Month: August 2023

Productive trip to South Africa & Greece

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi landed at Bengaluru after his four day visit to South Africa and Greece, today. The Prime Minister participated in the BRICS Summit in South Africa and later visited Greece. The Prime Minister had various bilateral meetings and meetings with local thought leaders. He also met with the vibrant Indian communities in both the countries. The Prime Minister who had witnessed the landing of Chandrayaan-3 Moon Lander via VC landed in Bengaluru to interact with the ISRO team later.

PM Modi who was given a warm welcome outside HAL  Airport started his address to the gathered citizens with Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and added Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan. Shri Modi said that he witnessed the same enthusiasm in South Africa and Greece over India’s momentous success.

Expressing his eagerness to be with the ISRO team,The Prime said that he had decided to come to Bengaluru first on his return.  The Prime Minister thanked the Governor, Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister for their cooperation regarding  his request for not taking troubles related to the  protocol.  

The Prime Minister thanked everyone for the welcome and noted the enthusiasm among the gathered citizens and proceeded to ISRO to be among the Chandrayaan team in a roadshow.

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DS/TS

PM’s address at G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting

 Welcome to Varanasi, also known as Kashi. I am delighted that you are meeting in Varanasi, which happens to be my Parliamentary Constituency. Kashi is not just the world’s oldest living city. Not far from here is Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Kashi is said to be the city of ‘’सुज्ञान, धर्म, और सत्यराशि’’ – a treasure chest of knowledge, duty, and truth. It is indeed the cultural and spiritual capital of India. I hope you have kept some time in your program to watch the Ganga Aarti, to visit Sarnath, and sample the delicacies of Kashi.

Excellencies, 

Culture has an inherent potential to unite. It enables us to understand diverse backgrounds and perspectives. And therefore, your work holds immense significance for entire humanity. We in India are very proud of our eternal and diverse culture. We also attach great value to our Intangible Cultural Heritage. We have been working hard to preserve and revitalize our heritage sites. We have mapped our cultural assets and artists, not just at the national level, but also at the level of all villages in India. We are also building several centers to celebrate our culture. Prime among them are the tribal museums in different parts of the country. These museums will showcase the vibrant culture of India’s tribal communities. In New Delhi, we have the Prime Ministers’ Museum. This is a one of its kind effort which showcases India’s democratic heritage. We are also building the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum. Once completed, it will stand as the world’s largest museum. It will showcase India’s history and culture spanning over 5000 years.

Excellencies, 

The issue of restitution of cultural property is an important one. And, I welcome your efforts in this regard. After all, tangible heritage is not only of material value. It is also the history and identity of a nation. Everyone has the right to access and enjoy their cultural heritage. Since 2014, India has brought back hundreds of such artefacts that showcase the glory of our ancient civilization. I also commend your efforts towards ‘living heritage’ as well as your contributions to ‘Culture for LiFE’. After all, cultural heritage is not just what is cast in stone. It is also the traditions, customs and festivals that are handed down the generations. I am confident that your efforts will foster sustainable practices and lifestyles.

Excellencies, 

We believe that heritage is a vital asset for economic growth and diversification. This is echoed in our mantra, ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’- Development as well as Heritage. India takes pride in its 2,000 years old craft heritage, with nearly 3,000 unique arts and crafts. Our ‘One District, One Product’ initiative showcases the uniqueness of Indian crafts, while fostering self-reliance. Your efforts towards promoting Cultural and Creative Industries hold profound significance. These will facilitate inclusive economic development, and support creativity and innovation. In the coming month, India is going to roll out the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. With an initial outlay of one point eight billion dollars, it will create an eco-system of support for traditional artisans. It will enable them to flourish in their crafts and contribute to the preservation of India’s rich cultural heritage.

Friends,

Technology is an important ally in celebrating culture. In India, we have a National Digital District Repository. It is helping to re-discover the stories of our freedom struggle. We are using technology to ensure better preservation of our cultural landmarks. We are also using technology to make our cultural places more tourist friendly.

Excellencies, 

I am glad that your group has launched the ‘Culture Unites All’ campaign. It encapsulates the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future. I also commend the pivotal role you are playing to shape a G20 Action Plan with tangible outcomes. Your work reflects the importance of the four Cs – Culture, Creativity, Commerce and Collaboration. It will enable us to harness the power of culture to build a compassionate, inclusive and peaceful future. I wish you all a very productive and successful meeting.

Thank You!

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G20 Summit a grand success

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi arrived to a grand welcome in Delhi. The Prime Minister landed in Delhi from Bengaluru today  after interacting with the ISRO team in the aftermath of the successful landing of the Chandrayaan – 3 moon lander. The Prime Minister had gone to Bengaluru directly after his 4 day tour of South Africa and Greece. Shri JP Nadda welcomed the Prime Minister and felicitated him on the achievements of his successful visit and the momentous achievement of the Indian scientists.

Responding to the warm civic reception, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the enthusiasm of the people for the success of the Chandrayaan-3. The Prime talked about his interaction with the ISRO team and informed  that “the point where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3 landed will now be known as ‘Shiv Shakti’” He elaborated that Shiv denotes Shubh and Shakti exemplifies Nari Shakti. Shiv Shakti also stands for the connection of Himalaya and Kanyakymari. Similarly, the Prime Minister informed that the point where Chandrayaan 2 left its footprints in 2019 will now be called ‘Tiranga’. He said that there was a proposal at that time too, but somehow heart was not ready. He said that a quiet resolution was taken to name the point of Chandrayaan-2 only after a fully successful mission. “Tiranga gives strength to deal with every Challenge”, the Prime Minister said. He also informed about the decision to celebrate August 23 as National Space Day. The Prime Minister conveyed the greetings and congratulatory messages that the global community showered to India during his visit.

The Prime Minister said that India is creating a new impact on the basis of its achievement and successes and the world is taking note.

Mentioning his visit to Greece, first in the last 40 years by an Indian Prime Minister, PM Modi highlighted love and regard for India in Greece and said that in a way Greece will become India’s gateway to Europe and will be a strong medium for robust India EU relations.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to take the youth’s involvement in Science further. Therefore, he said there is a need to see how space science can be leveraged for good governance and ease of living for the common citizen. He reiterated his decisions to deploy government departments in finding out ways of leveraging space science in service delivery, transparency and perfection. For this Hackathons will be organized in the coming days. 

The Prime Minister said that the 21st century is technology driven. “We have to move on the path of science and technology more firmly in order to achieve a Viksit Bharat by 2047”, he said. In order to instil scientific temper among the new generation, the fervour generated by the Chandrayaan success needs to be channelled into Shakti. For this a quiz competition will be organized on MyGov from September 1. New National Education Policy also has ample provisions for science and technology, he said.

