The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswanheld a press conference today to brief media about the overall availability and prices of Onions across the nation along with the imported quantities so far. Shri Paswan said that the Union Government has decided to offer Onions to State Governments at the landing price in Mumbai ranging from Rs. 49 to Rs. 58 per Kilogram. The Union Minister said that imports began from mid-December and States were asked to place their firm demand in order to get the supply from the imported stock. States had initially put a demand for 33,139 MT of Onions which was later revised to 14,309 MT due to various reasons including reduction in domestic prices and improved availability.

The Union Minister stated that 1 Lakh MT of Onions was the target but since the Onion growing season had ended across the world and international prices were high, Orders were placed strategically in small lots and over a period of time to ensure international prices don’t increase drastically. The Union Government had planned the imports based on the initial demand and has already contracted almost 40,000 MT of Onions which will arrive in India before the end of January. So far, 12,000 MT of Onions have arrived in the country and is ready for distribution among the State Government.

Shri Paswan further added that the main concern is to protect the interest of consumers and for ensuring that, the domestic supply is being augmented with imports so that prices are moderated and overall availability is increased. He said that there has to be a coordinated effort between the Central and State Governments and the consumers to ensure this objective is achieved. Therefore, the Union Minister exhorted all State Governments to honour the demands they had placed initially and may even go beyond their initial demand and distribute the imported Onions in their respective States to ensure that prices are moderated.

The Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Shri Avinash Srivastava informed the media that the Cabinet Secretary held a video conference this morning to persuade State Governments to buy more Onions from the imported stock for direct retailing/distribution in the State to increase overall availability and reduce prices. He said that December onwards, the prices had begun coming down which led the State Governments to also reduce their respective demands. The Cabinet Secretary in the VC with 12 States including Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu asked the States to honour the initial demand and pick up more from the imported stock if needed in order to curb prices.

********

APS/AS

The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has better adaptability to cater to the export market due to its smaller size and can adapt to market change sooner said Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways, Piyush Goyal, during a meeting held in New Delhi yesterday to discuss with MSME associations various industry issues and examine the steps that may be taken to resolve them.

Many issues pertaining to the MSME sector were put up for discussion with the Commerce and Industry Minister by MSMEs through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), SME Chamber of India and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  The most important issues that were discussed in the meeting included the problem faced by SME units in accessing credit from banks, delay in payments from Public Sector Units and Government departments, the issue of GST refund, the dearth of skilled manpower in the SME sector and the issue of differing wages in States across the country.

The MSME sector in India employs over 100 million people and accounts for 45% of manufacturing output and more than 40% of the country’s exports. With 63.4 million units throughout the country, MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of the manufacturing GDP and 24.63% of the GDP from service activities.

Commerce and Industry Minister directed Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Credit Guarantee Funds Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) to set up a framework that will enable them to process loans to SME units faster and also provide insurance cover to the SME exporters.

Commerce and Industry Minister urged the SME sector manufacturers to produce high quality goods following international standards so that exports from the SME sector may become a part of the global value chain.

On the issue of delayed payments, Commerce and Industry Minister examined the possibility of big companies making full payment to SMEs against delivery so that working capital of SME units are not blocked.

In order to mainstream the 8 million Indian women who have started and are running their own businesses Minister directed that the Government e-Marketplace may handhold the women led SMEs and onboard these enterprises on the GeM portal.

Commerce and Industry Minister assured the SME sector that the Government will give all support and help in the skilling of manpower required for the sector and in all other areas that requires intervention of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

***

The major highlights of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare during the year 2019 are as follows:

Launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)

 

PM-KMY inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 12^th September, 2019 provides for payment of minimum pension of Rs.3000/- per month to the eligible small and marginal farmers on attaining the age of 60 years.  It is voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years. The monthly contribution by farmer ranges between Rs.55 to 200.  Central Government will contribute an equal amount in the pension scheme.  Till now 19, 19, 802 beneficiaries have been registered.

 

Launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

 

PM-KISAN Scheme inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 24^th February, 2019 which provides for transfer of an amount of Rs. 6000/- per year in three equal instalments each of Rs. 2000/- directly into the bank account of beneficiary farmer families. The Scheme initially covered only small and marginal farmer families with land holding upto 2 hectares as beneficiaries, subject to certain exclusion criteria for higher income status. The Government later extended the scheme with effect from 1^st June 2019 to all farmer families irrespective of land holding size, subject to applicable exclusions. Since the launch of PM Kisan till now about 8.12 crore farmer families have been benefitted and more than Rs. 48,937 crore has been released under the scheme. A new facility has been provided on PM-KISAN Web-portal (www.pmkisan.gov.in) through ‘Farmers’ Corner’ Link to facilitate the farmers for self registration, edit  his/her name in PM-Kisan data base as per Aadhar Card, access the beneficiary list and status of payment.  The farmers are being facilitated for self registration and data correction through Common Service Centers.

 

Constitution of High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers for ‘Transformation of Indian Agriculture’

 

A High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers for “Transformation of Indian Agriculture” has been constituted and two meetings of the Committee have been held on 18^th July, 2019 and 16^th August 2019 to deliberate and firm up their report.

