Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 25 APR 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

“I love you Mom because you take me out to play…”

Moksh’s mother had tears in her eyes when she read this simple, loving, and heartwarming note written by her son in uneven letters and wobbly handwriting. Though it seems like just ten simple words written by a kid to his mother. But behind those words lies a powerful story of love, waiting, and hope.

Moksh was born with a condition called “knock knees,” which made his legs bend inward. He was left at a Child Care Institution when he was just a day old unaware of anything in this new world. He was put up for adoption. For four years, families walked in and out of his life—pausing, hesitating, moving on. His condition was listed on the form. And that was often the end of the conversation.

Until one day, it wasn’t.

In 2021, a couple saw him, not the label, not the diagnosis, but ‘Their child.’ To them, he wasn’t a problem to solve, he was their son, waiting for them from the day he was born. The second wave of COVID-19 made the wait even longer. But they didn’t let him go, they stayed—through video calls, telling him bedtime stories through screens, making him smile from far away and patiently waiting to hold him in their arms.

Finally, before the New Year, Moksh came home. His new parents enrolled him in swimming to help his legs, took him for regular check-ups, and gave him love and care. Today, Moksh is not just healthy—he’s thriving. He learned to swim, act in plays, and most of all, fly through the air in parkour, that bold sport of leaps and climbs and courage. From a child once left behind… to being named ‘Student of the Month’.  

Moksh’s story is one of love triumphing over hesitation. And across India, many more stories like his are finally being written. Over the years, legal adoptions in India have seen a boost with families coming forward to give home to orphaned children. In FY 2024-25, India saw a record 4,515 adoptions—the highest in nearly a decade. Of these, 4,155 were domestic, marking a powerful shift in societal attitudes. It’s no longer rare for Indian families to adopt. It’s becoming a choice made with open hearts and open arms.

The Promise of Legal Adoption

Driving this transformation is the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), with its mission to ensure no child is left behind. The statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development ensures that adoptions should happen legally and ethically to safeguard innocent children.

It functions as the nodal body for the adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. It is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions by the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by the Government of India in 2003. CARA primarily deals with the adoption of orphan, abandoned, and surrendered children through its associated /recognized adoption agencies. CARA is working day and night through on-ground activities, training sessions, and social media campaigns to promote legal adoptions. As adoption is not just about legal contracts, it is more of an emotional journey that both parents and child take together, the process becomes even more important.  

Before planning to adopt, the Prospective Adoptive Parents must go through the eligibility criteria mentioned on CARA’s website. Illegal adoption is concerning as it amounts to child trafficking and is a punishable offense under The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021.

Illegal Adoption refers to taking direct, immediate and unsolicited custody of a child in need of care and protection.

More Children, More Hope

For years, one of the biggest hurdles in adoption was the gap between children in need and parents willing to adopt. But 2023–24 marked a turning point.

• Over 8,500 children were identified and added to the adoption pool—many of them from institutions where they had long waited to be seen, chosen, and loved. 
• 245 new agencies were added to CARA’s network, making adoption more accessible than ever.

These are not just policy wins—they are acts of restoration. Every child added to the list represents a new possibility for connection, belonging, and a chance to be a child again.

Stories of Finding Home

References:

Download in PDF

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Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral/ Priya Nagar

(Release ID: 2124267) Visitor Counter : 105

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Government of India

EPFO Simplifies Transfer Claim Process Through Revamped Form 13 Functionality; More Than 1.25 Crore Members to Benefit

Launches Facility for Bulk Generation of UAN by Employers without Aadhaar Seeding

Posted On: 25 APR 2025 2:00PM by PIB Delhi

Simplification of Transfer Claim Process through Revamped Form 13 functionality

To ensure ease of living for its members, EPFO during January this year, has greatly simplified the process for transfer of PF account on change of jobs by removing the requirement of approval from employer in majority of the cases.

Till now, the transfer of PF accumulations used to happen with the involvement of two EPF Offices. One, from which the PF accumulation is transferred (Source Office) and two, the EPF Office in which the transfer is actually credited (Destination Office).

Now, with an aim to further simplify the process, EPFO has removed the requirement of approval of all transfer claims at the Destination Office by launching a Revamped Form 13 software functionality.

Henceforth, once the transfer claim gets approved at the Transferor (Source) Office the previous account will automatically get transferred to the present account of the member at the Transferee (Destination) Office instantly furthering the aim of “Ease of Living” for Members of EPFO.