The upcoming G-20 Summit, the Prime Minister said, is an occasion where the entire nation is a host but the maximum responsibility falls on Delhi. “Delhi has the good fortune to get an opportunity of keeping the flag of nations’ prestige flying high”, Shri Modi said. He emphasized that Delhi needs to follow the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ as this is a critical occasion to show the hospitality of India. “There will be a lot of activities between 5-15 September. I apologise in advance for the inconvenience that may be caused to the people of Delhi. As a family, all the dignitaries are our guests and we have to make our G20 Summit grand with collective efforts.”

Talking about the upcoming Raksha Bandhan and Indian tradition of treating Moon as a brother of Mother Earth, the Prime Minister called for a happy Raksha Bandhan and hoped that the fun filled spirit of the festival introduces the world to our traditions. He said in the month of September, the people of Delhi will give new strength to the achievements of our scientists by making the G20 Summit  a grand success.

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ISRO Centre in Bengaluru

 Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

This morning, I was in Bengaluru. I arrived very early in the morning and decided to meet the scientists who have brought such great achievements to the country. So, I went there early in the morning. However, the way people celebrated the success of Chandrayaan, holding the Tricolour in their hands even before sunrise, was incredibly inspiring. And now the sun is scorching equally in this intense heat which can even pierce the skin. It’s fortunate for me too to be a part of the celebration and share in the joy of Chandrayaan’s success in this intense heat with you who have come here. I congratulate all of you for this, and for me, it’s also a privilege to be a part of this celebration. I congratulate all of you for this.

Today, when I arrived at ISRO in the morning, I had the privilege of releasing the images captured by Chandrayaan for the first time. Perhaps, you might have seen those images on TV as well by now. Those beautiful images were a significant scientific success in itself. Traditionally, it’s a global tradition to name such points which are part of such successful campaigns. After much deliberation, I felt that the point where Chandrayaan-3 has successfully landed should be given a name, and that name is ‘Shivshakti’. When we talk about Lord Shiva, it signifies auspiciousness, and when we talk about power, it signifies the strength of the women of my country. When we talk about Lord Shiva, the Himalayas come to mind, and when we talk about Shakti (power), Kanyakumari comes to mind. Therefore, that point has been named ‘Shivshakti’ to capture the essence of this sentiment from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari. In fact, this name was brought to my notice during Chandrayaan-2 in 2019. However, my mind wasn’t ready. Deep down in my mind, I had resolved that Chandrayaan-2 Point would only get a name after we truly succeed in our journey. And when Chandrayaan-3 succeeded, the point of Chandrayaan-2 also got its name, and that point has been named ‘Tiranga’ (the Indian Tricolour flag). The Tricolour gives the strength to overcome all challenges and the Tricolour provides the inspiration to manifest every dream. Hence, as Chandrayaan-2 faced failure and Chandrayaan-3 achieved success, the Tricolour turned into inspiration. This is why the Chandrayaan-2 point will now be known as Tiranga. Another significant aspect that I mentioned this morning is that August 23 is a milestone in India’s scientific journey of development. Therefore, every year, India will celebrate August 23 as National Space Day.

Friends,

I was in South Africa for the BRICS Summit in the past few days. This time, along with members of the BRICS Summit, the entire Africa was also invited there. During the BRICS Summit, I observed that there was hardly anyone in the world who did not mention Chandrayaan, or had not conveyed their congratulations. The congratulations I received there, I instantly shared them with all the scientists. And I’m also sharing all the congratulations from across the world with you.

Friends,

Everyone wanted to know about Chandrayaan’s journey, its timeless accomplishment, and the impact of New India, new dreams, new resolutions, and successive achievements, one after another. The world is sensing the emergence of a new influence, based on the capabilities of our Indian Tricolour, our successes and achievements. Today, the world is not only experiencing this influence but also acknowledging and respecting it.

Friends,

After the BRICS Summit, I went to Greece. It had been 40 years since any Indian Prime Minister had visited Greece. I am fortunate that many tasks that are left undone are destined to be done by me. India was accorded respect for its capabilities in Greece as well. Greece perceives that it can become a gateway to Europe due to the friendship between India and Greece and the friendship between India and Greece will serve as a significant means to strengthen the relationships between India and the European Union.

Friends,

We also have some responsibilities in the days to come. Scientists have done their part. Whether it’s satellites or Chandrayaan’s journey, it has a significant impact on the lives of ordinary people. Therefore, we need to work so that the interest of the youth of my country in science and technology develops further. We are not just people who get stuck with celebrations, enthusiasm, and energy. When we achieve success, we are prepared to take strong steps forward for new advancements. Hence, we should explore how space science can work, how satellite capabilities can be used and how this journey can be useful for good governance, for last-mile delivery, for improvements in the lives of ordinary people. And therefore, I am sounding out all the departments of the government to use space science, space technology and the capabilities of satellites for improvement in delivery, quick response, transparency and perfection. We need to explore all these aspects within our respective departments. I also wish to organize hackathons for the country’s youth in the coming days. In recent days, the country’s students have provided excellent ideas by working non-stop for 30-40 hours during various hackathons, creating an environment of innovation. I want to initiate a series of such hackathons very soon. This will allow the young minds, the young talents of the country, to use space science, satellites, and technology for finding solutions to the challenges faced by ordinary people. We will work in that direction.

Alongside this, we also need to attract the new generation towards science. The 21st century is technology-driven, and the country that progresses ahead in the world will be the one with prowess in science and technology. Therefore, the demand of the time is that by 2047, as we strive to make our country a developed India, we must advance further on the path of science and technology with greater strength. We need to prepare our new generation right from childhood with a scientific temperament. Hence, the significant success we have achieved, the enthusiasm and energy we have, need to be channelled into strength. To channelize this strength, a quiz competition will begin on MyGov from September 1. Through this, our youth will engage with small questions and answers, and gradually develop an interest. Our new education policy has made ample provisions for science and technology. Our new education policy is such that gives significant emphasis to this, and the quiz competition will help our students develop interest in science and technology. Today, I would like to tell the youth of the country, to the students of my country, and to every school, to participate actively in this quiz competition which is centred round Chandrayaan. Millions and millions of youth in the country should become a part of it, and we should take it forward. I believe this will yield significant results.

Today, I want to draw your attention to one more thing. Despite the world’s increasing curiosity, attraction, and belief in India, there are still occasions when it should experience these aspects first hand. There will be an immediate opportunity before us, especially for the people of Delhi, and that is the G20 Summit. In a way, the world’s significant decision-making leadership will be on the soil of Delhi, in the land of India. While the entire India is the host, the guests are coming to Delhi.

