d82.jpeg?itok=LxXoxfCe” alt=”Caption:

    Raleigh, NC – Gov. Roy Cooper holds press conference to announce the approval of an expedited major disaster declaration by President Joseph R. Biden.

    ” class=”image-style-large”>

    Raleigh, NC – Gov. Roy Cooper holds press conference to announce the approval of an expedited major disaster declaration by President Joseph R. Biden.

    mashana.davis

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on September 27, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 576,030.71 6.47 5.10-6.75
         I. Call Money 10,317.52 6.53 5.10-6.65
         II. Triparty Repo 409,571.75 6.44 6.25-6.60
         III. Market Repo 154,783.44 6.55 6.00-6.70
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,358.00 6.62 6.60-6.75
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 75.10 6.23 5.85-6.40
         II. Term Money@@ 558.00 – 6.60-7.10
         III. Triparty Repo 11,290.40 6.70 6.60-6.95
         IV. Market Repo 7.64 6.65 6.65-6.65
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 27/09/2024 1 Sat, 28/09/2024 3,210.00 6.75
      Fri, 27/09/2024 2 Sun, 29/09/2024 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 27/09/2024 3 Mon, 30/09/2024 1,200.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 27/09/2024 1 Sat, 28/09/2024 89,303.00 6.25
      Fri, 27/09/2024 2 Sun, 29/09/2024 251.00 6.25
      Fri, 27/09/2024 3 Mon, 30/09/2024 28,399.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -113,543.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 20/09/2024 14 Fri, 04/10/2024 25,002.00 6.52
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 04/10/2021 1095 Thu, 03/10/2024 350.00 4.00
    Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,495.66  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     37,387.66  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -76,155.34  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on September 27, 2024 1,027,462.62  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 04, 2024 1,005,433.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ September 27, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 06, 2024 427,689.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad            
     Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1181

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Celebrating Mithun Da’s journey of hope, perseverance and pursuit of dream to reach the pinnacle of Indian Cinema

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Celebrating Mithun Da’s journey of hope, perseverance and pursuit of dream to reach the pinnacle of Indian Cinema

    Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022 to be conferred on eminent actor Mithun Chakraborty

    Actors’s cinematic journey profoundly remarkable & inspiring; His dedication and hard work have made him a role model for aspiring actors and artists: Sh Ashwini Vaishnaw

    Legendary actor will inspire generations through his cinematic contributions and work in philanthropy & public service, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence and compassion

    Posted On: 30 SEP 2024 9:58AM by PIB Delhi

    Legendary actor Mr. Mithun Chakraborty will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2022. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Railways and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the award today in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema. The Minister conveyed immense joy and pride in honouring one of the most cherished and iconic figures in the film industry who is known for his versatile performances and charismatic screen presence.

    Remarkable journey of Mithun Da

    Mithun Chakraborty, also known as Mithun Da, is an iconic Indian actor, producer, and politician, recognized for his versatile roles and distinctive dancing style. He has taken on a diverse range of roles in his movies, showcasing action-packed characters to poignant dramatic performances.

    The Minister stated that Mithun Chakraborty’s journey from a young man with humble beginnings to a celebrated film icon, embodies the spirit of hope and perseverance, proving that with passion and dedication, one can achieve even the most ambitious dreams. His dedication and hard work have made him a role model for aspiring actors and artists.

    Born Gourang Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he earned the National Film Award for Best Actor in his very first film, “Mrigayaa” (1976). An alumnus of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII),  Mithun Chakraborty honed his craft and laid the foundation for his illustrious career in cinema.

    His portrayal of a Santhal rebel in the Mrinal Sen’s film earned him the national accolade. Mithun gained significant popularity in the 1980s with his role in “Disco Dancer” (1982), a film that became a major success both in India and internationally, establishing him as a dancing sensation. He became a household name with his iconic role in Disco Dancer (1982), a film that not only showcased his exceptional dancing skills but also popularized disco music in Indian cinema. His performance in Agneepath also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.

    Later, he won two more National Film Awards for his roles in Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998). Over his extensive career, Mithun has acted in more than 350 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, and Telugu. He is known for his diverse performances, ranging from action to drama and comedy, and has won several awards, including three National Film Awards for Best Actor.

    Dual legacy of Mithun Da

    The Union Minister emphasized that Mithun Da is not only celebrated for his cinematic achievements but also for his dedication to social causes. He has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives aimed at education, healthcare, and supporting underprivileged communities, reflecting his commitment to giving back to society. He has also served as a Member of Parliament, demonstrating his commitment to public service and governance.

    In a career spanning nearly five decades, Mithun Chakraborty has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian cinema. He was recently conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award also for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. With a filmography that includes classics such as “Disco Dancer,” and “Ghar Ek Mandir,” he has not only entertained millions but has also shaped the landscape of Bollywood and regional cinema. His influence extends beyond the silver screen, as he continues to inspire generations through his work in film and philanthropy.

    The award will be presented during the 70th National Film awards ceremony scheduled to be held on Tuesday, the 8th October 2024. The following members were part of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee:

    1. Ms. Asha Parekh
    2. Ms. Khushbu Sundar
    3. Mr. Vipul Amrutlal Shah

     

    The prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award not only recognizes Mithun Chakraborty’s artistic prowess but also his enduring legacy as a compassionate and dedicated individual who has made a difference in the lives of many.

     

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    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the 4-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on September 30, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 4-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 1,00,000
    Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 1,000
    Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 1,000
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.49
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.49
    Partial Acceptance Percentage of offers received at cut off rate NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1184

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Indo-Pacific region increasingly important in a turbulent world – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry of Defence

    Published

    Security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is becoming increasingly interlinked. The Government is now presenting a defence policy direction for cooperation between Sweden and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Indo-Pacific region, the vast and densely populated area that stretches from the east coast of Africa via the Indian Ocean and archipelagos of South-East Asia to the Pacific Islands Countries, has taken on a key defence policy and military role in recent years. 

    These regional developments are increasingly characterised by the dynamic between China and the United States. China’s increasing authoritarianism and cooperation with Russia, as well as the United States’ resource prioritisation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, are both impacting the security situation in Europe. The Euro-Atlantic region, including Sweden, would be negatively affected by conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.

    At the same time, the Indo-Pacific region is affected by events in Europe, such as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath. Security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions is increasingly interlinked. 

    “It has therefore become increasingly important to develop defence relations with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The Government’s ambition to do this is presented in the new policy direction,” says Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

    The Government adopted the direction on 4 July. It was publicly launched during a seminar at the Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm on 30 September, which Mr Jonson participated in. 

    Press contact

    Policy direction in brief

    The direction lists measures intended to strengthen Sweden’s defence cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries within three focus areas:
    • defence relations;
    • military presence;
    • cooperation on defence materiel, innovation and technology.
    Through enhanced cooperation, Sweden and Swedish actors can further national defence capabilities and security while also contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Within both NATO and the EU, Sweden will pursue increased defence cooperation with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC takes Suo Motu cognizance of the reported death of two students due to electrocution while cleaning the water tank of a Government run hostel in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC takes Suo Motu cognizance of the reported death of two students due to electrocution while cleaning the water tank of a Government run hostel in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh

    Allegedly they were asked to clean the water tank by the hostel superintendent

    Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Madhya Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks

    Posted On: 30 SEP 2024 2:49PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that two students, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, got electrocuted to death while cleaning a water tank on the instructions of the Superintendent of a government-run hostel in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on 25th September 2024. According to the media report, carried on 26th September, 2024, the students came into contact with a live wire connected to a water pump inside the tank while cleaning it. They were spotted lying in the tank by the villagers, who reportedly informed the hostel authorities.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious concern about human rights violations of the victim students. Going by the media reports, it appears that the hostel authorities have acted in an insensitive manner by asking the young boys to execute such a hazardous task resulting in their deaths.

    Accordingly, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Madhya Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is also expected to include the status of the police investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the aggrieved families of both victims.

