As part of ongoing discussions on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, representatives of India’s Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative met in Washington, D.C. from 23-25 April 2025. This follows earlier bilateral discussions held in March, 2025 in New Delhi.
During the meetings in Washington, D.C., the team had fruitful discussions on wide ranging subjects covering tariff and non-tariff matters. The team discussed the pathway for concluding the first tranche of the mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement by Fall of 2025, including through opportunities for early mutual wins. While productive Sectoral expert level engagements have taken place through the virtual format, in-person Sectoral engagements are planned from end May.
The productive discussions are part of bilateral efforts in line with Leaders’ Statement of February 2025 to enhance and expand India-U.S. economic ties and supply chain integration through the Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced yesterday (April 29) that the PHC Commission received notification from the Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association (KTSCHCA), the operator of the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (Kwai Tsing DHC), on April 28 on suspected hacking of its outsourced service provider’s network system, resulting in possible leakage of members’ data. The PHC Commission is highly concerned about the incident, and has instructed the KTSCHCA to seriously follow up and to submit a report within three working days.
According to the notification from the KTSCHCA, the system involved is managed independently by its outsourced service provider, and is mainly used to assist with administrative work such as service booking or members sign-in at the Kwai Tsing DHC. The outsourced network system was hacked last Sunday (April 27), resulting in possible leakage of members’ data, including names, membership numbers, dates of birth, residential districts (not full addresses) and the first four digits of the Hong Kong Identity Card of some members who have enrolled in a vaccination programme. The KTSCHCA is currently assessing the possible number of members of the Kwai Tsing DHC affected and the data involved.
The PHC Commission noted that the KTSCHCA has reported the incident to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and has also informed the Digital Policy Office of the incident. As required by the PHC Commission, the KTSCHCA has immediately suspended the operation of the Kwai Tsing DHC’s network system and all external connections to its computer servers to prevent further intrusion attempts by hackers. The KTSCHCA has also commissioned an independent cybersecurity expert to conduct an investigation and review. In view of the system suspension of the DHC, the appointments on blood taking and seasonal influenza vaccination of relevant DHC members will be rescheduled starting from yesterday. The operator of the Kwai Tsing DHC has started to notify the relevant members via phone calls and text messages, and will also inform all its members of the hacking incident. Members of the public may contact the DHC at 1878 222 for enquiries.
The system involved does not have any direct connection with the systems of DHCs/DHC Expresses in other 17 districts in Hong Kong. The operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses have not outsourced or used the system involved. The PHC Commission has urged the operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses to review their network systems, including the systems of their outsourced service providers, the computer security risk, and whether any suspicious activities have occurred. The PHC Commission has not received any report of similar incidents.
Besides, the Kwai Tsing DHC is a registered healthcare provider on eHealth. Currently, it connects to eHealth through the designated clinical management system (CMS) specified by the PHC Commission to assist members in registering with eHealth, managing members’ participation in government-subsidised healthcare programmes and facilitating service referrals, etc. The system involved is independent of both the designated CMS and eHealth, with no direct system interfaces. Investigations also revealed that there was no intrusion into eHealth by hackers or any leakage of personal data from eHealth. However, for prudence’s sake, upon receiving notification of the incident, the Commissioner for the Electronic Health Record (eHRC) has suspended the eHealth registration of the operator concerned, in order to protect data privacy and system security of eHealth. During the suspension period, the Kwai Tsing DHC is unable to access to any electronic health record in eHealth. The eHRC will only resume the connection of Kwai Tsing DHC with eHealth, after conducting a careful assessment of the detailed report submitted by the Kwai Tsing DHC and confirming that the security risks of the system are fully eliminated.
The Government emphasised that it has always attached great importance to cybersecurity. The PHC Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident, including whether the cybersecurity measures of the KTSCHCA are in compliance with the requirements stipulated in the DHC operation contract, and will further strengthen the protection measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
92nd Meeting of Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti evaluates key Infrastructure projects NPG evaluates Road and Railway Projects for integrated multimodal connectivity
Projects to enhance logistics efficiency, boost regional development
Posted On: 29 APR 2025 7:56PM by PIB Delhi
The 92nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened today in New Delhi to evaluate infrastructure projects in the Road and Railway sectors. The deliberations focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and improving logistics efficiency, in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
The NPG assessed four major proposals — one from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and three from the Ministry of Railways (MoR). These projects were evaluated for their alignment with the core principles of PM GatiShakti, including integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, and a whole-of-government and whole-of-area development approach. These initiatives are expected to reduce travel time, enhance freight movement, and yield significant socio-economic gains across regions.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Six/Four Lane Access-Controlled Highway – Rishikesh Bypass
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), through NHAI, has proposed a bypass around Rishikesh to decongest the city and improve traffic movement on NH-34 — a key route connecting Delhi, Meerut, Roorkee, Haridwar, and Badrinath. This highway links key religious and industrial nodes, including Haridwar, Dehradun, BHEL, SIDCUL, and strategic border points like Mana, Nelang, and Niti. The project includes a 6/4-lane elevated corridor and an additional 4-lane road, offering alternative routes to manage future traffic and improve overall capacity.