The hosting of the G20 Summit is a responsibility of the entire country, but the greater responsibility lies with my brothers and sisters of Delhi, the citizens of Delhi. Therefore, we need to show the world that Delhi can handle this responsibility without any glitches. The privilege of raising the flag of our country’s honour, dignity, and prestige is in the hands of the people of Delhi. There is bound to be some inconvenience when a significant number of guests come. Even when some 5-7 guests visit us, we accommodate them in the main sofa even though we have to sit on smaller chairs. We have the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ i.e., treating guests as gods. The more respect, honour, and welcome we extend to the leaders of the world, the more will they enhance our own pride, our dignity, and our reputation. Therefore, there will be numerous activities taking place here from September 5th to September 15th. Therefore, I apologize in advance to the people of Delhi for the inconvenience which will be caused to them in the days to come. I request the citizens of Delhi to be patient with the inconveniences that may arise during these upcoming days. I urge them to understand that these guests are everyone’s guests, and we might experience some discomfort, changes in traffic arrangements, and restrictions on movement. But some things are necessary. And as we know if there is a wedding in the family, even if a small cut happens while trimming nails, people say, “Take care, it’s a special occasion, nothing bad should happen.” Therefore, this is a significant opportunity, and just as in a family, all these guests are ours. With the collective efforts of all of us, I believe that our G20 Summit will be spectacular, vibrant, and the entire Delhi will be immersed in colours. My fellow citizens of Delhi will showcase this through their endeavours, and I have full confidence in this.

My dear brothers and sisters, my family members,

In just a few days, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is approaching. Sisters tie a rakhi to their brothers. And we have all grown up saying, “Chanda Mama”. From childhood, we are taught about Chanda Mama, and from childhood, we are taught that earth is our mother. The earth is our “mother” and the moon is “mama”. It means that our Mother Earth is the sister of Chanda Mama. Our Mother Earth is going to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan with Chanda Mama this time. And so, let’s celebrate this Raksha Bandhan festival in a splendid way, with brotherhood, unity, and a loving atmosphere, so that in the G20 Summit too, this brotherhood, this unity, this love, our culture, and our traditions introduce the world to this essence. I believe that the upcoming festivals will be grand, and in September, our achievements will once again introduce India in various ways on the world stage. Just as the scientists have raised our flag high with the success of Chandrayaan, we, the citizens of Delhi, will strengthen that flag with our splendid hosting of the G20 Summit. I have full confidence in this. I extend my warm wishes to all of you who have gathered here in this bright sunshine to collectively celebrate the achievements of our scientists, to wave our Tricolour with pride, and I offer my heartfelt congratulations. Let’s chant together –

Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

Thanks a lot!

 

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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blind cricket team for winning the Gold at the IBSA World Games

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian women’s blind cricket team for winning the Gold at the IBSA World Games. 

Shri Narendra Modi posted on X

“Kudos to the Indian women’s blind cricket team for winning the Gold at the IBSA World Games! A monumental achievement that exemplifies the indomitable spirit and talent of our sportswomen. India beams with pride!”

 

 

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Climate Change Narrative from Total Emissions to Per Capita Emissions of each country

 

The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh has called for a change in the global climate change discourse and narrative, shifting from a focus on total emissions to per capita emissions of each country. “India’s per capita emissions are one third of global average, one of the lowest in the world; despite that, the developed countries until recently had been putting pressure on large countries like India, to reduce emissions. Their per capita emissions remained 3 – 4 times the global average. The narrative was on total emissions of each country.”

“Point of comparison should be Per Capita Emissions”

The Minister asserted that the narrative and discourse should not be about total emissions. “If we talk about total emissions, the country with minimum emissions could be an island nation with small population, even though they may be consuming huge amounts of energy and emitting huge quantities of carbon dioxide per person. Hence, the point of comparison has to be per capita emissions. This is the change in discourse which is needed, and I want institutions like TERI to talk about this.”

The Minister said this, during his Presidential Address at the Twenty-Second Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture, held in New Delhi today, August 25, 2023, in memory of Late Shri Darbari Seth, the founder of TERI.

Noting that developed countries would talk about phasing out of coal, but not about phasing out of natural gas or other fossil fuels, the Minister exhorted TERI to come out with studies on climate actions by various countries. Once the global South starts controlling the narrative, the world will be a much fairer place, said the Minister, adding that India has been insisting on phasing out of all fossil fuels.

Speaking about India’s actions towards reducing carbon emissions, the Union Minister said that India has achieved its NDC target of 40% of our installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil energy sources nine years ahead of schedule, in 2021 itself. “Today, 43% of our capacity is from non-fossil fuel sources. No other country has added renewable energy capacity at a rate at which we have done. We pledged at COP-21 in 2015, that we will reduce our emissions intensity by 33% by 2030; we did this by 2022, eight years in advance. So, in Glasgow, we have said that by 2030, we will have 50% of our capacity coming from renewables and that we will reduce our emission intensity by 45%. We will achieve that too well before time.”

“The truth needs to be told, developing countries need space to grow”

Shri Singh said that the developed countries have reached their peak of development; so, their emissions will either remain static or come down. “However, the building stock of developing countries will multiply, since we are developing; we will need more cement, steel and aluminium to construct those buildings and plants. This will lead to more emissions. So, we need space to grow. This point needs to be made by think tanks like TERI, that this is the space which is required by developing countries to grow.”

The Minister said that the nation is not going to compromise on the availability of energy for our growth, adding that the country is responsible for only 4% of legacy carbon dioxide load in the environment, whereas our population is around 17% of world population.

The Minister said that this discourse needs to be changed not at only at the level of world leaders, but also among the people around the world in the developed countries. “The truth needs to be told, I want institutions like TERI to step up and change the discourse.”

“Can you imagine someone thinking about climate change in the year 1974?”

Paying tribute to Shri Darbari Seth, the founder of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister asked the gathering, “can you imagine someone thinking about climate change in the year 1974?” The Minister said that this occasion serves to honour Shri Seth’s unwavering determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and strength of mind. “As a towering figure of his era, Shri Seth moulded Tata enterprises’ destiny, dedicating his time and effort fervently to the noble cause of sustainable development. This commitment steered TERI’s journey, propelling it toward a future committed to fostering a greener world and a safer planet.”

The Minister said that the organization which Shri Seth founded has grown and spans the total spectrum of issues which affect sustainability. “TERI has done well. It has earned reputation for probity and publications which we can rely upon.”

