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Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat takes charge as Union Minister of Culture

 Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assumed charge as Union Minister of Culture, here today. Speaking with the media on the occasion, Shri Shekhawat expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for reposing his faith in him and giving this opportunity to preserve, protect and promote the vibrance of Bharateeyata both across our country and the world.

He further stated that in transitioning from India to Bharat, under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi we have been taking giant steps in shedding our colonial cloak and reinstating our glorious cultural heritage. Shri Shekhawat stated that our nation’s growing soft power is in its rich cultural fabric and its myriad manifestations in the form of art, music, dance, textiles among others.  ‘Let’s work together to strengthen it in this Amrit kaal and make culture a strong thread to weave Viksit Bharat’, the minister added.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was welcomed by Secretary Shri Govind Mohan and other senior officials of the Culture Ministry.

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Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah assumes charge as the Union Minister of Cooperation

 Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today assumed charge as the Minister of Cooperation at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in New Delhi.

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After assuming charge, Shri Amit Shah posted on X, “The Ministry of Cooperation will continue to work towards strengthening the country’s economy along with the rural economy by empowering the farmers as per Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Sahkaar Se Samriddhi’. Our government is committed to bring positive change in the lives of crores of people associated with this sector by giving new opportunities to them while empowering the idea of ​​cooperation. Today I got the privilege of taking over the charge of Minister of Cooperation again, in Modi 3.0.”

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Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia takes charge of Ministry of Communications

 Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia assumed charge of the Minister of Communications here today

Addressing the media, he emphasized the importance of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as well as of India Post, in today’s day and age in connecting the length and breadth of India. “I am honoured that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi I have been given the charge of the Ministry of Communications. In the past ten years, our government has transformed the sector and today I want to reaffirm my steadfast commitment to make India a sustainable, customer centric and competitive telecommunications and postal market,” he said.

 

 

Minister of Communications credited the revolution in telecommunications to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and vowed to persevere and put in his best to ensure the delivery as per the aspirations of 140 crore citizens.

The Officer of the Ministry extended a warm welcome to Shri Scindia and assured him of their full cooperation in achieving the Ministry’s goals. His extensive experience and dynamic leadership are expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigour to the Ministry of Communications.

Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia’s tweet link: https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1800433070413152579?t=lSd2E36lAoARrmhijo1zkA&s=19

Link to more photos and videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nP-n5_cv21jSF7TjJnFvoHOCBJZ3JC_o

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Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds review meeting with officials of Ministry of Commerce and Industry

 Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal officially took charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for a second consecutive term in New Delhi today. Upon assuming office, Shri Goyal immediately convened a review meeting with senior officers from both departments within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the Commerce Secretary and DPIIT Secretary presented a brief on the ongoing proposals and action items of the ministry.

Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and directed that a series of meetings must be scheduled in the coming days to delve into the details of various policies and action items that have to be finalized.

Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm, Shri Piyush Goyal stated, “I am delighted to be part of PM Modi’s third term and am grateful to the people of Mumbai North for electing me. As I take charge, I come to you with a lot of fresh perspectives about India and about ground zero.”

Shri Piyush Goyal said that there is a need to introspect and coordinate better between departments. Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized upon the importance of Research & Development (R&D) and strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of governance.

He urged the officers to focus upon integrity, speed, skill and scale. He said that Steering Committee on Advancing Local value-add & Exports (SCALE) Committee and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes must be utilized to their full potential to boost exports and domestic production.

Highlighting the achievements of his previous term, Shri Goyal cited the boost in overall exports from India, signing of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), significant inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, etc. With a renewed commitment to driving economic growth and fostering international trade, the Minister expressed hope to lead the Ministry of Commerce and Industry towards new heights, ensuring that India’s progress remains steadfast and inclusive.

Shri Goyal encouraged the officers of the Ministry to make Quality the mantra to ensure India’s progress. Shri Goyal noted that the timely sharing of data and transparency in exports and imports will encourage investors to invest more confidently. He said that India is positioned in a sweet spot and it is the right time to convert our challenges into opportunities.

 

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Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal assumes charge of Ministry of Commerce and Industry

 Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal officially assumed charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi today. Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada; Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal and Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, along with senior officers of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

On the occasion of assuming charge, Shri Piyush Goyal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation once again. He said that over the past decade, PM Modi’s strong development-oriented governance has inspired a wave of progress across the country, and it is imperative to continue building on this foundation.

Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of working diligently during the Amrit Kaal to ensure rapid advancements in the field of commerce and industry. He said that the government is committed to creating new opportunities for the youth and working relentlessly for the welfare of all citizens. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the nation is poised to achieve new heights. He also noted that embracing the philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas,” the collective efforts and trust of the people will drive India towards a brighter future.

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18th Mumbai International Film Festival to be held from 15th to 21st June, 2024

 Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju today announced that the 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival will be held from 15th June to 21st June, 2024 in Mumbai. He said that while venue for the festival will be the FD-NFDC Complex, Mumbai, MIFF screenings will also be held in Delhi (Sirifort Auditorium), Chennai (Tagore Film Centre), Pune (NFAI auditorium) and Kolkata (SRFTI Auditorium).

Also present on the occasion were Additional Secretary, Ms. Neerja Sekhar, PDG, PIB, Ms.  Sheyphali B. Sharan and MD, NFDC, Sh. Prithul Kumar.

MIFF Film Programming

  1. Record Film Submission of 1018 films this year for the competition sections from 38 Countries across 65 Languages
  2. 118 films selected by the 3 Selection Committees of eminent film experts for the International (25) and National (77) competition sections. The Selection Committee also unanimously remarked that very high quality of film submissions has been received this year which made the selections tough.
  3. Total 314 films in the MIFF Programming this year
  4. There will be 8 world premieres, 6 international premieres, 17 Asia premieres and 15 India Premieres.
  5. Special packages have been curated in this edition, including:
    1. Award winning films package of Oscars and Berlinale (12 short films each)
    2. ‘Special Country Focus Packages’ from collaborating with 7 countries – Russia, Japan, Belarus, Italy, Iran, Vietnam and Mali
    3. Animation package curated from 4 countries – France, Slovenia, Argentina & Greece
    4. Student films from reputed institutes from across the country (45 films)
    5. Restored classics package from the NFDC-National Film Archives of India
    6. Competition films on the special theme of India at Amrit kaal showcasing the country’s growth, development, and prosperity
    7. Films for Divyangjan package for the visually challenged with audio description and sign language descriptions and for the hearing impaired with closed captions.
    8. Selected packages of films also on –
      1. Wildlife
      2. Mission Life
      3. Films by Asian Women Filmmakers

Opening & Closing Film of MIFF

  1. Opening Film of 18th MIFF will be “Billy & Molly, an Otter Love Story”, will initiate the festival with screenings in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Chennai on 15th Jun, 2024.
  2. The Closing Film of festival is the film that wins the Golden Conch and will be showcased on 21st Jun, 2024.

Jury & Awards

  1. International jury includes eminent film personalities from across the world – Keiko Bang, Barthélemy Fougea, Audrius Stonys, Bharat Bala, and Manas Choudhary, who will award the Golden Conch for the best documentary film, the Silver Conch for the best international short fiction film and best animation film, and the Pramod Pati Award for the most innovative/experimental film.
  2. National jury for 18th MIFF comprises of notable names such as Adele Seelmann-Eggebert, Dr Bobby Sarma Baruah, Apoorva Bakshi, Munjal Shroff and Anna Henckel-Don nersmarck who will confer the Best Indian Documentary, Short Film, Animation, Best Debut Film Award (sponsored by Govt. of Maharashtra) and Best Student Film Award (sponsored by IDPA), in addition to a host of technical awards and a special Award for Best Short Film on “India in Amrit Kaal”.
  3. Further, 3 Technical Awards for 1) Cinematography, 2) Editing and 3) Sound Design, will be given common from National & International Competition.
  4. A FIPRESCI Jury 3 eminent film critics will also confer the award for a national competition documentary
  5. Total Awards of Rs 42 lacs.

Accessible Festival

  1. Films for the visually challenged with audio description and sign language descriptions and for the hearing impaired with closed captions.
  2. Besides the special films for the specially abled, NFDC has partnered with Svayam, a not-for-profit organisation to make the MIFF festival venue at NFDC-FD premises fully accessible for people who are differently-abled and also those who have special needs. The accessibility partnership will also ensure that volunteers at the event are sensitized to facilitate delegates with accessibility issues so as to make the experience of visiting delegates seamless.

