The First Quad Leaders’ Summit will be held virtually today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President  Joseph R Biden will participate in the first Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework.

The Leaders will discuss regional and global issues of shared interest and exchange views on practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

The Summit will provide an opportunity to exchange views on contemporary challenges such as resilient supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, maritime security and climate change.

The Leaders will also discuss ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic and explore opportunities for collaboration in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Ahead of the Quad Leaders’ Summit today, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the first meeting of the leaders of “Quad” countries would discuss security challenges across the Indo-Pacific, climate change and efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Talking to reporters in Sydney, Prime Minister Morrison said, there have been many other meetings, but when governments come together at the highest level, this shows a whole new level of cooperation to create a new anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Australia Prime Minister said the talks will also include plans to achieve net zero emission targets into the future as countries in the region move to a new energy economy.

The first Meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) was held under India’s Chairship from 9th till 11th of this month. The theme of BRICS this year is -“BRICS at 15: Intra BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation, and Consensus”.
India presented the calendar of events for BRICS CGETI 2021, which included the priority areas for deliverables, schedule and scope of the MSME roundtable conference workshop on Services Statistics, and the BRICS Trade Fair.
Till September, inter sessional deliberations will be carried out to reach consensus amongst the BRICS countries.

The process of filing of nominations has begun today with the issuance of notification for the Third Phase of Assembly Elections in the states of Assam and West Bengal.

In Assam and West Bengal, it is also the last date for the withdrawal of candidature for the First Phase of Assembly Elections while the filing of nominations closes for the Second Phase today.

In Assam, 47 Assembly Constituencies will go to polls on the 27th of March during the First Phase while polling will be held in 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal in this phase.

The Second Phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal will be conducted on the 1st of April in 39 Assembly Constituencies of Assam and 30 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal.

Third Phase polling in these two states will be held on 6th of April when 40 Assembly Constituencies of Assam and 31 Assembly Constituencies of West Bengal will go to polls. 

In Assam, notification for the third and final phase of polls has been issued today . 40 seats will be covered in this phase in 12 districts. Over 70 lakh voters could exercise their voting rights in this phase. The BJP has already announced the names of state party President Ranjit Kumar Dass as candidate at Patacharkuchi and party’s heavyweight Himanta Biswa Sarma as a candidate for Jalukbari constituency.

Meanwhile, today  is the last day of filing for nomination in the second phase where polling will be held on 1st of April in 39 seats. On the other hand, today is also the last day of withdrawal of nomination papers for the first phase of polls. 284 nominations were found valid in the first phase. Yesterday 1 Independent candidate has withdrawn nomination paper.

In West Bengal, BJP candidate Shubhendu Adhikari has filed his nomination from Nandigram constituency today. He submitted papers at the Sub Divisional Office at Haldia.

Sanyukt Morcha backed CPIM candidate Minakshi Mukherjee has also submitted her nomination papers this morning.

It may be noted that Chief Minister of West Bengal and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is contesting from Nandigram seat. She had filed her nomination last Wednesday. Polling will be held in this seat along with 29 other constituencies in the second phase on 1st of April. Today is the last date for filing nominations for the second phase and withdrawal of candidature for the first phase. Notification for the third phase has been issued today.

Meanwhile, Ms Banerjee, who is undergoing treatment at the SSKM hospital in Kolkata after being injured in Nandigram, is responding well. The six member medical board has examined her condition this morning. Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court TBN Radhakrishnan paid a visit to the Chief Minister today. 

In Tamil Nadu filing of nomination for the 234 Assembly constituencies  began today. March 19th is the last date for the filing of nomination and scrutiny will take place on the 20th March. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is 22 nd March.
 
Meanwhile DMK leader M.K.Stalin released the names of 173 candidates of his party. MK Stalin is contesting from Kolathur Constiutuency in Chennai. BJP is also expected to release the names of the candidates today.
 
Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and State BJP leader L.Murugan have rushed to Delhi for the purpose. The ruling AIADMK Joint Coordinator and the Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy is all set to begin his election campaign from Salem. AIADMK Coordinator and Dy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam is expected to file his nomination from Bodinayakkanur, Theni district. 

Azadi Ka Amruth Mahotsav is being organised in three places in Karnataka. Governor Vaju Bhai Vala and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa offered homage at the memorial erected in remembrance of the freedom fighters who laid down their life in Vidurashwatha in Chikkaballapur district during the freedom struggle. Viduraswatha is known as Jalianwala bagh of Karnataka where in 1938 police opened fire on the unsuspecting crowd that had gathered in an open ground near the Ashwatha tree thereby killing 32 persons and injuring many. To mark the day, cycle jatha, exhibition and processions were organised.

The Governor of Rajasthan , Kalraj Mishra inaugurated the exhibition on ‘Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotasav’ at Jahawar Kala Kendra in Jaipur today. The 5 day long exhibition has been origanised by the Regional Outreach Bureau , Jaipur. After the inauguration of the exhibition , Mr. Mishra said that the story of the freedom struggle is an inspiration to every citizen.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh  Chouhan inaugurated the state level  Amrit Mahotsav campaign at Shaurya Smarak Bhopal.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan while inaugurating the state level campaign said that “we will leave no stone unturned to fulfill Prime Minister’s resolve for self reliant India. “. He said that there is need to adopt the ideals for which the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves.

