ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Updates on COVID-19
So far, 20,917 people have been cured; recovery rate rises to 31.15%
So far, a total of 20,917 people have been cured. This takes total recovery rate to 31.15%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 67,152. Since yesterday, an increase of 4,213 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India.
Appreciating the work of the various medical professionals, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the country is proud of the medical practitioners for the resilience shown by them in dealing with COVID-19, especially in the last three months. He again appealed to the nation that the doctors and healthcare workers should not be ostracised or targeted; instead they should be lauded for their efforts in helping the public at large. He said that doctors, nurses, healthcare workers deserve our respect, support and cooperation to keep the fight against COVID-19.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued the Guidelines for District Level Facility-based Surveillance for COVID-19 today. It can be seen at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/DistrictlevelFacilitybasedsurveillanceforCOVID19.pdf
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be emailed at technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and via tweets to @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no. : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Home Affairs
A clarification on the Naga settlement issue
It has come to notice of the Government that lots of rumours and misinformation is being spread in media including social media that final Naga settlement has been arrived at and will be announced soon. This is creating anxiety and concern in some parts of the country.
It is clarified that before any settlement is arrived at with Naga groups, all stakeholders including States of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh will be duly consulted and their concerns will be taken into consideration.
No credence needs to be given to such rumours and incorrect information.
President's Secretariat
President of India Presents National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2019-20
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2019-20 in a virtual ceremony today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the edifice of a human life is often built on the foundation of student life. Although learning is a life-long process, but basic personality development starts during the student life. That is why he considers NSS a visionary scheme through which students get an opportunity to serve the society and country during their school and college days itself.
Pointing to the fact that the National Service Scheme was established in 1969, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, the President said that Mahatma Gandhi devoted his entire life in the service of humanity. He wished that our youth should be responsible citizens and recognize themselves. According to Gandhiji ‘the best way to know yourself is to dedicate yourself in the service of others’. Gandhiji's life is a unique example of human service. His ideals and spirit of service are relevant and inspirational for all of us even today.
The President noted that during the initial outbreak of Covid-19, till the mass production of masks started, more than 2 crore 30 lakh masks were made by NSS and distributed in various parts of country. He also noted that NSS volunteers provided Covid related information to people through helpline as well as helped district administrations in the awareness and relief activities.
The President stated that the 75th year of independence is being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the country. He was happy to note that NSS volunteers are contributing in this Mahotsav by organising webinars/seminars on Indian independence movement and on contribution of freedom fighters. He said that spreading awareness about our freedom struggle and the ideals of the freedom fighters is also service to the nation.
The NSS Awards were instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in 1993-94 on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Year of National Service Scheme. The aim of these awards is to recognise and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service made by the Universities/ Colleges,  Councils and Senior Secondary, NSS Units/ Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers.
Click here to see President's Speech in Hindi
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Role of Internet in Trafficking
The Information Technology Act, 2000 has provisions to deal with prevalent cyber-crimes and to prevent exploitation initiated through the internet. `Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cyber crime through their Law Enforcement Agencies . The LEAs take legal action as per provisions of law against the offenders. The Central Government supplements the initiatives of State Governments through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for their capacity building.
Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to all States & UTs under Cyber Crime Prevention against Women & Children  scheme to support their efforts for setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories, training and hiring of junior cyber consultants. Cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories have also been commissioned in 18 States. The Central Government has taken steps for spreading awareness about cyber crimes, issuance of alerts, capacity building/ training of law enforcement personnel/ prosecutors/ judicial officers, improving cyber forensic facilities etc. The Government has established Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre  to provide a framework and eco-system for LEAs to deal with the cyber crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal , is available to enable the public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with a special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. A toll-free number 155260 has been operational for assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
First G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meet to begin in Bengaluru tomorrow.
Three-day event to get underway with side event on Restoration of Degraded Landscapes;
Over 142 delegates to participate; thematic site visits to be conducted to showcase forest restoration models.
The first G2O Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meeting under India's presidency will begin in Bangaluru tomorrow. This is part of the 200 plus Working Group Meetings being held in over 50 cities across the country on different core themes.
