India’s largest annual gathering of scientific luminaries from countries across the world, the ‘107th Indian Science Congress’, will be held from January 3 to 7, 2020 at University of Agricultural Sciences (UASB), GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka focusing on ‘Science & Technology: Rural Development’.

The Science Congress will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on January 03, 2020 at UASB, GKVK Campus. The Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers and academicians interested in various aspects of science discoveries and technologies.  The five-day long event aims to bring together science fraternity across the world to discuss scientific innovation and research.

The Nobel Laureates who will be participating include German Physicist, Prof. Stefan Hell who is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, Germany. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014 ‘for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy’ and Prof. Ada E. Yonath from Israel. She is a protein crystallographer who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Apart from this, several senior Scientists from India and abroad along with several government officials will be participating in this event to exchange their views on a range of scientific issues, both at the national and international level.

There are 28 Plenary Sessions on areas ranging from Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security, Crop Improvement Towards Food & Nutrition Security, Materials Science And Technology For Rural Development, Challenges and Opportunities In Cancer Drug Discovery, Artificial Intelligence And Medical Technology, Advances In Basic Medical And Clinical Interactions, Non-Communicable Diseases In Rural Population as well as Cancer Research – Therapeutic Applications. The areas also include Nano Materials for Energy, Environment and Health Care, Novel Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry Problems and so on in which senior scientists and officials will discuss on the status, challenges, opportunities and scope in these research areas.

Public Lectures

Four Public lectures by eminent personalities like Nobel laureate Prof. Stefan Hell, Dr. Subra Suresh among others, covering topics like Ultrasharp Fluorescence Microscopy, science across disciplines ranging from basic science to applications in the industry, acute problem of modern medicine, life style diseases to recent advances in cardiac sciences will be organized in the Science Congress.

Sectional Sessions: Fourteen Sectional Sessions covering different disciplines of science will be organised in the Science Congress.

Farmers Science Congress

With focus on Rural Development through Science and Technology, for the first time in the history of Indian Science Congress, a Farmers Science Congress is being held. It will cover themes ranging from farmers innovation on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship for doubling farmers income, climate change, bio-diversity, conservation, ecosystem services & farmers empowerment to agrarian distress, rural bio-entrepreneurship, policy issues.

The event will have the presence of experts and scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) along with farmers whose innovative approaches have led to significant contributions.

Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Children’s Science Congress)

A two day event ‘Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelana’ will be held at UASB, GKVK as part of the 107th Indian Science Congress on 4th and 5th January 2020. The aim is to provide a unique opportunity for children to view selected projects and interact with the student delegates and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates. Events like one minute video competition, Infosys Foundation – ISCA Travel Awards for School Children, visit to exhibitions, live science demonstrations and science magic show will be organized as a part of the Science Congress.

Women Science Congress

The women’s science congress aims to provide single platform for women working in different arena of science and technology to showcase their achievements and experiences. It will also prepare a vision document or a road map for women in science and technology and recommend policies to enhance the role and utilize the full potential of women in science and technology. In this session, women are invited to share ideas and experiences to motivate the younger women to actively participate in science to identify and find simpler solutions through Science and Technology.

Former VC’s Science Congress

The former VC’s Science Congress addresses the urgent need in Indian higher education institutions today is to establish quality internalisation pathways through quality culture in academic, administrative and financial spheres of institutional management. Several eminent Vice Chancellors like Prof. S.P. Thyagarajan, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Madas, Chennai and Prof N. Prabhudev, VC Bangalore University will be attending the event.

Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan – 2020 (Science Communicators Meet – 2020)

“Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan” is an initiative for Science communicators’ for professional growth. This programme will focus on the theme “Science & Technology: Rural Development “.  Science Communicators’ role is to facilitate public engagement with scientific issues. Science communication plays an integral part in one’s scientific career. Being able to effectively disseminate research findings within the community and to consider collective opinions in prioritizing research needs is an important attribute of scientific maturity. Thus, dissemination of scientific information and inculcation of scientific attitude among masses at large is the need of the hour.

With this broad goal, Science Communicators’ Meet will be held to bring together experts in the field of science communication with particular reference to rural development. It will provide an opportunity to academicians, science journalists, activists, filmmakers, scientists and other communicators from all over the world to meet, deliberate and exchange their views on how to develop science communication.

Mega Science Exhibition – PRIDE OF INDIA ISC EXPO

Pride of India (PIO) ISC Expo is a unique platform for organizations from government, private and public sector to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology. The POI Expo brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations and products covering the entire canvas of scientific world. The five days will witness a large number of visitors from the corporate sector, scientific fraternity and academia, R&D institutes, defense, government, PSUs and so on.

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Indian Railways is gradually replacing locomotive hauled Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) with Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (SPARMVs) to improve response during disaster. Specification of high speed Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains (HS-SPARTs) with speed of 160 kmph has been finalized and it is planned to be procured in addition to existing 110 kmph SPART. Further, to improve the capacity during restoration, 175 Tonnes cranes are under procurement which is an upgradation over existing 140 T cranes available with Indian Railways. The concept of golden hour has also been recognised to expedite response time during disaster.

