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Government to launch campaign for Women’s Day

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New Delhi (NVI): A campaign for contribution of women in all fields will be launched by the government tomorrow in run up to the International Women’s Day on March 8.

The campaign has 7 themes for each day, beginning from tomorrow, when the Ministry of HRD, in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC), will conduct round tables on women empowerment in about 40 central universities around the nation.

Doordarshan is organising special programmes to honour the contribution of women members of the Indian Constituent Assembly.

A special program by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and hindi films will also be telecast.

DD Kisan will telecast programs on women agriculturists, the role of women in animal husbandry and food processing. The regional units of the News Services Division of All India Radio will also conduct programmes from tommorow.

Roadshows are being organised by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs during this period to educate and inform women on the (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana )PMAY scheme.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is organising camps for women on health and wellness and Anaemia.

India can fill up global market space vacated by China due to Coronavirus: ASSOCHAM

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New Delhi (NVI): India can increase its export shipments to the global market and fill up the space vacated by China due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, according to an ASSOCHAM analysis.

China’s economy, the second largest in the world, has been severely impaired due to the novel coronavirus.

Although, India’s exporters of electronics, pharmaceuticals, speciality chemicals and to an extent automobile depend on China for raw material and are facing supply constraints, but there are several areas where there are increased opportunities as well, according to ASSOCHAM.

“A large number of engineering exports from India can fill up the market vacated by China; so is the case with products like leather and leather goods. Besides, there are several agri-related products and highly employment-intensive sectors like carpets which can be ramped up to meet the global shortfalls caused due to disruptions in China,” ASSOCHAM secretary general, Deepak Sood said.

“We also need to scale up several of our sectors to compete effectively with China even when the Chinese exporters are able to normalise their global supply chain,” Deepak Sood added.

He added that while the health emergency of the scale of Coronavirus, which has been placed in the category of ‘Very High’ risk by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a matter of grave concern for the entire world, “it is incumbent on larger economies like India to fill up the gaps in the global market of merchandise and we need to approach the issue with a clear strategy.”

According to the latest PMI (Purchase Managers’ Index), China’s factory output in February, has plummeted to levels which are the worst in the past two decades and; the consequences are bound to be felt in the global market.

The ASSOCHAM analysis found that while India’s merchandise exports have contracted by 1.93 per cent between April-January period of the current fiscal year, the coming few months can provide our exporters greater market access in the absence of usually aggressive and competitive Chinese suppliers.

“However, since some of our export segments like pharmaceuticals do get impacted due to raw material shortage, advantage in other segments will not accrue in an auto-mode. It has to be acquired by a strategy; and the good thing is that the Commerce and Industry Ministry is seized of the issue and would be engaged with the exporters to assess the ground situation,” the ASSOCHAM secretary general further said.

Indian ports should be more energy-efficient: VP

The Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu with the Chairmen of various Port Trusts

New Delhi (NVI): Indian ports should be made more energy-efficient and environment-friendly to counter climate change, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said today.

Interacting with the chairpersons of major port trusts, during ‘Chintan Baithak’ held by the Ministry of Shipping today, the Vice President appreciated the contributions of India’s 7516 km long coast, its 12 major ports and 200 non-major ports to the nation’s growth.

“India has an excellent opportunity for port-led development as ports were inevitable for exports and imports,” he added.

Naidu also appreciated the Sagarmala port-led development. “It was the best step towards creating greenfield ports, modernizing the existing ports, and also for empowering the coastal community by generating employment opportunities.”

He called upon for developing all Indian ports and said that the creation of world-class infrastructure at ports was important for India become 5 trillion dollar economy.

Govt’s priority to protect interests of all: PM

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that his government’s first priority is to protect the interests of 130 crore citizens and ensure justice for everyone.

He was addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj after distributing rehabilitative devices to nearly 27,000 senior citizens and specially-abled people at the ‘Samajik Adhikarta Shivir’.

“This is the basis for the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwaas’. Our government is working for the welfare & development of each and every person in the society. It is my government’s first priority to protect the interests of 130 crore Indians, be it senior citizens, divyangjan, tribals or the downtrodden,” Modi said.

Referring to the mega camp organised for distribution of medical devices, the Prime Minister said it is a part of the government’s effort to provide better living to all.

“In the last five years, the government has set up about 9,000 camps in different parts of the country,” he added.

“This is the first government which has enacted the ‘Rights of Persons with the Disabilities Act’, through which the categories of disabilities from 7 to 21 have been extended. The quota of reservation for higher education has also been increased for the Divyangjan from 3 per cent to 5 per cent,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that in the last five years, many buildings in the country and more than 700 railway stations and airports have been made accessible to the disabled. The remaining ones will also be made accessible by linking to the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, he added.

In the mega camp, over 56,000 Assistive Aid and Devices of different types will be distributed free of cost to over 26,000 beneficiaries. The cost of these devices is over Rs 19 crore.

Nirbhaya case: Convict files mercy plea

New Delhi (NVI): Akshay Kumar, one of the convicts in 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case has moved a fresh mercy petition, claiming that his earlier petition to the President that was dismissed did not have “all the facts.”

On Friday, another convict, Pawan Kumar Gupta filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court seeking his death sentence be changed to life imprisonment.

Akshay Kumar and the three other convicts including Vinay Sharma, Pawan Kumar and Mukesh Singh are scheduled to be hanged on March 3 in Tihar Jail.

On December 16, 2012, a 23-year-old woman was gang-raped and assaulted inside a moving bus in South Delhi by six persons, before being thrown out on the road. She later died on December 29, 2012, at a hospital in Singapore.