This revamped functionality also provides the bifurcation of taxable and non-taxable components of PF accumulations to facilitate accurate calculation of TDS on Taxable PF interest.

It is expected to benefit more than 1.25 Crore Members facilitating the transfer of around Rs. 90,000 Crores every year henceforth as the entire transfer process shall be speeded up.

Bulk generation of UAN by Employers without seeding Aadhaar

With a view to further Ease of Doing Business and to address the grievances being raised w.r.t proper accounting of the Past Accumulations that had been remitted to EPFO by the Exempted PF Trusts consequent to the surrender/cancellation of exemption and also in other cases involving remittance of past period contributions consequent to quasi-judicial/recovery proceedings, it has been decided by EPFO to relax the requirement of Aadhaar for generation of UAN/credit of Past Accumulations for such members. Also, a facility for bulk generation of UANs based on the Member Id & other member information available on record so as to enable prompt crediting of funds in the accounts of such members has been provided.

To that effect a software functionality has already been deployed and made available to the Field Offices in the FO Interface for bulk generation of UANs in the above said cases and also account the Past Accumulations without the requirement of Aadhaar in EPFO Application.

However, as a measure of risk mitigation to protect the PF accumulations, all such UANs would be kept in a frozen state and subsequently made operational only after the seeding of Aadhaar.

All these measures are expected to significantly improve services to members and reduce long standing grievances including further streamlining of validations for auto settlement of eligible claims.

******

Himanshu Pathak

(Release ID: 2124244) Visitor Counter : 41

Source: Government of India

Viksit Vibrant Villages Program to Take Place From 15th to 30th May 2025; Registrations on MY Bharat Platform Started from 23rd April

500 MY Bharat Youth Volunteers from Across Country to Work Directly with Communities in 100 Selected Villages of Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand

Program to Empower Youth to Take Lead in Giving New Identity to Border Villages and Transform India’s Frontier Communities

Posted On: 25 APR 2025 2:16PM by PIB Delhi

The Viksit Vibrant Villages Program is a joint initiative aimed at revitalizing India’s remote border regions. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the program will be implemented with support from local governance bodies and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). It will focus on Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, taking place from 15^th to 30^th May 2025.

This initiative will empower youth by involving 500 MY Bharat volunteers from across the country, who will work directly with communities in 100 selected villages. These volunteers will drive grassroots engagement and community development through a variety of initiatives, ranging from educational support and infrastructure enhancement to healthcare and cultural preservation. By engaging local residents and leveraging the strength of youth leadership, the program aims to bring long-lasting, positive transformation to these border areas.

Registration for the Viksit Vibrant Villages Program officially commenced on 23^rd April 2025 via the MY Bharat Portal. Volunteers from across India are encouraged to apply for this transformative opportunity. 10 MY Bharat volunteers will be selected from the Union Territories and 15 from each participating state. In total, 500 volunteers will be chosen to serve as the backbone of the program, leading and coordinating activities within the villages.

As part of this program, immersive learning journeys, cultural exchange programs, and grassroots development projects are being rolled out, allowing the youth to directly interact with the unique socio-cultural and strategic fabric of India’s border regions.

The program will unfold over 7 days, with each day dedicated to a distinct domain of community development. The activities will include, but are not limited to:

1. Community Engagement

2. Youth Leadership Development

3. Cultural Promotion

4. Healthcare Awareness and Support

5. Skill-building and Education

6. Environment Protection Best Practices

7. Career Counselling Sessions

8. Fitness Activities like Sports, Yoga, Meditation, etc

9. Open Mic, Essay, Fireside Chat, etc on My Dream India

Knowledge Transfer and National Consciousness

Through this program, young citizens will have the opportunity to explore and document the heritage, resilience, and potential of border communities. These experiences, when shared through digital platforms, community discussions, and institutional presentations, will ensure that the voices of India’s frontier residents reach wider national and global audiences.

The initiative encourages youth to not only witness but actively contribute to the development of these areas – be it through innovative projects in education, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, or local governance. This interaction cultivates mutual respect, deeper national unity, and the emergence of border villages as ‘cultural beacons’ rather than isolated outposts.

