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AuthorAID is an online platform

AuthorAID is an online platform and global research community that provides support and resources for researchers and writers, particularly those from developing countries. It was established in 2007 by INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications), an international development organization focused on strengthening research and knowledge systems in developing countries.

The primary goal of AuthorAID is to enhance the quality and visibility of research from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by offering support and training to researchers, particularly those who face barriers to publishing their work in international journals. The platform achieves this through various means, including online resources, mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities.
One of the key features of AuthorAID is its online platform, which serves as a hub for researchers to access a wide range of resources. These resources include e-learning courses, writing guides, interactive forums, and webinars on various aspects of research communication. The platform also hosts a directory of mentors who are experienced researchers and writers willing to provide guidance and support to their peers from LMICs.
AuthorAID organizes workshops and training sessions in collaboration with institutions and organizations worldwide. These capacity-building events focus on topics such as research writing, grant proposal development, data analysis, and publication ethics. Workshops are typically conducted by experienced trainers and mentors who help participants develop their research and writing skills, increasing their chances of successfully publishing their work.
Furthermore, AuthorAID fosters a vibrant and inclusive research community by encouraging collaboration and networking among its members. Researchers from different disciplines and regions can connect with each other through the online platform, exchange knowledge and ideas, and establish valuable professional relationships. This global network allows researchers to expand their research networks, find potential collaborators, and gain exposure to diverse perspectives and expertise.
Over the years, AuthorAID has made significant contributions to improving the research output and visibility of scholars from LMICs. By addressing the specific challenges faced by researchers in these countries, the platform helps bridge the gap between local research efforts and the global scientific community. The support and resources provided by AuthorAID have empowered countless researchers to overcome barriers, enhance the quality of their work, and increase its impact.
In summary, AuthorAID is an invaluable resource for researchers and writers from developing countries, offering support, training, and networking opportunities to enhance the quality and visibility of their research. By empowering researchers with the skills and knowledge needed for effective research communication, AuthorAID plays a crucial role in bridging the research divide and promoting equitable global knowledge exchange.

 main:-

    enter(monkey,room).

enter(monkey,room):-

    write(“Monkey enters the room”),nl,

    checkheight(monkey,banana).

checkheight(monkey,banana):-

    write(“Monkey cannot reach the banana”),nl,

    move(monkey,left).

move(monkey,left):-

    write(“Monkey moves towards the chair”),nl,

    push(monkey,chair).

push(monkey,chair):-

    write(“Monkey pushes the chair towards banana”),nl,

    place(monkey,chair).

place(monkey,chair):-

    write(“Monkey places the chair below banana”),nl,

    climb(monkey,chair).

climb(monkey,chair):-

    write(“monkey climbs the chair”),nl,

    function(check).

function(check):-

    write(‘Enter height of the room’),

    read(H1),

    write(‘enter height of the chair’),

    read(H2),

    write(‘enter height of monkey’),

    read(H3),

B is H2 + H3, check(H1,B). gets(monkey,stick):-

    write(“Monkey Move Towards The Stick”),nl, 

    write(“Monkey Gets The Stick and Climbs Again”),nl,

write(‘Enter Height of Room: ‘),

read(N1),

 write(‘Enter Height of Chair: ‘),

read(N2),

 write(‘Enter Height of Monkey: ‘),

read(N3),

 write(‘Enter Height of Stick: ‘),

read(N4),

 SUM is N2+N3+N4,

check(N1,SUM). check(A,B):-

(

 A>B-> write(“Monkey Still Cannot Reach The

Banana”),nl, gets(monkey,stick);

A

 write(“Monkey Ate The Banana”);

A=B-> write(“Monkey Ate The

Banana”)

    ).

from collections import defaultdict
visited = defaultdict(lambda: False)
jug1=int(input(“Enter Capacity of Jug 1 : “))
jug2=int(input(“Enter Capacity of Jug 2 : “))
aim=int(input(“Enter Goal : “))
def waterJugSolver(amt1,amt2):
if (amt1 == aim and amt2 == 0) or (amt2 == aim and amt1 == 0):
print(amt1, amt2)
return True
if visited[(amt1, amt2)] == False:
print(amt1, amt2)
visited[(amt1, amt2)] = True
return (waterJugSolver(0, amt2) or
waterJugSolver(amt1, 0) or
waterJugSolver(jug1, amt2) or
waterJugSolver(amt1, jug2) or
waterJugSolver(amt1 + min(amt2, (jug1-amt1)),
amt2 – min(amt2, (jug1-amt1))) or
waterJugSolver(amt1 – min(amt1, (jug2-amt2)),
amt2 + min(amt1, (jug2-amt2))))
else:
return False
print(“Steps: “)
waterJugSolver(0,0)

Popular Ethereum Development Tools for Newbies: An Overview

 As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to choose the right framework to kickstart your journey. This comprehensive overview explores popular Ethereum development frameworks, including Truffle, Embark, Hardhat, and Brownie, providing insights into their features, benefits, and use cases. It’s also beneficial to understand how Ethereum’s trading market operates. You can explore the tradding app which offers insights into market trends and dynamics!

