ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Education
The US National Science Foundation Director meets Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, expresses keenness to enhance collaboration with India
Shri Pradhan asks NSF to reach out to unrepresented education institutions
Also emphasizes the necessity of including Skilling Institutions in future NSF plans
The US National Science Foundation has expressed keenness to deepen and widen its collaborations with India in the education and skilling sectors. NSF Director Shri Sethuraman Panchanathan met the Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi today, to discuss mutual areas of interest and India’s plans for STEM studies under the National Education Policy 2020.
Speaking at the meeting Shri Pradhan emphasized that India’s strength lies in its young demographics and strong knowledge base. He said a wealth of talent is available in various institutions across different regions of the country, waiting to be nurtured. NSF should therefore look at increasing its engagement with lesser known and hitherto unrepresented institutions like NITs, Central Universities and State Universities in addition to the premier institutions in the country. Referring to the education- skill continuum that is being created in accordance with NEP 2020, Shri Pradhan also emphasized the necessity of bringing the skill sector within the ambit of such collaboration by reaching out to institutions like polytechnics, ITIs and community colleges. He said it was top priority and responsibility of his Government to ensure that all youth, whether in mainstream academics or in the formal or informal skill sector, get equal opportunity to quality education and skilling so that they are equipped to face the twenty first century challenges.
NSF is an independent federal agency with the responsibility of promoting scientific discovery, technological innovation and STEM education. With a budget of US$8.8 billion, NSF is the major source of federal funding in fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences . India’s engagements with the NSF include six Technology Innovation Hubs under which 8 institutions like IITs, IISc Bangalore and others are collaborating in 30 projects and some projects on Cyber Security. Director NSF is in India to explore ways to enhance these engagements.
Echoing India’s priorities Shri Panchanathan said that like India, inclusivity and accessibility of quality education are a priority with the US Government too. He assured that NSA would reach out for collaboration with unrepresented institutions including those involved in skilling, so that talent in these places can also be nurtured.
Shri Pradhan has asked the Ministry of Education, led by AICTE, to prepare a framework for further engagement with the NSF, also consulting other relevant Ministries in this regard.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Dr. Jitendra Singh hands over 2200 Essential kits prepared by Kendriya Bhandar for distribution to needy families in Delhi in the wake of COVID-19.
Responding to the call of the Hon Prime Minister of India in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, Union Ministries of Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions and DoNER have been taking a series of measures after the declaration of the Lockdown. Kendriya Bhandar, which functions under the Department of Personnel and Training  has taken the unique initiative of providing "Essentials Kits" to needy families.
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today handed over a consignment of 2200 Essential Kits for distribution to needy families in the wake of COVID-19. Each such Kit consisting of 9 items is meant to assist one needy family for some time.
Dr Jitendra Singh handed over 1700 kits to SDM, Civil Lines, Central Delhi District and the remaining 500 kits will be given to DM .
Kendriya Bhandar has prepared a total of 2200 kits for distribution to needy families.
• Each Essentials Kit consists of the following:
1. Rice 3 Kgs
2. Wheat Flour 3 Kgs
3. Dal 2 Kgs
4. Cooking Oil 1 ltr
5. Chiwda/Poha 500 gms
6. Salt 1 kg
7. Bathing Soap bar 1 no.
8. Detergent Soap bar 1no.
9. Biscuits 3 pkts
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Ministry of Defence
DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS IN THE COUNTRY
To achieve Aatmanirbharta and realise the goal of ‘Make in India’, Government of India has established two Defence Industrial Corridors  in the country, one in Uttar Pradesh and other in Tamil Nadu. 06  nodes viz. Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow have been identified for developing Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor . Similarly, 05  nodes viz. Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli identified for developing Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor . Government intends to develop defence manufacturing ecosystem having conducive conditions including supply chain for giving push to production and testing & certification to create economies of scale and facilitate development of internationally competitive enterprises in the country.