 

Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Kharif  2019-20 season and Rabi Crops of 2019-20 increased

 

The Union Government has announced an increase in MSP for Kharif 2019-20 season. MSP of Paddy increased by Rs.65 per quintal, Jowar by Rs.120 per quintal, Bajra by Rs.50 per quintal, Ragi by Rs.253 per quintal and Maize by Rs.60 per quintal.  MSP of Tur, Moong and Urad pulses raised by Rs.125, Rs.75 & Rs.100  per quintal respectively.  MSP of Groundnut up by Rs.200 per quintal, Sunflower seed by Rs.262 per quintal, Nigerseed by Rs.63 per quintal, Medium staple cotton by Rs.105 per quintal, Long staple Cotton by Rs.100 per quintal, Soybeen (yellow) by Rs. 311 per quintal and Sesamum by Rs. 236 per quintal.

 

The Government has announced the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Rabi Crops of 2019-20 to be marketed in Rabi marketing season (RMS) 2020-21. The MSP of Wheat and Barley increased by Rs. 85 per quintal each, Gram by Rs. 255 per quintal, Lentil  by Rs. 325 per quintal, Rapeseed & Mustard by Rs. 225 per quintal and Safflower by Rs. 270 per quintal.

 

e-NAM –One Nation One Market

 

421 new mandis have been approved for integration under the e-NAM. Along with these, FPOs have also been on-boarded on e-NAM portal and they have started uploading their produce for trading from their premise. Further, 23 Warehouses of CWC located in 11 districts of AP have been declared as Deemed Market under Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing (APLM) Act which will facilitate trading in future through these warehouses on e-NAM portal.

 

Other Initiatives and Achievements:

 

25 Seed-Hub Centres have been sanctioned across the country for increasing availability of quality seeds of Nutri-Cereals (Millets) and the first instalment of Rs.723.00 lakh has been released.

 

During current year (2019-20), 12.40 lakh Soil Health Card has been distributed to farmers under Model Village Project.

 

Under Farm Mechanization 1,44,113 machineries have been distributed and 2300 Custom Hiring Centres have been established during current year (2019-20). During 2019-20, 32,808 machineries have been distributed and 8662 Custom Hiring Centres have been established under Crop Residue Management Programme.

 

Muti lingual Mobile App “CHC-Farm Machinery” was launched, which helps the farmers for getting rented farm machinery and implements through Custom Hiring Service Centres (CHC) in their area.  As on date, 41,992 CHCs with 1,33,723 Agricultural machinery for renting out are registered on this Mobile app.  Total 1,12,505 farmers as users are registered on this Mobile App.

 

During current year (2019-20) 73,658 hectare additional area has been covered under Horticulture Crops and 59 Nurseries have been established.

 

*****

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with His Excellency Mr Donald Trump, President of the United States to convey New Year greetings.

The Prime Minister wished President Trump, his family and the people of the United States good health, prosperity and success in the New Year.

The Prime Minister stated that India-US relations, which are built on trust, mutual respect and understanding, have grown from strength to strength. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant progress made in deepening the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the previous year and expressed his desire to continue to work with  President Trump for enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

President Trump wished the people of India prosperity and progress in the New Year. He expressed satisfaction at the achievements in the relationship in the last few years and reiterated his readiness for further deepening bilateral cooperation.

 ***

VRRK/AK

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today appealed to people to follow the path shown by Pejavara Sri Vishveshateertha Swami Ji and work towards building a castless society in India.

He said that seers like Shri Vishveshatirtha Swami Ji have always provided succour and solace to the suffering people and always rushed to the help of the needy and poor.

Speaking after paying homage to Sri Vishveshateertha Swami Ji at Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru today, the Vice President said that Pejavara Swami Ji represented and nurtured India’s long tradition of Saints, Rishis and Munis, who acted as guiding light of society.

“Our ancient sages always kept the welfare of society above everything else. The great Puranic sage Dadhichi sacrificed his life to ensure that society remained on the path of righteousness,” he added.

Stating that the life and journey of Shri Vishveshatirtha Swami Ji was a noble chapter in the glorious tradition, the Vice President described him as a role-model for devoted social service. He said that Swamiji dedicated life to purify the cultural, religious and social values of our present-day society.

Stating that Pejavara Swamiji believed in the Gandhian principle of ‘Service to Humanity is Service to the God’, the Vice President said that Swamiji’s great and selfless deeds exemplified this noble ideal.

Shri Naidu said that Shri Swami ji had influenced innumerable lives across the length and breadth of the country through his Yatras, discourses, teachings and interactions and said that he was a true embodiment of the teachings of Srimad Bhagavadgita.

Observing that Sri Pejavara Swamiji was a progressive visionary, the Vice President said that he was among the first spiritual leaders in modern India to consider Dalits as an integral part of Hindu society.

“Swamiji’s name is synonymous with service to the scheduled castes and tribes in India and he worked hard to bring them in the mainstream of national life,” he said.

The Vice President also recalled Swamiji’s contributions in establishing Poornapragna Vidyapeetha, a Sanskrit Spiritual Pathashala and his efforts to popularise academic research in Sanskrit.

