ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Southern Command open online competition
Pune, 19 October 2020
Southern Command, Pune is organising an open online competition with theme “Indian Army : A Symbol of unity in Diversity”. The contest is open to all under various age categories with a total prize award money of Rs 1,22,000/-  alongwith award of merit certificate from Indian Army. The competition details have also been uploaded on Southern Command Facebook page “SouthernCommand.IndianArmy” and Twitter handle “IaSouthern”.
The competition will involve four competition i.e. Slogan Writing, Video Making, Photography and Painting under various age categories. The Videos, Photographs, Paintings and Slogans will have to be uploaded as a message in the Southern Command Facebook page or forwarded on email id sconlinecomp[at]gmail[dot]com alongwith mobile No of the contestant and a copy of Aadhar Card / Age Proof.
Headquarters Southern Command, Pune said the aim of the online competition was to nurture and tap the vast talent available in our Nation and urged that people should actively participate in the online competition. The entries are open from 19 October 2020 and will close on 10 December 2020. The results of the competition would be announced on 16 December 2020 on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on Southern Command Facebook and Twitter handles.Pune PIB -M.Iyengar/DR
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Cabinet approves to the MoU between India and Argentina on cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation
The Union cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and Argentina on cooperation in the field of Medical Products Regulation.
Benefits:
The approval would facilitate better understanding of the regulatory aspects between the two sides and help in increasing India’s export of medical products to Argentina and better coordination in the international fora.
Prime Minister's Office
PM Modi, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, jointly unveil e-plaques for development projects in Bangladesh, via video conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, today jointly unveiled e-plaques for development projects in Bangladesh, through video conference.
Both leaders unveiled e-plaques for supply of buses and trucks, inauguration of 36 community clinics, 11 water treatment plants, and extension of National Knowledge Network to Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted that this is his sixth video conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said that PM Sheikh Hasina’s vision is the biggest inspiration for stronger connectivity between India and Bangladesh. He said today’s unveilings will boost not just transport connectivity, but also knowledge connectivity. He said the National Knowledge Network will connect scholars and research institutes in Bangladesh, to India and the world. He said the buses and trucks would assist the efforts towards affordable public transportation; water treatment plants will help supply clean water; and community clinics will benefit about 2 lakh people, in Bangladesh. He said these projects show that India-Bangladesh relations are playing a key role in improving the quality of life of people.
Prime Minister Modi was appreciative of, and reiterated India’s support for the ambitious development targets set by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for Bangladesh. He expressed confidence that bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh would continue to grow even further.
President's Secretariat
The President’s health is stable and he is under the care of the experts at the AIIMS
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has been shifted to the AIIMS, Delhi, in the afternoon today . Post investigations, doctors have advised him to undergo a planned bypass procedure which is expected to be performed on the morning of March 30, Tuesday. The President’s health is stable and he is under the care of the experts at the AIIMS.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NFAI acquires huge personal collection of Vijaya Mulay
A huge collection of books and films from the personal collection of prominent documentary filmmaker and film historian Vijaya Mulay is now part of National Film Archive of India. Her daughter, renowned actress Suhasini Mulay donated the valuable collection to the NFAI. Vijaya Mulay was one of the pioneers of film society movement in India and is acknowledged for her documentaries and educational communication.
The personal collection consists of more than 200 books, films in 16 mm format and multiple VHS tapes. The enormous number of books in different languages covers vast variety right from Indian cinema, prominent filmmakers, fiction & non-fiction films to the world cinema and globally acknowledged filmmakers. There are also magazines, journals, film dictionaries and brochures/official documents of various film festivals.
A 16mm print of an educational film Kishan And His Magic Chariot , produced by Vijaya Mulay is a major feature of the collection. The film talks about ways of learning and teaching by stressing out the curiosity in the students to explore the world.
Some of the other titles of the received films are The Indian Tomb  which is co-written by celebrated filmmaker Fritz Lang, another one is French documentary film Calcutta  by Louis Malle, the film was part of Cannes Film Festival, 1969, and the next one is Moving Pictures  by colin law, a documentary presents a visual exploration of his personal collection of war images collected over five decades.