As per the information received from Government of Uttar Pradesh for UPDIC, 105 Memorandum of Understandings  have been signed with industries etc. worth potential investments of Rs 12,139 crore. Already, Rs 2,422 crore have been invested in UPDIC. Total 1,608 Hectare of land has been acquired for development of UPDIC. Further, as per the information received from Government of Tamil Nadu for TNDIC, arrangements have been made through Memorandum of Understandings  etc. for potential investment of Rs 11,794 crore by 53 industries. Rs 3,847 crore have already been invested in TNDIC. Total 910 Hectare of lands has been acquired for development of TNDIC.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri GVL Narasimha Rao in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 522
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 196.44 Crore
More than 10 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 196.44 Crore  today. More than 10 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10408393
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10057487
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5555077
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18422337
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17613938
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9719136
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
35889183
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
21488240
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
60155202
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
47922386
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
557951226
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
498491126
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2150320
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|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203394772
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
192795534
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2159433
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|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127213192
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
120381669
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
22650693
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
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|
1013434305
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|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
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|
908750380
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|
Precaution Dose
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|
42234659
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|
Total
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1964419344
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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Date: 21st June, 2022 
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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|
30
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
546
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12583
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
149
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
782
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
48045
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
59225
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
171555
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|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
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|
23025
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
79749
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
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|
25018
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
278931
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
60791
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3543
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
61592
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
32976
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3602
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
42604
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
145825
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
114592
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|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
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|
635759
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|
Precaution Dose
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|
300220
|
|
Total
|
|
1050571
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Coal
Methodology Issued for Rationalization of Linkages/ Swapping of Coal
The coal linkages from coal companies have been rationalized in order to reduce the distance in transportation of coal from the coal mines to the consumer. The exercise shall help in reducing the load on the transportation infrastructure and easing the evacuation constraints.
The past rationalization exercises were implemented only for Power Sector and have resulted into rationalization of coal movement of 63.12 MT of coal with annual potential savings of around Rs. 3769 crore. Unlike the past rationalization exercises, the present methodology on linkage rationalization, covers the Power as well as Non-Regulated Sector , for all types of consumers and coal swapping with imported coal has also been permitted.
The scheme envisages transfer of coal quantity in terms of gross Calorific Value  equivalence and is applicable for non-coking coal only. The Arrangement shall be allowed only within the same sector viz. NRS  with NRS and Power  with Power. Participation in the scheme shall be voluntary and arrangement between the parties rationalizing/swapping coal through rail and/or sea mode shall be bilateral. Coal India Limited  shall be the nodal agency for conducting the process of linkage rationalization/swapping of coal. A committee shall oversee the implementation of the scheme and address key issues in the implementation. The willing participants / consumers shall register on the electronic platform for rationalization and submit the requisite information. The savings accrued in the process shall be transferred to Indian Railways/DISCOM.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister of State Dr L Murugan interacts with fishermen in Andaman
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan visited Andaman today.
He interacted with the officials of All India Radio in Portblair and reviewed the functioning of AIR.
He then met fishermen and briefed them about the various schemes being implemented by the Union government for the welfare of the fishing community.
He said that the Kisan Credit Card Scheme has been extended to fishermen and the Centre is keen to ensure the livelihood and safety of fishermen.
The Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, is implementing a flagship scheme namely, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  with highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of five years from FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States and Union Territories , the Minister of State said.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Farmers being misled on Agricultural Laws by vested interests: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today that the Contract Agreement, as per the Act brought in through the new Agricultural Laws , will be for the crops and not for the land, and alleged that the farmers are being misled to believe otherwise.
Launching a campaign from his Lok Sabha constituency in support of the Farmers Laws brought in by the Modi Govt and against the disinformation being spread by the Congress Party, Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing the Party workers, Sarpanches and BDC Chairmen from the border villages and other areas of districts Kathua and Udhampur.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the irony is that while the common farmer is satisfied and has no apprehensions, it is some politically motivated interests which have no knowledge or stake in farming but who are trying to make an issue out of it by trying to mislead the farmers. He said, it is in the interest of the farming community of India and common people at large, that all the like-minded people should come out and vociferously dispel the disinformation and the malicious campaign launched by the self-seeking elements.