The 22nd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture

The 22nd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture year marks the 102nd birth anniversary of Shri Seth and brought together thought leaders, industry, and policymakers for insightful discussions, inspired by the ideals of Shri Seth, towards fostering collaborative efforts and finding meaningful solutions for climate change.

The 22nd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture was delivered by Shri Siddharth Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Trusts. On the occasion, Winners of “TERI Roll of Honour” were felicitated and mementos were presented to TERI employees who have completed 20 and 10 years of service in TERI. Chairman, TERI Governing Council, Shri Nitin Desai delivered the welcome address and Director General, TERI, Dr. Vibha Dhawan delivered the vote of thanks.

In the 22nd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Trusts, Shri Siddharth Sharma said that Shri Darbari Seth was an extraordinary leader who could get his people to move mountains. “It is his defining interest in his energy, energy conservation and environmental sustainability much before it became the existential issue of our times which made him take the lead and set up TERI. He said that men like him leave behind enduring legacies and uplift the generations that follow.”

Shri Sharma said that TERI has grown from humble beginnings into a globally renowned institution at the forefront of sustainable development and environmental research and that the institute has taken pioneering steps in addressing climate change. He said that the institution must continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, drive transformative change and advocate for policies which promote sustainable development.

 

“Tata Group has committed to Net Zero aspiration by 2045”

Speaking of the need for a just energy transition and recounting India’s climate action commitments including climate justice and sustainable lifestyles, the speaker said that the Tata Group as a responsible partner in national development has committed to a Net Zero aspiration by the year 2045, riding on the pillars of deep decarbonization, circular economies and preserving nature and biodiversity.

 

“Citizens need to come together and build new frameworks to address the climate crisis”

Speaking of the climate crisis, Shri Sharma pointed out that markets have a critical role in shaping the future of India’s economy, highlighting the need for cross-sectoral collaboration among academia, civil society, private sector and the state. “India’s response to climate change has major repercussions, both domestically and globally. While India has become a world leader in promoting policies and practices for addressing climate change, mitigation of risks cannot rest with the state alone.”

The speaker said that citizens need to come together and build new frameworks to respond to the crisis. Here, institutions like TERI can not only find solutions for the nation but also influence global responses based on India’s learnings, he added.

The Tata Trusts CEO spoke also of the philosophy of the Tata Group and the contribution of the Group to nation building over its long history since 1868. He said that the Tatas represent one of the finest examples of a distributive model of wealth, where a substantial portion of the profits of businesses are shared with the communities from which they are derived, in the form of welfare initiatives.  

The event can be watched here (Part I) and here (Part II). A film on TERI @ 50 was played on the occasion, which can be watched here.

 

 

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NCGG completes training of 27th batch of civil servants from Maldives

 The 2-week Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for civil servants of Maldives organised by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) concluded on 25th August, 2023 today at New Delhi. NCGG has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public administration and governance by 2024. As part of the agreement, NCGG has already imparted training to 858 officers from Maldives which includes 29 officers of ACC, Maldives.

NCGG’s efforts are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s philosophy of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam” and “Neighbourhood First” policy and keeping citizens at the forefront while designing developmental strategies and implementing public policies. It is in this context that these programmes reinforce the principles of citizen centric governance and promote the exchange of knowledge, information and innovations and promote the adoption of best practices and digital governance. It is also an effort in the direction of strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The valedictory session was presided over by H.E. Mohamed Najeel, Deputy High Commissioner, Republic of Maldives. He requested the participating officers to make full use of the exposure that they had during the programme and take advantage of the opportunity and urged to share knowledge and work in groups as effective team building is essential to foster good ideas which can be utilized to improve the quality of life of citizens. He stressed on the importance of harnessing the programme’s maximum potential and learning from best practices, which can be modified to suit their own contextual settings. He said that these programmes will further the historical and traditional relations between the two nations. He also stressed that these will also assist in realizing the global goals.

He thanked Government of India for the support provided for capacity building of its officers and appreciated the effective and pro active participation of officers from Maldives. He was extremely happy to see the elaborate and wonderful presentations of the participating officers on “digital education and health in Maldives and “Vision 2030 Maldives ” as part of learning outcomes of the programme.  He urged them to stay connected and work together for betterment of their country.

Giving the overview of the programme, Dr. B. S. Bisht, course coordinator said that in the 27th capacity building programme, NCGG shared various initiatives taken in the country.  such as changing paradigm of governance, India Maldives relations, overview of All India  Services, Public Policy and Implementation, Public Private Partnerships, Digital Governance and Public Service Delivery, Approach to achieve SDG, Leadership and Communication Skills, Performance Management, Total Quality Management, Disaster Management, Agro –based practices in Coastal Regions, e-Governance and Digital India, Gender and Development, Government e- Marketplace, Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System, Low Cost Desalination for safe Drinking water among others.

The participants were also exposed to visits aimed at observing a diverse range of developmental projects and institutions. These visits offer them invaluable insights and first-hand experiences of prominent initiatives and organizations, including but not limited to the Smart City, Dehradun, Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya, AIIMS among others.

The overall supervision and coordination of the 27th capacity building programme was carried out by Dr. B. S. Bisht, course coordinator for Maldives, along with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, co-course coordinator, and the capacity building team of the NCGG.

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Integration of the Tele-Law & Pro Bono programs into Tele-Law 2.0

 In a momentous event, the Tele-Law 2.0 initiative was launched today marking an important chapter in the evolution of the Tele-Law program of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice. This ground-breaking program, operating under the DISHA Scheme, has achieved a significant milestone by delivering 50 lakh legal consultations, reinforcing its unwavering dedication to ensuring justice reaches every corner of the nation. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice as Chief Guest, who made a historic announcement by inaugurating Tele-Law 2.0. This version entails the fusion of Tele-Law Services with Nyaya Bandhu pro bono legal services, a merger to further enhance citizen accessibility to legal aid. He emphasized the pivotal role this achievement plays in democratizing legal services accessibility across India.

In his keynote address, Shri Meghwal expressed his delight in being part of the Tele-Law 2.0 launch, heralding it as the commencement of a new era in digitally dispensed citizen-centric legal services. He recognized the indispensable role technology plays in citizens’ lives and stressed the imperative of aligning justice delivery with technological advancements. He also mentioned that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji the number of beneficiaries of the Tele-Law Scheme have reached 50 Lakhs milestone. The integration of legal guidance, support, and representation through a single registration process stands as a testament to the commitment to nurture a digitally literate and empowered populace. Shri Meghwal called upon legal professionals to contribute pro bono services to ensure that no citizen is deprived of essential legal assistance. During the event the 4th Edition of Voices of Beneficiaries Booklet released by the Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The event witnessed the formal unveiling of the integration between Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu pro bono legal services by the Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, accompanied by a brief film detailing the journey of Tele-Law thus far and an e-tutorial illustrating the integration process. This seamless amalgamation is set to establish a direct connection between those seeking legal aid and pro bono advocates, fostering a dynamic ecosystem that guarantees accessible justice for all citizens.