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    NSK/ VCK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: More than 11 thousand Saksham Anganwadi Centres in 20 States virtually inaugurated in closing ceremony of 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah held at Ranchi

    Source: Government of India

    More than 11 thousand Saksham Anganwadi Centres in 20 States virtually inaugurated in closing ceremony of 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah held at Ranchi

    Multifarious developments with enhanced velocity through Saksham Anganwadis will encourage communities to participate, engage and own initiatives of Poshan 2.0 to make India a Suposhit Rashtra : Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister, Women and Child Development

    More than 12 Crore sensitization activities at 13.95 Lakhs AWCs conducted during the Poshan Maah on different nutrition-related themes

    Exclusive campaigns on environment sustainability through Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam held throughout the Poshan Maah

    Posted On: 30 SEP 2024 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The closing ceremony of 7thRashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 was held today at Ranchi, Jharkhand in the august presence of Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar,  Governor, Jharkhand; Smt. Annpurna Devi,  Union Minister for Women and Child Development; and other senior officers from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India and State Govt of Jharkhand.

    A film on Poshan Maah demonstrating various mass sensitization initiatives that took place across the country during the month-long celebrations was shown to the audience. This was followed by the Annaprashan Ceremony of Children and God Bharai of Pregnant women.

     

    This was followed by an inspiring short film “Aao Toden: Kuposhan Chakra” highlighting Jharkhand’s lifecycle approach towards improving the status of nutrition among children, adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating mothers. The key highlight of the event was the virtual inauguration of more than 11 thousand Saksham Anganwadi across 20 States of the country today. A short film showcasing the concept of how Saksham Anganwadis can lead to improved nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education delivery (ECCE) was also showcased.

    Thereafter, there was an online interaction between the Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor, Jharkhand, Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister, Women and Child Development, Government of India and Anganwadi Workers of Saksham Anganwadi Centre from Jamui district in Bihar and Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh.

    Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister, Women and Child Development in her special Address said, “I am overwhelmed with the wide participation and enthusiasm that all the stakeholders have shown during Poshan Maah. A total of 12.86 Crores sensitization activities at 13.95 Lakhs AWCs were conducted during the Poshan Maah on different nutrition-related themes. In addition to this nutrition-centric Jan Andolan which has played a vital role in sensitizing the entire country, exclusive campaigns on environment sustainability through Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam were held. A total of 86 Lakhs activities related to Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam were conducted during the Poshan Maah”. She also said “Some of the States have organized unique activities during the Maah for sensitization of the beneficiaries and community.  In Assam, Adolescent Girls with better Hemoglobin levels were recognized as ‘Hemoglobin Queens‘. This has not only inspired and sensitized the adolescents, but the community at large”. Concluding her special address, she said, “I can foresee the multifarious developments with enhanced velocity through Saksham Anganwadis, which will encourage communities to participate, engage, and own the initiatives of Poshan 2.0 with a mission to make India a Suposhit Rashtra”.

    Shri Santosh Gangwar, Governor, Jharkhand, in his Keynote Address drew the attention of the audience to the importance of convergence and partnerships among all the departments and other stakeholders to build a holistic ecosystem towards malnutrition-free India. Further, stressing the importance of the role of Anganwadi Workers, he mentioned: “I am glad that with the help of these frontline workers, Saksham Anganwadi and concepts like Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, we are moving towards a strong and self-reliant country”. He further mentioned that we should all promote green vegetables, whole grains and millet in our daily meals.

     

    An exhibition with a variety of stalls focusing on different themes like Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, ECCE, Palna Grih, Take Home Ration/ Food & Nutrition, Health Camp & Anemia Testing, Child Protection, Self Help Groups, Social Security Schemes and CMAM Protocol was  organised at the venue. The third edition of Poshan Dhara Magazine, focusing on key strategies for transforming Jharkhand into a malnutrition-free State was also launched during the event.

    During the month-long celebrations in Poshan Maah, more than 12.86 crore sensitization activities around nutrition have been conducted across all 36 States/ UTs. In terms of different themes, dedicated 2.4 crore activities and 2 crore activities have been conducted on anaemia and growth monitoring respectively. 

    Poshan Maah 2024 celebrates the collective efforts of various stakeholders towards a healthier and nourished India. It not only recognizes the dedication of all participating states but also underscores the vital role of strengthening the grassroots movements through continued Jan Andolans while ensuring better exposure for stakeholders through Saksham Anganwadi Centres.

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    SS/MS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIA- KAZAKHSTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE KAZIND -2024 COMMENCES IN AULI

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 30 SEP 2024 3:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The 8th edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024 commenced today, at Surya Foreign Training Node, Auli, Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 30th September to 13th October 2024. Joint Exercise KAZIND-2024 has been held annually since 2016. Last edition of the Joint Exercise was held at Otar, Kazakhstan from 30th October to 11th November 2023.

    The Indian Armed Forces, comprising 120 personnel, are being represented by a battalion of the KUMAON Regiment of Indian Army, along with other arms and services, as well as personnel from Indian Air Force. The Kazakhstan contingent will be represented mainly by personnel from Land Forces and Air Borne Assault Troopers.

    Aim of the Joint Exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations in a sub conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Joint Exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Objectives to be achieved from the Joint Exercise are high degree of physical fitness, rehearsing and refining drills for operations at tactical level and sharing of best practices.

    Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the Joint Exercise include joint response to a terrorist action, establishment of a Joint Command Post, establishment of an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre, securing of helipad / landing site, combat free fall, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search operations, besides employment of drones and counter drone systems among others.

    Joint Exercise KAZIND-2024 will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations. It will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. The Joint Exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

    ***

    SC

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Tropical Storm Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>ATLANTA, Ga.- North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.

    FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.

    There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 

    To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

    FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows North Carolinians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.

    What You’ll Need When You Apply

    • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
    • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
    • Your Social Security number.
    • A general list of damage and losses.
    • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
    • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

    If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

    For the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Swaminathan J: Governance in Small Finance Banks – driving sustainable growth and stability

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Chairpersons and Directors of the Boards of Small Finance Banks; Chief Executive Officers of SFBs; Executive Directors, Chief General Managers and colleagues from the Reserve Bank of India; ladies and gentlemen. A very good morning to all of you.

    It is an honour to address this distinguished gathering in the inaugural conference of Board of Directors of Small Finance Banks organised by the RBI. As has been mentioned, this conference is in continuation of the Reserve Bank’s efforts to reach out to its supervised entities through a direct dialogue with their Boards and Top Management. Our objective is to reaffirm the importance of good governance for maintaining financial stability and fostering sustainable growth.

    In his address1 to the Directors of Public and Private Sector Banks last year, the Governor outlined a comprehensive 10-point charter that addressed key aspects such as the role of the Board, its independence, the importance of setting the tone from the top, etc. His speech serves as an excellent blueprint for regulatory expectations from the Boards of Directors, and I encourage you to review it if you haven’t already.

    Today, I would like to discuss three key issues with you: (i) the vital role of Small Finance Banks in promoting financial inclusion, (ii) the necessity of strengthening governance and assurance functions for sustainable growth, and (iii) important considerations regarding business models and risks that Boards should be mindful of.

    Important Financial Inclusion objective of SFBs

    As you are aware, the licensing of Small Finance Banks was introduced a decade ago, in 2014, with the primary objective of advancing financial inclusion. Beyond serving as a vehicle to mobilise savings, SFBs were also envisioned to extend affordable credit to underserved and unorganised sectors, such as small and marginal farmers as well as small business units, by leveraging technology to reduce costs and improve accessibility.

    India, today, stands at a pivotal moment in her development trajectory. In the last 75 years, we have transformed ourselves from an agrarian economy into one driven by industry and services. However, translating our GDP into higher per capita Gross National Income comparable to developed economies will require a comprehensive approach towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth. This will inter-alia entail education, skill development, employment generation, and more pertinently further deepening of financial inclusion. Thus, the goal for small finance banks is not ‘small’. On the contrary, it is very significant, as SFBs play a crucial role in extending financial services to the underserved, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving inclusive growth that will be essential for India’s progress towards becoming a high-income economy.

    In a developing country like India, it is imperative for the financial sector, including small finance banks to strike a balance between profitability and social objectives. This can be achieved through a strategic focus on sectors that deliver high social impact, ensuring that financial growth is aligned with the broader goal of inclusive development. It is therefore essential for SFBs to actively participate in extending credit under various Government Sponsored Schemes to promote greater accessibility of affordable credit, especially among the vulnerable sections of the society.

    As the target group of such lending is mostly the marginalised and underserved sections of the society, it is essential for the SFBs to adopt responsible lending practices. It is disheartening to come across egregious practices by some SFBs, such as charging excessive interest rates, collecting instalments in advance as well as not adjusting such advance collections against loan outstanding, levying of usurious fees, etc. It is also observed that grievance redressal mechanism is far from adequate in most SFBs.