While the Bill clearly prohibits sale, lease or mortgage of farmers’ land, Dr Jitendra Singh asked, where is the question of farmers’ land being taken over by certain capitalists as is being alleged? He said, the Bill clearly states that the Agreement will be for the crops and not for the land.
Moreover, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Contract Agreement with the farmers is to get the fixed price. Not only this, the new Act also provides the provision for farmers to withdraw from the Contract at any time without any penalty, he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh accused the opposition of taking up imaginary issues of contention which do not find any reference in the Laws . For example, he said, it is nowhere mentioned that the provision of MSP will be done away with at any point of time and yet the Congress Party and some others are trying to create false fears in the minds of innocent farmers.
Dr Jitendra Singh appealed to party colleagues to reach out to each and every farmer in every village and explain to him the big conspiracy being hatched against him. This, he said, will enable the agricultural community to avail of the enormous welfare initiatives introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to inaugurate the multipurpose hall of JNV Vadnagar
Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be inaugurating the multipurpose hall of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Vadnagar, Gujarat.
The Minister will also take stock of other education related initiatives in the region. He will also meet the senior officials of the State Government.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
West Bengal Governor releases a Coffee Table Book titled “The Warrior Democrat”, a Pictorial Biography of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Kolkata, March 07, 2022
A coffee table book titled “The Warrior Democrat”, a Pictorial Biography of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was released by West Bengal Governor Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar here in the city today. Former Chief Justice of Calcutta and Bombay High Court, Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee; Former Governor of Meghalaya and Tripura, Shri Tathagata Roy and Founder of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Foundation, Chairman, National Monuments Authority, Ex-MP and Editor of the book Shri Tarun Vijay attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was great visionary, educationist and a thinker of modern India. Shri Tathagata Roy said, Dr. Mookerjee was a politician and patriot who often opposed the official narratives of his time but fought consistently for India's independence and pre-eminent position in the world. The speakers also said that Dr. Mookerjee was the epitome of country’s unity as he strongly fought for the principle of ‘ek bidhan, ek nisan, ek pradhan’ to abolish Article 370 of the constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Mookerjee’s ideals still continue to inspire and guide the people during the present times, they added.
Ms. Monideepa Mukherjee, Director General, Publications Division, Shri Bhupendra Kainthola, Director General, PIB , Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Shri Shreyansh Baid, the designer of the book was also present among others on the occasion.
About the Book "The Warrior 'Democrat" Syama Prasad Mookerjee:
The book on Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, “The Warrior Democrat" edited by Shri Tarun Vijay is a pictorial biography of around 300 pages comprising of about 400 photographs. The agency, Shreyansh Innovations Pvt. ltd. was assigned the job of taking all the photographs from a collection of 100 odd years and enlarging them for a volume of this size.
Ministry of Defence
Cyclone 'Vayu' - Indian Navy preparations
The Indian Navy reviewed all preparatory actions in coordination with State/ Civil administration of Gujarat for Cyclone 'Vayu'.
The Western Naval Command, Mumbai is closely monitoring the developing situation. IN Ships Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai have been embarked with HADR/ Relief Material, and are ready to be deployed at short notice. In addition, 5000 litres of drinking water is also being embarked on board IN ships. Seven IN aircraft and three helicopters are standby for deployment. Two Diving & Rescue teams, and three Medical teams are ready to render necessary assistance. Preparations have been undertaken to setup community kitchen at Dwarka and Porbandar. Aircraft and helicopters will be deployed for the damage assessment and Search and Rescue operations as required.
Prime Minister's Office
Onam is increasingly turning out to be an international festival, says PM in Mann ki Baat
In the latest address of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi talked about the festival of Onam. He said that the festival arrives in the month of Chingam. During this period, people buy something new, decorate their homes, prepare Pookalam and enjoy Onam-Saadiya, he said.
Prime Minister noted that Onam is increasingly turning out to be an international festival with the zest of Onam having reached distant shores of foreign lands.