The main areas of focus on disaster management are:-

1. Faster Response
2. Better facilities and equipment
3. Expanding resources to meet requirements in major accidents
4. Coordination with other agencies of central and state governments
5. Training and Preparedness

Indian Railways has an organized system of relief for managing accidents with its own resources. It consists of more than 6 thousand trained breakdown staff, 176 Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and 86 Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) made using passenger coaches. All Accident Relief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Vans have pre-defined beats, inspection schedules and response time. In addition, there are 90 Break down Cranes of various capacities over Indian Railway system.

All equipments in Accident Relief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Equipments have been standardized based on High Level Committee recommendations. Some of the items being imported for rescue, relief and restoration are as follows:

1. Medical equipments like Augmented first aid box, body bags, foldable chairs, portable fire extinguishers, operation theatre equipments, etc.
2. Hydraulic Re-railing equipments (HRE)
3. Emergency Pneumatic air bags for lifting
4. Generators & Electrical equipment
5. Hydraulic rescue device (HRD)
6. Wire rope sling & shackles
7. Fire fighting equipments
8. Abrasive cutting tools
9. Signaling & communication equipments

Indian Railways also conducts periodic mock drills with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for training and ensuring preparedness during disaster.

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To overcome the inconvenience over multiple helpline numbers for grievances and enquiry during railway travel, Indian Railway has integrated railway helplines into single number 139 for the passengers for quick grievance redressal and enquiry during their journey. As the new helpline number 139 will take over all the existing helpline numbers (except 182), it will be easy for the passengers to remember this number and connect with Railways for all their needs during the travel.

Following Railway grievances helplines are being discontinued:

• 138 (for general complaints)
• 1072 (for accidents and safety)
• 9717630982 (for SMS complaints)
• 58888 / 138 (for clean my coach)
• 152210 (for vigilance)
• 1800111321 (for catering services)

The Helpline 139 will be available in twelve languages. It will be based on IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System). There is no need of a smart phone to call on 139, thus, providing easy access to all mobile users.

Menu of 139 Helpline (IVRS) is as under:

• For security & medical assistance, passenger has to press 1, which connects immediately to a call center executive
• For enquiry, passenger has to press 2 and in the sub menu, information regarding pnr status, arrival/departure of the train, accommodation, fare enquiry, ticket booking, system ticket cancellation, wake up alarm facility/destination alert, wheel chair booking, meal booking can be obtained.
• For catering complaints, passenger has to press 3
• For general complaints, passenger has to press 4
• For vigilance related complaints, passenger has to press  5
• For queries during accident, passenger has to press 6
• For status of complaints, passenger has to press 9
• For talking to call center executive, passenger has to press *

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Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas today here signed contracts for 7 blocks, awarded under Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) Bid Round – IV. The Government had launched OALP Bid Round – IV on 27^th August 2019. The Bid Round-IV offered 7 blocks  under International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process. The bidding round closed on 31^st October, 2019. Subsequent to evaluation, all 7 blocks were approved for award to ONGC, for which the Revenue Sharing Contracts have been signed today, in the presence of the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. The total area awarded today in the 7 Onland blocks is 18,510 sq.km.. The blocks are spread across 3 sedimentary basins.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan highlighted the success of OALP Bid Rounds under the ambit of Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) introduced in the year 2016, primarily characterized by Revenue Sharing Mechanism replacing the earlier New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP) which had Production Sharing Mechanism. He said, “In the last two and a half years, Government has successfully bid out nearly 1.4 lakh sq. km for exploration and production. Seven  blocks awarded today under OALP IV to ONGC have resource potential of approx. 33 billion bbls of oil and oil equivalent gas.”

Speaking about reforms in the hydrocarbon sector, Shri Pradhan said, “We have shifted our focus from revenue to production maximisation and have adopted the path of continuous reform.” He said, “Technology infusion in E& P activities has seen tremendous progress in recent times. Our oil and gas companies are adopting digitisation, new technologies for augmenting production and growth.” Speaking about investments in energy sector, he added, “Energy sector will witness huge investments in coming years. Government has recently released the report of the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline for 2019-25 which lays down a roadmap for 102 lakh crore rupees worth of investments. Energy sector will comprise about 24% of the projected capital expenditure in infrastructure. “

The four OALP Bid Rounds, conducted till date have been a success, with total of 94 blocks awarded covering an area of 1,36,790 Sq. Km to leading E&P companies. The operators of these blocks have since then initiated petroleum exploration activities or are in final stages of obtaining Petroleum Exploration Licenses (PELs).

