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Dr Jitendra Singh addresses ‘India-Sweden Innovation Day’ meet, promises deeper collaboration

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the 10th "India-Sweden Innovation Day" meeting today. He pledged deeper cooperation between the two nations and called for strengthening India-Sweden bilateral cooperation to effectively address pressing global challenges while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of immediate goals on the path to a more prosperous future. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke on behalf of the Indian government, said that businesses on both sides should be encouraged to collaborate in research and exchange human resources.Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that nine Swedish companies visited India this year as part of the India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator programme in order to expand their export and investment opportunities in the area of green technology and strengthen ties between Sweden and India in this field. The Minister mentioned that in 2023, both nations would mark the fifth anniversary of the Sweden-India Joint Declaration on Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future as well as the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The 10th India Sweden Innovation Day's theme is "Innovation for a Better World," according to him, and it is a momentous occasion.Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed that the goal of this historic occasion is to realise a net-zero future by leveraging our individual areas of expertise and driving ecologically sustainable growth. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in May 2022, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji reaffirmed their commitment to encouraging cooperative research and innovation across a variety of fields, including polar and space research. The relationship, according to the minister, spans a number of industries, including energy, clean technology, new materials, space, the circular and bio-based economy, health and life sciences, and transportation and eMobility.In accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he also said that the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership builds links between institutions, R&D-intensive industries, and creative entrepreneurs. Dr. Jitendra Singh reported that the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced the INDIA-SWEDEN Collaborative Industrial Research & Development call in association with the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA). According to him, this effort is a crucial component of the larger Sweden-India Innovation Partnership, which seeks to increase competitiveness and find creative solutions to urgent global problems like climate change and sustainable development.Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that the joint call for proposals between Sweden and India in the area of the circular economy was first made public last year. Three large projects in all were supported through this call, which was co-funded by nine Indian and nine Swedish funding organisations for the Joint Programme. On March 13, 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was formally approved, creating a cooperation between the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), the Department of Science and Technology, and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).This partnership aims to promote knowledge exchange and the advancement of research while strengthening collaboration and research ties between academic institutions in Sweden and India through the organisation of seminars, workshops, and conferences. Dr. Jitendra Singh also thanked Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Sweden, for participating in the 10th annual India Sweden Innovation Day. Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India is ready to strengthen the bilateral partnership, particularly in the area of science and technology, as well as to support our innovation ecosystem. The Minister went on to say that the success of our bilateral diplomatic relations has been a result of our shared values and dedication to fair trade and globalisation.I am really happy to observe that the area of India and Sweden's bilateral relationship that is growing the fastest is innovation cooperation, he continued. Swedish ambassador to India Tanmaya Lal, Robin Sukhia, president of the Sweden-India Business Council, and Sanjoo Malhotra, CEO of India Unlimited also spoke at the event in addition to Hon. Jan Thesleff, the ambassador of India to Sweden. [caption id="attachment_3776" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr Jitendra Singh addresses 'India-Sweden Innovation Day' meet, promises deeper collaboration[/caption]

