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Ministry of Defence
INDIAN AIR FORCE SIGNS MOU WITH RASHTRIYA RAKSHA UNIVERSITY FOR ACADEMIC COLLABORATION
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari today visited the prestigious Rashtriya Raksha University  in Gandhinagar. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding  was signed with RRU to enable pursuit of academics by Indian Air Force  personnel in various contemporary subjects, besides promoting R&D in niche areas of mutual interest.
The MoU was signed by Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sharma, Assistant Chief of Air Staff  and Prof Anand Kumar Tripathi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, with the Vice Chancellor Prof  Bimal N Patel being in attendance.
The collaboration between IAF and RRU will facilitate IAF personnel to undertake various courses in Defence and Strategic Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Cyber Security, Applied Science, Engineering & Technology and Foreign Languages. The MoU will promote R&D in the field of National and Internal Security. The University will also extend accreditation to IAF training establishments.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Air Staff highlighted that in the wake of technological advancements in the defence sector, collaboration between military and academia is not an option, but a necessity. He was optimistic that the MoU would lead to many new joint initiatives and synergy in the field of defence technology in the years ahead.
SD/GP/JD
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Prime Minister's Office
PM condemns attack in Manchester
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has condemned the attack in Manchester, United Kingdom.
"Pained by the attack in Manchester. We strongly condemn it. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.", the Prime Minister said.
Special Service and Features
Shri Sanjay Ghosh has been given additional charge of Regional officer of Central Board of Film Certification
Shri Sanjay Ghosh, Deputy Director, DPD, Chennai have been given additional charge to hold the charge of the post of Regional Officer, Central Board of Film Certification, Chennai. He will hold this charge additionally doing with the post he is already holding as a Deputy Director DPD. This has been issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr Harsh Vardhan visits NCDC Control Room, Lab and Testing Facilities
Emphasized on sturdy community surveillance and contact tracing
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare visited National Centre for Disease Control  Control Room and the Testing Laboratories, and reviewed the current status with Dr S K Singh, Director  and senior officials, here today. He also interacted with the NHM MDs and senior surveillance officers of the States/UTs through a Video Conference.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that NCDC is taking a lead role in undertaking investigations of disease outbreaks all over the country employing epidemiological and diagnostic tools. He appreciated the public health surveillance and response management, technical guidance, laboratory support and addressing public concerns through a 24x7 helpline for COVID-19 undertaken by NCDC.
He visited the Control Room and interacted with the response givers and encouraged them. Appreciating the efforts and work of the call centre staff at NCDC control room, and the scientists engaged in tests and research, Dr Harsh Vardhan stated: “You all form our frontline warriors, who through supporting people with correct, timely and vital information, are rendering yeoman service to the nation”, he stated. “I salute the scientists who work with the testing procedures, and put themselves at risk in their line of duty“, he further added.
In all, more than 2 lakh calls have been answered and responded to at the Control Room, while more nearly 52,000 emails have been answered.
Dr Harsh Vardhan also lauded the dedication, hard work and sincerity of all the surveillance officers and encouraged them to continue the fight with renewed vigour. Reviewing the status of containment and management of COVID-19 in the country with the NHM MDs, the Union Health Minister emphasised on the quality and sturdiness of the community surveillance and contact tracing. “It is the need of the hour that all the people who are either in home or facility quarantine, need to maintain strict vigil, and practice the laid down protocols of social distancing, and personal hygiene. Special care needs to be taken of the elderly, pregnant women and small children”, he stated.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also appealed to the citizens of India that they should cooperate with the Government authorities, help each other by sharing authentic information and supress the misconceptions & rumours regarding COVID-19.
As on date, cumulatively 1,87,904 persons are under surveillance, and around 35,073 have completed 28 days observation period as on day. Of the total samples tested, 2023 samples have been tested by NCDC. Of these, 52 have tested positive for COVID-19.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
All Measures to Make Steel Manufacturing Sector Competitive- Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Steel Ministers Meet Steel Industry Representatives
Commerce & Industry and Railways Minister & Steel Minister Meeting Steel Manufacturers Association
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways and Steel Minister discussed the challenges being faced by the steel sector and the import-export trends with steel producers in New Delhi today.
