NewzIntel.com

Category: India

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Garvi Gujarat”is next in schedule of Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train departing on 01st October, 2024 from Delhi.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    “Garvi Gujarat”is next in schedule of Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train departing on 01st October, 2024 from Delhi.

    Vadnagar is the new addition on the Garvi Gujarat tour itinerary. Kirti Torans, Hatkeshwar Temple and the Railway Station will be prime attractions to be visited by the tourists.

    Tourists will be visiting Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad on Gandhi Jayanti.

    IRCTC’s special tour offering on India’s Garvi Gujarat will cover Ahmedabad, Modhera, Patan, Vadnagar, Pavagarh, Champaner, Vadodara, Kevadia, Somnath, Diu, Dwarka, and back to Delhi.

    State of the art Deluxe AC Tourist Train with AC I, AC II & AC III class will accommodate total 150 tourists.

    Tourists can also board/deboard at Delhi Safdarjung, Gurgaon, Rewari, Ringus, Phulera, Ajmer Railway Station on this tourist train.

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 7:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd. is operating the “Garvi Gujarat” tour by Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train, covering prominent spiritual and heritage tourist destinations of Gujarat along with Vadnagar (one of India’s oldest living towns) and the scenic island of Diu.

    Some of the renowned temples that the tour will showcase are Somnath, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarkadhish temple (one of the four Chardhams of India), and Mahakali temple at Pavagarh. For history lovers, the heritage sites of Kirti Toran (Vadnagar), Modhera Sun Temple, Rani Ki Vav, and Diu Fort are some of the major attractions of this 10-day tour. The State-of-the-Art Deluxe AC Tourist Train has a host of amazing features, including two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor-based washroom functions, and a and a foot massager. The fully air-conditioned train provides three types of accommodation, viz., 1st AC, 2nd AC, and 3rd AC. The train has enhanced security features of CCTV cameras and security guards for each coach.

    The first stop of this train will be Ahmedabad, where tourists will visit the Sabarmati Ashram and Akshardham temple, which follows next. The subsequent destinations will be Modhera Sun Temple, Rani Ki Vav, and Sahastralinga Talav in Modhera-Patan. After this, the train will proceed for Vadnagar, where the sightseeing would include Hatkeshwar Temple, Kirti Toran, and Sharmishta Lake. Vadodara will be the next destination of this train tour. The tourists will be visiting Mahakali Temple (Shakti Peeth) at Pavagarh Hills and Champaner Pavagarh Archeological Park (UNESCO) as a day excursion from Vadodara. Then, on completion, the train would be proceeding for Kevadia Railway Station.

    Kevadia is famous for the newly erected Statue of Unity (SOU), the world’s tallest statue, along with the laser show that will be covered. The next destination after Kevadia will be Somnath. The train will arrive at Veraval Railway Station, where tourists will visit Somnath temple and Somnath beach, and next destination will be Diu, where tourists will visit Diu Fort, INS Kukri, and beaches. The last stop is at Dwarka Railway Station, where Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, and Beyt Dwarka will be a part of the tour. The train returns back to Delhi on the 10th day of its journey. Guests will be traveling roughly 3500 km in this entire tour.

    IRCTC has launched this special tourist train in line with the Government of India initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” and “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” to promote domestic tourism, at a price of Rs. 55,640/- per person for 3AC, Rs. 69,740/- per person for 2AC, Rs. 75,645/- for 1AC cabin, and Rs. 83,805/- for 1AC coupe. Package Price covers train journey in AC classes, accommodation in AC hotels, all meals (VEG ONLY), all transfers and sight-seeing in AC vehicles, travel insurance, and services of IRCTC Tour Managers, etc.

    For more details, one can visit the IRCTC website: https://www.irctctourism.com/bharatgauravand. Booking is available online on a first-come, first-served basis on the web portal. For more information, one can contact on mobile no. 8595931047, 8287930484, 8287930032, and 8882826357.

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    DT/SK

    (Release ID: 2058342) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: GOA MARITIME SYMPOSIUM – 24

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    The fifth edition of Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) 2024 was hosted by the Indian Navy from 23-24 September 24 under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa. This edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium was conducted in the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art Chola building of the Naval War College. This year’s GMS edition theme was ‘Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as IUU Fishing and Other Illegal Maritime Activities’. The theme was underpinned by the idea of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR), as enunciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, to ensure prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Delegations from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya and Tanzania participated in this edition of the Symposium.

    Goa Maritime Symposium 24 brought together regional stakeholders to discuss strategies for addressing non-traditional threats in the maritime domain in the IOR. The GMS participants comprised officers of Captain/ Commander equivalent rank from the Navies/ Maritime Security Agencies of Friendly Foreign Countries. The Symposium featured discussions on collaborative information-sharing mechanisms, various measures to strengthen regional cooperation, and mitigating emerging non-traditional threats. Deliberations during Goa Maritime Symposium will act as a feeder for the Goa Maritime Conclave scheduled in 2025.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways-Wabtec JV’s Marhowra Plant to Begin Exporting Evolution Series Locomotives to Africa by 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Indian Railways-Wabtec JV’s Marhowra Plant to Begin Exporting Evolution Series Locomotives to Africa by 2025

    India Set to Become Global Locomotive Manufacturing Hub with First-Ever Exports from Bihar’s Marhowra Plant

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 6:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited, a joint venture between Indian Railways and Wabtec, is expanding the capabilities of its plant to export locomotives to Africa. For the first time, the plant will manufacture locomotives for export to a global customer.

    The plant will supply Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives to global customers. The ES43ACmi is a locomotive featuring a 4,500 HP Evolution Series engine, offering best-in-class fuel efficiency and proven performance in high-temperature environments. The Marhowra plant will begin exporting these locomotives in 2025.

    This project is of strategic importance as it positions India as a global locomotive manufacturing hub and aligns with the “Make in India” and “Make for the World” initiatives under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. It will also enable the Marhowra plant to export standard-gauge locomotives globally, expanding the local supplier footprint and fostering long-term job creation, thereby benefiting the Indian economy.

    The success of the public-private partnership between the Ministry of Railways and Wabtec has positioned the Marhowra plant as a world-class global manufacturing site, utilizing an extensive local supplier base from across India. To date, around 650 locomotives have been manufactured and added to the Indian Railways locomotive fleet. The Ministry of Railways and Wabtec will continue to collaborate to enhance the plant’s capability and competitiveness, positioning it for sustainable, long-term export production work.

    The Marhowra plant, situated on 70 acres in Marhowra, Bihar, was established in 2018 to indigenously manufacture 1,000 state-of-the-art locomotives for Indian Railways. The plant provides employment to about 600 people and has been consistently delivering 100 locomotives annually to Indian Railways. It has also given a significant boost to industrial activities in the state.

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    DT/SK

    (Release ID: 2058323) Visitor Counter : 64

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda addresses 4th Anniversary Ceremony of the National Medical Commission

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda addresses 4th Anniversary Ceremony of the National Medical Commission

    Encourages NMC to achieve the target set by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India of adding 75,000 medical seats over the next 5 years to meet the growing demand of aspiring medical professionals

    National Medical Register is a dynamic database for all allopathic doctors which has already received about 20,000 applications: Shri JP Nadda

    “Recent efforts towards serving public health especially the Family Adoption Program will prepare MBBS students to become more humane and skillful clinicians”

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 6:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda addressed the 4thyear anniversary ceremony of the National Medical Commission, here today.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri JP Nadda congratulated NMC on its fourth anniversary and commended it for adding 25,000 UG and PG seats during the last four years. He also noted that NMC achieved its target of 1,00,000 MBBS seats in the country a year in advance. He further encouraged NMC to achieve the target set by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, of adding 75,000 medical seats over the next 5 years to meet the growing demand of aspiring medical professionals.

    Lauding recent technological methodologies adopted by NMC such as in assessing medical colleges through AI and introduction of Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance (AEBAS) for faculty, Shri Nadda motivated NMC to continue its efforts to improve and enhance the quality of medical education in the country. He also highlighted the initiation of the National Medical Register (NMR) calling it “a dynamic database for all allopathic doctors which has already received about 20,000 applications”.

    The Union Health Minister said that recent efforts towards serving public health especially the Family Adoption Program will prepare MBBS students to become more humane and skillful clinicians. He also pointed out the shift in mindset to preventive healthcare and wellness.

    On the occasion, the Union Health Minister released an Essay compilation book – ‘Making of a Family Physician: Reaching the Roots’ of selected 89 essays, a Collage book- ‘Art of Making of a Family Physician: Reaching the Roots’ of selected 67 collages and a First Survey report on medical camps conducted by colleges under Family Adoption Program through village outreach.  The survey has been carried out by 2ndyear MBBS students in 2022 from 496 colleges from 28 states/ Union Territories participated.

     

    The Union Minister also felicitated the students who wrote the best essays and made the best collages. He concluded his address by congratulating the new students who took admission in MBBS courses around the country.

     

    Smt. Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry; Dr BN Gangadhar, Chairperson, NMC; Dr Aruna V. Vanikar (Undergraduate Medical Education Board) and Dr Vijay Oza (Postgraduate Medical Education Board), Presidents, NMC and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

     

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    MV

    HFW/ HFM NMC Event /24th September 2024/2

    (Release ID: 2058329) Visitor Counter : 29

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Budget 2024-25 provided for an enhanced monetary limit for filing appeals related to Direct Taxes, Excise and Service Tax in various judicial fora

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Budget 2024-25 provided for an enhanced monetary limit for filing appeals related to Direct Taxes, Excise and Service Tax in various judicial fora

    Hon’ble Supreme Court today disposed off 573 direct tax cases in view of the revised monetary limit of filing of appeals

    The measures are expected to significantly reduce the burden of tax litigation and expedite the resolution of tax disputes in alignment with Government’s efforts to promote ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’

    CBDT and CBIC had issued necessary orders for implementation of the amendment

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 6:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Hon’ble Supreme Court today disposed off 573 direct tax cases where the tax effect is less than ₹5 crore, in view of the revised monetary limit of filing of appeals.

    This significant milestone aligns with the government’s efforts to reduce tax litigation and promote Ease of Doing Business.

    The Union Budget 2024-25 provided for an enhanced monetary limit for filing appeals related to Direct Taxes, Excise and Service Tax in the Tax Tribunals, High Courts and Supreme Court and the limits were increased to ₹60 lakh, ₹2 crore and ₹5 crore respectively.

    In pursuant to the Budget 2024-25 announcement, the CBDT and CBIC had issued necessary orders to enhance the monetary limit for filing appeals in their respective domains. As a result, it is expected that the cases pending before various appellate fora will come down and reduce tax litigation.

     

    Direct Tax

    As per the announcements in the Union Budget 2024-25, the monetary thresholds for filing tax dispute appeals by the department were enhanced as follows:

    • For Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT): Increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh.
    • For High Courts: Increased from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore.
    • For Supreme Court: Increased from ₹2 crore to ₹5 crore.

     

    As a result of these revised limits, it is estimated that around 4,341 cases will be withdrawn from various judicial forums over the course of time:

    • ITAT: 717 cases
    • High Courts: 2,781 cases
    • Supreme Court: 843 cases

     

    Indirect Taxes

    Similarly, the limit for filing appeals for the specified legacy Central Excise & Service Tax cases was increased:

    • For CESTAT (Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal), the limit was increased to ₹60 lakh from ₹50 lakh
    • For the High Court, the limit was increased to ₹2 crore from ₹1 crore.
    • For the Supreme Court, the limit was increased to ₹5 crore from ₹2 crore.  

    As a result of these revised limits, it is estimated that around 1,044 cases pertaining to specified legacy Central Excise & Service Tax cases are estimated to be withdrawn from various judicial forums:

    • Supreme Court: 253 appeals
    • High Courts: 539 appeals
    • CESTAT: 252 appeals

     

    These measures on the Direct tax and Indirect tax front are expected to significantly reduce the burden of tax litigation and expedite the resolution of tax disputes.

    In addition, steps have been taken to deploy more officers dedicated to hearing and deciding appeals, particularly those involving significant tax amounts.

    These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for businesses and enhancing taxpayer services. By minimising litigation and simplifying tax procedures, the aim is to improve the ‘ease of living’ and Ease of Doing Business across the country.