Breaking News header National

Unemployment Rate Dips To 6.6 Pc In Urban Areas In April-June 2023: Govt Survey

editor October 9, 2023

New Delhi, Oct 9: According to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the unemployment rate for people aged 15 and over in urban areas decreased from 7.6% in April to June of last year to 6.6% in April to June of this year. The percentage of unemployed people in the labour force is known as the unemployment rate or unemployment rate. In April to June 2022, unemployment was high primarily as a result of the devastating effects of Covid-related limitations on the nation. According to the 19th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the UR for people aged 15 and over in urban areas was 7.6% in April–June 2022.The unemployment rate for the three months of January to March 2023 was 6.8%. Both in October-December 2022 and July-September 2022, it was 7.2%. It also demonstrated that the unemployment rate for women (aged 15 and older) in metropolitan areas decreased from 9.5% in the same quarter last year to 9.1% in April–June 2023. It was 9.2% from January through March 2023, 9.6% from October through December 2022, and 9.4% from July through September 2022. In metropolitan regions, the unemployment rate for men fell to 5.9% in April–June 2023 from 7.1% in the same quarter a year earlier.It was 6% from January through March 2023, 6.5 % from October through December 2022, and 6.6 % from July through September 2022. People aged 15 and over who live in urban areas' CWS (Current Weekly Status) labour force participation rate climbed from 47.5 percent to 48.8 percent in April to June 2023. It was 48.5% from January to March 2023, 48.2% from October to December 2022, and 47.9% from July to September 2022. The term "labour force" refers to the segment of the population that provides or proposes to provide labour for engaging in economic activities for the production of goods and services, and as a result, both employed and unemployed people are included.PLFS was introduced by the NSSO in April 2017. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), the distribution of employees by broad status in employment, and the industry of work in CWS are all labour force indicators that are estimated based on the PLFS. The CWS unemployment estimates provide an average view of unemployment during a brief period of seven days during the survey period. According to the CWS approach, a person is deemed unemployed if they looked for or were available for work at least one hour on any given day during the period but did not work for even one hour on any given day throughout the week.According to CWS, the labour force is the total number of people who were, on average, employed or…

header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

NC, Cong To Hold Chief Executive Councillor Post In LAHDC-Kargil In Rotation: Omar

editor October 9, 2023

Srinagar, Oct 9: Omar Abdullah, the head of the National Conference, claimed on Monday that his party and the Congress had an accord prior to the election regarding the rotation of the chief executive councillor position in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil. Together, the National Conference and Congress won 22 of the 26 seats up for election in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil on October 4. Four voting members are proposed by the administration for the 30-member council.The National Conference, which is now the single-largest party, got 12 seats, according to the officials, while its ally Congress won 10 seats. According to them, the BJP won two seats and two Independent candidates also won. "We shall have rotating chief executive councillors in Kargil for two and a half years each, that was decided before the elections. According to Abdullah, it hasn't changed in light of the results and wouldn't have changed even if we had 16 seats and the Congress only had six.He responded, "Being the bigger partner, the National Conference should be the first," when asked which party would run for the position first. Additionally, that would be in keeping with the coalition dharma. The Congress wouldn't want to set the tone for the INDIA coalition, in my opinion. Will the Congress give up the prime minister's position for a lesser partner if it wins the most votes in the Lok Sabha elections? asked the leader of the National Conference. Abdullah responded that the National Conference was open to conversations on the topic when asked if his party was prepared for a pre-election partnership with the Congress in future elections in Jammu and Kashmir."We are prepared to have a conversation. However, the INDIA coalition has not yet started talking about seat sharing, he continued. [caption id="attachment_3770" align="alignnone" width="300"] NC, Cong To Hold Chief Executive Councillor Post In LAHDC-Kargil In Rotation: Omar[/caption]

Business header International National

IOC and Reliance Foundation sign agreement to advance Olympic values education across India

editor October 9, 2023

Mumbai, 9th October 2023: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the Olympic Museum has aligned with Reliance Foundation to build on the success of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India and signed a…