From Forgotten to Celebrated: Giving Border Villages a New Identity

The program seeks to dismantle the long-held stereotype of border villages being “the last on the map.” Instead, it celebrates them as ‘first villages’ in the journey toward Viksit Bharat  by 2047. Through sustained youth involvement, these villages will be given a platform to showcase their language, art, music, architecture, and stories – redefining their identity from that of a geopolitical buffer to centers of heritage, innovation, and national pride. The Viksit Vibrant Villages program is not just a government effort – it is a generational mission to ensure that development, identity, and dignity ow to every corner of the country, with the youth leading the way.

To kick-start this initiative, the Ministry will conduct an orientation program in Delhi, where all selected volunteers will undergo an intensive briefing and training session. This orientation will ensure that the volunteers are well-prepared to carry out the program’s objectives and equipped with the necessary knowledge to engage with local communities effectively. The orientation program will provide a unique opportunity for the volunteers to develop crucial leadership skills, gain deeper insights into rural community needs, and learn how to coordinate their efforts with the local governance systems.

This structure aims to provide a well-rounded learning experience for volunteers, ensuring that they not only contribute to village transformation but also grow personally and professionally throughout the program. This initiative will serve as a catalyst for positive change in the border regions of India, empowering the youth to become active participants in nation-building. By providing youth with the platform to engage directly with local communities, the program seeks to foster a spirit of National integration, cultural pride, and strategic development.

*****

Himanshu Pathak

(Release ID: 2124248) Visitor Counter : 39

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In accordance with the strategy of Pursuing Global Opportunities with Domestic Supply Chains of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Taiwan Trade and Investment Service Center in Fukuoka was officially inaugurated on April 21. This marks a significant milestone in economic cooperation between Japan and Taiwan.

Considering their respective highly complementary industrial strengths, Taiwan and Japan are well-positioned to deepen collaboration through this newly established center. Functioning as both a bridge and a platform, the Center will integrate resources across government, industry, academia, and research sectors, offering one-stop services for businesses from both sides, such as investment consultation, industry matchmaking, technology exchange, and market development support.

The opening ceremony brought together over 200 prominent figures from the political and business sectors of both Taiwan and Japan. During opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang emphasized that the center will play a key role in enabling Taiwanese and Japanese enterprises to jointly expand into Asia-Pacific and third-country markets, thereby fostering win-win partnerships and energizing regional value chains.

For more information on the Taiwan Trade and Investment Service Center in Fukuoka, please visit the official website at https://fukuoka.taiwantrade.com or contact the center by e-mail at fukuoka@taitra.org.tw.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) today called on eligible individuals and bodies who have not yet registered as electors/voters to submit registration applications no later than June 2, so that their registration particulars can be included in the final registers of electors/voters to be published this year, and vote in the elections to be held this year.

Hong Kong permanent residents who hold an identity document, will reach 18 years old by September 25 this year and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to register as geographical constituency electors.

Registered electors/voters need not register again, but if there are changes to their registration particulars, they should submit applications for change of particulars to the REO by June 2.

Eligible citizens are welcome to submit applications for new registration as geographical constituency electors or change of voter registration particulars through iAM Smart. They may also provide or update their mobile phone number and email address, and check their voter registration status through the app.

Alternatively, citizens can register by filling in application forms which are available on the Voter Registration website for download. Hard copies can obtained at District Offices, the management offices of public housing estates and the REO.

Completed forms can be sent by post to the Registration & Electoral Office, 29/F, Standard Chartered Tower, Millennium City 1, 388 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon; by fax to 2891 1180; by email to form@reo.gov.hk, or via the REO e-Form Upload Platform.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Housing Bureau today invited tenders for two Light Public Housing (LPH) operation and management contracts. The deadline is noon on June 13.

The first contract covers four school conversion projects. These are at the Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad No. 2 Primary School on Shun On Road in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ma Kam Chan Memorial Primary School (Choi Yuen Annex) on Choi Yuen Road in Choi Yuen Estate, Sheung Shui; the Carmel Leung Sing Tak School on Shun Lee Tsuen Road in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; and the Baptist Rainbow Primary School on Chuk Yuen Road in Chuk Yuen South Estate, Wong Tai Sin.

The conversion works will be completed in two phases. The first covers the two projects on Shun On Road and Choi Yuen Road, which will provide about 130 and 110 units respectively. These are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

The second phase covers the two projects on Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road, which will provide about 110 and 105 units respectively. These are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

The second contract covers the project at Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, which will provide about 1,720 units and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.

