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13 new buildings of KVs inaugurated, foundation stone of 6 laid

kvs
Union HRD Minister inaugurated 13 newly constructed buildings and laid down the foundation stones of 6 KVs

New Delhi: Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated 13 newly constructed buildings and laid down the foundation stones of 6 Kendriya Vidyalayas located in 12 states through Video Conferencing in here on 11th october 2019.

More than 20 thousand students will be benefited with this huge completion of work having a cost investment of more than Rs. 350 crore.

Addressing the 19 locations through video conferencing, the union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said that KVs has become an institution of excellence within the government system and has now been recognized on international platforms. He extended his warm greetings to the concerned Principals, Staff, Parents and Students and local MPs, MLAs and other people’s representatives and stressed that keeping in view this pace KVs will soon become a world class institution.

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     Here is the detailed information about the new KV buildings.

List of 13 KVs where new buildings have been inaugurated:

S.No. Kendriya Vidyalaya District State/UT
1.   KV Golaghat Golaghat Assam
1.   KV Haflong Dima Hasao Assam
1.   KV Tamulpur Baksa Assam
1.   KV Araria Araria Bihar
1.   KV Jaitpur Rajkot Gujarat
1.   KV Viramgaon Ahmedabad Gujarat
1.   KV Kodagu Kodagu Karnataka
1.   KV No. 2 Satna Satna Madhya Pradesh
1.   KV Baitul Baitul Madhya Pradesh
1.   KV Sambalpur Sambalpur Odisha
1.   KV Shivgarh Raibareli Uttar Pradesh
1.   KV Perambalur Perambalur Tamil Nadu
1.   KV Miryalguda Nalgonda Telangana

 

List of 06 KVs where foundation stone has been laid:

S.No. Kendriya Vidyalaya District State
1.   KV Longding Longding Arunachal Pradesh
1.   KV Kavardha Kabirdham Chhattisgarh
1.   KV Girdih Girdih Jharkhand
1.   KV Chennapatna Ramnagar Karnataka
1.   KV Jagatsinghpur Jagatsinghpur Odisha
1.   KV Nizamabad Nizamabad Telangana

 

 

India slams Turkey’s action in Syria

raveesh kumar
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar

New Delhi: India has condemned the unilateral military offensive by Turkey in north-east Syria, saying it will undermine stability in the region and fight against terrorism.

India said Turkey’s action has the potential for causing humanitarian and civilian distress, a concern echoed by the International Red Cross Society (ICRC) which said civilian infrastructure should not be targeted.

“India is deeply concerned at the unilateral military offensive by Turkey in north-east Syria. Turkey’s actions can undermine stability in the region and the fight against terrorism,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a statement.

“We call upon Turkey to exercise restraint and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We urge the peaceful settlement of all issues through dialogue and discussion,” he added.

India’s statement against Turkey’s action assumes significance as Istanbul has been criticizing the developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the International Red Cross Society (ICRC), in a statement on October 11, said “Those who are taking part in the fighting in Syria are reminded that they are obliged by law to spare civilians and all others not taking part in the hostilities, including detainees and all those fleeing from the fighting.”

“All zones should be safe for civilians and anyone else not directly taking part in the fighting. That’s a basic tenet of international humanitarian law,” said Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s director for the Near and Middle East.

Civilian infrastructure must not be targeted during hostilities. Unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including medical services, must be granted. Humanitarian and medical personnel, including those displaying the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem, must be protected and respected. And all detainees must be treated humanely.

With thousands of people fleeing areas affected by hostilities, the ICRC is now trying to assess and respond to new needs that have emerged.

In the north-east of Syria (Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor governorates), more than 100,000 displaced people are currently being hosted in camps. There are over 68,000 people living in Al Hol camp alone—two thirds of whom are children— where the ICRC jointly runs a field hospital along with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent with support of the Norwegian Red Cross.

The ICRC has been visiting people in camps and detention places — Syrians, Iraqis and other third-country nationals – while doing its best to support this population in dire need of humanitarian services. Some of the camps visited in the northeast of Syria contain large numbers of foreign women and children.