    I therefore feel that periodically reviewing how your bank is fulfilling its financial inclusion objectives is an area that Boards should give much deeper consideration to. It is not just about meeting regulatory requirements such as priority sector lending but also about assessing the true impact of your efforts on underserved communities. Boards can reflect on whether the bank is genuinely reaching marginalised groups, such as low-income households, small businesses, and rural populations, and how effectively it is using technology and innovative products to bridge financial gaps, as these were the objectives of having a differentiated licensing for SFBs.

    Strengthening Governance

    An effective governance framework is the foundation of resilient and well managed institutions, especially in the context of banks. There needs to be a clear division of responsibilities between the Board and the management to ensure smooth functioning of the bank. While the Board is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction, establishing policies, and ensuring that the bank adheres to regulatory frameworks and ethical standards, the management is responsible for the execution of the Board’s strategy and operations. It is the Board’s role to provide oversight, asking the right questions and holding the management accountable for executing the bank’s strategy within the agreed risk appetite.

    In this context, it is imperative that the views of the Board are clearly articulated and documented in the minutes of the meetings of the Board and its various sub-committees. It is said that the ‘palest ink is better than the best memory’. Proper documentation serves as a vital record of the Board’s deliberations, decisions, and rationale behind those decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Clear minutes not only provide a historical account of the Board’s discussions but also serve as a reference for future decision-making, helping to maintain continuity and clarity in governance practices.

    Boards should prioritise proper succession planning for top management. Having just one Whole Time Director (WTD) can create potential vulnerabilities, especially in times of transition or unforeseen circumstances. Without a well-thought-out succession plan, the bank may face leadership gaps that could disrupt operations and affect strategic decision-making. A broader pool of experienced leaders also contributes to better governance and more resilient management structures. We observe that while the SFBs are strengthening their Boards by bringing in new directors, some SFBs are yet to ensure the presence of at least two Whole Time Directors. I would request these banks to expeditiously consider appointing more WTDs.

    Empowering Assurance Functions

    Boards should accord due importance to assurance functions, namely, risk management, compliance and internal audit. These functions play a critical role in identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations as well as safeguarding the organisation’s integrity.

    Boards should ensure that heads of assurance functions are positioned appropriately within the organisational hierarchy and granted direct access to the Board. Dual-hatting, or combining assurance responsibilities with operational or management duties, undermines the independence and objectivity of assurance functions by creating conflicts of interest. Therefore, any dual hatting of assurance functions, should be avoided.

    Key risks to reflect upon

    Small Finance Banks have demonstrated strong growth since their inception, now accounting for 1.18 percent of total banking assets (as of March 2024). This is a substantial rise from 0.44 percent in March 2018. The deposit base has grown at a 32 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years whereas net advances recorded a CAGR of 26 per cent. While the business growth in Small Finance Banks is indeed impressive, it is imperative that Boards remain vigilant for hidden and emerging risks that could jeopardise their long-term success.

    In this context, I would like to highlight a few areas that Boards could keep in mind.

    Business model

    Firstly, I would urge Boards to consider the sustainability of their growth strategies and business models by conducting a thorough review of both the liability and asset sides of the balance sheet. Specifically, they should assess whether there is an overdependence on high-cost term deposits or bulk deposits from a limited number of institutions. Additionally, they should evaluate any substantial asset exposures that could adversely impact the bank if they were to sour. These are essential aspects that the Board and its Risk Management Committee must scrutinise to ensure long-term stability and resilience.

    Credit risks

    Secondly, I would like to emphasise proper credit risk underwriting. While many banks have expanded into unsecured retail lending, hoping to leverage the diversification benefits it offers, there is an underlying correlation risk that becomes more pronounced during economic downturns. In such scenarios, the credit profile of a large segment of borrowers can be significantly impacted, leading to higher default rates. This highlights the importance of rigorous underwriting processes that carefully assess the creditworthiness of borrowers, rather than relying solely on automated systems or algorithms. Effective underwriting should consider a comprehensive range of factors, including income stability, credit history, and the overall economic environment, to ensure that loans are made judiciously.

    Further, while digital lending solutions have streamlined the process and made access to credit easier, on-the-ground presence for collections remains crucial. Resorting to coercive recovery practices as a means of mitigating risk is not a sustainable solution. Such practices not only harm the bank’s reputation but can also lead to legal and regulatory repercussions. A better approach is to implement collection strategies that prioritise communication and collaboration with borrowers. This includes strictly adhering to fair practices code and adopting an empathetic approach while dealing with stressed loan book.

    Cyber-security risk and third-party dependencies

    Thirdly, I would like to address the issue of cyber security and IT vulnerabilities. Being relatively new entities, SFBs have used technology to enhance their product offerings and customer service. However, with their increasing digital footprint, these banks face significant operational risks from growing cyber threats, digital frauds, and possible data breaches.

    The cyber security landscape is evolving rapidly, and SFBs must stay ahead of emerging threats to protect their customers’ data and maintain operational resilience. The SFBs should adopt robust business continuity plans and effective IT outsourcing strategies. There is also a need to ensure rigorous change management processes, comprehensive data protection measures, vigilant transaction monitoring, stringent access controls and network security protocols. These measures will help SFBs to significantly enhance their IT resilience against possible disruptions.

    Operational Risk

    Fourthly, while I have covered cybersecurity threats, I would also like boards of SFBs to be mindful of the larger issue of operational risks. During periods of rapid growth, the focus on increasing market share, launching new products, and acquiring customers can lead to a neglect of essential risk management practices. For example, hastily onboarding new customers without thorough KYC due diligence or rushing the deployment of technology solutions without adequate testing can increase the likelihood of frauds, errors and service disruptions. Growth is important for the success of Small Finance Banks. However, it must not come by overlooking operational controls.

    Another significant area of concern for operational risk is the high attrition rate among staff in Small Finance Banks. While the branch network and employee headcounts are expanding, the sector faces a very high attrition rate of nearly 40 per cent, particularly among frontline staff and junior management. Such elevated turnover, though mostly at the entry and junior management levels, poses substantial operational risks, as it can lead to a loss of institutional knowledge, disruption in service delivery, and increased training costs for new hires. To mitigate these risks, Board-level efforts are essential to focus on employee retention strategies at all levels. Further, the absence of succession planning for critical managerial positions is a common issue across SFBs, which requires immediate attention from Boards to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and maintain operational effectiveness.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, SFBs with their outreach to rural and semi-urban areas, are intended to be one of the key enablers in credit offerings to individuals, weaker sections, entrepreneurs, SHGs/JLGs and MSMEs. They have a large role to play in achieving our aspirational goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

    As RBI celebrates 90 years of its foundation this year, we have set deepening financial inclusion as one of our cherished objectives for RBI@100. RBI, with its continued commitment towards a financially inclusive India, has taken several measures to support these segments ranging from Priority Sector Lending targets to the introduction of TReDS for MSMEs. A new chapter in this book is the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) platform which aims at “enabling frictionless credit” with the ‘new trinity’ of JAM-UPI-ULI, further propelling India’s growth story.

    SFBs should strive to harness this opportunity and other such opportunities offered by latest technological innovations for efficient and cost-effective service delivery. Further, with robust governance and effective board oversight, SFBs can capitalise on their strengths while meeting growth and stability objectives.

    With this, I wish you all the best for the coming sessions and hope that you find these sessions professionally enriching and stimulating. Thank you!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with the Prime Minister of Israel.

    Source: Government of India

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with the Prime Minister of Israel.

    PM Netanyahu briefs PM on the recent developments in West Asia.

    PM highlights that terrorism has no place in any form and manifestation.

    PM emphasizes the crucial need for preventing regional escalation and the safe release of all hostages

    PM says that India stands ready to support early restoration of peace and stability.

    The two leaders discuss further strengthening of India-Israel Strategic Partnership.

    PM wishes PM Netanyahu and the Jewish people around the world on Rosh Hashanah.

    Posted On: 30 SEP 2024 11:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call today from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu.

    PM Netanyahu briefed PM on the recent developments in West Asia. 

    PM Modi mentioned that there is no place for terrorism in any form or manifestation. Prime Minister also emphasized the crucial need to work for preventing regional escalation and the safe release of all hostages. 

