Month: April 2023

9 Indian royal families, their heads and what they’re doing in 2023

Monarchy may have been abolished from the country in 1971. Even after nearly five decades, a few Indian royal families continue to live a life of legacy and luxury. Unfortunately, most of us are either keeping up with Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle or binge-watching dramas focused on Queen Elizabeth II of England. However, few of us are as familiar with Indian monarchy. But don’t worry, we’re here to assist. Here’s a rundown of various royal families. Each has one person who is reportedly the “king” at the helm. However, because they no longer have kingdoms to manage, this is all they’re doing now. 

1. The Mewar Dynasty

The Mewar Dynasty, probably India’s most prolific royal family, has produced renowned monarchs such as Maharana Pratap. His descendants now reside in Udaipur. His Royal Highness Arvind Singh Mewar is the head of this dynasty. He is the House of Mewar’s 76th custodian. Arvind Singh is a tremendously wealthy businessman in addition to being a titular king. He is the CEO of the HRH Group of properties, which operates over ten properties. 

He and his wife, Maharani Vijayaraj, live in the Udaipur city palace, a section of which is available to the public for viewing and exploration. Along with that, he has leased several properties that still belong to the royal family, such the Lake Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace, to the Taj Group of Hotels. He is regarded as one of the wealthiest brains in the tourism and travel sector. He also runs the city’s vintage automobile museum and looks after his father’s crystal collection.

2. The Wadiyar Dynasty

The Kingdom of Mysore was controlled by the Wadiyar Dynasty in the past. They may trace their ancestors back to Lord Krishna’s Yaduvanshi clan. Queen Alamelamma of Vijaynagar cursed the Wadiyar family for taking the crown in 1612. She claimed right before she leaped to her death that Mysore rulers would never have children. This curse appears to have remained in effect for the last 400 years, despite the fact that later members of the dynasty created a statue of the Queen and worshipped it on a regular basis. 

Yaduveer Krishnadutta Chamaraj Wadiyar, 27, is the current leader of the family. He was not, however, the immediate successor. Srikantadatta Wadiyar, his uncle, died childless in 2013 and left no heir. And hence, his wife, the Rajmata adopted Yaduveer as their son and turned him into king. With Mysore as the top silk producer in the company, the family’s brand, Royal Silk of Mysore started by Srikantadatta has remained a major success. The new king, however, holds a degree in English Literature and economics. He tied the knot to the Princess of Dungarpur, Trishika Kumari Singh, in 2016. 

3. The Royal Family of Jaipur

Members of the royal family of Jaipur have slowly but surely now attained celebrity status. His Highness Bhawani Singh was the last titular head of Jaipur. However, due to not having any sons, in his old age, Bhawani Singh adopted his daughter, Diya Kumari’s son, Padmanabh Singh. In 2011, Padmanabh became the Maharaja of Jaipur. He is a national-level polo player and is working to bring more awareness to the sport today.

Not only has the royal family given out the Rambagh Palace to Taj Hotels to run, the young king himself partnered with AirBnB recently. Under this new company, he has set up a suite at the Jaipur City Palace on the travel website where travellers may come, stay, and experience the royal lifestyle.  All the proceeds from this would go to the Princess Diya Kumari foundation. Moreover, the young King is an avid traveller and has appeared on magazine covers, across the world.

4. The Royal Family of Alsisar

Another royal dynasty from Rajasthan is the Alsisar family, who once ruled over the kingdom of Khetri. The family now possesses opulent havelis in both Jaipur and Ranthambore. HH Abhimanyu Singh is the present ruler. Abhimanyu Singh is recognised for co-sponsoring the yearly EDM event, Magnetic Fields, in addition to maintaining various hotels on their grounds. As a result, Singh has earned the title “Party Prince of India” in popular culture.

5. The Royal Family of Jodhpur

Jodhpur was once governed by the Rathore dynasty. It is home to the Mehrangarh Fort and the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which are both among the world’s largest forts and private houses. Maharaja Gaj Singh now resides at the Umaid Bhawan Palace with his wife, two children, and their spouses.

A portion of the Palace is available to tourists, while the remainder is administered by the Taj Group of Hotels, which works in collaboration with the family. Maharaja Gaj Singh not only served in the Rajya Sabha, but he was also the Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago a few years ago.

6. The Gaekwads of Baroda

Since the early 18th century, the Gaekwads, who originated in Pune, have maintained control in Baroda (now Vadodara). Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, 52, is the current leader of the royal family of Baroda. He inherited property worth over Rs 20,000 crores when he got to the throne. The 2,000 acres of premium real estate, 600 acres of land, and the 187-room Laxmi Vilas Palace are all included. As if that wasn’t enough, Samarjitsinh also received many paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, as well as numerous valuables like as gold, silver, and royal jewels. He also oversees 17 temple trusts in Gujarat and Banaras. In addition, he built an own 10-hole golf course in the palace. 

Samarjitsinh is a top-tier cricketer who has represented his state in the Ranji Trophy. He dabbled in politics but has been inactive since 2017. One little-known detail about the Gaekwads of Baroda is that they are the maiden family of Jaipur’s famous Maharani Gayatri Devi.

7. Bourbons of India

Did you know that an Indian royal dynasty claims to be the heirs to the now-defunct monarchy of the Kingdom of France? Meet the Indian Bourbons, who live in Bhopal. Balthazar Napoleon IV de Bourbon, a lawyer with three children, is at the helm. This family claims to be a true descendant of the House of Bourbon, descending from Jean Philippe de Bourbon, an exiled French aristocrat who served in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. In his book, Prince Michael of Greece and Denmark claims that Jean de Bourbon was a nephew of Henry IV, the first Bourbon French monarch. 