Exploring Popular Ethereum Development Frameworks

Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels.com

Truffle is a widely used Ethereum development framework that simplifies the process of building decentralized applications (DApps) on the Ethereum blockchain. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and libraries that streamline smart contract development, testing, and deployment. With Truffle, developers can quickly write, compile, and deploy smart contracts, making it an ideal choice for beginners. One of the key features of Truffle is its built-in testing framework, which allows developers to write automated tests for their smart contracts. This ensures the reliability and security of the code. 

Embark is another popular Ethereum development framework that focuses on rapid prototyping and DApp deployment. It offers a simplified development workflow, making it easier for beginners to get started with Ethereum development. Embark provides a built-in development server that allows developers to quickly preview their DApps in a local environment. With Embark, developers can easily integrate decentralized technologies, such as IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) and Whisper, into their DApps. This framework also supports automated deployment to different Ethereum networks, making it convenient for deploying DApps to testnets or the mainnet.

Hardhat is a developer-friendly Ethereum toolkit that offers a powerful and extensible development environment. It provides a wide range of features and plugins that enhance the development workflow and facilitate smart contract testing and deployment. Hardhat supports TypeScript, making it a preferred choice for developers who prefer statically typed languages. One of the notable features of Hardhat is its integration with popular testing frameworks like Mocha and Chai, enabling developers to write comprehensive tests for their smart contracts. It also offers built-in support for debugging, gas estimation, and contract interaction, making the development process more efficient.

Brownie is a Python-based Ethereum development framework that aims to simplify smart contract development and testing. It offers a high-level and intuitive API that allows developers to write Ethereum contracts and scripts using Python syntax. This makes it an attractive choice for Python developers who want to venture into blockchain development. Brownie provides a range of built-in utilities for contract deployment, testing, and interaction. It integrates with popular Ethereum development tools like Ganache and Metamask, enabling seamless deployment and testing in a local environment. The framework also supports network management, making it easy to switch between different Ethereum networks.

Best Practices for Getting Started with Ethereum Development Frameworks

When starting your journey into Ethereum development using frameworks, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure a smooth and productive experience. These practices will help you set up your development environment, write efficient and secure smart contracts, and interact with the Ethereum network effectively.

Before diving into Ethereum development, it’s crucial to set up a reliable and optimized development environment. This involves installing the necessary software tools, such as Node.js and a code editor of your choice. Additionally, you’ll need to install the specific Ethereum development framework you’ve chosen, whether it’s Truffle, Embark, Hardhat, or Brownie. Follow the framework’s documentation to properly configure and initialize your development environment.

When writing smart contracts, it’s essential to follow best practices for security and efficiency. Familiarize yourself with Solidity, the programming language used for Ethereum smart contracts, and its best practices. Ensure that your smart contracts follow secure coding principles, such as input validation and protection against common vulnerabilities like reentrancy attacks. Writing unit tests for your smart contracts is another crucial aspect of Ethereum development. Use the testing capabilities provided by your chosen framework to write comprehensive and automated tests. 

Deploying your smart contracts to the Ethereum network requires careful consideration. Make sure you’re deploying to the appropriate network, whether it’s a testnet for development and testing purposes or the mainnet for production deployment. Configure the deployment parameters, such as gas limits and transaction fees, according to your project requirements. Interacting with the Ethereum network involves sending transactions and interacting with deployed smart contracts. Familiarize yourself with the framework provided tools and APIs for contract interaction. 

Conclusion

Whether you opt for Truffle’s simplicity, Embark’s rapid prototyping capabilities, Hardhat’s developer-friendly toolkit, or Brownie’s Python-based approach, each framework offers unique features and benefits tailored to different developer preferences and project requirements. By embracing these frameworks and following best practices for Ethereum development, beginners can unlock their potential to contribute to the ever-growing Ethereum ecosystem and create innovative decentralized applications.

The Impact of Climate Change on Oil Trading

 Climate change has been a widely discussed topic over the past few decades due to its significant impact on various aspects of our lives. The effects of climate change are global and affect not only the environment but also our economies, including the trading of commodities such as oil. If anyone is interested in trading oil, they can click here.

As one of the largest global markets, the oil trading industry is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and changing sea levels all affect the production, transportation, and trading of oil. These factors can cause disruptions in supply chains, increase operational costs, and pose risks to the safety and health of workers in the industry.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

To mitigate the effects of climate change, the oil trading industry is taking measures to become more sustainable. Many companies are investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to reduce their carbon emissions. Others are exploring new technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, to reduce their carbon footprint..