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri C. N. Ashwath Narayan and Sri Vishvaprasannatirtha Swamiji of Sri Pejavara Mutt were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Following is the full text of the speech –

“His Holiness Sri Vishvaprasannatirtha Swamiji

Devotees and disciples of Sri Vishveshatirtha Swamiji

Sisters and brothers,

I am overcome with emotion today at this Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha established by Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji in 1956.

I had the good fortune to be blessed by Sri Sri Pejavara Vishveshatirtha Swamiji. He was a true embodiment of the teachings ofSrimadBhagavata and Bhagavatdgita. His was a life dedicated to purify the cultural, religious and social life of our present day society.

Pejavara Swamiji believed in the Gandhian principle of ‘Service to Humanity is Service to the God’. His great and selfless deedsexemplified this noble ideal.

At the age of 90, till he attained the Haripada, Sri Swamiji had influenced innumerable lives across the length and breadth of the country through his Yatra, discourses, teachings and interactions.

Our nation has a long tradition great Saints, Rishis and Munis. Since ancient times, they have been the guiding lighthouses of society. They always provided succour and solace to the suffering humanity. Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas contain the inexhaustible treasures of this great and timeless wisdom.

Our ancient sages always kept the welfare of society above everything else. The great Puranic sage Dadhichi sacrificed his life to ensure that society remained on the path of righteousness.

Sri Vishveshatirtha Swamiji is a noble soul in this glorious tradition. He was a role-model for those engaged in devoted social service. He always rushed to the help of the needy and poor during natural calamities.

Sri Swamiji was one of the first to rush to the help of the people when a cyclonic storm struck the Hamsaladeevi area of Andhra Pradesh. He built 150 houses for the people who had suffered huge losses.

Again when an earthquake struck the Latur region of Maharashtra in 1993, he was among the first to rush to their help. Similarly, he helped resettle those affected by the Tsunami in the Cuddalore region of Tamil Nadu.

During periods of drought, Sri Swamijiused to open free meal centres in many areas. To say in one word, He saw divinity in every human being and tried to serve the needy selflessly.

Sri Pejavara Swamiji was a progressive visionary. He was among the first spiritual leaders in modern India to consider Dalits as an integral part of Hindu society. He walked into the Dalit colonies in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, in 1970. Before that he had visited similar Harijanakeri at Ooty in Tamilnadu.

Swamiji’s name is synonymous with service to the scheduled castes and tribes in India and he worked hard to bring them into the mainstream of national life.

I appeal to everyone to follow the path shown by Sri Swamiji and work towards building a castless society in India.

Yet another area of major contribution by His Holiness Sri Sri Vishveshatirtha Swamiji was in the field of Sanskrit. He encouraged academic research in Sanskrit, philosophy and religion. He was one of the pioneers who promoted Sanskrit in this part of country.

This emphasis on Sanskrit is very important to preserve our cultural and shared values.

This Poornapragna Vidyapeetha, a Sanskrit  Spiritual Pathashala was established by him.  This is one of the first Sanskrit traditional Gurukula Education Centres of free India.

I hope that this Gurukula will take forward the great Indian tradition of learning through Guru – Shishya Parampara.

I hope all disciples passing out from here will follow and spread the message and teachings of Sri Vishveshatirtha Swamiji.

I wish you all the very best and again bow my head in the memory the Great Swamiji.

Thank You.

Jai Hind.”

****

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called upon the Civil Society, NGOs and Business houses to supplement government’s efforts in eliminating malnutrition in the country.

Expressing concerns, the Vice President said that despite considerable progress made by the nation in various spheres in the past seven decades, malnutrition remains a major challenge. “It is sad state of affairs that that 35.7% of our children below 5 years of age are underweight and 38.4% are stunted,” he added.

Addressing the gathering after visiting Adamya Chetana in Bengaluru today, the Vice President pointed out that various studies have shown that nutritional status of children was strongly associated with their academic performance.

“Lack of nutritious food may lead to poor brain development, weak learning, low immunity and increased infections,” he added.

Shri Naidu said that malnutrition perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty and affects the economic development. He asserted that immediate steps must be taken to avoid such scenarios for the healthy development of the children and the adolescents.

Referring to the growing incidence of Non Communicable diseases due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits, the Vice President called for creating awareness among youngsters on the need to avoid junk food and maintain physical fitness at all times.

The Vice President appreciated Adamya Chetana founded by late Shri Ananth Kumar and his spouse Smt. Tejaswini Ananth Kumar for providing food to around 1.5 lakh children from four of its kitchens located in Benguluru, Hubbali, Kalburgi and Jodhpur in Rajasthan daily.

Shri Naidu lauded the organisation for personifying age-old Indian values of Sharing and Caring. He stated that the POSHAN Abhiyaan or the National Nutrition Mission by the Government was playing a major role in improving nutrition indicators across India.

Earlier, the Vice President went around the campus and visited different facilities engaged in food preparation. He complimented the management, workers and volunteers for converting the Annapoorna kitchen into a zero garbage and fossil-fuel free kitchen.

Shri Naidu said that the orgnaisation’s process of fulfilling its energy needs from biomass and solar energy was worthy of emulation by others.

In this context, Shri Naidu said that starting of Ananth Kumar Pratishthana to develop and mentor new leaders through a Leadership Institute in all fields was a welcome step and said that it would carry forward work on healthcare and green lifestyle, both areas in which Shri Ananth Kumar ji strongly believed.

