Month: May 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 7:05PM by PIB Delhi

On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day 2025, Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, commemorated the remarkable success of its flagship CSR initiative, the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), at a special event held at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi. The scheme, which supports free bone marrow transplants for children suffering from thalassemia and aplastic anemia, has emerged as a life-transforming initiative for hundreds of families across the country.

Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, was the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal; senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, Coal India Limited; CMDs and Directors of Coal PSUs, medical professionals, representatives of partner hospitals, NGOs and beneficiary children and their families.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, lauded the life-changing impact of the scheme and announced an ambitious future goal “One State, One Hospital” for Bone Marrow Transplant under the TBSY, to further expand its reach and accessibility. Describing it as a beacon of hope for countless families across the Nation, he commended Coal India Limited for not only fulfilling its corporate social responsibility with dedication but also for demonstrating a compassionate approach towards addressing a critical public health challenge. So far, over 700 children have received life-saving transplants under TBSY. Most of these children are now leading healthy and normal lives. The scheme has also relieved families of substantial medical expenses.  He further stated that an online portal developed by CIL ensures real-time application and monitoring, while awareness campaigns, including pamphlets, posters, and short films, have extended the reach of the scheme to rural areas. He highlighted the scheme’s growth and scalability, which began with four hospitals and now includes 17 empanelled premier healthcare institutions

Shri Reddy urged all the stakeholders including healthcare institutions, policymakers, and civil society to adopt a patient-centric approach in the ongoing fight against thalassemia. Emphasizing that prevention is as vital as cure, he called for increased awareness, early screening, and genetic counseling to reduce the incidence of thalassemia in future generations.

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to making India thalassemia-free, and expressed confidence that with collaborative efforts, this goal will be achieved. Every development must be inclusive, humane, and sustainable. Initiatives like TBSY show what can be achieved when corporate social responsibility aligns with national goals.

Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, in his remarks, recognized the humanitarian dimension of CIL’s CSR initiatives. He noted that CIL is not only meeting the energy needs of the nation but also bringing hope and healing through support to children suffering from thalassemia. Applauding the provision of financial assistance up to ₹10 lakh per child, he called the initiative a model of compassion-driven governance. Shri Dubey also highlighted successful partnerships with 17 of India’s leading hospitals and Thalassemics India, which have ensured effective and widespread implementation of the scheme.

Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, stressed the need for creating synergies between CIL-operated hospitals and BMT centers to improve early screening and intervention. She emphasized the importance of capacity building and training in hospitals near coal PSUs, enabling families to access medical care locally. Citing the global recognition received by this initiative, she reiterated the Ministry’s support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health &family Welfare and empanelled hospitals to reach every child in need while working towards the vision of a thalassemia-free India.

Mr. Harsh Mangla, Director, National Health Mission, detailed the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s ongoing and upcoming strategies to combat rare genetic diseases such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. He expressed optimism in leveraging cross-sectoral partnerships to enhance the reach and impact of these health interventions.

 

The event commenced with a welcome address by Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, who expressed gratitude to dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support in making TBSY a success. He reaffirmed CIL’s commitment to social welfare, stressing the importance of collective effort in transforming lives through focused CSR programs.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), CIL. He reiterated CIL’s dedication to expanding CSR efforts for creating long-term social impact.

From the partner hospitals’ side, Dr. Vikram Matthews (CMC Vellore) and Dr. Sunil Bhat (Narayana Health, Bengaluru) delivered insightful presentations, elaborating on the devastating nature of thalassemia, sharing real-life case studies, and offering recommendations for strengthening BMT infrastructure and outreach in India.

The event also featured the felicitation of top-performing hospitals namely Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Narayana Hrudayalaya Bengaluru, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi for their exemplary efforts in delivering successful transplant outcomes.

Adding a heartfelt element to the ceremony, 15 thalassemia warrior children were honored, and guardians of two beneficiaries shared emotional testimonials expressing deep gratitude for restoring hope and health to their families.

Through the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, Coal India Limited under the guidance of Ministry of Coal continues to exemplify how corporate leadership can extend beyond business imperatives to transformative impact, compassion and Nation-building.