8. The House of Bhonsales

If you reside in Maharashtra, you are well aware with Shivaji Maharaj and the Chhatrapatis. However, few people are aware that the great Swarajya King’s descendants have now been dispersed among many districts in the state, including Kolhapur, Satara, Nagpur, Mudhol, Savantwadi, and Tanjore. Several significant family heads are dispersed across these areas. Satara’s Udayanraje is claimed to be the 13th Chhatrapati title bearer. He is a well-known politician and a member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). He recently reported assets totaling Rs 170 crore, which included five automobiles and numerous pieces of jewellery. 

9. Nawab of Pataudi

A list of royals would be incomplete without include Bollywood’s very own Pataudi clan. Back in the day, the Nawabs governed the kingdom of Pataudi, with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi serving as the final titular ruler. His Royal Highness, in addition to being a Nawab, was a former captain of the Indian Cricket Team. He married actress Sharmila Tagore and had three children with her. Saif Ali Khan, a Bollywood actor, is now the Nawab of Pataudi. Saif Ali Khan also owns the Pataudi Palace, which is valued at Rs 800 crore. In addition, according to Forbes, Saif earned Rs 66 crore in the previous year. 

AIM, NITI Aayog, and UNCDF Team Up to Make India a Global Agri-tech Leader

 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) today jointly launched a whitepaper aimed at making India a global leader in Agri-Tech innovation and expanding these innovations to the least developed countries in Asia and Africa.

The whitepaper, meticulously prepared by experts from AIM, NITI Aayog, and UNCDF, offers actionable steps to overcome challenges faced by Agri-Tech start-ups and facilitate their growth at national and international levels.

The whitepaper outlines the significant observations and recommendations required to tackle challenges in the agriculture sector and promote sustainable practices that support smallholder farmers across developing economies. Agri-Tech innovations will help address food security, supply chain inefficiencies, and climate change concerns.

Addressing the audience, Mr. Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare stated, “Agri-tech startups in India have emerged as a game-changer in the agriculture sector, offering innovative solutions to the emerging challenges in Agriculture like Climate change, Improving Productivity etc. The AIM-UNCDF Agri-tech challenge has uncovered the immense promise and potential of this market, and we are excited to see what the future holds.”

Speaking during the launch, Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission Dr. Chintan Vaishnav said “the agriculture sector is critical to food security, supply chain efficiency, and climate change mitigation, and the Agri-Tech start-ups in India have provided significant solutions to these challenges. Through this partnership with UNCDF, we aim to facilitate cross-border engagement, knowledge exchange, and investments to support high-impact Agri-Tech innovations and make agriculture practices efficient, resilient, and sustainable for smallholder farmers across developing economies. We look forward to working with our partners to realize this vision.”

At the launch, Jaspreet Singh, Global lead, Financial health and Innovation, UNCDF, said, “The learnings from the Agri-tech challenge have been immense and revealed that the market is enormous and has immense potential for global south-south collaboration. Moving forward, we are working towards creating a community platform for smallholder farmers which can be helpful for Agri and Agri-tech startups to exchange ideas, explore collaboration, and share knowledge”

With over 70% of the agricultural workforce in India comprising smallholder farmers, Agri-tech start-ups have emerged as the solution to the challenges faced by farmers. AIM, in partnership with UNCDF, aims to create a south-south collaboration environment where start-ups from Asia and Africa can exchange ideas and generate opportunities in their respective countries.

AIM, an anchor partner of the south-south collaboration initiatives, collaborates with partner countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia. The collaboration focuses on addressing three key challenges in the agriculture sector, namely low productivity, poor risk resilience, and inefficient supply chain management. Out of 25 potential Agri-Tech start-ups that aim to solve critical challenges around production, supply chain, risk, and climate change, the partners have shown interest in and are at various stages of cross-border engagement.

The Agri-Tech start-ups in emerging economies have successfully provided digital solutions to several agricultural challenges that the sector has faced in the past. AIM, in partnership with UNCDF, is committed to supporting high-impact Agri-Tech innovations, creating an enabling environment that facilitates start-up growth and sharing of knowledge across borders. The Indian start-up sector has the potential to play the role of a knowledge hub and support market development in less-developed start-up economies across the globe.

The launch of the whitepaper marks a significant milestone in the journey towards making India a global leader in Agri-Tech innovation and expanding these innovations to the least developed countries in Asia and Africa. AIM, NITI Aayog, and UNCDF are committed to working together towards this goal and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the agriculture sector.

 

First Global Buddhist Summit hosted by Ministry of Culture in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the Global Buddhist Summit at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi today. The Prime Minister walked through the photo exhibition and offered flowers to the Buddha statue. He also offered monk robes (Chivar Dana) to nineteen eminent monks. Union Minister for Culture, Shri G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Ministers of State for Culture, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Smt Meenakshi Lekhi, and Secretary General of International Buddhist Confederation, Dr Dhammapiya were present on occasion.

The two-day Summit is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation on 20-21 April. The theme of the Global Buddhist Summit is “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”. It is an effort towards engaging the global Buddhist Dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively. The discussion at the Summit explored how the Buddha Dhamma’s fundamental values can provide inspiration and guidance in contemporary settings.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed everyone from different corners of the world to the inaugural session of the Global Buddhist Summit. “Buddha is beyond the individual, it is a perception”, and Buddha is a sensation that transcends the individual, he is a thought that transcends form and Buddha is a consciousness beyond manifestation. “This Buddha consciousness is eternal”, the Prime Minister said. Noting the occasion, he expressed confidence that the inaugural Global Buddhist Summit will create an effective platform for the efforts of all nations and thanked the Ministry of Culture and International Buddhist Confederation for this momentous event.

The Prime Minister credited the teachings of Lord Buddha for an inherent empathy in India for the issues of humanity. He mentioned peace missions and India’s whole-hearted efforts in rescue work for disasters like the earthquake in Turkiye. “This emotion of 140 crore Indians is being seen, understood and accepted by the world”, he said. Platforms like IBC, he continued, are giving the opportunity to like-minded and like-hearted countries to spread Buddha Dhamma and peace.