The Hydrocarbon Exploration & Licensing Policy (HELP), which has adopted the Revenue Sharing contract model, is a giant step towards improving the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the Indian Exploration and Production (E&P) sector. It comes with attractive and liberal terms like reduced royalty rates, no oil cess, marketing and pricing freedom, round the year bidding, freedom to investors for carving out blocks of their interest, a single license to cover both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, exploration permission during the entire contract period, and an easy, transparent and swift bidding and awarding process. This was the maiden bidding round under the further liberalized policy terms, which focused on production maximization with higher weightage to work programme as part of evaluation criteria in Category I basin and no revenue share commitment as part of bidding parameters for category II and III basins.

With the successful roll out of the HELP/OALP regime, based on the world-class National Data Repository (NDR), the Government has achieved massive enhancement of exploration acreage in India. The exploration acreage which stood at approximately 80,000 sq. km. in 2019 from earlier regimes has now been enhanced to approx. 2,15,000 sq. km. after 4 rounds of OALP. The cumulative exploratory work commitment after the 4 rounds of OALP comprise 29,270 LKM of 2D Seismic Survey, 43,272 sq. km of 3D Seismic Survey, 369 Exploratory Wells and 290 Core Analysis to establish Shale Resources. This will generate an investment of approx. US$ 2.35 billion over next 3 to 4 years in exploratory work alone.

The 5^th cycle of submitting Expressions of Interest (EoIs) closed on 30^th November 2019 and currently the 6^th cycle of EoI is open till March 31, 2020.

Details of Blocks awarded in OALP-IV

YB/SK

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Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah dedicated to the Nation the new campus of the National Fire Service College (NFSC) in Nagpur, today. The Home Minister presented Fire Service Gallantry Medals and awards to meritorious students of the NFSC during the event. Further, he also laid the foundation of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy at Nagpur. Shri Shah also announced Subhash Chandra Bose Award in the field of Disaster Management.

Shri Shah paid tributes to the martyred fire services officers and talked about how Modi government has given importance to institutionalise the capacity building in the field of Fire Services and National Disaster Management by building dedicated institutions like NFSC and NDRF Academy, which have been neglected for the past 70 years.  He expressed hope that though fire services is a State subject, all States would have a better coordination with the Centre to fight fire disasters through the NFSC. The Minister added that the government has allocated over Rs. 200 crores for the modernisation of the NFSC. He talked about the short and long term courses that would be run in this institution.

The Home Minister expressed pride that due to sustained efforts of Modi government since 2016, NDRF has emerged as the leading disaster management force globally and it has achieved all benchmarks under Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Shri Shah said the Nation came a long way over the last two decades in its response to disasters and improved its capabilities in minimising losses of human lives and damage to the economy. He cited the Odisha super cyclone in 1999 in which more than 10,000 people had died, in comparison to the recent cyclone ‘Fani’ that claimed 64 lives, which reflected the huge capabilities built in Disaster Response mechanisms. In the other words, in a little over a decade, India has been able to reduce the loss of lives to less than 1% in the comparisons to that of past, he said.

Shri Shah talked about the steps taken by Modi government for optimization of disaster management resources at the district level. He acknowledged the efforts of NDRF being the first responder during disasters in our neighbouring countries and how it is getting accolades for India from its neighbours. Shri Shah further said that India has become the hub for training disaster management personnel in the SAARC region and expressed hope that this will facilitate exchange of best practices and minimise the effects of disasters on the people. Further, he said that India needs to prepare itself to efficiently fight disasters and make the infrastructure disaster resilient for achieving the target of $5 trillion economy in near future.

Addressing on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai talked about the challenges faced by firemen during fire emergencies and how the NFSC would be an important building block in preparing able fire services personnel in the future. He detailed the steps taken by the MHA, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Home Minister, by issuing advisories to State governments for establishing efficient response mechanism during disasters and better preparing the people and service personnel, by conducting mock drills to minimise losses of life and property.

Also present on the occasion were Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Nitin Gadkari, along with other senior officers of Union and State governments.

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“I have spoken to Shri Ashok Gehlotji, Chief Minister of Rajasthan todayand assured him of all possible support to prevent further deaths in  the Kota tragedy matter. A multi-disciplinary team of expertsincluding top paediatricians is being sent by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to support the State government for gap analysis & quick measures to be taken.The team will reach Kota tomorrow”. This was stated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare today.

The high-level team includes the following:

(1) Dr.Kuldeep Singh. Head of Paediatrics and Dean Academies, AIIMS Jodhpur

(2) Dr. Deepak Saxena, Senior Regional Director, Rajasthan, H&FW, GOI

(3) Dr.Arun Singh, Prof of Neonatology, AIIMS, Jodhpur.

(4) Dr: Himanshu Bhushan, Adviser, NHSRC, MOHFW

The team of experts along with carry out join gap analysis along with the state Government in terms of clinical protocols, service delivery, manpower availability and equipments for maternal, newborn and paediatric care services in the Medical College Kota, Rajasthan; and will develop a joint action plan based on gap analysis for providing required technical and financial support to Kota Medical College through National Health Mission and State Medical Education Department.The team members will visit JK Lone Hospital and Medical College, Kota along with State government officials from 3 January 2020 and submit the detailed report.