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Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2127782) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

SECL Organizes First ‘Sneh Milan Mela to Build Stronger Community Relations

Initiative Aims to Foster Local Cooperation for Smoother Land Acquisition and Accelerated Development in Mining Areas

Employment Letters Issued to 86 Local Youths as Part of Inclusive Growth Efforts

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi

In a novel initiative to foster goodwill and deeper engagement with local communities, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) recently organized its first-ever ‘Sneh Milan Mela’ in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh under its Bhatgaon Area.

The event, which brought together SECL employees, their families, and nearby villagers, is part of SECL’s broader approach to build trust and cooperation essential for smooth land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of mining operations.

The vibrant gathering featured cultural performances, including songs, dances, and a highlight puppet act with the social message of drug de-addiction. Women employees and local participants set up food stalls offering traditional cuisines, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Over 600 attendees including SECL employees, and members of nearby communities joined the celebration, which emphasized unity and shared progress.

The Mela aligns with the vision of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy who during his recent visit to SECL reached out to people on ground zero, had lunch with coal miners and underscored the importance of grassroots engagement and worker welfare.

As part of its ongoing rehabilitation efforts, SECL also distributed employment letters to 86 local youths affected by land acquisition for the Mahamaya Open Cast Project in Bhatgaon Area.

The appointment letters were presented at a formal event graced by Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. She praised SECL’s initiatives to empower affected families and called on youth to contribute to the region’s growth.

SECL is actively working to expand its operations, particularly in its three flagship mega projects Gevra, Dipka, and Kusmunda which together contribute over 70% of the company’s coal production. Facilitating community cooperation is key to these expansions.

In FY 2024–25 alone, SECL provided employment to 807 people in lieu of land acquisition, the highest such figure in the company’s history underscoring its commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth.

SECL CMD Shri Harish Duhan said, “At SECL, our mission goes beyond mining. We are deeply committed to improving the lives of people in our operational areas through sustained employment and community engagement. Events like Sneh Milan Mela reflect our holistic approach to development where building trust with communities is as vital as operational efficiency in driving long-term progress.”

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Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2127766) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC)

Hon’ble Minister Reviews DNT Welfare Initiatives During Visit to Tisgaon Tanda, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:56PM by PIB Mumbai

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar/Mumbai, 8 May 2025

 

The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, visited Tisgaon Tanda village in Taluka Khultabad, District Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, today (May 8, 2025) to review ongoing development and welfare activities targeted at De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs). The visit focused on assessing the implementation of the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) programme, alongside various State Government-led initiatives.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to the upliftment of DNT communities—among the most marginalized and socio-economically disadvantaged groups in the country. The Union Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has established the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) to ensure the focused implementation of welfare and development schemes for these communities.

During the visit, Dr. Virendra Kumar interacted directly with a wide range of stakeholders, including State Government officials, NGO partners involved in SEED implementation, DNT beneficiaries and students, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and local community leaders. These interactions provided important ground-level feedback and insights into the effectiveness and impact of the programmes.

During the visit, a range of entitlements and benefits were distributed to eligible members of the DNT communities, including:

• Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Cards, ensuring access to quality healthcare services,
• Kamgar Kalyan Smart Cards, facilitating access to welfare benefits for unorganized workers,
• Caste Certificates, essential for availing reservations and affirmative action schemes,
• Revolving Funds to Self-Help Groups, supporting income-generating activities,
• Entry Point Activities aimed at confidence building and group cohesion among newly formed SHGs.

The SEED scheme targets families with an annual income of ₹2.50 lakh or less, who are not availing benefits from similar schemes of the central or state governments. The scheme includes four key components for the welfare of the DNT communities:

• Providing quality coaching to DNT candidates for competitive examinations,
• Providing health insurance to DNT communities,
• Promoting livelihood initiatives at the community level for small groups within DNT/NT/SNT communities,
• Providing financial assistance to DNT individuals for constructing houses.

This visit reaffirmed the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s dedication to ensuring inclusive development and effective delivery of welfare measures for DNT communities at the grassroots level.