Railways launches its first “Restaurant on Wheels”

Asansol (NVI): Indian Railways has launched its first ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ by transforming old train coaches into eating joints at the circulating area of Asansol railway station in West Bengal.

The eating joints have been refurbished from two overaged MEMU coaches and have been converted into signature restaurants, an official statement said.

This unique effort will not only improve the facilities at Asansol station but also generate non-fare revenue earnings approximately Rs 50 lakhs in the next five years.

The restaurant was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Member from Asansol Babul Supriyo  for the use of Railway passengers as well as general public of the area.

He also inaugurated two new air-conditioned retiring rooms and electronic reservation chart display system (through MPLAD fund) and a Battery operated car here.

The electronic reservation chart display system (through MPLAD fund) will provide easy access to information about the reservation status in different trains, which will be very helpful for the railway passengers.

The two new air-conditioned retiring rooms equipped with the state-of-the-art furniture and other equipment will provide much comfort to the passengers. The battery operated car will be very helpful for the Divyangjan and senior citizen passengers for their comfortable movement at the station area.

 

Tributes paid to Morarji Desai

New Delhi (NVI): Tributes were paid to former Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai on his 124th birth anniversary today.

Born in Bulsar district of Gujarat in 1896, Desai was the Prime Minister between March 1977 and July 1979. The Janata Party leader had succeeded Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister.

“Salutations to former prime minister Morarji Bhai Desai on his birth anniversary. He always did politics based on discipline and principles, for which he will always be remembered,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi along with a brief video today.

Former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament and Secretary-General of Lok Sabha Snehlata Shrivastava paid floral tributes to Morarji Desai, at the Central Hall of Parliament House here.

A booklet containing the profile of Morarji Desai, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, was presented to the dignitaries who attended the function.

Aamir voices concern over coronavirus, Chinese envoy praises him

Aamir Khan
New Delhi (NVI): Indian actor and director Aamir Khan has earned praise from Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong after he voiced his concern, in a video message, over the coronavirus outbreak and the deaths caused by it in China.

Aamir interacted with his Chinese fans through Weibo social media, which is the Chinese version of Twitter.

The actor, who is popular in China, expressed concern over the coronavirus outbreak and advised people to take precautions and follow government’s instructions in “this time of crisis”.

“A very warm hello to all my friends in China. Since I read about the outbreak of coronavirus over there, I have been extremely concerned,” he said in a video message.

“I have been in touch with a few of my friends and I have been following this tragedy with a lot of pain in my heart. My heartfelt condolences to those who have lost somebody close,” Aamir said.

Chinese Ambassador Sun expressed gratitude towards Aamir for his love and support towards the people of China.
https://twitter.com/China_Amb_India/status/1233367393121910784?s=19
“Deeply touched by emotional message from Aamir Khan, movie star & ambassador of love. His support is full of hope, well received in China & reflect our friendship. Believe we will eventually embrace brighter future when Spring flowers bloom across China,” the Ambassador tweeted.

Off-grid solar market industry reaches USD 1.75 bn annual market: Report

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Representative pic of a solar plant

New Delhi (NVI): The off-grid solar industry has grown into a USD 1.75 billion annual market, providing lighting and other energy services to 420 million users and remains on a solid growth curve, a new report said.

According to ‘2020 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends’ report, which was published by World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program in cooperation with Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), finds that the industry has made tremendous strides in the past decade.

“Since 2017, revenues from the off-grid solar industry continue to rapidly grow, increasing by 30 percent annually. To date, more than 180 million off-grid solar units have been sold worldwide and the sector saw USD 1.5 billion in investments since 2012,” it said.

With 840 million people still lacking access to electricity, the growth of the off-grid solar industry is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG7) for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

World Bank Africa, Energy and Extractive Industries and Regional Director, Infrastructure Global Director Riccardo Puliti said the off-grid solar industry is instrumental for achieving universal electricity access.

“We are scaling up our support to client countries by helping them leverage this potential through innovative and financially sustainable solutions,” he added.

According to the report, the sector would need an additional boost of up to USD 11 billion in financing. More specifically, the sector would need to grow at an accelerated rate of 13 percent, with up to USD 7.7 billion in external investment to companies and up to USD 3.4 billion of public funding to bridge the affordability gap.

Global Financial Institutions Group for IFC Senior Director Paulo de Bolle said that only by crowding in commercial finance at scale can we reach the target of achieving universal access by 2030

“We are eager to work with our local bank partners in the more mature off-grid markets where commercial debt can drive the next stage of market growth,” he said.

Trends demonstrate that companies are moving into new geographies and underserved markets as established markets become more saturated. These companies are also shifting towards larger, higher-margin solar home system sales in response to growing consumer demand for appliances and back-up systems.

GOGLA Executive Director Koen Peters said that this report is another confirmation of the significant impact off-grid solar has already achieved, and the massive opportunity that remains going forward.

“The Market Trends Report shares details on where we stand, and where we should be heading next,” he added.

 

Prez wants univ to work for society

Ranchi (NVI): President Ram Nath Kovind today said universities work for upliftment of the downtrodden sections of the society and asked students to spend some time in villages and help the inhabitants there in improving quality of life.

The students can create awareness among the villagers about various welfare initiatives of government, he said, addressing the first convocation of the Central University of Jharkhand here.

Kovind said understanding the importance of social service is necessary not only for nation-building but also for self-determination.

“Everyone should be prepared to repay the debt of society. The entire society contributes in the establishment and operation of a university,” he said.

The President was happy to note that the University has taken the initiative to adopt five nearby villages and has also taken the responsibility of teaching rural children.

He said that many such programs can be run for the people who are relatively left behind in the society.

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