Click here for full text of PM speech

On the occasion , Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that the Global Buddhist Summit is being inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. He informed that the theme of this two-day Global Buddhist Summit is ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges- Philosophy to Praxis’. About 170 International Delegates from more than 30 different countries of the world are participating in this Global Buddhist Summit. The two day Global Buddhist Summit will discuss topics like Peace, Environment, Morality, Health, sustainable development and Buddhist Confederation. The Global Buddhist Summit is an initiative of the Modi government and it will help in strengthening our cultural and diplomatic relations with the world, the Minister added. He said  that Prime Minister has said that major challenges of the world can be solved by Buddhist philosophy of life and I think the Global Buddhist Summit will be a successful effort in that direction.

On the occasion, Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju said that the support from the Mahā Sangha, world over and the Supreme Patriarchs, Sangha Nayakas, Meditation Masters, various Buddhist Associations, Monastic body, learned Buddhist Scholars have brought us to this historic Day when we are all witnessing this auspicious Day happening. I am glad to know the theme of this Global Buddhist Summit is – ‘Responses to Contemporary Challenges – Philosophy to Praxis’ and that the Summit is divided into two separate parallel sessions – a Sangha Session and an Academic Session with several diverse sub-themes, such as, Buddha Dhamma and Peace, Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability, Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition, Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living heritage and Buddha Relics etc”.  He also congratulated all the members of the International Buddhist Confederation to make it Successful.

He also said ” Buddha Dhamma is not just a religion; it is a way of life that emphasizes compassion towards all beings. The teachings of impermanence and interdependence remind us that everything in the world is changing and are interconnected, and we must learn to live in a way that is sustainable and respectful of the earth and its resources. “

On the occasion, an exhibition, the Panch Pradarshan, the celebration of Five Exhibitions was organised as part of the two-day Global Buddhist Summit on the theme, “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”

These depict the 10-years of IBC’s journey, the rich cultural legacy of Buddha manifesting in the heritage of Vadnagar city, Gujarat, travel accounts of Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang, work of Buddhist religious leader and master Atisa Dipankara Srijana, and Digital Restoration of Ajanta Paintings showcases the process involved that goes into the digital restoration of cultural artifacts through the example of the digital restoration of the cave painting of Padmapani (Ajanta Ellora).

The programme started with the offering of flowers to the Buddha statue by the Prime minister while the Mangalacharan was being recited.Dr Subhadra Desai gave a classical rendering of the Ratana Sutta.

The Summit witnessed the participation of eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world, who will discuss pressing global issues and look for answers in the Buddha Dhamma based on universal values. The discussions were held under four themes: Buddha Dhamma and Peace; Buddha Dhamma: Environmental Crisis, Health and Sustainability; Preservation of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition; Buddha Dhamma Pilgrimage, Living Heritage and Buddha Relics: a resilient foundation to India’s centuries-old cultural links to countries in South, South-East and East Asia.

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Handloom Sarees of India

Handloom sarees are an integral part of India’s rich cultural heritage. These sarees are woven by hand using traditional techniques, making them unique and distinctive. They are available in a wide range of materials, designs, colors, and textures. Handloom sarees are also considered to be eco-friendly and sustainable as they do not require the use of electricity or heavy machinery for their production.

Handloom sarees are woven using a variety of techniques such as Jamdani, Banarasi, Patola, Kanjivaram, Chanderi, and many more. Each technique has its own unique style and texture, making handloom sarees a popular choice among women across India.

Jamdani sarees –

Jamdani sarees are woven using the traditional Jamdani technique, which involves weaving fine muslin cloth with intricate floral and geometric patterns. These sarees are lightweight and comfortable to wear, making them perfect for summer.


Banarasi sarees –

Banarasi sarees are woven in Varanasi, a city in Uttar Pradesh. These sarees are made from silk and have intricate designs woven with gold and silver threads. Banarasi sarees are considered to be one of the most expensive and luxurious sarees in India.

Patola sarees –

Patola sarees are woven in Patan, a city in Gujarat. These sarees are made from silk and have vibrant colors and geometric patterns. Patola sarees are considered to be a symbol of wealth and status in Gujarat.

Kanjivaram sarees –

Kanjivaram sarees are woven in Kanchipuram, a city in Tamil Nadu. These sarees are made from silk and have bold colors and intricate designs. Kanjivaram sarees are known for their durability and are considered to be a prized possession for every South Indian bride.


Chanderi sarees –

Chanderi sarees are woven in Chanderi, a town in Madhya Pradesh. These sarees are made from cotton and silk and have delicate designs woven with zari threads. Chanderi sarees are known for their lightweight and comfortable feel, making them a popular choice among women across India.


Handloom sarees are not just a piece of clothing but a piece of art that represents India’s rich cultural heritage. They are a symbol of tradition, elegance, and sophistication. With their unique designs and exquisite craftsmanship, handloom sarees are here to stay and continue to be an important part of India’s fashion industry.

Global Thematic Webinar on ‘Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy’

 As a part of the series of Global Thematic Webinars being organised by the Culture Working Group (CWG) under India’s G20 Presidency, the third webinar on “Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy” is scheduled on 19 April 2023, from 12.30 pm to 8.30 pm (IST).

The webinar will reflect on the current trends, challenges, and opportunities of the cultural and creative industries, bringing together experts from G20 members and guest nations, as well as relevant international organisations. Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the webinar is being hosted and facilitated by UNESCO (Paris), knowledge partner of CWG.

The cultural and creative industries and creative economy, play a significant role in shaping our global landscape, contributing 3.1% to the worldwide Gross Domestic Product. This substantial economic impact contributes to the enrichment of our social and cultural fabric. Notably, the cultural and creative sector employs more people in the age group of 15-29, compared to any other and therefore demonstrates a strong potential for fostering youth employment.