 

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PIB Mumbai | SC/ DR

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(Release ID: 2127743) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 6:27PM by PIB Delhi

Good afternoon,  
 
Shri Ram Madhav,  Director, India Foundation. His public life has been dotted with contributions all throughout for larger public welfare but he can legitimately be counted as authentic part of Indian intelligentsia.
 
Distinguished guests from abroad, and Distinguished members of this group.
 
Greetings to our foreign guests to Bharat, home to one-sixth of humanity, Global epicenter of culture. We legitimately take pride in being a civilization of thousands of years old and we are unique in several ways, you would have already got some inkling of it. My very distinguished predecessor Venkaiah Naidu ji, a tall figure in Indian politics set very high benchmark as Chairman, Rajya Sabha. He started a bond as he has the good fortune to host two cohorts. Anything done by him carries sublimity and  worth. I am delighted to continue this bond which will be enduring, and it is the fifth one. I am particularly fascinated by the name Kautilya fellowship program and more fascinated by the demographic upper sealing it has for 35 years. 35 years would mean all of you can qualify in the right age to be member of Lok Sabha, 25 years is the age. 

At 30 you can be a member of the upper house. Unfortunately, you can’t contest the election to be the President. There you have to be more than 35 years of age. You are in a land which basically believes in universal brotherhood–Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. When India hosted and set very high benchmark for G20, the G20 motto was One Earth, One family, One future. This has been exemplified by us over thousands of years, and also in contemporaneous times. At the moment we have global turbulence, Global disturbance.  There are global conflagrations, nations are getting ambitious, they are getting in expansion mode and therefore Kautilya’s words of wisdom have great relevance.

 
Wisdom of Kautilya stands out not as ancient relic but as living guidance. I am sure you must have all studied on Kautilya and his thought process. His philosophy, his Arthashastra remains unmatched in its precision on governance, revealing a mind that understood powers essential in nature and while never forgetting its purpose.  Power is defined by limitations. Democracy is nurtured ever mindful of the limitations of power.  If you will go deep into Kautilya’s philosophy you will find all this converges only to one essence- nectar of governance, welfare of the people.  Kautilya declared, “The happiness of the King lies in the happiness of his people”
 
If you look at Constitutions of any country that are democratic, you will find this philosophy is the underlying spirit and essence of Democratic governance and democratic values. This people centric foundation reminds us that legitimacy flows not on account of being elected to governance, not on account of being in seat of power but it flows when you get involved passionately in mission mode with deep commitment to execution and public welfare activities.
 
Democracy is nurtured best when expression and dialogue complement each other, this distinguishes democracy from any other form of governance and in India democracy did not start with our constitution coming into force or we getting Independence from foreign rule. We have been a democratic nation in spirit for thousands of years and this expression and dialogue, complementary mechanism, अभिव्यक्ति, वाद-विवाद has been known in Vedic culture as Anantvad. I am therefore extremely optimistic, brimming with confidence that a world that I described is so torn. If young minds can get together from several countries,  get to know each other and that too in Land of Civilization, cradle of Civilization, crucible of innovation  where the only thought process resonating over the years is welfare of all.
 
You would have felt by now, Atithi Devo Bhava. Guest for us is God. You would have felt it on any part of the country.  The format will be different, mechanism will be different but the spirit will be the same.  I therefore beseech you to look at Bharat, what it was, lost way somewhere in between.  There was a time when India contributed to the extent of one third of the global economy,  there was a time when India was global destination for knowledge & wisdom. Our educational institutions – Nalanda, Takshashila to name only two, were glorified but about 1300 years ago Nalanda was put in flames. Precious library was lost, Marauders came, they made an effort to revenge our culture, tyrannical, barbaric in their approach but the land survived.

You see recent decades, we were a fragile economy counted or stigmatized as being part of fragile five. Now we are the fourth largest global economy on way to becoming the third.  You have to understand Bharat at the moment. No nation in the world has grown so exponentially in last decade as Bharat. Among the larger economies, our pace of growth, our economic upsurge has been at the front. This has converted Bharat into the most aspirational nation in the world at the moment. And primarily because of the segment you represent. Bharat’s demographic dividend is envy of the world. You all are stakeholders in governance in future of the world more than us. You have to drive the growth engine for larger prosperity of the world. Today you see a Bharat at the moment where developmental impact is being felt in the villages.

