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Varied facets of Indian culture come alive at national cultural fest

rashtriya sanskrit mohatsav
Rashtriya Sanskrit Mohatsav

Jabalpur (NVI): A host of leading artistes and artisans from across India joined hands to showcase different facets of Indian culture as a national cultural bonanza was unleashed in the form of 10th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative here in Madhya Pradesh on October 14.

The event is being organised by Union Ministry of Culture from 14th to 21st October 2019. Lalji Tandon, Governor of Madhya Pradesh inaugurated the Mohatsav at Mahakoshal Shaheed trust, Gol Bazaar here.  

Renowned artistes like Suresh Wadkar, Pandit Wishwa Mohan Bhatt, Sabri Brothers, Shovna Narayan, Roopkumarand Sonali Rathore, Saroja Vaidyanathan, Vikku Vinayaka Ram, Dr Satinder Sartaj, Anuradha Pal, Geeta Mahalik, RonuMajumdar, Preeti Patel, Malini Awasthi, Tanushree Shankar and Anuradha Paudwal and many more are part of this major cultural festival.

Local artistes under the theme of Mati Ke Lal have also been invited to share the stage. The Mahotsav would showcase cultural facets of Assam, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Leh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal etc. 

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was conceived in the year 2015 and after the grand success of the First Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav in November-2015, the Ministry of Culture decided to organize it with an intent to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Country in all its rich and varied dimensions, viz Handicrafts, Cuisine, Painting, Sculpture and Performing Arts-Folk, Tribal, Classical and Contemporary- all in one place. Ministry has organised 9 RSMs So far.

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister on 31st October, 2016 to promote engagement amongst the people of different States/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.

(sb)

 

Big respite for J&K people as post-paid mobile services resume

Govt issues fake CoWIN App alert, warns citizens to not download
File photo

Srinagar/New Delhi (NVI): In a big respite to people of Jammu and Kashmir reeling under unprecedented communication lockdown since August 7 abrogation of special status to the state, the post-paid mobile phone services were restored on the state-run BSNL from noon on October 14.

The move will benefit 40 lakh post-paid mobile phone subscribers, particularly businessmen and those belonging to tourism industry. Mobile internet and broadband still continue to be blacked out in the Valley. Over 20 lakh prepaid mobile phones, and mobile and other internet services will remain deactivated for now.

The decision to restore mobile phone services comes days after Jammu and Kashmir Governor announced the withdrawal of security advisory for tourists from 10 October. The administration had also said that tourists desirous of visiting the region will be provided with the necessary assistance and logistic support.

J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal had on October 12 said: “Having reviewed the situation, a decision has now been taken to restore mobile phone services in the remaining areas of Jammu and Kashmir. All post-paid mobile services, irrespective of the telecom operator will stand restored and be functional from noon, Monday, 14 October, 2019. This will cover all 10 districts of Kashmir province.”

All network and landline connections were suspended across Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August, in view of security concerns in the region following Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370.

Although the landline network was restored in phases, restrictions remained on the usage of mobile devices in various parts of the Valley.

“Since 16 August there has been a gradual removal of the restrictions and by the first week of September most restrictions were removed, barring 8-10 police stations movement restrictions have now been completely removed. Over 99 per cent of the area of Jammu and Kashmir has absolutely no restriction on movement,” Kansal had said.

The Central government had on August 7 abrogated the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and also bifurcated the state into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

–(PS/Nad)

Govt brings together over 100 companies for Rozgar Mela

rozgar mela
Skill India Rozgar Mela

 

Bikaner: As part of efforts to dissipate the job market gloom, the Government recently brought together more than 100 companies across more than 10 high economic growth sectors to partake in one of the largest ever 2-day Skill India Rozgar Mela here. Close to 7500+  job aspirants attended the mela and more than 2000 of them were offered jobs. .

.The success of the Mela comes in the backdrop of the latest Annual Survey of Industries data confirming a slow but steady recovery in factory jobs since 2013. This encouraging set of data from India’s largest factory database seems to have gone largely unnoticed amid rising concerns about an intensifying economic slowdown.

