ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Dakota DC-3: Homebound to India
A Dakota DC-3 aircraft of 1940’s vintage would be inducted shortly in to the Vintage Aircraft Flight of the Indian Air Force. A large fleet of Dakota DC-3 served in the IAF till 1988. It was one of the most versatile transport aircraft of its time. To honour the first Dakota which transported troops of the 1st Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 Oct 47, during the Kashmir conflict, the IAF has allocated the aircraft with a registration number. Built in 1944, the aircraft served in military with the RAF and was also operated by various civil airlines.
The aircraft was obtained from scrap in 2011 and was restored to flying condition in UK by Hon’ble Member of Parliament  Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar for gifting it to the IAF. Subsequently, the IAF signed a contract with M/s Reflight Airworks Ltd London for upgrading its navigational systems. The CAS ceremonially accepted the aircraft into the IAF from Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar on 13 Feb 18.
After successfully completing all test flights, after its restoration, the aircraft commenced its journey from the UK on 17 Apr 18. It is being flown to India by a joint team crew of the IAF and M/s Reflight Airworks Ltd. The ferry to India by making en-route halts at France, Italy, Greece, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, will be completed on 25 Apr 18 at Jamnagar.
To honour the old war horse in its new residence, the induction ceremony of Dakota VP-905 is scheduled on 04 May 18 at Air Force Station Hindan. The ceremony will include the representatives from the OEM, dignitaries from the High Commission of the UK and the proud veterans of the IAF who have operated this magnificent flying machine.
An aircraft of this generation being flown to India from across the World after its restoration, is an unprecedented event in the history of the IAF and joins our vintage flight which was raised in Palam in 1988. The Present day heritage aircraft in Vintage Flight are Howard and Tiger moth with plans afoot to add a wider variety of military aircraft which forms a part of our rich ancestry.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Bhopal
The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 20.08.2020 at various locations in Bhopal.
The key person of one of the groups covered used to run a bangles shop. Another person covered is a property builder/developer and is also running a cricket academy. During the course of the search operation, documents pertaining to about 100 properties in the nature of plots, flats and agricultural lands having market value of about Rs.105crorehave been found. Documents indicate that a huge amount of undisclosed cash was invested in these properties in the last 6 years. Most of the properties have been found in the names of persons of no means, indicating that these are benami properties. During the search, cash and jewellery worth Rs. 1.8crore have been seized.
Further, documentary evidence gathered during the search operation indicates partnership/association with some retired government servants and holding of their benami properties.
Investigations are still in progress.
RM/KMN
(Visitor Counter : 449
Department of Atomic Energy
Heavy Water Board signs agreement with M/s Sigma Aldrich Chemicals Private Limited, Bengaluru for the supply of Heavy Water for production of Deuterium Labelled Compounds and Allied Value Added Products
Mumbai, 18 May 2023
Heavy Water Board , a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy , today signed an agreement with for the supply of Heavy Water for a period of five years for production of Deuterium Labelled Compounds and Allied Value Added Products. M/s Sigma Aldrich Chemicals Private Limited, Bengaluru is a sister concern of M/s. Merck Life Science Private Limited.
The agreement was signed by V.V.S.A. Prasad, Director  HWB and Sreenath Narayanaiah, MD Merck Life Science and MD, Sigma Aldrich.
The Agreement signing took place in Mumbai in the presence of Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Secretary, DAE and Chairman, AEC, A.R. Sule, Additional Secretary, DAE and J. Srivastava, Chairman & Chief Executive, HWB.
Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Secretary, DAE and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission  emphasized that local production of Deuterium Labelled Compounds in India by private parties will boost the export from India and India can become a part of global supply chain of Deuterated products supporting 'Make in India' campaign. He further added that investment in India for manufacturing of deuterated products will benefit the country with respect to the growth of local chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors; thus increasing supply of high value products.
There is an increasing demand for Deuterium Labelled Compounds for applications in various fields viz. NMR solvents, deuterated drugs/Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, optical fiber, semiconductors.PIB Mumbai | JPS / Darshana
Follow us on social media:@PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai
(Visitor Counter : 398
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NCPCR to hold consultation on 'Preventive Strategy on Child Sexual Abuse' tomorrow
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights will be holding a Consultation on 'Preventive Strategy on Child Sexual Abuse' in New Delhi tomorrow to finalise cogent, potent and effective preventive measures on Child Sexual Abuse. This follows a Consultation convened by NCPCR on 20th November, 2017, to discuss various issues on CSA, in which stakeholders were asked to convey their suggestions on Preventive Strategy on CSA. NCPCR had received pertinent suggestions from various quarters.