In a recent letter written to the State Chief Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has expressed concern about the child deaths at the J K Lon Hospital of Kota Medical College, Rajasthan. He stated that while it is heartening to note that the State of Rajasthan is persistently showing significantdecline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for the last four years, available information from Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) under the National Health Mission, and the State Government have showed higher mortality rate of 20.2% in J. K. Lon Hospital, Kota, during 2019 incomparison to the preceding two years (Year 2018 = 14.3%; Year 2017=4.3%). Further, the Union Health Minister has requested the Chief Minister, Rajasthan to “assess the situation and take proactive steps to avoid these preventable child deaths. We, from Government of India, are ready to provide any technical assistance in this matter. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation for Improving child survival in the country, so as to ensure that no child succumbs to preventable causes or due to lack of our health system capacity.”

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In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and in supersession of the notification of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs No.91/2019-CUSTOMS (N.T.), dated 19^th December, 2019 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and  Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column (2) of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 3^rd January, 2020, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column (3) thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.

SCHEDULE-I

SCHEDULE-II

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi distributed Agriculture Minister’s Krishi Karman Awards for Progressive Farmers and Commendation Awards to the states at a public meeting in Tumkur, Karnataka today. He also released the 3rd installment of PM Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) of Rs 2000 for the period December 2019 – March 2020. This will benefit approximately 6 crore beneficiaries and distributed Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to select farmers of Karnataka.  Prime Minister will also hand over Certificates to beneficiaries under PM Kisan from 8 States / UTs. Prime Minister also handed over the keys of Deep Sea fishing Vessels and Fishing Vessel Transponders to select farmers of Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that it is a great privilege for him to see Annadata – our peasant brothers and sisters, in the new year, the beginning of a new decade. On behalf of 130 crore countrymen, the Prime Minister thanked ther country’s farmers for their toil.

The Prime Minister said that the land of Karnataka also witnessed a historic moment when money under the PM-Kisan scheme has been distributed directly into the personal accounts of nearly 6 Crore Farmers in the country. Prime Minister said a total of Rs 12 Thousand Crores has been deposited under the 3rd tranche of the scheme.

He hoped that the States that haven’t implemented the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana’, will do it and political parties will rise over politics to help the farmers in their States.

PM recalled that there was also a period in the country, when one rupee was sent for the poor in the country and only 15 paise out of it reached the beneficiaries. And now he said that the money is reaching the poor directly without the intervention of the middlemen.

Prime Minister said that the irrigation projects that have been stalled for several decades are now being implemented. He also said that the centre has always given priority to the interests of our farmers with the schemes like crop insurance, soil health cards and 100% neem coated urea.

Prime Minister said that due to the efforts of the government, both the production and export of spices from India has increased considerably. “Spice production in India has increased by more than 2.5 million tons, so the export has also increased from about Rs 15 thousand crore to about Rs 19 thousand crore.”

He said that apart from horticulture, South India also has a large share in the production of pulses, oil and coarse grains.

Prime Minister said, “Seed hubs have been built to promote pulses production in India, of which more than 30 centers are located in Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana itself.”

Referring to the Government’s efforts on Fisheries sector, Prime Minister said the government is working at three levels to strengthen the sector.

First – Encouraging fisheries in villages through financial assistance to fishermen.

Second- Modernizing the fishing boats under the Blue Revolution Scheme.

And third – Constructing modern infrastructure related to fish trade and business.

Prime Minister said, “fishermen have been linked to the Kisan Credit Card facility. New fishing harbors are being built in large rivers and in the sea for the convenience of fish farmers. A special fund of Rs 7.50 thousand crore has also been created for modern infrastructure. Fishermen’s boats are being modernized for deep sea fishing and navigation devices are being installed in boats for the protection of fishermen with the help of ISRO.”

Keeping in view the nutritional security of the country, PM requested to create a new category in the Krishi Karman Award, for Nutri Cereals, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. This will give impetus to people and states doing better work in these areas, he added.

On the occasion, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar informed that a toll-free number for the beneficiaries of PM-Kisan Yojana, 155261 has been started at which the farmers will be able to know their payment status. He added that it shows the Government’s commitment to social security for small and marginal farmers, that two important welfare schemes – PM-Kisan which provides income support and PM- Kisan Maandhan-Yojana (PM-KMY) for pension assistance are being implemented. The Minister added that a mobile application is also being developed for ease of access of PM Kisan Portal facilities for farmers.

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The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has extended his greetings on the occasion of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Prakash Parv today.

“We bow to the venerable Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his Prakash Parv.

ਦਸਮ ਪਿਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਪੁਰਬ ਮੌਕੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਸੀਸ ਝੁਕਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ।“, Prime Minister said.