header International National Political

“Tanzania is biggest, closest partner of India in Africa”: PM Modi

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: While speaking at the Exchange session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that Tanzania is India's largest and closest ally in all of Africa and that today is a momentous day for relations between the two countries. "Today marks a turning point in India and Tanzania's relationship. We are attempting to turn our long-standing friendship into a Strategic Partnership today, he remarked. PM Modi noted that Tanzania and India are significant trading and investment partners, adding that "both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies." In addition, PM Modi noted that "Tanzania is the biggest and closest partner of India in the entire Africa." On Monday, PM Modi and Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, attended the MoU exchanging programme at Hyderabad House in Delhi. The Indian Navy and the Tanzanian Shipping Agency exchanged technical agreements regarding their cooperation in sharing white shipping information, the National Sports Council of Tanzania and the Sports Authority of India exchanged MoUs regarding their cooperation in the field of sports, and India and Tanzania also exchanged agreements regarding their cultural exchange programme for the years 2023 to 2027.Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the establishment of an industrial park in Tanzania between the Tanzania Investment Centre and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, which is a division of the Ministry of Port, Shipping, and Waterways of India. Finally, an MoU exchange about cooperation in the maritime industry was place between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Marine Services Corporation Limited. India has significantly aided Tanzania in developing its capacities and skills. "ICT centres, vocational schools, defence training, and scholarships from ITEC and ICCR. By collaborating in key areas including agriculture, health, water supply, and education, we have attempted to improve Tanzanians' quality of life. President Narendra Modi saidRegarding the defence industry, PM Modi mentioned that a five-year framework has been agreed upon by Tanzania and India. "Through this, new dimensions will be added in areas like military training, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and defence industry," he stated. He also expressed his happiness that Tanzania had chosen to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, which had been established at the G20 Summit by India. "I am glad that Tanzania has decided to join the Global Biofuels Alliance launched by India at the G20 Summit," he stated. In the presence of US President Joe Biden, Presidents Luiz Inacio of Brazil, Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, and Giorgia Meloni of Italy, PM Modi established the Global Biofuels Alliance during the G20 Summit.Everyone agrees that the greatest security threat to humanity is terrorism, including India and Tanzania. "In this regard, we have also decided to increase mutual cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism," said Prime Minister Modi. "The most important thing that binds our relationships is our strong and oldest people-to-people ties," said Prime Minister Modi. The establishment of the IIT Madras centre in Zanzibar, according to PM Modi, is a significant turning point in our relationship. On July 4, in the presence of Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar was signed by the Ministry of Education (MoE), the central government, IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) of Zanzibar, Tanzania. "Technology is the biggest pillar for the path of development between India and Tanzania," PM Modi stated. The Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi met Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was in India at President Droupadi Murmu's invitation, on Sunday at the Delhi airport.Earlier today, President Hassan received a formal welcome on the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt and took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat. The day before, President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised the outstanding relations between the two nations and noted that her visit will open up new doors for Tanzania's and India's political and economic development.

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

32,355 SPOs , 4,153 Village Defence Groups Deployed In J&K

editor October 9, 2023

New Delhi, Oct 9: In Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 32,355 Special Police Officers and 4,153 Village Defence Groups (VDG) were assigned various duties for the protection of people and coanti-terrorists activities. The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was impacted by terrorist and secessionist activity that was sponsored and backed from across the border for approximately three decades, according to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2022–2023.According to the report, terrorists are continuing to cross the border into Jammu and Kashmir through both the International Border and the Line of Control. According to the MHA annual report, the Jammu and Kashmir government first announced the Village Defence Group programme in 1995. On August 14, 2022, the programme was amended and re-notified in light of the current security environment. "Village Defence Guards are the official title for the Village Defence Group members. According to the report, 4,153 Village Defence Groups have been established out of the 4,985 total authorised members of the Village Defence Group.The Village Defence Committee (VDC) was the VDG's first name. According to sources, the concept to establish VDC originated from arming former service members during the 1965 and 1971 wars to prevent Pakistani espionage and infiltration. The VDCs were established in the Jammu region to provide locals with the means of self-defense against ongoing terrorist threats. According to the plan, each VDC had a Special Police Officer (SPO) in command and 10 to 15 additional volunteer members, most of whom were former service veterans. They were provided with.303 rifles and ammo. The SPO in charge of the VDC received compensation, but everyone else was a volunteer.Village Defence Groups—members of which are referred to as Village Defence Guards (VDGs)—were formed in 2020, updating the Village Defence Committees' strategy. The committees' organisational structure has also altered, in addition to the name. All VDGs are now paid, in contrast to VDCs where only SPOs were. According to the officials, certain VDGs are paid a uniform salary of Rs 4,000 per month, while others are paid Rs 4,500 per month in more susceptible locations. The District Superintendent of Police or Senior Superintendent of Police is in charge of the VDGs' operations.The sanctioned strength of Special Police Officers (SPOs) is currently 34,707, of which 32,355 SPOs are appointed, according to the MHA annual report. The Jammu and Kashmir Police oversee and direct them as they complete the different tasks assigned to them. In Jammu & Kashmir, the Special Police Officers (SPOs) institution was established in 1995. According to the report, the main goal of the creation of SPOs was to aid law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism, involve the local population in protecting themselves, and assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces in containing the threat of militancy.SPOs in the Jammu and Kashmir Police are now paid up to Rs 18,000 per month in the following increments: SPOs with less than three years' experience are paid Rs 6,000, SPOs with more than three years' experience but less than five years' experience are paid Rs 9,000, SPOs with more than five years' experience but less than ten years' experience are paid Rs 12,000, SPOs with more than ten years' experience but less than fifteen years' experience are paid Rs 15,000. [caption id="attachment_3761" align="alignnone" width="300"] 32,355 SPOs , 4,153 Village Defence Groups Deployed In…