Ministry of Railways (MoR)
Bina–Itarsi 4th Railway Line (236.97 km)
The MoR has proposed a 4th railway line between Bina and Itarsi, traversing key stations such as Narmadapuram, Rani Kamalapati, Bhopal, Nishatpura, and Vidisha. This alignment includes 32 stations and aims to improve freight operations. The project is expected to reduce transit time by approximately 46 minutes and increase sectional speed by 10 km/h, contributing to faster and more efficient rail logistics.
Kasara–Manmad Multi-Tracking Lines (3rd & 4th Lines, 2×130.817 km)
This project involves construction of 3rd and 4th railway lines across two sections: Kasara–Igatpuri in the Northeastern Ghats and Igatpuri–Manmad in the Deccan Plateau. The primary aim is to maintain a ruling gradient of 1 in 100, eliminating the requirement for banking engines and improving energy efficiency. The alignment bypasses several stations and merges with the existing line at Lahavit station, ensuring smoother freight movement.
Bhusawal–Wardha 3rd & 4th Railway Lines (314 km)
The proposed 314-km 3rd and 4th lines between Bhusawal and Wardha pass through five Maharashtra districts — Jalgaon, Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, and Wardha. The project includes new railway tracks, station upgrades, yard reconfiguration, and signaling improvements. As part of the Mumbai–Howrah high-density corridor (HDN-2), this route is critical for decongesting freight traffic and strengthening the Central Railway network.
The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Pankaj Kumar.
Unique Success of the Namami Gange Mission: The Return of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle to the Ganga After Three Decades This initiative marks a historic step in the Ganga’s ecosystem
The return of the endangered Turtle species becomes a beacon of hope for biodiversity conservation in Ganga
Posted On: 29 APR 2025 7:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Ganga River, which has been an integral part of Indian civilization for centuries, is now igniting the possibility of new life along its banks. Once home to endangered turtle species, the Ganga’s shores have now become a symbol of positive change in the direction of biodiversity conservation. This transformation is particularly evident in the return of the endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle to the waters of the Ganga, a species that had previously seen a continuous decline in its population. This new hope in the Ganga’s waters is not only a significant step for these ancient creatures but also for the restoration of the entire ecosystem.
Impact of the Namami Gange Mission
Supported from Namami Gange, TSAFI project team conducted detailed assessment of turtle diversity and abundance of Haiderpur Wetland Complex (HWC) in 2020 followed by Habitat Evaluation study on newly formed turtle sanctuary near Prayagraj along Ganges in Uttar Pradesh in 2022. Study along HWC suggested the presence of 9 turtle species whereas indirect evidence of 5 turtle species was gathered in Prayagraj. One of the most astounding findings of above and prior studies was that none of the viable population or individuals of Red-crowned Roofed turtle (RRT) Batagur kachuga were sighted or reported from the entire Ganga. The findings suggested that this was the most endangered species of entire North India, particularly Uttar Pradesh. Rao (1993) has seen a couple of specimens of this species above and below Bijnore barrage. In the last 30 years there was no confirmed report of any adult from the main channel of Ganga.
Historic Efforts in Turtle Reintroduction
On April 26, 2025, 20 turtles were carefully transferred from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Center located within and under supervision of National Chambal Sanctuary, UP and released into the Haiderpur Wetland. These turtles were tagged with sonic devices to monitor their safety and migration. For the reintroduction process, the turtles were divided into two groups – one group was released above the barrage of the Haiderpur Wetland, while the other was released downstream in the main channel of the Ganga. This approach aims to determine which method is more effective for the turtles’ reintroduction.