The Mela was organized by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the Seth Tolaram Bafna Academy in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The provisional Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) numbers for the fiscal year ending March 2018, released a couple of weeks ago, show that new jobs for both blue-collar and white-collar workers rose to their highest levels in half a decade in fiscal 2018. The results are based on the annual survey of more than two hundred thousand factories across the country, employing more than 15 million employees.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Mela, Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “our Rozgar Melas have seen some great traction over the last 1.5 years with increased participation from corporate India. We are ensuring that this platform not only provides avenues of employment but also brings awareness to the masses through its ‘Skill Saathi’ programme.”

“I am happy to witness the huge footfall that this Rozgar Mela in Bikaner has seen. The youth of the city and nearing areas have some great potential and commitment to exploring a path to growth for themselves. We assure that the Government will extend the best possible means to empower them as the most skilled workforce.” he added.

Leading corporates like Big Basket, Cardekho.com, Eureka Forbes, Ikya Global, Kotak Mahindra, Reliance Retail, Muthoot Fincorp, SBI Life Insurance, Tafe Limited were a part of the fair and met with prospective employees in an informal setting. More than 2000 candidates were selected in job roles such as Technician, Electrician, Machine Operator, Fitter, Turner, Sales Executive, Delivery Executive, Business Executive, Relationship Officer and Data Entry Operator.

 The Rozgar Mela program is one of the NSDC’s key initiatives for providing vocational training and job opportunities to youth in the country. NSDC works with various stakeholders including industry, institutions, training providers and state governments to organise Rozgar Mela’s to link job seekers with job providers.  In the last 18 months, since April 2018, more than 1088 Rozgar Melas have been organised, that have registered nearly 4.6 lakh candidates, with placement offers being awarded to over 2 lakh youth

(sb/nad)

 

J&K reorganisation will curb terror, promote inclusive growth: Naidu

New Delhi/Sierra Leone (NVI): Seeking to blunt Pakistan’s propaganda on Kashmir, India on October 13 used a bilateral stage in Sierra Leone to appeal to the world community to isolate nations which aid and abet terrorism, and stressed that reorganisation of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir “will curb cross-border terrorism and promote inclusive growth,”.

“Terrorism is one of the major challenges confronting the world today and nations which aid and abet terror should be isolated…All the nations must intensify their collective efforts and strive to eliminate the menace of terrorism. India has borne the brunt of cross border terrorism over decades,” Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu said in a statement after his delegation-level meeting with President of Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.

The Vice President also asked the Indian diaspora in Sierra Leone to effectively counter negative propaganda on J&K.

Naidu while thanking President Bio for Sierra Leone’s support to India’s candidatures in various International organisations, also called for reform in UNSC saying, “We agreed that both sides need to continue pushing for these reforms so that one-third of mankind residing in Africa and India occupy their rightful place at the high table in decision making bodies of the United Nations.”                                                                     (nad)

 

India, Sierra Leone sign 6 pacts, take bilateral ties to new level

vp siera leone
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu with Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

New Delhi (NVI): India and Sierra Leone HAVE signed six  agreements to expand bilateral relations in various fields and also agreed to push for UNSC reforms so that one-third of mankind residing in Africa and India occupy their rightful place in decision making bodies of the UN.

The agreements were signed between Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu who was visiting Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. This was his first ever visit Sierra Leone as part the second and last leg of his tour to African nations.

India has also decided to establish a High Commission in Sierra Leone, even as both the countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, food processing, Information Technology, infrastructure development and capacity building, an official statement said.

The Vice President said that India has a special relationship with Sierra Leone and the friendly ties between the two countries are based on common values and shared vision. He recalled that India was among the first countries to contribute to the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) with the deployment of 4000 strong Indian Military contingent.

Declaring that India’s developmental assistance to Sierra Leone so far aggregated to US$ 217.5 million for various sectors including agriculture, energy, water resources and telecommunication, Naidu announced a Line of Credit to the tune of US$ 30 million for Irrigation development in Tomabum to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production. An agreement was also signed with the EXIM Bank of India in this regard.

He said that decision was taken to reactivate the US $15 million Line of Credit for potable water project.  The Vice President also informed President Bio that India would be happy to offer line of credit for construction of a new President’s Office complex in Freetown.

Highlighting the growing people-to-people linkages between the two countries, Naidu said that India has extended e-Visa facility to Sierra Leone nationals for ease of mobility and both sides are also negotiating a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

siera leone

The Vice President expressed his happiness that Sierra Leone has agreed to participate in the e-VBAB project. 