Although the cultural sector makes a substantial contribution to the global economy, its long-term growth is hindered by the absence of a standard definition of the creative economy and insufficient collection of cultural data contributing to its informal nature. Today, 60% of the global creative economy is informal. These challenges not only affect the status of cultural practitioners but also have greater impacts on the larger economy.

The objective of this webinar is to foster an inclusive dialogue and facilitate an in-depth discussion from an expert driven perspective on promoting cultural and creative industries and creative economy. It seeks to encourage knowledge sharing; capitalise on the best practices and experiences; identify gaps, needs, and opportunities for increasing the creative economy’s share in the global GDP and improving cultural data collection for the creation of satellite accounts for the sector, a key step towards its formalisation. Being a subset of the national accounts, these will help better understand the economic impact of the sector and provide policy-makers with comprehensive data for developing policies and strategies that promote the growth and development of the sector. The webinar will also inform the reflection of the G20 membership in formulating tangible outcomes.

It will have three speaking segments and experts will be distributed across these segments based on their respective time zones. The webinar will be moderated successively by representatives of ILO, UNCTAD and WIPO with expertise on the topic. It will be live streamed on the YouTube channel of UNESCO (Paris). The final global thematic webinar is scheduled on 20 April 2023 and will discuss “Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture”.

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Round Table Conference on ‘How to Effectively Redress the Grievances pertaining to Real Estate Sector’

 Department of Consumer Affairs, in association with the Government of Maharashtra, organized a Round Table Conference on “How to Effectively Redress the Grievances Pertaining to Real Estate Sector” in Mumbai today (April 18, 2023). The conference had participation of a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials,  Chairman of RERA, Delhi, Chairman MahaRERA, Officials  from MOHUA, IBBI, legal experts, industry leaders, and consumer rights activists, to identify actionable solutions to the pressing issues faced by homebuyers and builders in the real estate sector. Several topics related to real estate were covered during the conference, such as systemic policy interventions to reduce litigation in the housing sector, the reasons for the high number of cases filed before Consumer Commissions despite the existence of separate authorities like RERA specifically for housing sector cases, and ensuring effective and timely resolution of housing sector cases.

The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs for the Government of India, Rohit Kumar Singh, in his address, highlighted the staggering number of pending cases in the housing sector at different consumer Commissions. Out of over 5.5 lakh cases currently awaiting resolution, over 54,000 cases  related to housing sector. This backlog of cases highlights the importance of providing speedy justice and streamlining the process for homebuyers.

To address these challenges, the Secretary suggested implementing a simple, model buyer agreement that could help to streamline the homebuying process and protect consumers from potential abuses. This agreement could help to reduce disputes between homebuyers and builders and ensure that consumers have access to effective, speedy, hassle-free, and inexpensive grievance redressal mechanisms.

The Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, also highlighted the significance of the Consumer Protection Act 2019, which recognizes housing construction as a service and categorizes developers as product sellers. This recognition helps to ensure that homebuyers have access to the same consumer protections that they would receive when purchasing any other type of product or service. It was also highlighted the need for continued focus on the housing sector in India, particularly when it comes to protecting consumers and streamlining the homebuying process. By implementing measures like model buyer agreements and effective grievance redressal mechanisms, the backlog of cases can be redressed and ensure that homebuyers are treated fairly and protected from potential abuses, he stated.

Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt of India, Nidhi Khare, in a detailed presentation outlined a comprehensive overview of the legal provisions under various statutes designed to protect the interests of homebuyers. She delved into the roles and responsibilities of homebuyers under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The presentation also addressed the increasing number of cases filed by homebuyers and the impact of these disputes on both homebuyers and builders, leading to distrust within the sector.

During the conference, Member NCDRC, Binoy Kumar, underscored the importance of the builder-buyer agreement as the fundamental document governing transactions in the real estate sector. He suggested that the buyer agreement should be made more efficient and in line with Supreme Court orders, which would subsequently reduce the number of cases filed by homebuyers.

During the conference, several key takeaways emerged as crucial points of discussion. The prevalence of real estate cases in consumer commissions led to suggestions for utilizing similar judgments to expedite the legal process and encouraging parties to engage in discussions to resolve disputes amicably. The success of conciliation in resolving disputes was emphasized, urging for better cooperation between consumer courts and RERA to prioritize conciliation over litigation. The importance of completing and distributing incomplete projects, rather than opting for insolvency under IBC, was stressed, along with a call for transparency among all stakeholders.

Insights were also provided on misleading advertisements in the real estate sector, emphasizing the need for enhanced transparency between buyers and developers to avoid future legal disputes. Lastly, recommendations were made to improve the Builder Buyer Agreement, including disclosing additional charges, outlining issue redressal processes, ensuring legal compliance by developers to keep consumers informed about project progress, and implementing initiatives to resolve minor issues through phone calls. These takeaways aim to enhance transparency and consumer protection in the real estate sector.

During the conference, key problems identified for the homebuyers are as follows:

  • Delay in delivery of possession of property to homebuyers.
  • No compensation for delay in possession to homebuyers.
  • Biased, one-sided, and unfair builder-buyer agreements.
  • Amenities not provided to homebuyers as per the agreement.
  • Misleading advertisements by developers and influencers for luring homebuyers.
  • Non-adherence to the model builder-buyer agreement proposed by RERA.

Key suggestions made during the deliberations included:

  • Sending the draft agreement to buyers before execution.
  • Clearly mentioning permissions and sanctions obtained from competent authorities on the first page of the agreement.
  • Prohibiting builders from launching projects before obtaining all necessary permissions and sanctions.
  • Including an exit clause for homebuyers in all agreements, valid until the Occupancy Certificate (OC) or Completion Certificate (CC) is obtained and possession is offered by the builder.
  • Including a schedule of additional charges beyond the cost of the unit/apartment in all agreements.
  • Requiring all agreements to contain mandatory declarations regarding no dues from any authority/banks and all necessary legal sanctions and approvals from competent authorities.
  • Taking strong action against unfair and misleading advertisements by developers and endorsers.
  • Forming a committee comprising members of the National Commission, various State Consumer Commissions, RERA, Department of Consumer Affairs, and IBBI to effectively deal with the issue.