Gala Opening /Closing Ceremony & Red Carpets

  1. Grand Opening & Closing ceremonies will be held at NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai. The events will see an artistic melange of cultural acts which will include an act depicting the journey of Indian animation, a cultural performance from Sri-Lanka in opening and from Argentina in closing ceremony and showcasing the FTII student short Film “Sunflowers were the first ones to know”, which won the La Cinef Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year.
  2. Gala Red carpet screening will be held in NFDC-FD complex in Mumbai every day starting from the opening film on 15th June. The other red carpets being planned with the eminent film celebrities are Poacher, Inside Out-2, The Commandments Shadow, My Mercury, Srikant, Brand Bollywood, etc.
  3. Exclusive Red carpets will also be held at Delhi (17th Jun), Chennai (18th Jun), Kolkata (19th Jun) & Pune (20th Jun) with participation from eminent personalities from the film industry.

Masterclass & Panel Discussions:

  1. The 18th MIFF will host engaging 20 masterclasses, in-conversations and panel discussions with industry luminaries such as filmmakers Santosh Sivan, Audrius Stonys, Ketan Mehta, Richie Mehta, T.S Nagabharana, Georges Schwizgebel & many more.
  2. Open Forum discussions will be held in collaboration with Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) every day at the vibrant Amphitheatre venue with eminent personalities of the film industry.
  3. A crash course on Animation and VFX pipeline has been organized for registered participants.

Doc Film Bazaar:

  1. DOC Film Bazaar is being organized for the first time, to help boost the film production by providing a platform to filmmakers to find buyers, sponsors and collaborators for their projects.
  2. Close to 200 projects have been received from 10 countries in 27 languages.
  3. 3 curated verticals will be organized in the Doc Film Bazaar – ‘Co-production Market’ (16 projects), ‘Work-in-progress (WIP) Lab’ (6 projects) and ‘Viewing Room’ (106 projects).
  4. Besides these opportunities for selected projects, there will also be an ‘Open Buyer-Seller Meet’ which will help filmmakers collaborate with buyers and corporates in the realm of production, syndication, acquisition, distribution and sales.
  5. A dedicated session to explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding. With industry leaders from various industry verticals, like FICCI, will explore the CSR funding of documentaries as powerful tools for brand enhancement and as a catalyst for positive societal impact.

Dedicated Portal & Mobile App for MIFF

  1. An interactive website of MIFF has been developed providing engaging details about the films, events and activities planned at the festival www.miff.in
  2. A dedicated mobile app has been developed for facilitating participation of delegates in various activities such as prior booking of film screenings, attending masterclasses, open forums, etc. It will also help the festival obtain valuable feedback from the delegates.

Delegate Registrations

  1. The Delegate Registrations are simple but mandatory for attending the festival through the website or the QR code provided in promotional material of MIFF.
  2. The Delegate Registration are also being provided through Book My Show.
  3. There are no extra charges for attending any number of film screenings or masterclasses or Doc film Bazaar.
  4. Delegate registration Fees-
    1. Mumbai – Rs 500 for attending the entire festival
    2. Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata & Pune – Free
    3. Student & Press – Free
    4. All Delegate registrations are ‘FREE’ fort the next 3 days.

Partnerships

  1. This year for the very first time, MIFF has received corporate collaborations from more than 20 brands in the festival. The brands have collaborated with the festival at various levels – from sponsoring various aspects of the festival to bringing in expertise to strengthen the festival.

Background

MIFF is the oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films (Documentary, Short Fiction & Animation) in South Asia and a premier international event of the documentary film world, since it started in 1990. It is a biennial event organized once in 2 years.

MIFF provides a platform for documentary filmmakers from all over world to meet, exchange ideas, explore the possibilities of co-productions and marketing of documentary, short and animation films and also broaden the vision of filmmakers’ vis-a-vis world cinema. The festival will provide a platform for more conversations and discussions on the documentary, animation and short films front; aimed at fostering artistic expression and proving to be a creative catalyst to the filmmakers and attendees alike.

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First Command and Control Compatibility Board meeting for 2024 between Indian & U.S. held in New Delhi

 The first Command and Control Compatibility Board (CCCB) meeting for 2024 between Indian and the U.S. was held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi from 04-07 June 2024.  The meeting had participation of a 29 member United States delegation led by Mr Paul Nicholson,  Executive Director, US INDOPACOM and a 38 member Indian delegation led by Brigadier Rahul Anand of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. 

The CCCB is the Technical Expert Group formed under Article XI of the Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) between India and USA, and is held twice a year.  After signing of the historic agreement in September 2018, this is the seventh such  meeting between both nations to calibrate, reinforce and achieve steady progress in the bilateral Defence partnership.