The bureau said the four school conversion projects have been packaged into one single contract in light of their relatively smaller scale. By engaging a single operator for the contract’s overall operation and management, resources can be shared among the projects to enhance cost-effectiveness, it explained.

The contracts cover not only occupancy management, property management and daily maintenance services, but also the provision of social services, as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities.

Tenders are invited from all capable and experienced service providers, including non-government organisations and those with a valid property management company licence, or collaborations between such providers.

To ensure service quality, the bureau will carry out technical assessments based on factors including providers’ management capabilities, relevant experience and past service performance, as well as their proposed modes of operation and management, the social services to be provided, the feasibility of their exit plans, and their use of innovation and information technology.

Each tender price will then be evaluated to form a consolidated assessment to decide on the most suitable organisation for the LPH contracts.

Interested organisations may download the tender documents via the bureau’s website or from the e-Tendering System. They can also contact the bureau’s Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing to obtain the relevant documents.

The tender reference for the Shun On Road, Choi Yuen Road, Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road LPH projects is HB2025/OPR-LPH-VSP, while the tender reference for the Sheung On Street, Chai Wan LPH project is HB2025/OPR-LPH-CW.

Tenders must be submitted before the deadline, either electronically via the e-Tendering System or by deposit in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at the public entrance lobby on Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Cheung Chau Climbing Carnival, an integral part of the 2025 Bun Carnival, will be held at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch on Cheung Chau this Sunday from noon to 6pm.

Participants must be at least one metre in height and can enrol on the spot to climb the 14-metre bun tower that will be used for the Bun Scrambling Competition, due to be held on May 5 and 6.

The Hong Kong, China Mountaineering & Climbing Union will brief entrants on the skills required and various safety aspects before they begin climbing.

Meanwhile, visitors can make wishes at a Wishing Bun Tower at the venue. Other carnival activities and attractions include variety shows, handicraft workshops and game booths, as well as an exhibition of winning works from Student Drawing Competitions.

One of the game booths will be geared towards promoting public participation in athlete selections for mass participation events at the 15th National Games.

Prior to the climbing carnival, the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay event – also part of the 2025 Bun Carnival – will be held from 9am to noon.

Members of the public are invited to attend all of the day’s events and cheer for participants.

