Month: March 2025

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and Accountable Internet for its users. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is designated as the national agency under the provisions of section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 for responding to cyber security incidents. On observing cyber security incidents including breaches, CERT-In advises remedial measures to concerned organisations.

As per the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”), Critical Information Infrastructure means computer resource whose incapacitation or destruction has debilitating impact on, inter alia, national security. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) has been notified as the national nodal agency under the provisions of section 70A of IT Act for Critical Information Infrastructure Protection. NCIIPC has informed that revealing details regarding cybersecurity breaches on critical infrastructure would not be in the interest of the national security.

The Government has taken following initiatives to enhance cybersecurity preparedness in the country which, inter alia, includes:    

1. National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) under the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to ensure coordination amongst different agencies.

• ii. National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) implemented by the CERT-In serves as the control room to scan the cyberspace in the country and detect cyber security threats. NCCC facilitates coordination among different agencies by sharing with them the metadata from cyberspace for taking actions to mitigate cyber security threats.

3. Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK) is a citizen-centric service provided by CERT-In, which extends the vision of Swachh Bharat to the Cyber Space. Cyber Swachhta Kendra is the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre and helps to detect malicious programs and provides free tools to remove the same. It also provides cyber security tips and best practices for citizens and organisations.
4. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has created Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) to deal with cybercrimes in a coordinated and effective manner.
5. CERT-In operates an automated cyber threat intelligence exchange platform for proactively collecting, analysing and sharing tailored alerts with organisations across sectors for proactive threat mitigation actions by them.
6. CERT-In has formulated a Cyber Crisis Management Plan for countering cyber attacks and cyber terrorism for implementation by all Ministries/ Departments of Central Government, State Governments and their organizations and critical sectors.
7. Cyber security mock drills are conducted regularly to enable assessment of cyber security posture and preparedness of organisations and enhance resilience in Government and critical sectors. 109 such drills have so far been conducted by CERT-In where 1438 organizations from different States and sectors participated.
8. CERT-In issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats/vulnerabilities and countermeasures to protect computers, mobile phones, networks and data on an ongoing basis.
9. CERT-In has empanelled 200 security auditing organisations to support and audit implementation of Information Security Best Practices.
10. CERT-In issued guidelines on information security practices for government entities in June 2023 covering domains such as data security, network security, identity and access management, application security, third-party outsourcing, hardening procedures, security monitoring, incident management and security auditing.
11. CERT-In issued Guidelines for Secure Application Design, Development, and Implementation & Operations in September 2023. CERT-In has also released the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) guidelines for entities, particularly those in the public sector, government, essential services, organizations involved in software export and software services industry in October 2024 to help organizations know exactly what components are in their software or assets, making it easier to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
12. CERT-In conducts regular training programmes for network and system administrators and Chief Information Security Officers of government and critical sector organisations regarding securing information technology infrastructure and mitigating cyber-attacks. A total of 12,014 officials have been trained in 23 training programs in 2024.
13. CERT-In regularly conducts various activities for awareness and citizen sensitization with respect to cyber-attacks and cyber frauds.
14. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology conducts programmes to generate information security awareness. Awareness material in the form of handbooks, short videos, posters, brochures, cartoon stories for children, advisories, etc. on various aspects of cyber hygiene & cyber security including deepfakes are disseminated through portals such as www.staysafeonline.in,www.infosecawareness.in and www.csk.gov.in.

Government has taken following measures to strengthen cooperation with private sector companies and international partners and stakeholders to combat cyber threats, which, inter-alia, includes:

• i. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) initiated Cyber Surakshit Bharat (CSB) programme in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to educate & enable the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) & broader IT community of Central/State Governments, Banks and PSUs to address the challenges of cyber security.

2. MeitY has set up National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Cyber Security in collaboration with Data Security Council of India. NCoE’s primary objective is to make coordinated efforts to catalyze and accelerate cybersecurity technology development and entrepreneurship in the country.
3. CERT-In collaborates with product and cyber security companies for cyber threat information exchange, development of best practices and capacity building. CERT-In conducts joint cyber security training programs in collaboration with Industry partners to upskill the cyber security workforce in Government, Public and private organizations with the latest skills.
4. CERT-In co-operates, works and coordinates incident response measures with international CERTs and service providers including private sector companies.
5. CERT-In is an accredited member of Task Force for Computer Security Incident Response Teams / Trusted Introducer. CERT-In is an operational member of Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Teams, a regional forum for Internet security in the Asia-Pacific region. CERT-In is a member of Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), a global forum for cyber security teams.
6. CERT-In has entered into cooperation arrangements in the form of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its overseas counterpart agencies for collaborating in the area of cyber security. At present such Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) have been signed with Bangladesh, Egypt, Estonia, Japan, Maldives, Russia, United Kingdom and Vietnam.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology Shri Jitin Prasada in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2115416) Visitor Counter : 317