During this four day interaction, the Subject Matter Experts from both sides had several rounds of extensive discussions to understand interoperability scenarios and operational communications needs. Focused discussions with the US delegation were helpful in working out mutually agreed solutions for the current communications interoperability needs of the Indian Tri-Services.  The successful outcome of this meeting is a true reflection of the strengthening relationship between the militaries of India and US.  

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The India Opportunity Showcased at the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum

 On the sidelines of the inaugural Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Clean Economy Investor Forum, the Department of Commerce and Invest India organised a meeting to showcase various investment opportunities in India.

 

 

In his inaugural address Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal, stressed on how India’s growth rate is nearly double that of other emerging market economies. He remarked on how this strong growth is also leading to a trend of ‘reverse flipping’, where Indian start-ups that once moved abroad for capital access and tax benefits are now returning home. He emphasised how the digital economy along with emerging technologies like AI and rise of data centres were key to future Indian growth.

The meeting held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, attracted over 60 participants, including global investors from the US, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Korea, and other countries, as well as India’s private sector and government officials. The event brought together investors and financial institutions from IPEF Member countries like that of Temasek, Global Infrastructure Partners, GuarantCo, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), Goldman Sachs, I Squared Capital, Mizuho Bank Ltd, Advantage Partners, Nomura, DBS Bank and Citi Bank. The   Indian infrastructure and climate tech companies showcased their solutions and engaged with international investors to tap into global markets.

Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, H.E. Dr. Shilpak Ambule, focused on the fundamentals that are driving Indian growth. He said that the investment in physical and digital infrastructure will have multiplier effects on the Indian economy, and that the legislative and regulatory changes have created a pro-market field, providing conducive and predictable policy environment. He stressed on how shifting global supply chains and Indian efforts modernization of infrastructure will enable India to participate in them.

This was followed by an India opportunity presentation in which Invest India showcased the India’s through various government flagship initiatives like a flourishing startup ecosystem, a sizable pool of skilled and talented professionals across diverse industries, a push for investments in infrastructure projects, policy reforms aimed at streamlining regulations, enhancing transparency, and improving Ease of Doing Business.

MD and CEO of Invest India, Ms Nivruti Rai highlighted that India is keen on collaborating with investors, clean economy firms, and innovative startups to drive sustainable infrastructure, climate technology, and renewable energy projects to meet Net Zero targets.

Speaking during the fireside chat titled the Charting India Opportunity, Ms Radhika Rao, Senior Economist and Executive Director, mentioned that India strength is in 4C’s – Consistency & Continuity in Policy and reforms; Increasing Capex through government, household spending and private sector; Composition of trade shifting towards manufacturing sectors; Increasing consumption over the next 5 years.

Ms Sonal Varma, Managing Director, Nomura spoke in detail about the Nomura India report. The report shows that highest number of companies are looking at India than any other geography during their “Bottom’s up” study, a survey of around 130 companies mapping their investments in sectors and country.  India is attracting investments in broad based sectors ranging from semiconductor assembly to testing, automobiles to capital goods.

Mr Kunal Agarwal, Managing Director, I Squared highlighted that India is going through Infrastructure Supercycle, which is an enabler for digital revolution and India is viewed as a secular investment opportunity.

During the event, members of the industry expressed highlighted that the inaugural forum was a significant step forward in promoting economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized the importance of industries working together to address the challenges they faced and create new opportunities for growth. The forum also underscored the crucial nature of a clean economy and supply chain resilience.

About IPEF and Clean Economy Investor Forum

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched in May 2022 and currently includes 14 partners – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. The IPEF, comprising four pillars of cooperation, namely Trade, Supply Chain, Clean Economy and Fair Economy, provides a platform for countries in the region to collaborate on advancing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth and aims to contribute to cooperation, stability and prosperity in the region.

The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, one of the initiatives under the IPEF, brought together the region’s top investors, philanthropies, financial institutions, innovative companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs to mobilise investments into sustainable infrastructure, climate technology and renewable energy projects.

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Prime Minister reiterates his commitment for qualitative changes in the education sector

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has reiterated his commitment for qualitative changes in the education sector. He has also expressed his happiness over improvement in performance of Indian universities in QS World University Rankings.

Responding to the CEO and Managing Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd, Mr. Nunzio Quacquarelli about continued improvement in performance of Indian universities in QS World University Rankings, the Prime Minister posted on X;

“Over the last decade, we have focused on qualitative changes in the education sector. This is reflected in the QS World University Rankings. Compliments to the students, faculty and institutions for their hard work and dedication. In this term, we want to do even more to boost research and innovation.”