India’s economic woes continue, industrial output falls by 1.1% in August

Business

New Delhi: India’s economic woes continued unabated as the country’s industrial output fell by -1.1 per cent month-on-month (MoM) in August while exports contracted 1.7 per cent for April-June period, according to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data released by the government.

Manufacturing output, which accounts for more than three-fourths of the entire index, fell to -1.2 per cent in August, in contrast to a 4.2 percent rise in July. Mining grew 0.1 percent in August against a growth of 4.9 per cent in July. 3.   In terms of industries, 15 out of the 23 industry groups in the manufacturing sector have shown negative growth during the month of August 2019 as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year (Statement II), the data shows.

For the April-June period, the eight infrastructure sectors averaged 3.6 per cent growth.

It may be recalled that India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the March quarter slowed to a five-year low of 5.8 per cent, down from 6.6 percent in the December quarter. Annual GDP growth slowed to 6.8 per cent for the year that ended on March 31 from 7.2 percent in the previous year.

Earlier this year, the International Monetary Fund cut India’s gross domestic product growth forecast for 2019-20 by 20 basis points to 7.3 percent, following similar action by the Asian Development Bank and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

This was its first such contraction in 21 months, showing declining momentum of both investment and consumption. Even core industries productions of steel, electricity, coal and cement are falling or have been stagnant in recent quarters.

According to the latest data, the industry group ‘Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers’ has shown the highest negative growth of (-) 23.1 per cent followed by (-) 21.7 per cent in ‘Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.’ and (-) 18.0 percent in ‘Other manufacturing’.On the other hand, the industry group ‘Manufacture of basic metals’ has shown the highest positive growth of 11.8 per cent followed by 11.3 percent in ‘Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials’ and 10.3 percent in ‘Manufacture of wearing apparel’.

Release of the Index for September 2019 will be on Monday, 11 November 2019.

 

Directed by PM, nodal officers take new lessons in disaster management

sensitization
MHA , NDMA organized a workshop on sensitization of Nodal Officers dealing with disaster management

New Delhi: On the directions of PM Narendra Modi, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) organized a two-day workshop on sensitization of Nodal Officers dealing with disaster management in Central Ministries/Departments, here on October 11.

Around 120 senior level officers attended the workshop. This included representatives of Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, disaster management specialists, technical institutions and premium training institutes including NDMA, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

The objectives of this workshop was to sensitize the Nodal Officers on disaster management framework for disaster risk reduction; coherence between Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals and Paris agreement; Global Perspective on Disaster Risk Reduction and preparation of disaster management plans of Ministry/Departments. These plans shall include measures for mitigation, preparedness capacity building and response for effective management of Disasters.

This is an important step towards supporting the initiative for promoting resilient infrastructure systems, which has been taken forward by India in form of Collision for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), recently launched by the Prime Minister during the Climate Action Summit at New York. Integrating disaster resilience into all facets of development is also a critical attribute towards the vision of ‘ease of living’ for all, and a 5 trillion economy by 2024.

In the post 2015 developmental agenda, India has undertaken a series of initiatives and is emerging as a global leader in the field of disaster management. Development and disasters need to go hand in hand and the prime concern be to build disaster resilience for all physical, social, economical and environmental infrastructures, without waiting for a disaster to strike.

All Nodal Officers of Ministries/Departments present in the workshop were encouraged to prepare and periodically update their Disaster Management Plan in line with the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and also to inculcate suitable measures for effective implementing the DM Plan on ground.

With Government’s sustained efforts, significant improvement in the preparedness and response structure of the country to natural calamities has happened. Effective handling of all these disasters is a direct outcome of well coordinated efforts, policy initiatives, enhancement of early warning capabilities, advance preparation, training, capacity development and synergy between and amongst the Central Government Ministries/Departments with their counterparts in State Governments. There is a need to keep up these efforts on a continuous basis for further improvement of disaster risk reduction mechanism in our country. There is also a need of research and development programmes in collaboration with various academic and professional bodies.