Way Forward: Restoration of Biodiversity
This initiative marks a historic step in the Ganga’s ecosystem. During the monsoon season, the Haiderpur Wetland will completely connect with the main channel of the Ganga, allowing the turtles to disperse at their own pace. Over the next two years, the tracking and monitoring of these turtles will be conducted. This is the first attempt at reintroducing this species into the Ganga, following a ‘soft’ versus ‘hard’ release strategy. The goal is to establish the species’ population in the Ganga in a stable manner with active assistance from the UP Forest Department.
Message of the Success of the Namami Gange Mission
This important initiative will not only conserve turtle species but will also inspire the improvement of the ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh. The conservation effort for the Ganga has shown that if all stakeholders work together, even significant challenges can be overcome. The Namami Gange Mission’s initiative has become an inspiration not only in making the Ganga cleaner but also in restoring biodiversity and the ecosystem.
Ministry of Labour & Employment signs MoU with Rapido in Presence of Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje MoU to Enhance Logistics Employment Opportunities on NCS and Create Over 50 Lakh Livelihoods Opportunities in 1-2 years
Posted On: 29 APR 2025 7:45PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Labour & Employment and Rapido signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi today, marking a significant step toward strengthening employment linkages in the logistics sector through the National Career Service (NCS) portal. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Ministry of Labour & Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “The National Career Service portal is a dynamic platform bringing job seekers and employers together, across India. With over 1.75 crore active job seekers and over 40 lakh registered employers, it is playing a crucial role in workforce mobilization. NCS is getting strengthened day by day. It is integrated with My Bharat, eShram, SIDH, MEA – eMigarte portal along with many other private portals.”
Dr. Mandaviya welcomed the collaboration and appreciated Rapido’s initiative to bring 50 lakhs livelihood opportunities on NCS Platform over a period of 1-2 years. Highlighting the platform’s accessibility and reach, Union Minister reiterated the government’s vision of making NCS a one-stop solution for employment, skilling, and counselling, and at the same time capable of hyperlocal job matching and supporting both domestic and international placements.
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje expressed happiness with the association of NCS and Rapido and congratulated Rapido on focusing on women employment including 5 lakhs jobs for women.
Secretary MoLE in her address mentioned that this MoU is a very important in light of the changing employment market in which job opportunity is becoming an important component and this collaboration is a reflection of the Ministry’s evolving approach to employment facilitation—one that is grounded in inclusivity, innovation, and impact. She complimented Rapido on the focus of Gender inclusivity.
Mr.Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, Rapido, thanked the Ministry for this collaboration emphasized that this partnership will scale up employment opportunities. He mentioned about Rapido’s “Pink Rapido” initiative especially for women. He expressed his happiness to be associated with NCS and Ministry of Labour and looks forward to a successful partnership.
It is one of the steps, in the series of signing MoUs with the private employers/ portals, other leading employment/ Gig platforms etc. to bridge the gap between jobseekers and private sector employment, enabling a holistic approach to public-private coordination in job facilitation.
Salient Points of the MoU:
Rapido will regularly post verified Rapido opportunities for driving Bike taxis, autos, and cabs, on the NCS portal and conduct hiring through it.
API-based integration will ensure real-time job postings and seamless application tracking for users.
Focus on inclusive hiring, particularly promoting employment opportunities for youth, women, and those seeking flexible work.
The partnership is expected to support structured onboarding, digital empowerment, and awareness of worker welfare schemes.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment remains committed to improving employment outcomes across sectors through the NCS portal and will continue engaging with the private sector to foster an enabling ecosystem for India’s diverse workforce.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India today launched the (Round 2) study report on “Evaluation of Innovation Excellence Indicators of Public Funded R&D Organizations”, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing innovation performance across India’s publicly funded research ecosystem. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Economic Research (CTIER) served as knowledge partners for this study, contributing their expertise to strengthen the assessment framework.
The report was unveiled by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, during the 15th CII Global Innovation and IP Summit 2025 held in New Delhi today. The launch event was also joined by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, Shri B.N. Satpathy, PSA Fellow; Dr. Rakesh Kaur, Adviser/Scientist ’G’; Ms. Remya Haridassan, Scientist ‘D’ and Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist ‘D’ from Office of PSA and senior industry leaders, researchers, and representatives from academia and industry were also present during the launch.
The study presents a pioneering framework to evaluate innovation capacity and impact, developed through extensive engagement with stakeholders and supported by rigorous data analysis.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Sood emphasised the importance of robust evaluation mechanisms in aligning national R&D efforts with socio-economic priorities. “This report serves as a strategic tool for institutional improvement and policy formulation. It reflects our collective aspiration to make Indian science and research globally competitive and socially impactful,” he said. He further said that the report is more than a diagnostic tool and is a roadmap for strengthening India’s innovation capabilities through data-driven insights and strategic benchmarking.