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

EC : Polls In J&K Will Be Held At ‘Right Time’ Keeping Security Situation In Mind

editor October 9, 2023

New Delhi, Oct 9: The Election Commission announced on Monday that elections in Jammu and Kashmir would take place at the "right time" while taking into account the local security situation. This was said by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar during a news conference to reveal the dates for the assembly elections in five states. According to him, the polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held when the commission determines it is the "right time" in light of the local elections already taking place and the security situation.A different question was addressed to Kumar, who responded that announcements of freebies usually have the "tadka" of populism and that the general public has a right to know where the freebies will come from. The Election Commission announced that voting will take place in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram on various dates from November 7 to 30. Votes for the five states will be tallied on December 3, setting the stage for the 2024 Lok Sabha election semifinals. Prior to the Lok Sabha elections next year, this will be the final round of assembly elections. [caption id="attachment_3758" align="alignnone" width="300"] EC : Polls In J&K Will Be Held At ‘Right Time’ Keeping Security Situation In Mind[/caption]

Breaking News header International National

Toll mounts to 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded tourists : Sikkim flash flood

editor October 9, 2023

GANGTOK: Officials reported on Monday that 34 dead, including those of 10 army jawans, had been pulled from the Teesta River's mud and debris as a result of the devastating flash flood that also left over 105 others remained unaccounted for. The first group of trapped tourists was airlifted from Lachen to Mangan in North Sikkim by the Indian Air Force, which has begun rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state. In order to coordinate relief and rescue efforts with the armed forces, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met with Chief Secretary VB Pathak, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, who has arrived in Gangtok.The Jalpaiguri district administration in neighbouring northern West Bengal stated that 40 bodies had also been pulled from downstream Teesta in addition to the 34 fatalities reported in Sikkim. Officials cautioned, however, that there might be some overlap in the death tolls given by the two states. With 22, including 10 soldiers, Pakyong district in Sikkim recorded the most fatalities, followed by Gangtok with six, Mangan with four, and Namchi with two. Six days after a cloudburst over Lhonak lake in Mangan district triggered an increase in the Teesta river, flooding many towns on the river basin spanning four districts in the Himalayan state, 105 people are still unaccounted for.According to a statement from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, 63 of the missing people are from Pakyong, 20 are from Gangtok, 16 are from Mangan, and six are from Namchi. Up to 3,432 kuccha and pucca homes have suffered damage. 5,327 persons in total have been saved and evacuated. The state's transportation network has been hampered by the total of 14 bridges that have either been washed out or submerged. 6,505 individuals who were made homeless as a result of the flash flood are being housed in 26 relief camps spread across four districts.There were 85,870 persons impacted by the flash flood. The ongoing relief and rescue efforts were discussed at a high-level meeting that CM Tamang called at his official house with Chief Secretary VB Pathak, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, and other officials. According to an official, the purpose of the conference was to ensure that trapped individuals were quickly rescued while coordinating efforts with the military. According to a defence official, the Indian Air Force has begun disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations in Sikkim and has flown a chopper to rescue the first group of stranded tourists from Lachen to Mangan. It also delivered vital supplies and emergency personnel to Lachen. Although the precise number of tourists saved in the first batch is not yet known, the MI-17 helicopter that was employed in the rescue mission has a capability to carry 25 to 30 passengers. "The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day," said a defence official. Using Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters, the air force has begun delivering Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medications, and search and rescue equipment to the state as of Sunday, he said. The official stated that the IAF is completely prepared to assist the victims of the catastrophic floods that left the small Himalayan state in shambles and that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating HADR operations. "The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve," stated a Defence Department official. On Monday, the Met Department issued a five-day rainfall forecast for Sikkim and sub-Himalayan West Bengal that included mild to moderate rain in various locations along with thunderstorms and lightning. The Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has reported that 40 dead have been found so far from the Teesta River's downstream.According to officials, 10 bodies have been identified so far. The precise death toll will be known in the next days after compiling the information, according to officials, as victims are still being discovered in both states among the slush and debris left behind by Teesta. [caption id="attachment_3755" align="alignnone" width="300"] Toll mounts to 34, IAF begins rescuing stranded…