Imagine all village households having access to minimum 4G internet technology. Imagine a nation which contributes more than 50% of global technological transactions. Imagine a country of 1.4 billion which just a decade ago did not have all households connected to electricity, to pipe water, had no toilet facility, no gas connection. Now they have. 

This transformation has brought about equality. This transformation has cut into inequities. Bharat is a growth story accoladed by the world. To be emulated by many nations and they have expressed desire. Global institutions, the World Bank, the IMF, they have recognised this spinal strength of human genius of Bharat. Strength and resilience of its economy. And that is why IMF declared India that is the Bharat as a global shining centre of investment and opportunity.

Boys and girls you are in this land. Our Prime Minister, a great visionary believes in big scale. He believes in massive transformation. He believes in the transformation of the world and after a decade of governance the results are writing on the wall. It is after a long gap of several decades, that we have a Prime Minister continually in the third term and that is making all the difference. And this is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Democracy is in our DNA”

Why in our DNA? Because from ancient Vedic Sabhas and Samitis to our contemporary electoral system. Boys and girls examine. This is the only country in the world that has constitutionally prescribed democratic system at the village level, at the district level, at the state level, at the national level.

This was brought in effect in our country about three and a half decades ago. We started initially with electoral system, democratic process for Parliament and state legislatures but now it has permeated and all this is Constitutionally prescribed. A stable, robust constitutional mechanism has to ensure governance at the village level, at taluk level, at district level. Let me indicate some statistics that will buttress my point. Our electoral process stands as a marvel of scale and inclusion.

The number of registered voters is 990 million. We will be touching a billion. And in the last election in 2024, 642 million people cast votes. This is twice the size of the population of United States. Globally in democratic process there is a declining trend of participation but Bharat defeats this trend. Participatory democracy is blossoming in Bharat and the turnout is rising. It is currently close to 65 percent. Our commitment to gender equity is now constitutionally codified. Women reservation in legislature and Parliament is to the extent of one third now. This is a facet of empowerment of women.

Humanity cannot grow equitably without a fair share of participation by women. But what you need to learn more particularly is reservation to the extent of one third in Lok Sabha and State legislatures is not the upper limit. In the other two third category women can participate. So their number will be more than two third, more than one third, but a striking feature of this reservation is it is horizontal and vertical. Marginalised sections, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, they will have reservation in themselves but there will be reservation for women in that category also.

 So boys and girls, this is epochal development. This will be game changing and this will impact this country in a manner that we will regain our past glory as Vishwaguru. Bharat is not a nation with potential. It is a nation on the rise. The rise is unstoppable. The rise is incremental. Making India a developed nation at 2047 when we complete centenary of our independence is not a dream.
 
It is our destination. Everyone in the country is confident we will achieve it in 2047 if not earlier. In doing all this, our Prime Minister has exemplified in action Kautilyan philosophy. Kautilya’s thought process is a treatise in governance virtually encyclopedic for every facet of governance, state craft, security, role of the king, now those elected. In our multipolar world, we are shifting alliances; you know more than I do. We had a concept, fly by night concept. Same can be seen with alliances. But Kautilya imagined then that this will be our shifting.

 

Let me quote Kautilya, “Neighbouring state is an enemy and the enemy’s enemy is a friend”, which country knows better than Bharat. We always believe in global peace, global fraternity, global welfare and that is why I said our motto for G20 reflected that 100%. We must go by results. How many people have been hand held to lead a life of dignity, to come out of poverty and that is decided by certain indicators. The number is 248 million. This has been done by a multi pronged strategy. They have been hand held and they have come out. The number will keep on growing. I do not wish to take more time but indicate to you that perhaps what is your median age? 28, around. I say so because this is median age of our demographic dividend. This will take us to our destination.