Both the Ministers assured the steel industry that Ministries of Commerce& Industry and Steel will make all efforts to ensure that engineering goods exports double in the next 5 years and reach USD 200 billion by 2030.
This will not only boost India’s exports but will also generate jobs in the manufacturing sector especially the MSME sector.
Although India is the second largest manufacturers of steel but India is also a net importer of steel. Representatives of the steel industry and the Engineering Export Councils discussed in detail with Commerce and Steel Ministers the protectionist measures being imposed by other countries and the under-utilised capacity in steel manufacturing in India.
Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan discussed at length the measures that both Commerce and Industry and Steel Ministry may take, both tariff and non-tariff, to reduce unnecessary imports and boost exports.
The MSME sector steel manufacturers urged steel producers to supply raw material at concessional prices so that the MSME sector can compete in international markets.
The meeting was attended by Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Faggansingh Kulaste, MoS Steel, Secretary Steel, Binoy Kumar, Secretary Commerce, Anup Wadhawan, DGFT, Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, senior officers of Department of Commerce and Steel Ministry, Chairman SAIL, all members of EEPCs, Indian Steel Association, steel makers and manufacturers and other associations of the steel sector.
Department of Space
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland on Cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space. The MoU has already been signed in 10th January, 2019 at New Delhi.
Impact:
The signed MoU will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.
Cooperation with the Government of Finland would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.
Details:
The Memorandum of Understanding shall enable the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as,
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- Remote sensing of the earth
- Satellite communication and satellite based navigation
- Space science and planetary exploration
- Development, testing and operation of space objects and ground system
- Launching of Finnish Space objects by Indian launch vehicles
- Processing and use of space data
- Developing innovative applications and solutions based on space technologies and use of artificial intelligence
- Cooperation around emerging New Space opportunities and data ecosystems and sustainable used of outer space.
Under this MoU the Participants or upon their authority, the implementing agencies, may set up project teams if necessary, to manage specific cooperative projects taken up under implementing arrangements.
Implementation Strategy and Targets:
- The Participants will each nominate a coordinator for the purpose of coordinating cooperative activities under this MoU. In order to facilitate the implementation of this MoU, the Participants could meet on mutual decision alternately in India or in Finland or through videoconference.
- The Participants or, upon their authority, the implementing agencies, may set up project teams if necessary, to manage specific cooperative projects taken up under implementing arrangements.
The move comes in the background of interest expressed by the Govt. of Finland for co-operation in the area of Space.
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog and UNDP sign Memorandum of Understanding on fast tracking SDGs
Reiterating a mutual commitment towards fast-tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, NITI Aayog and UNDP India have signed today, a Memorandum of Understanding  to formalise a framework of cooperation on a range of areas, including SDG localisation, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks, among others.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam CEO, NITI Aayog by Dr Yogesh Suri, Senior Adviser , NITI Aayog, and Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India.
Welcoming the partnership, Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam said, “Over the years, NITI Aayog and UNDP’s collaboration has grown from strength to strength. With monitoring going beyond districts down to the block level, we see this partnership fostering data-driven policy interventions and programmatic action. Standing at the midpoint of the 2030 agenda, we look forward to working together with the States in the true spirit of cooperative federalism. We also look forward to partnering with UNDP to showcase and share India’s successes in realizing its development priorities to its peers”
Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, “Midway to 2030, India’s leadership is critical for making the SDGs a reality. India nearly halved multidimensional poverty between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, demonstrating that despite complex challenges, accelerating progress towards the Goals is possible. Through this MoU with NITI Aayog, UNDP stands ready to enhance its support for localization of the SDGs, data-driven decision-making through various indices, the Aspirational Districts and Blocks programme, and SDG financing. UNDP will also provide support for NITI Aayog’s work on women's livelihoods, innovation, and Mission LiFE."
The MoU was signed for a period of five years. NITI Aayog is the nodal Institution for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP plays the integrator role in coordinating efforts to fast-track progress on the SDGs within the UN system.