On the occasion, Shri Naidu recalled his close association with former Union Minister, late Shri Ananth Kumar and said “I not only lost a dear friend in Shri Ananth Kumar, but our nation lost a true leader. It is imperative that we continue the ideals, values and work that he espoused,”

The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Shri Tejasvi Surya, MP, Bengaluru South, Managing Trustee and Chairperson of Adamya Chetana, Dr Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, and others associated with the organisation were present at the event.

Following is the full text of the speech –

“It is an emotional moment for me to be amidst all of you here at Adamya Chetna today.

I am overwhelmed with the memories of my dear friend and former Union Minister, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji.

My association with Ananth Kumar ji dated back to my student days. After that, we were fellow companions since the beginning of our journey in political life.

When I reached Delhi in those times, I stayed with Ananth Kumar ji and Tejaswini ji in their house. I always felt myself a member of their family.

On a personal note, both Ananth and I were foodies. Ananth ji, Jaitley ji and I have spentmany evenings relishing local delicacies.

I have known about Adamya Chetana for years and have been very impressed by the dedication and meticulous way that Ananth Kumar ji and Tejaswini ji have worked on this noble platform to serve people. But I never had an opportunity to actually visit.

Today when I am here, I am truly amazed by the sheer dedication of the staff, management and volunteers who prepare hot cooked meals with deep love for around 1 lakh 50 thousand children for four of its kitchens located in Benguluru, Hubbali , Kalburgi and Jodhpur in Rajasthan daily.

You are doing commendable work!

Share and care has been the core of Indian philosophy. Ours is the culture that believes in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the whole world as one family and ‘‘Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu’- the happiness and wellbeing of all.

Work and principles of Adamya Chetna personify these age old values.

Dear friends,

It is a fact that despite considerable progress made by nation in various fields in past seven decades, malnutrition remains a major concern. It’s a sad state of affairs that 35.7% of our children under 5 years of age are underweight and 38.4% are stunted.

A recent UNICEF report says that malnutrition is behind 69 per cent deaths among children below 5 years in our country. The report also suggests that children under the age of five years are affected by micronutrient deficiencies and there is a disturbing trend towards unhealthy food and snacking. Child diets are lacking in proteins and micronutrients.

It is a well-known fact that young children need to be fed nutritious food to support their rapidly growing body and brains. Various studies have confirmed that the nutritional status of the children is strongly associated with their academic performance. Lack of nutritious food may lead to poor brain development, weak learning, low immunity and increased infections.

A 15 year-long study by the NGO – ‘Save the Children’ reveals how access to nutrients affects the child’s learning capacity. The study found that an eight years old malnutritioned child is 19 per cent more likely to face difficulty in reading simple sentences like ‘The sun is hot.’

Malnutrition also impacts the children’s future capabilities. When today’s malnourished children become part of tomorrow’s working population, it impacts their earning potential. Thus malnutrition perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty and affects the economic development.

The POSHAN Abhiyaan or the National Nutrition Mission by the Government is playing a major role in improving nutrition indicators across India. Recently only I launched Poshan Anthem at a WCD Ministry event to spread awareness about the issue of malnutrition.

Here the role and work of organisations like Adamya Chetna becomes very important in supplementing the Government’s efforts.

Our Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to say, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

I call upon all like-minded individuals to come forward and help the Government create a malnutrition free India.

It is also admirable that you have turned Annapoorna kitchen here into a zero garbage and fossil-fuel free kitchen.

I am told that earlier this kitchen was consuming 400 litres of diesel and creating 300 Kilograms of waste on a daily basis.

But now Adamya Chetna It became a zero-garbage generating unit with every leftover resourcefully reused. It is fulfilling its energy needs from biomass and solar energy. This feat is worth emulating by others.

Also, your concept of the plate bank is a unique innovation. Having 10 thousands set of steel plates, glasses that anybody can borrow free of cost to make their own functions plastic garbage free – It’s truly imaginative and farsighted idea.

Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has given a call for plastics free India. It’s duty cast upon all of us to turn it into a people’s movement. It is next step of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

I am sure that this model of Adamya Chetana can serve as an inspiration to many. And I am not surprised by this. I have known Ananth Kumar ji and Tejaswini ji for decades and they are always committed to setting higher bar.

Last year has been a trying one for all of us. I not only lost a dear friend in Shri Ananth Kumar, but our nation lost a true leader. It is imperative that we continue the ideals, values and work that he espoused.

In that direction, I am glad to know that you are starting Ananth Kumar Pratishthana to carry his work forward.

Drawing inspiration from Shri Ananth Kumar ji, this Pratishthana should work on developing and mentoring new leaders through a Leadership Institute in all fields. This is a noble initiative and would help in creating a glowing future of our country.

The Pratishthana will also work on health care and green lifestyle – both areas Shri Ananth Kumar ji strongly believed in and supported. His commitment for healthcare is evident from various initiatives under his leadership such as PM Jana Aushadhi Kendras and making cardiac stents and knee implants more accessible and affordable to all. His consistent efforts for Banguluru Metro only affirm his commitment for people’s welfare and the Green lifestyle.