Presentations and discussions by the Members and professionals of NDMA, NIDM and practitioners on different dimensions of disaster risk and resilience, tools and strategies, were aimed at enabling the Nodal Officers from various Ministries and Departments to understand the process of developing and implementing their Disaster Management Plans. Issues of climate change adaptation, ecosystem based resilience, housing and structural safety, man-made disasters, governance and financial instruments, participatory approach and integration of disaster management into plans and schemes of the government were discussed.

Taiwan President slams ‘China for one country, two systems’ policy 

Taiwan President
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen while addressing National Day

New Delhi: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has rejected China’s proposal of ‘one country, two systems’ political framework, asserting, “Taiwan will never accept China’s ‘one country, two systems’ political framework, while noting that Hong Kong is “on the verge of chaos” due to the failure of this policy.”

Tsai said, China is still threatening to impose its ‘one country, two systems’ model for Taiwan. The overwhelming consensus among Taiwan’s 23 million people is our rejection of ‘one country, two systems’, regardless of party affiliation or political position.”

“If China’s ‘one country, two systems’ is accepted, there would no longer be any room for the existence of Taiwan,” she added. 

Tsai said, “Standing up to protect national sovereignty is not a provocation but my fundamental responsibility,” and asked the people of Taiwan to “stand up and defend ourselves” when freedom and democracy are challenged and existence of Taiwan is threatened.

Slamming China in her National Day address, Tsai said, “Diplomatic offensives and military coercion pose a serious challenge to regional stability and peace, and vowed to stand up to Beijing’s moves to encroach Taiwan ‘through sharp power’.”

China is challenging “free, democratic values and the global order through a combination of authoritarianism, nationalism, and economic might,” Tsai added.

She said and added, “Taiwan, over which China lays its claim is the strategic forefront of the Indo-Pacific region. It has become the first line of defense for democratic values at a time when we are witnessing China’s rise and expansion.”  

“China is encroaching on us through sharp power, Taiwan would work with like-minded nations to ensure that the “peaceful and stable cross-strait status quo is not unilaterally altered,” she added.

Further she said, “As a crucial member of the region, Taiwan must fulfill its responsibilities to the international community, we will not act provocatively or rashly; rather, we will work with like-minded countries to ensure that the peaceful and stable cross-strait status quo is not unilaterally altered.”

Referring US-China trade dispute she said, “The world is still changing fast, and the changes are even more dramatic. And not far from Taiwan, Hong Kong is on the verge of chaos due to the failure of ‘one country, two systems.”

Tsai recalled the challenges Taiwan faced over the last seven decades, stating, “These shared memories exemplify the resilience of Taiwan’s people, a resilience that led us to become one of the ‘Four Asian Tigers’, a resilience that led us on the arduous path of democratization to become an important global model of democracy.”

22-year-old UP girl becomes British High Commissioner for a Day

Ayesha Khan
Ayesha Khan appointed as British High Commissioner for a Day

Stepping into top UK diplomat’s shoes, a 22-year-old Journalism student Ayesha Khan from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh became ‘British High Commissioner for a Day’ and got an opportunity to oversee the UK’s largest network, chairing briefing sessions, networking with dignitaries and meeting project beneficiaries. She achieved the feat as a prize for winning a competition organised by British High Commission.

To mark the ‘International Day of the Girl Child’, the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition was held by British High Commission, which was open to Indian women aged 18-23. As part of the selection process, applicants were asked to record a one-minute video on why gender equality is important and whom they see as their biggest gender equality inspiration. The competition saw an overwhelming response with applications received from across 14 states.

Sharing her experience as ‘High Commissioner for a Day’, Khan said, “My day was pretty hectic but also really fun and I got to learn a lot. Leading daily briefings, interacting with stakeholders from the UK and India, and experiencing the richness of multiculturalism has been a great experience.”

“I believe education is a powerful tool that can help achieve gender equality. I have been following the past winners of this competition and I thank the British High Commission for giving me this opportunity,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dominic Asquith the British High Commissioner to India who was the Deputy High commissioner for the day said, “I greatly enjoyed working for and with Ayesha for the day. She spoke articulately, passionately and convincingly on this important issue. I hope she found the experience as rewarding as I did personally. I wish her success – her ability clearly indicates a bright future.