Source: Government of India

Government Strengthens Regulations for Online Gaming to Ensure Transparency and User Safety

MeitY has issued 1410 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites between the year 2022- 25

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 6:20PM by PIB Delhi

The policies of the Central Government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users. To help achieve this aim, the Central Government has taken suitable steps to regulate financial transactions and user data protection for digital platforms, including online gaming platforms.

To bring certainty in the levy of income tax in online gaming sector, Government vide Finance Act, 2023 has introduced income tax at the rate of thirty per cent on the net winnings in the online games with effect from assessment year 2024-25.

In addition, Government has introduced GST at the rate of 28% in online gaming from 1st October, 2023. The supplier of online money gaming shall obtain a single registration under the Simplified Registration Scheme referred to in the Integrated Good and Services Tax Act, 2017 (“IGST Act”).

The suppliers of offshore online money gaming are also being regulated under IGST Act.

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarters is empowered as appropriate government/agency under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the IGST Act to direct intermediaries to block unregistered online money gaming platforms including offshore online money gaming platforms violating the IGST Act.

“Betting and gambling” is a state subject under entry 34 of the List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution and state legislations define betting and gambling related offences. Therefore, as per the provisions of article 246 read with article 162 of the Constitution, State Legislatures have power to legislate on matters related to betting and gambling.

Further ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including for action on illegal betting and gambling through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).

Accordingly, State police departments take preventive and penal action as per law in respect of illegal betting and gambling. The Central Government supplements the initiatives of the States/UTs through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs.

Section 112(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (“BNS”) which came into effect from July 1, 2024, punishes unauthorised betting and gambling with minimum 1 year of imprisonment that may extend to 7 years and with fine.

With regard to the protection of personal data, under the IT Act, the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 has been notified prescribing reasonable security practices and procedures on the sensitive personal data or information.

Further, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 has been enacted which provides for the legal framework for data protection and mandates Data Fiduciaries to implement security safeguards as well as robust technical and organisational measures while processing the digital personal data.

Further, the IT Act penalises various offences relating to computer resources, including tampering with computer source documents, dishonestly or fraudulently damaging computer system, identity theft, cheating by impersonation, cyber terrorism, securing unauthorised access to protected system etc.

Further, the IT Act has provisions to issue blocking orders to intermediaries for blocking access to specific information/ link in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing to the incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above  following the due process as envisaged in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for Public) Rules, 2009.

MeitY has issued 1410 blocking directions related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites (including mobile applications) between the year 2022- 25 (till February, 2025).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (“I4C”) to provide a framework and eco-system for LEAs to deal with cyber-crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

MHA has also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) to enable the public to report all types of cyber-crimes including cyber financial frauds. Cybercrime incidents reported on this portal are routed to the respective State/UT law enforcement agency for further handling as per the provisions of law. The portal has distinct mechanisms for registering complaints related to financial frauds.

A tollfree Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalised to get assistance in lodging online complaints.

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the MHA compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”. NCRB maintains the data provided by various state governments and central law enforcement agencies.

With regard to addiction to online games, the Ministry of Education has issued an advisory for parents & teachers on “Overcoming online gaming downsides” and “Children’s safe online gaming”.

In addition, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also issued advisory to all private satellite television channels on ‘Advertisements on Online Games, Fantasy Sports, etc.’, advising all broadcasters that the guidelines issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) be complied with and that the advertisements broadcast on television adhere to the same. The guidelines includes that every gaming advertisement must carry the disclaimer in line with ASCI code in print/static media as well as audio/video forms indicating that this game involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2115414) Visitor Counter : 319

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Electronics & IT

India’s IT Industry Registers Significant Growth in Last Decade:  Projected to Reach $283 Billion in 2024-25

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 6:19PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2115413)

Source: Government of India

India’s Social Security Coverage Doubles

Coverage reaches 48.8% in 2024, up from 24.4% in 2021, says ILO report

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

Summary

 

Introduction

India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, marking a significant expansion in welfare reach, according to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26. The report attributes this progress to key government initiatives, which have extended benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and employment support to millions.