The Link Between Climate Change and Oil Trading

The relationship between climate change and oil trading is multi-faceted and intricate. On one hand, the production and consumption of oil are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which are the primary cause of climate change. On the other hand, climate change is also having a significant impact on oil trading in several ways.

One of the most notable effects of climate change on oil trading is the growing demand for renewable energy sources. As more countries and companies are committing to reducing their carbon footprint, the demand for oil is expected to decline in the upcoming years. This shift in demand is already being felt in the oil industry, with many companies diversifying their investments to include renewable energy sources.

Another impact of climate change on oil trading is the escalating risk of supply chain disruptions due to extreme weather events. Storms, floods, and wildfires can damage oil infrastructure and disrupt transportation routes, affecting the supply of oil and leading to higher prices. This vulnerability of the oil industry to climate-related disruptions highlights the need for proactive measures to manage risks associated with climate change.

The Response of the Oil Industry

The oil industry is facing mounting pressure to address its impact on climate change, and many companies have committed to reducing their carbon footprint and transitioning to a more sustainable future. In response, the industry is investing in renewable energy sources as one way to combat climate change.

Oil companies are now diversifying their portfolios to include solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy. This shift is driven not only by environmental concerns but also by economic considerations, as renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. Investing in them can provide a stable revenue stream for oil companies in the long term.

Another way that the oil industry is responding to climate change is by implementing measures to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes investing in technologies that reduce emissions during the production and transportation of oil, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and more efficient transportation methods. By implementing these measures, the industry hopes to minimize its environmental impact while still meeting the growing demand for energy.

Conclusion

Climate change has had a significant impact on the oil trading industry. With the global push towards sustainability, there is a growing demand for alternative energy sources, leading to a decrease in the demand for oil. This has put immense pressure on the oil industry to adapt to this changing landscape.

However, the oil industry has recognized the need to mitigate the effects of climate change and transition towards a more sustainable future. Many companies are investing heavily in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, they are implementing various measures such as carbon capture and storage technologies to minimize their impact on the environment.

This transition towards sustainability not only reduces the industry’s environmental impact but also creates a more stable future for itself. As the demand for alternative energy sources grows, companies that adapt and invest in renewable energy will likely have a competitive advantage in the market.

10 Women researchers from India & 2 from Germany to be supported to participate & collaborate in R&D&I projects under IGSTC

 Ten women researchers from India and Two from Germany were awarded under ‘Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research’ (WISER) programme to promote women researchers in India/Germany to participate and collaborate in ongoing R&D and innovation projects on the occasion of 13 Foundation day of IGSTC (Indo-German Science and Technology Centre). They will receive financial assistance and will not need to apply for fresh project grants in partnering countries.

“Research efforts should be directed towards contributing to society and making a positive impact on people’s lives,” said S.K. Varshney Head of International Cooperation Division (ICD) at the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Co-chair of IGSTC at the inauguration of the programme.

Stephan Grabherr, Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Delhi, highlighted the significance of collaborations between industries and universities and stressed the need for fostering strong partnerships and knowledge-sharing between these two spheres.

R Madhan, Director, IGSTC emphasized the significant programs and achievements that have fostered a strong partnership between India and Germany while Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and Chief Guest for the occasion emphasized on the significance of increasing the representation of women scientists and ensuring a proportional number of women-led projects for fostering inclusivity and diversity within the scientific fraternity.

IGSTC celebrated its 13th Foundation Day event on 14th June, 2023 to highlight its achievements and its role in promoting the Indo-German Science and Technology partnerships since its inception in the year 2010.

Industrial Fellowships-2023 Awards were given to 20 young Indian researchers from leading academic and research institutions spread across India. While, this fellowship provides exposure to young Indian researchers at German Industrial ecosystems and applied research Institutions for 06-12 months, the WISER program facilitates lateral entry of women for perusing research in Science and Technology, create avenues for long term Indo-German research collaborations and enhance capacity building & networking.

Mr. Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, German Engineering Federation (VDMA) in India also participated as guest of honour.

IGSTC also organised an outreach event on the day which was attended by scientists, academicians from around 30 Institutions in and around Delhi wherein the attendees were briefed about available opportunities at IGSTC for Indo-German collaboration in S&T. The success stories of IGSTC programmes were also presented during the event.

The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC),  a bilateral institution established by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Government of Germany to promote Science and Technology collaboration with a focus on applied research and technology development, has supported 54 applied research projects on various thematic areas, 55 bilateral workshops, capacity building through 82 Industrial & early career fellowships, 23 WISER fellowships for Women researchers and small ignition funding for 07 projects.

The main focus of IGSTC over the years has been to provide a networking platform between the Indian and the German researchers/Industry personnel and has connected around 6300 + researchers / Industry personnel through its various programmatic activities.