The highlight is one of the VHS consists a TV series is called ‘J'ai fait un beau voyage’, the 3 episodes program with a legendary filmmaker from Italian cinema Roberto Rossellini, named ‘Heureux qui comme Rossellini’ broadcasted from January 11th -August 6th, 1959.
It also consists a documentary film directed by Suhasini Mulay, Tapan Bose and Salim Shaikh, ‘Bhopal: Beyond Genocide '. The painstaking documentary on the tragic incident unfolds the events after a poisonous gas leak on the night of December 3, 1984, from a pesticide plant in Bhopal.
“We are delighted and truly honoured to receive this substantial collection. I am thankful to Suhasini Mulay ji for having faith in the NFAI and to donate the material for the preservation. I am sure this addition would be useful to film researchers across the world. We also appeal to all to deposit archival film-related material to NFAI so that it can be preserved for future generations and made accessible to film researchers”, said Prakash Magdum, Director, NFAI.
CP/PK
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President's Secretariat
OFFICERS/OFFICER TRAINEES OF INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE AND INDIAN NAVAL ARMAMENT SERVICE CALL ON THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA
Officers/Officer Trainees of Indian Information Service  and Probationers of Indian Naval Armament Service called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Addressing the officers of Indian Information Service, the President said that communication is a crucial factor in making citizens aware about government policies, programmes and its functioning. Through effective communication and with correct information, IIS officers can be instrumental in making citizens informed partners in the progress of the country.
The President said that today, with the wide and instant spread of information, a challenge of fake information travelling equally fast has also emerged. IIS officers have to take the responsibility of combating fake news. She urged them to harness technology and work with dedication to check the trend of misusing media, especially social media, to build false narratives.
The President said that IIS officers have a key role in enhancing the image of India on the global stage. India has always given the message of peace and brotherhood to the world. Spreading India’s soft power through cultural messages for the entire humanity is an important area where they can make a big difference.
Addressing the officers of Indian Naval Armament Service, the President said that they have to play a significant role in providing an efficient and safe armament logistics delivery system to both the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. She said that with advancement in technology and introduction of state-of-the-art weapons, they must strive for innovation to achieve the goals of indigenisation.
The President said that while much has been achieved in the pursuit of indigenisation over past decades, the time is now ripe for launching a new phase of self-reliance by manufacturing technologically advanced equipment within India, in line with the vision of ‘Make in India’. She urged INAS officers to wholeheartedly contribute towards achieving self-reliance in the field of Naval Armament and realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The President advised officers to always remember that their positions are of great responsibility and accountability. She said that each and every decision and action that they take will impact the lives of citizens either directly or indirectly. So, their goals should be aligned with the development goals of the country and well-being of fellow citizens.
Please click here to see the President's Speech
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Christmas
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Christmas.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Christmas greetings to everyone! We recall the life and noble teachings of Jesus Christ, which placed topmost emphasis on service, kindness and humility. May everyone be healthy and prosperous. May there be harmony all around."
President's Secretariat
President Shri Ram Nath Kovind stresses on need of more participation of girl students in higher education
Kharagpur, Midnapore,WB, July 20, 2018
President Shri Ram Nath Kovind has stressed on need of more participation of girl students in higher education particularly in the stream of science and technology so that workforce of our country can rise to fair and acceptable levels in coming decades. Shri Kovind was addressing the 64th Convocation of IIT, Kharagpur, West Bengal today. He expressed concern about the comparatively less number of girl students in IIT, Kharagpur. In 2017, above 1 lakh 60 thousand candidates appeared for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, among them only 30,000 were girls. In undergraduate class of IIT, 10,878 students got admission, out of them only 995 were girls. After that 11,653 students were enrolled among which only 1,925 were girls which is a little above 16 per cent which is not acceptable at all, President opined.
The President said, there should be a national priority and the IIT community must take in the lead. Without meeting this challenge and without providing the necessary opportunities for our girl child and young women, the development of Indian society can never be possible. He told, IIT, Kharagpur is located in a State that has historically produced illustrious women achievers who have contributed in nation building process and development of our society. In this connection he gave example of West Bengal Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee who was also sharing the dais with him at Kharagpur IIT.