In her special address, Dr. Maini emphasised on the crucial role played by the publicly funded R&D institutions in translating national priorities into transformative solutions. She stated that these innovation excellence indicators offer a valuable metric for evaluating and benchmarking R&D institutes, ultimately fostering a stronger and more empowered innovation ecosystem.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Udayant Malhoutra, Chairman, CII National Committee on Design Innovation and CEO & Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Limited stated that India’s R&D ecosystem is increasingly driven by design-led innovation, fostering global competitiveness through collaboration and creativity.
Mr Masood Mallick, Chairman, CII National Committee on Waste to Worth Technologies and Managing Director & Group CEO of Re Sustainability Limited stated that R&D in waste-to-worth technologies is unlocking sustainable solutions and circular economy models for a cleaner future.
In his vote of thanks, Mr Shaheen Majeed, Vice-Chairman, CII National Committee on Intellectual Property and Global CEO & Managing Director, Sami-Sabinsa Group mentioned that a strong IP framework is vital to India’s R&D growth, empowering innovation across science and industry.
This exercise reflects the Government of India’s continued commitment to fostering excellence, accountability, and innovation within publicly funded research and development institutions. The study saw participation from over 240 R&D organisations across 21 Ministries.
The evaluation framework focused on six key dimensions—research output and quality, technology transfer and commercialization, collaborations and industry engagement, intellectual property generation, societal and policy impact, and human resource development and capacity building. These indicators were designed to provide a holistic view of innovation performance across institutions.
Following the report launch, the Summit featured a session that explored the crucial role of fostering R&D partnerships in creating effective co-innovation ecosystems for technological progress. A panel of experts, including Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant (Director, IIT Roorkee), Dr. Vibha Malhotra Sawhney (Scientist H, CSIR Headquarters), Dr. Nagahanumaiah (Director, Central Manufacturing Technology Institute), Mr. P S Jayan (Corporate Technology Officer, Carborundum Universal), and Dr. Umish Srivastva (Executive Director, Technology Promotion & Forecasting, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd), discussed strategies and models for successful collaboration among research organisations, academia, government, and industry. The panel was moderated by Dr. Hafsa Ahmad (Scientist D, Office of PSA).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Development Bureau announced today (April 29) that the subsidised sale flats of three Dedicated Rehousing Estate (DRE) projects, constructed by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), will be open for application from May 2 to 22. Out of the three DRE projects, two are located in the New Territories, and one is located in urban area.
The three projects are “Sierra Terrace” located at Pak Wo Road, Fanling, “Eminence Terrace I” at Tin Sam Road, Hung Shui Kiu, and “Delight Terrace” at Muk Chun Street, Kai Tak. Application is open to eligible households affected by Government development projects in the New Territories and urban area, or the Urban Renewal Authority (URA)’s redevelopment projects of the Civil Servants’ Co-operative Building Society (CBS) buildings (Note 1). The HKHS and the Lands Department will gradually issue letters to notify relevant households of the application arrangements and details.
The sale of DRE subsidised sale flats is one of the compensation and rehousing options available to non-owner households affected by Government development projects that need to relocate (Note 2). Eligible owner-occupiers affected by the URA’s CBS redevelopment projects may also choose to purchase subsidised sale flats in an urban DRE as one of the compensation and rehousing options.
The three subsidised sale flat projects open for application this round will provide a total of 1 573 units, with details at Annex. Among them, intake of “Eminence Terrace I” has already taken place since October 2024 and the HKHS will put the remaining 179 units up for sale in this round of exercise. “Sierra Terrace” is expected to be ready for intake in the first quarter of next year, and “Delight Terrace” is expected to be ready for intake in the first quarter of 2027.
The Government has reviewed the intake programmes of DREs in the pipeline and the timeline of various development projects in the coming few years, especially the Northern Metropolis. As the Government development projects in the coming few years as well as the households needing to relocate are mostly in the New Territories, to allow for better utilisation of the DRE resources, if there are unsold units upon completion of flat selection of the urban DRE “Delight Terrace” by households affected by Government development projects in urban area and URA’s CBS redevelopment projects, “Delight Terrace” will be open for purchase to households affected by Government development projects in the New Territories.