Naidu also expressed satisfaction at the cooperation between India and Sierra Leone in the field of capacity building, especially under India’s flagship ITEC program.

“One of the MoUs pertained to Sierra Leone participating in India’s Pan-African tele-Education, tele-Medicine initiatives, e-VidyaBharati and e-Arogya Bharati. “India will soon initiate steps to set up a Centre of Excellence in IT in Sierra Leone. India will also be dispatching 1000 MTs of rice to Sierra Leone, as a goodwill gesture, in the coming months,” the Vice President said.

An agreement was also signed to initiate a cultural exchange program between the governments of India and Sierra Leone for the years 2019-23. A protocol for consultation and a MoU between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, government of Sierra Leone and the Foreign Services Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was also signed.

The Vice President expressed his happiness on Sierra Leone joining the International Solar Alliance in which India is playing a leading role to enable rapid deployment of solar energy globally and to facilitate the transfer of technology.

Shri Naidu reiterated India’s offer to conduct a “Jaipur Foot” camp in Sierra Leone under the “India for Humanity” initiative for fitting of artificial prosthetic limbs for the disabled. This is an initiative undertaken in the context of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He also thanked President Bio for releasing a postage stamp on Mahatma Gandhi.  

(sb)

IT raids in Goa reveal Rs 124 cr black money of two companies

INCOME TAX
File Photo

New Delhi/Goa: Income Tax Department has on October 11 detected Rs.124.41crore of undisclosed income and seized Rs 4.39 crore assets in a search operations including multiple raids on two business groups involved in the sale-purchase of hotel resort at Goa.

“Search operations have been concluded. The search resulted in  seizure of undisclosed assets of Rs 4.39 crore comprising undisclosed cash of Rs 2.55 crore and jewellery/valuables worth Rs 1.84 crore.The group made a disclosure of a total amount of Rs 124.41 crore representing undisclosed income and also committed to pay taxes immediately,” an official statement said.

One of the companies currently owns a large property at Goa on which a 5 star resort project is being built. The group is engaged primarily in hotels & hospitality, real estate and construction. The buyer, a Delhi Based group of companies, is into catering, restaurant and hotel business, the statement added.

Hagibis typhoon leaves trail of death and devastation; Modi condoles

New Delhi: The powerful typhoon Hagibis that hit the island nation of Japan has left dozens dead and several injured. Hagibis meaning “Speed” in Philippines language Tagalog, made a landfall on October 12, resulting in heavy rains and windstorms causing flooding and landslides.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of life due to the typhoon. He said that India stands in solidarity with the island nation at this difficult hour.

The PM in a series of tweets said, “I offer condolences on behalf of all Indians on the loss of life caused by super-typhoon #Hagibis in Japan. I wish early recovery from the damage and devastation caused by this natural calamity”.

The PM hoped that the people and the leadership of the Japan would be able to address the aftermath effectively and quickly.

“I am sure that the preparedness and resilience of the Japanese people and the leadership of my friend @AbeShinzo would be able to address the aftermath effectively and quickly. Japan’s preparedness against natural disasters is well appreciated.

India stands in solidarity with Japan at this difficult hour. Personnel of the Indian Navy, in Japan on a scheduled visit, will be happy to assist immediately”.

Meanwhile, hundreds of troops and rescue workers are working to evacuate the stranded people. Due to the heavy rains, rivers are overflowing their banks.

RB

India to get $190 mn loan from ADB to upgrade Rajasthan roads

asain development bank
Asain Development Bank

New Delhi: India will get a loan of $190 million from Asian Development Bank to upgrade 754 kilometres of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) to two-lane or intermediate-lane standards that will benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts of Rajasthan.

Government signed the Tranche 2 loan agreement recently for the Rajasthan State Highway Investment Programme, which will benefit commuters and pedestrians, particularly women and children, with construction of more than 200 bus stops, 70 km of hard shoulder, and 2 km of raised sidewalk on the roads. The Tranche 1 loan of $220 million under the Programme, signed in July 2017, upgraded about 1,000 km of state roads.

The agreement was signed by Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional  Secretary (Fund Bank and ADB), Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India and by Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, on behalf of ADB. 