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पूजनीय श्री सिद्धलिंगेश्वरा स्वामी जी, कर्नाटका के मुख्यमंत्री श्री बी एस येदियुरप्पा जी, केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल के मेरे साथी श्री डी वी सदानंद गौड़ा जी, श्री प्रह्लाद जोशी जी, कर्नाटका सरकार के मंत्रिगण, यहां उपस्थित आदरणीय संत समाज, श्रद्धालुगण, देवियों और सज्जनों, आप सभी को नमस्कार। तुमकुरू में डॉक्टर शिवकुमार स्वामी जी की धरती, सिद्धागंगा मठ में आकर मुझे बहुत प्रसन्नता हो रही है। सबसे पहले आप सभी को नव वर्ष की शुभकामनाएं।

वर्ष 2020 की आप सभी को मंगलकामनाएं !

ये मेरा सौभाग्य है कि साल 2020 की शुरुआत तुमकुरू की इस पावन धरा से, आप सभी के बीच से कर रहा हूं। मेरी कामना है कि सिद्धागंगा मठ की ये पवित्र ऊर्जा समस्त देशवासियों के जीवन को मंगलकारी बनाए।

साथियों, आज कई वर्ष बाद यहां आया हूं तो एक सूनापन सा भी अनुभव हो रहा है। पूज्य स्वामी श्री श्री शिवकुमार जी की भौतिक अनुपस्थिति हम सभी महसूस करते हैं। मैंने तो साक्षात अनुभव किया है कि उनके दर्शन मात्र से ही जीवन ऊर्जा से भर जाता था। उनके प्रेरक व्यक्तित्व से ये पवित्र स्थान दशकों से समाज को दिशा देता रहा है। विशेषतौर पर एक शिक्षित और समान अवसरों वाले समाज के निर्माण की गंगा यहां से निरंतर बहती रही है। अपने जीवनकाल में, स्वामी जी ने जितने लोगों की जिंदगी पर प्रभाव डाला, वैसा कम ही देखने को मिलता है।

ये मेरा सौभाग्य है कि श्री श्री शिवकुमार जी की स्मृति में बनने वाले म्यूजियम का शिलान्यास करने का अवसर मिला। ये म्यूजियम, न सिर्फ लोगों को प्रेरणा देगा, बल्कि समाज और देश के स्तर पर हमें दिशा देने का भी काम करेगा। मैं पूज्य स्वामी जी को पुन: स्मरण करते हुए उनके चरणों में नमन करता हूं।

साथियों, मैं यहां ऐसे समय में आया हूं जब कर्नाटका की धरती से एक और महान संत का साथ छूट गया है। पेजावर मठ के प्रमुख विश्वेश तीर्थ स्वामी का देहावसान भारत के समाज के लिए एक कमी पैदा कर गया है। हमारे आध्यात्मिक और सामाजिक जीवन के ऐसे स्तंभों का हमारे बीच से जाना, एक बड़ा शून्य छोड़ जाता है। हम शारीरिक जीवन की इस गति को तो नहीं रोक सकते, लेकिन हमारे इन संतों के दिखाए मार्ग को सशक्त ज़रूर कर सकते हैं, मानवता की सेवा और मां भारती की सेवा में खुद को समर्पित कर सकते हैं।

साथियों, ये इसलिए भी अहम है क्योंकि भारत ने नई ऊर्जा और नए उत्साह के साथ 21वीं सदी के तीसरे दशक में प्रवेश किया है। आपको याद होगा कि बीते दशक की शुरुआत किस तरह के माहौल से हुई थी। लेकिन 21वीं सदी का ये तीसरा दशक उम्मीदों की, आकांक्षाओं की मजबूत नींव के साथ शुरु हुआ है।

ये आकांक्षा नए भारत की है। ये आकांक्षा युवा सपनों की है। ये आकांक्षा देश की बहनों-बेटियों की है। ये आकांक्षा देश के गरीब, दलित, वंचित, पीड़ित, पिछड़े, आदिवासियों की है। ये आकांक्षा क्या है? भारत को समृद्ध, सक्षम और सर्वहितकारी विश्वशक्ति के रूप में देखने की है। दुनिया के नक्शे पर भारत को अपने स्वाभाविक स्थान को प्रतिष्ठापित होते हुए देखने की।

साथियों, इसी आकांक्षा को पूरा करने के लिए, राष्ट्र के रूप में बड़े बदलावों को देश के लोगों ने सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता दी है। अब ये हर भारतीय का मानस बन चुका है कि विरासत में जो समस्याएं हमें मिली हैं, उनको हल करना ही होगा। समाज से निकलने वाला यही संदेश हमारी सरकार को भी प्रेरित करता है, प्रोत्साहित करता है। यही कारण है कि 2014 के बाद से ही सामान्य भारतीय के जीवन में सार्थक परिवर्तन लाने वाले अभूतपूर्व प्रयास देश ने किए हैं।

