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90 Heads of Foreign Missions to visit Golden Temple to mark Guru Nanak Jayanti

Heads of Mission in India to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 22.

New Delhi (NVI) More than 90 Resident Heads of Missions based in the national capital are expected to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji, on October 22.

The visit of Heads of Missions is being organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with the Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), an official statement said.

Following the decision by the Union Cabinet to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji throughout the country and across the globe, in a grand and befitting manner, the ICCR has invited heads of foreign missions in New Delhi to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, president, ICCR will accompany the heads of missions.

Guru Nanak Devji’s teachings of love, peace, equality and brotherhood have universal appeal and convey the message of  spirituality, humanity, devotion and truth.

–RB

Japan to launch several health and wellness projects in India

india + japan
File Photo

Tokyo (NVI): Japan is all set to launch a host of projects in India in the realm of health and medical care, including a healthcare innovation network between New Delhi and Tokyo.

This was informed at 1st Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) held here to review the status of ongoing activities under the 2nd Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed on Healthcare and Wellness in October 2018 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan in context of Ayushman Bharat of India and Asia Health and Well-Being Initiative (AHWIN) of Japan.

The Meet was co-chaired by India’s Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan along with Dr. Hiroto Izumi, Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister.

The projects between public/private agencies of both countries involve healthcare logistics, utilization of ICT in tertiary hospital care for improving efficiency of energy use and medical care operations and human resource exchange in the field of emergency medical care and trauma care. 

At the meeting, India also proposed various collaboration project proposals for consideration of Japan that included collaboration in Human Resource Development and cooperation amongst tertiary care centers between India and Japan and collaboration in building Hospital infrastructure through JICA. 

India also mooted collaboration in the field of traditional medicine, especially to recognize Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia. India also proposed collaboration in developing high standard generics and medical devices with the focus on establishing manufacturing units in India under ‘Make in India’ programme and exploring Joint Research collaboration between institutions of both countries in the area of Cancer Research. 

-sb/nad

Army Chief to lead 73rd Infantry Day celebrations 

Indian Army
'The Ultimate Run' organised to mark 73rd Infantry day

New Delhi (NVI): Stage is set for the celebrations of 73rd Infantry day to mark the gallant actions of the Infantry soldiers. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat along with other senior generals of Infantry will lead the event on October 27 at the National War memorial here.  

The veterans of 1971 war involved in the liberation of Bangladesh led by Maha Vir Chakra Brigadier VK Berry, Vir Chakra Honorary Captain Vasudevan Bhaskaran and Havildar Kachru Salve will be the representatives at the ceremony.

Every year Indian Army marks Infantry day to commemorate the first engagement with an armed adversary post-independence. In 1947 on this day, in the response to the threat posed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation,  the leading elements of the Indian Army air landed at Srinagar and fought Pakistani tribesmen from the erstwhile North-West Frontier Province gallantly.

Indian Army

‘The Ultimate Run’ or walk of 1.2 km has been organised on October 19 to honour the Next of Kin and disabled soldiers, by ASHA School Children. The event has received an overwhelming response with nearly 7500 participants. 

In an honour to Field Marshal KM Cariappa, a memorial lecture is also being planned at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment on 25 October, to commemorate the selfless contributions of the indomitable Indian Army soldier, who participated in ‘OPERATION MEGHDOOT’. 

Meanwhile, a talk on ‘The Strategic Dimensions of Kashmir Issue, will be delivered by military analyst Maroof Raza followed by the release of commemorative postal stamp ‘Siachen Warrior’.

–PS

Army to conduct Integrated Firepower Exercise in Jaisalmer

Sudarshan Chakra Corps will conduct an Integrated Firepower Exercise in the Rajasthan city of Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer (NVI) The Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Indian Army will conduct an Integrated Firepower Exercise in the Rajasthan city of Jaisalmer.

The two-day drill, from October 20 to 21, will showcase the seamless integration between artillery, armoured and mechanised forces, Army air defence, attack helicopters of Army aviation, Air Force resources as well as the special forces, a Defence Ministry statement said.