Khare said after signing the loan agreement that the Tranche 2 roads pass through mostly rural areas of Rajasthan that lack reliable connectivity and will help improve access to health, education facilities and markets leading to increased job opportunities.

“Project will encourage participation of private sector through Hybrid Annuity Mode and engineering procurement construction (EPC) contracts”, Yokoyama emphasised.

The ADB value-addition will consist financing part of the construction costs for the annuity-based public private partnership (PPP) concessions and EPC contracts. It will ensure good governance during project implementation, particularly on procurement and safeguards. 

The annuity-based PPP model attracts private sector financing to address capital investment requirements, where a proportion of initial capital expenditure is paid during construction while the balance is serviced by annuity payments during the operation and maintenance phase. The toll collection rights will remain with the state public works department to bring sustainability in operation and maintenance of the project.

-sb

75 global MoUs signed at first ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’

iictf 2
Piyush Goyal during the closing ceremony of IICTF

New Delhi: In a major boost to Indian cooperative movement, as many as 75 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed on the final day of the first ever 3-day ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’ (IICTF) which was participated by 35 countries here. 

The Fair offered a unique international marketing stage for cooperative-to-cooperative trade within India and abroad and witnessed a footfall of more than 35 thousand besides more than 4 thousand trade enquiries. 

piyush iictf

While addressing the conclusion ceremony, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal called for discipline and professionalism in the cooperative sector. He said the foundation of the cooperative movement was laid by Sardar Patel.

Stating that there should be an International framework for expansion of the cooperatives, Goyal gave ideas on how indigenous and ethnic products produced by cooperatives can be marketed on e-commerce platforms.

Thematic sessions were held on Globalisation of Cooperative Trade, Cooperative Banking and Financial Inclusion, Empowerment of Youth and Women through Cooperatives, Agro-processing Ecosystem through Cooperatives, Agri-Tech and Climate Smart Agriculture through cooperatives, Cooperatives as Cost Effective and Efficient Service providers, Big Data and Cyber Security in Cooperative Sector, Dairy Cooperative Opportunities for Value Addition and Trade and Farm Mechanisation and Inputs Supply- Role of Cooperatives.

Over one billion people around the world are members of one or the other cooperative. More than 12% of humanity is part of any of the 3 million cooperatives in the world. Financial cooperatives serve 13 per cent of the world population while agricultural cooperatives produce 50 per cent of global agriculture output implying immense potential that exists in the sector for global trade.   

-sb

India moots strong cultural ties among BRICS nations

brics
Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel along with his counterparts from BRICS nations in Curitiba, Brazil.

New Delhi: India has mooted and expressed commitment for strong cultural and people-to-people ties among the BRICS nations saying the BRICS has emerged as a valuable forum for consultation, coordination and cooperation on contemporary global issues of mutual interest .

Participating in the BRICS Culture Ministers’ meeting held in Curitiba, Brazil, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel said, “The member countries have witnessed cultural cooperation scaling to new heights, Under the aegis of collaborations in these fields, our institutions have made commendable efforts to organise a number of events in these fields, well participated by all the member states”.

He said that one such event namely joint exhibition titled Bonding Regions & Imagining Cultural Synergies is being hosted by National Gallery of Modern Arts of India under the auspices of the BRICS Alliance of Museums and Art Galleries during November-December, 2019.

“Given the rich cultural heritage and traditions of all members, we share understanding, respect and interest to contribute towards stronger bonds of friendship and cooperation in the fields of arts, museums & galleries, cultural heritage, archives, literature, theatre for children and young people, films and others,” Patel said.

He also informed in the meeting that documents for collaboration in the fields of art galleries, museums, libraries and theatre have been signed in the second meeting held at China in 2017.

Moreover, he proposed to add another field of cooperation under the aegis of BRICS alliance on literature envisaging BRICS Literary Festival to enhance cooperation and exchanges in the field of literature and promoting translation of literary works of famous writers and poets of BRICS nations.

The Minister put forward his thoughts on the Letter of Intention on creative economy in BRICS countries to set milestone in the organisations cultural cooperation.

He requested his counterparts to come together for making committed efforts by agreeing to develop a thorough knowledge of the creative markets of BRICS member states and also encouraging mobility of professionals of creative economy so as to stimulate opportunities.

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