As per Ministry of Labour and Employment, nearly 920 million people, or 65% of the population, are now covered by at least one form of social protection, whether in cash or in-kind, through central government schemes. India’s advancements have also contributed to a 5-percentage point increase in global social protection coverage, underscoring its role in shaping welfare outcomes at an international level.

 

Overview of the Report

The World Social Protection Report is a comprehensive assessment published periodically by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to labour rights and social justice. The report evaluates social protection systems globally, examining their coverage, effectiveness, and progress in ensuring social security for diverse populations. By offering a detailed analysis of policies and trends, it serves as a key resource for governments, policymakers, and researchers working towards stronger and more inclusive welfare systems.

             

The 2024–26 edition of the report is centred on universal social protection for climate action and a just transition. For the first time, it incorporates trend data, providing a more dynamic perspective on global progress. It presents an extensive set of global, regional, and country-level statistics on social protection coverage, benefits provided, and public expenditure. Additionally, a regional companion report for Asia and the Pacific supplements the global findings by offering a deeper analysis of social protection developments in the region. This companion report highlights key challenges, priorities, and the intersection of social protection and climate action, considering the unique socio-economic and environmental conditions of Asia and the Pacific.

 

Expanding Social Security: Key Government Initiatives

India’s social protection system has expanded significantly through various welfare programmes aimed at providing financial security, healthcare, and food assistance to millions. These initiatives have played a crucial role in improving livelihoods and reducing poverty across the country.

Here are some key social security schemes and initiatives:

 

India Launches Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise

The ILO’s assessment of 48.8% may not fully capture India’s social security landscape, as it does not account for in-kind benefits such as food security and housing support or state-administered welfare schemes. With the integration of these factors, India’s actual social protection coverage is expected to be considerably higher, reflecting ongoing reforms and data consolidation efforts.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched Phase 01 of India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise on March 19, 2025, to create a comprehensive assessment of social security coverage. The initiative aims to consolidate data from multiple schemes for a more holistic picture of India’s welfare landscape. In the first phase, ten states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat, have been identified for data consolidation at the central level.

Building on these efforts, India has already processed over 200 crore records by using encrypted Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 major central schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN).

The Ministry has been engaging in a high-level dialogue with the ILO to ensure these additional welfare measures are reflected in future assessments. During a recent bilateral discussion at the 353rd ILO Governing Body meeting in Geneva, the ILO acknowledged that housing and food security are part of an extended set of indicators under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has agreed to consider such schemes in its evaluations.

With continued collaboration between the Centre, State Governments and ILO, India is set to further refine its social protection framework and present a more accurate picture of its welfare reach.

Conclusion

India’s strides in expanding social protection reflect a strong commitment to inclusive welfare and economic security. The doubling of coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s World Social Protection Report 2024–26, underscores the impact of key initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, PMGKAY, and the eShram portal in ensuring financial stability, healthcare, and food security for millions. The launch of the Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise further strengthens these efforts by enhancing data-driven policymaking and addressing gaps in existing assessments. As India continues to refine its social security framework in collaboration with the ILO, its approach serves as a model for balancing welfare expansion with economic growth.

 

References:

Click here to download PDF

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Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia

(Release ID: 2115391) Visitor Counter : 439

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) at Leh, an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Ayush for the preservation, promotion and development of Sowa-Rigpa hosted a special yoga event in Leh at Institute campus on March 25 as part of the activities being organised to mark the 100-day countdown to the International Day of Yoga – 2025.

The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) hosted a special yoga session in Leh, Ladakh, at an altitude of 11,562 feet

Against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 11,562 feet (3,524 meters), the team of NISR including staff and students conducted the yoga session as per the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) developed by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of Ayush.

(A Yoga session was conducted by all the staff and students of National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, NISR)

With snow-capped peaks, crisp mountain air, and an aura of serenity, Leh provided the perfect setting for this event. Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director, NISR said, “Yoga is not just a practice; it is a way of life that nurtures both the body and the mind. In today’s fast-paced world, it serves as a powerful tool to achieve inner balance, mental clarity, and physical well-being. Through yoga, we cultivate resilience, harmony, and holistic health—not just for individuals but for society as a whole. At the majestic heights of Leh, we reaffirm that yoga transcends boundaries, uniting us all in the pursuit of wellness and peace.”