Click here for more details.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On the afternoon of April 24, President Lai Ching-te presided over the fourth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. In his opening statement, the president stated that the government will steadily implement a carbon pricing system, carefully plan a Taiwan version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and assist enterprises to gradually compile a product carbon footprint digital database, while promoting the circular economy and industry internationalization to create a Green Taiwan brand. He also stated that we will leverage our financial market, driving society as a whole to take sustainable action; and expand capacity to foster green-collar professionals, laying the foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future.
President Lai emphasized that regardless of how the external environment changes, green transition and sustainable development are the cornerstones of long-term national prosperity. He stated that the government will work with the private sector to turn crises into opportunities and actively address the challenges of climate change and net-zero transition to promote an orderly transition. This, he said, will keep the nation on the path forward, make Taiwan stronger, better, and more resilient, and leave a prosperous and sustainable homeland for future generations.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Today is the fourth meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. First, I would like to once again thank all of the advisors and committee members for your active participation over the past several months. The valuable suggestions you have provided allowed us to propose new emissions reduction targets at the last meeting as we continue to move toward our vision of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The day before yesterday was Earth Day, and I was in this same room to meet and exchange ideas with many friends from environmental protection groups. I am very grateful to these forerunners and partners for their efforts and contributions to protect this land, Taiwan.
Amidst global climate change and the reshaping of international trade patterns, extreme weather disasters occur frequently around the world and requirements for carbon reduction in international supply chains continue to expand. The government of the United States has also recently proposed new tariff policies that present Taiwan’s industries with many challenges. 
We have observed that as many industries are facing increased uncertainty in their operations, the private sector has adopted a wait-and-see attitude regarding carbon reduction and environment, social, and governance (ESG) efforts. In response, the administrative team is actively assessing the situation and continuously adjusting strategies; it will definitely support our industries. 
However, regardless of how the external environment changes, green transition and sustainable development are the cornerstones of long-term national prosperity. We must remain committed to resilient and forward-looking strategies to promote the transition to low-carbon models and sustainable development for domestic industries, build comprehensive green supply chains, enhance the international competitiveness of our industries, and bolster our national strengths.
The government will work with the private sector to turn crises into opportunities, and actively address the challenges of climate change and net-zero transition. This will allow Taiwan’s economy to continue transitioning and progressing and remain committed to moving toward low-carbon and sustainable models. This will also keep the nation on the path forward and make Taiwan stronger, better, and more resilient.
At today’s meeting, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) will deliver a report on responding to ongoing changes and seizing opportunities for green transition, and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) will report on financing for the green and energy transition to support Taiwan’s net-zero efforts. Those reports will explain how the administrative team is strengthening climate governance and execution, as well as how they are assisting various sectors to face challenges, align with international standards, seize opportunities, and jointly move toward a new low-carbon and sustainable future.
The government will steadily implement a carbon pricing system and align with international standards to avoid foreign tariff penalties on high-carbon industries, which will ensure a competitive advantage for exports. We will also carefully plan a Taiwan version of the CBAM to maintain reasonable and fair domestic competition.
The government will assist enterprises, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, by providing carbon reduction tools such as carbon footprint verification and ESG disclosure, and will gradually compile a product carbon footprint digital database and support export enterprise efforts to meet international requirements. At the same time, we will drive resource integration and promote the circular economy and industry internationalization to create a Green Taiwan brand.
In promoting net-zero transition, the financial sector plays a crucial role. By designing diverse investment and financing tools and financial products, and incorporating ESG factors into credit assessments, the financial sector can lead the way for enterprises and the public to take climate risks seriously. At the same time, it can support the development of low-carbon industries, thereby driving society as a whole to take sustainable action.
Taiwan is a major financial market in Asia. On a solid foundation in ESG and sustainable finance, we must leverage our financial market, contributing Taiwan’s wisdom and strength to achieve the global net-zero transition.
At the last meeting, I mentioned that strengthening social communication and climate change education are very important. Currently, the Executive Yuan, MOENV, and central government agencies have launched a series of social communication meetings regarding the proposed flagship carbon reduction projects for six major sectors, namely energy, manufacturing, transportation, residential and commercial, agricultural, and environment. At these meetings, representatives are invited from industry, government, academia, research institutions, and civil society groups to actively engage in dialogue and forge a consensus through collaborative thinking about climate solutions.
In addition, the MOENV is collaborating with colleges and universities to establish an alliance to foster professionals in the net-zero and green-collar sectors. To this end, it will set up separate training centers in the north, central, southern, and eastern regions to expand capacity to train green-collar professionals. I also hope that, in addition to lectures given on university campuses, online courses on climate and net-zero topics can be designed specifically for high school students and teachers.
Because we cannot leave anyone behind on the path to net-zero, we must actively engage in dialogue with young people and gradually prepare them to enter emerging green sector jobs to empower the nation and lay the foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future.
Let’s work together with the financial sector, industry, and all sectors of society to promote an orderly transition, achieve our vision for net-zero emissions by 2050, and leave a prosperous and sustainable homeland for future generations. Thank you. 
Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on responding to ongoing changes and seizing opportunities for green transition from Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) and a report on financing for the green and energy transition to support Taiwan’s net-zero efforts from FSC Chairperson Peng Jin-lung (彭金隆). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Home Affairs Department today appealed to registered electors for the Ha Ling Pei and Ho Chung Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Elections, and for the Tung Chun Wai Resident Representative Election, to vote in the Rural By-election on Sunday.

Eleven Rural Representative vacancies are open in the by-election, and 13 valid nominations were received during the nomination period.

Two candidates are running for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post on the Tung Chung Rural Committee in Ha Ling Pei, while three candidates are standing for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post on the Sai Kung Rural Committee in Ho Chung. Two candidates are running for a Resident Representative post on the San Tin Rural Committee in Tung Chun Wai.

The other six candidates have been returned uncontested. These are the candidates to be Indigenous Inhabitant Representatives of Kap Tong, of Ping Tun, and of Kwun Yam Shan and Kong Pui, and the candidates to be Resident Representatives of Tai Po Tau, Wai Tau Tsuen and Kwong Shan Tsuen.

No valid nominations were received for the Resident Representative vacancies in Wu Shek Kok and Kam Shan Village.

Polling will be held from noon to 7pm.

The department reminded electors to bring their original identity documents or other specific alternative documents to the polling station as specified in the polling notice.