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    NB/KMN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi advocates for Nutritional Excellence at ‘Kuposhan Mukt Jharkhand’ event

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi advocates for Nutritional Excellence at ‘Kuposhan Mukt Jharkhand’ event

    Ministry of Women and Child Development dedicated to ensuring holistic health and nutrition of future generations: Smt.Annpurna Devi

    Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasizes environmental aspects of Poshan Maah 2024, promoting tree planting in 13.95 lakh Anganwadi centers nationwide, with over 50 lakh saplings planted under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign

    Jharkhand conducts over 12.53 lakh sensitization activities across all 24 districts, reflecting the community’s commitment to improving nutritional standards

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 6:17PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to enhance child welfare, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, chaired the “Kuposhan Mukt Jharkhand” event in Koderma, organized by the District Administration today. The event featured the Poshan Oath, discussions on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,” facilitation for PMMVY beneficiaries, and awards for outstanding 10th and 12th-grade students. Additionally, programs for Godh Bharai and Annaprashan were held.

     

    The Poshan Abhiyaan, launched by the  Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018, is the Government of India’s flagship scheme aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. It seeks to tackle malnutrition through a strategic shift in nutrition delivery, fostering a convergent ecosystem to promote health, wellness, and immunity.

     

    During her address, Smt. Annpurna Devi pledged to achieve nutrition-related goals nationwide as part of the 7th Poshan Maah 2024, emphasizing the importance of community well-being, healthy diets, and lifestyles. She stated, “The Ministry of Women and Child Development is dedicated to ensuring the holistic health and nutrition of future generations. Our initiatives, including Poshan Maah and Mission Saksham Anganwadi, are crucial in the fight against malnutrition. I am encouraged by the active participation of the people of Jharkhand, and together, we will ensure that no child or woman suffers from malnutrition.”

    At the Anganwadi center in Balrotand, the Minister highlighted th “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” initiative, which emphasizes the holistic development of children by providing not only essential nutrition but also high-quality early education. A total of 15,364 Anganwadi workers have been trained as state-level master trainers, and 10,756 workers have received training in basic literacy and early childhood care, impacting 344,192 children across the state.

     

    The Minister acknowledged the key achievements of Poshan Maah 2024, which focuses on six core themes: Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Technology for Better Governance, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. Jharkhand has conducted over 12.53 lakh sensitization activities across all 24 districts, reflecting the community’s commitment to improving nutritional standards.

    Furthermore, Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized the environmental aspects of Poshan Maah 2024, promoting tree planting in 13.95 lakh Anganwadi centers nationwide, with over 50 lakh saplings planted under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.

     

    The Minister recognized the collaborative efforts of various Ministries, including Education, Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and AYUSH, in supporting Poshan Maah 2024. She also acknowledged the contributions of PIB and MyGov in driving these initiatives forward.

     

    Concluding her visit, Smt. Annpurna Devi commended the integrated efforts of various Ministries and government bodies in raising nutritional awareness and pledged continued support for upgrading Anganwadi Centers in Jharkhand. The Minister reiterated that the path to a malnutrition-free India is a shared responsibility. With the active involvement of all stakeholders, we are confident in achieving our goals and ensuring a healthier future for every child and mother in the country.

    The Ministry remains committed to achieving a malnutrition-free India through collaborative efforts and sustainable practices. Poshan Maah 2024 exemplifies the vision of a Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by the  Prime Minister.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agricultural Research and Education- Indian Council of Agricultural Research organizes various activities for Swachhata Hi Seva -2024

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:59PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Agricultural Research and Education-Indian Council of Agricultural Research is making sincere efforts for participating in the Swachhta Hi Seva-2024 driven by Government of India. In a remarkable display of community spirit, creativity and commitment to cleanliness, various activities were successfully conducted recently under the Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign 2024 at various ICAR institutes situated in different parts of the country.

    Creative initiatives were taken for transforming waste into art and promoting community pride through selfie point. Decorative murals enhancing waste management facilities and promoting community engagement were observed.

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    SS

    (Release ID: 2058306) Visitor Counter : 35

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal attends 22nd CREDAI National Conference on second day of Australia visit

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal attends 22nd CREDAI National Conference on second day of Australia visit

    Shri Goyal attends reception hosted by Parliamentary Friends of India and Australia-India Business Council at NSW Parliament

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 6:07PM by PIB Delhi

    In his ongoing visit to Australia from September 23-26, 2024, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, had a number of productive engagements on the second day (September 24). He was the Chief Guest at the 22nd National Conference of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) in Sydney. The Conference brought together about 1100 real estate developers from India to Australia.

    In his address, the Minister urged the real estate industry to adopt even more effective measures for the well being of millions of workers employed in it. He appreciated the contribution of the real estate sector to the growth of the Indian economy and encouraged them to consider expanding their operations in international markets such as Australia.

    The Minister met Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales at NSW Parliament and discussed the growing business and community linkages between India and Australia and the contribution of NSW to these ties. Minister attended a reception hosted in his honour by the Parliamentary Friends of India and Australia-India Business Council (AIBC) at the Parliament in which Ministers and Parliamentarians from NSW, including The Hon Anoulack Chanthivong MP, Minister for Industry and Trade of NSW and the Co-chairs of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of India, participated.

    Several prominent business leaders based in Australia were also present. Minister thanked them for the warm reception and highlighted that the bipartisan support for close India-Australia ties gave strength to the bilateral partnership & deepening economic engagement.

    The Minister addressed a gathering of various key stakeholders in the bilateral economic relationship organized by Asia Link Business (ALB), Australia India Institute and KPMG. He participated in a fireside chat with the CEO of ALB, Mr. Leigh Howard, and answered a range of questions. Discussions focussed on fostering stronger India-Australia partnership in key sectors viz renewable energy, digitisation, infrastructure, education, critical minerals, tourism, fintech, agritech, space etc. Minister was presented with a copy of the report on ‘Doing Business in India’ by ALB which will help Australian businesses in leveraging the vast opportunities presented by the Indian market.

    Minister met several emerging Indian origin and Australian leaders in different sectors at an event organized by the High Commission of India and the India-Australia Business Community Alliance (IABCA). Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that these success stories were a reflection of the opportunities that strong India-Australia relations present for the mutual benefit of their people.

    Minister interacted with the Committee members of the Australian (Sydney) Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and encouraged them to act as a living bridge to promote business ties between India and Australia.

    In the forenoon, the Minister participated virtually in the meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. He emphasised that collective efforts and forward-thinking action plans in critical sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals for clean energy, chemicals and healthcare are crucial for unlocking the framework’s full potential.

    After concluding his productive 2-day visit to Sydney focussed on business and community interactions, Minister travelled to Adelaide where he will Co-chair with Senator The Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism of Australia, the 19th Joint Ministerial Commission meeting scheduled for September 25, 2024.

     

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    AD/VN/CNAN

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Agricultural Research and Education-Indian Council of Agricultural Research holds Swachhata Samvad and Nukkad Nataks in Swachhata Hi Seva and Special Campaign 4.0

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:56PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Agricultural Research and Education-Indian Council of Agricultural Research held Swachhata Samvad and Nukkad Nataks for ongoing Swachhta Hi Seva and Special Campaign 4.0.  

    Swachhata Samvad was organized in which dialogues and discussions were held for promoting awareness and community involvement in cleanliness initiatives to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene. Street Plays/Nukkad Nataks were performed in local areas to educate and entertain while promoting cleanliness and sanitation. Various Educational Public Demonstrations were undertaken regarding Zero Waste Events, NGO and SHG Mobilization and Outreach for Swachhata. These events took place across various ICAR institutes across the country.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MoHUA organizes a workshop on Urban Poverty Alleviation

    Source: Government of India (2)

    MoHUA organizes a workshop on Urban Poverty Alleviation

    Workshop aimed to sensitize the States/ULBs on the contours of pilot implementation of a proposed new programme on poverty alleviation in urban areas.

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:52PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organised a workshop on 23rd September, 2024, on Urban Poverty Alleviation. During the workshop, deliberations were held on the various aspects of poverty in urban areas, and methods that can be adopted to address the same.

    Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA delivered the keynote address at the workshop which was attended by State Mission Directors from across the country, Municipal Commissioners and city representatives of 25 select cities, along with senior officials from Ministry and other Departments.

    The workshop aimed to sensitize the States/ULBs on the contours of pilot implementation of a proposed new programme on poverty alleviation in urban areas. The session commenced with an overview of the programme and objectives, presented by Shri Rahul Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MoHUA. It was followed by in-depth presentations covering various aspects including inter alia, community led Institutional development, financial inclusion and enterprise development, capacity building, development of social infrastructure, and innovations in livelihoods space. On this occasion, Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA, released the Mission Document for pilot implementation and briefed the participants regarding the objectives of the workshop, and encouraged States and Cities to think innovatively while trying out various initiatives during the pilot stage.

    On the occasion Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA said “Urbanisation provides various opportunities and there is a need to harness these opportunities through innovative thinking so that the urban poor particularly the vulnerable groups, including youths can get access to better livelihoods opportunities.”

    About the Workshop and the pilot:

     

    The workshop was attended by 28 States /UTs and the officials of 25 select cities. Valuable suggestions were given by States/UTs/Cities to help in designing the contours of an upcoming poverty alleviation programme. The pilot is to be launched in 25 diverse cities—including industrial hubs, migrant centres, aspirational districts, and port cities utilizing a Test-Learn-Scale approach. Set to commence from 1st October, 2024, the pilot will span three months, with a preparatory phase of one month to ensure effective implementation.

    The pilot is designed to uplift vulnerable groups within the informal sector, including construction workers, gig workers, waste workers, care workers, domestic workers, and transportation workers, who often face occupational, social, and residential vulnerabilities. These workers, engaged in precarious jobs with low wages, hazardous conditions, and limited access to social protection, are the primary beneficiaries of this mission. The pilot aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing financial assistance, social protection, and access to credit for micro-enterprises, and fostering innovation and collaboration.

    Through strategic interventions and a collaborative approach, the proposed programme aims to reshape the livelihood landscape in urban India, ensuring that the benefits of urbanisation are equitably distributed to uplift the most vulnerable sections of society.

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    Sushil Kumar

    (Release ID: 2058299) Visitor Counter : 82

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Big boost to Anime & Manga culture and Creator Economy in India

    Source: Government of India

    Big boost to Anime & Manga culture and Creator Economy in India

    Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Media & Entertainment Association of India launch WAVES Anime & Manga Contest

    Contests to cultivate healthy competition among students & professionals and elevate Indian talent on a global stage: Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Shri Sanjay Jaju

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

    In a landmark initiative to promote anime and manga culture in India, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), has officially launched the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!). This innovative contest is part of the “Create in India Challenge”, aiming to nurture local talent and tap into the growing interest in Japanese manga and anime among Indian audiences.

    Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, unveiled the Create in India Challenge—Season One at New Delhi on 22nd August, 2024. This challenge serves as a precursor to the upcoming WAVES summit, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World,” articulated during the 78th Independence Day address.

    About WAM!

    WAM! offers a unique opportunity for Indian creators to produce localized versions of popular Japanese art styles, catering to both domestic and international audiences. By providing substantial marketing support and opportunities for global recognition, the contest aims to establish a strong platform for creative expression in manga and anime.

     

    WAM! features three categories, each offering a unique platform for creative expression:

    1. Participation Verticals
      1. Manga (Japanese style comics)- Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
      2. Webtoon (Vertical comics for digital mediums) – Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
      3. Anime (Japanese style animation) – Team (of upto 4 people) Participation for Student and ProfessionalCategory
    2. Format & Delivery – script provided on the spot. Participants to generate:
      1. Manga (Student, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each, inkand color (physical / digital)
      2. Manga (Professional, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each,ink and color (physical / digital)
      3. Webtoon (Student, Individual): 7 panels with ink and color
      4. Webtoon (Professional, Individual): 10 panels with ink and color.
      5. Anime (Student, Teams) – 10 seconds of anime as per the provided script
      6. Anime (Professional, Teams) – 15 seconds of anime as per the provided script

     

    Competition Structure and Schedule

    Participants can compete individually or in teams (of upto 4 people), with separate categories for students and professionals. The event is structured in two levels: state-level competitions across eleven cities and a national-level finale.

    Each state-level event begins with registration at 9:00 a.m., followed by a welcome and briefing session at 9:30 a.m. The competition runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring a bustling expo and job fair that connects participants with industry opportunities. The day concludes with a wrap-up and celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with activities such as cosplay competitions, musical performances, voice acting sessions and exciting giveaways.

     

    Key Dates and Locations for WAM!