Shri Kovind reiterated that among all IITs, IIT, Kharagpur has the largest percentage of women in leadership roles which can inspire junior girl students. He said, the institute has created 113 super-numerary seats for girl students in the undergraduate programme. President mentioned the support of Infosys Foundation that to fund women researchers who are to attend major international conferences. This is a good step but a long term process, he mentioned.
The President today unveiled the plaque of a Girls’ hostel and a guest house in the name of former President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
The other dignitaries present in the occasion were Governor of West Bengal Shri Keshari NathTripathi and the Chief Minister of West Bengal Smt. Mamata Bandyopadhyay.
Ministry of Coal
Coal India Ltd.  Helps Strengthen Health Infrastructure in Assam
Coal India Ltd. , under the Ministry of Coal has signed an MoU with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Assam for strengthening the health infrastructure at the Silchar Medical College &Hospital, Silchar, the only Medical College and Hospital in Barak Valley Region, Assam. In this new CSR initiative, CIL will contribute Rs. 5 crores towards setting up of an ICU facility and medical gas pipeline in the Silchar Medical College & Hospital which will benefit over 40 lakh people of the State.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam and the Health Minister Shri. Keshab Mahanta.
CIL and its subsidiaries have undertaken several high-investment, high-impact projects to help improve medical facilities across the country. Notable projects being the Medical College cum Hospital at Talcher in Odisha at a cost of Rs. 492 crores, ‘Premashraya’, a home for children and their families seeking cancer treatment at Kolkata for Rs. 41 crores, Support for Bone Marrow transplants of children suffering from Thalassemia at a cost of Rs. 40 crores and a Cardiac Care Centre at Jharsuguda, Odisha for Rs. 75 crores.
During the financial year 2020-21, CIL and its subsidiaries have spent Rs. 269 crores on COVID relief projects which is 48% of total CSR Expenditure of that year. In addition, CIL has contributed Rs. 221 crores to PM CARES fund in FY 2019-20. During the current fiscal CIL is also setting up 32 Oxygen Plants at 30 Hospitals at a cost of Rs. 46 Crores under “Mission Praana Vayu”.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Delay in Surgeries Due to Corona
There have been reports in the media regarding planned surgeries being cancelled/affected due to Covid-19 pandemic. However, Public Health & Hospitals being State subjects, such information is not maintained centrally.
As far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi viz. Safdarjung, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia  and Lady Hardinge Medical College  & Associated Hospitals, are concerned, elective operation theatres were closed w.e.f. 18.03.2020 and elective surgeries resumed w.e.f. 01.09.2020 in Safdarjung Hospital. However, during the period of March, 2020 to 10.09.2020, a total number of 3356 numbers of emergency surgeries were done in Safdarjung Hospital.
In Dr. RML Hospital, planned surgeries were curtailed during COVID-19 for initial period of two months. As the norms of lockdown were relaxed, planned surgeries were resumed in a sequential manner. However, during the entire COVID period, emergency surgeries were never stopped and round the clock emergency surgeries were performed as and when required. No planned surgeries were cancelled or delayed in LHMC & Associated Hospitals. All emergency surgeries are being operated with proper screening of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, separate operations theatres were earmarked for surgery of suspected and confirmed cases.
As far as All India Institute of Medical Sciences , New Delhi is concerned, some of the elective surgeries were postponed due to COVID-19. However, all emergency surgeries were undertaken regularly without any delay. Approximately 5958 surgeries of non COVID patients have been performed during the period from 25.03.2020 to 31.08.2020.
The Minister of State , Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
National Portal for Rooftop Solar eases residential consumer to apply and install rooftop solar under Rooftop Solar Programme Ph-II
National Portal available to residential consumers across the country
With the launch of National Portal for Rooftop Solar  on 30.7.2022, it has become simple and easy for a residential consumer to apply and get the rooftop solar installed under Rooftop Solar Programme Ph-II providing central financial assistance. The residential consumers from any part of the country including from Banaskantha, Gujarat; Araria, Bihar; and Jammu & Kashmir can apply on the National Portal. The consumers have the choice to select any vendor registered with the local distribution company, solar modules of quality and efficiency, solar inverter and other balance of plants and equipment. The rate of rooftop solar plant is decided mutually by vendor and the consumer. DISCOMs role is limited to issuing technical feasibility approval, installation of net-meter and inspection of the system. After installation and inspection of the system, subsidy is released directly in the bank account of the consumer. The entire process of registration of the application to release of subsidy in the bank account of the consumer can be tracked online on the Portal.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha yesterday.