As for the subsidised rental units of the three abovementioned DREs, intake of “Eminence Tower 1” in Hung Shui Kiu has taken place since March this year, while “Sierra Tower” at Pak Wo Road, Fanling, is expected to be ready for intake in October this year. The Lands Department and the HKHS will continue to process applications for these rental units in an orderly manner upon receipt. The rental units in the DRE in Kai Tak are expected to be completed and ready for intake in the first quarter of 2027, and the Government and the HKHS will notify relevant households of the application arrangements nearer the time.
Note 1:
Households eligible to apply include:
(i) Non-owner households affected by the Government development projects in the New Territories and urban areas that need to relocate (including those temporarily rehoused in transitional rental housing units of the HKHS or the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA), and those currently residing within the development areas of the relevant Government development projects with the process of granting compensation and rehousing commenced – for the applicable project list, please refer to the website of the Lands Department (www.landsd.gov.hk/doc/en/land-acq-clearance/land-resumption-clearance/clearance-rehousing/Cat2(en).pdf);
(ii) Eligible CBS owner-occupiers affected by the Kau Pui Lung Road/Chi Kiang Street Development Scheme and Shing Tak Street/Ma Tau Chung Road Development Project.
Note 2:
Other compensation and rehousing options available for non-owner households affected by Government development projects include rehousing to the public rental housing units of the HKHA (subject to a comprehensive means test) or rental units in DREs of the HKHS (on a non-means tested basis), and receiving ex-gratia cash allowances.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised one-day workshop on IT Procurement and Project Management in New Delhi, aiming to enhance digital efficiency and streamline IT implementation across India’s maritime and shipping ecosystem.
The workshop was virtually inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, who emphasised the transformative role of technology in modernising port operations and enhancing service delivery for stakeholders.
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed the participants and underlined the importance of innovation, collaboration, and capacity building in accelerating the digital transformation within the maritime sector.
The event witnessed active participation from senior officials of the Ministry, various ports, and associated organisations. In-depth sessions during the workshop focused on challenges in IT projects, identifying root causes, and exploring actionable solutions to improve project outcomes. Case studies from ongoing projects of the Ministry were discussed to draw practical insights.
Key highlight of the event was a presentation on the proposed Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE)—envisioned as a dedicated center for IT project delivery, to be developed with support from CDAC.
Live demonstrations were held to showcase innovative digital tools, including SPARSH (Dashboard for Ports) and Counsello, AI-powered platforms developed by startups. Draft IT Procurement Guidelines were also introduced during the session, with participants encouraged to share feedback based on their on-ground experience. The discussions were led by Shri R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (IT), MoPSW, who reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building resilient and future-ready digital systems.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by the Secretary, MoPSW, emphasising the need for effective project execution and integration of next-generation technologies such as AI, ML, and other indigenous software solutions.
A vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Director (IT), acknowledging the contributions of all participants.
The Holy Buddha Relic of Sarnath for Exposition to Vietnam will arrive at National Museum Holy Relic will be transported to Ho Chi Minh City by a special aircraft on 1st May 2025
High level delegation will be led by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minister of Minority Affairs
Posted On: 29 APR 2025 6:39PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) New Delhi will be holding for the first time an exposition of the sacred Buddha Relic of Sarnath at Vietnam during the gala celebrations of the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2025.
The Holy Relic will be ceremonially brought to Delhi on April 30, 2025, amidst prayers from Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, (monastery) in Sarnath to the Varanasi airport. The Vihara is enshrined with the sacred relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. It was built by Angarika Dharmapala, who was the founder of Mahabodhi society and is still maintained and run by the Mahabodhi Society.
Upon reaching Delhi the Holy Relic will be placed in a special protected enclosure at the National Museum for prayers, chanting and meditation by the followers of Dhamma, including eminent members of the community and the diplomatic representatives from the Buddhist countries at 5.30 pm on April 30, 2025.
The following day, May 1, 2025, the Holy Relic of the Buddha will be transported from the National Museum with great reverence escorted by senior monks with full religious sanctity and protocol to Ho Chi Minh City by a special Indian Air Force aircraft.
A high-level delegation from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) led by Secretary General Ven. Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, including member of the Governing Council are attending the Holy Exposition ceremonies and the Vesak celebrations in Vietnam. The delegation will be led by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minister of Minority Affairs.
The Holy Relics of the Buddha enshrined in Mulagandha Kuti Vihara were excavated in Nagarjuna Konda, a prominent site in Andhra Pradesh. It holds historical significance as a major centre of Mahayana Buddhism and is associated with the monk, philosopher Nagarjuna of second century CE. These were worshiped and venerated for ages since the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. A.H. Longhurst, the then superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted full scale excavation from 1927-31; most of the monuments at the site were constructed in third-fourth century CE; remains of more than thirty Buddhist establishments were found here. Inscription date the oldest great Stupa around 246 CE but archaeologist say the Stupa could be older.