    PM conveyed that India stands ready to support an early restoration of peace and stability. 

    The two leaders discussed a number of bilateral issues to further strengthen India-Israel Strategic Partnership.

    PM also conveyed his best wishes to PM Netanyahu and the Jewish people around the world on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah.

    The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

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    MJPS/SR/SKS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Women and Child Development gears up for Special Campaign 4.0 for improving Swachhata and disposal of pending references

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 11:55AM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Women and Child Development, including all Autonomous Bodies under its administrative control, has initiated efforts and prepared action plans to implement Special Campaign 4.0 for improving Swachhata and disposal of pending references from 2nd October – 31st October, 2024, on the lines of the Special Campaigns held in the preceding 3 years.

    In accordance with the guidelines issued by DARPG, Special Campaign 4.0  was to be implemented by the Ministry in two phases –

    • Preparatory Phase (from 16th September, 2024 to 30 th September, 2024): Targets for pending references and cleanliness campaign sites were to be identified and updated on the Special Campaign portal.
    • Implementation Phase (from 02nd October, 2024 to 31st October, 2024) : Identified pending references are to be disposed of and cleanliness activities to be undertaken in the identified cleanliness campaign sites.

    The ongoing preparatory phase from 16th to 30th Sept is being fully utilized for identification of targets such as Identification of Cleanliness Campaign sites, Planning for Space management and beautification of offices, identifying Scrap and redundant items and their disposal procedure as per GFR, pending references from MP’s, State Governments, Inter-Ministerial references (Cabinet Notes), PMO, Parliamentary Assurances pending for more than 3 months, Public Grievances and Appeals (CPGRAMS as well as grievances received from other sources), Record Management – Review of files/recording and weeding of files/closing of e-files.

    Further, implementation of Special Campaign 4.0 was discussed in the Senior Officers’ Meeting held on 06.09.2024 & 23.09.2024 wherein Secretary(M/o WCD) directed the Bureau Heads to issue directions to their Divisions for identification and disposal of pending references during Special Campaign 4.0.

    Efforts were taken by the Ministry for disposal of pending references in continuation of Special Campaign 3.0 for the period from December, 2023 to August, 2024.

    The targets for pending references received from various Divisions/ Autonomous Bodies of the Ministry have been updated on the Special Campaign portal. The same are as under:

    MP References – 56, Parliamentary Assurances – 19, State Govt. References – 13, Public Grievances – 288, Public Grievance Appeals – 92, Physical Files to be reviewed – 3464, E-Files to be reviewed – 3609, Cleanliness Campaign Sites – 33839

     

    Cleaning activities will be undertaken in the premises of MWCD at Shastri Bhawan, Jeevan Tara Building & Jeevan Vihar Building and in it’s Autonomous Bodies viz. NIPCCD, CARA, NCW and NCPCR.

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development is dedicated to advancing the goals and successes of previous campaigns.

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    SS/MS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR Commemorates 83 Years of Scientific Excellence of CSIR

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 11:52AM by PIB Delhi

    CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated the 83rd Foundation Day of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today at National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.

    Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR while delivering welcome address during the 83rd CSIR Foundation Day Program organised by CSIR-NIScPR

    The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR. She said, “CSIR labs are actively engaged in all the areas of science and technology. At NIScPR, our focus is on bridging the gap between science and society. We publish 15 research journals and three popular science magazines, and we are striving to make our content accessible in all Indian languages. Notably, we’ve recently participated in the UN Assembly Science Summit.”

    Prof. (Dr.) Sushma Yadav, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana delivered her insightful talk

    Distinguished guest Prof. (Dr.) Sushma Yadav, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, in her address said, “CSIR strives to bridge the gap between science and industry. Historically, there has been a misconception that India lacks scientific temper, and CSIR has been working to dispel this notion. By promoting a scientific tradition that coexists with spiritual temper, we aim to create a harmonious blend of rational inquiry and cultural values.”

    Prof. Jagat Bhushan Nadda, Director, Consortium for Education Communication

    While Prof. Jagat Bhushan Nadda, Director, Consortium for Education Communication, remarked, “CSIR has admirably carried forward India’s scientific legacy, serving as a cornerstone in our nation’s journey. By being at the forefront of addressing national challenges, CSIR has consistently benefited society at large. The need of the hour is to make science accessible, especially in rural areas. To maximize impact, scientific research and discoveries must be translated into actionable policies. CSIR is successfully creating synergy between higher education, research, and innovation, positioning India to become a global leader in science and innovation.”

    On the occasion a special issue of ‘Science Reporter’, a monthly publication of CSIR-NIScPR was also released during the event.Title of the issue is “Science Reporter: A Six Decade Journey in Science Communication (1964-2024)”. Awards were distributed by the distinguished guests to retirees, employees completing 25 years of service, and meritorious 10th and 12th-class students.

    The evening of the CSIR Foundation Day Celebrations featured a vibrant cultural program, followed by prize distribution for the Foundation Day competitions. During the cultural program, children of NIScPR staff members, S&T and administrative staff, students and project staff participated with great enthusiasm and performed their song and dance very well. ShriMukesh Pund, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Chairperson, CSIR Foundation Day Organising Committee of NIScPR, proposed vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to all the committees engaged for organising the program. The event was attended by CSIR-NIScPR staff with their families, AcSIR students, and project staff. Coordinators of different sub committees coordinated the assigned tasks very well. Dr.Puspanjali Tripathy coordinated the Painting & Drawing Competition; Quiz & Essay Competition was coordinated by Dr. Meher Wan; Budget & Venue was coordinated by Dr. Naresh Kumar; Cultural Function & Stage Control was coordinated by Dr. Manish Mohan Gore. Dr.  Vipan Kumar coordinated the sports events, Dr.Arvind Meena coordinated publicity materials and Mrs.Sonali Nagar coordinated the invitation of guests for the CSIR Foundation Day Celebrations organised at CSIR-NIScPR.

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    NKR/AG

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government school at Okhla organizes “Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign” in association with Prithak Foundation

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Government school at Okhla organizes “Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign” in association with Prithak Foundation

    Students showcased their creativity and imagination through art on the theme “Swachhata Hi Seva.”

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 11:49AM by PIB Delhi

    Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School, Harkesh Nagar, Okhla Ph-2 organized Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign” in association with Prithak Foundation and Ministry of Steel.  The event was graced by Deputy Secretary, Shri Subhash Kumar, Ministry of Steel, Chairman of Prithak Foundation, Shri Abhay Raj Singh, Principal of GGSSS, Ms. Sheetal along with other officers.

    200 students of the school showcased their creativity and imagination through art on the theme “Swachhata Hi Seva.” 

    This year on Independence Day, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi emphasized how Swachhata has become a fundamental aspect of daily life, driving significant changes in behaviour across the nation. This year’s theme, Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) 2024, represents a shift towards fostering behavioural change. Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign has been built around three key pillars, namely, (i) Swachhata Ki Bhaagidari; (ii) Sampoorna Swachhata; and(iii) Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir

    Chairman, Prithak Foundation expressed his gratitude and said “on behalf of the entire Prithak Foundation Family, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Steel and the SAIL team for selecting Prithak Foundation as the supporting partner for event implementation, handling the logistics and ensuring the smooth conduct of the event”.

    Certificates will be signed and returned to Prithak Foundation, along with the drawing posters.

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    MG/SK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin becomes first woman to take over as DG, Armed Forces Medical Services

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 12:42PM by PIB Delhi

    Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, on October 01, 2024, became the first woman officer to take over as the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overall medical policy matters which relate to the Armed Forces.

     

    Prior to assuming the appointment of 46th DGAFMS, the Flag Officer held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. She is an alumna of AFMC, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985. She is an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC, Pune and Diplomate National Board in Radiation Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, complemented with training in Gamma Knife Surgery from University of Pittsburgh. 

     In a career spanning 38 years, the Flag Officer has held prestigious academic and administrative appointments including Professor & Head, Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (R&R) and Command Hospital (Southern Command)/AFMC Pune, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini, Command Medical Officer in the Indian Navy’s Southern and Western Naval Commands. 

    The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, having served as Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force. 

    In recognition of her dedication to patient care with utmost loyalty and supreme commitment, the Flag Officer has been awarded Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 2024 and Vishist Seva Medal in 2021. She has also been conferred with Chief of Army Staff Commendation (2017), Chief of Naval Staff Commendation (2001) and General Officer Commanding –in-Chief Commendation (2013) for distinguished service. 