The conference of November 2017 had made a number of recommendations to NCPCR which included changes in law and the issue of compensation to the victims. These recommendations will be further deliberated in the conference being organised tomorrow after which NCPCR will be submitting their suggestions to the Ministry.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Top leaders to take part in first high-level industry consultation for formulation of the STIP 2020
A high-level Industry consultation roundtable for the formulation of the new Science, Technology & Innovation Policy STIP 2020 will be organised during 2 - 3 July 2020 over a virtual platform by the STIP 2020 Secretariat in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry  and Science Policy Forum. The STIP 2020 Secretariat has been established jointly by the Office of Pricipal Scientific Adviser  and Department of Science and Technology  to coordinate and execute the entire STIP 2020 policy-making process.
The power-packed discussions chaired by Professor K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, will focus on inviting suggestions from Industry champions for the upcoming STIP 2020 that will pave the way towards a knowledge-based economy. Industry leaders would be requested to share their thoughts and suggestions integral to the new STI policy.
Top leaders from various industries like Forbes Marshall, Bharat Forge, Infosys, TVS, ReNew Power Limited, AVAADA Group, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Thermax, Medanta, Tata Chemicals, ELICO Limited, Panacea Biotech Ltd, Tata Steel, Serum Institute of India, Mapmygenome, Myelin Foundry, Urban Clap, Jubilant Bhartia Group, Tech Mahindra, Blue Star Limited, PI Industries Limited, Cyient Limited, Hi-Tech Group, Snapdeal, Tejas Networks Ltd, Mahindra, Mastek Limited, TCS, Reliance, Sterlite Technologies Limited and DCM Shriram and more would be sharing their insights and expectation on the STIP 2020.
This is the first-ever high-level industry consultation for the formulation of a Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, which by way of its decentralized, bottom-up, and inclusive design process, aims to re-strategize priorities, sectoral focus, and methods of research and technology development for larger socio-economic welfare.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy  has been flagged off jointly by the  and DST as India and the world reorient in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The new policy is expected to be released later this year, replacing the existing policy, which was formulated in 2013.
The STIP 2020 formulation process is organised into 4 highly interlinked tracks, which will reach out to around 15,000 stakeholders for consultation in the policy formulation. Track I involves an extensive public and expert consultation process through Science Policy Forum - a dedicated platform for soliciting inputs from larger public and expert pool during and after the policy drafting process.
Track II comprises experts-driven thematic consultations to feed evidence-informed recommendations into the policy drafting process. Twenty-one  focused thematic groups have been constituted for this purpose. Track III involves consultations with Ministries and States, while Track IV constitutes apex level multi-stakeholder consultation.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
World Sparrow Day celebrated at National Zoological Park
National Zoological Park, New Delhi  celebrated World Sparrow Day today. The theme for this year’s World Sparrow Day, “I love Sparrows”, emphasizes the role of individuals and communities in sparrow conservation. This day is celebrated to increase public knowledge about sparrow's declining population and the need for its conservation. This occasion offers people a chance to unite and take action to protect and conserve sparrows.
National Zoological Park celebrated the event by organizing activities like bird feeders making, presentation of movie show describing the significance of Sparrows, and a Zoo Walk, where in 50 students from Butterflies NGO participated with enthusiasm to fulfill the task. Participants prepared bird feeders using bamboo. The Zoo Walk was organized to instill in the young minds a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. Participation certificates were given to all the students who participated in the event.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
PMAY  awards instituted for Implementation & Innovation’--to reward Top Performers in different categories & encourage others to compete
Separate Competition among Municipal Corporations & Municipalities within ULBs.
In a bid to recognize the outstanding performance and to promote a healthy competition by States/UTs, Urban Local Bodies, Beneficiaries and Housing Finance Corporations , Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has instituted the ‘PMAY  awards for Implementation and Innovation’ under the Mission. The overarching purpose of the PMAY  Awards is to identify and reward the “Top Performers” in different categories, to encourage others to compete and attain the goal of ‘Housing for All’ in a sustained manner.
Out of 3 broad levels of awards, the first level is instituted for States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies  for performance on key indicators of the Mission. There would be separate competition among Municipal Corporations and Municipalities within the ULBs. The awards will recognise and reward the selected beneficiaries from each State/UT under ‘Beneficiary-led Construction’ component for building their house in a most aesthetic and innovative manner. A few Special Category awards to give special recognition to States/ UTs for Innovative Technology in construction, Community Mobilisation, Slum Redevelopment, Policy initiatives, Project monitoring etc. have also been instituted.