Ministry of Defence
Deep Sea Submarine Rescue System Inducted into the Indian Navy at Mumbai
Indian Navy's first flyaway Deep Sea Submarine Rescue System was formally inducted by Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Naval Staff, at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, former CNS/Cs-in-C as well as the senior management of the Original Equipment Manufacturer, M/s James Fisher and Sons Pvt. Ltd, UK were present during the induction ceremony. Aquisition of this capability is a significant and pioneering jump in the Indian Navy's capability in deep submarine rescue.
The Indian Navy currently operates submarines of the Sindhughosh, Shishumar, Kalvari Classes as well as nuclear powered submarines. The operating medium and the nature of operations undertaken by submarines expose them to high degree of inherent risk. In such an eventuality, traditional methods of search and rescue at sea are ineffective for a disabled submarine. To overcome this capability gap the Navy has acquired a third generation, advanced Submarine Rescue System considering of a Non-tethered Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle  and its associated equipment.
The Indian Navy now joins a select league of Nations worldwide with the sovereign capability, in fly away configuration, to search, locate and rescue crew from a disabled Submarine. The Deep Sea rescue system would have a global footprint and can be mobilised from the Naval base at Mumbai to the nearest mobilisation port by air/land or sea to provide rapid rescue to the Submarines in distress. The newly acquired capability would be operated and deployed by the crew of Indian Navy's newly formed Submarine Rescue Unit  from its base in Mumbai.
The Indian Navy's Deep Sea Submarine Rescue System considered to be the most advanced system currently in operation globally, is capable of undertaking rescue from a disabled Submarine upto 650 m depth. The DSRV, which is operated by a crew of three, can rescue 14 personnel from a disabled Submarine at one time and can operate in extreme sea conditions .
Special Service and Features
Digital Life Certificate to Central Government Pensioners and EPFO Pensioners at their doorstep through Postmen
Department of Posts is providing a platform for submission of Life Certificate in digital mode through India Post Payments Bank for the Pensioners of Central Government and EPFO at their doorsteps through Postman.
Central Government Pensioners / EPFO Pensioners are asked to submit their Annual Life Certificate from 1st Nov 2022 onwards. To avoid the hassle faced by the pensioners while going in person to submit their Life certificate, India Post Payments Bank, which operates under the Department of Posts has arranged for the doorstep service to the pensioners to submit their digital Life Certificate through Jeevan Pramaan using the biometric authentication, with a service charge of Rs.70/-
Pensioners can generate their digital life certificate through their area postmen within few minutes by providing details like Aadhaar number, mobile number, PPO number, pension account details and biometric authentication.
The India Post Payments Bank  was launched nationwide on September 01, 2018. It is fully owned by Department of Posts operating under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India. It is expanding the banking services to the last mile of the country through 1,36,000 post offices. It has opened savings accounts for over 5 crore members of public within a short span of time.
In Chennai City Region, more than 2500 Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks through 1979 Post Offices in urban and rural areas and villages are being engaged for various door step services like Aadhaar Mobile number Updation, new Aadhaar enrolment for Children below 5 years, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System withdrawals for Direct Benefit Transfers and submission of Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners.
Chennai City Region has facilitated 59,962 pensioners of State Government in generating Digital Life Certificate at their doorsteps through Postmen during the mustering period from 1st July 2022 to 30th Sep 2022.
Therefore, the Central Government Pensioners & EPFO Pensioners can avail the doorstep facility and submit their Digital Life Certificate to their Area Postmen in their homes.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Indian swimmer and Tokyo Olympian Shrihari Nataraj takes up ‘Meet the Champions' initiative ahead; visits Bengaluru to meet school students
The initiative is going to be a major boost, not only for the health of every kid but also for the growth of sports in this country, Shrihari Nataraj
Indian swimmer and Tokyo Olympian Shrihari Nataraj visited Bengaluru’s R.V. Girls High School School on 19th February, 2022 for the initiative ‘Meet the Champions' started by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
This was the first time that the unique school visit campaign was held in the state of Karnataka, with Olympic medalists Neeraj Chopra, Bajrang Punia, having visited schools in Gujarat and Haryana respectively and Olympic sailors Varun Thakkar and KC Ganapathy taking it to local schools of Tamil Nadu.