    The Flag Officer has been recently appointed as a member of the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to formulate safe working conditions and protocols for medical professionals. She has been at the forefront of motivating young women to join the Armed Forces and is a shining icon for the Nari Shakti initiative of the Government.

     ***

    SR/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Food Corporation of India (FCI) installs modern video surveillance system in its depots

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 1:10PM by PIB Delhi

    As a part of 100 Days Achievements of Department of Food and Public Distribution under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has initiated the upgradation of the current analog CCTV surveillance system to a modern IP-based CCTV surveillance system in its storage depots. Approximately 23,750 cameras would be installed across 561 FCI-owned depots. This transition is based on a successful Proof of Concept (POC) conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at FSD Shyamanagar. The implementation of this new IP-based system will significantly enhance monitoring capabilities through high-resolution imaging, improved scalability, and remote access.

    The Food Corporation of India is crucial to India’s foodgrain management, playing a key role in the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains. This efficiency not only bolsters the nation’s food security but also supports agricultural development. Among its many functions, storage is vital for fulfilling the needs of the Public Distribution System and various welfare schemes initiated by the Government of India, ensuring that buffer stocks are maintained nationwide. With over 500 FCI-owned depots scattered across the country, effective surveillance of these storage operations is essential at all times.

    Over the years, FCI has installed CCTV cameras across various depots to ensure their effective surveillance. In 2013-14 CCTV cameras were installed in 61 depots, with their number increasing to 67 in 2014-15 and extending to 446 own depots by 2018. Currently, a total of 516 FCI depots are under CCTV surveillance. Live Web Feed of these cameras is available on FCI website in “See your depot” tab.

    CCTV Cameras installed in the new surveillance system will support onboard analytics features like camera tempering, camera field of view change, camera blur/out of focus, motion detection and trip wire etc. This new Surveillance system will feature the establishment of a centralized Command Control Centre (CCC) and a Network Operating Centre (NoC) at FCI Headquarters.

    The health of the installed system will be centrally monitored through the Command Control Centre (CCC), along with a provision for storing incidental data on demand basis. It will also offer advanced video analytics and strengthened security measures, enabling FCI to effectively oversee and manage day-to-day operations across its depots. The proposed system will also include environmental and humidity sensors on pilot basis, which will further enhance its functionality. These sensors will enable the monitoring of environmental conditions, providing valuable data for assessing their impact and ensuring optimal conditions for the system’s performance in the future.

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    AD/NS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agricultural Research and Education – Indian Council of Agricultural Research organizes “Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs” for Swachhata Hi Seva and Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 2:24PM by PIB Delhi

    A special initiative titled “Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs” was conducted across all Department of Agricultural Research and Education – Indian Council of Agricultural Research establishments in conjunction with the celebration of World Maritime Day. The initiative aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of sanitation workers or Safai Mitras by providing them with PPE kits and protective gear to safeguard against occupational hazards.  As part of this nationwide effort, a special focus was placed on creating awareness of sanitation workers safety. Events such as walkathons and cyclerallies were organized to emphasize the importance of their safety and to engage the larger community in promoting a safer working environment for them. This initiative highlighted the crucial role of sanitation workers and reiterated the commitment to their health and protection.

    An activity on “Distribution of disposable gloves, masks, etc., to safeguard the sanitation workers from occupational hazards” was conducted by ICAR staff, students, and contractual workers under the ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ campaign. The Safai Mitra working in ICAR were distributed the masks and disposable gloves.

     Through a special campaign walkathon at one of the ICAR Institutes, all the officers and employees of the institute cleaned the premises with the Safai Mitra in the campus. During the event, Safai Mitras were provided with vital information on safety protocols to enhance their well-being while performing their essential duties. A dedicated session on biosecurity measures was conducted to ensure that the workers remain safe while handling waste and maintaining cleanliness in sensitive areas. To further support their efforts, all participating workers were equipped with gumboots, hand sanitizers and PPE kits, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to their health and safety.In addition to distributing the PPE kits, the program provided an interactive platform where participants were encouraged to share their thoughts on cleanliness and sanitation practices at home, in public spaces, and at their workplaces. During the event, participants were also educated on the importance of maintaining cleanliness in their daily lives and were encouraged to openly discuss challenges and potential improvements in hygiene practices both at home and at work.

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    SS

    (Release ID: 2060608) Visitor Counter : 73

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 92nd anniversary of Indian Air Force: Raksha Mantri gives warm send-off to 7,000-km ‘Vayu Veer Vijeta’ car rally from National War Memorial, New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    92nd anniversary of Indian Air Force: Raksha Mantri gives warm send-off to 7,000-km ‘Vayu Veer Vijeta’ car rally from National War Memorial, New Delhi

    Over 50 air warriors to travel from Thoise (Ladakh) to Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) across nine States/UTs from 8th to 29th October

    The car rally to motivate youth to join the Armed Forces & serve the nation: Shri Rajnath Singh

    “IAF is capable of giving a befitting reply to the country’s enemies; Govt equipping them with most advanced platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’”

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 1:59PM by PIB Delhi

    To mark the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh gave a warm send-off to ‘Vayu Veer Vijeta’ car rally from the National War Memorial, New Delhi on October 01, 2024. With the send-off, over 50 air warriors, including women, have left to Thoise in Ladakh, from where they will undertake an expedition to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, covering a total of 7,000 kms across nine States/Union Territories (UTs). The rally will also witness the participation of former Air Force Chiefs in different legs.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri lauded the air warriors for serving the motherland in difficult circumstances with bravery, dedication and patriotism. “IAF has achieved significant feats in its bid to protect the country and its people. It is capable of giving a befitting reply to the country’s enemies by striking them deep into their territory. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are committed to equip IAF with most advanced aircraft/platforms and make them more capable through the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh extended his best wishes to the air warriors, who will be part of the rally that would traverse through tough and varied terrains. The formal flag-off will take place on 8thOctober from Thoise, which is one of the world’s highest altitude air force station at 3,068m above mean sea level. The air warriors will halt at Leh, Kargil, Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Agra, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Darbhanga, Bagdogra, Hasimara, Guwahati, Tezpur and Dirang, before concluding the rally in Tawang on October 29, 2024.

    The aim of the rally is to raise awareness among the people about the glorious history of IAF; the deeds of valour of the air warriors in different wars & rescue ops; and attract the youth to serve the motherland. The Raksha Mantri stated that during the car rally, the air warriors will hold interactions with the youth at schools & colleges in various States/UTs, exuding confidence that the exchanges would motivate the young ignited minds to join the Armed Forces and lead the life of pride & honour.

    Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, former Chiefs RKS Bhadauria (Retd) & AY Tipnis (Retd) and other senior officials of IAF were present on the occasion. The rally has been organised by IAF in coordination with the veterans of Uttarakhand War Memorial. The Adventure Cell of IAF is leading and coordinating the rally.

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    VK/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s address at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 1:50PM by PIB Delhi

    Very Good Morning to all of you!

    Shri Anil Shastri ji, Chairman, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management. I have long association with Anil ji. We both were elected to Lok Sabha in 1989.

    We were inducted in the Council of Ministers at the same time, and then I came to know that he reflected the sublime values of his father, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister of this country, who lives on in our memories and in our hearts.

    I am therefore grateful to you for affording this opportunity to me to confer this prestigious award on one of the finest human beings in the country at the moment, who exemplifies commitment to humanity in all facets, Smt. Rajashree Birla, the awardee. As luck would have it, this is the 25th award. Well earned, well deserved.

    Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary to Vice president, distinguished members of Shastri family, I know them personally, distinguished members accompanying Rajashree ji, members of the jury and my commendations to you for having being so thoughtful that the reception of this award will be completely as per heart of the people and board of governors.

    Let me indicate my connection with the Birla family. It was sometime in the year 1970-71. The venue was a remote village in Jhunjhunu district.

    The occasion was late Sri G.D. Birla Ji being received by a relative of our family. There was to be a photograph. Everyone was lined up.

    The first row, G.D. Birla Ji was there at the centre. I was in the last row. Given the situation, my age, and the relationship I shared.

    So the family members had predominance, Then walked in the elder brother of G.D. Birla Ji. Now no one in the front row was prepared to yield a seat.