The 48 hour long exercise in desert conditions, will demonstrate Indian Army’s capabilities, proficiency and operational preparedness.

The combined arms cohesion will be on display with the integrated employment of Multiple Rocket Launch System, the newly inducted K-9 Vajra (Self Propelled Artillery Gun System) and indigenous Advance Light Helicopter (Weapon Systems Integrated) ‘Rudra’.

Lt Gen SK Saini, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command will be the chief guest.

The exercise will involve fire and manoeuvre which will culminate into an integrated application of firepower assets.

–RB

Boy talks about ‘menstrual hygiene’

Indo-US defence trade to touch $18 bn by year-end: Pentagon

File photo.

Washington (NVI): Sounding a positive note ahead of 9th India-US Defence Technologies and Defence Initiative (DTTI) group meeting in New Delhi next week, US Department of Defence has enthused confidence that bilateral defence trade between the two countries will touch an estimated $18 billion by this year-end.

“The United States is committed to strengthening its partnership with India while furthering military-to-military relationships and cooperation.  Bilateral defense trade, essentially zero in 2008, will reach an estimated $18 billion later this year,” Undersecretary of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment Ellen M. Lord told reporters here on October 18.

“Next week I head to New Delhi to co-chair the Ninth India-U.S. Defense Technologies and Trade Initiative, or DTTI, group meeting with my co-chair, secretary for defense protection, Mr. (Apurva) Chandra.  As the U.S. Department of Defense lead for DTTI, I’m excited to continue working with our Indian major defense partner,” she said.

The U.S. government granted India Strategic Trade Authority Tier 1 designation last August, providing India with greater supply-chain efficiency by allowing US companies to export a greater range of dual-use and high-technology items to India under streamlined processes.  This grants India the same authorisation as NATO allies Japan, South Korea and Australia.  All of these examples show how the United States and India are working bilaterally and in cooperation with other like-minded partners to advance our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.

“I personally have seen an uptick in the pace of movement in India, the willing to — willingness to engage, and we truly are developing some new capabilities together for production in India, as well as to be produced here,” she added.

-nad

Dhal encourages children to live healthy life

Need to have proper dissemination of flood-related alerts: Water Secy

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with Jal Shakti Ministry conducted a national-level workshop on the Management of Floods: Reservoir Management, in New Delhi on October 18.

New Delhi (NVI): While stating that there was need to revisit the policies as climate change has posed new challenges, top official of the Jal Shakti Ministry stressed the need to have proper dissemination of flood-related alerts and transparency in reservoir operations.

Speaking at the national-level workshop on the Management of Floods: Reservoir Management, here on October 18, Secretary of the Ministry Upendra Prasad Singh emphasised the need for judicious operationalization of dams by State authorities based on the data provided by India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Central Water Commission (CWC).

He also said that there was a need to revisit the ‘Rule Curves’ and requested all State governments to undertake the task on priority, an official statement said.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with Ministry of Jal Shakti conducted this workshop.

Member Secretary, NDMA, G V V Sarma, meanwhile, referred to NDMA Guidelines of 2008 and 2010, which elaborated a number of action points by various agencies and State governments.

He urged all stakeholder agencies and State governments to coordinate their efforts towards improved reservoir management in the country.

He also called upon State Governments and agencies responsible for management of reservoirs to correlate the rainfall prediction data with ‘Rule Curve’ data for operationalizing dams.

Reservoirs store large volumes of water and play an important role in meeting irrigation, hydro power generation and other water needs of communities living in their vicinity. They are one of the most important structural measures for reducing the impact of floods, and their well thought-out operationalization is a pre-requisite to minimizing the frequency, duration and impact of floods in downstream areas.

On the occasion, NDMA made a presentation highlighting the progress made so far, key issues and challenges and the way forward for improving  management of reservoirs for better flood control.

Stakeholders discussed a range of issues pertaining to better management of reservoirs and the role of rainfall prediction, flood forecasting and early warning and wide dissemination of advisories and alerts.