Chief Minister paid floral tributes at the Bharat Mata statue site in the Shaurya Smarak and also inaugurated the photo exhibition of ministry of information and broadcasting media unit  Regional outreach bureau .

Amrit Mahotsav of independence  is being organized at all 52 district headquarters of the state, including the sites associated with the Jana Nayaks and freedom movement including  Alirajpur district ,the birth place of  Chandrashekhar Azad , Orchha, Niwari district associated with Tatya Tope, Jabalpur with Rani Durgavati and many more.

In Tamilnadu, Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav was celebrated with much fervour. Cycle rallies, tree plantation and cultural performances were held.  Tamilnadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit inaugurated the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav in Chennai. He also inaugurated the photo exhibition of the freedom struggle and dandi march. Speaking at the function, he said that the Dandi march played an important role in the freedom struggle. He recalled that many freedom fighters from Tamilnadu had participated in it.  Ten freedom fighters were honoured by the Governor.

In union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha today paid rich tributes to Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal on the occasion of Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Rajinder Singh Pura in Samba district of Jammu division. At the outset, LG Sinha paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, First Home Minister of Independent India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, great freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose and Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal who is known as ‘The Saviour of Kashmir’. On the occasion, LG also flagged off a Bike rally and Amrit Rath from the said venue.

Prime Minister was addressing a special gathering at Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram after launching Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav- which marks the beginning of the celebrations of 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. He also flagged off the re-enact of historic Dandhi March from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad Gujarat.

He said that development of Atmanirbhar Bharat will also boost the development of the world. He said that India is self reliant in developing and manufacturing Covid19 vaccines. 

Mr. Modi said that we are also helping other nations of the world in their fight against the Covid19. Mr. Modi said that people’s participation will be the key in the nation wide celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. He appealed the people to come forward with new ideas and contribute in Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a special website for Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav in connection with the 75 years celebration of Indian Independence. People and particularly, the young generation can share their videos and images on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotav on this website. Prime Minister Modi also launched Atmanirbhar Incubator to boost the Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Speaking on this occasion, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Independent Charge Prahalad Singh Patel said that Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav- will be a people’s movement which will run by the people of India. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking India on the path of Atmanirbhar Bharat.  He said that  A Charkha has been installed near Magan Niwas at Sabarmati Ashram. It will rotate full circle with each Tweet related to Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He also appealed the people to buy any local product and post a picture on social media using  #VocalForLocal.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the historic Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 had boosted the freedom struggle across the country against the British rule. He said that Sardar Patel was the man who united all the princely states and regions of India after Independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s achievements are beneficial not only for India but also for the entire mankind and they create new hope for the human race.

Prime Minister was addressing a special gathering at Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram after launching Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav- which marks the beginning of the celebrations of 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. 

He also flagged off the re-enact of historic Dandhi March from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad Gujarat.

 EF Two researchers in Canada, Rees and Wackernagel, first published a book on ecological footprints and their calculation in 1996. Since then, the concept has become widely accepted with many web site calculators designed to help you measure your footprint. EF is a model used to estimate the demands that human populations place on the environment. The measure takes into account the area of land and water required to provide all the resources needed by the population, and the assimilation of all wastes. 

Where the EF is greater than the area available to the population, this is an indication of unsustainability as the population exceeds the carrying capacity of the population. EFs may vary significantly from country to country and person to person and include aspects such as lifestyle choices (EVS), productivity of food production systems, land use and industry. In 2012 it was calculated that the EF of all people on Earth was equivalent to 1.5 Earths or 2.7 global hectares (gha) per person. So humanity would take 18 months to regenerate one year’s worth of resources that we use. 

We are in ecological overshoot and have been since the 1970s in that our annual demand on the natural world exceeds what it can supply. Some countries with the biggest ecological footprints are Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Denmark and the USA; and some countries with the smallest ecological footprints are Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Haiti, Eritrea and Bangladesh. 

A person’s personal ecological footprint is known as earthshare. A fair earthshare is the amount of land each person would get if all the ecologically productive land on the earth was divided amongst its population. On average, a Canadian’s ecological footprint is 7.8 hectares or approximately the size of 15 football fields. Only the United States and Australia have larger footprints at 10.3 and 9.0 hectares respectively. To compare, the average person in India has a footprint 010,8 hectares, China 1.6. In the United Kingdom it is 5.2, in Germany 5.3 and in Switzerland 5.1 hectares. 

In 2008, if we all shared equally, there would have been 1.8 hectares available per person or 1.3 if you do not include productive marine areas. Clearly, we are living beyond the Earth’s ability to provide for our consumption. The ecological footprint of a country depends on several factors: its population size and consumption per capita — how many people and how much land each one uses. It includes the cropland and other land that is needed to grow food, grow bionics, graze animals for meat, produce wood, dig up minerals and the area of land needed to absorb wastes, not just solid waste but waste water, sewage and carbon dioxide. 

The WWF Living Planet Report 2006 attempts to show countries as either ecological debtors or creditors. The creditors have smaller footprints than their biocapacity (living capacity or natural resources) and the debtors have larger footprints. Debtors could be harvesting resources unsustainably in their countries, importing goods or exporting wastes. There is no such thing as ‘throwing away’ on the earth. There is no ‘away’ in a closed system. This is why fair resource distribution across countries and the people within countries is so important – we need to ensure that no resources are wasted in the developed countries that can be sustainably used in other parts of the world, so as to make the world more equal and also not increase the global ecological footprint.