Ms. Tsewang Lhamo, the Yoga instructor from Mahabodhi International Yoga and Meditation Centre Leh also participated in the event and stated, “Yoga plays a vital role in our daily lives by promoting physical health, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Regular practice enhances flexibility, strengthens muscles, reduces stress, and improves overall well-being. It also fosters mindfulness, helping individuals maintain inner peace and harmony amidst the challenges of everyday life.”

Notably, the 100-days countdown to the International Day of Yoga – 2025 was inaugurated by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Ayush during ‘Yoga Mahotsav- 2025’ held in New Delhi. During the said event, the Ayush Minister had also informed that this year IDY activities will revolve around 10 unique signature events to mark the 11^th edition of the global event, which makes it the most expansive and inclusive:

• Yoga Sangama – A synchronised Yoga demonstration at 10,000 locations, aiming for a world record.
• Yoga Bandhan – Global partnerships with 10 countries to host Yoga sessions at iconic landmarks.
• Yoga Parks– Development of 1,000 Yoga Parks for long-term community engagement.
• Yoga Samavesh – Special Yoga programs for Divyangjan, senior citizens, children, and marginalised groups.
• Yoga Prabhava – A decadal impact assessment on Yoga’s role in public health.
• Yoga Connect – A Virtual Global Yoga Summit featuring renowned Yoga experts and healthcare professionals.
• Harit Yoga – A sustainability-driven initiative combining Yoga with tree planting and clean-up drives.
• Yoga Unplugged– An event to attract young people to Yoga
• Yoga Maha Kumbh – A week-long festival across 10 locations, culminating in a central celebration led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
• Samyogam – A 100-day initiative integrating Yoga with modern healthcare for holistic wellness.

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MV/AKS

(Release ID: 2115382) Visitor Counter : 468

Source: Government of India

Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks Rs 6,900 crore contracts for 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems & High Mobility Vehicle 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles to enhance Indian Army’s operational readiness

Capital procurement pacts worth Rs 1.40 lakh crore signed in FY 2024-25 till date

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 5:30PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced System Limited for the procurement of 155mm/52 Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and High Mobility Vehicle 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicles respectively at a total cost of about Rs 6,900 crore. The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at South Block in New Delhi on March 26, 2025.

With the signing, total contracts worth Rs 1.40 lakh crore have been signed by MoD for capital procurement till date in the current Financial Year 2024-25. During the contract signing, the Project Director of ATAGS from DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune who played a pivotal role in the realisation of the project was felicitated by the Defence Secretary as an honour for his immense contribution.

The 155 mm/52 Calibre ATAGS will replace the vintage and smaller calibre guns and enhance the artillery capabilities of the Indian Army. The procurement of this gun system marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Artillery Regiments, enhancing operational readiness. ATAGS, renowned for its exceptional lethality, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Army’s firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes.

Being the first major procurement of towed guns from the private sector by the Indian Army, the project will provide a boost to the Indian gun manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing eco-system as a whole. This project is a proud flag-bearers of Aatmnanirbhar Bharat by significantly contributing to employment generation and economic growth in consonance with the Make-in-India initiative.

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VK/SR/Savvy

 

(Release ID: 2115365) Visitor Counter : 3636

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 5:29PM by PIB Delhi

The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a digital initiative designed to make legislative proceedings of all State/UT Legislatures paperless from end to end. It promotes transparency by providing online access to live-streaming sessions, records of debates, legislative proceedings, and other important legislative documents.

The NeVA platform provides access to a wide range of records and documents related to key Parliamentary/Legislative functions of legislative bodies, who have on-boarded the platform, including List of Business, Questions and their Replies, Notices, Debates, Proceedings, Bills, Committee Reports, and Papers Laid, etc.

The NeVA Public Portal is already available in 23 languages to ensure wider access and encourage linguistic inclusivity.

As part of capacity building measures, workshops-cum-training programmes are conducted to acquaint all its stakeholders i.e. Members, Staff of Legislatures and Government Departments about the application. Furthermore, under the project e-Learning cum e-Facilitation Centres i.e. NeVA Sewa Kendras (NSK) are set up to facilitate the training and capacity building of the stakeholders.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice; Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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SS/ISA

(Release ID: 2115364) Visitor Counter : 315

Source: Government of India

NHRC, India presents awards to the seven winners of its short films on Human Rights competition in 2024

NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, says the Commission’s short film competition on human rights effectively fulfilling its purpose of creating awareness about human rights for a decade now

Says the increasing number of entries in the NHRC short film competition from various parts of the country in different languages since 2015 indicates growing human rights awareness

Congratulating the winners he describes all the participants in the competition as the brand ambassadors of human rights

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 5:24PM by PIB Delhi

The National human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, today organised a function at its premises in New Delhi to felicitate and present awards to the seven winners of its short film competition on human rights in 2024. Addressing the gathering, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson, NHRC, India, said that the objective of the Commission is to create awareness to promote and protect human rights. Its short film competition on human rights has been very effectively fulfilling this purpose for a decade. NHRC Members, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, and Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal and other senior officers were present.