    Who would miss an occasion to be photographed with G.D. Birla Ji? G.D. Birla Ji quietly made the seat available for his elder brother. And he came to the last row. And put his hand on my young shoulder. I felt blessed by the man.

    Then I came to know about him more and what a sacrifice for the country. Imagine those difficult days, daunting scenario, rule of the British – repressive, oppressive, with full vengeance. He fuelled financially the freedom movement. He and great Gandhiji were so frugal in prudently utilising the funds that they would not bear the cost of transaction by paying banking commission.

    So the money was transferred as per record, authentic record. If needed at a place, it will be given by someone else so that every contribution is optimally utilised.

    All through his life, G.D. Birlaji stood for a value system worth emulation. We got independence man d then the lineage continues. My next association came with Aditya Birlaji. I was elected as I said along with Anil. In 89, I was a minister. There was a function at FICCI in 1990. It had to do something with the great personality of G.D. Birla ji.

    That was the day when the entire Council of Ministers were meeting and therefore obviously there was unavailability of a minister to join. I got a message from someone. That being a member of parliament from Jhunjhunu, a land with G.D. Birla family is well connected and the connect is incremental till date.

    Birlaji reflects it nationally and globally. I sought leave of my prime minister then to attend that programme. It started a relationship of deep emotive nature with Aditya Birlaji who never had intervention of the kind which we see with politics. But he enquired about my political inclinations and invited me to industry house.

    I had the occasion to see two things there. One, We had lunch while others were also having lunch there. And the lunch was tailor made to suit the high productivity post lunch and nutrition value. And then I saw for the first time that Aditya Birlaji had brought about game changing paradigm shift in professionalism. He laid the firm foundations. We lost him early. But in the process he CREATED A group that is known for highest ethical standards and global presence.

    I came to know Kumar Manglam ji after I became Governor State of West Bengal. In Birla Park he was stranded on account of Covid. He was so scrupulous about the legal regime that he wouldn’t move, even though I undertook to facilitate.

    Then came a very sensitive moment and that moment was that someone known to him, he wanted to visit him because he was ailing, Just 300 metres away. But since there were restrictions Kumar wouldn’t negotiate those 300 metres without legal sanction. I had the occasion to have a conversation with him on several occasions on that time. He followed only the path of love. THAT reminds me what someone said rightly, If you wish to make democracy flourish and blossom. Never take shortcuts. These shortcuts are very painful. In times of need that turn out to be the most challenging and the longest and never ending. These shortcuts lead you into a tunnel when you need, when you don’t see light.

    Then, I came to occupy this position and came another occasion to interact with the family. I spent some of the most rewarding moments of my life along with family members  and had the occasion to personally interact with the family. The credit for that invariably goes to the awardee. Awardee of this prestigious award!

    For three decades with commitment that exemplifies our civilisational depth and ethos, She has been serving Humanity in a varied of forms of education and health care in a very spread out manner and least giving importance to public domain coverage. It is rightly said that wisdom is reflected not by what is written but by….

    The best Ambassador is the one who propels an idea through word of mouth. So I can say she stands out tall amongst those at the moment who are serving humanity BY optimal utilisation of corporate social Responsibility by following its funding where it is most needed and therefore this award Is well earned Well deserved.

    She has got many awards as I indicated Padam Bhushan. Her son has got Padam Bhushan, when I had the occasion to greet the family by virtue of being Vice- President. But there are some people who do justice. It makes us reflect Yes it has been given to the right person and therefore my congratulations to the jury for having picked up one at the right time because we need in this country In this challenging scenario, when the country is on the rise, the rise is as never before, the rise is exponential and incremental.

    In the process we must not lose the guiding principle, the lighthouse that reminds us of our values. What we see is simplicity defined, disarming charm, a connect that makes the other person at ease and then I come to the person whose memory the award is Lal Bahadur Shastri. The very name reminds of patriotism, the very name reminds of a system that yes this is commitment.

    Shastriji Defines public service, Shastriji stood for self-sacrifice, Shastriji exemplified by conduct by practise not my sermonising. The entire nation stood with him when we faced the near hunger crisis. He was the first one to innovate Participation of the people by a clarion call. Avoid a meal, if I am not mistaken.

    Diminutive like there but a tall figure there are personalities that are not required we sustained by event management or systemic acting. They live in our memory, they guide us, they inspire us, they motivate us. His clarion call I belong to both categories as a matter of fact, jawan and kisan was not just a call. The call was generated by then contemporaneous scenario, a threat of unimaginable dimension.

    Imagine the scene, under which he took charge, he was the only one who could take it. Look at the highest standards of public life, when he was holding a ministerial portfolio and then there was a lapse not because of him but he went beyond the copybook. He took the entire responsibility and was persuaded to be minister without portfolio. I see the family continue in the same stream, they have lived by his principles.

    We are living in times where iconic status is accorded by event management on parameters that are baffling. People are elevated to a level which we can’t digest. They occupy public space but a paradigm shift has taken place. For instance, Padma Awards, our civilian Awards, our prestigious Civilian awards. They are being conferred on people who imminently deserve it, and that is why the award carries a greater credibility.

    This one also is in the same stream, I have been associated on two occasions, maybe more and for me, what can be a greater attainment in life, that who was just in Sainik School class seven when we lost Shastri ji. The one who looked at in great awe the traditions of the great Bidla family is now in a position. A moment that will ever be etched in my memory that I am only one of the greatest contributors of the Bidla family to humanity, Smt. Rajashree Birla and the award carries the tag of one of the finest sons of the soil whose memory will never fade.

    I will always be by your side, as you were by my side when were holding the ministerial portfolio. Once again, I feel humbled, honoured, and highly privileged one of the rare moments of privilege for me to confer an award in the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri on Smt. Rajashree Birla.

    Namaskar!

    Thank You.

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    JK/RC/SM

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN ARMY TO CONDUCT CHANAKYA DEFENCE DIALOGUE – 2024 ON 24-25 OCTOBER : CURTAIN RAISER CONDUCTED TODAY

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 3:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), is set to conduct the Second Edition of its flagship event, Chanakya Defence Dialogue-2024 on the theme “Drivers in Nation Building: Fuelling Growth through Comprehensive Security”. The much-awaited event, will be conducted on 24thand 25thOctober 2024 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

    At the Curtain Raiser event held today at New Delhi, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, reflected on Indian Army’s vision of a resilient, secure and prosperous Bharat@2047, sharing his views on various issues related to national and global security, as also contribution of the Indian Army in nation building.

    The COAS shared his thoughts on the theme “Pillars of Security: Powering India’s Path to Viksit Bharat by 2047” in a Fireside Chat. The Chat provided an engaging platform to discuss the role of Indian Armed Forces as Net Security provider in India’s development trajectory. The COAS underscored Indian Army and the importance of robust security frameworks ranging from defence readiness to internal stability for fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and innovation. The conversation highlighted the need for a multi-faceted approach, emphasising collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to address emerging challenges. By framing security as a foundational pillar of national development, the discussion underscored the vision of a prosperous and secure India by 2047, encouraging proactive strategies that align security with the broader goals of societal advancement and sustainable growth.

    The Fireside Chat was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The discussion was titled “Secure Nation and Prosperous Future: Bridging National Security with Growth and Development“. This session explored strategies to create a secure environment that fosters innovation and fuels development. By framing security as a fundamental pillar in India’s journey toward a developed nation by 2047, the dialogue underscored the critical importance of aligning defence initiatives with national prosperity and social progress. The discussion featured Shri Oken Tayeng, MLA Arunachal Pradesh, Mr SS Sarma, Director (Operations), Cert-in, Lt Gen PR Shankar (Retired), a renowned strategist and Lt Gen (Dr) Madhuri Kanitkar (Retired), a shining example of women empowerment in the Indian Armed Forces. The participants during the discussion expressed their views on a wide range of subjects including Border Area Development, Youth, Sports and Women Empowerment towards nation building.

    The Curtain Raiser event demonstrated a glimpse of the main event and highlighted the multifaceted dimensions of security, its impact on national growth and role played by the Indian Army in achieving India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. The second Chanakya Defence Dialogue will facilitate in- depth discussions, foster strategic partnerships and contribute to the formulation of actionable insights for enhancing national security and development. It will provide a platform for national and international leaders, policymakers and subject matter experts to share their expertise and contribute to the discourse on security through development.