During the Event, the Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal passionately called upon legal professionals to contribute Pro Bono services, ensuring that no citizen is left without essential legal assistance. He elaborated on the philosophy of pro bono, urging law students and the legal fraternity to delve into India’s cultural heritage to comprehend the roots of this concept. He stated, “यह भारतीय ज्ञान परंपरा है कि मुसीबत में कोई आदमी हो तो हम उसकी मदद करते हैं, यही प्रो बोनो है” (It’s an Indian tradition that when someone is in trouble, we help them; that’s pro bono). He said, “दिये में भीगी बाती है, तेल है;  टेली लॉ के माध्यम से चिंगारी आपको लगानी है,  आंधी आयेगी, बारिश आयेगी,  लेकिन ये बाती आपको जलानी है”  [There is a wick and oil in the lamp, You have to light a spark through Tele-Law, a storm will come, rain will come, but you have to light this wick], highlighting the imperative of relentless efforts of every stakeholder in this ecosystem, urged the Department of Justice to surpass its targets and strive for universal access to justice across India. Law Minister emphasized that compassion and positive intent must be at the core of pro bono, as they are fundamental to the success of the Nyaya Bandhu program in fostering a culture of pro bono in India.

The Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal engaged in an interactive session with Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), beneficiaries, and panel lawyers fostering a direct exchange of ideas and insights. Hon’ble MoS also recognized and honoured frontline functionaries with certificates during the event, lauding the pivotal role they play in bridging the gap between technology and citizens within the Tele-Law program. He underscored the importance of early dispute resolution and the role of para legal volunteers and village-level entrepreneurs in averting minor disputes from escalating into full-fledged litigation. The event also saw the release of Voices of Beneficiaries, highlighting real-life stories of individuals whose lives were positively impacted by Tele-Law.

Looking ahead, Shri Meghwal urged the further evolution of Tele-Law into a more robust platform. He announced that Tele-Law services will soon be extended to all 2.65 lakh Gram Panchayats through common service centres, ensuring that even the remotest corners of the nation have access to justice. The overarching goal of the Tele-Law program is to touch the lives of one crore beneficiaries well before 2026. During the event, Special Secretary, Department of Justice, Shri Rajinder Kumar Kashyap in his address emphasized that the right of access to the Judiciary is the cornerstone of society, and to expand its reach Department’s Tele-Law plays a pivotal role, bringing the judiciary to the last mile.

In his address, Secretary Justice Shri S.K.G Rahate provided a concise overview of the Tele-Law program’s innovative approach to delivering legal advice through communication and information technology. He highlighted the program’s achievements over the years, its expansion from 1800 CSC centers to 2.5 Lakh Gram Panchayats, signifying remarkable growth, and that the target is to provide legal aid to 1 crore beneficiaries by 2026.  Secretary Justice commended the integration of Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu pro bono legal services as a transformative and strategic step. This unified pathway ensures citizens have access to legal guidance and free representation seamlessly.

At the event , the dias was shared by Secretary Justice, Shri S.K.G Rahate; Special Secretary, DoJ, Shri Rajinder Kumar Kashyap; JS (A2J, DoJ) Shri Niraj Kumar Gayagi; and Shri Akshay Kumar Jha, COO, CSC.

***

First edition of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award

 The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has extended the date of submission of entries of the inaugural edition of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award from August 25 to 6pm on September 4 for online submissions, while the hardcopy of the series can be submitted by September 12, 2023.

In the event that September 12, 2023 is declared a holiday, the next working day will be considered as the final date for receipt of the application.

The decision to extend the date of submission was taken by the I&B Ministry with an effort to ensure that maximum number of Web Series’ can participate for the award which intends to recognise the creative prowess of the OTT platform which has grown manifold in the last two years.

An eminent jury, consisting of personalities from the entertainment industry, will choose the Best Web Series and the winner will be awarded Rs 10 lakh as cash prize, along with certificates at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

To be eligible for the award, the web series has to be an originally created/shot series in any Indian language and has to be an original piece of work either commissioned or produced. Further, the series should have been co-produced, licensed, or acquired with the purpose of releasing ONLY on the OTT platform.

Also, to be eligible for the award, all episodes of the entry (web series/season), should have been released on an OTT platform from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

Further details of the eligibility for the awards is available on the websites of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and IFFI.

*** 

Best Web Series (OTT) Award

 The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has today extended the last date of submission of entries of the inaugural edition of the Best Web Series (OTT) Award from August 25 to 6pm on September 4 for online submissions, while the hardcopy of the series can be submitted by September 12, 2023.

In the event that September 12, 2023 is declared a holiday, the next working day will be considered as the final date for receipt of the application.

The decision to extend the date of submission was taken by the Ministry with an effort to ensure that maximum number of Web Series’ can participate for the award that intends to recognise the creative prowess of the OTT platform which has grown manifold in the last two years.

An eminent jury, consisting of personalities from the entertainment industry, will choose the Best Web Series and the winner will be awarded Rs 10 lakh as cash prize, along with certificates at the 54th International Film Festival of India.

To be eligible for the award, the web series has to be an originally created/shot series in any Indian language and has to be an original piece of work either commissioned or produced. Further, the series should have been co-produced, licensed, or acquired with the purpose of releasing ONLY on the OTT platform.

Also, to be eligible for the award, all episodes of the entry (web series/season), should have been released on an OTT platform from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.

Further details of the eligibility for the awards is available on the websites of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation and IFFI.

****

India Smart Cities Awards Contest (ISAC) 2022- Winners Announced

 Smart Cities Mission launched on 25 June 2015, is aimed at providing core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.It is a transformational mission aimed to bring about a paradigm shift in the practice of urban development in the country. Of the total proposed projects under SCM, 6,041(76%) projects worth ₹1,10,635 crore have been completed and the remaining 1,894 projects worth ₹60,095 crore will be completed by 30 June 2024.

Most notable milestone achieved in the Mission has been, the Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC) which is operational in all 100 Smart Cities. These ICCCs work as the brain and nervous system for city operations, using technology for urban management. The urban services have significantly improved in diverse fields like crime tracking, safety & security of citizens, transport management, solid waste management, water supply, disaster management etc.