Shri Ananth Kumar ji conceptualized the enormously successful Green Bengaluru 1:1 program promoting planting lakhs of trees in Bengaluru and other towns. All of you know how he was personally committed to this program every Sunday (last Sunday was the 210th consecutive Sunday).

Green Bharat program launched recently by Dr. Tejaswini ji where people can adopt a tree will take it to the next level across the nation.

These are admirable initiatives. I have always highlighted the importance of nature and culture for a better future.

Adamya Chetana is a noble effort. Its focus on Anna – Akshara – Arogya (Food – Education – Health) can serve as a role model for others to create a healthy, educated, clean and green India.

I hope AK Pratishthana will also carry forward the works that Ananth Kumar stood for.

I wish you all the very best.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!”

****

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called for making India a global hub of higher learning and scholarship and urged Universities, academicians and policy makers to improve academic standards at par with top international institutions.

Expressing concerns that none of the Indian Universities figured in the top 100 global rankings, Shri Naidu asked institutions such as NAAC and UGC to take steps to address the shortcomings by revisiting the education system and revamping the curriculum in tune with 21^st century requirements.

Speaking at the Silver Jubilee function of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in Bengaluru today, Shri Naidu expressed his concern over the recent disturbances on the campuses of a few Universities and called for maintaining peace.

Observing that Universities and educational institutions were pious places of learning, the Vice President wanted them to maintain highest standards of decorum. He stressed that the academic endeavours and co-curricular initiatives must attain primacy in universities and not factionalism and divisive tendencies.

The Vice President said that it was the duty of the education system to produce model global citizens who would contribute towards building a better world.

Pointing out that the students leaving the portals of the educational institutions must be enlightened citizens with social consciousness and responsibility towards the society, Shri Naidu stressed that Institutions must mould students into empathetic human beings with high integrity.

Stating that Mahatma Gandhi considered ‘knowledge without character’ as a sin, the Vice President said that education which teaches, values, ethics and inculcates the spirit of voluntarism and compassion was the need of the hour. He said that education system must also make the students aware of India’s glorious heritage, culture and history.

Referring to India’s ancient centers of learning such as Nalanda, Vikramsila, Takshashila which earned global reputation, the Vice President called upon higher educational institutions to aspire to regain the past glory.

He urged upon all Educational institutions to transform into centers of excellence where students acquire knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for a successful, happy and accomplished life.

The Governor of Karnataka, Shri Vajubhai Vala, Director NAAC, Prof. S.C. Sharma, Adviser, Dr. Amiya Kumar Rath and Vice Chancellors of Several Universities, academicians and professors were among the dignitaries who graced the event.

Following is the full text of the speech –

“I am happy to be here with all of you on this momentous occasion, when the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is celebrating 25 years of excellence.

NAAC was established in 1994 as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC) with its Head Quarters in Bengaluru. The mandate of NAAC, as reflected in its vision statement, is to make quality assurance an integral part of the functioning of Higher Education Institutions in the country.

NAAC evaluates the institutions for its conformance to the standards of quality in terms of educational processes and outcomes, curriculum coverage, teaching-learning processes, faculty, research, infrastructure, learning resources, organisation, governance, financial well-being and student services.

I am happy to learn that NAAC also strives to promote quality-related research studies, consultancy and training programs, and

collaborates with other stakeholders of higher education for quality evaluation, promotion and sustenance. Its efforts in encouraging self-evaluation, accountability, autonomy and innovations in higher education are indeed appreciable.

It is heartening to note that, by networking with institutions and various stakeholders and acting on their feedback, NAAC continuously updates its manuals and methodology in tune with the changing needs of the dynamic higher education system.

I have visited a number of NAAC accredited educational institutions after I have assumed the office of the Vice President of India. In all these institutions, I saw great potential and an unwavering commitment to excellence when it comes to the quality of education they provide.

I must say that the accreditation framework developed by NAAC has gone a long way in augmenting the quality of higher education in India. Today, as we celebrate the many accomplishments of NAAC over the last 25 years, let me congratulate all those who have been associated with this organization for toiling hard to take it to its current lofty status.

I am certain that in the time to come, NAAC will act as a friend, philosopher and guide to our Institutions of Higher Education, constantly raising standards and benchmarks for quality and excellence.

My Dear sisters and brothers,

India has one of the largest and most diverse education systems in the world.

Privatization, widespread expansion, increased autonomy and introduction of Programs in new and emerging areas have improved access to higher education.

At the same time, it has also led to widespread concerns about the quality of higher education.

India is undoubtedly a country to reckon with in the globe today. Its achievements are worthy of emulation and serve as a model for any developing nation.

With the challenges that India had after her independence, she has continuously strived to achieve several crucial milestones, be it in the area of agriculture, industry, science and technology, space science, defense and many others.

This is a country with great potential and a very bright future. We have an incredible demographic dividend at our disposal, 65% of our population is below 35 years of age.

According to the report, titled ‘World Economic League Table 2020’, released by UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), India has decisively overtaken both France and the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2019. It is expected to overtake Germany to become fourth largest in 2026 and Japan to become the third largest in 2034.

If we wish for India to have a thriving and sustainable economic growth trajectory to create a $5-trillion economy by 2024 – then we must strive to build a knowledge economy.

There is a deep and inseverable connection between a nation’s educational institutions and its economic wellbeing.