बीते साल ने तो एक समाज के रूप में, एक राष्ट्र के रूप में हमारे उन प्रयासों को शिखर पर पहुंचाया है। आज, देश को खुले में शौच से मुक्ति का संकल्प सिद्ध हो रहा है। देश की गरीब बहनों को धुएं से मुक्ति का संकल्प सिद्ध हो रहा है। देश के हर किसान परिवार को सीधी मदद, खेत मजदूरों, श्रमिकों, छोटे व्यापारियों को सामाजिक सुरक्षा का, पेंशन जैसी व्यवस्था से जोड़ने का संकल्प सिद्ध हो रहा है।

आतंकवाद के विरुद्ध भारत की नीति और रीति में बदलाव का संकल्प भी सिद्ध हो रहा है। जम्मू कश्मीर से आर्टिकल 370 को हटाकर वहां के जीवन से आतंक और अनिश्चितता को दूर करने का, जम्मू-कश्मीर और लद्दाख के लोगों की अगुवाई में विकास के नए युग की शुरुआत का संकल्प भी सिद्ध हो रहा है। और इन सबके बीच, भगवान राम के जन्मस्थान पर एक भव्य मंदिर का मार्ग भी पूरी शांति और सहयोग से प्रशस्त हो चुका है।

साथियों, कुछ हफ्ते पहले ही हमारे लोकतंत्र की सबसे बड़ी संस्था, हमारी संसद ने सिटिजनशिप अमेंडमेंट एक्ट बनाने का भी ऐतिहासिक कार्य किया है। लेकिन कांग्रेस के लोग, उनके साथी दल और उनका बनाया इकोसिस्टम, भारत की संसद के खिलाफ ही उठ खड़ा हुआ है। जिस तरह की नफरत वो हम लोगों से करते हैं, वैसा ही स्वर अब देश की संसद के खिलाफ दिख रहा है। इन लोगों ने भारत की संसद के खिलाफ ही आंदोलन शुरू कर दिया है। ये लोग पाकिस्तान से आए दलितों-पीड़ितों-शोषितों के ही खिलाफ आंदोलन कर रहे हैं।

साथियों, पाकिस्तान का जन्म धर्म के आधार पर हुआ था। देश धर्म के आधार पर बंटा था। और बंटवारे के समय से ही पाकिस्तान में दूसरे धर्म के लोगों के साथ अत्याचार शुरू हो गया था। समय के साथ पाकिस्तान में चाहे हिंदू हों, सिख हों, ईसाई हों, जैन हों, उन पर धर्म के आधार पर अत्याचार बढ़ा ही है। हजारों ऐसे लोगों को वहां से अपना घर छोड़कर शरणार्थी के रूप में भारत आना पड़ा है।

पाकिस्तान ने हिंदुओं पर जुल्म किया, सिखों पर जुल्म किया, जैन और इसाइयों पर जुल्म किया, लेकिन कांग्रेस और उसके साथी, पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ नहीं बोलते। आज हर देशवासी के मन में सवाल है कि जो लोग पाकिस्तान से अपनी जान बचाने के लिए, अपनी बेटियों की जिंदगी बचाने के लिए यहां आए हैं, उनके खिलाफ तो जुलूस निकाले जा रहे हैं लेकिन जिस पाकिस्तान ने उनपर ये जुल्म किया, उसके खिलाफ इन लोगों के मुंह पर ताले क्यों लगे हुए हैं?

हमारा ये फर्ज बनता कि पाकिस्तान से आए शरणार्थियों की मदद करें, उनके साथ खड़े नजर आएं। हमारा ये फर्ज बनता है कि पाकिस्तान से आए हिंदुओं को, दलितों-पीड़ितों-शोषितों को उनके नसीब पर न छोड़ें, उनकी मदद करें। हमारा ये फर्ज बनता है कि पाकिस्तान से आए सिखों को उनके नसीब पर न छोड़ें, उनकी मदद करें। हमारा ये फर्ज बनता है कि पाकिस्तान से आए जैन और ईसाइयों को उनके नसीब पर न छोड़ें, उनकी मदद करें।

साथियों, जो लोग आज भारत की संसद के खिलाफ आंदोलन कर रहे हैं, मैं उन्हें कहना चाहता हूं कि आज जरूरत अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर पाकिस्तान की इस हरकत को बेनकाब करने की है। अगर आपको आंदोलन करना ही है तो पाकिस्तान के पिछले 70 साल के कारनामों के खिलाफ आवाज उठाइए।

अगर आपको नारे लगाने ही हैं तो पाकिस्तान में जिस तरह अल्पसंख्यकों पर अत्याचार हो रहा है, उसे जुड़े नारे लगाइए। अगर आपको जुलूस निकालना ही तो पाकिस्तान से आए हिंदू-दलित-पीड़ित-शोषितों के समर्थन में जुलूस निकालिए। अगर आपको धरना देना ही है, तो पाकिस्तान के खिलाफ धरना दीजिए।