100 Smart Cities have taken up projects across diverse sectors related to mobility, energy, water, sanitation, solid waste management, vibrant public spaces, social infrastructure, smart governance, etc. For instance, in smart mobility, 1,174 projects have been completed worth ₹ 24,047 crore and another 434projects are ongoing worth ₹ 15,940 crore. In smart energy, 573 projects have been completed and 94 are ongoing. In Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), more than 1,162 projects have been completed worth ₹ 34,751 crore and another 333projects worth ₹ 18,716 crore are ongoing. 100 Smart cities have already developed more than 1,063 public spaces worth ₹ 6,403 crore and another 260 projects worth ₹ 5,470 crore are ongoing. Further, 180 Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects worth ₹ 8,228 crore have been completed and another 27 are ongoing. 652 projects have been completed related to economic infrastructure such as market redevelopment and start-up incubation centers and another 267 projects are ongoing. In social infrastructuresector (health, education, housing etc.), 679 projects have been completed and 153 are ongoing.

The India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) is organized under the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. This is one of the important activities initiated under the Mission, where pioneering city strategies, projects and ideas are recognized to award the exemplary performance, enable peer-peer learning and disseminate best practices. The ISAC recognizes and reward the cities, projects and innovative ideas that are promoting sustainable development across the 100 smart cities, as well as stimulating inclusive, equitable, safe, healthy and collaborative cities, thus enhancing quality of life for all.

In the past, the ISAC has witnessed three editions in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The fourth edition of the ISAC was launched in April 2022 during the ‘Smart Cities-Smart Urbanization’ event in Surat. The ISAC 2022 award had a two-stage submission process consisting of ‘Qualifying Stage’, which involved overall assessment of the city’s performance, and the ‘Proposal Stage’ which required the smart cities to submit their nominations for six award categories as follows:

  • Project Awards: 10 different themes,
  • Innovation Awards: 2 different themes,
  • National/Zonal City Awards,
  • State Awards,
  • UT Award, and
  • Partners Awards, 3 different themes

A total of 845 nominations were received for ISAC 2022 from 80 qualifying smart cities. These entries were evaluated in 5 stages. In the first stage, a pre-screening of the 845 proposals was carried out. 50% (423 proposals) moved to the next stage. In the second stage, for each award category top 12 proposals were identified by a jury of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). In the third stage, each proposal proponent made a presentation to a panel of subject experts, leading to selection of Top 6 proposals. Finally, in the fourth stage, top 6 proposals made an elaborate presentation to a jury headed by MoHUA directors and comprising subject matter experts.Post this fourth stage, top 3 proposals have been identified for each award category by the Apex Committee of Smart Cities Mission. Of the total 845 applications received under the five awards categories, 66 final winners have been identified – 35 in Project Award, 6 in Innovation Award, 13 in National/Zonal City Award, 5 in State/UT Award and 7 in Partner Award categories. The final list of 66winners is available in the Annexure 1.

The Hon’ble President of India will felicitate the winners of ISAC 2022 awards on 27th September 2023 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

 

*******

RJ

 

Annexure – I: List of winning Smart Cities under ISAC 2022

Sl. No.

Award Name

Award Winner

Video Link
  1.  

Built Environment
  1. Coimbatore: Model Roads, Restoration and Rejuvenation of Lakes

Video Link: https://youtu.be/rQDcnrJNlXo
  1.  

Built Environment
  1. Indore: Riverfront Development (Stretch 1 from Rambagh bridge to KrishnapuraChhatri)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/9XDEjpv7LOI
  1.  

Built Environment
  1. New Town Kolkata: Landscape Redevelopment of NeemBanani Park and other Green Open Spaces

Video Link: https://youtu.be/iNCBAeNvgXc
  1.  

Built Environment
  1. Kanpur: Modernisation and Development of Palika Sports Stadium

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6893E5Cunm8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=KanpurSmartCityLimited
  1.  

Culture
  1. Ahmedabad: Revamping and up keep of heritage structure and development of the heritage tourism using technology

Video Link: https://youtu.be/x5TIVnolnUc
  1.  

Culture
  1. Bhopal: Restoration of heritage buildings near SadarManzil precinct under Heritage Walk Project

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqhf4DOG43w
  1.  

Culture
  1. Thanjavur: Conservation of Ponds – Ayyankulam

Video Link: https://youtu.be/_DuRGIb-S-U
  1.  

Economy
  1. Jabalpur: Incubation Centre

Video Link: https://youtu.be/It4owfXrX3I
  1.  

Economy
  1. Indore: Value Capture Financing (VCF)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/pj_NmADthkY
  1.  

Economy
  1. Lucknow: Rojgar Training Centre

Video Link: https://youtu.be/lMKsDT_fLE8
  1.  

Governance
  1. Chandigarh: E Governance Services for Chandigarh Smart City

Video Link: https://youtu.be/6TybzAFg640
  1.  

Governance
  1. PimpriChinchwad: Smart Sarathi app

Video Link: https://youtu.be/aJU0hUONI3c
  1.  

Governance
  1. Jabalpur: Implementation of 311 App

Video Link: https://youtu.be/suT_8tBPiNo
  1.  

Governance
  1. Udaipur: Smart City Application

Video Link: https://youtu.be/60_vAyi_Vc0
  1.  

ICCC Business Model
  1. Ahmedabad: Traffic Management through ICCC

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R5VrhronA8
  1.  

ICCC Business Model
  1. Surat: Revenue Generation from different sources through ICCC

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B3H80Cn7s0&t=57s
  1.  

ICCC Business Model
  1. Agra: Revenue generation through ICCC and Carbon emission reduction

Video Link: https://youtu.be/bJTdTg_5Kok
  1.  

ICCC Business Model
  1. Gwalior: Intelligent traffic management system

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee1IaD_VvPc
  1.  

Mobility
  1. Chandigarh: Public Bike Sharing (PPP) along with cycle tracks

Video Link: https://youtu.be/heKMVPxhZGQ
  1.  

Mobility
  1. New Town Kolkata: Promoting Non- Motorized Transport

Video Link: https://youtu.be/y893R3cyHFg
  1.  

Mobility
  1. Sagar: Intelligent Traffic Management System improving road safety

Video Link: https://youtu.be/VUrVQibliaE
  1.  

Sanitation
  1. Indore: Gobardhan Bio-CNG Plant

Video Link: https://youtu.be/kV-x51MlPSo
  1.  

Sanitation
  1. Kakinada: Solid Waste Management System

Video Link:https://youtu.be/wBrRx64H9aU
  1.  