 

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Safdarjung Hospital hosts Seminar on Integrating Yoga into Medical Practice

 The Yoga and Naturopathy OPD & Lifestyle Intervention Centre at Safdarjung Hospital, under the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, successfully organized a seminar titled “Integrating Yoga into Medical Practice to Enhance Well-Being of Patients and Healthcare Providers.”

The seminar brought together distinguished experts from the fields of yoga, healthcare, and research to explore the multifaceted benefits of incorporating yoga into medical practices. The event was attended by around 85 medical professionals from Safdarjung Hospital, including Dr Jayanthi Mani Additional Medical Superintendent , Dr R P Arora ams, Dr Gaurav Arora AMS , allopathy doctors, residents, nursing staff, healthcare administrators, and doctors from the AYUSH department, stated Dr Sujatha George Yoga & Naturopathy Senior Consultant Physician.

 

Key highlights of the seminar included:

•  Evidence-based insights into the physiological and psychological benefits of yoga, presented by esteemed speakers such as Dr. Ragavendra Rao, Director of CCRYN.

•  Discussions on collaborative research opportunities between researchers and practitioners to further validate and expand the use of yoga in medical settings.

•  A practical session on “Healthy Lifestyle Practices & Yoga for Healthcare Professionals,” highlighting the importance of yoga for reducing burnout and improving mental health among healthcare providers was taken by Dr Athiray K.R.

•  Introduction of the “Y-Break” initiative, a short, guided yoga session designed for the workplace by the Ministry of AYUSH, to promote mental and physical health among employees.

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For the first time in last six decades, a Prime Minister has got the third term

 The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today acknowledged the historical significance of the Government’s third term, unprecedented in last six decades. Emphasising the rarity of such an accomplishment, he stated “It is for the first time since 1962 that a Prime Minister has got a third term”.

Addressing the participants of the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme at Vice President’s enclave, Shri Dhankhar urged the interns to harness the power of social media to express their views and remain vigilant against pernicious tendencies in democracy. Emphasizing the role of constructive debate, dialogue and discussion in the Parliament for positive growth, Shri Dhankhar urged the interns to mobilize public opinion if they see any deviation from these principles.

He further exhorted that Bharat is not a sleeping giant, instead we are a country on move that is rising every day and every moment. Emphasizing the significance of consulting the Indian Constitution for clarity, Shri Dhankhar advised the interns to text of Indian Constitution whenever in doubt about.

Describing the internship programme as a “Parliamentary Startup” that would provide a new direction and urge to engage with the country’s democratic processes, Shri Dhankhar highlighted how citizens can indirectly participate and raise public issues through petitions, without being a member of Parliament.

Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha Shri P.C. Mody, Secretary to the Vice President, Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary Rajya Sabha, Shri Rajit Punhani and other senior officials were present.

 

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Shri Narendra Modi has been elected as Leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party

 A delegation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Shri J. P. Nadda, President, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan today at 2.30 PM and handed over a letter stating that Shri Narendra Modi has been elected as Leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also handed over to the President. The other members of the delegation were Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Amit Shah, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dr. C.N. Manjunath from BJP; Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu from Telugu Desam Party; Shri Nitish Kumar, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and Shri Sanjay Jha from Janata Dal (United); Shri Eknath Shinde from Shiv Sena; Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy from Janata Dal (Secular);  Shri Chirag Paswan from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas); Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular); Shri Pawan Kalyan from Janasena; Shri Ajit Pawar from Nationalist Congress Party; Smt. Anupriya Patel from Apna Dal (Soneylal); Shri Jayant Chaudhary from Rashtriya Lok Dal; Shri Joyanta Basumatary from United People’s Party Liberal; Shri Atul Bora from Asom Gana Parishad; Shri Indra Hang Subba from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha; Shri Sudesh Mahto and Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary from All Jharkhand Students Union; and Shri Ramdas Athawale from Republican Party of India (A).

The President, having satisfied herself on the basis of the various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance, which is also the largest pre-election alliance, is in a position to command majority support of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha and to form a stable government, appointed Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India exercising powers vested in her under Article 75(1) of the Constitution of India.

The President requested Shri Narendra Modi to indicate the date and time of the swearing-in-ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and also advise her about the names of other persons to be appointed as members of the Union Council of Ministers.