Addressing media persons, Smt. Richa Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, said the Working Group Meeting under India's G20 Presidency is an opportunity for the country to steer global discourse on the most pressing environment and climate issues of the day. Tomorrow's Group Meeting will get underway with a side event on Restoration of Degraded Landscapes. Since India is a signatory to the Convention on Biodiversity, issues concerning biodiversity will be top on the agenda for deliberations, Smt. Sharma said. She noted that while G20 countries account for 85 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product, they are responsible for 80 per cent of annual green house gas emissions as well.
Land degradation and biodiversity loss; marine pollution, need for protection of mangroves & coral reefs; and resource over-consumption and lack of waste absorption are the core areas of deliberations in the three-day event.
Each Group Meeting will have a dedicated side event and three more Group Meetings will be held in Gandhinagar, Mumbai and Chennai between February and July this year on different core themes. Environment & Climate Ministers of member countries will gather at the concluding Group Meeting in Chennai to adopt a ministerial declaration on the deliberations as the eventual outcome of the deliberations across the Group Meetings.
Thematic site visits will be arranged to the Kalkere, Arboretum and Bannerghatta National Parks to showcase the forest restoration model adopted in these ecosystems.
Over 142 delegates are expected to attend. They include 96 from 19 member countries and the European Union, 25 from 10 guest countries and 21 from international organisations.
Smt. Mattu J.P. Singh, Additional Director General, PIB New Delhi was present at the media briefing.
S. Prakash
Dy Director
Ministry of Defence
BRO restores connectivity to 13 border villages of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district cut off due flash floods, in record time;
Inaugurates 200-feet Bailey bridge in Reini Village
A 200-feet Bailey Bridge, built by Border Roads Organisation  in Reini Village on Joshimat – Malari road across the Rishiganga River was thrown open for public on March 03, 2021. With this, BRO has restored connectivity, in a record time of 26 days, to the 13 border villages of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district that were cut off due flash floods on February 07, 2021.
DG BRO Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry lauded the efforts of the personnel of 21 Border Roads Task Force  of Project Shivalik and the Chief Engineer Project, Shivalik and his team of Karma Yogis who worked round-the-clock to achieve this feat. He said, BRO has named that bridge as ‘The Bridge of Compassion’ as a tribute to the fallen Karma Yogis of Renie Power Plant & NTPC Power Plant. He thanked the state government for providing support and assistance to BRO in completing this difficult task.
On February 07, 2021, the Glacial lake outburst flood  in Rishiganga River had washed away a 90-metre RCC Bridge near Reini Village on Joshimat – Malari road. The bridge was the only link to Niti Border in Chamoli district. The GLOF had also washed away a hydro-electric plant located at the same site. More than 200 workers of the hydro-electric plant were trapped.
The BRO swung into action by deploying 20 small teams consisting of 200 personnel of 21 BRTF under Project Shivalik in the affected area for relief and rehabilitation work. More than 100 vehicles/equipment and plants that included 15 Heavy Earth Moving equipment/machinery like Hydraulic Excavators, Dozers, JCBs and Wheel Loaders etc were pressed into service. BRO also inducted critical equipment with the help of Indian Air Force.
The task was very challenging due to the steep cliff on far bank and 25-30 metres debris/muck on the home bank and non-availability of working space on either side.
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Ministry of External Affairs
First Meeting of the G20 Development Working Group to Be Held in Mumbai from December 13-16, 2022
[CURTAIN RAISER]
The first meeting of the Development Working Group  under India’s G20 Presidency is taking place in Mumbai from December 13-16, 2022. G20 Members, Guest countries and invited International Organizations would be attending the meeting in person.
On December 13, 2022, the Indian Presidency will hold two side events - on “Data for Development: Role of G20 in advancing the 2030 Agenda” and “Infusing new LiFE into Green Development” - before the official meeting of the Working Group. The side event will be followed by a welcome dinner for the delegates at the Taj Mahal Palace.
- The Development working meeting will be held on December 14-15, 2022
- India's G20 Presidency lies at a crucial midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015
- India’s G20 motto 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and theme “One Earth One Family One Future”
- Review of SDG progress and G20’s efforts to achieving the SDG targets would be discussed at the DWG meeting
- Focus on India’s key priorities relating to accelerating progress on the SDGs, Lifestyle for environment and data for development
- In the context of Green Development, focus areas would include climate finance and technology, as well as just energy transitions
- With our human-centric approach to technology, tech-enabled development in sectors ranging from agriculture to education would also be discussed
The Development working meeting will be held on December 14-15, 2022, with a focus on India’s key priorities relating to accelerating progress on the SDGs, Lifestyle for environment and data for development.