     

    •   WAM! Bangalore: October 27, 2024

    •   WAM! Chennai: November 10, 2024

    •   WAM! Kohima: November 22, 2024

    •   WAM! Kolkata: November 24, 2024

    •   WAM! Bhubaneswar: November 26, 2024

    •   WAM! Varanasi: November 28, 2024

    •   WAM! Delhi: November 30, 2024

    •   WAM! Mumbai: December 15, 2024

    •   WAM! Ahmedabad: December 17, 2024

    •   WAM! Nagpur: December 19, 2024

    •   WAM! Hyderabad: December 21, 2024

    Registration is open on WAM! website www.meai.in/wam and participation is free of charge for all categories.

    The WAM! Finale will take place as part of the WAVES summit from February 5 to 9, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Anime Japan and similar international events, supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

     

    Webtoons, Anime & Manga

    Talking about the immense potential of Webtoons, Anime & Manga in India and the world, the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Sanjay Jaju said “With its rich storytelling, creative styles and vibrant artistry, WAM! has the capability of elevating Indian talent on a global stage, inspiring a new generation to dream boldly and connect deeply with the global tapestry of creativity. The potential also lies in catering to the high demand among Indian consumers for such creatively weaved stories, enriching our creative landscape”. Talking about the WAM! contest verticals across 10 States, Shri Jaju said “This will cultivate healthy competition among students and professionals, encouraging innovation and skill development. By providing platforms for showcasing their talent, we can inspire excellence and effectively identify emerging talent within the industry.”

    Secretary of Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), Shri Ankur Bhasin added, “The launch of WAM! marks a significant step in bringing the vibrant culture of anime and manga to the forefront in India. By providing a platform for talented creators to showcase their work and reach global audiences, we are not only fostering creativity but also strengthening the ‘Create in India’ vision. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent and building a thriving ecosystem for the AVGC-XR and media sectors in the country.”

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Big boost to Anime & Manga culture and Creator Economy in India

    Source: Government of India

    Big boost to Anime & Manga culture and Creator Economy in India

    Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Media & Entertainment Association of India launch WAVES Anime & Manga Contest

    Contests to cultivate healthy competition among students & professionals and elevate Indian talent on a global stage: Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Shri Sanjay Jaju

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

    In a landmark initiative to promote anime and manga culture in India, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), has officially launched the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest (WAM!). This innovative contest is part of the “Create in India Challenge”, aiming to nurture local talent and tap into the growing interest in Japanese manga and anime among Indian audiences.

    Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology, unveiled the Create in India Challenge—Season One at New Delhi on 22nd August, 2024. This challenge serves as a precursor to the upcoming WAVES summit, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World,” articulated during the 78th Independence Day address.

    About WAM!

    WAM! offers a unique opportunity for Indian creators to produce localized versions of popular Japanese art styles, catering to both domestic and international audiences. By providing substantial marketing support and opportunities for global recognition, the contest aims to establish a strong platform for creative expression in manga and anime.

     

    WAM! features three categories, each offering a unique platform for creative expression:

    1. Participation Verticals
      1. Manga (Japanese style comics)- Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
      2. Webtoon (Vertical comics for digital mediums) – Individual Participation for Student and Professional Category
      3. Anime (Japanese style animation) – Team (of upto 4 people) Participation for Student and ProfessionalCategory
    2. Format & Delivery – script provided on the spot. Participants to generate:
      1. Manga (Student, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each, inkand color (physical / digital)
      2. Manga (Professional, Individual) – 2 pages manga with at least 4 panels each,ink and color (physical / digital)
      3. Webtoon (Student, Individual): 7 panels with ink and color
      4. Webtoon (Professional, Individual): 10 panels with ink and color.
      5. Anime (Student, Teams) – 10 seconds of anime as per the provided script
      6. Anime (Professional, Teams) – 15 seconds of anime as per the provided script

     

    Competition Structure and Schedule

    Participants can compete individually or in teams (of upto 4 people), with separate categories for students and professionals. The event is structured in two levels: state-level competitions across eleven cities and a national-level finale.

    Each state-level event begins with registration at 9:00 a.m., followed by a welcome and briefing session at 9:30 a.m. The competition runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring a bustling expo and job fair that connects participants with industry opportunities. The day concludes with a wrap-up and celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with activities such as cosplay competitions, musical performances, voice acting sessions and exciting giveaways.

     

    Key Dates and Locations for WAM!

     

    •   WAM! Bangalore: October 27, 2024

    •   WAM! Chennai: November 10, 2024

    •   WAM! Kohima: November 22, 2024

    •   WAM! Kolkata: November 24, 2024

    •   WAM! Bhubaneswar: November 26, 2024

    •   WAM! Varanasi: November 28, 2024

    •   WAM! Delhi: November 30, 2024

    •   WAM! Mumbai: December 15, 2024

    •   WAM! Ahmedabad: December 17, 2024

    •   WAM! Nagpur: December 19, 2024

    •   WAM! Hyderabad: December 21, 2024

    Registration is open on WAM! website www.meai.in/wam and participation is free of charge for all categories.

    The WAM! Finale will take place as part of the WAVES summit from February 5 to 9, 2025, at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Anime Japan and similar international events, supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

     

    Webtoons, Anime & Manga

    Talking about the immense potential of Webtoons, Anime & Manga in India and the world, the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Sanjay Jaju said “With its rich storytelling, creative styles and vibrant artistry, WAM! has the capability of elevating Indian talent on a global stage, inspiring a new generation to dream boldly and connect deeply with the global tapestry of creativity. The potential also lies in catering to the high demand among Indian consumers for such creatively weaved stories, enriching our creative landscape”. Talking about the WAM! contest verticals across 10 States, Shri Jaju said “This will cultivate healthy competition among students and professionals, encouraging innovation and skill development. By providing platforms for showcasing their talent, we can inspire excellence and effectively identify emerging talent within the industry.”

    Secretary of Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), Shri Ankur Bhasin added, “The launch of WAM! marks a significant step in bringing the vibrant culture of anime and manga to the forefront in India. By providing a platform for talented creators to showcase their work and reach global audiences, we are not only fostering creativity but also strengthening the ‘Create in India’ vision. This initiative reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent and building a thriving ecosystem for the AVGC-XR and media sectors in the country.”

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India AI Fellowship For B.Tech, M.Tech & PhD scholars

    Source: Government of India

    India AI Fellowship For B.Tech, M.Tech & PhD scholars

    Students and scholars to submit their nominations as per the prescribed guidelines by 30th September 2024

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

    IndiaAI- Independent Business Division (IBD) is inviting nominations of B.Tech & M.Tech students for IndiaAI fellowship. Subsequently, IndiaAI is also inviting Top 50 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked research institutes to share their approval to participate in IndiaAI Fellowship for new PhD intakes researching in Artificial Intelligence.

    Nominations for B.Tech & M.Tech students

    Nominations for IndiaAI Fellowship are invited by IndiaAI from all B.Tech & M.Tech who are undertaking projects in AI. This fellowship support will supplement any existing fellowships and will cover the duration of the project one year for B.Tech. students, and two years for M.Tech. students.

    Students may submit their nominations on – https://indiaai.gov.in/article/proforma-for-submission-of-nominations-for-indiaai-fellowship-under-the-indiaai-mission  as per the prescribed guidelines by 30th September 2024.

    Fellowship opportunities for AI researchers in top institutes

    IndiaAI is offering fellowships to full time PhD scholars researching in the areas of Artificial Intelligence in the top 50 NIRF ranked Research Institutes. IndiaAI – IBD is inviting top 50 ranked research institutes to share their approval to participate in IndiaAI Fellowship and intake new PhD scholars in Artificial Intelligence. These scholars should not receive any scholarship / salary from any other organization at the time of enrolment into IndiaAI PhD Fellowship.

    Top 50 NIRF ranked Research Institutes are requested to submit their approval on the official letterhead signed and stamped by institute’s head agreeing to intake new PhD scholars as per the IndiaAI PhD fellowship guidelines to Smt. Kavita Bhatia, Sci ‘G’ & GC (AI & ET) on kbhatia@meity.gov.in by 30th September, 2024.

    Selection criteria for IndiaAI fellowship

    The actual selection of suitable candidates for the award of the IndiaAI Fellowship will be done by IndiaAI based on eligibility, relevance of the research proposal, profile of the student and availability of fellowships at the national level.

    About IndiaAI

    IndiaAI, an IBD under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), is the implementation agency of the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to democratize AI’s benefits across all strata of society, bolster India’s global leadership in AI, foster technological self-reliance, and ensure ethical and responsible use of AI.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India AI Fellowship For B.Tech, M.Tech & PhD scholars

    Source: Government of India

    India AI Fellowship For B.Tech, M.Tech & PhD scholars

    Students and scholars to submit their nominations as per the prescribed guidelines by 30th September 2024

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

    IndiaAI- Independent Business Division (IBD) is inviting nominations of B.Tech & M.Tech students for IndiaAI fellowship. Subsequently, IndiaAI is also inviting Top 50 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked research institutes to share their approval to participate in IndiaAI Fellowship for new PhD intakes researching in Artificial Intelligence.

    Nominations for B.Tech & M.Tech students

    Nominations for IndiaAI Fellowship are invited by IndiaAI from all B.Tech & M.Tech who are undertaking projects in AI. This fellowship support will supplement any existing fellowships and will cover the duration of the project one year for B.Tech. students, and two years for M.Tech. students.

    Students may submit their nominations on – https://indiaai.gov.in/article/proforma-for-submission-of-nominations-for-indiaai-fellowship-under-the-indiaai-mission  as per the prescribed guidelines by 30th September 2024.

    Fellowship opportunities for AI researchers in top institutes

    IndiaAI is offering fellowships to full time PhD scholars researching in the areas of Artificial Intelligence in the top 50 NIRF ranked Research Institutes. IndiaAI – IBD is inviting top 50 ranked research institutes to share their approval to participate in IndiaAI Fellowship and intake new PhD scholars in Artificial Intelligence. These scholars should not receive any scholarship / salary from any other organization at the time of enrolment into IndiaAI PhD Fellowship.

    Top 50 NIRF ranked Research Institutes are requested to submit their approval on the official letterhead signed and stamped by institute’s head agreeing to intake new PhD scholars as per the IndiaAI PhD fellowship guidelines to Smt. Kavita Bhatia, Sci ‘G’ & GC (AI & ET) on kbhatia@meity.gov.in by 30th September, 2024.

    Selection criteria for IndiaAI fellowship

    The actual selection of suitable candidates for the award of the IndiaAI Fellowship will be done by IndiaAI based on eligibility, relevance of the research proposal, profile of the student and availability of fellowships at the national level.

    About IndiaAI

    IndiaAI, an IBD under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), is the implementation agency of the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to democratize AI’s benefits across all strata of society, bolster India’s global leadership in AI, foster technological self-reliance, and ensure ethical and responsible use of AI.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EC reviews poll preparedness for forthcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand

    Source: Government of India

    EC reviews poll preparedness for forthcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand

    Ensure strict implementation of law and ECI guidelines without any bias; EC cautions state & district administration against partisan conduct

    Zero-tolerance against inducements; Stringent directives to enforcement agencies to curb money power

    EC directs to expedite Assured Minimum Facilities at all polling stations

    Engage voters with SVEEP activities involving local culture, sports & influencers

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:21PM by PIB Delhi

    CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. S. S. Sandhu held a detailed & comprehensive review of the poll preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly Elections in Jharkhand at Ranchi. The term of State Assembly in Jharkhand is due to expire on 5th January, 2025 and elections are scheduled for 81 ACs (44 General; 09 SC; 28 ST) in the State.