Justice Ramasubramanian said that in the inaugural run of this competition in 2015, only about 40 entries were received. In its tenth year, in 2024, more than 300 entries were received from different parts of the country. This shows, how significantly the human rights awareness and this event has gained traction with people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari choosing to make films in various Indian languages on various human rights and make people aware about them, which is heartening to know.

Congratulating the seven award winners, Justice Subramanian said that the awarded films have touched a range of human rights issues, including river water pollution, the value of potable water, child marriage and education, rights of older persons, rights violations due to certain religious practices, women’s rights and domestic violence. He appreciated all the participants and described them as the brand ambassadors of human rights. He expressed the hope that next year they would make more films on human rights and win awards.

Before this, NHRC, India Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi in his remarks said that all the seven films carried different messages. He said that the films are an effective medium to promote and protect human rights among masses. He particularly highlighted the documentary Doodh Ganga, which indicates how the pollution has changed the landscape of the valley that needs to be addressed.

NHRC, India Member, Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani said that the winners have worked tirelessly to bring the stories to life to challenge stereotypes, break societal barriers, and empower people to think, feel and act. She said that their dedication is not just about filmmaking but about advocacy, courage and commitment to a better world. Every frame they have captured and message delivered contributes towards a greater cause where human dignity is respected, voices are heard, and justice prevails.

Earlier, the NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, in his opening remarks, gave an overview of the short film competition of the NHRC, which started in 2015 each year with an increased number of entries with quality films. He said that for the tenth edition of the competition in 2024, a total of 303 entries were received. After initial scrutiny, 243 went into the fray for the awards decided by three rounds of rigorous jury process including the final round chaired by the NHRC Chairperson, and Members, and senior officers deciding the seven winners.He said that all the awarded films will be uploaded on the website of the Commission, like in previous years. These are open to screening for human rights awareness purposes by government departments, training and academic institutions, as well as civil society.

NHRC, India Director, Lt. Col. Virender Singh announced the names of the prize winners. Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat’s film ‘Doodh Ganga- Valley’s Dying Lifeline’ was awarded the first prize of Rs. 2 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. The documentary film from Jammu & Kashmir raises concerns about how the free flow of various wastes into the pristine water of the Doodh Ganga River has polluted it and the need for its restoration for the overall good of the people in the valley. The film is in English, Hindi and Urdu with subtitles in English.

The second prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh, a trophy and a certificate were given to ‘Fight for Rights’ by Kadarappa Raju from Andhra Pradesh. The film raises the issue of child marriage and education. It is in Telugu language with subtitles in English.

The third prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a trophy and a certificate was given to ‘GOD’ by Shri R. Ravichandran from Tamil Nadu The silent film through an old protagonist raises the value of potable water.

The four films were awarded ‘Certificate of Special Mention’ with Rs 50,000 each. These included: ‘Aksharabhyasam’ by Shri Haneesh Undramatla from Telangana; ‘Vilayilla Pattathari (An inexpensive graduate)’ by Shri R. Selvam from Tamil Nadu; ‘Life of Seetha’ by Shri Madaka Venkata Satyanarayana from Andhra Pradesh and ‘Be a Human’ by Shri Lotla Naveen from Andhra Pradesh.

The award-winners also shared the thoughts behind the making of their award-winning short films.

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NSK

(Release ID: 2115356) Visitor Counter : 387

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Gala Dinner today (March 26):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good evening. What a pleasure it is to be here again with you tonight. 

I am sure you all came away inspired by today’s insightful discussions and engaging speakers. 

Tonight, let me touch on a recurrent subject that has come up in many of the meetings this week: why Hong Kong and not another city in the region or the Mainland. 

Let me explain why.   

Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong is where the China advantage and international advantage converge. For foreign companies seeking to tap the vast consumer market of China and North Asia, Hong Kong is the natural choice. 

Take the Greater Bay Area for example. It is home to 87 million people, with a per capita GDP of US$23,000, or US$40,000, on a purchasing power parity basis. Its young population aspires to quality products and services from around the world. It is a massive consumer market. Hong Kong is your gateway to the Mainland market.  