I believe that human capital and innovation are the two pillars of GDP growth in India.

The workers of tomorrow need to transition to the formal, non-agricultural sector, armed with higher education credentials.

For this to happen, we must constantly reform our institutions of higher education.

We must draw ideas and inspiration from India’s golden past where education flourished, earning India the coveted title of being the ‘Viswaguru’.

Right from the time of the Vedas, the Rishis and the Gurus have strived hard to educate masses through the gurukula system.

Through well laid out mentoring plans, the mentor would interact with his disciples on a score of subjects and provide knowledge, cultivate skills and foster the attitude that was necessary for a successful, happy and accomplished life.

India’s ancient centers of learning, Nalanda, Vikramsila, Takshashila and the likes of it were eulogized by one and all across the globe for their openness, commitment to quality and excellence

The variety of courses that were designed and implemented to build competence among the students to succeed in life, holds a lesson for us in the modern times.

My dear sisters and brothers,

We must first address the structural lacunae in our higher education system.

Funding is crucial for education. Though India’s spending on education has gone up from 3.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 to 4.6 per cent, it is still inadequate.

In its ‘Strategy for New India @ 75’ report the NITI Aayog has recommended that spending on education should be increased to at least 6 per cent of GDP by 2022.

We must address the large number of faculty vacancies that exist in our educational institutions. In a welcome move last year, the University Grants Commission took steps to fill around 50,000 vacancies in Institutions of higher education.

Along with filling vacancies, we must also keep augmenting the knowledge, skills and capabilities of our teaching faculty. They must be encouraged to pursue new knowledge and explore new teaching methodologies. Their training must not be a one-time initiative but must be a continuous process.

Quality of teaching faculty has a great bearing on learning outcomes. In this age of Information Technology, the conventional role played by teachers has undergone a massive transformation. A classroom is no longer confined within 4 walls. Our teachers must be open to new ideas and must evolve to fulfill the needs of the new-age learner.

Another area that we must focus on is Research and Development. Innovation is the watchword of the 21st century. The array of problems that we face today, from declining agricultural productivity to climate change, from challenges of urban development to threats to human health, can be tackled through Science, Technology and innovation.

At present, India spends less than 1% of its GDP on R&D. This must change. Research, especially Science and Technology research, is resource-intensive, time-consuming and risky. We as a society, must be prepared to bear with this risk.

Teaching cannot be separated from research. In every higher education institution, both must go hand-in-hand and must fuel each other so that students are not deprived of exposure to cutting edge technology.

It is a matter of grave concern that Indian universities rank low in both research and teaching. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, at rank 155, was our highest in the Scimago Institutions Rankings (SIR) for research.

Though the number of Higher Education Institutions has surged in India since the 2000s, the number of students undertaking PhDs has not shown a corresponding hike.

There are over a one lakh India-born PhDs in universities around the world.

We must attract at least some of this talent back home through better opportunities and incentives so that they may help fast-track the progress of our R & D sector.

We must also not hesitate to collaborate with the best universities and research centers around the world for knowledge sharing and capacity building.

We must also encourage students from all over the world to come to India to study so that we may build a vibrant and diverse academic culture.

It is a matter of grave concern that the latest ‘India Skills Report’ suggests that only 47% of Indian graduates are employable.

Therefore, along with education, we must also impart necessary skills, including life skills to our students.

We must boost the employability quotient of our students through practical training, internships, simulation exercises and case study-based training.

We must also impart soft skills which are a combination of people skills, social skills, communication skills, character or personality traits, attitudes, social intelligence and emotional intelligence quotients, among others, that will enable youngsters to work well with others, perform well, and achieve their goals.

The education we give our youngsters must also be value-based. Let me remind you that Mahatma Gandhi considered ‘knowledge without character’ as a sin.

Even as we make our students academically competent and skilled, we must also mold them to be compassionate, kind, empathetic human beings whose integrity is beyond reproach. The world is now a global village. It is the duty of the education system to create model global citizens who will build a better world.

Our campuses must be vibrant.

There is no doubt that there is space for every shade of opinion and every point of view in our universities.

Our children, when they leave the portals of the educational institutions must be enlightened citizens who will take an abiding interest in protecting our democracy and preserving the fundamental values that are enshrined in our constitution.

But our campuses must not become safe havens for the politics of hate and violence to thrive.  Academic endeavors and co-curricular initiatives must attain primacy in our universities and not factionalism and divisive tendencies.

My dear sisters and brothers,

The Draft National Education Policy (DNEP) released by the government in June 2019, envisions several welcome reforms and must now be further distilled and then implemented in letter and spirit.

I am confident that in the time to come, if the government and the private sector work together in collaboration with organizations like NAAC, India will soon be the global hub of higher learning and scholarship.

Once again, I congratulate NAAC on attaining this crucial mile-stone.

Thank You!

Jai Hind!”

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VRRK/MS/MSY/RK

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called upon the scientific community to find long-term solutions to the problems faced by farmers and improve crop productivity and farmers’ income.

He also wanted scientists to explore ways to make crops climate-resilient, nutrition-efficient and less water consuming.

Delivering the Valedictory Speech at the 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru, the Vice President said that global warming and climate change were affecting the weather patterns in an unpredictable manner and causing massive devastation at times. He sought to know from the scientists whether the problems faced by farmers due to nature’s fury could be mitigated.