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Commandant, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad

 Maj Gen Harsh Chhibber took over as the Commandant, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad on 31 May 24 from Rear Admiral Sanjay Datt. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Major General Harsh Chhibber was commissioned into the Army Service Corps in December 1988.

Maj Gen Harsh Chhibber holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on Public Policy along with two M.Phil degrees in Business Management and Public Administration. He has also undertaken Technical Staff Officers Course (TSOC), Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC), and the Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA).

Major General Chhibber’s military experience encompasses various important assignments in Eastern, Northern and Western Sectors including command of the Para ASC company, an ASC Battalion and the ASC Training Centre. He has been Brigadier General Staff (Information System) in Eastern Sector and Major General (Operational Logistics) in Northern Sector. He has also served as an instructor at the Army Service Corps Centre and College and as the Directing Staff and Head of the Financial Management Department at College of Defence Management. Software applications developed and implemented by him are in use in a large number of units.

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Keep the wheels of democracy spinning as voting for the 18th Lok Sabha election

 India has made history today. Starting on the 19th of April with commencement of voting in phase 1 and spread over 7 phases, polling for General Election 2024 concluded today. Indian voters have given their most cherished right to vote for the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. Indian democracy and Indian elections have again done the magic. The great Indian voters, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, socio-economic and educational background have done it once again. The real winner, indeed is the Indian voter.

Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and ECI family are deeply humbled by the voters, who made it to the polling station overcoming many challenges and dilemmas they might have. The Commission, with all sincerity, wishes to place on record its thanks and appreciation to all voters. Through their emphatic participation, the voters have risen to the trust reposed by the founders of the Indian constitution, when they handed over the power of suffrage to the ordinary Indian. The massive participation in the democratic exercise reaffirms the democratic ethos and spirit of India.

ECI also expresses its gratitude to the entire election machinery including security forces for their dedication and commitment in providing smooth, peaceful and festive environment to voters across the country, braving tough weather, logistical challenges like tough terrains and managing law and order in a diverse demography.

The Commission also thanks all political parties and candidates which are a critical pivot of the Indian elections.

Commission is also thankful to the print, electronic and digital media for their contribution. The Commission has always considered media as an ally for a free and fair elections.

The importance of votes cast by centenarians, elderly, persons with disabilities, and transgenders are an inspiration to many, especially the youngsters

who will take forward the democracy further. ECI aspires that India’s next generation voters will take this participation to even greater heights.

The collective efforts of voters, political parties, candidates, election personnel and security forces during polling have strengthened Indian democracy, deserving great respect and appreciation. We, the people have kept the wheels of democracy spinning, thanks to collective efforts.

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NIMHANS bags the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024 by the World Health Organization

 

National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has been awarded with the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion, established by WHO in 2019, recognizes individuals, institutions and/or governmental or non-governmental organizations that have demonstrated remarkable contributions to health promotion.

Union Health Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated NIMHANS on being conferred with this award. He stated that it is “a recognition of India’s efforts in inclusive healthcare.”

Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary expressed his happiness at the recognition of India’s efforts and pioneering work in the field of mental health and congratulated NIMHANS for this achievement.

 

“We are immensely proud to receive the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion at this juncture of our institutional journey,” said Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS. “This award is not only a recognition of our past and present achievements but also a validation to the enduring legacy and vision that has guided NIMHANS since its inception. It reinforces our resolve to continue our mission of promoting mental health and well-being – making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve”, she stated.

 

The award is a testament to NIMHANS’ dedication and outstanding contributions to promoting mental health and well-being. NIMHANS has been at the forefront of mental health and neurosciences, championing innovative approaches to research, education, and patient care. It has been instrumental in initiating and implementing avant-garde mental health programs that address the needs of diverse populations. Its efforts in integrating mental health care into general health care, developing community-based strategies, and pioneering digital health interventions have been recognized globally.

This accolade arrives at a particularly momentous time for NIMHANS, as the Institute celebrates 50 years of its formation and the 70th anniversary of its precursor, the All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH). As NIMHANS marks the dual milestone, the award holds special significance, highlighting the Institute’s rich legacy and continuous evolution in the field of mental health and neurosciences.

India has made major strides in the field of mental health in recent times. Mental Health Units are supported in almost all districts of the country today through the National Health Mission. India’s national tele mental health helpline, Tele MANAS, which was launched on 10th Oct 2022 also recently achieved the landmark of having handled 10 lakh calls.

 

 

Ms. Hekali Zhimomi, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry and other senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

 

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