The Department will also collaborate with other relevant authorities and organizations to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed measures, monitor their impact on the real estate sector, and make necessary adjustments as needed.

Furthermore, the Department of Consumer Affairs will maintain an open dialogue with stakeholders and the public, keeping them informed about progress in addressing real estate issues in consumer commissions and seeking their feedback for continuous improvement.

The Round Table Conference concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively to establish a more effective and efficient framework for addressing disputes and grievances. This will ultimately lead to a more transparent and consumer-friendly real estate market.

In conclusion, the Round Table Conference on Consumer and the Real Estate Sector marks a significant step forward in tackling the pressing issue of pendency of real estate cases in consumer commissions. By bringing together key stakeholders to discuss and identify actionable solutions, the Department of Consumer Affairs demonstrated its commitment to protect consumer interests and ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient housing market for all homebuyers.

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Department of Pharmaceuticals in partnership with Indian National Science Academy organizes a S20 Webinar on “An Integrated Approach to Combat Neo-Infections: A Way Forward, through Vaccines, Diagnostics and Therapeutics”

 Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India in partnership with the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), organized a S20 Webinar on “An Integrated Approach to Combat Neo-Infections: A Way Forward, through Vaccines, Diagnostics and Therapeutics” today with deliberation from eminent speakers across the G-20 counties like Australia, US, UK, Canada, South Africa, European Union, Brazil and Indonesia. This S20 webinar focused on discussing a need for collaborative models that would help to strengthen and support research and development (R&D) in Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics (VTDs).

During the G20 Presidency of India, the Science 20 or the S20 engagement group has planned a number of webinars and workshops on topics of current interest. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) is coordinating the S20 activities under the overarching theme, “Disruptive Science for Sustainable Development” with three subthemes focussing on “Clean Energy for Greener Future”, “Universal Holistic Health”, and “Science for Society & Culture”. The emphasis is on the disruptive innovation aspect of science that identifies with the nature and essence of the overarching theme.

 

An important objective of the sustainable development is to increase the healthy life expectancy of all humans, while promoting well-being across the whole life course. Indeed, creating better global health would not only mean creating better medical infrastructure or ease of access in medical care, it would also require sustainable practices which would help enhance cumulative global health standards. The idea is to create awareness among various stakeholders about disease agonistic platforms for new drug development and develop cost-effective therapeutics for priority pathogens. This could be done through a network of R&D institutions across G20 countries which would function in tandem in sustainable manner and contribute to collective preparedness for thwarting future pandemics.

Sh. Rajneesh Tingal, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, in his opening remarks highlighted various initiatives taken by DoP to foster innovation in India and the need of strengthening research collaboration in vaccines, therapeutics & diagnostics. This was followed by welcome address by Ms. S. Aparna, Secretary, DoP & Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President INSA & S20 Chair. During her welcome address, Ms. S. Aparna, highlighted the need of creation of Global R&D Network which will help to fight future pandemics. She also emphasized in designing a roadmap by identifying and setting up priority areas for collaboration, strengthening cooperation and partnership among G-20 countries in the arena of Early stage research on vaccines therapeutics and diagnostics for coordinated approaches in fighting emerging disease threats and capacity building in medical countermeasures with the vision of strengthening the global health architecture “One Earth, One Health, One Future”. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma depicted the role of S20 in furthering the agenda of G20 where science will have to play a key role to achieve the economic growth to pull millions of people out of poverty while ensuring that development is inclusive and sustainable.

S20 Webinar featured notable eminent speakers across the G-20 counties. The therapeutics session was moderated by Dr. Girish Sahni, Ex-Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India, involving speakers like Prof. Nicola Mulder, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Vishal Singh, Penn State University, Pennsylvania, United States, and Dr. Ahmed Aman, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Canada.

The vaccines session was moderated by Dr. Pramod Kumar Garg, Executive Director, THSTI, Faridabad, India involving Mr. Sourabh Sobti, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, United Kingdom, Prof. Nikolai Petrovsky, Vaxine Pty Ltd., Flinders Medical Centre, Australia, and Dr. Marco Aurélio Krieger, FIOCRUZ University, Brazil as eminent speakers.

Finally, the diagnostics session was moderated by Dr. Anup Anvikar, Director, National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Noida, India with the engagement of Dr. Nivedita Gupta, Scientist F, ICMR, New Delhi, India, Dr. Vinay K. Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, India, and Dr. Sara Frojdo, Senior Technology Officer, Business Intelligence, FIND, Diagnostics, Geneva, European Union.

Following this, a panel discussion for fireside chat was held, which was moderated by Prof. Narinder K. Mehra, Vice President (Int. Affairs), INSA, New Delhi, India with the engagement of peer-panelist across G20 countries representation from Prof. Nicola Mulder, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Prof. Satryo S. Brodjonegoro, Chairman, Indonesian Academy of Science, Indonesia, Prof. Anil Gulati, Chairman and CEO, Pharmazz Inc., United States.

Some of the key points deliberated by the esteemed speakers included:

  1. Creating a collaborative ecosystem for turning discovery into beneficial therapeutics.
  2. Collaborative efforts to generate important insights while keeping collaborators engaged and committed to their partnerships.
  3. Creating a self-sustaining network of industry-academia and cross-functional industrial collaborations.
  4. Workforce development as a key component of a robust discipline of innovative therapeutic development.
  5. Collaborative environment for innovation & learning to transform processes, technologies, and policy elements of innovation.

Various specific suggestions for building a collaborative ecosystem of the panel members to translate discoveries into effective therapeutics along with suggestions of the participants received during the feedback session were noted and the same would be utilized for developing a robust networked research ecosystem.