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    SC

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Of the total 32 lakh defence pensioners, 30 lakh have been successfully linked to SPARSH portal, says Raksha Mantri at 277th Annual Day celebrations of Defence Accounts Department

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Of the total 32 lakh defence pensioners, 30 lakh have been successfully linked to SPARSH portal, says Raksha Mantri at 277th Annual Day celebrations of Defence Accounts Department

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorts DAD to establish a robust data management system to assess the impact of defence expenditure on the economy

    “Prepare a roadmap to make DAD a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in defence finance & economics”

    India is today seen as a defence exporter due to the Govt’s self-reliance efforts: RM

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 3:16PM by PIB Delhi

    “Out of a total of 32 lakh defence pensioners, 30 lakh have been successfully linked to the SPARSH {System for Pension Administration (Raksha)} portal,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the 277thAnnual Day celebrations of Defence Accounts Department (DAD) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on October 01, 2024. While commending DAD’s focus on technology adoption, the Raksha Mantri asserted that despite numerous challenges, the department has been successful in the implementation of this web-based system, which processes pension claims and credits the pension directly into bank accounts of defence pensioners without any external intermediary.

    SPARSH Audit Manual was among the publications of DAD launched by Shri Rajnath Singh to mark the day. Other publications and initiatives include Comprehensive Statistical Handbook on Defence Expenditure (COSHE) 2024, Market Intelligence Report 2023-24 and Defence Travel System 2.0.

    The Raksha Mantri commended the efforts of DAD towards modernisation & strengthening of the country’s defence ecosystem through optimum utilisation of resources, efficiency & transparency in accounting and adoption of latest technologies. He lauded the department for focusing on every little detail, which leads to necessary improvements in defence related policies and proposals.

    Reflecting on the progress achieved in the defence sector in the last few years, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that there was a time when acquisitions were mainly dependent on imports, and the positive impact of defence expenditure on the economy was very limited. He added that due to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s efforts to attain self-reliance, India is today seen as a defence exporter.

    The Raksha Mantri urged DAD to prepare a roadmap to make the department a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the field of defence finance and economics. He also batted for establishing a robust and comprehensive data management system that gives analytical reports to the government on the impact of defence expenditure on the country’s economy, such as the contribution of defence vendors in revenue generation and employment generation. This will prove to be helpful in establishing a holistic policy regime, which would develop a sense of ‘Whole of the Government approach’, he added.

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted DAD to remain innovative in its thinking, and continue exploring new frontiers in defence accounting & financial management. He emphasised that every individual would have to contribute to realise the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’.

    The Raksha Mantri highlighted the vital role DAD plays in supporting the Ministry of Defence’s vast network of organisations, including the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard and Border Roads Organisation. “There are over 50 lakh personnel associated with the Ministry, and the budget is larger than the GDP of many small countries. DAD is a link which connects all the units of the Armed Forces and civilian organisations. Whether it is our resolve of self-reliance, the efforts to encourage the participation of MSMEs and start-ups or issues related to the three Services, all these different dimensions, all these different dimensions ultimately come to DAD,” he said.

    SPARSH Audit Manual

    ‘System for Pension Administration {Raksha} (SPARSH) is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence for automating the defence pension ecosystem. The system is embedded with numerous automated checks and controls, with Operational Decision Manager-based rule engine which incorporates over 500 rules and 1,000 on-screen validations. In order to ensure integrity, efficiency and accountability of the system, Internal Audit is essential and helps improve the functionality of SPARSH. It also ensures that necessary controls are in place for integrity and accuracy of pension management processes.

    The SPARSH Audit Manual is a departmental publication to guide the officers and staff of DAD to keep a constant watch on various system processes and outputs generated through application to ensure uniform applicability of rules and regulations for Defence pensioners.

    COSHE – 2024

    The office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) is publishing COSHE-2024 which provides a broad perspective on the expenditure by Defence Services in the last several years. The book provides data on the Defence Budget, trends in expenditure from Financial Year 2010-11 onwards, and legacy data from 1992-93 onwards.

    The data presented in various forms will facilitate the optimal utilisation of funds and help policy and decision-makers better analyse them with a broader perspective and work on the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    Market Intelligence Report 2023-24

    With changing times, there is an increasing need for provision of aggregated decision-making driven by consistent financial data information. The Raksha Mantri, during the DAD foundation day 2023, had highlighted the need for analysing demand and supply side data and developing an expertise in market intelligence. Since then, the Department has undertaken an ambitious exercise in aggregating, compiling and analysing available procurement information.

    This report on Market Intelligence is an attempt to present meaningful insights into vendor and product profiles of procurement undertaken on the GeM platform, along with a code-head level analysis of GeM procurement by Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and DRDO to help highlight and augment procurement reform.

    Defence Travel System 2.0

    The Defence Travel System (DTS) is a web-based travel booking portal for defence personnel, which was started in 2009, and has come a long way from providing just rail tickets to integration of Air Tickets, payment of advance and online submission of final claims. Presently, there are around 7,325 Units/Offices actively using the DTS portal, with more than 18 lakh active user profiles.

    DTS 2.0 is a comprehensive technological upgrade of the platform and will offer a more seamless and integrated experience for defence personnel. It will provide not only an updated user interface but is also envisaged to integrate with office automation systems of Payment and Accounting Offices (PAOs) in future. This integration will ensure that once a booking is made, claims are processed without delay, and the payment process is streamlined.

    Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2024

    The Raksha Mantri also gave away the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2024 to two teams for exhibiting exemplary initiative in implementing key department projects, namely, the team of PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj for ‘Achieving Milestone in redressing Grievances’ and the team of PIFA (Air Force) New Delhi for the ‘Automatic Replenishment System (ARS) Scale Analysis’.

    Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Dr Niten Chandra, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sugata Ghosh Dastidar, Controller General of Defence Accounts Smt Devika Raghuvanshi and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion.

    Tracing its roots to the appointment of the Military Pay Master in 1747, DAD has continuously re-invented itself to provide exemplary services to the Armed Forces, and in turn to the Nation, in the fields of Internal Audit, Accounting, Financial Advice & Defence Pensions Management.

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    VK/Savvy/KB

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya To Lead Nationwide Coastal and Beach Cleanliness Drive in Porbandar, Gujarat on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya To Lead Nationwide Coastal and Beach Cleanliness Drive in Porbandar, Gujarat on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

    Over 1,00,000 MY Bharat Youth Volunteers to Remove Single-Use Plastic at 1,000 Locations Along India’s Coastline on 2nd October

    As part of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, over 5.6 million MY Bharat Youth Volunteers Removed Millions of Kilograms of Waste Across India

    Posted On: 01 OCT 2024 3:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will lead the nationwide Coastal and Beach Cleanliness Drive organized by MY Bharat from the historic city of Porbandar, Gujarat, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti tomorrow. This special drive aims to eliminate single-use plastic waste from India’s beaches and coastal areas, marking the culmination of the broader “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign, which is running from September 17 to October 2, 2024, under the theme “Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata.”

    Dr. Mandaviya, who has been at the forefront of promoting youth-led environmental action, will commence the cleanup in Porbandar, a place of significant historical importance as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Union Minister’s participation highlights the commitment to sustainable environmental practices, and the drive aligns with the vision of a clean and single use plastic-free India.

    MY Bharat under the Department of Youth Affairs has taken a proactive role in this year’s Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, encouraging active youth participation in promoting cleanliness and environmental responsibility. The campaign will culminate on Swachh Bharat Diwas, October 2, 2024, with MY Bharat youth volunteers leading the charge in a massive coastal cleanup effort.

    The drive will target over 1,000 locations along India’s vast 7,500 km coastline, focusing particularly on the collection, segregation, and disposal of single-use plastics. More than 1,00,000 MY Bharat volunteers will participate in this nationwide beach cleanup, demonstrating the power of collective action in achieving environmental sustainability.

    Union Minister has written letters to MPs of all coastal districts, urging them to participate in the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign.

    This year’s Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has already seen tremendous success, with over 5.6 million MY Bharat youth volunteers actively removing millions of kilograms of waste across the country as of September 30, 2024. The cleanup efforts have spanned more than 1 lakh villages, 15,000+ community centres, 9,501 Amrit Sarovars, and various historical and public spaces.