I will conclude by giving you one illustration, How Prime Minister Modi followed Chanakya Kautilya. When the world faced a non-discriminatory challenge in the shape of COVID, the challenge was much bigger for a nation of 1.4 billion people, and this is what Narendra Modi did. His first step was people’s curfew. People were amazed. Why India’s Prime Minister is thinking of people’s curfew? It was not state sponsored, not administration enforced. He appealed to the people.
Not a soul was on the street. There was near 100% compliance. This motivated the people. This gave strength to a leadership that had vision. Determined to fight COVID at a time when there was no vaccine. No immediate solution in sight.

I know it because then I was boys and girls, Governor of the State of West Bengal. I was looking at the problem that was staring us. I had the good fortune to see in city of joy, Kolkata, curfew being 100% by the people but the underlying spirit of the Prime Minister was it is for the people. It is for the benefit of the people. Can there be greater awareness of the problem than this? This one step by visionary Prime Minister enlightened everyone about the gigantic scale of the problem. Secondly, lighting of candles. I as governor did it. And that was symbolising hope that there may be darkness of COVID, but there will be light. We have Indian tradition when there is some happiness lie when a child is born, how do you light a candle? How would the villagers know? So the house that is honoured by arrival of a newborn, they will take a thali, a metal plate and do it, we did that. At that time, some people did not see the underlying rationale of the Prime Minister. In retrospect they know the man was present Kautilya. He was present, Chanakya. Same about economy. Economy of this country has risen like a plateau. He realised, as Kautilya instructed in Arthashastra, if the last mile people do not rise, economy cannot get quantum jump. 

Just imagine, and I will urge all of you to study, the impact of Mudra Loan. How it has converted 50% beneficiaries who are women into entrepreneurs. How it has led women and others to self-economic independence. I am extremely delighted to be amongst you because you constitute the intellectual capital of the world. This convergence is motivated by not welfare of one nation, one race, one caste, one creed, one religion. It is meant in the true spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the world is one family. We aspire for welfare of the entire world.

 
Kautilya had one great emphasis. Democracy has to be participatory. Development equally has to be participatory. He laid great emphasis on individuals contributing for national welfare. A nation is defined by decorum, discipline that is individualistic in nature. Similarly, I quote Kautilya, “Just as one wheel alone does not move a cart,” those were the days only of cart, not of automobiles.

Administration cannot be accomplished single-handedly. This nation has an administration which is innovative. In the country we had some districts that were lagging behind. Bureaucrats did not venture into those areas. Prime Minister Modi created a nomenclature for those districts. ‘Aspirational Districts’ and now those ‘Aspirational Districts’ have turned out to be leader districts in development.

Prime Minister Modi certainly thought that people are going to metros. Tier 2, Tier 3 cities must also be hub of economic activity. He devised a mechanism of smart cities. Smart cities were not in the context of infrastructure or beauty. It was in the context of facilities being available for entrepreneurs, for students, so that they do not have to go to metros.

There was a time when in this country for security purposes we used to call our villages on the border as the last village. He changed it. He changed it into first village, a vibrant village. So boys and girls, make most of your time while you are here and I am sure you will carry fond memories. Nurture the bonds you create here. These bonds will help you all your lives, trust me. Do you have an alumni culture of your cohorts? Develop that. I am extremely privileged to be part of this discourse. I will say three things and conclude. One — it is for the first time in G20, India took the initiative to make African Union a member of G20. It is for the first time that Prime Minister Modi took the initiative to put the consensus of the Global South on international radar. And last, while you were battling COVID, this country helped 100 other countries with COVID vaccine.
 
Thank you so much

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JKRC/SM

(Release ID: 2127759) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi

H.E. Dr. Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran called on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (May 8, 2025).

 Welcoming Dr. Araghchi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President noted that his visit is taking place on the special occasion of 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 The President said that relations between India and Iran go back thousands of years. In every aspect of art and culture, whether it is language and literature or music and food, we can see glimpses of each other’s heritage.

 The President said that our bilateral relations are built on a strong foundation of regular high-level exchanges. Over these 75 years, ties between India and Iran have grown in diverse areas – be it cultural cooperation, trade and energy partnership, or strategic coordination at regional and global forums. The two countries have not only maintained a long-standing friendship but have also worked together for regional peace and prosperity. She welcomed the ongoing cooperation between the two sides in realizing the full potential of the Chabahar Port.