    During the two-day review visit of the Commission on September 23-24, representatives of national and state political parties namely Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, National People’s Party, AJSU Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Rashtriya Janta Dal came to meet the Commission. All political parties conveyed their appreciation for successful & peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

    The main issues raised by political parties included:

    1. Most parties unanimously requested consideration of various festivities like Diwali, Chhath, Durga Pooja and state foundation day in the month of October and November, before deciding on the election schedule for enhanced participation in election process. It was informed that many voters in the state will be travelling during Chatth pooja.
    2. Many parties also requested for a single-phase election.
    3. Parties requested for an error free electoral rolls and to ensure a free and fair elections with non-partisan action by local civil and police administration for a level playing field.
    4. A proper mix of CAPF and State police for appropriate deployment at sensitive and rural booths, monitored by an IG Level Officer.
    5. 100 % Webcasting in all polling stations.
    6. Regarding polling stations, one of the parties requested availability of ramps and sufficient lights in all polling stations, along with priority in voting for elderly, PwDs and pregnant women.
    7. All polling stations to be set up in proximity of residential areas for convenience of voters. Pick and drop facility may be provided for polling stations set-up farther from residential areas. Accessibility Observer may be deployed for ensuring facilities at polling stations.
    8. One of the parties raised a concern that in some cases, members of same family residing together were allotted different polling stations and some polling stations have more than 1500 electors.
    9. To avoid any undue harassment by authorities, few parties raised need for clear guidelines and demarcation of area for setting up of polling desks near polling station by parties on poll day.
    10. One of the parties also raised concern regarding deletion of name of voters in certain constituencies in previous elections, after final publication of the electoral roll.
    11. One of the parties requested enquiry of a sudden increase of voters in certain Assembly Constituencies.
    12. Some parties raised concerns on Hate Speech during campaigning. One of the parties requested ban on raising sub-judice matters like illegal immigrants in the state during campaigning.
    13. Strict vigil and action on use of illicit cash, liquor and freebies to sway voters. A grievance that administration is slow to cooperate/proceed with complaints of opposition parties/candidates and there is a need for swift action on any such complaints.
    14. Monitoring of campaigning by candidates 24×7 for any violations and prohibiting campaigning through IVRS calls on poll day
    15. More awareness on ECI directions regarding display of party flags by voters voluntarily in their home after election announcement to avoid misuse of Public Defacement Act by authorities.
    16. Details of EVM to be used at polling stations to be given to parties/candidates. Reserve EVMs to be made available at all polling stations for smooth voting process
    17. Voter Information Slip to be distributed in advance for awareness
    18. Videography of counting of postal ballots
    19. Other demands included the timely sharing of voter lists with candidates; curb diversion of funds received by certain NGOs for development work towards election related campaigning and reduction in nomination fee for the contesting candidates.  

     

    The Commission assured the representatives that it has taken cognizance of suggestions and concerns of the political parties and ECI is committed to conduct free, fair, participative, inclusive, peaceful and inducement free elections in the state. The Commission after reviewing these issues, decided and conveyed the following to state and district administration:

    1. Beyond the Commission’s mandate of webcasting in 50% polling stations, webcasting will be done in all polling stations, wherever feasible technically.
    2. Assured minimum facilities including ramps, sufficient lighting, wheelchairs, and volunteers for elderly and PwD voters will be provided at all polling stations.
    3. Priority voting for elderly, PwDs and Pregnant women would be ensured
    4. Polling stations will be on the ground floor and within 2 kms of the residence of the voters. Pick and drop facility would be provided for few polling stations beyond 2km range.
    5. All divisional commissioners are directed to assess and ensure compliance of AMFs at polling stations.
    6. None of the polling station will have more than 1500 electors.
    7. Clear demarcation of area i.e. 200mt from the periphery of the polling station premises, where Polling Parties can set up their desks on poll day would be ensured.
    8. There would be no undue harassment of persons under Public Defacement Act. DEOs and SPs directed that law should be implemented equally and without any bias.
    9.  As per ECI guidelines, EVM & VVPAT details will be shared with all contesting candidates after first and second randomization. FLC & First randomisation is done in presence of recognized parties. Second randomization of EVMs and VVPATs is conducted, before commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs, in the presence of contesting candidates to allocate polling station wise and reserve machines.
    10. Video recording of counting of postal ballots would be ensured as per ECI guidelines.
    11. District Administration would ensure vigil and prohibition on campaigning/advertisement using bulk SMS and IVRS calls during silence period.
    12. Voter information slips will be distributed timely
    13.  DEOs were specifically told to be equally accessible to all political parties and to ensure prompt resolution of their complaints and grievances, apart from meeting them regularly through periodic meetings.

     

    During the review meeting with nearly 20 central and state Enforcement agencies like DRI, NCB, State & Central GST, RPF, RBI, State Police, Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate, etc., the Commission underscored its focus for an inducement-free elections. Without mincing words, the Commission conveyed its zero tolerance towards use of money power in the elections. However, CEC Rajiv Kumar also cautioned the officials to avoid any undue harassments to the public in the name of checking during elections. The following directions were given to enforcement agencies:

    1. All enforcement agencies to work in a coordinated manner to curb illicit liquor, cash, and drugs inflow in the state.
    2. Agencies to synchronise and update their route maps of flow of inducements with actual sensitivity on the ground.
    3. SPNO to ensure Joint teams of police, transport, State GST, Excise and forest for coordinated and synergistic action.
    4. Police and excise department to focus on action against liquor and drug kingpins and establish backward linkages for wider deterrence.
    5. Review inter-state border and Naka arrangements, particularly those which lie on illicit liquor and drugs inflow. Special focus on border with West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar.
    6. 24×7 CCTV monitoring at critical check posts on interstate borders and feeds to be followed up earnestly. 
    7. Focus on movement of synthetic drugs apart from rigorous monitoring of Ganja and poppy cultivation and destruction. Special watch of destruction of illegal poppy cultivation in districts of Palamu, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Latehar, Gumla and Khunti.
    8. National Highways particularly connecting Jharkhand with Odisha and West Bengal to be kept under close watch.
    9. Apart from road routes, rail and forest routes to be kept under close watch.
    10. Enforcement Agencies to mutually share intelligence and work in a coordinated manner.
    11. State Level Bankers Committee to ensure cash transfers only in designated vehicles during designated hours.
    12. Strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers through wallets.
    13. Special vigil on cargo movement through airstrips and helipads.

    During its two-day review, the Commission also held meeting with the Chief Secretary & Director General of Police to review the overall poll preparedness and law and order matters. Commission directed CS that AMF should be ensured in all polling stations. DGP was directed to ensure regular co-ordination meetings with counterparts in border states. Jharkhand shares a long border with 5 states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. CEC Rajiv Kumar highlighted that implementation of law and ECI guidelines should be in letter and spirit without any bias.

    On the second day, detailed review with DEOs/SPs/Divisional Commissioner’s/IGs was held on every aspect of election planning and conduct. The Commission specifically reviewed all the issues and concerns raised by the political parties during their meeting. CEC Rajiv Kumar emphasized that all DEOs/SPs to ensure free and fair elections, maintaining highest standards of impartial conduct for a level playing field. He emphasised that district administration needs to create a festive and comfortable voting experience for voters.

    DEOs to engage voters through innovative voter awareness and outreach activities for enhanced voter turnout. He emphasised that DEOs should organize SVEEP activities using local culture and sports like archery and hockey. Paintings competitions can be organized with local tribal folk themes. Local influencers/icons to be roped in for awareness activities. DEOs were told to intensify outreach activities in urban areas like Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, etc to address urban apathy noticed in previous elections. All DEOs and SPs were instructed to monitor social media for fake news and to respond swiftly with appropriate legal action, if required.

    The Chief Electoral Officer and State Police Nodal Officer gave a detailed overview of the poll preparations, including the Special Summary revision of Electoral Rolls in the state with respect to July 1, 2024 as the qualifying date. The final electoral roll was published on August 27, 2024, a copy of which was provided to all recognized parties free of cost. The details are summarised in Annexure A. The Commission reviewed in detail the law and order and requirement of forces with CEO & SPNO in for smooth and peaceful conduct of election.

    Senior officials from the Commission were also present during the review meetings.

    Annexure- A

    Electors

    CEO Jharkhand informed 2nd SSR in the state with respect to July 1, 2024 as the qualifying date has been completed and electoral roll was published on August 27, 2024 and copies of the same were provided to political parties. With continuous updation of the electoral roll and as on 20.09.2024, a total of 2.59 crore electors are registered in the state with approx. 1.31 crore male, 1.28 crore female electors. Over 11.05 lakh first time voters (18-19 years); 1.14 lakh 85+ senior citizens and 3.64 lakh PwD voters are registered in the state. More than 1845 voters are 100+ years old.  There is 100% enrolment (1.78 lakhs) of the 8 PVTGs in the electoral roll. With focus on inclusive and participative elections, all DEOs were directed to enhance participation of PVTGs and tribal groups in the elections. The state Electoral gender ratio is 978.

    Polling Stations

    While giving an overview of the polling stations during the review, CEO Jharkhand informed that a total of 29,562 polling stations will be set up on 20,276 locations in assembly elections. While 24,520 of these will be in rural areas, 5,042 will be urban polling stations with an average of 872 voters per polling station.

    1271 PS will be managed solely by women and 139 will be youth managed (young employees) to promote voting amongst the key demographics of women and youth. 48 Polling stations will be manned by persons with disabilities.

    Assured Minimum Facilities at Polling Stations

    All DEOs assured that polling stations across the state will have Assured Minimum Facilities like ramps, drinking water, toilets, electricity, shed, chairs etc. for convenience of voters.

     

    Technology

    DEOs informed that they will use an ecosystem of IT Applications to facilitate all stakeholders including voters and political parties.

    cVIGIL: This app empowers citizens to report any electoral violations and malpractices. Flying squads are deployed to address the complaints raised through an easy to use, intuitive app which preserves the anonymity of the complainant and assures a response within 100 minutes.

    SUVIDHA: It is a single window app for candidates to raise requests for permissions for meeting halls, booking grounds for political rallies etc. The technology is a step towards ensuring a level playing field as permissions are accorded on a first in first out basis, without any discretion.

    KYC or Know Your Candidate App is a step to promote an informed and aware electorate. The app contains the criminal antecedents, if any, of the candidates in the electoral fray and their assets and liabilities, educational details. 

    Saksham App is specially designed for PwD voters with various accessibility features built-in. One can request for Pick-n-Drop facility, wheelchair assistance, or volunteer assistance at the polling booth through this app to make the voting experience smooth for PwD voters.

    Inclusive & Accessible Elections:

    For the first time in State Assembly Elections in Jharkhand, Senior Citizens over 85+ years and PwDs with 40% benchmark disability will be provided an option to vote from the comfort of their homes. Home Voting facility is optional. If an elector is willing to visit the polling station physically to cast their vote, necessary assistance will be provided at the polling station. Application form 12D is distributed and collected by BLO within 5 days of the notification, from such electors who opt for this facility and deposit it with the Returning Officer. The complete process is videographed and representatives of political parties/candidates are always involved in the entire process of voting from home.

    ******

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan starts a series of dialogues with farmers and farmers’ organizations in Delhi today

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan starts a series of dialogues with farmers and farmers’ organizations in Delhi today

    As discussions starts with different farmer organizations, I meets today around 50 farmer leaders: Shri Shivraj Singh

    We have received many suggestions from farmers, we will try our best to solve these suggestions by working out: Shri Chouhan

    A lot of research has been done on stubble management, there is no need to burn stubble after cutting the stubble, it becomes wealth instead of waste: Union Minister

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:22PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan started a series of dialogues with farmers and farmers’ organizations in Delhi today. Chouhan stated, as I have said before, agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy and farmers are its soul and serving farmers is like worshiping God for us. He said that last time when I was discussing the achievements of 100 days, I decided that I will start a series of meetings with farmers or farmer organizations every Tuesday because many times we do not understand the problems while sitting in the office. It is our duty to directly communicate with those who have problems, discuss them and if any issue comes up, solve it. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) were also present during the dialogue.

    Union Minister Shri Chouhan said that continuous work is being done under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the overall development of the agriculture sector. Many schemes related to agriculture have been implemented in the last 10 years and this sequence is continuing. So far, 7 major schemes have been approved in the first 100 days of the third term of the Modi government. The central government will spend Rs 15 thousand crore on these schemes, which will benefit the farmers. Rs 2817 crore will be given for the Digital Agriculture Mission and agricultural reforms will continue through technology. Decisions are being taken in the interest of farmers and the country; efforts are being made to solve their problems by sitting together with the farmers.

    Shri Shivraj Singh said that today I have started talking to different farmer organizations. Today I met about 50 farmer leaders, we have received many suggestions from them, some of them are related to the price of crops and some are about the crop insurance scheme. Some suggestions are also about the problem of stray animals and the losses caused by them. He said that many suggestions have also come about which decisions should be taken when the new crop arrives.

    He has said that he will sit with the officials and work out all the suggestions seriously and after working out, he will try his best to do whatever is possible. We will leave no stone unturned for the welfare of the farmers and their upliftment. He further said that discussions have been held with the farmers’ organizations in a cordial atmosphere and the farmers have praised many decisions of the Modi government.