साथियों, हमारी सरकार, देश के सामने चली आ रही दशकों पुरानी चुनौतियों का समाधान करने के लिए दिन रात एक कर रही है। देश के लोगों का जीवन आसान हो, ये हमारी प्राथमिकता है। देश के हर गरीब के पास पक्की छत हो, हर घर में गैस कनेक्शन हो, हर घर में पाइप से पानी पहुंचे, हर व्यक्ति को स्वास्थ सुविधा सुलभ हो, हर व्यक्ति के पास बीमा सुरक्षा कवच हो, हर गांव में ब्रॉडबैंड हो, ऐसे अनेक लक्ष्यों पर हम काम कर रहे हैं।

साल 2014 में जब मैंने आपसे स्वच्छ भारत अभियान में भागीदारी की प्रार्थना की, तो आपने पूरे सामर्थ्य के साथ हाथ आगे बढ़ाया था। आप जैसे करोड़ों साथियों के सहयोग के कारण ही गांधी जी की 150वीं जयंति पर भारत ने खुद को खुले में शौच से मुक्त कर दिया।

आज मैं संत समाज से 3 संकल्पों में सक्रिय सहयोग चाहता हूं। पहला- अपने कर्तव्यों और दायित्वों को महत्व देने की अपनी पुरातन संस्कृति को हमें फिर मजबूत करना है, लोगों को इस बारे में निरंतर जागृत करना है। दूसरा, प्रकृति और पर्यावरण की रक्षा। और तीसरा, जल संरक्षण, जल संचयन के लिए जनजागरण में सहयोग।

साथियों, भारत ने हमेशा संतों को, ऋषियों को, गुरुओं को सही मार्ग के लिए एक प्रकाश स्तंभ के रूप में देखा है। न्यू इंडिया में भी सिद्दागंगा मठ, आध्यात्म और आस्था से जुड़े देश के हर नेतृत्व की भूमिका अहम है।

आप सभी संतों का आशीर्वाद, हम सभी पर बना रहे, आपके आशीर्वाद से हम अपने संकल्पों को सिद्ध करें, इसी कामना के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।

आप सभी का बहुत-बहुत आभार!

भारत माता की जय !

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the Shri Siddhaganga Mutt in Tumkuru, Karnataka and laid the foundation stone for a memorial museum of Shri Shri Shivakumar Swamiji.

PM Modi while addressing at Shri Siddhaganga Mutt in Tumkuru, said he is fortunate that he is beginning the year 2020 from such pious land; He wished that the sacred energy of Sree Siddaganga Mutt enriches the lives of the people of our country.

He said, “We all feel the physical absence of Pujya Swami Shri Sri Shivkumar ji. I have personally experienced that his mere gaze was enriching and inspiring. With his inspiring personality this holy place has been giving direction to the society for decades”.

He said, “It is good fortune that I got an opportunity to lay the foundation stone of the museum to be built in the memory of Shri Shri Shivakumar Ji. This museum will not only inspire people, but will also serve to give direction to the society and country.”

Prime Minister said that India has entered the third decade of the 21st century with new energy and renewed vigor.

He asked the nation to remember how the last decade began. In contrast, he said, the third decade of the 21st Century has started on a strong footing of expectations, aspirations.

He said “The aspiration is for a new India. This aspiration is of young dreams. This is the aspiration of the sisters and daughters of the country. This aspiration is for the poor, downtrodden, deprived, afflicted, backward, tribals of the country”.

“This aspiration is to see India as a prosperous, capable and all-encompassing world power.It has now become the psyche of every Indian that the problems we have inherited have to be solved. This message emanating from the society also inspires, encourages our government.”

Prime Minister said that people fled from Pakistan to India, to save their lives, to save the lives of their daughters.

He further said that every countrymen has a question as to why people don’t speak against Pakistan and instead processions are being taken out against these people.

To those who are agitating against the Parliament of India, Prime Minister said, “If you have to agitate, raise your voice against the exploits of Pakistan in the last 70 years. Now the need is to expose this action of Pakistan at the international level. If you have to raise slogans, then raise slogans related to the way minorities are being tortured in Pakistan. If you have to take out a procession then take out a procession in support of Hindu-Dalit-victim-exploited from Pakistan”.

Prime Minister sought active support from Sant Samaj in 3 resolutions.

First, to reinforce India’s ancient culture of giving importance to every individual’s duties and obligations.

Second, to protect nature and the environment.

And third, to cooperate in public awareness for water conservation, water harvesting.

He said that India has always viewed saints, sages, gurus as a lighthouse for the right path.

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi distributed Agriculture Minister’s Krishi Karman Awards for Progressive Farmers and Commendation Awards to the states at a public meeting in Tumkur, Karnataka today. He also released the 3rd installment of PM Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) of Rs 2000 for the period December 2019 – March 2020. This will benefit approximately 6 crore beneficiaries and distributed Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to select farmers of Karnataka.  Prime Minister handed over the Certificates to beneficiaries under PM Kisan from 8 States / UTs. Prime Minister also handed over the keys of Deep Sea fishing Vessels and Fishing Vessel Transponders to select farmers of Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that it is a great privilege for him to see Annadata – our peasant brothers and sisters, in the new year, the beginning of a new decade. On behalf of 130 crore countrymen, the Prime Minister thanked the country’s farmers for their toil.