SNC

Parliamentary Goodwill Delegation

  by Shashikant Nishant Sharma 

As part of celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brazil, and as a follow-up to the meeting between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Brazil, Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the side-lines of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines, Shri. Pralhad Joshi led a 10-member Parliament goodwill delegation to Brazil from June 11 to 13, 2023.

Shri G Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs stated that this was the first Goodwill Delegation of Parliament and the visit underscores the high importance that India places on its relations with Brazil, a strategic partner since 2006.

 During their visit, the delegation paid homage to the busts of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of the shared democratic values and peace between India and Brazil, situated at the heart of the city parks of Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

On 13 June, the delegation held a meeting with Mr. Rodrigo Otavio Soares Pacheco, the President of the Federal Senate, Upper House of Brazilian Parliament. The exchange during the meeting was a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and Brazil, underlined by mutual understanding and cooperation. Mr Pacheco also thanked and accepted the invitation from Hon’ble Minister to visit India leading a delegation of parliamentarians.

The delegation also met Senator Nelson Trad, President of the India-Brazil Friendship Front, and other prominent members of the Front. This interaction laid the foundation for a further deepening of the diplomatic ties between the two nations.

This was followed by a productive meeting with Mr Marcos Pereira, Dy. President of the Congress and Federal Deputy Vinicius Carvalho, President of the India-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group, and several of its distinguished members.

During the visit, both sides expressed their satisfaction over the significant increase in bilateral trade over the past two years. The total bilateral trade surged by an impressive 115% from US$7.05 billion in 2020 to US$15.20 billion in 2022. This emphasis on strategic trade expansion reflects the commitment of both nations to forging a mutually beneficial partnership, driving economic development, and bolstering diplomatic ties.

During the course of the visit in both Rio de Janeiro and Brasília, the Minister Shri Joshi met with members of the Indian community residing in Brazil. He updated them on India’s swift socio-economic development, highlighting the various policy initiatives by the government that have contributed to this progress. The meetings offered an opportunity for community members to better understand and connect with the ongoing growth story of India, further strengthening the bond between the Indian diaspora and their motherland.

Ambassador Suresh Reddy noted that this visit by the Goodwill Delegation from the Indian Parliament marks a significant step in the rich history of India-Brazil bilateral relations. He stated that while, reinforcing our shared commitment to democratic values and paving the way for enhanced collaboration in various fields, the visit is also expected to facilitate visits of Parliamentary delegations from the Senate and Congress to India.

****

IIAS Annual Conference 2025

 India expressed its willingness to host the 2025 IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences) Annual Conference at Kochi, Kerala, in February, 2025. The IIAS established in 1930, is a federation of member States, national sections and academic research centres jointly elaborating public administration solutions to the policy challenges of the day with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The decision of the Government of India was conveyed in the meeting of the Council of Administration by V.Srinivas, Secretary Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in a virtual meeting today. The 2025 Annual Conference of IIAS would be attended by 30 Member Countries, 18 National Sections and over 50 IIAS Universities/ Institutes of Public Administration in Member Countries.

The Indian statement to the IIAS Council of Administration said the following:

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances is an institutional member of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences IIAS since 1998. As a nation deeply committed to Multilateralism, Democracy, Meritocracy and Good Governance, India has under Prime Minister Modi, pursued far-reaching administrative reforms under the policy maxim “Maximum Governance–Minimum Government”. As an institutional member of IIAS, India has contributed significantly to the deliberative democracy, research publications, fiscal processes of budget/ audit through the institutional mechanisms of the Council of Administration and the Finance Committee.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Governance landscape of India has radically changed in scale, scope and learning paradigms. India has succeeded in building modern-day digital institutions which benefit millions of Indians with e-services and digital public infrastructure. In its 75th year of independence, being celebrated as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Prime Minister Modi has given a clarion call for adoption of Next Generation Reforms by bridging the gap between government and citizens under the theme Viksit Bharat. This vision of Next Generation administrative reforms of Prime Minister Modi has been diligently translated into a reality by DARPG. Secretariat Reforms, Benchmarking of Governance, Redressal of Public Grievances & Improving Service Delivery, Recognizing Meritocracy and Replication of good governance practices form the core of India’s good governance model.

The organizational reforms coupled with significant reforms in Personnel Administration represent a paradigm shift in India’s governance models. New India’s strong institutions are best symbolized by adoption of e-governance practices. The best manifestation of “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government” policy is a “Digitally Empowered Citizen” and a “Digitally Transformed Institution”. In accordance with India’s governance model, the theme for 2025 IIAS Annual Conference at Kochi is proposed as “Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering the Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile”.

In 2023, India will be hosting the G-20 Leaders’ Summit and the SCO Leaders’ Summit. Over 200 meetings of G20 engagement groups/ working groups/ ministerial meetings are being conducted in 56 cities under the theme “Vasudhiava Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future”. As the world’s largest democracy and amongst the most digitally advanced Nations in the world, India brings forth its unique experience of hosting important bilateral/multilateral summits backed by decentralized/ functional governance models. India has always viewed the IIAS as an important institution for international relations in public administration. The IIAS 2025 Conference in Kochi would represent a significant milestone for India’s pursuit of next generation administrative reforms.