One of the major factors influencing the rank of State/UTs for the evaluation of PMAY  awards is their monthly incremental progress on vital parameters which will be given more weightage for the period Jan’2019 to May’2019. This provision has also been specially incorporated for giving a window of opportunity to slow progressing States/ UTs for becoming good performers, thereby giving them better chances of the award. The ranking of States/UTs will be made public every month to create competitive environment among stakeholders. The awards are aimed at enthusing the States/UTs to perform better and make the dream of house for millions a reality, within the Mission period. The winners shall be awarded in a special national event to be held in New Delhi tentatively in the month of June 2019.
During an event organised for celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the Urban Missions in July 2018, awards to the Primary Lending Institutions, Banks and Housing Finance Corporations for their remarkable performance under CLSS component of PMAY , i.e. the second level of awards has already been given by the Prime Minister. The PMAY  mission has achieved a significant milestone of approving 73 Lakh houses against a demand of about 1 Crore houses in urban areas. Out of these, around 39 Lakh houses are at various stages of construction and around 15 Lakh houses have already been completed.
RJ
(Visitor Counter : 979
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet approves MoU between Korea and India
The Memorandum of Understanding  between the Korean National Police Agency, Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Home Affairs,India on combating transnational crime and developing police cooperation is proposed to be signed.
The proposed MOU aims to improve the effectiveness of both countries in the prevention and suppression of crimes including crime relating to terrorism and transnational organized crime and to establish a framework for enhancing cooperation between the officials of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies of the two countries.
Special Service and Features
First Heat Index based Insurance for Cattle under “Saral Krishi Bima”
Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited , the leading implementing agency of Govt.’s flagship Crop Insurance Scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, is now on an expansion mode offering Insurance Products in Livestock domain vide its Saral Krishi Bima and Sampoorna Pasudhan Kavach.
Saral Krishi Bima is a unique and comprehensive parametric insurance product hedging the Farmers against their economic losses suffered on account of adverse weather incidences as indicated by notified proxy weather parameters like Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity.
Saral Krishi Bima has been launched in Kerala by Malabar Region of MILMA -MRCMPU  in 6 Districts viz., Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur& Kasaragod.
As the summer months approach in Kerala, cattle farmers often face the challenge of decreased milk production in their livestock due to the rise in temperature. The heat stress experienced by cattle during hot weather can result in reduced feed intake, dehydration, and ultimately, decreased milk production. Recognizing this challenge, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited  has introduced "Saral Krishi Bima" insurance product, which is designed to address the economic losses suffered by cattle farmers due to heat stress.
This insurance product will protect the cattle farmers against the pecuniary losses suffered on account of decreased milk production in cattle owing to rise in temperature during the summer months. The daily maximum temperature is assessed vide Indian Meteorological Department’s Satellite Based Gridded Data. The temperature reading for 30 days within the risk period falling in April and May would be monitored and the claims would be paid based on the deviations in prefixed temperature triggers specific for each District. The maximum Sum Insured per cattle is Rs. 2000/- and the premium would be ranging from 4% to 5%. Approximately 15000 cattle would be insured under this scheme.
The Sampoorna Pasudhan Kavach of AIC which covers the risks faced by Livestock Farmers on account of fortuitous Accidents, Disease & Disabilities is also being increasingly accepted by farmers across India.
IBISA, a leading Insure tech company and AIMS Insurance Brokers has played a vital role in rolling out this product for the cattle farmers by providing the necessary support by product designing and stakeholder facilitation in the implementation of the Scheme.
Milma State Chairman KS Mani, MILMA State MD Asif K Yusuf , MRCMPU MD, Dr.P.Muraly, Mr.Varun, Regional Manager Agriculture Insurance Company of India and Dr.P.R.Prasidha, State Head of Business Development, AIC were among those participated in the launch held in Thiruvananthapuram.
ND
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President's Secretariat
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands calls on the President
Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands called on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
The President welcomed Queen Máxima and discussed about the deepening of the bilateral relations between India and the Netherlands. The recent State Visit of the former President of India in April, 2022 to the Netherlands was fondly recalled during the meeting.
The President noted that the ‘Strategic Partnership on Water’ launched during the India-Netherlands Virtual Summit in April 2021 and several other dimensions of bilateral relations have witnessed further strengthening in recent years.
The two leaders also discussed in detail several aspects of universal financial inclusion which has been one of the main agenda of the Government of India. The President said that the Government of India is committed to connect every Indian with formal banking channels through various means and to ensure that the benefits provided by the Government reach the last mile and the intended beneficiary without any pilferage. Queen Máxima appreciated the progress made in India in this direction in the last few years.