Breaking News header International National

IAF conducts disaster relief operations in Sikkim

editor October 9, 2023

KOLKATA: According to a defence spokesman on Monday, the Indian Air Force has begun providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief in Sikkim, which was severely damaged by a Teesta River flash flood. The flash flood that ravaged Sikkim has so far resulted in the recovery of 33 bodies, including those of nine army jawans, while the hunt for more than 105 persons who remain missing is ongoing, according to officials in the Himalayan state. According to the Jalpaiguri district administration in neighbouring northern West Bengal, 40 dead were pulled from the river below. Even though both governments were keeping each other up to date on their individual rescue efforts, officials cautioned that the numbers given by Sikkim and West Bengal may have some overlap. "The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day," said a defence official. Using Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters, the air force has begun delivering Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medications, and search and rescue equipment to the state as of Sunday, he said. The official stated that the IAF is completely prepared to assist the victims of the catastrophic floods that left the small Himalayan state in shambles and that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating HADR operations. "The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve," stated a Defence Department official. On Monday, the Met Department issued a five-day prediction for sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim that included mild to moderate rain in several locations along with thunderstorms and lightning. The Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has reported that 40 dead have been found so far from the Teesta River's downstream. According to officials, 10 bodies have been identified so far. The precise death toll will be known in the next days after compiling the information, according to officials, as victims are still being discovered in both states among the slush and debris left behind by Teesta.A cloudburst early on Wednesday morning caused the flash flood, which has affected 60,870 individuals. According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 2,563 people have already been evacuated from various regions of the state, the majority of which have been shut off from the rest of the nation. [caption id="attachment_3752" align="alignnone" width="300"] IAF conducts disaster relief operations in Sikkim[/caption]

Breaking News Business header Jammu and Kashmir National

Chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine becomes expensive

editor October 9, 2023

JAMMU: Beginning today, those who wish to use the helicopter service between Katra and Sanjhi Chhat while visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine will have to pay more. According to reports, the airline that was awarded the contract for the following three years has set its one-way air fare at Rs. 2100 per person and its round-trip air fare at Rs. 4200 per person. It used to cost Rs 1820 per person for a one-way ticket between Katra and Sanjhi Chhat and Rs 3640 for an up-and-down ticket. As a result, starting today, the air fare for the helicopter service will have increased by more than 20%. The amount of GST to be paid on the chopper ticket is unclear, according to the sources. [caption id="attachment_3748" align="alignnone" width="300"] Chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine becomes expensive[/caption]

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