At the same time, through the Northbound Connect Schemes, you can also access the Mainland’s stocks, bonds, ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and derivatives via Hong Kong, capturing the emerging investment opportunities in an efficient and familiar business and legal environment.

Our country’s steady and long-term growth prospects are promising, not to mention breakthroughs in technological innovation. The recent DeepSeek phenomenon has very much spoken for this. 

 “Deep”, indeed, is a key word for Hong Kong’s capital markets. 

As a leading fund-raising centre, our stock market boasts a capitalisation of US$5 trillion. It raised US$11 billion through IPOs last year, ranking fourth globally. More leading Mainland tech companies are lining up to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This year, we are expecting to raise US$17 to 20 billion in IPOs. 

     Consider listing your company on our Stock Exchange. Under the Southbound Connect Schemes, you will be able to access both Mainland and international capital here, greatly enhancing the liquidity and valuation of your stock.  

Hong Kong is a city of seamless connectivity. Take a high speed train, and you can reach Shenzhen in 15 minutes, and Guangzhou in 45 minutes. Take a morning plane to Beijing or Shanghai, have a whole day of meetings with your business partners, enjoy a nice dinner and fly back. All in a single day.  

The Hong Kong International Airport indeed connects 200 destinations with 1 000 flights each day. Half of the world’s population is within five hours’ reach. 

More than business and investments, Hong Kong offers an enviable lifestyle unmatched by other Asian cities. 

Our city is home to scenic hills, spectacular hiking trails, stunning beaches and outlying islands. You can walk to our seaside paths and country parks from the very heart of our skyscraper city. And walking in our city is a safe activity. Hong Kong has excellent law and order. It is one of the safest metropolitan cities in the world.

 Some 200 Michelin-recommended restaurants are brimming with East and West culinary fare. We don’t impose duty on wine. And duty on spirits has also been lowered just recently.   

Hong Kong offers the best education for your children. More than 50 international schools operate in this city, providing a wide range of curricula, including American, British, German-Swiss, Japanese, Korean, and even Singaporean – giving you a plenty of choices. And five of our universities rank among the world’s top 100. 

Above all, Hong Kong is the ideal place for you to nurture your biggest dreams. Here, artistry meets ambition, and possibility becomes legacy.   

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here, for taking part in this year’s Wealth for Good Summit. 

I know you will enjoy tonight’s Gala Dinner and the good people all about you, including the very special musical entertainment waiting in the wings for me to stop talking. 

Allow me now to propose a toast, to raise our glasses in celebration: to health and prosperity, to an evening, and a lifetime, blessed with inspiration. Cheers!

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MIRDC’s Enduring-High-Efficiency Combustion System for Industrial Furnace (EHE Combustion System) received 2024 R&D 100 Awards. The furnace is equipped with self-recuperative burners which are operated by intelligent burner operating principle (IntelliBurn).

The burners draw furnace flue gas into their internal heat exchangers, and thermal energy from the high-temperature flue gas is transferred to combustion air. The process preheats the combustion air before it is burned. However, heat exchangers within the self-recuperative burners will gradually decrease in energy-saving efficiency because of issues such as material degradation from thermal shock, carbon accumulation and other problems. Under the IntelliBurn computational framework, the integration of AI machine learning and big data predicts heat release and determines the required furnace power. Therefore, the IntelliBurn dynamically controls multi-burners by adjusting their ignition timings and switching modes based on real-time furnace conditions for optimal performances. As a result, the EHE Combustion System achieves up to 72% waste heat recovery, Plus-Minus 3 degrees Celsius temperature uniformity, and 25% energy savings. Heat-exchange efficiency is also maintained at over 95% of initial capability of heat exchangers.

The technology has been applied to two Taiwanese companies by renovating their old furnaces. A foundry renovates its annealing furnace for castings, and temperature uniformity of its renovated furnace improves from Plus-Minus 20 degrees Celsius to Plus-Minus 10 degrees Celsius. This ensures that the deformation and vibration modes of each casting become stable, meeting requirements of high-end machine tool models and saving over 20% energy. MIRDC also assists an aluminum company to improve its heat treatment furnace with this technology. The renovated furnace helps the company process 190 tons of large aluminum ingots and achieves 270 tons of carbon reduction annually. In the future, MIRDC will continue to put its efforts behind perfecting the technology and introduce it to more Taiwanese industries.