Queen Máxima is visiting India from August 29 to 31, 2022, in her official capacity as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate  for Inclusive Finance for Development and G20 GPFI Honorary Patron.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA honours winners of Delhi State Badminton Championships 2023
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.  bestowed awards upon the winners of “Delhi State Badminton Championships 2023”, on 23rd August, 2023. The tournament, held at the Karnail Singh Railway Stadium in New Delhi from 16th to 23rd August, showcased a gathering of promising badminton talents in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories. More than 500 badminton players participated in the championship in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. IREDA has sponsored the 2023 Championships, thus reinforcing its commitment to promoting sports.
Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA Shri Pradip Kumar Das graced the finals of the championship on 23rd August 2023 and bestowed awards upon the winners. He took this opportunity to provide encouragement and inspiration to all participants.
Reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision, the CMD said: “The Honourable Prime Minister launched the Fit India movement in 2019 with a vision to make citizens fit. The success of this movement over the years has been truly remarkable, and IREDA is also committed to advancing the Prime Minister's vision by taking our fitness to new levels through sports, yoga, and fitness activities.”
The CMD added that the aim of IREDA is to improve the grassroots badminton ecosystem, in collaboration with the Delhi Capital Badminton Association . “This collaborative effort has been targeted to equip junior athletes with comprehensive technical, scientific, and psychological support, elevating their exposure to higher levels of competitions in National and International competitions. As a responsible Public Sector Undertaking, IREDA is committed to promoting sports and nurturing young talent across the nation, by adopting a holistic approach.”
CMD, IREDA also highlighted the significance of promoting energy efficiency and harnessing renewable energy for energy needs. This approach not only facilitates in making polluted cities like Delhi cleaner and more habitable but also helps in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, he added.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
GeM Partners with Federal Bank for payment related services
The Government e-Marketplace  today signed a memorandum of understanding  with Federal Bank to offer a number of services including transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts , advising of Performance Bank Guarantees  and Earnest Money Deposit  to the registered users on the portal. The MoU will facilitate a cashless, paperless and transparent payment system on the portal and would create an efficient procurement system for government entities.
The MoU was signed by S. Suresh Kumar, Addl. CEO, GeM and R. Vardharajan, Country Head - Government Business, Federal Bank along with Deepesh Gehlot, Director  and Hemant Mahindru, State Business Head – Government Business, Federal Bank in the presence of Talleen Kumar, CEO, GeM.
GeM is also working with Banks, TReDs, and SIDBI to provide bill discounting and financing of working capital where the cost of capital is linked to the performance & rating of a seller on GeM. This will help the sellers in general & the MSMEs in particular to access easy credit and do better business with the government. In addition, GeM is contemplating the creation of EMD pool account for making it easy for sellers to comply with the EMD requirements while responding to bids.
Ministry of Defence
Jiya Rai, a 12 years old naval child, Swims 36 kilometers to create awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder
Miss Jiya Rai, a 12 year old daughter of a Naval sailor Madan Rai, created history by swimming from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India, a distance of 36 Km in 08 hrs and 40 minutes on 17 Feb 21. She is a known case of Autism Spectrum Disorder  and dedicated the swimming feat to raise awareness about Autism. She commenced her record setting feat in the early morning hours of 17 Feb 21 at 0350 hrs from Bandra-Worli Sea Link and completed at Gateway of India at 1230 hrs. The swimming event was conducted under observation of Swimming Association of Maharashtra, a recognised body of Swimming Federation of India. The event was also associated with FIT India Movement by Ministry of Youth and Sports Affair.
The award ceremony was held at Gateway of India on 17 Feb 21. Miss Jiya Rai was felicitated with a trophy by Ms Zarir N Baliwala, President of Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association .
Miss Jiya Rai had earlier swam from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India, distance of 14 Km in 03 hrs 27 minutes and 30 sec on 15 Feb 20 and holds world record for youngest girl with ASD to swim 14 km in open waters.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ship owners worldwide invited to now flag their ships in India to take advantage of the Make in India policy of the Government
Government of India has recently revised its Make in India Policy for public procurement, among others, of all services. Under the revised policy, no global tender enquiry shall be issued, except with the approval of the Competent Authority, for the procurement of all services with estimated value of purchases less than Rs. 200 crores.
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State  for Shipping reviewed the readiness of Indian shipping for implementation of the Government’s Cargo Transportation Policy.
It is estimated that the Make in India policy will provide an opportunity to at least DOUBLE the number of Indian flag vessels in the immediate term - from the present approximately 450 to at least 900 and more over a period of 3 years - leaving further scope for additional investment in the Indian flag tonnage.
With a modern maritime administration, continuous supply of trained seafarers, ship management skills already available, ship owners worldwide are invited to now flag their ships in India to take advantage of the Make in India policy of the Government in respect of transportation of Government cargoes.