    The Union Minister said that we will sit with the team of officials and work out all the suggestions and after working out we will try our best to do whatever is possible. He said that discussions have been held with the farmers’ organizations in a cordial atmosphere and the farmers have praised many decisions of the Modi government.

    He said that the import duty on palm oil has been increased to 27.5%, minimum export price has been removed from Basmati, export duty on onion has been reduced from 40% to 20%, the government will buy all tur, urad and masoor etc. Many recent decisions were appreciated by farmers.

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the dialogue we have started with the farmers has won everyone’s heart and this dialogue will continue. We will talk to our own farmers and will also try to solve their problems honestly.

    Regarding stubble management, he further said that a lot of research has been done, machines have also been made, stubble will not have to be burnt after cutting the stubble, it becomes wealth instead of waste. We will make better use of it and we will try to convince the farmers by creating awareness.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ayush SHS Campaign in full swing with 500 plus activities nationwide

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 4:59PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Ayush, together with its councils and institutes nationwide, initiated the 502 activities nationwide under ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. The 15 day campaign was started on September 17, 2024 which will continue until October 1, 2024. The campaign has been designed on the basis of three key pillar ‘Swachhhata Mein Jan Bhagidari, – The first pillar, ‘Swachhhata Mein Jan Bhagidari,’ ‘Sampoorna Swachhata,’ ‘Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir’. Under ‘Swachhhata Mein Jan Bhagidari, ministry has created total 227 activities till date, emphasizing public participation, increasing awareness and making cleanliness a shared responsibility. Under the second domain, ‘Sampoorna Swachhata,’ has successfully created 90 activities aimed at addressing cleanliness issues in neglected areas. With the third pillar, ‘Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir,’ 185 activities are under execution. These activities have been focused on improving the working and health conditions of sanitation workers.

    The Minister of State Ayush (Independent Charge) Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated “Cleanliness is not just a duty, but a devotion to our nation. Every citizen has the power to build a healthier and stronger India by embracing cleanliness in every action. With Swachhata Hi Seva campaign let us unite to make India cleaner, greener, and healthier for future generations.”

    The Ministry of Ayush is successfully running with the campaign supported and initiated by of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, aiming to enhance cleanliness and sanitation across the country. The theme of the campaign, ‘Swabhav Swachchata, Sanskar Swachchata,’ focuses on fostering behavioral and cultural shifts, both.

    The campaign is built around three key pillars, each designed to promote greater public involvement and drive meaningful impact through collective action. The first pillar, ‘Swachhhata Mein Jan Bhagidari,’ emphasizes public participation and raising awareness, making cleanliness a shared responsibility. The Ministry has created 227 activities under this pillar to fulfill its objectives. Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, its success has been driven by collective responsibility, with every citizen playing a crucial role.

    The second pillar, ‘Sampoorna Swachhata,’ focuses on cleanliness drives under the Sampoorna Swachhata initiative. This aims to transform neglected or challenging locations, often referred to as black spots, into clean and healthy spaces. These areas are typically difficult to manage during regular cleanliness efforts, posing significant health and environmental risks. The campaign has successfully completed 90 activities to address these issues.

    The campaign encourages local bodies, especially in villages, to identify and tackle these black spots through Mega Cleanliness Drives, mobilizing both citizens and partner organizations.

    The third pillar, ‘Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir,’ prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of sanitation workers, commonly known as Safai Mitras. To support their efforts, 185 activities are completed to improve their working conditions. Under the initiative for Preventive Health Checkups, health camps will be organized to ensure that Safai Mitras and their families have access to necessary healthcare services.

    The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign is currently in progress and will run until October 1, 2024. The Ministry of Ayush invites all citizens to actively participate in this vital initiative, fostering a culture of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the nation.

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    SK

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DECLARATION OF RESERVE LIST FOR COMBINED GEO-SCIENTIST EXAMINATION, 2023

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

    The Result of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2023 was declared vide Press Note dated 12.01.2024  recommending 258 candidates in the order of merit for appointment.

    2.  The Commission, in accordance with Rule 16 (iv) & (v) of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2023, had also maintained a Consolidated Reserve List in order of merit below the last recommended candidate.

    3. Now as per the requisition placed by the Ministry of Mines, the Commission hereby recommends 06 candidates which comprises 5 candidates ( EWS- 02, OBC-03) of Geophysicist, Group ‘A’ / Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysicist), Group ‘A’ and 01 candidate (OBC-01) of Chemist, Group ‘A’/ Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical), Group ‘A’ for the Combined Geoscientist Examination, 2023 from the candidates of Reserve List. A list of these candidates is enclosed. The Ministry of Mines will communicate directly with these recommended candidates.

    Click here to download Result in English.

    Click here to download Result

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India attends Ministerial Meeting of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

    Source: Government of India

    India attends Ministerial Meeting of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

    IPEF partners welcome upcoming entry into force of the Clean Economy Agreement, Fair Economy Agreement, and IPEF Overarching Agreement under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity

    IPEF partners commit to continued progress at virtual Ministerial Meeting

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 3:47PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal along with 13 other IPEF Ministers virtually attended the third Ministerial meeting focused on IPEF Pillar II, III, and IV.                

    In particular, Minister Goyal along with other IPEF Ministers welcomed the upcoming entry into force of the Clean Economy Agreement, Fair Economy Agreement, and the Overarching Agreement on IPEF on October 11, 2024, October 12, 2024, and October 11, 2024, respectively, and emphasized the significant opportunities to further deepen economic cooperation and deliver concrete benefits under the IPEF agreements through ongoing collaboration.

    Supply Chain Resilience

    In the virtual meeting, IPEF Ministers reviewed and appreciated the substantive progress made to operationalize the Supply Chain Agreement, deepening cooperation to build more competitive and resilient supply chains, better prepare for, prevent, and respond to supply chain disruptions when they happen, and ensure that regional supply chains raise up workers and respect labor rights.  They outlined concrete next steps for the upcoming months, building on the progress made by the Supply Chain Agreement’s three bodies: the Supply Chain Council, Crisis Response Network, and Labor Rights Advisory Board.  IPEF partners also highlighted the meaningful collaboration taking place under the Supply Chain Agreement which includes:

    The IPEF Ministers noted that the three supply chain bodies – the Supply Chain Council (Council), the Crisis Response Network (Network), and the Labor Rights Advisory Board (LRAB) – met virtually in July to elect leadership in which India was elected as Vice Chair of the Council with US as Chair; Korea as Chair and Japan as Vice Chair of the Network; and the United States as Chair and Fiji as Vice Chair of the LRAB.

    Minister Goyal noted that the formation of Action Plan teams in the first in person meeting of supply chain council held in Washington last week, for three critical sectors – semiconductors, critical minerals with a focus on batteries, and chemicals which are highly relevant today given their supply/production concentration and the experience learned from disruptions faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    The world has witnessed exponential growth in demand for clean energy solutions to meet respective climate goals. The paradigm shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon future has brought to the forefront of the critical importance in securing a reliable supply of minerals which are critical for green transition.

    The use of specific minerals is indispensable for the sectors including clean energy, electronics, defence, transportation, telecommunications, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals. One of the key challenges in supply chains is risk on account of concentration of global capacities or resources, which can add to price volatility and supply uncertainty. The work under the Action Plan team needs to address this global concentration of supply chains in any form.

    The growing population puts immense pressure on limited agricultural land for higher yields and in this context, the importance of resilient supply chains for Agro-chemicals has become extremely important. According to an estimate, the Global Agrochemicals Market (fertilizers, pesticides, adjuvants, and plant regulators) is projected to reach USD 282.2 billion by 2028 from USD 235.2 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 3.7%.

    Minister Goyal emphasized that healthcare including pharmaceuticals and medical devices is an extremely relevant area due to over concentration of global production of APIs and Key Starting Materials (KSMs) which can severely impair supply chain resilience and impact our capacity to address the healthcare needs of our economies. Besides, the multimodal transport systems including multimodal transport corridors, upgrades of logistics infrastructure, enhanced technological interoperability and data flows among freight and logistics enterprises, are some of the key areas which need to be focused upon.  

    Minister Goyal noted that IPEF’s focus on Logistics and Movement of Good aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Gati Shakti initiative, which aims to improve logistics and transportation infrastructure across India through evidence based integrated planning. Further, data and analytics on one hand will help identify new opportunities for collaboration for better resilience amongst IPEF supply chains and on other will help identify structural and systemic risks, enhancing the Council’s ability to address current challenges. He emphasized the workforce development which is a key cross cutting component of building resilient supply chains across the IPEF region should include efforts to identify skill gaps, support reskilling and upskilling, and ensure skill qualification comparability across the region to facilitate workforce mobility.

     

     

    Crisis Response Network

    IPEF Ministers emphasized the importance of collaboration under the Crisis Response Network to help partners timely understand risks in their supply chains. They also reflected on the emergency simulation exercise conducted during the Crisis Response Network (CRN) in person meeting to assist partners in creating tailored systems for real-time monitoring and crisis preparedness.

    Clean Economy

    Agreement on Clean Economy intends to accelerate efforts of IPEF partners towards energy security and transition, climate resilience and adaptation, GHG emissions mitigation; find/develop innovative ways of reducing dependence on fossil fuel energy; promote technical cooperation, workforce development, capacity building, and research collaborations; and collaborate to facilitate development, access, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies.  The IPEF partners welcomed the progress made on the eight Cooperative Work Programs (CWPs), which serve as one of the primary mechanisms under the Clean Economy Agreement for facilitating cooperation among participating IPEF partners on priority topics. Each CWP, as developed by the proposing IPEF partner or partners, in consultation with the other IPEF partners, has different objectives and workstreams to carry forward the collaborative work.  During the virtual Ministerial, the IPEF partners commended the progress made on the Clean Economy Agreement since the successful Ministerial and inaugural Clean Economy Investor Forum in June.

    The IPEF partners welcomed the continued efforts to build and sustain longer-term cooperation among various groupings of interested partners on a range of climate solutions through the CWP mechanism, in furtherance of the overarching goals of the IPEF Clean Economy Agreement, especially w.r.t hydrogen, carbon markets, and small modular reactors (SMRs) and e-waste urban mining proposed by India.

    IPEF Ministers expressed great satisfaction over the very successful first IPEF investor Forum held in Singapore which provided a common platform to the investors and the project proponents together and facilitated them to gainfully engage on a wide array of investment opportunities including innovative ideas in the space of climate friendly technologies.

    Fair Economy

              By strengthening anti-corruption efforts and enhancing the efficiency of tax administration, the IPEF partners are demonstrating their commitment to increased transparency and predictability, and thereby will be better positioned to expand their trade, investment ties and ensure the benefits of trade are broadly shared throughout their economies.

    The IPEF partners welcomed the next steps to implement the Agreement, including operationalizing the Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Coordination Group that will coordinate technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) under the Agreement’s Capacity Building Framework. Some of the TACB initiatives highlighted include:-

    • The US Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)’s  two-year program will offer IPEF partners TACB to help with implementation of the anti-corruption provisions of the Agreement, primarily focused on enforcement training centered on foreign bribery, corporate liability, and compliance.
    • In August 2024, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA)’s virtual workshop served as a forum for the IPEF partners to discuss the importance of effective tax administration to support economic and development objectives.
    • In October 2024, the US State Department, with the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will hold an IPEF workshop focused on the implementation and enforcement of foreign bribery laws and another IPEF workshop on preventing corruption in public procurement, including tools to improve the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms, appeal systems, and potential remedies and legal options.

    Minister Goyal underscored that peer learning, knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives under the Fair Economy agreement will remain key to achieving its objectives. India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has established a robust anti-corruption regime and has already implemented several legislative, administrative, and regulatory measures to address both corruption and promote tax transparency. 

    Minister Goyal emphasized that the full potential of IPEF can only be realised if each partner country brings their respective strengths to the table whether it is technological advancements or investment capacity or market potential or requisite resources including skilled workforce, to address various challenges of supply chain resilience or green transition.

    The IPEF partners agreed that the Ministers will continue to monitor the progress made to further operationalize the Supply Chain Agreement, the Clean Economy Agreement, the Fair Economy Agreement, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement, and look forward to the first meetings of the ministerial-level IPEF Council and IPEF Joint Commission established under the IPEF Overarching  Agreement .