Ministry of Defence
MoD implements family pension to other eligible family member of a pensioner charged with murder or abetment of Government servant
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare  vide OM dated June 16, 2021 had allowed family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner, charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence.
Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has issued order on January 05, 2022 regarding application of provisions contained in the above OM of DoP&PW mutatis–mutandis  to the Armed Forces Pensioners. This provision shall be applicable with effect from June 16, 2021.
ABB/DK/RP/Savvy
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Ministry of Defence
Closing Ceremony: Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran – XIV
Exercise SURYA KIRAN-XIV, a joint military training exercise between India and Nepal culminated today at Nepal Army Battle School , Salijhandi, Rupendehi district of Nepal, wherein the troops of both the Armies participated in 14 days long joint training based on counter insurgency operations in jungle and mountainous terrain and also practised response mechanism in the eventualities of natural and man made disasters.
As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency, counter terrorism operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response mechanism were rehearsed and executed jointly. The training culminated with a 72 hours outdoor exercise in which troops of both contingents carried out drills of counter insurgency operations. During the final phase of the exercise, Major General Gopal Gurung, Head of Indian Observer Mission was present as observer representative of Indian Army and Lieutenant General Sharad Giri, Chief of General Staff, Nepal Army was the chief guest during the ceremony.
In addition to training, both the contingents also participated in a number of extracurricular activities including friendly Football, Basketball, Volleyball matches and cultural events on the final day to showcase respective cultural lineage as also to increase the bonhomie amongst troops. The joint training was undoubtedly, an unprecedented success. Besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, it will further help in cementing ties between both the nations.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Hardeep S Puri holds high level meeting with State Governments on issues related to Civil Aviation via VC
As part of the ongoing series of meetings with States and UT s on giving further thrust to the Civil Aviation sector in the country, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Civil Aviation today held another high level meeting with H’ble Ministers, Chief secretaries of West Bengal, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
Along with laying stress on the need for reducing VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel  with immediate effect it was also informed by the Secretary, MoCA that the ministry has been requesting GST council to consider ATF to be brought within the ambit of GST and states support was also requested in this matter so that Domestic Airlines can sustain their commercial operations. The other important issues as below were discussed and brought to the fore
- possibilities of further expansion of Kolkata and Durgapur Airports
- strategy for Flight operation from Coochbehar RCS Airport
- issues related to development and airport expansion of Bagdogra Airport
- request from state government to start seaplane operations from Digha
- a detailed status update of the new airports in Uttar Pradesh was also discussed.
The meeting ended with assurance being expressed by states for considering the reduction of VAT on ATF and active support for UDAN routes for the growth of aviation sector.
RJ/PS
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Ministry of Defence
Admiral Sunil Lanba commissions Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility - ABHEDYA, at INS Shivaji, Lonavala
Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM AVSM ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff commissioned a state of the art "Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility - ABHEDYA", at INS Shivaji, Lonavla today. The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including VAdm AK Chawla, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command, VAdm GS Pabby, Chief of Materiel &Cmde BB Nagpal CMD, GSL.
M/s. GSL had signed the contract with Indian Navy for construction of NBCTF on 31 Mar 2016. In line with its tradition of delivering projects ahead of schedule, GSL has handed over the facility to Indian Navy on 28 Sep 2018, well ahead of schedule.
Cmde BB Nagpal CMD GSL stated “The timely completion of this Project is a reflection of the superior technical design and execution abilities of the Indian Navy and Goa Shipyard Limited. This unique facility will assist Indian Navy in providing realistic simulation of Nuclear, Chemical & Biological warfare to its personnel during their NBC damage control training, which till now was limited to theoretical training largely.”
The steel structure of the simulator represents the relevant NBC compartment of the ship such as upper decks, citadels, cleansing stations, DCHQ, etc. The upper deck compartment is equipped with live agents along with NBC equipment such as SIRS, SICADS and other NBC detection and monitoring equipment. The trainees will have to detect, monitor, survey and decontaminate the areas using actual NBC equipment, providing real time NBC scenarios.