“I am delighted that we were able once again to celebrate this important occasion by demonstrating to young women from all walks of life that anything is possible, and by giving them the opportunity to realise their potential. The UK and India are working together as a joint force for good in the world and we share with India the importance of promoting the cause of gender equality. I hope this initiative will capture people’s imagination around India – whether they live in big cities or small villages,” Asquith added.

Over the course of the day, Khan visited Apeejay School in Pitampura where the British Council is implementing the ‘Changing Moves Changing Minds’ programme to promote gender positive roles using dance and cricket. She also met women working in Delhi’s unorganised sector and learn how they are supported by SEWA, and hosted a discussion with a beneficiary of Facebook’s GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) programme. She also spent time with leaders from business, foreign policy and civil society.

 

MSMEs, Start-ups needed in Army manufacturing ecosystem, says Defence Production Secretary

Subhash Chandra
Defence Production Secretary Subhash Chandra while attending seminar titled ‘Army Make Project-2019’ organised by FICCI

NEW DELHI: Defence Production secretary Subash Chandra has emphasised on the need of MSMEs and start-ups in the defence manufacturing ecosystem, saying they need to be encouraged not just by the defence public sector companies but also the armed forces.

At the seminar titled ‘Army Make Project-2019’ organised by FICCI in collaboration with Indian Army, Chandra stated, “MSMEs and start-ups need to be integrated into the defence manufacturing ecosystem.”

“MSMEs across the globe have been the drivers of change and innovative solutions. That is where we feel our entire ecosystem must come together to support the larger manufacturing environment.”

He emphasized that collaboration between industry and defence is the need of the day and pointed out that the DDP would extend all possible support to sort out industry concerns.

“Industry concerns have also been taken into consideration and demystifying of work processes will come only through interactions. The three-armed forces also need to open their doors for discussions with the industry,” he added.

Meanwhile speaking at the seminar, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said, “Government is committed to Indianization and Make in India. We have the capability but unfortunately, we have not built upon it, or we have not changed with time. Now is the time to build up once again the inherent capability to become self-reliant.”

“To reduce the import dependence, Naravane stressed upon the need for higher spending on research and development (R&D), stating, “We will be able to proceed only if we spend on R&D. That has been our greatest weakness. Unless we invest in R&D, unless we think of future generation requirements, we will always be playing catch-up.”

“Government, armed forces and industry have to join hands together to achieve the desired goal of the MAKE process. The industry needs fundamental platforms, and technological products to be done in India,” said FICCI  Chairman, JD Patil.

“From 1991 the whole Indian industry has dramatically grown up and become largest in certain sectors across the world. If that can happen in the industry, so can happen in defence,” he added.

The member of the FICCI Defence Committee and Managing Director, Col HS Shankar (Retd) said, “In MAKE-II, the risk is with the industry and not with the services. We need services to make quick decisions.”

US Senators call on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

ted cruz

New Delhi: US Senators Ted Cruz from Texas and Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here on October 11 and are believed to have discussed matters of mutual interest including security and international trade.

It may be recalled that during the “Howdy Modi” event at the NRG stadium in Houston in September, the Junior US Senator for Texas Ted Cruz had welcomed PM Narendra Modi and said that America was proud to be India’s friend.

rajnth

Cruz has been junior United States Senator for Texas since 2013. He was the runner-up for the Republican nomination for President of the United States  in the 2016 elections.

Hassan, a Democat, was elected to the Senate in the 2016 election. She was the 81st Governor of New Hampshire , from 2013 to 2017.

 

 

LS Speaker to head Indian Parliamentary delegation to Serbia

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Lok Sabha speaker along with ambassador of Serbia to India, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Maric

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will head Indian delegation of the Members of Parliament for 141st assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is going to be organised from October 13 to 17 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Indian Parliamentary Delegation will also include Shashi Tharoor, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Wansuk Syiem, Shobha Karandlaje, Desh Deepak Verma, P.C. Koul and other senior members.