India's G20 Presidency lies at a crucial midpoint of the 2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015. Review of SDG progress and G20’s efforts to achieving the SDG targets would be discussed at the DWG meeting. In the context of Green Development, focus areas would include climate finance and technology, as well as just energy transitions for developing countries.Understanding that the issue of climate change cuts across industry, society, and sectors, the concept of LiFE , a behaviour-based movement that draws from our country’s rich, ancient and sustainable traditions, to nudge consumers, and in-turn markets, to adopt environmentally-conscious practices, would be deliberated upon. LiFE ties closely with India’s G20 motto 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and theme “One Earth One Family One Future”. With our human-centric approach to technology, tech-enabled development in sectors ranging from agriculture to education would also be discussed. Women empowerment and representation, including efforts to bring women to the fore, and in leading positions, in order to boost socio-economic development and achievement of SDGs, would be highlighted.
The official DWG meeting will be followed by an excursion by the delegates to Kanheri caves on December 16, 2022.
AYUSH
Ayush Sanjivani Quiz Contest on My Gov platform Creates Awareness on Ayush solutions for disease prevention
The names of the winners of the national-level Ayush Sanjivani quiz contest on MyGov platform were announced today. The contest was held by the Ministry of AYUSH during May-June 2020.
A total of nine winners were awarded in the three prize-categories. Nisha Tamal was awarded the first prize of Rs. 25,000. The second prize of Rs. 10,000 each was given to three persons Dr. Mrinmayee, Rohit and Himanshu Gupta. The third prize of Rs. 5000 each was given to five persons whose names are Emily Vasantha Manogary, Dr Nidhi Garg, Vedika Gupta, Pooja Goswami, and Anshu Tiwari.
Against the backdrop of Covid 19, the Ayush Sanjivani Quiz created an impact on awareness creation on Ayush solutions that are useful to prevent infections and diseases. Initiated by the Ministry of Ayush, the nationwide quiz contest got tremendous response across the country. The Quiz had the specific objective of promoting the Ayush Sanjivani mobile app, which was used to study the public response to Ayush advisories on preventive steps for Covid 19.
Hosted on the MyGov platform, the quiz contest campaign has given interesting insights. About 45% of the participants fall under the age group of 18-24, which suggests that this segment of the society has taken the most interest in Ayush solutions in the Covid context. The majority of participation has taken place from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Delhi through the MyGov platform which was backed by social media promotion.
Apart from hosting the contest on MyGov, the Ayush Sanjivani App was also promoted through an effective organic campaign and e-Sampark newsletter. According to the data available, the highest number of participation took place during the commencement of the quiz contest on 23 May 2020. Male participants were in higher numbers compare to female participation. It has been also revealed that the participants’ profile ranges from student to farmer, businessman to homemaker, and to other kinds of category.
To add a little background, Ayush Sanjivani is a mobile app launched by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India during the pandemic. The app has been a notable effort in the field of public health research in India. It studied the impact of AYUSH-based practices listed in the official advisories of the Ministry issued in the pandemic scenario, in improving the health of the public. The said advisories on immunity-enhancement came at the difficult time of the Covid- 19 pandemic and are believed to have helped people to ward off health problems in these difficult days. The Ayush Sanjivani has at its heart a set of questions that aim to assess the impact of the said advisories in the prevention of Covid -19. The participation in the Ayush Sanjivani quiz has helped many to understand the AYUSH systems of healthcare in general, and the solutions in the advisories in particular.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth on electoral victory
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on his electoral victory.
“Congratulations Pravind Jugnauth on your electoral victory. We have worked closely together to strengthen fraternal relations and development partnership between India and Mauritius. I look forward to speaking with you soon and to continuing our engagement”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
MoRTH asks NIC to ensure capturing FASTag details before new vehicle registration and while issuing fitness certificates for national permit vehicles
Besides facilitating smooth commutation/transit, the move to check Covid
NETC integration with VAHAN fully achieved
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to ensure capturing of FASTag details while registering or issuing fitness certificate to vehicles all over the country. In a letter addressed to NIC, with copies to all the States and UTs, the Ministry has informed that full integration of National Electronic Toll Collection  with VAHAN portal has been achieved, and the same has gone live with API on 14th May last. The VAHAN system is now getting all information on FASTags through VIN/VRN.
As such, the Ministry has asked to ensure capturing FASTag details while registering new vehicles, as also while issuing fitness certificates to vehicles plying under national permit.
The fitment of FASTag in new vehicles at the time of sales of vehicles of category M and N, was made mandatory in 2017. But the integration with bank account or they being activated was being avoided by citizens, which would be checked now. Fitment of FASTag is to ensure that vehicles crossing the National Highway fee plazas use electronic medium of FASTag payment, and cash payment is avoided. This usage and promotion of FASTag will also be effective to minimising possibilities of spreading COVID at NH Toll Plazas.
The Ministry had issued a Gazette notification in November 2017, on this scheme.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN ARMY SIGNS MOU WITH RASHTRIYA RAKSHA UNIVERSITY 
During a brief ceremony conducted at Rashtriya Raksha University , Gandhinagar on 09 November 2021, Indian Army entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Rashtriya Raksha University  to synergise innovations, research, technology incubation, joint projects, publication & patents, training, higher learning and distance education in the Army.
Rashtriya Raksha University  is an Institute of National importance established under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India. RRU is committed to identify, prepare and sustain statecraft of national, strategic and security culture through continuous enhancement and development of innovation, education, research and training cadres from the security, military and civilian society.
General MM Naravane, COAS addressed the gathering through virtual platform in which he emphasised that signing of this MoU is a path breaking initiative towards enhancing the interaction of Indian Army with academia. Army Chief highlighted that the demands of future warfare mandates Indian Army officers and men to be educated in niche domains of warfare to include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Cyber warfare, robotics and aerospace that have potential military applications and a disruptive impact on modern-day warfare.
The event was presided over by Lt Gen Raj Shukla, GOC-in-C Army Training Command. He stressed that this is a step towards strengthening the linkages between academia and the Indian Military. He laid specific emphasis on ‘Civil-Military Relations’, and expounded multifaceted aspects pertaining to mutual cooperation.
Prof.  Bimal N. Patel, Vice Chancellor, RRU underlined that RRU is a model security of India and an institute of national importance. The university will focus on meeting specific requirements of Indian Army in emerging and contemporary technologies in the field of Artificial Intelligence, disruptive military technologies, cyber and information warfare, aerospace capabilities and will provide certification for the institutionalised training undertaken at this institute. ‘Çhanakya’ a biannual publication of RRU on National Security was also launched during the event.
The landmark MoU will facilitate and strengthen institutional cooperation between the Centre of Excellence and the Indian Army towards strategising and implementing programmes pertaining to training, research and capability development.
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Ministry of Science & Technology
Symposium on Emerging and Strategic Technologies at the Indian Science Congress
Nagpur, January 6, 2023
A seminar on 'Emerging and Strategic Technologies' was organised on Thursday, 5th January, at the Dr. A.K. Dorley Auditorium in the ongoing Indian Science Congress at Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Srihari Babu Srivastava presided over the symposium.
During the symposium, P Siva Prasad, gave a presentation on 'Asymmetric Technology'. He explained how heterogeneous technologies are cost-effective, subtle and disruptive. He also examined various strategies of disintegration like socio-economic, geo-political, military and others.
Prof. RP Singh, PRL Ahmedabad, spoke about 'Quantum Technologies and Photonics: Application Oriented Research'. During the presentation a discussions regarding recent developments and implementation of quantum computing and sensing was held. Qubits and their importance and upcoming global events associated with them were also discussed.
Prof. Shantanu Chaudhary, Director, IIT Jodhpur, gave a presentation on the topic 'Artificial Intelligence in Cyber-Physical Systems'.
Prof. Rohan Paul presented his research on 'Cognitive Technologies and Autonomous Systems: Emerging Avenues'. He also explained what cognitive autonomous systems actually are and the emerging era of robot and human teaming. He further explained the need for cognitive abilities and technologies through models and examples.
The session was concluded by awarding mementos to the distinguished speakers.