India extends a warm and hearty welcome to all the 2025 IIAS Annual Conference delegates to visit Kochi. The conference dates and agenda would be worked out in consultation with the IIAS Secretariat. The Director General Indian Institute of Public Administration and Member of the Research Advisory Committee of IIAS would support DARPG in formulating the research agenda for the 2025 IIAS Conference at Kochi. India looks forward to host an inclusive and successful conference and envisage cordial and constructive collaboration with the IIAS in the run up to 2025.

Law Commission of India solicits views & ideas of the public and recognized religious organizations about Uniform Civil Code

 The 22nd Law Commission of India is inter alia examining the Uniform Civil Code, a reference sent by the Ministry of Law & Justice.

Initially the 21st Law Commission of India had examined the subject on Uniform Civil Code and solicited the views of all the stakeholders through its appeal along with a questionnaire dated 07.10.2016 and further public appeals/notices dated 19.03.2018, 27.03.2018 and 10.4.2018. Pursuant to the same, overwhelming responses have been received by the Commission. The 21st Law Commission has issued the consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” on 31.08.2018. Since more than three years have been lapsed from the date of issuance of the said Consultation Paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also the various Court orders on the subject, the 22nd Law Commission of India considered it expedient to deliberate afresh over the subject. 

Accordingly, the 22nd Law Commission of India decided again to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and recognized religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code. Those who are interested and willing may present their views within a period of 30 days from the date of Notice through “click here” button or by Email at membersecretary-lci[at]gov[dot]in to the Law Commission of India.

************

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

 The question of whether India needs a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a complex and debated topic. Here are some reasons that I wish to share in favor of implementing a UCC in India:

  1. Equality: UCC will ensure equality and non-discrimination among citizens, irrespective of their religion. India is a diverse country with multiple personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption based on religious affiliation. Implementing a UCC would provide a common set of laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of their religion, promoting equality before the law.

  2. Women’s Rights: UCC will help address gender inequality prevalent in personal laws. Some religious laws in India, such as those governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance, have been criticized for being discriminatory against women. A UCC could potentially ensure equal rights and protections for women across all communities, safeguarding their fundamental rights and promoting gender justice.

  3. Social Cohesion: India is a secular and diverse nation with a multitude of religions and faiths. The existence of different personal laws based on religious affiliations may create divisions and hinder social cohesion. Implementing a UCC could foster a sense of national unity by providing a common legal framework that applies to all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

  4. Simplification and Efficiency: Currently, the existence of different personal laws can lead to complexity and confusion in legal matters, particularly in cases involving interfaith marriages or inheritance across different religious communities. A UCC could simplify the legal process, reducing administrative burden, and making it easier for citizens to navigate legal matters.

It’s important to note that the implementation of a UCC in India is a highly sensitive and debated issue. The diverse religious and cultural fabric of India should be respected, but laws should be uniform for all citizen of the country. 

India's Creative Economy showcased at the Annecy International Animation Festival in France

 Annecy, June 14, 2023: India is participating at the The Annecy International Animation Festival (AIAF) for the first time this year. An Indian delegation led by the Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Shri. Apurva Chandra with eminent personalities of the animation industry have been showcasing India’s prowess in creating animation and VFX content for global audiences at the AIAF. 

India has lately emerged as a preferred destination of VFX and animation content for global production houses. The animation and VFX market in India was pegged to be valued at Rs 109 billion in 2021, with the VFX business alone amounting to Rs 50 billion. This figure is expected to grow to Rs 180 billion by 2024 according to a E&Y report. India’s participation at Annecy therefore assumes greater importance as the country showcases its abilities in the sector to international buyers. 

Speaking about India’s participation, Shri. Chandra said, “The Animation, Gaming, Visual Effects and Comics (AVGC) Sector in India is making progress with the adoption of world-class techniques and innovative technologies, coupled with a pool of immensely talented professionals. India is one of the few countries providing cash incentive to foreign companies for making AVGC content in India. The incentives are the same as for shooting films in India. This is a huge opportunity for companies to benefit from this. As a country, we are committed to providing incentives to the industry, as well as supporting pre and post-production activities in India.” 

At the festival, Shri. Chandra met Michael Marin, director of AIAF and discussed the possibilities of strengthening India’s engagement at Annecy and the potential of collaboration between India and France to host an animation film festival in India. Shri. Chandra inaugurated the India Pavilion, which has been designed on the theme of the Saraswati Yantra and also interacted with the Indian creative community who have won entries in the prestigious Annecy festival competition in 2023. Young creators Arvind Jeena, Nikita Prabhudesai Jeena, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya, Kalp Sanghvi along with industry seniors such as Saraswati Vani Balgum, Kireet Khurana, Biren Ghosh, Anil Wanvari and Anne Doshi, among others, were present at the festival. 