 The President also thanked Iran for its message of solidarity and compassion following the Pahalgam terrorist attacks.

 The President expressed confidence that this visit will further strengthen India-Iran bilateral relations.

 

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MJPS/SR/BM

(Release ID: 2127750) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable & professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment, says Raksha Mantri at National Quality Conclave 2025

“India has always played the role of a responsible nation, but if anyone tries to take advantage of its restraint, they will face ‘quality action’”

No limit will become an obstacle in protecting India’s sovereignty, fully prepared for responsible responses in the future: Shri Rajnath Singh

“Expanding defence industrial ecosystem is providing an unprecedented strength to India”

“Need to develop global trust in our equipment to make India a developed nation & largest defence exporter by 2047”

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

“Operation Sindoor was successfully executed because our formidable & professionally-trained Armed Forces were equipped with high-quality equipment,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the National Quality Conclave in New Delhi on May 08, 2025. Raksha Mantri commended the precision with which the Armed Forces executed the operation without harming any innocent person and with minimum collateral damage, terming it as unimaginable and a matter of great pride for the nation.

“In Operation Sindoor, nine terror camps were destroyed in Pakistan & PoK, and a good number of terrorists were killed. It shows the crucial role ‘quality’ plays in securing national interests,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.

Raksha Mantri asserted that India has always played the role of a responsible nation exercising great restraint and it believes in resolving issues through dialogue, however, if anyone tries to take advantage of this restraint, they will face ‘quality action’. He assured the nation that no limit will become an obstacle for the Government in protecting India’s sovereignty. “We are fully prepared for such responsible responses in the future as well,” he said.

Sharing his views on the theme of the conclave ‘Fast-tracking of Quality Assurance through Integrated Approach and Technology Enabled Processes’, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that fast-tracking quality assessment is the need of the hour in view of the disruptive changes and new transformations being witnessed in the defence sector across the globe.

Raksha Mantri voiced the Government’s emphasis on the empowerment of the defence production sector since 2014, based on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s philosophy of Defence Sovereignty. He said: “Defence Sovereignty means that until a country is capable and self-reliant in its defence needs, its independence cannot be considered complete. If we buy weapons and other defence equipment from abroad, we are outsourcing our security and leaving it at the mercy of someone else. Our government thought over it seriously and took a decisive step to achieve self-reliance. The expanding defence industrial ecosystem is providing an unprecedented strength to India”.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that equal emphasis is being laid on quality and quantity in defence production with many revolutionary steps being taken in that direction, including corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). He termed Quality as the Government’s priority Reform Agenda, highlighting that since the corporatisation of OFB, DPSUs have become internationally competitive and export-oriented, with efforts being made to advance quality production.

Raksha Mantri pointed out that one of the objectives behind the progress of the public sector has been to develop a Healthy Competitive Private Defence Ecosystem, which will strengthen India’s security through quality. “In today’s world, a strong brand value is important than just a product. The brand, which assures consistent quality and reliability, succeeds,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh appealed to the Armed Forces, Government QA agencies, DPSUs, private industry, research institutions, academia, and MSME representatives present on the occasion to build a world-leading state-of-the-art Brand India.  “Brand India means if an Indian company has promised something, it will definitely happen. ‘Whenever in doubt, go for India’ should be our USP,” he said.

On the major changes being witnessed in the global order, Raksha Mantri stated that when developed countries move towards re-armament, the demand for arms & equipment will increase. He cited the report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute which said that the world military expenditure has reached $ 2,718 billion in 2024. He expressed hope that with coordinated efforts, the Indian defence manufacturing sector can make its mark globally with the Brand India philosophy. “Defence exports crossed the record figure of about Rs 24,000 crore in Financial Year 2024-25. Our aim is to increase the figure to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. The target is to make India a developed nation and the world’s largest defence exporter by 2047. To achieve the goal, we must develop global trust regarding the quality of our defence equipment,” he said.

While Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the efforts being made towards quality improvement, he stressed on the need to focus on using tools such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, and machine learning for real-time quality monitoring in today’s technology-driven era. He also called for updating standards and testing protocols to align with evolving global technologies. We need to focus on time-bound quality assurance clearances so that unwanted delays do not take place, he said.

Raksha Mantri added that quality assessment agencies should always keep an eye on their deficiencies and work on overcoming them through modernisation and development of testing infrastructure. Continuous gap analysis in the field of niche technology will be an essential step, he said.

Organised by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, the conclave underscored the need to transition from legacy QA models to predictive, data-driven, and automated systems. Experts called for seamless collaboration across stakeholders to accelerate certification timelines, streamline inspections, and embed real-time quality oversight into defence production.

Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar spotlighted the role of innovation and industry collaboration in making India a leading defence exporter. In a transparent and interactive Open House session, he addressed queries from defence industry representatives and user agencies, reinforcing the Ministry’s resolve to simplify, digitalise, and modernise QA systems.

Key Highlights & Announcements

• A landmark session introduced the Industry 4.0/QA 4.0 Roadmap, developed jointly by DGQA and industry partners. It includes deployment of smart technologies like Internet of Things-enabled test benches, automated data capture, digital dashboards, and AI-powered analytics—aimed at reducing human error, enhancing efficiency, and enabling continuous quality monitoring across defence product life-cycles.
• The Draft Indian Military Airworthiness Bill was formally presented for final inputs. The Bill, crafted through an inclusive process involving multiple stakeholders, including MoD, DRDO, Services, DPSUs, and industry, proposes a statutory framework for the certification of military aircraft and airborne systems. A dedicated interactive session captured final feedback from user representatives and industry forums.
• A dedicated session explored strategies to boost the indigenous development of Explosives and Ordnance (E&O) stores. Experts examined the role of emerging technologies – AI/ML, Big Data, Additive Manufacturing, Silicon Photonics, Semiconductors, and Advanced Materials—in modernising E&O production, safety validation, and certification. The session reinforced the need for technological self-reliance in critical munitions and precision systems.

 

The National Quality Conclave 2025 concluded with a united commitment from all stakeholders to redefine defence QA as a strategic enabler, not just of compliance, but of national security, export capability, and indigenous innovation. The outcomes of the conclave are expected to catalyse India’s transformation into a global benchmark for defence quality assurance.

DG, DGQA Shri N Manoharan emphasised that the conclave had significantly strengthened the partnership between industry and defence stakeholders, while also advancing efforts toward standardisation and innovation in quality assurance.

Director General of Naval Armament Inspection Rear Admiral Rupak Barua, Director General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance Shri Sanjay Chawla, CMDs of DPSUs, senior MoD officers were also present on the occasion.

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VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2127735) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:46PM by PIB Delhi

Recognizing the critical role of AI infrastructure in shaping India’s economic future, the NITI Aayog Frontier Tech Hub hosted a high-level workshop on May 8, 2025, focused on accelerating investments in AI-ready datacentres across Indian states. The workshop brought together senior officials from key state governments, central ministries and industry leaders to chart a strategic roadmap for positioning India as a global hub for AI infrastructure.

 The deliberations spotlighted the widening gap between India’s digital ambitions and its current compute capabilities. Although India generates nearly 20% of the world’s data, it accounts for just 3% of global datacentre capacity. With AI adoption surging across sectors, the need for reliable, scalable, and sustainable AI infrastructure has never been more urgent.

 The workshop urged states to move beyond land- and real estate-centric models and embrace a new paradigm anchored in access to clean energy, high-performance computing, and streamlined policy environments. Key themes included:

• The projected doubling of global electricity demand from datacentres and AI by 2026
• India’s unique advantages in renewable energy, deep engineering talent, and rapidly growing digital economy
• The need for coordinated reforms in power, policy, and regulation to attract hyperscale and sovereign AI investments

 Participants discussed the six critical pillars essential for AI datacentre readiness—land, power, network, compute, talent, and enabling policies. The conversation highlighted the urgency for states to think not just competitively within India, but globally, as countries like Vietnam, UAE, and Indonesia aggressively pursue AI investments.