After the excavations they were presented to the Mahabodhi Society of India on December 27, 1932, by Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahni, Director General of ASI, on behalf of H.E. the Viceroy of India before a distinguished gathering of Buddhists. Every year on the foundation day of the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara which is celebrated in the month of November, when thousands of people from different parts of the world come to Sarnath.
The sacred Relic will be ceremoniously enshrined, venerated, and worshiped at the following important sites; At Hanh Tâm Monastery in Ho Chi Minh city from May 2–8, 2025 (coinciding with the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025); next at the Bà Đen Mountain, Tây Ninh Province from May 9–13, 2025 (Southern Vietnam’s national spiritual pilgrimage site); from here the sacred Relic will be placed for exposition at Quán Sứ Monastery, Hanoi from May 14–18, 2025 (Headquarters of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha), and finally at Tam Chúc Monastery, Hà Nam Province from May 18–21, 2025 (the largest Buddhist centre in Southeast Asia).
The important exposition coincides with the United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak 2025 as it is being celebrated in Vietnam, an opportunity for not only the citizens of Vietnam to seek blessings of the Holy Relic but also the international delegates from over 100 countries and regions who would be participating in the Vesak Day celebrations.
Every year, since the passing of the resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on 15th December 1999, the thrice-sacred day of Vesak (celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha Gautama) has been celebrated internationally. The International Day of Vesak was celebrated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the first time in 2000. This had inspired annual celebrations of the United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV) by international Buddhist communities.
The International Council for the Day of Vesak (ICDV) has held a Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council since 2013. The main theme for the UNDV 2025 Celebrations and Academic Conference will be “Buddhist Approach to Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity: Buddhist Insights for World Peace and Sustainable Development,” at Vietnam Buddhist University, Ho Chi Minh City, Sunworld Buddhist Cultural Centre, Tay Ninh Province.
Exhibitions on the Buddha Dhamma
On the occasion International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will also be hosting three exhibitions on the dissemination of Buddha Dhamma and its cultural practices from India to Vietnam. These are and electronic display of Jataka tales; the sculptures depicting different forms of the Buddha; and a comparative study of Buddhist artefacts from India and Vietnam.
The analysis draws on a variety of resources to deepen understanding of this rich cultural exchange, including epigraphic inscriptions, historical texts, and visual artifacts. This multifaceted approach aims to provide a comprehensive narrative of the evolution of Buddha Dhamma in Vietnam, reflecting its profound impact on art, spirituality, and cultural identity throughout history.
The highlight is a display of the digital restoration of the Ajanta Cave murals, illuminating the ancient Jataka Kathas. The IBC, in collaboration with the Prasad Pawar Foundation of Pune will unveil 8 panels and exhibit on separate TV screens showcasing the digital restoration process of the famous Bodhisattva Padmapani, a mural painting dating from the late 5th century. The mural is in Cave 1 of the Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, and it reflects the beauty and classical sophistication of the arts of India’s Gupta dynasty.
The exhibition invites visitors to walk among visions of Bodhisattvas and celestial beings, as ancient narratives gently unfold. These tales remind us that compassion knows no borders, wisdom belongs to all, and peace is born from the shared dignity of every living being.
A High-Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah approves Rs. 153.36 crore of additional Central assistance to Manipur, affected by hailstorm, during year 2024 Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is standing shoulder to shoulder with the State Governments during natural calamities and disasters
During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 20,264.40 crore to 28 states under SDRF and Rs. 5,160.76 crore under NDRF to 19 states
Posted On: 29 APR 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi
A High-Level Committee (HLC), under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, has approved Rs.153.36 crore of additional Central assistance to Manipur, affected by hailstorm, during year 2024. This assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance for the year available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is standing shoulder to shoulder with the State Governments during natural calamities and disasters.
The additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the centre to the states in the SDRF, already placed at the disposal of the states. During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 20,264.40 crore to 28 states under SDRF and Rs. 5,160.76 crore under NDRF to 19 states. Additionally, Rs. 4984.25 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 19 states and Rs. 719.72 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 08 states has also been released.
Similarly, during the financial year 2025-26, the Central Government has released Rs. 895.60 crore to 01 state under SDRF and Rs. 929.633 crore under NDRF to 07 states, so far.