He said that Onam is a festival linked with agriculture and is also the time of a new beginning for the rural economy. He underlined that society derives sustenance from the fortitude of farmers. Recalling the glorious praise for our food provider, the Annadaata, in the Vedas, Prime Minister said that even during these trying times of Corona, our farmers have proven their mettle as reflected in an increase in sowing of crops, and saluted their perseverance.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Affordable Rental Housing Complexes scheme aims to provide low-cost dignified rental accommodation with necessary civic amenities for the urban migrants/ poor near their workplace
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  has launched Affordable Rental Housing Complexes , a sub-scheme under PMAY-U. ARHCs aim to provide low-cost dignified rental accommodation with necessary civic amenities for the urban migrants/ poor near their workplace. ARHCs will create a sustainable ecosystem of affordable rental housing solutions for migrants, thereby preventing the growth of future slums. The Ministry has also shared the Model Tenancy Act  2021 with the States/ UTs for adoption by either legislating the new laws or amending existing rental laws on the lines of MTA for adoption. It will enable creation of adequate rental housing stock for all the income groups including migrants from rural areas.
Land and colonization are State subjects. Therefore, schemes related to slum rehabilitation and affordable housing for addressing migration from rural areas and promoting inclusive urban development are implemented by States/ Union Territories  through their implementing agencies. In addition, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  is supplementing the efforts of States/ UTs by providing Central Assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban  since 25.06.2015 for construction of houses for all eligible beneficiaries including slum dwellers and rural migrants. Based on the project proposals submitted by States/ UTs, so far more than 122 lakh houses have been sanctioned in all urban areas, out of which more than 101 lakh have been grounded and more than 62 lakh have been completed/ delivered to the beneficiaries. Data pertaining to removal of slums in the country is not maintained by this Ministry.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
INS TARKASH MISSION DEPLOYED IN GULF OF GUINEA
Reinforcing Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security, INS Tarkash is currently mission deployed in the Gulf of Guinea  for anti-piracy operations.
As part of the deployment, the ship undertook Joint Maritime Exercise with Nigerian Navy Patrol Ships NNS Kano, Osun, Sokoto and Nguru from 12 to 13 Sep 22.
The exercise provided an opportunity for reinforcing inter-operability between the Indian and Nigerian navies in various facets of maritime operations like Anti-Piracy operations, Assistance to vessel in distress, SAR drills as also anti-air and anti-surface operations. It also helped enhance skills for maritime interdiction and counter piracy operations.
The exercise marks the first joint operational deployment by India and Nigeria, in support of Anti-piracy operations, in the GoG.
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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Exhorts Captains of Oil and Gas Industry to Support Innovation by Young Professionals
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan last evening addressed FIPI ’s annual summit and awards ceremony in New Delhi. Speaking about innovation, Shri Pradhan said, “Technology, innovation are order of the day. I am of firm belief that youngsters can drive innovation. Industry must work on creating framework to support young employees on driving innovation and creating new business models."
Shri Pradhan complemented FIPI for completing three years and congratulated the award winners. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking on the occasion, said that India is an aspirational society and with a large market and aspirational population, India is going to be the epicentre of global growth.
Speaking about Government’s reforms efforts, Minister Pradhan said, “Government is working on the paradigm of continuous reform. Recent reduction in Corporate Tax, India’s huge jump in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings are cases in point.”
Speaking about India’s energy demand, Shri Pradhan said, “Indian appetite for energy is growing. I appeal to industry to work on innovative energy delivery in a sustainable way.”
Speaking about energy for social change, he said, “Energy sector has the potential to improve the lives of people. We must work on making energy more affordable and accessible. Energy sector must act as a catalyst of social change.”
Speaking about role of technology, Shri Pradhan said, “We must leverage technology to create new models of business and governance. In form of Direct Benefits Transfer, we have created largest model in the world in digital governance.”
The Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry  is an apex Society of entities in the hydrocarbon sector and acts as an industry interface with Government and regulatory authorities. The event saw participation from oil and gas industry leaders and senior officials of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.