The webinar has got good response with more than 1500 registrations across the G-20 countries. This S20 webinar witnessed more than 500 viewers across the virtual platforms. Webinar concluded with a note of appreciation by Prof. USN Murty, Director, NIPER-Guwahati, India to all the S20 speakers, panellists, moderators, and wide participants for their valuable contributions & active participation.

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G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS)

 On the second day of the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) in Varanasi today, deliberations were held on Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Agri Value Chain & Public-Private Partnership in Agricultural R&D. MACS Communique was also discussed. Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), Dr. Himanshu Pathak, who is also the MACS Chair, led the discussions.

Morning session deliberations focused on Digital Agriculture and Traceability; Digital Technological Solutions for Reducing Food Loss and Waste; Agri-tech Startup Ecosystem; Pluralistic Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (EAS): partnerships for improving lab to land and outreach, Smallholder and Family Farming: G20- Global South Cooperation for Agri-R&D, Public-private Agri-R&D for Public Goods: Experience in Generating and Accelerating Innovations.

 

Earlier today, a bilateral meeting was conducted with FAO. Dr. Pathak emphasized that the extension service through KVK to farmers would be a very important area of cooperation. FAO representatives also expressed keen interest in extending cooperation in extension service. Dr. Ishmahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, FAO, and Dr. Selvaraju Ramasamy, Senior Agriculture Officer, FAO participated in the meeting.  They recognized India’s strength in the seed sector, which will be very useful to other countries.

Later in the evening the delegates visited the archaeological site and ASI Museum at Sarnath and witnessed the light and sound show.

The three-day G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) with the theme, “Sustainable Agriculture and Food System for Healthy People and Planet” is underway at Varanasi. The Meeting was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, and Road Transport and Highways, General (Dr.) V K Singh (Retd) yesterday.

A session was conducted to discuss India’s initiative on Millets and Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative (MAHARISHI). The representatives of G20 Nations, invited countries and International Organisations supported the MAHARISHI Initiative and expressed that millets being climate a smart crop and super health food, the International Research cooperation is pivotal for its promotion and adoption.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak and Mr. Philippe Mauguin, Chair & CEO, INRAE – National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (France) led their respective delegation in the bilateral meeting between India and France.

Both countries expressed keen interest in cooperation in the areas of climate change, crop diversification, soil & water conservation, natural farming and biofortified crops.

Last evening the delegates experienced Ganga Arati on a river cruise through the Ganges followed by an exhilarating cultural programme.

About 80 foreign delegates from the G20 Member States, Invited Guest Countries, International Organizations and Special Invitees by India are participating in the three day meeting.

On the concluding day on 19th April 2023 discussion on MACS Communique will continue.

World Liver Day, 19 April 2023: A Few Facts

 We all know at the international level or at the national level many events are celebrated by earmarking one day in a year to create awareness or as a celebration or for other reasons. Every year April 19, is organized as an event for World Liver Day so that everyone can be careful about the liver. A few lines about World Liver Day are presented here for the benefit of readers. The liver is the second largest and an important organ in the body. Lifestyle, food habits, etc., may damage a person’s liver over the years silently until it is 90 percent damaged.

According to Dr. Amit Miglani, Director and Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, at Asian Hospital Faridabad, “One of the most common liver diseases is fatty liver disease, which affects millions of people around the world. Fatty liver disease occurs when there is an accumulation of fat in the liver, which can cause inflammation and damage to the liver tissue in advanced stages. While the fatty liver disease is often asymptomatic, some signs can indicate the presence of the disease”.  Recent studies have revealed in India 75 percent of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; a liver disease caused in patients who drink little or no alcohol) is observed in patients with low body mass index (<25 kg/m2), (pacehospital.com/world-liver-day). This happens due to excessive fat deposits in the liver. The common perception is that alcohol consumption puts one at risk for the condition. However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent. The risk factors include obesity, diabetes, and certain genetic diseases. It is pertinent to mention that NAFLD is a silent disease that progresses over years and could lead to liver damage, with symptoms occurring only at an advanced stage. In this context, Dr. Akash Shukla, Director, and Consultant, Department of Hepatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai may be quoted “Very often you won't get any features of fatty liver on your face, eyes or skin. But we can get certain hints in some of the people. If somebody has darkening of the skin on the neck, which is typically what is called a nape of the neck, that indicates insulin resistance, and that would almost always be associated with fatty liver. Similarly, if there's a darkening of the skin, in your armpits, or in the groins, those are also indications that the person may have a fatty liver". He, however, cautions that the absence of any of these does not mean the absence of fatty liver disease. And therefore, anybody who has any risk factor for fatty liver like high cholesterol, high sugar, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, or a family history of fatty liver disease or consuming significant alcohol then they should consult doctors. 

This year, 2023, the World Liver Day theme is “Be Vigilant, Do Regular Liver Check-Up, Fatty Liver Can Affect Anyone.” The theme focuses to emphasise the practice of regular liver check-ups, as a fatty liver can affect anyone. 

Prof Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad 

Sub-Regional Conference on World Heritage “The Next 50: Ways Forward for South Asia World Heritage”

The Next 50: Ways Forward for South Asia

November 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Over the past 50 years, the notion of culture, in particular of cultural heritage, has shifted from monument-centered towards people-centered and holistic approach. The understanding of cultural heritage has expanded to encompass a wider spectrum, including cultural landscape, historic towns, industrial heritage as well as heritage routes. The Global Strategy, adopted by the World Heritage Committee in 1994, was established to make the World Heritage List more representative, credible and balanced and remains one of the most important strategies for World Heritage till date.

To mark this meaningful 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office is organizing, jointly with the State Government of Madhya Pradesh of India, a Sub-Regional Conference on World Heritage “The Next 50: Ways Forward for South Asia World Heritage” on 17-18 April in Bhopal, Madya Pradesh, India.