Sanitation
  1. Ahmedabad: Door-to-door waste collection monitoring 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhLAmQOf5Pc
  1.  

Sanitation
  1. Chandigarh: Provision of SCADA for Solid Waste Management

Video Link: https://youtu.be/44k5CvyDsK8
  1.  

Social Aspects
  1. Vadodara: Implementation of Hospital Management Information System (HMIS)

HMIS project video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itD_cGKoXn4

HMIS citizen Feedback video: https://youtu.be/xyVMX_yPvbc
  1.  

Social Aspects
  1. Agra: Smart Health Centers (PPP) and Upgradation of municipal schools

Video Link: https://youtu.be/PysQRJfcjH0

https://youtu.be/N7wJSNt1yuY
  1.  

Social Aspects
  1. Raipur: B.P Pujari School – Upgradation of Hindi Medium Schools to School of Excellence in English Medium

Video Link: https://youtu.be/pGZVMu9-xYE
  1.  

Social Aspects
  1. Thoothukudi: Smart Classroom and E-Monitoring

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DArIBNU04gQ
  1.  

Urban Environment
  1. Indore: Air quality improvement and Ahilya Van along with Vertical Garden

Video Link: https://youtu.be/6nKNvYYKMzk

https://youtu.be/-PCiarXwwqI
  1.  

Urban Environment
  1. Shivamogga: Development of Conservancies in Package-2

Video Link: https://youtu.be/0pqHC5BivBM
  1.  

Urban Environment
  1. Jammu: E-auto for old city

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK1M1BVmp_c&t=9s
  1.  

Water
  1. Indore: Saraswati and Kahn Lifeline Project (SANKALP), Rainwater Harvesting – “WATER PLUS TO WATER SURPLUS” and Rejuvenation of Lakes, Wells and Stepwells

Video Link: https://youtu.be/QhFSlSuHCRQ

https://youtu.be/GMJOkjKSqx0

https://youtu.be/4BXDACk9DAA
  1.  

Water
  1. Agra: Proving 24/7 water supply to ABD area along with smart water meters and SCADA systems

Video Link: https://youtu.be/PXUSOBdG1oA
  1.  

Water
  1. Rajkot: Rejuvenation of Atal Sarovar

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ObRF5J4ZzEw
  1.  

Innovative Idea Award
  1. Hubbali Dharwad: Open Space Upgradation 2 – Nalla Renovation and Green Corridor

Video Link: https://youtu.be/KZP4Mjbah_s
  1.  

Innovative Idea Award
  1. Surat: Self Sustaining of Public gardening Canal Pathway (Corridor)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/AgxJYKJnvW4
  1.  

Innovative Idea Award
  1. Raipur: NalandaParisar (Oxy Reading Zone Library)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/TK-bDKEmzBw
  1.  

Covid Innovation Award
  1. Surat: Covid 19 Response Category – Multiple Initiatives

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uklX21I2Rh0
  1.  

Covid Innovation Award
  1. Indore: Covid 19 Response Category – Multiple Initiatives

Video Link: https://youtu.be/IZWLf_qOUDM
  1.  

Covid Innovation Award
  1. Agra: Covid 19 Response Category – Multiple Initiatives

Video Link: https://youtu.be/TnG2oohCQW0
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (Infrastructure)
  1. L&T

Video Link:https://youtu.be/ue6mFL-kPSY

 
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (Infrastructure)
  1. Enviro Control Private

Video Link:https://youtu.be/RGWNKISqn84
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (Infrastructure)
  1. LC Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd.

Video Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KyQjao5Kn8&t=6s
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (MSI)
  1. L&T Construction- Smart World Division

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INhFwjZ1aM4
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (MSI)
  1. NEC

Video Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8d_0yMD1-0
  1.  

Partner Award: Industry (MSI)
  1. Honeywell Automation India Limited

Video Link:https://youtu.be/xsxLAIZ7WYc
  1.  

Partner Recognition: PMC

PwC India

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Eastern Zone)

Ranchi

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Eastern Zone)

Bhubaneswar

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Northeast Zone)

Kohima

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Northeast Zone)

Namchi

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Northern Zone)

Varanasi

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Northern Zone)

Udaipur

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Southern Zone)

Coimbatore

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Southern Zone)

Belagavi

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Western Zone)

Ahmedabad

  
  1.  

Zonal Smart City Award (Western Zone)

Solapur

  
  1.  

National Smart City Award
  1. Indore
  
  1.  

National Smart City Award
  1. Surat
  
  1.  

National Smart City Award
  1. Agra
  
  1.  

UT Award
  1. Chandigarh
  
  1.  

State Award
  1. Madhya Pradesh
  
  1.  

State Award
  1. Tamil Nadu
  
  1.  

State Award
  1. Rajasthan
  
  1.  

State Award
  1. Uttar Pradesh
  

 

Sustainability and climate resilience must be embedded across the lifecycle of built environment.

 Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas stressed the need to view urban planning from the perspective of embedding sustainability and climate resilience across the lifecycle of built environment. Inaugurating the Conference on Adoption of New and Emerging Building Materials and Technologies in Construction Industry, the Minister said that the Modi government has viewed urbanisation as an opportunity for multifaceted growth and therefore India boasts one of the most comprehensive programmes for planned urbanisation. It is against this backdrop, that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), the flagship housing scheme of the Ministry, gains particular significance as it has addressed the issue of affordable housing for India’s urban poor while creating sustainable and green infrastructure. Highlighting the use of green construction technologies in PMAY-U, Shri Puri informed the gathering that about 43.3 lakh houses are being constructed under the mission using sustainable building materials such as flyash bricks/blocks and AAC blocks. These houses will contribute to a reduction of 9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by the end of December 2024.

To bring a paradigm shift in the housing construction sector, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) shortlisted 54 innovative construction technologies from all over the world, under the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC). Further, 6,368 houses are being built under six light house projects currently being implemented in Chennai, Rajkot, Indore, Lucknow, Ranchi and Agartala. The Minister shared the multiple benefits of using these innovative construction technologies, including reduction in construction cost, time, cement used and waste generated apart from the enhanced thermal comfort and low lifecycle costs.

Shri Kaushal Kishore MoS, MoHUA, reiterated the need to provide quality housing to all strata of society, using latest and innovative technologies, as this would contribute to a better quality of life in the new and self reliant India.  Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary MohUA, also underscored the importance of promoting and mainstreaming the modern and green construction technologies which will help the country to address the rising housing demand. These building materials facilitate faster and better quality housing construction to suit different geo-climatic and hazard conditions of the country. The conference organised by CREDAI, in collaboration with CPWD and NBCC, brought together some of the brightest minds in the construction and real estate industries.