Besides, Shri. Chandra interacted with delegates from other countries and the discussions centred around the various initiatives of the Ministry with regards to the AVGC sector, the incentives given by the Indian Government for ease of business in the sector. 

World Blood Donor Day

 “Blood donation is a noble cause and deeply ingrained in our rich culture and tradition of Seva and Sahyog. I implore and call on all citizens to come forward and donate blood as part of the countrywide Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav. Donating blood is a significant service to society and mankind in addition to fulfilling the requirement for the country.” This was stated by Union Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare, Prof. S P Baghel while inaugurating blood donation camp at RML Hospital, New Delhi today.

The slogan for this year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign is ‘Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often’. It focuses on patients requiring lifelong blood transfusion support and underlines the role every single person can play by giving the valuable gift of blood or plasma.

 

Accentuating the importance of blood donation and Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav, the Union Minister of State, Prof. S P Baghel said, “In India, the demand for blood transfusion arises for every 2 seconds. On an average, 14.6 million blood is needed every year and there is always a shortage of 1 million. Besides lack of understanding and awareness, several myths and facts are associated with a blood donation that could be discouraging healthy people from turning into blood donors. Patients like Cancer patients, Sickle cell anemia and Thalassemia patients, require blood frequently. In every two seconds, someone in India needs blood and one out of every three of us will need blood in our lifetime, he stated. “Despite the technological advancements, there remains no alternative to blood and 1 unit of blood can save as many as three lives’, Prof. S P Baghel noted. Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav aims to increase awareness regarding regular non-remunerated voluntary blood donations and ensure that blood or its components (whole blood/ packed red blood cells/plasma/platelets) are available, accessible, affordable and safe.”

Debunking myths surrounding blood donation, S P Baghel stated that “Blood donation doesn’t cause weakness, this is a misconception. A person has 5 – 6 litres of blood in their body and can donate blood every 90 days (3 months).” Body can recover blood very quickly; blood plasma volume within 24 – 48 hours, red blood cells in about 3 weeks and platelets & white blood cells within minutes. No weakness comes from this, on the contrary, people have to understand that before donating blood, a blood checkup is done before that, and you cannot donate blood before 3 months, blood donation is very important.

Emphasizing on the fact that we need to create awareness about blood donation, he said, “We should understand and teach our future generation about the importance of blood donation and organ donation. He also appealed to the people of the world to donate blood. He also mentioned that we need to spread awareness about debunking the blood donation myths in rural areas, as people in rural areas are still more surrounded by these myths.”

Prof. S P Baghel met the donors at the blood donation camp and appreciated their selfless act of donating blood. He also felicitated the blood donors who donated blood more than 100 times.

He also highlighted the nationwide drive that is supported by the centralised blood bank management information system called, E-Rakt Kosh portal, which acts as a national repository of blood donors. This also ensures a robust record of blood donors and will expedite blood availability when in need.

Link for E-Rakt Kosh Portal:

 https://www.eraktkosh.in/BLDAHIMS/bloodbank/transactions/bbpublicindex.html

*****

PPPININDIA and online portals for India Infrastructure Project Development Funding Scheme (IIPDF) and the Best Practices in Infrastructure

 The Infrastructure Finance Secretariat (IFS) in its endeavour to usher in private investment in infrastructure is constantly introducing interventions to setup an enabling ecosystem for infrastructure development and delivery.

As part of this endeavour, the IFS has revamped its website www.pppinindia.gov.in for its enhanced value to the stakeholders involved in PPP projects. PPPININDIA is a website dedicated to promoting and facilitating Public Private Partnerships in India and helps in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. The website serves as a digital platform that brings together government entities, private companies, investors and entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and innovation for sustainable growth. Through this revamped website, the IFS aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures partnership, encourages investment, and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and resources.

The revamped website will act as a readily accessible repository of Policies, Guidelines, and Model Bidding Documents including Model Concession Agreements for various sectors, Guidance Materials, Reference Documents, etc., including the newly launched Reference Guide for Setting up of State PPP units helping States to create dedicated units for promoting PPP policy, program and projects and Reference Guide for PPP Project Appraisal helping Project Appraisal Authorities (PSAs) in quality appraisal of PPP projects. The website has over 200+ executed Concession Agreements of PPP projects in various sectors. The website also hosts PPP Toolkits which are web-based resources designed to improve decision-making for infrastructure PPPs.

To promote Digital India initiative of the Government of India, the IFS has launched the IIPDF Portal for submitting applications for consideration under IIPDF Scheme. The online portal will allow Sponsoring Authority to apply online under IIPDF scheme that will significantly reduce the processing time, involve less paperwork and help the PSAs to obtain speedy and time bound approvals for the submitted projects. The IFS is also in process of launching similar online portals on this website for submitting online applications for Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee and VGF Scheme.