The Conference will look at the achievements over the past 50 years at a national, regional and international levels and brainstorm about ways forward for World Heritage in the next 50 years to come, focusing, in particular, on themes such as World Heritage and Sustainable Development for Local Community, World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, Historic Urban Landscape, and World Heritage and Climate Change.

Approximately one hundred government officials, members of the civil society, universities and academics, as well as individual experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka will take part in the Conference.                                                                        

Documents
<a class="d-block text-break" data-html="true" data-original-title="
Title: Programme

Author: preeti dhoundiyal ” data-toggle=”tooltip” href=”https://whc.unesco.org/document/199544&#8243; style=”background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0077d4; display: block !important; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; text-decoration-line: none; word-break: break-word !important;” target=”_blank” title=””><a class="text-break" data-html="true" data-original-title="
Title: Programme

Author: preeti dhoundiyal ” data-toggle=”tooltip” href=”https://whc.unesco.org/document/199544&#8243; style=”background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0077d4; overflow-wrap: break-word !important; text-decoration-line: none; word-break: break-word !important;” target=”_blank” title=””>Programme .pdf

History of Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is a city with a long and rich history dating back over 2,000 years. The city was originally founded by a Celtic people called the Parisii in the 3rd century BC and was known as Lutetia. It became a major city during the Roman Empire when it was known as Lutetia Parisiorum.

During the Middle Ages, Paris became the center of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. The city grew in size and power, with the construction of famous landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Palace. In 987 AD, Hugh Capet was crowned King of France in the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which became a symbol of French royalty and power.


Source – Wikipedia

In the 14th century, the Hundred Years’ War between France and England began, and Paris was occupied by the English for several decades. However, it remained an important cultural and intellectual center, with the establishment of the Sorbonne University in 1257.

The Renaissance saw Paris become an important center of art and culture, attracting artists and writers from all over Europe. The reign of Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, saw the development of many grand buildings and the establishment of the French Academy of Sciences. The Palace of Versailles, located just outside Paris, became the center of royal power and extravagance.

During the 18th century, Paris became a center of Enlightenment thought and revolutionary ideas. The French Revolution of 1789 began in Paris, with the storming of the Bastille prison. The Revolution saw the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic. Many famous figures of the Revolution, such as Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton, were from Paris.

In the 19th century, Paris underwent major changes with the construction of wide boulevards, public parks, and the Eiffel Tower, which was built for the 1889 World’s Fair. The city became a center of the arts, with artists such as Claude Monet and Edgar Degas living and working in the city.

During World War I, Paris was heavily damaged by German artillery, but the city was quickly rebuilt after the war. In 1940, Paris was occupied by Nazi Germany, and many of the city’s landmarks and cultural treasures were threatened with destruction. However, the city was liberated by Allied forces in August 1944, and the Resistance played a key role in the city’s liberation.

Today, Paris is a major global city and a center of art, culture, and fashion. It is known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as its museums, such as the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. It is also a center of international diplomacy and home to many international organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Paris has a long and fascinating history, with each era leaving its mark on the city’s architecture, art, and culture. From its origins as a Celtic settlement to its role as a center of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, Paris has been at the forefront of European history for centuries. Today, it remains a vibrant and dynamic city, beloved by visitors from around the world.

Book review of The Hobbit

The Hobbit, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, is a classic novel that has captivated readers of all ages for decades. The book tells the tale of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who embarks on an adventure with a group of dwarves to reclaim their treasure from a dragon named Smaug. The story is set in a fantasy world called Middle Earth, which is inhabited by a host of fascinating creatures, including elves, wizards, and trolls.
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Hobbit is Tolkien’s masterful use of language. His descriptions of Middle Earth are so vivid that readers can almost feel themselves transported to this magical world. The characters are also well-developed and memorable, with Bilbo being the star of the show. He is initially hesitant to leave the comfort of his home and embark on an adventure, but as the story progresses, he grows in courage and resourcefulness.
The plot of The Hobbit is exciting and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers hooked. From the moment Bilbo sets out on his adventure, the story takes on a fast-paced and thrilling tone, filled with danger and excitement. Tolkien’s use of humor also adds a lightness to the story, making it enjoyable for readers of all ages.
Overall, The Hobbit is a timeless classic that is sure to delight readers of all ages. With its engaging plot, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters, it is no wonder that it has remained popular for so many years. Anyone who loves fantasy and adventure should definitely add this book to their reading list.

Online registrations for Yuva Sangam (Phase II) commences for participation of 1000 youth from 23 States and UTs

 

1st round of Yuva Sangam concludes with an overwhelming participation of 1200 youngsters visiting 22 States of India through 29 tours

The Registrations for Yuva Sangam (Phase II) started today through an online portal. It envisages participation of 1000 youngsters from 23 States and UTs of India. Under this initiative,  the exposure tours will be conducted in the months of April and May 2023. They will travel in a group of 45 to 50 to the paired State. It will provide an immersive, multidimensional experience of various facets under five broad areas of Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Prodyogik (Technology)and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect).Through the course of the program, students will interact with each other in the areas of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events and tourism. In short, they will get a first- hand experience of living in a completely different geographical and cultural scenario.

Interested youth in the age group of 18-30 years may register on the portal exclusively developed for the purpose at https://ebsb.aicte-india.org/

The first round of Yuva Sangam was recently concluded with an overwhelming participation of approximately 1200 youngsters visiting 22 States of India through 29 tours with main focus on North Eastern Region during February-March 2023.The participants have had an enriching experience which brought out the spirit of EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT in its true sense.

An initiative of ‘Yuva Sangam’ under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat has been conceptualized as a collaborative effort of various ministries with an aim to strengthen people to people connect and build empathy among youth across the nation. The initiative is inculcating common spirit of understanding among thousands of youth participating in the program, which shall resonate throughout the country and contribute immensely towards building a truly Shreshtha Bharat.