Calling for concerted efforts, Shri Naidu emphasized upon the critical role of technology in enhancing both the quality and quantity across the agriculture value chain from the use of inputs at the pre-production stage to post-production and marketing to improve the income of farmers.

The Vice President, while noting how technology was making our lives more comfortable, said that at the same time new challenges were arising. He said science must find solutions to problems like increasing urbanization, pollution, urban-rural divide, growing antibacterial resistance, genetic & non-communicable diseases and water scarcity, among others.

Urging schools to lay the foundation for the spread of a strong scientific culture in the country, he stressed that such a foundation would become the basis for creating an ecosystem for creativity and innovation to thrive.

“The need of the hour is to foster the spirit of inquisitiveness, curiosity and scientific temper right from the primary school level”, he said.

Observing that there was a crying need for our universities and scientific institutions to promote R & D on a big scale, the Vice President called for expanding the academia-industry linkage to promote research and innovation in a big way. Technological innovation was a key driver in boosting economy, improving people’s lives and enabling better delivery of services he added.

“India like no other country has a huge demographic dividend and can emerge as the innovation and knowledge if our universities and scientific institutions invest more on R & D and significantly the raise the standards of research”, Shri Naidu stressed.

The Vice President also urged the corporate India to develop a symbiotic partnership with the universities and to identify and fund a dozen futuristic projects.

Opining that India was surging forward with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, the Vice President said that it must leverage the demographic opportunity with science and technology playing a leading role in driving the economic and social development in order to make the country a $ 5 trillion economy.

Shri Naidu lauded the government initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India and Start-Up India that promote indigenous manufacturing, empower people digitally and wealth-creation through innovation.

He wanted senior scientists to mentor and hand-hold the young ones to benefit from such schemes and realize their scientific and entrepreneurial potential.

Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B.S. Yediyurappa, General President of Indian Sciences Congress, K.S. Rangappa, and the, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Following is the full text of the speech-

“Namaskara, nimagellahosavarshadashubhashayagalu!

New Year Greetings to you all!

I am delighted to deliver the valedictory address at the 107^th Indian Science Congress, a prestigious annual event.

It is quite appropriate that this important meeting of scientific minds is being held on the campus of an Agricultural University. As you all are aware, agriculture plays a vital role in the overall growth of the economy.

For the past many years, agriculture has been facing distress in spite of the measures taken by successive governments at the Centre and in various States to improve crop productivity and incomes of the farmers.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Agriculture is close to my heart as I come from a farmer’s family. I understand the pain and suffering of farmers when they face adverse seasonal conditions or natural calamities.

Global warming and climate change are real and cannot be wished away any longer. They are affecting weather patterns in an unpredictable manner and at times causing massive devastation. Can we not mitigate the problems faced by farmers due to nature’s fury?

Can science throw up answers to these and other pressing problems faced by the farmers? How to improve soil fertility? How to make crops climate-resilient and nutrition-efficient? How to improve productivity with less water consumption?

For too long the farmer has been ploughing a lonely furrow, I feel the time has come for all the important stakeholders involved in building a New India, the scientific community in particular, to pay urgent attention to farmers problems and find long-term solutions . It should be remembered that a country like India cannot depend on imported food security. We need to have our own home-grown food security. Unless there are concerted efforts in this direction, I am afraid that more and more people will leave agriculture and shift to other occupations.

I don’t think I need to overemphasize the critical role technology can play in enhancing both the quality and quantity across the agriculture value chain from the use of inputs at the pre-production stage to post-production storage, processing, packaging and marketing to improve the income of farmers.

The use of technology, including ICT, would not only help improve efficiency but would also result in reducing the cost of production. Scientific research should also focus on making advanced machinery for a variety of agricultural activities from spraying to post-harvest handling of produce. Thus, the adoption of modern technology can greatly help to realise our vision to double the income of farmers in the coming years.

Dear sisters and brothers, new technological advances and inventions are changing our lives like never before. No doubt, these advances are making our lives more comfortable and improving the ease of living. At the same time, new challenges are arising—- science must find solutions to problems like increasing urbanization, pollution, urban-rural divide,  growing antibacterial resistance, genetic & non-communicable diseases, water scarcity, among others.

We must balance scientific advancement with the protection of environment. We must focus on productivity and efficiency but never forget that the bottom line of all our efforts is improved quality of life not merely greater prosperity.

In fact, that has been the Indian vision of holistic development. I would like to recall what the famous Indian scientist AcharyaJagdish Chandra Bose had said while inaugurating the Bose Institute in 1917, about the multi-disciplinary approach and the inter-related aspects of life where “the lines of physics, physiology and psychology converge.”

In our labs and research centres, in our schools and colleges, we should create an ecosystem for innovation to thrive where “the genius of India should find its true blossoming” as Jagdish Chandra Bose had said.

The need of the hour is to foster the spirit of inquisitiveness, curiosity and scientific temper right from the  primary school level.

Science teaching plays an important role in this regard. It must ignite young minds and create a passion for science. Schools must sow the seeds for scientific temper and create an un-quenching curiosity to learn and understand new things.