Additionally, the revamped website hosts Best Practices Portal that contains the best practices in successful implementation of infrastructure projects by the states and central ministries. The best practices are identified inter-alia in terms project implementation, key challenges, success factors, outcomes, and impacts. It has started with a number of identified best practices and the states and central ministries can further upload and showcase their best practices for mutual knowledge exchange and wider implementation. The best practices portal can be accessed on https://www.pppinindia.gov.in/bestpractices.

The revamped website, with its enhanced ease of use and information content will serve as a one stop solution comprehensive website for PPP projects database, PPP knowledge hub, details of upcoming PPP events, workshops and forums where key stakeholders can come together, exchange ideas and forge partnerships.

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G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)

 The third meeting of ‘G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)’ concluded today at Pune. The three days’ agenda of the meeting included the Global DPI Summit and Global DPI Exhibition as the side events and closed-door meetings among the G20 delegates, invited countries and IOs on the priority areas. 

The Global DPI Summit (12-13 June 2023)

The Summit was attended by over 250 delegates in-person, out of which, there are around 150 foreign delegates from 50 countries. More than 2000 persons attended virtually. India signed MoU with four countries namely Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname and Antigua and Barbuda on sharing INDIA STACK i.e. successful digital solutions implemented at population scale.

The summit provided the global platform to discuss sector agnostic (foundational) and sectoral DPIs that inter-alia involved leadership, policy & practitioner level insightful, thought provoking and future shaping discussions among overall 60 Global Experts on DPIs, who participated in 10 important sessions viz. ‘Overview of Digital Public Infrastructure’, ‘Digital Identities for empowering people’, ‘Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion’, ‘DPI for Judicial Systems and Regulations’, ‘Digital Document Exchange for efficient service delivery’, ‘Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for DPI’, ‘Digital Education and Skilling’, ‘DPI for Digital Health and Climate Action’, ‘Digital Agriculture Ecosystem’, and ‘Building the Global DPI Ecosystem’. By providing the global platform on DPI to digital decision makers from 50 Countries and multiple International Organisations, India took the lead and further strengthened its role of acting as a strong bridge between Global North (G20 members) and Global South (Developing and LMIC countries). The recording of the sessions, organised during the Global DPI summit, can be seen at  https://www.indiastack.global/global-dpi-summit/

The Global DPI Exhibition (12-14 June 2023)

The Exhibition showcased 14 experience zones comprising successfully implemented DPIs related to Digital Identity, Fast Payment, DigiLocker, Soil Health Card, E-National Agriculture Market, Unified Mobile App for New-Age Governance, Open Network for Digital Commerce, seamless travel experience at airport, language translation, learning solution, tele-medical consultation, and Digital India Journey. It was visited by the delegates attending the summit and G20 DEWG meeting. The people from the city of Pune comprising professionals, youth and senior citizens also visited the exhibition.

The Closed-Door Meeting of G20 DEWG (13-14 June 2023)

The closed-door meeting of G20 DEWG meeting began on 13 June 2023 with participation of 77 foreign delegates from G20 Members, 9 Guest Countries, 5 International Organizations and two Regional Organisations. The discussion under Indian Presidency was led by Shri Sushil Pal, Co-Chair G20 DEWG.  In the meeting, discussions were held on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the concept of “One Future Alliance & One Future Fund’ for DPI, enabling principles for good DPI, and recognition of the need for financing opportunities for DPI in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Thereafter, Digital skilling, upskilling and reskilling,  capacity building & awareness , building a mutual recognition framework for digital skills and information sharing  were discussed.

On the last day of the meeting i.e. 14 June 2023, the security for a safe, resilient and trusted digital economy and various aspects such as capacity building for children & youth, and countering potential security threats were deliberated.

Over the last three days, several cultural programmes were organised, and the delegated were treated with the experience of Indian culture, Indian cuisine, Indian arts, Yoga, and folk forms of India. Government of India acknowledges and thanks the state Government of Maharashtra for providing full support and coordination in organizing  this event.

As a next step, the fourth in-person meeting of Digital Economy Working Group and Digital Economy Minister’s Meeting is planned to be organised in the month of August, 2023 at Bengaluru, Karnataka.

 

LT GEN PS BHAGAT MEMORIAL LECTURE” ORGANISED BY THE INDIAN ARMY AT MANEKSHAW CENTRE

 The Indian Army has organised the first “Lieutenant General P S Bhagat Memorial Lecture” on “Legacy of Lt Gen Prem Bhagat- A Visionary and Strategic Leader”, under the aegis of United Service Institution of India (USI) at Manekshaw Centre on 14 June 2023. The lecture was conducted as part of “Lt Gen PS Bhagat Memorial Chair of Excellence instituted at USI, by General Manoj Pande, COAS on 14 October 2022.