    About IPEF

    IPEF was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan, comprising 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA. The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.

    The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). Agreement on Supply Chain Resilience (Pillars II) was signed in November 2023 and is in force since February 2024. Agreement on Clean Economy (Pillar-III), Agreement on Fair Economy (Pillar- IV) and the IPEF Overarching Agreement were signed by India early this week in Delaware, USA in the presence of the Prime Minister during his 3-day visit to the US.  India has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.

    These agreements were negotiated in consultation with line Ministries/Departments including the Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant stakeholders.

     ***

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arts – Dr Jacqueline Leckie is awarded the NZSA Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship for 2024!

    Source: The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc.

    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) congratulates Dr Jacqueline Leckie on winning the NZSA Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship 2024 to work on her novel with the working title Meg Campbell (1937–2007): Aroha and Resistance.
    This annual award is made possible by the generosity of the Beatson’s. In establishing this fellowship, they have given NZ authors a valuable opportunity to be economically secure while they bring a project to completion.  It’s a commitment and affirmation for New Zealand Aotearoa writers. The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) offers its sincere thanks to the Beatson’s.

    The judging panel of Paddy Richardson and Laurence Fearnley said: ” the judges feel that the winning project by Dr Jacqueline Leckie is one of national significance as it is the first biography of poet Meg Campbell, and will add to the history of NZ women’s literature in an original and engaging manner.
     
    The Judges felt each of the projects of the shortlisted writers listed below were of high literary merit and would be of national significance when completed. They said all of this year’s thirty applications were of a very high standard with exciting and promising projects, proposing a wide variety of subjects relating to topics such as social history, place and belonging and concern with the environment. Genres ranged across novels, short story and poetry collections, non-fiction, memoirs and biography.”

    Dr Jacqueline Leckie is honoured to be the recipient of the 2024 Peter and Dianne Beatson Fellowship. This will enable her to research and write the first book length biography of one of Aotearoa’s most original and memorable poets, Meg Campbell (1937–2007), provisionally titled ‘Meg Campbell (1937–2007): Aroha and Resistance.’ Meg’s story has remained within the shadows of her renowned creative husband, Alistair Te Ariki Campbell.

    Jacqui Leckie is a non-fiction writer and researcher based in Ōtepoti. She is an adjunct research fellow with the Stout Centre for New Zealand Studies at Victoria University of Wellington (and a former J. D. Stout Research Fellow there), and a conjoint associate professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Jacqui lectured for several decades in anthropology and history at Otago University, the University of the South Pacific and Kenyatta University. She is a co-editor of the Journal of Pacific History.
     
    Jacqui has published extensively, especially on the Pacific, the Indian diaspora and mental health history. Her most recent book is Old Black Cloud. A Cultural History of Mental Depression in Aotearoa. Other books include Invisible. New Zealand’s History of Excluding Kiwi-Indians; A University for the South Pacific; Colonizing Madness: Asylum and Community in Fiji; Indian Settlers. The Story of a New Zealand South Asian Community; and To Labour with the State.

    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)  congratulates winner Dr Jacqueline Leckie, along with the shortlisted writers:- Alison Ballance, Chris Bourke, Majella Cullinane, Lee Murray, Vivienne Plumb, and Kerrin Sharpe.

    In 2023 the fellowship was awarded to Laurence Fearnley to work on a novel based on the sense of sight – the fourth of a series of novels based around the five senses.  In previous years, recipients have included: Whiti Hereaka, Siobhan Harvey, Frankie McMillan, Sue Wooton, Paddy Richardson, Tina Makereti, Tim Jones, Emma Neale, Mandy Hager, Carl Nixon, Glenn Colquhoun, Sue McCauley and Marilyn Duckworth.

    The NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship is an annual award open to any NZSA member working on a new fiction, non-fiction, poetry or drama project. Find out more about the fellowship.

    Notes:
    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa. Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works across the literary sector to make Aotearoa New Zealand writers and books more visible, and runs professional development programmes for writers.
    authors.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/BANGLADESH – “Student power” must remain within the rule of law, hopes Bishop Subroto Gomes

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) – “The situation we are experiencing now, after the political and social crisis of last August, is delicate. There is still tension in society, there are protests especially by young people. The massive student demonstration caused the prime minister to leave and flee abroad. Now the new interim government, led by Mohamed Yunus, has a difficult task: to heal the political, social and economic wounds, restore trust and also maintain the rule of law, because there are also some worrying signs”: explains to Agenzia Fides Mgr. Subroto Boniface Gomes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. The Bishop notes some possible “dangers” existing in the expressions of “student power”. “For example – he says – in some Catholic schools in the diocese of Dhaka, students tried to force the dismissal of some teachers – regularly chosen and paid by the school administration – only because, in their opinion, they were not aligned and compliant with the new course, or because they had somehow dared to criticize the student protest. This has generated a crisis within our schools, which are attended by 95% Muslim or non-Christian students. Faced with the attempt to forcefully impose this or other measures, such as accepting girls wearing the burqa at school, the Archbishop, with a sensational choice, decided to close the schools. One was a girls’ school, another is run by the Brothers of the Holy Cross. At that point, the concerted intervention of the parents’ committee, religious leaders and school staff allowed for dialogue, a peaceful solution to the crisis and the reopening of the schools. We could not give in on our values and principles. But it is an example to say that the legitimate rights of students must not encroach on and undermine democracy, the rule of law, or the rights of others,” notes Msgr. Gomes. Another aspect to keep under control, then, “is the return or reorganization of radical Islamic groups and parties that could penalize communities of minority religions or promote an agenda of Islamization. We must be vigilant on this aspect, because the temptation of extremism is just around the corner. It is essential not to polarize society. We trust in the new Yunus government to keep the course straight in terms of respect for democratic principles, respect for the Constitution and fundamental freedoms for all citizens, regardless of religion,” says the Bishop. Last July, thousands of students took to the streets to protest against the Supreme Court’s decision to reintroduce a quota system for access to public employment that allocated 30% of jobs to the children and grandchildren of veterans of the 1971 war of independence. Shehik Hasina’s government responded to the demonstrations by deploying police and paramilitary forces who shot at the crowd. The protest thus turned into a movement against Hasina and her party, the Awami League, who led the country for 15 years, often delegitimizing or arresting political opponents and dissidents. The official toll of the repression is around a thousand dead and hundreds injured. On August 5, the prime minister fled abroad, taking refuge in India. The army intervened by dissolving Parliament and then appointed Muhammad Yunus, known as the “banker of the poor”, an 84-year-old economist, known for the “Grameen Bank”, specialized in the microcredit system, as head of an interim government, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. The executive is leading a delicate transition phase while waiting for new elections. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2024) Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: ASIA/CHINA – The memory of the Jesuit Martino Martini still opens up paths of encounter and proximity

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: The Holy See in Italian

    by Marta Zhao and Laura Gomez RuizHangzhou (Agenzia Fides) – China, the city of Hangzhou and the Chinese Catholic community have never forgotten Martino Martini. The great Jesuit missionary esteemed by the Emperors and welcomed to the Court of the Qing Dynasty, was born in Trento precisely 410 years ago, on 20 September 1614. Even today his story and his testimony arouse unexpected sympathy and ignite surprising closeness. In the program of celebrations promoted by the Italian Embassy in Beijing for the 700 years since the death of the traveler and merchant Marco Polo, the theme “In the footsteps of Marco Polo: Martino Martini” was the first addressed to introduce the series of important Italian personalities who, at different times and in different capacities, contributed to the spread of knowledge of China in the West. Even the President Xi Jinping has publicly expressed his esteem for Martino Martini. In an intervention published in Corriere della Sera on 20 March 2019, on the eve of his official visit to Italy, Xi Jinping cited the Jesuit as a pioneer of the group of Italian Sinologists who «have played a bridging role in relations between China and Europe, starting from the first grammar of the Chinese language written for the West by Martino Martini to “Italy and China” by Giuliano Bertuccioli and Federico Masini”. In Italy, the Study Center named after Martino Martini, based in Trento, promotes, among other things “On the Road to Cathay”, a biannual magazine on cultural relations between Europe and China. In the city of Hangzhou, a park bearing his name has been established around his Mausoleum. That site protected by the body that looks after the cultural heritage of Zhejiang Province has become like a sanctuary for Chinese Catholics. Currently undergoing restoration, the Mausoleum holds the mortal remains of 15 famous Jesuit missionaries who ended their earthly lives near the magnificent Xizi Lake. Among them also include Father Prospero Intorcetta (1626–1696), Father Nicolas Trigault (1577-1629), Father Lazaro Cattaneo (1560-1640) and Father Emmanuel Diaz (1574-1659). In 2018, an exhibition dedicated to the work map by Martino Martini was inaugurated in the headquarters of the China-Italy Center in Hangzhou to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the arrival of the great missionary in that city (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2018). The Catholic community of Hangzhou organized a Conference academic commemorating the 350 years of the construction of the Cathedral. Six well-known academics from Chinese universities and scholars linked to Catholic bodies such as the Faith Institute for Cultural Studies (FICS), the Guang Qi Press of the diocese of Shanghai collaborated in presenting studies on the life and mission of the Jesuit, in the presence of the Italian Consul in Shanghai. Martino Martini’s legacy was presented as “a strong impulse for today’s mission, so that it continues on its path by making its sense of missionary responsibility, his courage and his dedication its own”. (Agenzia Fides 22/01/2010). The affection and devotion that surround the figure of Martino Martini are proportional to the intensity with which he lived his time, donating his existence to the announcement of the Gospel in China. Martino Martini was born on 20 September 1614 in Trento. In 1631 he entered the Society of Jesus as a novice. After studying at the Roman College under the influence of his mentor, the German Jesuit Athanasius Kircher, he joined the Eastern Mission in 1640, traveling by ship from Lisbon in Portugal, via Goa in India (November 1640), up to Macao, China, where he arrived in August 1642. The following year he was sent to the Chinese continent. Thus he began his legendary journey of cultural exchange between China and Europe, a journey that he traveled twice. He wrote the first Chinese grammar in the West and related works, which contributed to cultural exchange and bridged the gap between China and Europe, profoundly influencing the birth and development of Sinology in Italy. The time of his stay in China, at era of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is a period of great social unrest. The Jesuits, after having established good relations with influential sectors of Chinese society and political hierarchy, are beginning to experience concerns about how the situation will evolve. The Chinese name you choose, Wei Kuangguo, includes all its good wishes: it indicates the drive to defend and support the country and the desire to have peace and prosperity in the world. In China, turbulence and conflicts also divide the Jesuits and Spanish and mendicant orders they even infiltrate within the Society of Jesus itself. The controversy over the Chinese translation of the name of God and the possibility that the new Christians continue to practice the cult of the dead according to the methods specific to Chinese culture does not abate, it reaches an intensity that Martini does not manages to contain, both inside and outside the Order. An event that will have a profound impact on the rest of his life. Travel and writing constitute the common thread of the second half of his life. During the first eight years of his stay in China (1643-1650), Martino Martini traveled between the two capitals as well as Hangzhou and Jinhua in Zhejiang. In the fourth year of Shunzhi’s reign (1647), with the help of Zhu Shi, a parishioner of Lanxi in Zhejiang, Martino Martini wrote the Qiu You Zhuan (Treatise on Friendship, Hangzhou, 1661), proceeding on the humanist register already adopted on the other, Jesuit Matteo Ricci in his work of the same name, the first written in Chinese by the Jesuit from Macerata. The southern part of Zhejiang, where Martino Martini is located, is a region in which Spanish monks also operate. He agrees with the indications of his brother Matteo Ricci and well recognizes the differences with the Spanish Cistercians on the question of the Chinese Rites. Furthermore, the Spanish Dominican Juan Bautista Morales (1597–1664) had already traveled to Rome to express his objections regarding the Jesuit position regarding the controversy. When the Jesuit mission in China decides to send their representative to Europe to explain the situation from their point of view, the choice falls on Martino Martini. In 1651 the Jesuit goes to Europe to defend the position of the Society of Jesus on the question of Chinese rites. Thanks also to his good offices, in 1656 the Holy See issued an edict in favor of the Jesuits. During his travels in Europe, Martino Martini published three works in Latin: De Bello Tartarico Historia, Novus Atlas Sinensis and Sinice Historia Decas Prima (of which had also announced the publication of the sequel). These works represented the most systematic, in-depth and effective reports on the Chinese reality circulating in Europe at that time. In 1657 Wei returned to China and continued his mission in Hangzhou, where he completed the construction of the Church of the Redeemer in 1661 and where he died on June 6 of the same year at the age of 47. After being well received by the Qing court and received by the Shunzhi Emperor himself in Beijing. (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2024)[embedded content]Share:

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Signs Agreement with Laporte County, Indiana, to Ensure Civic Access for People with Disabilities

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    The Justice Department today announced an agreement with LaPorte County, Ind., to improve access to all aspects of civic life for persons with disabilities. The agreement was reached under the department’s Project Civic Access initiative, which aims to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This agreement is the 169th under Project Civic Access and the eighth this year.