The need to manage gaps in reservoir operations and to remove encroachments on flood plains were also highlighted. Moreover, State governments presented case studies on the management of dams.

It was decided to work towards an operational mechanism that would ensure timely exchange of information among all stakeholders so that reservoir operation during floods can be better regulated, based on advanced forecasting techniques.

NDMA members, senior officials from IMD, CWC, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), representatives of State Governments and the civil society participated in the event.

–RB

India to become largest energy growth market by 2020

EESL Energy Solutions

New Delhi (NVI): India’s energy demand grew by 4 per cent in 2018, outpacing the global demand of 2.3 percent, and is expected to surpass China as the world’s largest energy growth market by 2020, according to International Energy Agency.

Meanwhile official sources in India say New Delhi continues to progress impressively towards achieving its target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, to include 100 GW of solar power, 60 GW of wind power, 10 GW of biomass, and 5 GW of small hydropower.  The national electric grid in India has an installed capacity of 362.12 GW as of 30 September 2019.

Additionally, India’s Railway Ministry has also decided to electrify its entire broad-gauge network.  And hence India recently made a 2027 forecast, which aims to have a renewable energy installed capacity of 275 GW, in addition to 72 GW of hydro-energy, 15 GW of nuclear energy and nearly 100 GW from “other zero emission” sources.  This will require $50 billion more in investments, according to data available on the websites of Power Ministry and Indian Railways.

India continues to display a steady growth in the demand for electricity. In anticipation of rising demand, the Government of India has announced several energy initiatives aimed at building power generation capacity, promoting energy efficiency, and increasing clean energy sources in the overall power mix.  The primary energy consumption in India grew by 7.9% in 2018 and is the third biggest after China and USA with 5.8% global share.

Currently, India has an installed power generation capacity of 356 gigawatts (GW), making it the fifth largest producer in the world.  Coal continues to dominate the energy mix, but its share is declining as renewable energy sources increase their percentage share, according to information available on the website of India’s power ministry.

Once a government-led sector, India’s power generation is seeing increased participation from the private sector which made a 45 percent contribution in 2018.

The energy policy of India is largely defined by the country’s expanding energy deficit and increased focus on developing alternative sources of energy, particularly nuclear, solar and wind energy. India ranks 81 position in overall energy self-sufficiency at 66% in 2014.

-nad

India peddles its Soft Power in Phillippines

Filipino children who underwent liver transplant in India

Manila/New Delhi: Peddling its soft power and taking people-to-people contact in Phillippines to a new level, India on October 19 embarked on a series of humane engagements in Manila with its first citizen interacting with Filipino parents whose babies underwent liver transplant in India and distributing ‘Jaipur Foot’ to Filipino amputees.

“Delighted to interact with Filipino parents whose babies underwent liver transplant in India. This is an example of how India-Philippines ties incorporate a strong human connection. May these adorable babies have a healthy and blessed future. My best wishes to their parents too,” the President of India Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.

President of India listened to stories of liver transplantation performed on Filipino infants by Indian doctors at Max and Apollo hospitals to cure Biliary Atresia. Members of local chapter of FICCI are supporting poor patients to meet treatment cost, said Ministry of External Affairs in a tweet.

“Indian medical institutions are working with their counterparts in the Philippines to see how the success rate as well as the costs of similar transplant in the Philippines could be brought down,” the President tweeted, adding “I am delighted that India’s engagement with Philippines has brought people’s causes and life-giving projects within its expanding ambit.”

Meanwhile, President Kovind also visited Mahaveer Philippine Foundation Inc. which distributes free ‘Jaipur Foot’ to Filipino amputees. “The NGO, which receives grant of Government of India, has 3 centres in Philippines and has so far helped more than 15,000 amputees since its inception in 1989,” Ministry of External Affairs said in a tweet on October 19.

President Kovind welcomed initiative of Philippines to explore its pre-colonial linkages with India. Two countries will set up a group of experts to research & document their ancient ties. Laguna copper plate inscription discovered in Philippines bears influence of Pallava script.

-nad

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