The young Olympic swimmer spoke about the importance of having such initiatives in the country as it helps promote sports in the country. While interacting with the students, he further added that the experience has been really great and it is really wonderful that this initiative has started. It is going to help a lot of kids to understand the importance of sports, fitness, nutrition and health. It is going to be a major boost, not only for the health of every kid but also for the growth of sports in this country.
This initiative is really going to be motivating for the children and hopefully, with this, we can expect a lot more youngsters to take up sports and adopt a healthy lifestyle," he said. Shrihari spoke to the students on the importance of having a 'Santulit Aahaar' , Fitness and even shared details about his food habits and the diet he follows. After the interaction, Shrihari tried his hands at the game of badminton and played a few games with the students present at the event.
Besides members of the host school, student representatives of 75 schools from various districts of Karnataka also got the opportunity to attend the event and share their experiences with the South Asian Games Gold Medalist and interact with him about swimming and his experiences as a competitive sports person.
'Meet the Champions' initiative is part of the government’s ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that was kicked off by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in December 2021 and Paralympic Bronze medalist Sharad Kumar in January 2022.
The school visit campaign is jointly being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, where the Olympians and Paralympians share their own experiences, life lessons, tips on how to eat right and also give an overall inspirational boost to school children.
In the coming days, Paralympic medalists Avani Lekhara and Mariyappan Thangavelu would be taking the initiative ahead for the Paralympians and visiting schools in the states of Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu respectively.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Mary Kom on her gold at Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships
PM congratulates Mary Kom on her gold at Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian Boxer Mary Kom on her gold at Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships.
Prime Minister said, "Congratulations Mary Kom for clinching the gold at the ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships. India is elated at your accomplishment."
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India Signs MOU With World EXPO 2020 Dubai
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Executive Director, Dubai Expo 2020 signing participants contract today
India and World Expo 2020 signed participants contract today for India’s pavilion in the prestigious World Expo 2020 held once in 5 years. The contract was signed by Shri Manoj K. Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India on Indian side and Mr. Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau on behalf of Expo 2020 at the Expo site in the presence of Shri Navdeep Suri, Ambassador of India to UAE, Shri Vipul, Consul General of India, Dubai and Dr. Tarek Shayya, Board Director-Chief International Participants Officer, Dubai Expo.
The contract provides for the setting up of India pavilion at Expo 2020 on an extra large plot  in the ‘Opportunity’ segment. This is tune with the great opportunity for economic activity that India provides today on the way to becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025. Focus will be given to India’s advances in Space, Pharma, IT, Renewable Energy, Telecom sectors.
The pavilion will be developed in public-private partnership mode. Leading industries and businesses will work with Central government and State governments to participate in India’s pavilion. A number of state governments, various ministries of central government and major industry associations and businesses have shown interest in partnering and participating in World Expo 2020 which will take place for six months beginning October 2020.
Commerce & Industry Minister, Shri Suresh Prabhu has expressed his happiness on the signing of the contract. Commerce Secretary, Smt. Rita Teaotia has held meetings with stakeholders and industry associations like FICCI and CII for helping the Government in making India’s participation a memorable and befitting one.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Business Meet organized by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. , Itanagar Branch for potential entrepreneurs of the region under Ministry of DONER.
NEDFi, Itanagar Branch commemorated the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" by organizing a "Business Meet" at Hotel Su-Pinsa, Near Civil Secretariat, Itanagar, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh. The meet was attended by 27 potential entrepreneurs.
During the meet, a presentation on the activities of NEDFi and various Loan Products of NEDFi with emphasis on the low-interest rate and newly incorporated NEDFi schemes on Health, Tea, Handloom & Handicraft industry and Self-Employed Professionals Business Loan Scheme.
Special Invitee, Shri Goli Angu, Deputy Director, Department of Industry, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh highlighted the various schemes under North East Industrial Development Scheme  and incentives under NEIDS.
The participants were briefed on how to apply and process for loan documentation procedures including securities and recovery aspects of bank finance by BM, NEDFi Itanagar. They were also informed on the importance of bookkeeping, audited financial statements and healthy banking transactions etc.
The session concluded with questionnaires from the entrepreneurs which were responded by NEDFi Itanagar Branch. The participants show their interest on real estate projects, restaurants, projects on petty trades etc.