In short, schools must lay the foundation for the spread of a strong scientific culture in the country. Such a foundation will be the basis for creating an ecosystem for creativity and innovation to thrive. I am happy that Atal Tinkering Labs have been set up in thousands of schools across the country.

I am also glad that India has moved from 81^st position in 2015 to 52^nd rank in the Global Innovation Index in 2019. Technological innovation is one of the key drivers to boost economy, improve people’s lives and enable better delivery of services. We need to further improve our ranking in the coming years.

There is also a crying need for our universities and scientific institutions to promote R & D on a big scale. The academia-industry linkage has to be expanded not only to provide employment to those coming out of the portals of higher education institutions, but also to promote research and innovation in a big way.

India, like no other country, has a huge demographic dividend waiting to be realized. If we don’t make the big leap forward in terms of quality of learning in our educational institutions, we will have missed a great opportunity.

We have to invest more on R & D and focus on enhancing the intellectual capital through radically new approaches which will have to be  forward looking and more receptive to adaptation of the best ideas as well as seeking solutions required for our country and global contexts.. As the Prime Minister, ShriNarendraModi had stated the other day, the mantra should be ‘ Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper’.

I also would like to appeal from this forum to the Corporate India to develop a symbiotic partnership with the universities and other academic institutions and contribute towards promoting R & D.

Dear sisters and brothers,

The India of today is surging forward with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

As the country aims to become a $ 5 trillion economy in the coming years, we need to fully leverage the demographic advantage with science and technology playing a leading role in driving the economic and social development. On its part, the government has launched several initiatives like Make in India, Digital India and Start Up India to promote indigenous manufacturing, empower people digitally and wealth-creation through innovation. I am sure, senior scientists would be mentoring and hand-holding the young ones to benefit from such schemes and realize their scientific and entrepreneurial potential.

I am happy to note that so many scientists have received ISCA Awards, besides Young Scientists’ Awards, and ISCA Best Poster Awards.  It is also a memorable event for many of you who have presented papers in this Science Congress. The practice of senior academics and scientists lending a helping hand to juniors in presenting scientific papers is really praise-worthy. This practice ensures the growth of the community in a healthy way.

A word of appreciation is due to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru for hosting the event amidst this sylvan setting.

I am sure that this event has provided a wonderful learning opportunity for all of you. I would like to congratulate the organizers led by the General President Prof. K. S Rangappa and Vice Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru Prof. S Rajendra Prasad and his entire team and also everyone who worked tirelessly to make this 107^th Indian Science Congress a grand success.

The success of such congregations lies in the outcomes it generates, in the changed perspectives and renewed commitment to act.

It is successful if it helps to find solutions that are appropriate to our present day challenges without jeopardizing our collective future.

We are witnessing nature’s fury in myriad forms like roaring storms, raging fires, cataclysmic floods, emaciating droughts and rumbling earthquakes.  We must all get together and find an answer to the climate change. We must deliver good quality education and healthcare. We must make our cities and villages more livable. These are challenges that need innovative thinking and collaborative action. We live in an interconnected world and we need to learn how to work together to make it a safer, more peaceful and a more sustainable planet.

I would like to conclude my speech by emphasizing that all paths of science must lead to creating a better tomorrow. As we begin the new year and a new decade in our country’s history, we must build on our past and build new bridges through science and technology to a brighter future.

I wish to conclude by quoting again from Bose’s concluding message which is relevant in today’s context as it was in 1917 when his research centre was set up:  “We stand here today and resume work tomorrow so that by our efforts of our lives and our unshaken faith in the future, we may all help to build the greater India yet to be”.

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The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Lakshadweep this morning for his first ever State Visit to the Union Territory.

President was received at Kavaratti by Administrator of Lakshadweep Shri Dineshwar Sharma along with others. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and received a traditional welcome at Karavatti.

The President later attended a public reception where he laid the foundation stone of a super specialty hospital.

While addressing the audience the President said that this a special place, blessed with unparalleled natural beauty. However, the clear blue waters of Lakshadweep reflect not just the magic of nature. It also testifies to the wisdom of all of the people of these islands, and their love and concern for environment. Lakshadweep presents itself as a mesmerizing eco-system made up of its under-water life, pristine lagoons, coral reefs, warm waters and its people.

He said that I am aware that living here comes with some unique challenges, such as maintaining connectivity with the mainland and among islands, and harsh weather conditions particularly during monsoons. Nothing though has prevented Lakshadweep’s onward march and progress.

The President said that he was happy to lay the foundation stone of the super-specialty Hospital here at Kavaratti. He said that the hospital will address many of the health related issues of people living here in Kavaratti as well as those living in other islands. More importantly, when this hospital comes up and becomes fully functional, it would significantly reduce the need for patients to go to Kochi for treatment.

The President said that there are issues that confront people of Lakshadweep. For instance, all islands in Lakshadweep are totally dependent for electricity on diesel generators. He said that we need to explore ways to reduce the dependence on diesel generated power. We should look to expand the use of renewable energy in Lakshadweep, given that both wind and sun are available here in abundance. I also understand that Lakshadweep has scarcity of potable water. This is another area where innovative solutions need to be found and adopted. I am sure that people of Lakshadweep and the authorities concerned will work together to address all such issues.

Click here to see President’s speech

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