Young Authors’ Conference on&quot; Civilizational Dialogue Among SCO Member States”

 The two-day Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO) Young Authors’ Conference on” Civilizational Dialogue Among SCO Member States” with delegates from SCO Member Nations concluded on 13 April 2023.

Minister of State for External Affairs & Education, Shri Rajkumar Ranjan Singh presided as the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Ceremony of the SCO Young Authors’ Conference today. The Conference was organised by the Ministry of Education on 12-13 April 2023 at the Leela Palace, New Delhi with National Book Trust, India as the Implementing Agency.

Shri Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said that India has been actively taking part in all the cooperation activities of the organisation and is a highly valued member of the organisation. The focus on shared civilizational linkages at the SCO Young Authors’ Conference is the true reflection of the people of the region and the conference was a testimony of our commitment to contribute to the success of the organisation.   

Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chaiman, NBT in his address said that Dialogue is the basic medium to keep any human society and civilization alive. The conference brought forth the connection youth have not only with their own society but also with neighboring countries, as well as the vision that they have to further deepen inter-cultural cooperation.

Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT while delivering the vote of thanks said that conference was an enriching experience witnessing the exchange of perspective and ideas. The dialogue shed light on the interdependence between human beings and society and explored language as a social tool that facilitates interaction between various communities promoting the advancement of knowledge.

The SCO Youth Conference was centered on the theme “Civilizational Dialogue Among SCO Member States” with six sessions focussing on History & Philosophy, Economy, Religion, Culture, Literature and Science & Medicine, respectively. The first session on History and Philosophy focussing on ‘Shared Civilizational Links and its impact on Modern Ethical Behaviour’ was chaired by Dr. Yuthika Mishra with Ms. Ekatherina S. Manoylo from the Russian Federation and Dr. Ayesha Gautam from India as the panelists. The session was moderated by Prof. Ajoy Karnati. The speakers delved into the commonalities that exist between the SCO nations, the need for dialogue and cooperation by looking back at historical exchanges that facilitate understanding, the relation between morality and traditions and the conditions that gave rise to thought systems which travelled between the countries. The discussants, Dr. Aarshi Dua, Dr. Ruchi Verma and Mr. Fahad Nahvi enriched the session with their detailed comments and questions.

The second session was on the sub-theme Economy, focusing on ‘Trade and Commerce Linkages’. Dr. Sunil Ashra was the Chair for the session with Ms. Anastacia V. Volodina from the Russian Federation and Dr. Pravesh Kumar Gupta from India as the speakers. The session was moderated by Mr. Kumar Vikram. The speakers delved into the connection between the film and the book industry in a fresh take on the different sides of the economy, the history of trade between India and Central Asian countries and how trade routes evolved over the ages. The discussants, Dr. Ritika Joshi and Dr. Tasha Agarwal contributed to the discussion with their insightful observations.

The third session dealt with the topic of Religion with emphasis on ‘Movement of Religious Ideas and Thoughts in the SCO Regions’. The session was chaired by Mr. Chamu Krishna Shastri and moderated by Ms. Deepa Singh. The panelists for the session were Ms. Nurlan Kyzy Begaiym from the Kyrgyz Republic, Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi from India and Ms. Ainur Akhmetova from Kazakhstan. The panelists spoke about the existence of multi-religious, syncretic societies in their countries, the centrality of spirituality, the ancient inter linkages between the SCO countries and the need to use this cooperative spirit to expand the concept of dialogue. The discussants, Dr. Aarshi Dua and Dr. Ritika Joshi continued the discussion with their perspectives on the role of storytelling and social media in the propagation of religious ideas.

Session four revolved around Culture, with an emphasis on ‘Civilizational Roots of Contemporary Cultures’. Dr. J.K. Bajaj was the Chairperson for the session and Ms. Neera Jain was the Moderator. Dr. Rashmini Koparkar from India, Mr. Erkanat Khuatbekuly from Kazakhstan and Ms. Anastacia V. Volodina were the speakers. The panel spoke about how in this era of rapid development, culture helps us preserve our identity and heritage. India and the Central Asian countries have been witness to exchange of ideas, commerce and language since time immemorial which has enabled the emergence of a shared cultural heritage. The discussants, Ms. Ivy Handique and Mr. Mayank Singh Singh took forward the dialogue with their comprehensive commentary.

The fifth session of the Conference took place on the sub-theme of Literature with focus on ‘Translation and Interpretation of Literary Texts’. The session was chaired by Prof. Badri Narayan and was moderated by Mr. Kumar Vikram. The panelists for the session were Ms. Ekatherina S. Manoylo from the Russian Federation, Ms. Tanvi Negi from India, Ms. Ainur Akhmetova from Kazakhstan and Dr. Sonu Saini from India. The speakers delved into the rich corpus of literature that exist in all SCO nations, translation as a mediation between cultures and languages and the complexities behind it. The discussants for the session, Ms. Anagha Gopal and Mr. Sumant Salunke facilitated the discussion with comments and insightful questions.

The last session of the two-day SCO Young Authors’ Conference was on the theme Science & Medicine, with special focus on ‘Perspectives on Science and Medicinal Knowledge Systems of SCO Member States’. The esteemed panellist of the session included Dr Aditya Kolachana from India and Ms Nurlan Kyzy Begaiym from Kazakhstan. Mr Maxim A. Zamshev from the Russian Federation was the Chairperson and Ms Neerja Anand was the moderator of the same. The panel highlighted the role of medicine in the 21st century and the need to strike a balance between traditional and modern medicinal practices. India has been successful in making traditional practices of medicine like Ayurveda, licensed practice of science. It was also highlighted that these traditional medicinal knowledge systems are evidenced in both Kyrgyz and India’s epics. The session was taken forward by discussant, Ms Damini Roy, who initiated a question and answer round with her perceptive points.

The Conference provided fresh perspectives from the participating delegates, scholars and speakers exploring the mutual and distinct characteristics in our cultures and heritage at the same time acknowledging the role of literature in aiding the connection between cultures.

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