General VP Malik (Retd), Former Army Chief delivered a keynote address during the lecture, in which he gave many anecdotes from the legacy of Lt Gen Bhagat from his early days as a Second Lieutenant to till his demise while working as Chairman of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff, Former Chiefs General VN Sharma (Retd) and General M M Naravane (Retd) attended the event along with senior veterans and serving officers and civilians to draw inspiration from the legacy of Lt Gen Bhagat, whose charisma has left an indelible mark on the history of the Indian Army.

Speaking on the occasion, the Army Chief mentioned that “Late Lt Gen PS Bhagat who served as the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the re-raised Northern Command was an outstanding professional and a prolific writer”. The Army Chief recounted that “as a young second lieutenant, Lt Gen Bhagat was the first Indian soldier to have been awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross in World War II, while clearing minefields, under enemy fire, with his vehicle encountering a mine explosion thrice, sustaining an ear drum puncture, yet going about his task relentlessly for 96 hours, without break.” He also fondly mentioned the tale in which Lt Gen Bhagat as Army Commander at Lucknow in September 1971, saved the Lucknow city by pushing the trucks loaded with stones and boulders to plug the flow

through the breach on the Gomti River, for which local newspapers captioned him as “the saviour of Lucknow”, in next day’s headlines.

The next edition of memorial lecture is scheduled to be conducted in April 2024, in which Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd), Hon’ble Governor of Arunachal Pradesh has kindly consented to deliver the keynote address.

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Maharaja’s Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection’ at NGMA Mumbai

 An art exhibition titled ‘Maharaja’s Treasure: Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection’ hosted by the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, under the Union Ministry of Culture was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday (June 13, 2023) evening.  The inimitable exhibition has been curated to focus on the works that Air India used to redefine the air travel experience and showcasing paintings and sculptures by eminent artists like VS Gaitonde, GR Santosh, KH Ara, B Prabha, Pilloo Pochkhanwala, MF Husain and Raghav Kaneria et al. The in-house curated exhibition of NGMA consists of thematic display of around 200 artworks.  It will continue till the 13th of August, 2023 at the prestigious Nation Gallery of Modern Art in Fort, Mumbai.

Speaking on the occasion, MoS Meenakshi Lekhi said, “It’s truly a Maharaja’s collection as 80 years of the Air India story gets to be depicted through paintings and art-pieces. The Minister said, we are grateful to Air India for providing patronage to artists when they were looking for it. Artists always require patronage to look after themselves. Artists have an element of God in themselves because they are always competing with themselves to do better and better and upskill themselves, added the Minister. She said, we need to be proud of and understand our traditions, especially at a time when the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. “Only when we take pride in who we are, can we promote art and craft”, the Minister stated. Speaking about the exhibition, MoS (Culture) also said that a 80 years story of India which is truly Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav needs to be told multiple times at multiple places.

The MoS for Culture and External Affairs said that India always was a rich nation in arts, crafts and culture and continues to be so. She said that we see a ‘Vikas Ki Virasaat’ today because of infrastructural works going on in the country, but simultaneously the Government is putting equal emphasis on cultural heritage of the country. The Minister said that PM has been very focussed on his deliveries and plan of action related to promotion of all forms of art and culture, setting up a few museum, preservation and conservation of cultural heritage and also setting up of new heritage universities. 

The Director, NGMA Mumbai, Nazneen Banu said, consequent to the Government’s decision to disinvest its stake in the Air India, it was decided to handover the Air India collection of arts and artefacts to the Ministry of Culture which is to be housed at the National Gallery of Modern Art for posterity. The impressive diversity and broad spectrum of Air India collection today makes it unique which holds unparallel position in the history of any commercial airline.

MoS (Culture) Smt. Lekhi also ceremonially released the exhibition catalogue of ‘Maharaja’s Treasure – Select Works of Art from the Famed Air India Collection’ on the occasion. The evening was dotted with the presence of artists and art connoisseurs from the world-over. Seen at the do were artists Dr. Saryu Doshi, Pheroza Godrej, Brinda Miller, Nayanaa Kanodia, Vipta Kapadia, Nandita Desai, Paramesh Paul, Vishwa Sahni, Sonu Gupta, theatre personality Raell Padamsee among others. The evening also saw stunning Kathak and Lavani performances, specially curated for the exhibition.

Concept Note for the Art-Exhibition:

From its very inception Air India always collected and promoted art from various artistic traditions of India. After independence, traditional patronage for the arts was dwindling, and, in this scenario, Air India played a very important role in commissioning and collecting art. This zeal for art and crafts of India led to the creation of a very image for the airline which tried to capture the opulence and grandeur of the erstwhile era under the maharajas. To give a glimpse to the country’s rich artistic heritage, the company started displaying and decorating its booking houses, pavilions and lounges with its impressive art collection that has always captivated the minds of travellers throughout the globe.

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