The Prime Minister said that the land of Karnataka also witnessed a historic moment when money under the PMKISAN scheme has been distributed directly into the personal accounts of nearly 6 Crore Farmers in the country. Prime Minister said a total of Rs 12 Thousand Crores has been deposited under the 3rd tranche of the scheme.

He hoped that the States that haven’t implemented the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana’, will do it and political parties will rise over politics to help the farmers in their States.

PM recalled that there was also a period in the country, when one rupee was sent for the poor in the country and only 15 paise out of it reached the beneficiaries. And now he said that the money is reaching the poor directly without the intervention of the middlemen.

Prime Minister said that the irrigation projects that have been stalled for several decades are now being implemented. He also said that the centre has always given priority to the interests of our farmers with the schemes like crop insurance, soil health cards and 100% neem coated urea.

Prime Minister said that due to the efforts of the government, both the production and export of spices from India has increased considerably. “Spice production in India has increased by more than 2.5 million tons, so the export has also increased from about Rs 15 thousand crore to about Rs 19 thousand crore.”

He said that apart from horticulture, South India also has a large share in the production of pulses, oil and coarse grains.

Prime Minister said, “Seed hubs have been built to promote pulses production in India, of which more than 30 centers are located in Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana itself.”

Referring to the Government’s efforts on Fisheries sector, Prime Minister said the government is working at three levels to strengthen the sector.

First – Encouraging fisheries in villages through financial assistance to fishermen.

Second- Modernizing the fishing boats under the Blue Revolution Scheme.

And third – Constructing modern infrastructure related to fish trade and business.

Prime Minister said, “fishermen have been linked to the Kisan Credit Card facility. New fishing harbors are being built in large rivers and in the sea for the convenience of fish farmers. A special fund of Rs 7.50 thousand crore has also been created for modern infrastructure. Fishermen’s boats are being modernized for deep sea fishing and navigation devices are being installed in boats for the protection of fishermen with the help of ISRO.”

Keeping in view the nutritional security of the country, PM requested to create a new category in the Krishi Karman Award, for Nutri Cereals, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. This will give impetus to people and states doing better work in these areas, he added.

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VRRK/AK

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate 107^th Indian Science Congress at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru on Friday 3 January 2020.  Prime Minister Modi will deliver the inaugural address on the occasion and also launch I-STEM Portal on the occasion.  The Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B. S. Yediyurappa and other dignitaries including Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be present on the occasion.

The Theme of the India Science Congress (ISC) this year is “Science and Technology: Rural Development”. More than 15,000 participants, including Nobel Laureates, Scientists, intellectuals, academicians, police makers, researchers, students and delegates from different institutions are expected to participate in the event.  Complete details about the event can be accessed on a Mobile App “ISC 2020 UASB”.  The App is available in Google play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.indiansciencecongress&hl=en_IN.

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VRRK/AK

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in Bengaluru today.

DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are located in five cities viz, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Each lab will work on a key advanced technology of importance to the development of futuristic defence systems viz, Artificial intelligence, Quantum technologies, Cognitive technologies, Asymmetric technologies and Smart materials.

The inspiration to start such laboratories came from the Prime Minister on the occasion of DRDO award function held on August 24, 2014. Shri Narendra Modi had then asked DRDO to empower the youth, by giving them decision making powers and challenging research opportunities.

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Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said these labs would help in

shaping the pattern of research and development in the field of emerging technologies in the country.

Prime Minister asked the scientists to prepare a definite roadmap for the new decade where DRDO should be able to set the direction and pace of scientific research in various fields in India.

Addressing the scientists, Prime Minister said India’s Missile programme is one of the outstanding programmes in the world. He also appreciated the Indian Space Programme and air defence systems.

Prime Minister said India cannot be left behind in the field of scientific research. He said the Government is willing to walk the extra mile with the scientific community so that it can invest time in emerging technologies and innovations for national security.

He said DRDO’s innovations would play a huge role in strengthening programmes like Make in India and in promoting a vibrant defence sector in the country.

The establishment of the five DRDO Young Scientist Labs lays down the foundation for research and development of futuristic technologies. It will be a big leap forward for DRDO from the goal of making India self reliant to future ready in defence technologies.

Research in the area of rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence will be carried out at Bengaluru. The all-important area of Quantum Technology will be based out of IIT Mumbai. The future is dependent on Cognitive Technologies and IIT Chennai will house the lab embarking in this area of research. New and futuristic area of Asymmetric Technologies, which will change the way wars are fought, will be based out of the campus of Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The research in the hot and critical area of Smart Materials and their applications will be based out of Hyderabad.

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