     “Civic access is a civil right, and individuals with disabilities must have the opportunity to participate in public programs, services and activities on an equal basis with their neighbors,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate LaPorte County’s commitment to ensuring that the civil rights promised in the Americans with Disabilities Act are granted to individuals with disabilities who live in or visit the county.”

    LaPorte County, founded in 1832, is located in northwestern Indiana, near the Chicago metropolitan area. More than 16 percent of the residents of LaPorte County have disabilities and will benefit from the agreement announced today.

     Under today’s agreement, the county will:

    • Make physical modifications to its buildings and parks so that parking, entrances, routes, toilet rooms, courtrooms, assembly areas, service counters and drinking fountains are accessible to persons with disabilities;
    • Post, publish and distribute a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of the ADA and their applicability to county programs, services, and activities;
    • Amend its employment policies, as necessary, to comply with the regulations of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission implementing the employment provisions of the ADA;
    • Provide auxiliary aids necessary to ensure effective communication with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons who are blind or have low vision;
    • Ensure that each 9-1-1 call station is equipped with a text telephone (TTY) or computer equivalent and that TTY calls are answered promptly and correctly;
    • Implement the La Porte County Sheriff Department’s Policy on Effective Communication with People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, which provides for the county to make available interpreters and other auxiliary aids necessary to ensure effective communication with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing;
    • Provide accessible polling places;
    • Implement emergency management policies and procedures to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities, including preparation, notification, sheltering and response;
    • Make modifications necessary to county sidewalks and curb ramps to provide accessible routes; and
    • Ensure that the county’s official Web site is accessible to persons with disabilities, including people who are blind or have low vision.

    The settlement agreement will remain in effect for three years from Oct. 28, 2009, or until all actions required by the agreement have been completed, whichever is later.

    Project Civic Access was initiated to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in civic life. As part of the project, department investigators, attorneys and architects conduct on-site surveys of state and local government programs and facilities in order to identify modifications needed for compliance with ADA requirements. The agreements contain a plan setting out the specific steps a community will take to improve access for persons with disabilities.

    People interested in finding out more about the ADA, today’s agreement with LaPorte County, Ind., or the department’s Project Civic Access initiative may find this information on the ADA Web site at http://www.ada.gov or may call the toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: 2024 HP Work Relationship Index Reveals AI Users Have Healthier Relationships with Work

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Highlights

    • Only 28% of knowledge workers from various industries around the world have a healthy relationship with work, a one-point increase compared to 2023
    • AI usage among knowledge workers surged to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year; and workers who use AI are 11-points happier with their relationship with work than their colleagues who don’t
    • At least two-thirds of knowledge workers desire personalized work experiences; and 87% would be willing to forgo a portion of their salary to get it
    • Only 44% of leaders have confidence in their human skills; female business leaders are significantly more confident than their male counterparts

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) released the second annual HP Work Relationship Index (WRI), a comprehensive study that explores the world’s relationship with work. The study, which surveyed 15,600 respondents across industries in 12 countries, reveals that work is still not really working. Only 28% of knowledge workers have a healthy relationship with work, a one-point increase compared to last year’s findings. However, new findings hone in on two potential solutions to improve relationships with work: AI and personalized work experiences.

    “We know employer and employee expectations have evolved and we believe smart technology is key to meeting the needs of today’s workforce,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “The future of work will be unlocked by using the power of AI to create solutions and experiences that drive business growth and enable individuals to achieve personal and professional fulfillment.”

    Personalized Work Experiences Can Lead to Healthier Relationships with Work

    In its second year, the study continued to analyze aspects of people’s relationships with work, including the role of work in their lives, their skills, abilities, tools, workspaces and their expectations of leadership. This year, WRI reveals a major universal need from knowledge workers: personalized work experiences.

    At least two-thirds of workers expressed a desire for personalized work experiences, including tailored workspaces, access to preferred technologies and flexible working environments. These experiences are crucial for improving relationships with work, and have positive implications for both employees and businesses:

    • 64% of knowledge workers say if work was tailored or customized to personal needs and preferences, they would be more invested in their company’s growth.
    • 69% of knowledge workers believe it would enhance their overall well-being.
    • 68% of knowledge workers stated it would incentivize them to stay with their current employers longer.

    This desire for personalization is so strong that 87% of knowledge workers would be willing to forgo part of their salary for it. On average, workers would be willing to give up to 14% of their salary with Gen Z workers giving up as much as 19%.

    AI Opens New Opportunities for Knowledge Workers to Enjoy Work and Improve Productivity

    AI usage among knowledge workers has surged to 66% in 2024, up from 38% last year. Workers who use AI are seeing the benefits, including a healthier relationship with work:

    • 73% feel that AI makes their jobs easier, and nearly 7-in-10 (69%) are customizing their use of AI to be more productive, indicating AI could be an ingredient to unlocking a more personalized work experience.
    • 60% state that AI plays a key role in improving their work-life balance.
    • 68% say AI opens up new opportunities for them to enjoy work.
    • 73% agree that a better understanding of AI will make it easier to advance their careers.

    Further, knowledge workers who use AI are +11-points happier with their relationship with work than their colleagues who don’t. Therefore, there is an urgency to get AI into the hands of workers sooner rather than later as non-AI users have shown increased fear of job replacement by AI, with 37% expressing concern, a +5-point increase from last year.

    Business Leaders Lack Confidence; Female Leaders Emerge as a Bright Spot

    While at the global scale the index highlights little change, countries that saw an increase in their individual work relationship index saw slight improvement across the six key drivers of a healthy relationship with work – most notably the Leadership and Fulfillment drivers. This year’s index revealed that trust in senior leadership remains a critical factor in a healthy work relationship, but there is a disconnect between the recognition of the importance of human skills (e.g., mindfulness, self-awareness, communication, creative-thinking, resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence) and leaders’ confidence to deliver:

    • While more than 90% of leaders acknowledge the benefits of empathy, only 44% feel confident in their human skills.
    • Only 28% of workers consistently see empathy from their leaders, despite 78% valuing it highly.

    However, this year’s research uncovered a bright spot: female leaders. On average, female business leaders are +10-points more confident in their hard skills (technical, computer, presentation, etc.), and notably +13-points more confident in human skills than their male counterparts. Additionally, female business leaders’ confidence in both skills grew over the past year (+10-points in human skills, +4-points in hard skills), while confidence among male business leaders remained stagnant in human skills and decreased in hard skills (-3-points).

    For more information on the HP Work Relationship Index, please visit the WRI website and to access the full report, please visit the HP Newsroom.

    Methodology

    HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) that fielded between May 10 – June 21, 2024 in 12 countries: the US, France, India, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,600 respondents in total – 12,000 knowledge workers (1,000 in each country); 2,400 IT decision makers (200 in each country); and 1,200 business leaders (100 in each country).

    HP Inc. Media Relations
    MediaRelations@hp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: India: Authorities must end repression of dissent in Jammu and Kashmir

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The Indian authorities must stop using restrictive travel bans and arbitrary detentions under the country’s stringent anti-terror laws to intimidate critical dissenting voices from speaking out on Jammu and Kashmir, Amnesty International said today ahead of the first state elections in the last ten years.

    The authorities’ escalating repression of human rights after India revoked the special autonomous status of the region has resulted in arbitrary detentions, passports being revoked, the creation of opaque ‘no flying lists’, the denial of entry into India and arbitrary cancellations of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status and affected those with Indian and non-Indian citizenship speaking out against the repression.

    “The Indian authorities are using arbitrary restrictions and punitive actions to create a climate of fear in Jammu and Kashmir. Anyone daring to speak out – whether to criticize the government or to stand up for human rights – faces a clampdown on their rights to freedom of expression and association and are unable to move freely within and outside the country,” said Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India.

    “The Indian authorities must end their campaign of harassment and intimidation against dissenting voices. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must be able to exercise their right to fully participate in the decision-making about their future in the run up to, during and after elections.”

    The people of Jammu and Kashmir must be able to exercise their right to fully participate in the decision-making about their future in the run up to, during and after elections.

    Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India

    Since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution in 2019, which scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s special semi-autonomous status, and since Amnesty International issued its last briefing on the human rights situation in the region, we have verified the cases of at least five individuals, including journalists,  political leaders and activists, who have been prevented from travelling abroad or travelling into India, despite having the requisite travel documents, in violation of their right to freedom of movement. The Indian authorities have imposed the bans without any written explanation, court order or proper notification within the legal time frame which indicate a form of retaliation against their legitimate human rights work around Jammu and Kashmir.   

    The government also continues to misuse the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA), which allows authorities to arbitrarily detain people for up to two years without charge or trial, and the UnlawfulActivities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to carry out arbitrary  detentions. This has led to self-censorship of independent voices, and the Indian authorities’ near total control over information from Jammu and Kashmir.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: India: FATF raps government on the risk to abuse that non-profits face

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The ‘Financial Action Task Force’ (FATF) in its Mutual Evaluation Report pulls up the Indian government on the risk to abuse that the non-profit sector faces in India, said Amnesty International today. It also flags the delay in prosecutions in India under its money laundering and anti-terrorism laws.

    The report published today, based on the fourth round of India’s evaluation on its measures to tackle illicit financing, highlights the ‘critical’ need to ‘taking a risk-based and educative approach with non-profit organisations.’

    “The global financial watchdog significantly calls for ‘priority actions’, one of which is to ensure India’s civil society is not unnecessarily harassed and intimidated under the pretext of money-laundering or terrorism-financing.  While the Indian Government may harp only on the positives in the FATF’s report on India, they can’t conveniently downplay how they have been rapped for their partial compliance with measures to protect the legitimate activities of the non-profit sector,” said Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India.

    The Indian Government… have been rapped for their partial compliance with measures to protect the legitimate activities of the non-profit sector.

    Aakar Patel, chair of board at Amnesty International India

    The report shows that India is only ‘partially compliant’ against FATF recommendation 8 which requires that laws and regulations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing target only those non-profit organisations that are identified – through a careful, targeted “risk-based” analysis – as vulnerable to terrorism financing abuse.

    Three points of importance flagged in the report by FATF include the inability of India’s Income Tax department to demonstrate that its monitoring and outreach prioritised the 7500 non-profit organizations identified to be at-risk of terrorism financing abuse.

    Secondly, the FATF also notes that the burdensome registration and audit requirements that non-profits in India have to undergo are not “always risk-based or implemented based on consultations with [them] to avoid negatively impacting their work”.

    Thirdly, the FATF acknowledges that the 2020 amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) were implemented without adequate consultation with non-profits. Thereby, “impacting their activity or operating models”. The Indian government has shut down foreign funding for thousands of civil society groups using FCRA with over 20,600 non-governmental organizations losing their licenses to receive foreign funding in the past decade, many of them groups that have long promoted human rights in the country.  

    In addition, the report also highlights the delay in prosecutions under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were “resulting in a high number of pending cases and accused persons in judicial custody waiting for cases to be tried and concluded”. Such delays illustrate the possibility that  these laws are being misused to clamp down on human rights defenders by ensuring that the criminal proceedings characterized by stringent bail provisions, prolonged detention, and lengthy investigation act as punishment.

    Among the proposed ‘Priority Actions’ the watchdog recommends India should ensure a risk-based approach, including by conducting a more focused, coordinated outreach to non-profit organizations on their Terrorism Financing risks. FATF also recommends India to address the delays in concluding prosecutions under UAPA and PMLA considering high rate of arrests and low rate of conviction under these laws.    

    The Indian Government must take seriously the priority actions recommended by the FATF report and calibrate its actions to stop the witch-hunt of non-profit organizations, human rights defenders and activists who dare to dissent.