 Speaking at the workshop, Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, said:

 “India has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a global AI datacentre hub. With our clean energy leadership, unmatched tech talent, and strong policy momentum, we are well-positioned to deliver the world’s greenest and most cost-effective AI compute. But the competition is global. States must stop thinking only in terms of land and start thinking in terms of AI ecosystems — anchored in energy, innovation, and execution.”

 The workshop was organized in partnership with Deloitte, the Knowledge Partner, and featured participation from ten states and representatives from defense, ministries of MNRE, Finance, DoT and Power. Distinguished attendees included Shri Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog; Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog; Ms. Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog; and Mr. Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia.

 A strategic report titled “Accelerating AI Infrastructure Investments in India”, providing a comprehensive blueprint to unlock national-scale AI infrastructure investments was also launched in the workshop.

 This workshop is part of the NITI Frontier Tech Hub’s ongoing efforts to drive frontier technology awareness, readiness, and policy innovation across states and ministries—strengthening India’s journey to becoming a global leader in the AI-powered intelligence economy.

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2127731) Visitor Counter : 2

Source: Government of India

INS SUNAYNA (IOS SAGAR) RETURNS TO KOCHI ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF MONTH LONG DEPLOYMENT

IOS Sagar – A significant step in reinforcing India’s commitment to Regional Security and Collaborative Maritime Cooperation reflecting the vision of MAHASAGAR

Sagar Mission reaffirms India’s continued engagement with Maritime Neighbours towards building stronger ties and working towards a safer, more inclusive & secure IOR

Indian Navy strengthening Maritime Bonds, Capacity Building and Enduring Partnership with IOR Nations

Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Navy’s maiden initiative of Indian Ocean Ship Sagar, jointly crewed by personnel from nine IOR Navies, concluded its month long deployment in SW IOR region and returned to Kochi on 08 May 25. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command congratulated the crew of India and nine friendly foreign countries during the grand reception ceremony held at Naval Base, Kochi. The successful completion of the deployment marks a new chapter in maritime cooperation and underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding collective maritime interests, capacity building and enduring partnership with IOR nations.

IOS Sagar was flagged off by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh from Karwar on 05 Apr 25. During the deployment, the ship undertook port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male. The key highlights of the mission included joint naval exercises, professional & cultural exchanges and joint EEZ surveillance of key IOR nations – Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius & Seychelles. Strengthening regional maritime cooperation between India and African nations, the ship participated in AIKEYME 2025 alongside INS Chennai & INS Kesari, which was jointly hosted by India and Tanzania from 13 – 18 Apr 25. The exercise provided an opportunity for the crew of lOS Sagar to participate in the joint harbour phase and interact with the participating Navies. At Mozambique, a range of collaborative activities and community engagements were held promoting operational synergy and interoperability with the Mozambique Navy.

Reinforcing the enduring bond between India and Mauritius, the crew of IOS Sagar had fruitful engagement with the Mauritius Police Force and undertook coordinated patrol with the Mauritius Coast Guard. Visit to Port Victoria, Seychelles was marked with cross deck visits, training exchange, joint Yoga sessions and maritime engagement with Seychelles Defence Force. The ship held collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission at Maldives prior to entering Kochi. This deployment exemplifies Indian Navy’s continued engagement with regional Navies and maritime security stakeholders of IOR nations to train together, exchange best practices and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding.

It was a unique experience for the 44 international crew of nine partner nations – Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania who jointly manned the ship alongside Indian Navy crew, truly signifying the motto of ‘One Ocean One Mission’. The journey of IOS Sagar which commenced with the combined harbour and sea training phase at SNC, Kochi in Mar 25 has been truly memorable for all the crew members. The professional and seamless integration of the international crew working together as a well knit and cohesive team truly reflects the spirit of camaraderie and maritime friendship. The mission is a testament to Indian Navy’s commitment as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in IOR towards the Gol’s strategic vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region).

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VM/SKS                                                                                                    101/25

(Release ID: 2127730) Visitor Counter : 2