***

‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence

 Ministry of Defence, on August 25, 2023, signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,000 crore. It would be a major boost towards achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing as these ships will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, Visakhapatnam. The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the acquisition of these ships during its meeting on August 16, 2023.

The FSS will be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to harbour. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the Fleet. The induction of these ships will significantly enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

The Fleet Support Ships of 44,000 Tons will be the first-of-its kind to be built in India by an Indian Shipyard. This project will generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh mandays over a period of eight years. The construction of these ships will provide a new dimension to the Indian shipbuilding Industry and encourage active participation of associated industries, including MSMEs. With majority of the equipment and systems being sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these vessels will be a proud flag bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in consonance with the ‘Make in India’ initiatives of the Government.

*****

India is hosting the G20 Group

  “India has arrived,” said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today, adding, “This is one of the most auspicious times happening in India.”

“India is hosting the G20 Group this year, we will be hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam after few days; International Year of Millets is also being observed this year, this is the second occasion such an event is being held at the behest of India and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi after the International Day of Yoga, and after 75 years (of India’s Independence) on the 15th August, we have entered the Amrit Kaal, and this week, just two days ago, Chandrayaan happened,” he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that now the time has come when India not only stands even with other countries, but has proven that it can lead the world.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, was addressing the Valedictory Session of the two-day 26th National Conference on e- Governance in Indore.

 

 

Dr Jitendra Singh said PM Modi has broken shackles of the past and set India free on the path to development.

“PM Modi opened the Space sector, and today there are more than 150 private Startups,” he said.

Dwelling on Administrative Reforms, Dr. Jitendra Singh said many reforms have been initiated by PM Modi in the last nine years.

“During the Covid period, life came to a standstill, but there was no delay in the Government of India’s administrative machinery, because we had already gone digital while others were just preparing for it,” he said, referring to transfer of benefits to the common man through DBT.

 

 

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Prime Minister gave us the mantra of ‘Minimum Government – Maximum Governance’. The DARPG took initiatives such as the practice of Attestation by Gazetted officers was done away with, Interviews were scrapped abolishing malpractices. Most of the functioning was converted online and in order to bring in transparency, accountability and citizen participation, the human interface was reduced to the bare minimum.

The Minister said, DoPPW introduced Digital Life Certificate (DLC) and later the Aadhar based scheme for online submission of DLC. Initially submission of DLCs was through biometric devices and now the Face-Authentication Technology-based system based on UIDAI Aadhaar software has been introduced.

 

 

Speaking about the transparency and accountability in the governance, the Minister said that the benchmark for clean and effective government is the robust grievance redressal mechanism. The CPGRAMS receives about 20 lakh grievances every year in comparison to just 2 lakhs annually earlier because this government followed a policy of time bound redressal and gained the confidence of the people.

Dr Jitendra Singh listed DigiLocker and SVAMITVA scheme bringing transparency in land registry, among technology driven reforms towards Ease of Living.

“Our goal is to gear up and work towards making India a developed nation by 2047, and we will accomplish this with speed and scale, leveraging the potential of digital transformations in e-governance,” he said.

 

 

***

Nagarnar Steel Plant scripts history as it rolls out the first Hot Rolled coil

 In what is being described in steel circles as unprecedented, the Nagarnar Steel Plant yesterday, achieved the feat of producing its final product of HR (Hot Rolled) Coil, 9 days after the production of Hot Metal. This feat by NMDC is nothing less than astounding, considering that the mining major doesn’t have prior experience of steel making.

“NMDC joins the coveted league of Indian steel makers. This is the fulfillment of a dream that the local community of Bastar had long looked forward to.”, Sh. Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of NMDC, mentioned. Industry veterans remarked that it is a rare feat to commission three critical units in the hot zone – Blast Furnace, Steel Melting Shop and the Mills (Thin Slab Caster – Hot Strip Mill) in such a short period of time. 

 

Nagarnar Steel Plant 

The 3 million tonne per annum capacity steel plant has been built at a cost of approximately ₹24,000 crores. The Plant is set to establish its mark in the Hot Rolled market with its repertoire of high grade Hot Rolled (HR) steel that is slated to meet the requirements of several key consuming sectors on the strength of its technology that includes its most modern Mill. Nagarnar Steel Plant’s competitive advantage also stems from its iron ore supply linkage with Bailadila mines, barely 100 kms. from Nagarnar.  

The product mix of Nagarnar Steel Plant consists of low carbon steel, HSLA & Dual Phase Steel and API quality steel that can be rolled into a thickness range from 1mm to 16mm. With its capability to roll 1650 mm wide HR, the Thin Slab caster at Nagarnar Steel Plant is the widest Mill in the public sector. HR Coils, Sheets and Plates coming off from India’s latest and most modern mill are expected to meet the growing demand for quality HR required in the manufacturing of LPG cylinders, bridges, steel structures, ships, large diameter pipes, storage tanks, boilers, railway wagons and pressure vessels and in construction of tanks, railway cars, bicycle frames, engineering and military equipment, automobile & truck wheels, frames and body parts. The plant will also be producing a special type of steel to be used in manufacture of generators, motors, transformers and automobiles at a later stage.  

Domestic Steel Industry calls it an unprecedented achievement 

Nagarnar Steel Plant has the unique distinction of internationally being the only steel plant to be set up by a mining company. With the roll out of the first Hot Rolled coil yesterday, 9 days after hot metal production began on 15th August, Nagarnar steel plant has managed to set another precedent, feel industry veterans.  

It may be recalled that Nagarnar Steel Plant had conducted cold trials of its Steel Melting Shop, months before initiating the commissioning of blast furnace. Though there have been instances of faster steel making, Nagarnar Steel Plant’s production of HR Coil within nine days of hot metal production is unusual. This was made possible by testing the capability of the Mills by rolling slabs and producing HR Coil even as preparations were underway for commissioning of the blast furnace.

Generally it takes a couple of weeks for the functioning of the blast furnace itself to stabilize which is followed by the synchronization of blast furnace production with the working of the Steel Melting Shop. This being a very dangerous zone, it is approached with extra caution after which the production process at the Mills is stabilized. That this was successfully accomplished in such a short duration attests to the latest equipment and technology used, as also the expertise of involved  professionals.  

With the production of HR Coil initiated yesterday, the Plant is engaged in stabilization of the production process to ensure that its produce is commercialized at the earliest. It is felt that the rapid commercialization of the Plants’ produce is expected to greatly minimize, or even offset the losses that a green-field steel plant generally suffers in the first year of its commissioning.  

 

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