    This monumental initiative showcases the youth’s dedication to the Swachh Bharat mission, setting a powerful example for future generations. The coastal cleanup effort reinforces the message that a cleaner India begins with collective action, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

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    Himanshu Pathak

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  • MIL-OSI Global: Wuthering Heights casting row: most adaptations struggle with picking the right Heathcliff and Cathy, but we deserve better in 2024

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adelene Buckland, Reader in Nineteenth-Century Literature, King’s College London

    How do you cast Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel about a child so brutalised by his adoptive family that he drives his pregnant love to death? Not, it would seem, like Emerald Fennell, the latest director to attempt it.

    Fennell’s previous projects include the Oscar-winning A Promising Young Woman (2020) and Netflix hit Saltburn (2023), but she has been under fire for casting Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie in the lead roles of Heathcliff and Catherine, two teenagers on the wild, 19th-century Yorkshire moors. As tanned Australian actors aged 27 and 34, best known for playing Elvis and Barbie, it is hard to imagine how they can pull this off.

    But has anybody ever got Heathcliff and Catherine right?

    Lawrence Olivier was nominated for an Oscar for playing Heathcliff in 1939, but his clipped, Royal Shakespeare Company gentlemanliness hardly befitted the “savage vehemence” of the role. Heathcliff is an orphan, probably picked up on the Liverpool docks, bullied for looking like “a dark-skinned gypsy”, “a little Lascar, or an American or Spanish castaway” (a lascar was a sailor or militiaman often from Asia). Among his many eventual crimes, he tortures puppies and beats children. But the Olivier movie staged the novel as a classic Hollywood romance.

    Until very recently other directors followed suit, cutting the story’s more brutal elements (including most of its second half) and casting dashing (white) leads like Timothy Dalton (1970) and then-newcomer Ralph Fiennes (1992). In the latter film, Juliette Binoche’s Catherine had a notably French accent. (Maybe best not to mention Cliff Richard’s 1996 musical, in which, at 56, he was panned for playing a teenage Heathcliff as a pop idol.)

    As the director of a 2011 BBC Radio Three adaptation put it, Wuthering Heights is not supposed to be “a Vaseline-lensed experience”. But it has been mostly sold that way.

    Perhaps the only director to capture the nightmarishness of Bronte’s text is Andrea Arnold, who in 2011 cast untrained actors in the central roles, including a black actor, James Howson, as Heathcliff. At the time, some critics even found that decision controversial. But the casting was a turning point, and Arnold’s bleak, almost wordless, adaptation changed the game.

    In 2024, audiences are more aware that casting a white actor like Elordi as Heathcliff is not only to undersell the novel as romance, but to wilfully ignore the imperialism in the text.

    There is evidence to suggest that Heathcliff’s story was at least partly inspired by a local slave-owning family, the Sills, who, as well as making their money from sugar plantations in Jamaica, had 30 enslaved Africans working on their home estate in Yorkshire.

    Also, as mentioned, characters speculate about Heathcliff’s race throughout. For instance, Nelly Dean, Cathy’s family’s servant, wonders whether “[his] father was Emperor of China, and [his] mother an Indian queen.” He is clearly not white.

    Still, in going in the opposite direction to Arnold, Fennell’s film might offer us something new.

    The novel is difficult to film not only because it depicts human beings at their most primal, but also because it is so strangely told. Bronte rarely shows us Catherine or Heathcliff firsthand. We learn their tale through an uninitiated southerner, Lockwood, who himself hears much of the story from a servant with unreliable passions of her own.

    Key scenes in the novel have an emotional realism drawn not only from the rough-hewn Yorkshire rocks but also from gothic melodrama: Catherine’s ghost literally bleeds as it grasps Lockwood through a window; Heathcliff digs up Catherine’s grave just “to have her in my arms again”. If this is realism, it is so extreme it borders on the theatrical.

    And this is where Fennell excels. Saltburn’s bathtub scene is infamous for body horror, but mostly it depicts an urgent need to consume and be consumed by another. Saltburn also has its own graveside scene, which clearly echoes Heathcliff’s necrophiliac desires in Wuthering Heights.

    I would argue there can be no justification for casting a white actor as Heathcliff, and it is to be hoped that Fennell rethinks this decision. But perhaps there is also something to be gained from having a Heathcliff and Catherine with the glitzy theatricality of Elvis and Barbie. Fennell isn’t going to give us the Catherine and Heathcliff we have come to expect, but it is possible she will evoke the passion the characters deserve.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Adelene Buckland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Wuthering Heights casting row: most adaptations struggle with picking the right Heathcliff and Cathy, but we deserve better in 2024 – https://theconversation.com/wuthering-heights-casting-row-most-adaptations-struggle-with-picking-the-right-heathcliff-and-cathy-but-we-deserve-better-in-2024-240128

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second Child Predator Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Child and Drugging Them with Methamphetamine

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    INDIANAPOLIS—Dustin Scott Cox, 54, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child. 

    According to court documents, between at least February and September of 2020, Dustin Cox conspired with Zachary Nichols to sexually abuse and produce sexual images of a fifteen-year-old child. Cox is a repeat child sex offender, convicted in 2004 for coercing a 14-year-old to perform sex acts in exchange for a new bicycle.

    In 2020, Cox was Zachary Nichols’ methamphetamine dealer. Nichols sexually abused the child victim for years. Nichols began allowing Cox to sexually abuse the child as well, in exchange for supplying Nichols with methamphetamine. On multiple occasions, Cox and Nichols recorded their sexual abuse of the victim. The child was nearly incapacitated because of drug use in some of the child sex abuse material that Nichols and Cox created.

    In June of 2024, Zachary Nichols was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for his role in sexually exploiting and abusing the child.

    “These heinous predators repeatedly sexually abused a child, incapacitated them with meth, and traded the victim’s body for drugs,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our hearts go out to the survivor of these horrific abuses, and we hope this prosecution brings them some measure of peace. The lifelong trauma inflicted by these sick criminals merits federal prison sentences that will ensure that neither of them ever harms another child. Together with our partners at the FBI and IMPD, our office is committed aggressively prosecuting sex offenders who prey upon our children and removing them from our communities.”

    “Every child deserves to be live and thrive in a safe environment without worry of harm and abuse. This sentence reflects the severity of this heinous offense and should put others on notice that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who prey on our children,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton.

    The FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Cox has also been ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim and maintain his sex offender status wherever he lives, works, or goes to school upon release from federal prison.

    U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Murderer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Missing Navajo Woman

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Tre C. James, 31, of Pinon, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to life in prison on count one and an additional 10 years in prison on count two to run consecutively, for the murder of Jamie Yazzie, a woman classified as a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person from the Navajo Nation. A federal jury previously found James guilty of First Degree Murder for Yazzie’s death. The jury also found James guilty of several acts of domestic violence committed against three other women, all members of the Navajo Nation. Judge Rayes sentenced James to an additional 10 years in prison to run concurrently, and five years of supervised release for each of those assaults.   

    “Securing justice for missing victims of violence necessitates courage, discipline, and collaboration,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “It also requires all of us to demonstrate our commitment with alacrity: for communities to report their missing loved ones as soon as possible; for victim advocates to engage early and often with next of kin; and for agents and prosecutors to charge cases as soon as they are ready to be charged.”

    “Today’s sentence underscores the fact that Jamie Yazzie was not forgotten by the FBI or our federal and tribal partners,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez. “Our office is committed to addressing the violence that Native American communities in Arizona face every day and we will continue our efforts to protect families, help victims and ensure that justice is served in each case we pursue.”

    James shot and killed Yazzie on the Navajo Nation in the summer of 2019. He hid her remains on the Hopi Reservation, where they remained concealed for almost three years. Multiple agencies worked together to investigate Yazzie’s disappearance, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Services, Navajo Nation Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

    Investigators faced significant challenges, including the fact that Yazzie had not been reported missing for several days, James had cleaned the crime scene, and the murder occurred while James and Yazzie were home alone together; the global pandemic, which hit the Navajo Nation particularly hard, also presented significant challenges. Investigators persevered and, during the investigation, discovered the assaults against other women, many of which had never been reported to law enforcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer E. LaGrange and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon K. Sexton, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. Ms. Yazzie’s mother, father, grandmother and other relatives provided support to the investigation and prosecution over several years.
     

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-08073-PCT-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-126_James

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    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

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