“At the Assembly, Speaker Birla will address the gathering of presiding officers and parliamentarians from  179 Member countries on theme of assembly, ‘Strengthening international law: Parliamentary roles and mechanisms, and the contribution of regional cooperation’,” said an official statement.

It further added, “After the conclusion of the general debate, a declaration will be adopted by the Assembly. The speaker will also address the dignitaries gathering on development and economy at the speakers’ dialogue on governance during the Assembly.”

Meanwhile, Speaker will also hold various bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other parliaments to discuss matters of mutual interest and increased parliamentary cooperation.

On the sidelines, the members of the delegation will be participating in various meetings of the standing committees of  IPU, governing council, forum of women parliamentarians, forum of young parliamentarians and panel discussions on important subjects.

The delegation will also attend the meetings of the parliamentary forum on BRICS and coordination meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and the Association of the Secretary-General of Parliaments (ASGP).

India showcases its economic prospects at global fair, seeks investment from Central Europe

BRNO CZECH
International Engineering Fair (MSV) at Brno, in Czech Republic

New Delhi/Brno: A high level Government – industry delegation to Czech Republic is reaching out to top Czech companies, including Skoda Transporation, to scale up their investment in India and leverage the country as their global supply chain hub. The delegation is led by Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industry, Dr. Asha Ram Sihag.

Department of Heavy Industry in association with India’s Embassy in Czech Republic and the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC) organised ‘India Investment Meet’ at the International Engineering Fair (MSV) at Brno, in Czech Republic, on October 8, 2019.

Dr. Asha Ram Sihag and Aambassador Narinder Chauhan inaugurated the India Pavilion at MSV Brno International Engineering Fair. An Indian pavilion with a strong presence of engineering and technology firms, is showcasing India’s capability to the global businesses at the prestigious fair being held from 7 to 11 October, 2019.

While Addressing the meet, Dr. Sihag gave an account of how India figures prominently on the investment radar of the top Czech companies. He said that Volkswagen Group is investing one billion Euros in the implementation of its project in India for developing new models, including a mid-size SUV to be showcased in 2020. Importantly, the technical development of new products will take place in India.

The Skoda group transportation has also developed hybrid vehicles and electric buses with the announcement of e-vehicles policy of Department of Heavy Industry. It holds specific interest for India in technology transfer and product development in the e-vehicle market, Dr. Sihag said, underscoring how the country is focusing on green fuel-driven automobile.

Along with EEPC India senior leadership, the DHI Secretary will be visiting plants and facilities of several Czech companies and universities for apprising on R&D and technology development.

“India has set a target of raising the size of the capital goods sector from Rs. 2.30 lakh crores in 2014-15 to Rs.7.5 lakh crore in 2025, raising direct and indirect employment to 30 million from 8.4 million at present. Exports must also account for 40 per cent of engineering goods production from 27 per cent at present,” the Secretary said in his presentation at the Meet. 

“India is seeking foreign investment particularly in the high tech areas and further strengthening its manufacturing under the flagship ‘Make in India ‘ programme,” India’s Ambassador to Czech Republic, Mrs. Narinder Chauhan said.

EEPC India Chairman, Ravi Sehgal said that with the Indian Government making the corporate tax rates competitive, foreign investors should invest in Indian manufacturing, especially when the two major economies of the world are locked in a trade war. The Government of India has slashed corporate tax to 22 per cent and even after surcharges and cesses, the effective rate is about 25 per cent. For new investment for plants going into stream before March 2023, the effective corporate tax rate is a shade above 17 per cent, which is very competitive for attractive investment into the ‘Make in India’ programmme.

The International Engineering Fair (MSV) is the leading and prestigious industrial trade fair in Central Europe. More than 1600 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors participate in this fair each year. Over 50 per cent of exhibitors and 10 per cent of visitors come from abroad. There are several Indian companies operating in the Czech Republic Ltd.

Secretary Heavy Industry also met Karl Havlicek, Deputy Prime Minister, Czech Republic at MSV Brno and discussed initiatives to deepen engagement in R&D, mutual trade and cooperation.

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