    Aakar Patel

    Previously, Amnesty International’s research documented how the FATF’s recommendations have been abused by the Indian authorities including by bringing in draconian laws in a coordinated campaign to stifle the non-profit sector. These laws are in turn used to bring terrorism-related charges and, amongst other things, to prevent organizations and activists from accessing essential funds. 

    “Amnesty International has consistently flagged how these laws have been weaponized by authorities to target, intimidate, harass and silence critics. In consultation with the non-profit sector, the government needs to put in place measures that are focused, proportionate and not overbroad by bringing laws like FCRA and UAPA in line with international human rights standards. The Indian Government must take seriously the priority actions recommended by the FATF report and calibrate its actions with a risk-based approach to stop the witch-hunt under India’s anti-terror and money-laundering laws of non-profit organizations, human rights defenders and activists who dare to dissent,” said Aakar Patel.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Reportage: Auckland’s iconic Diwali and Lantern Festivals secure naming rights partnership with BNZ

    Source: BNZ statements

    Two of the country’s most iconic cultural celebrations, the Auckland Diwali Festival and the Auckland Lantern Festival, will continue to delight locals and visitors thanks to a new naming rights sponsorship agreement with the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) announced today.

    The Auckland Diwali Festival, known as ‘The Festival of Lights’, draws over 60,000 attendees annually. Since its inception in 2002, the festival has been a vibrant showcase, featuring traditional and contemporary music, dance, and stalls offering Indian delicacies and crafts.

    The Auckland Lantern Festival, founded in 2000, marks the culmination of the Chinese New Year festivities. As Auckland’s largest annual festival and New Zealand’s largest Chinese cultural festival, it attracts over 170,000 attendees each year. With its recent move to the Manukau Sports Bowl, the festival promises to deliver a fantastic celebration.

    BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says, “We’re delighted to throw our support behind two of New Zealand’s best loved and attended festivals.”

    “Our sponsorship of the Auckland Diwali and Lantern Festivals reflects our commitment to growing the social, cultural, and financial wellbeing of New Zealanders. These events align with that mission, bringing hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders from all backgrounds together each year to celebrate Aotearoa’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity.

    “We are thrilled to help bring these free family-friendly events to life from 2023 and beyond.”

    Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, Nick Hill, says the partnership is a significant one.

    “As one of New Zealand’s most recognisable brands, we are thrilled that BNZ is partnering with two of Auckland’s most popular cultural festivals. It’s a great example of how Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is working with the private sector to reduce the reliance on ratepayer funding, while still delivering world-class cultural experiences that inevitably make Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland a great place to live, work, and visit.”

    This year’s Auckland Diwali Festival will take place on 4-5 November at Aotea Square and Queen Street. Auckland Lantern Festival will be held at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 22 -25 February next year.

    The post Auckland’s iconic Diwali and Lantern Festivals secure naming rights partnership with BNZ appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Centre constitutes committee for formulating framework on Repairability Index in Mobile and Electronics Sector

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Centre constitutes committee for formulating framework on Repairability Index in Mobile and Electronics Sector

    Committee to recommend robust framework for Repairability Index to empower consumers and promote sustainable practices within tech industry

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 3:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Government of India has constituted a committee of experts under the chairmanship of Shri Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, DoCA to recommend a robust framework for Repairability Index and to empower consumers and promote sustainable practices within the tech industry. By developing Repairability Index, DoCA seeks to provide consumers with greater transparency of repair information for their products and foster a more sustainable technology industry.

    In a significant step towards promoting consumer rights and sustainability, the National Workshop on the Right to Repair in the Mobile and Electronics Sector convened on August 29, 2024 has brought together industry stakeholders to establish a consensus in terms of framework for evaluating components for repairability index, fostering longevity in product design, and democratizing access to repair information as well as the availability of spare parts even after products are discontinued.

    It is considered that mobile and electronics have the fastest-growing demand and shortest lifespan. During the deliberation in the workshop, it was widely accepted that the framework on Repairability Index aimed to provide consumers with essential information about product repairability besides seamless access to spare parts will enable informed purchasing decisions.

    Repairability Index will be a consumer-focused indexing that enables consumers to take a product related decision, based on its repairability. Further, it can standardize how repairability is assessed, making it easier for consumers to compare products based on repairability indexing thereby creating an ecosystem of informed choices across mobile and electronics products.

    By standardizing the assessment of repairability, the index will create an ecosystem where consumers can easily compare products and choose options that align with the ethos of mindful consumption of products and sustainability. Thus, enabling repair would not only ensure the availability of affordable repair options but will also improve consumer satisfaction by bridging the information gaps for repairing the products.

    Key components of the Repair Ecosystem include:

    1. Comprehensive Repair Information: Access to repair manuals/DIYs, diagnostics, and a list of necessary tools and parts.
    2. Accessible Spare Parts: Easily identifiable and timely delivery of spare parts.
    3. Affordable Tools: Inexpensive, widely available, and safe tools for consumers.
    4. Modular Design: Key components designed for independent access and modularity.
    5. Economic Feasibility: Ensuring that the cost of repair parts and labor is affordable for consumers.

     

    Taking into account the above necessities the committee is expected to recommend enabling framework for Policies/Rules/Guidelines which support repairability and integration of repairability index with the extant regulatory provisions in mobile and electronics sector to enhance consumer experiences in reusing the mobile and electronics products they own.

    The members of the Committee include: Shri Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary, DoCA, senior representatives from MiETY and MSME, Shri Dr. Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director General NTH, Dr. ABS Shalini, Director, DoCA, Shri Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman – Indian Cellular Electronics Association, the stakeholders from companies namely: Shri Raj Shau, Sr. Director and Group leader – Samsung Electronics, Ms. Aditi Chaturvedi, Government Affairs and Policy Head for platform and Devices, Google India, Shri Vasudeep, Head – Enterprise Business (India Region) HMD Mobiles India Pvt. Ltd., Ms Pushpa Girimaji, Consumer Activist and other representatives from the companies. The committee will submit a comprehensive report including a framework for repairability index in Indian context by 15thNovember, 2024.

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    AD/NS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CPENGRAMS brings Financial Empowerment for Family Pensioners and Super-Senior Pensioners

    Source: Government of India

    CPENGRAMS brings Financial Empowerment for Family Pensioners and Super-Senior Pensioners

    CPENGRAMS Ensures Redressal of Long Pending Pension Grievances

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 2:29PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is committed towards effective and expeditious redressal of grievances through Centralized Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS), an online portal. To ensure this, the grievances are monitored in terms of pace and quality of the redressal by conducting Inter-Ministerial Review Meetings (IMRMs), both in physical and virtual mode.

    The resolution of these cases including those of Family Pensioners and Super-senior Pensioners has brought financial stability and social empowerment in the life of pensioners. Some of the noteworthy resolved grievances including payment of additional family pension to the 112 years old spouse and sanction of arrears of Liberalized family pension to the 85 years old spouse after 28 years, are as under:

    1.    Ms. Rajo (Samaspur, New Delhi): – “Payment of arrears of the Additional Family Pension amounting to more than Rs. 11.60 lakh to the 112-year-old spouse after 18 years.”
    2.   Ms Prakasho Devi (Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir): – “Payment of Liberalized Family Pension arrears, amounting to Rs. 13.18 lakh to the 85 yrs old spouse after 28 years”.
    3.  Sh. Rajkumar (Bhiwani, Haryana): – “Payment of Arrears of pension and Commuted Value of Pension (CVP) amounting to Rs. 16.37 lakh after 5 years of retirement”.
    4.   Ms. Sarvati Devi (Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan): – “Payment of Life Time Arrears (LTA) amounting to Rs. 13.66 lakh to the spouse after 15 years.”
    5.   Ms. Geetha Bhai (Bangalore, Karnataka): – “Resumption of Family Pension to the childless widow and payment of arrears amounting to Rs. 14 lakh after 7 years.”
    6.  Sh. Mahabir Singh (Jhajhar, Haryana): – “Payment of arrears of the Disability element of the pension amounting to Rs. 11.50 lakh after 03 years”
    7.  Ms. S Sathya Devi (Karur, Tamil Nadu): – “Sanction of Additional Family Pension and payment of arrears to the spouse amounting to Rs.7.34 Lakh”
    8.  Sh. Bhanwar Lal Jat (Jodhpur, Rajasthan): – “Sanction of arrears of the Disability Element of the pension  w.e.f. 24.09.2012 to 31.05.2023 amounting to Rs. 8 lakh after 12 years”
    9.   Sh. Dharam Paul (Jhajhar, Haryana): – “Payment of Capitalized Value of Pension amounting to Rs.  9 Lakh after 05 years of the retirement”.
    10. Sh. Lakhwinder Singh (Ambala, Haryana): – “Sanction of Disability Pension arrears amounting to Rs. 9.80 lakh pending since September, 2003”.

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    AG

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: RESULT OF CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES (ASSISTANT COMMANDANTS) EXAMINATION, 2023

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 24 SEP 2024 2:37PM by PIB Delhi

    On the basis of the result of written part of CAPF (ACs) Examination, 2024 held by UPSC on 04th August, 2024, the candidates with the under-mentioned Roll Numbers have qualified for Physical Standards Test/ Physical Efficiency Tests and Medical Standards Tests. 

    2.   The candidature of these candidates is Provisional, subject to their being found eligible in all respects. The candidates will be required to produce the original certificates in support of their claims pertaining to age, educational qualifications, community etc. at the time of the Personality Test.  They are, therefore, advised to keep the said prescribed certificates ready and check before hand the requirement of certificates in accordance with the important instructions available on the website of the Commission before appearing in the Personality Test.

    3.   The candidates who have been declared qualified in the written examination have to first get themselves registered on the relevant page of the Commission’s website before filling up of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) ONLINE along with uploading of the scanned copies of relevant certificates/documents in support of their eligibility, claim of reservation etc. through the Commission’s Website i.e. http://www.upsc.gov.in which will be made available on the Commission’s website in due course.  Important instructions regarding filling up of the DAF and submitting the same ONLINE to the Commission will also be available on the website.

    4. The Indo Tibetan Border Police (Nodal Authority nominated by Ministry of Home Affairs) will intimate to the candidates about the date, time & venue of the Physical Standards Tests/ Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) & Medical Standards Tests, to be conducted by them.  Intimation for the conduct of PST/PET/MST will be uploaded by the Nodal Force (ITBP) on its recruitment website . E-Admit Cards will be sent online through the said website of the Nodal Force and intimation to the candidates will also be sent through their registered e-mail ID. Candidates may regularly check the website of the Nodal Force and their mail box including SPAM Folder in the mail box. In case, any candidate does not receive/download the E-Admit Card for Physical Standards Tests/ Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) &  Medical  Standards Tests  (MST) in  due Course of time, he/she may contact the HQ, DG, Indo Tibetan Border Police on Telephone No. 011-24369482/ 011-24369483 & e-mail IDcomdtrect@itbp.gov.in and U.P.S.C. through letter or FAX immediately, to facilitate delivery of communications to them promptly.

    5. Candidates who have finally submitted his Detailed Application Form (DAF) will be issued E-Admit Card by the Nodal Authority i.e. ITBP to appear for the PST/PET &MST. The candidates will have to produce the E-Admit Card along with hard copy of finally submitted DAF and photo identity proof viz. Aadhar card, Driving License, Passport, Voter I Card etc. at the allotted centers for appearing at the PST/PET/MST.

    6.   Candidates are advised to intimate change in their address, if any, to the HQ, DG, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Block No. 2, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003 or contact at Telephone No. 011-24369482/ 011-24369483 & e-mail ID comdtrect@itbp.gov.inor U.P.S.C. through letter or FAX immediately, to facilitate delivery of communications to them promptly.

    7.  The marks-sheets of all candidates who have not qualified will be uploaded on the Commission’s website after the publication of final result (after conducting Personality Test) and will remain available on the website for a period of 30 days.

    8.  The candidates can access their marks-sheet after keying in their Roll Numbers and date of birth. The printed/hard copies of the marks-sheet would, however, be issued by UPSC to candidates based on specific request accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Candidates desirous of obtaining printed/hard copies of the marks sheets should make the request within thirty days of the display of the marks on the Commission’s website, beyond which such requests would not be entertained.

    9. Union Public Service Commission has a Facilitation Counter at its Campus. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examinations/result on working days between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM in person or over telephone Nos. (011) 23385271/23381125/23098543 from this Counter.

    MOBILE PHONES ARE BANNED IN THE CAMPUS OF UPSC

    Click here to see Result

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –