Workshop on Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” Organised by NITI Aayog

Source: Government of India

Workshop on Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” Organised by NITI Aayog

Organised in Collaboration with Govt of Maharashtra

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 6:37PM by PIB Delhi

NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, organised a workshop on the theme “Developing Ecosystem for Assistive Technology in India” at YASHADA, Pune today.

The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Shirsat, Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Govt of Maharashtra. Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Smt. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, Dr. Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog, Shri Niranjan Kumar Sudhanshu, Director General, YASHADA, and Shri K.S. Rejimon, Joint Secretary, NITI Aayog, were also present among other dignitaries.

In his inaugural address, Hon’ble Minister highlighted the importance of domestic capabilty of AT industry and its role in promoting inclusivity.

Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, in his special address, emphasised the need for developing an eco-system for Assistive Technology which is critical for social inclusion in achieving the vision@2047.

The day long workshop included three sessions deliberating the challenges, gaps, best practices, initiatives and role of Central Government, State Govt., International organisation, Industry/ Start-ups etc.

The first session focused on “Improving Access to Assistive Technology in India”. The session provided a comprehensive view of how key government initiatives, policies, and inter-sectoral collaborations which are playing a transformative role in making assistive technologies more accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs), the elderly, and other marginalised communities. 

In the second session on “State Initiatives in Assistive Technology”, The representatives from state Governments of Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, highlighted how targeted policies, partnerships, and on-the-ground efforts are improving the reach and impact of AT.

The third session of the Assistive Technology workshop focused on “AT Manufacturing and Global Collaborations” brought forth significance of fostering a strong domestic manufacturing base for AT and the immense value of global partnerships. Representatives of WHO, UNDP, ATSCale (UNOPS), World Bank, AssisTech Foundation and Tynor, highlighted the key role of global collaborations in advancing AT in India, as India aspires to become a global hub for AT innovation and manufacturing.

In the Concluding session Shri Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment addressed the participants and underscored the importance of building an inclusive society.

The deliberations and suggestions emerged during the workshop will pave the way for developing an eco-system for Assistive Technology in India to achieve Viksit Bharat vision @2047 of building an inclusive society.

 

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2120533) Visitor Counter : 89

ECI’s extensive grassroot training programme gathers steam

Source: Government of India

ECI’s extensive grassroot training programme gathers steam

217 BLOs from West Bengal along with 2 DEOs, 12 EROs commences at IIIDEM

One-Day Orientation Programme for Media and Social Media Nodal Officers and District PROs concludes

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:16PM by PIB Delhi

A two-Day National Training Programme comprising 2 DEOs, 12 EROs & 217 BLOs from West Bengal commenced at IIIDEM today. This initiative forms part of the broader training plan for the capacity augmentation of grassroot election functionaries as envisaged by the Commission during the CEO’s Conference held at IIIDEM on the 4th of March

ECI also concluded a one-day Orientation Programme for Media Nodal Officers, Social Media Nodal Officers, and District Public Relations Officers at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, today. The orientation was aimed at enhancing coordination and preparedness of election officials in an evolving media landscape.

Media Officers from 28 States and 8 UTs participated in the orientation programme which aims to develop an effective communication strategy to ensure proactive information dissemination, counter misinformation, and promote voter awareness through various media platforms, in accordance with the legal framework i.e. the RP Act 1950 & 1951; Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules 1961 and the instructions issued by ECI from time to time.

In his address, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar while acknowledging the pivotal role of media as a key stakeholder in the electoral process, emphasized the importance of factual, timely and transparent communication in upholding the trust of voters in the electoral processes in a digitally mediated information world. He underlined that media officers must be proactive in communicating accurate information and rise to the challenge of ensuring that voters are correctly informed and empowered to discern facts from narratives without factual basis.

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PK/GDH/RP

(Release ID: 2120577) Visitor Counter : 10

Telecom Service Providers publish mobile network coverage map on their websites as per the mandate given by TRAI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 6:54PM by PIB Delhi

 In a significant move to enhance transparency and empower mobile subscribers, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have published mobile network coverage maps on their websites, as per the mandate given by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Earlier, TRAI released revised Regulations namely “The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024 (06 of 2024)’ on 02nd August 2024. These regulations have become effective from 1st October 2024 and applicable for both access and broadband services provided on wireline as well as wireless media.

The regulations mandates that “Every service provider providing access service (wireless) shall publish on its website the service wise geospatial coverage maps in such a manner and format, as may be directed by the Authority from time to time, for the geographical areas where wireless voice or wireless broadband service is available for subscription by consumers.” As per the regulations, the publication of mobile network coverage map was to be completed by 1st April 2025.

 To ensure uniformity of coverage maps across the TSPs and their timely rollout, TRAI issued detailed technical guidelines for publication of mobile network coverage map vide Direction no RG-17/(3)/2022-QoS dated 22nd November 2024. Copy of the same is available on TRAI website (https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-11/Direction_22112024.pdf).

In compliance with the requirement of the QoS regulations, TSPs have now published mobile network coverage maps on their respective websites. Details of their links are as follows:

 

To enable easy user access, these links of mobile coverage maps have been consolidated on TRAI website. The coverage maps of different service providers can also be accessed on TRAI website using following path :

TRAI Website (www.trai.gov.in) à Consumer Info à Mobile Coverage Map à [Service Provider]               

The newly introduced coverage maps offer a variety of user-friendly features for easy accessibility and navigation with standard color scheme. It also provides the option to see the coverage of specific technology like 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G offered by respective TSP in their area of interest. Users can use search options or enable location on their device to navigate to their current location. The toggle switch or technology selection button may be used to select coverage maps of technology of their interest i.e. 2G/3G/4G/5G etc.

The mobile subscribers may share their feedback or report any major discrepancy in coverage representation with their service provider through user feedback feature available on coverage maps. However, users may kindly note that actual mobile coverage experience may sometime vary from the coverage shown in map, including in indoor areas, as it depends upon various dynamic parameters.

The mobile network coverage maps are not only useful for subscribers but also provide status of telecom coverage across the country which can be used by different stakeholders for planning and rollout of e-enabled initiatives. These maps may also be used for data driven evaluation of requirements of any regulatory or policy intervention.

For any clarification/information, Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-I) TRAI may be contacted on email: adv-qos1@trai.gov.in or at Tel. No. +91-11-20907759.

 

 

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Samrat/ Allen

(Release ID: 2120539) Visitor Counter : 135

‘Ayodhya Parv 2025’ – A Three-Day Celebration of Faith, Culture, and Dialogue at IGNCA

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

Dedicated to the glory of Ayodhya — a revered centre of Indian culture, art, and devotion – and counted among India’s significant cultural festivals, ‘Ayodhya Parv 2025’  will be held from 11 to 13 April at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi. This three-day cultural celebration will serve as a confluence of devotion, classical traditions, and dialogue, bringing together saints, cultural thinkers, policymakers, scholars, and artists from across the country.

The festival will commence on 11 April at 3:00 PM with the inauguration of an exhibition. On this occasion, an exhibition of artworks by renowned painter Padma Shri Vasudev Kamath, based on ‘Maryada Purushottam’ (Lord Rama), will be unveiled. Alongside this, two special exhibitions will be on view — ‘Sundarakanda’, a collection of Pahari miniature paintings based on the ‘Valmiki Ramayana’, and ‘Badi Hai Ayodhya’, a pictorial representation of the pilgrimage tradition of the Chaurasi Kos Parikrama (84 kos circuit) around Ayodhya.

Following the exhibition, a special discussion session will take place featuring Mahant Shri Kamal Nayan Das of Maniramdas Chhawani, Geeta Manishi Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Shri Champat Rai, and artist Shri Vasudev Kamath. The evening will conclude with cultural performances including ‘mridang vadan’ (percussion performance) and devotional singing starting at 6:00 PM.

On the second day, 12 April, a symposium on ‘Temple Management in Indian Society’ will be held at 11:00 AM, where leading saints of Ayodhya will engage in dialogue with administrative and cultural experts. At 3:00 PM, another symposium will focus on ‘The Contribution of Goswami Tulsidas in the Innovation of Indian Culture,’ with scholars from across India presenting their insights. The cultural evening will include a solo tabla recital, followed by a Kathak and Bharatanatyam performance by Richa Tripathi and her team.

The final day of the festival, 13 April, will also be marked by rich intellectual and artistic engagements. At 11:00 AM, a symposium titled ‘Shri Ram in the Essays of Kuber Nath Rai’ will feature prominent Hindi scholars. The concluding ceremony will witness the presence of Pujya Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust; Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly; IGNCA Chairman Shri Ram Bahadur Rai; Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Dean (Administration) and Head of Kala Nidhi Division at IGNCA; and eminent artist Shri Sunil Vishwakarma. The final performances will include ‘Alha’ singing by Faujdar Singh and his troupe, along with traditional folk songs by folk singer Vijaya Bharti.

Ayodhya Parv 2025 is a unique endeavour that brings Indian art, spirituality, and timeless values into renewed public focus—an initiative by IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas that unfolds in the heart of the capital. The festival evokes the cultural spirit nurtured through the Ramayana and the enduring voice of Tulsidas.

IGNCA and Shri Ayodhya Nyas are delighted to invite you to be part of this exceptional celebration. The festival promises a vibrant blend of devotion, culture, art, and dialogue. All media representatives are warmly welcomed to cover and participate in this extraordinary cultural event.

Please find the invitation link 

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2120582) Visitor Counter : 48

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launches Aviation Career Guidance Programme at Indian Aviation Academy

Source: Government of India

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launches Aviation Career Guidance Programme at Indian Aviation Academy

Inspires Students to Dream Sky-High

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 7:03PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu today launched a ‘Career Guidance Programme in Aviation’ for school students, with the inaugural session held at the Indian Aviation Academy, New Delhi. The initiative aims to inspire and educate students of Classes 11 and 12 about diverse career pathways within the aviation sector — from piloting and air traffic control to aircraft design, airport management, and beyond.

An interactive session was conducted by women pilots, during which they addressed students’ queries and shared insights from their professional journeys. The students participated with great enthusiasm, making it a highly engaging and inspiring exchange.

Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, the youngest cabinet minister in India, addressed the students and shared the vision behind this initiative. “We want to capture that passion. We want to have more people involved in aviation. The way that Indian aviation is growing is like no other country,” he said, while highlighting the importance of nurturing talent early to match the pace of India’s booming aviation ecosystem.

Shri Ram Mohan Naidu further emphasized the scale of upcoming opportunities: “There Is a demand of 1700 new planes, and each plane creates a demand of 15 to 20 pilots. That means you’re creating 34,000 jobs on just pilots itself. We don’t want foreigners to come here and pilot our planes. We want our own Indian students… our Indian community to cater to the demand that’s grown domestically.”

Underscoring the government’s achievements and future roadmap, the Minister noted, “In 2014, there were 74 airports. We doubled it up. Now the number of airports in the country is up to 159. And now I’ll be the Minister for the next five years and I want to plan to build 50 more airports. The government has decided that in the next 10 years, we have to bring 120 new destinations in the country.”

Shri Naidu encouraged students to take ownership of their aspirations. “Each one of those planes you see up are not just aircrafts, but they are a whole universe of possibilities waiting for your approval,” he said. “As early as you decide, as early as you tap into the passion that you have, it becomes much easier for you to guide yourself in that path,” he added.

In addition to policy support and infrastructure expansion, the Minister highlighted key legislative reforms, such as the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam and the Aircraft Protection of Interest in Aircraft Object Bill, which aim to bolster the domestic aviation ecosystem and stimulate employment.

Special attention was given to the presence and encouragement of women pilots at the event. “Much of the focus has been because there are a lot of charming pilots here, especially the women pilots who have given you patiently, heard you and given you all the answers,” Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, inspiring young students to look beyond traditional career perceptions.

With India poised to become a global aviation hub, this initiative marks a strategic move to align young talent with the country’s ambitious aviation growth trajectory.

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Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2120543) Visitor Counter : 91

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates Digital Flight Data Recorder Lab at Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, equipped with state-of-art equipments

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:32PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, today inaugurated the cutting-edge Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder (DFDR & CVR) Laboratory at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) at Udaan Bhawan in New Delhi. Widely referred to as the “Black Box Lab,” this state-of-the-art facility has been established with an investment of ₹ nine crore.

The inauguration witnessed the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indian Air Force, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Airports Authority of India, and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority. Chiefs of Flight Safety from all major scheduled airlines also attended this landmark event.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the significance of this new facility in bolstering aviation safety. He stated that this achievement brings India one step closer to a safer aviation ecosystem by enabling the identification of root causes of incidents more effectively and ensuring accountability, which remains the cornerstone of aviation safety. The Minister highlighted that only through effective and independent investigations can future accidents be prevented.

The Minister lauded the contributions of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in supporting AAIB to establish advanced DFDR and CVR laboratories and equipping them to analyze retrieved flight data from aircraft. He expressed pride in HAL’s indigenous capacity to manufacture and repair FDRs, noting that India now boasts one of the most advanced avionics systems globally. Acknowledging the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector, he underscored the need for equally robust safety measures to keep pace with the vision of achieving 350–400 airports by 2047, as envisioned under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The state-of-the-art facility will enable AAIB to repair damaged black boxes, retrieve data, and conduct thorough analyses of accidents and incidents. With the ability to correlate data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder, Radar, and Flight Data Recorder, the lab will enhance the accuracy of investigative findings. The establishment of this lab, built to international standards and comparable to those of developed nations, fulfills India’s obligations as an ICAO member state.

Director General, AAIB, Shri G V G Yugandhar stated that the lab would extend its support to neighboring nations in aviation investigations, demonstrating India’s commitment to regional safety collaboration. Additionally, with the ambitious goal of manufacturing aircraft and helicopters for commercial use, the facility will play a crucial role not only in accident investigation but also in ensuring accident prevention through required design changes and operating procedure updates.

This facility represents a critical step in strengthening India’s position as a global aviation leader. The Ministry of Civil Aviation remains steadfast in its commitment to making air travel in India both safe and comfortable, aligning with the broader national vision of a robust and secure aviation ecosystem.

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Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2120587) Visitor Counter : 60

18th National Seminar on National Sample Surveys: “Critical Insights through Research and Emerging Trends in latest Survey Findings

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 7:11PM by PIB Delhi

The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), successfully organized the 18th National Seminar at Goa University, Panaji, Goa, on 8th and 9th April 2025. The seminar focused on survey findings from NSS 78th Round: Multiple Indicator Survey (MIS), 79th Round: CAMS and AYUSH, the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), and the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI).

The seminar was inaugurated by Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director General (NSS) and was graced by the presence of Shri Pravin Srivastava, Former Secretary, MoSPI & Chief Statistician of India and Prof. Harilal B. Menon, Vice Chancellor of Goa University.

In his Welcome Address, ADG (CQCD), NSO highlighted the Ministry’s focus on transparency, timeliness, and digital innovation in survey implementation. The Inaugural Address by DG (NSS) emphasized MoSPI’s continued technological evolution in data collection process and initiatives such as monthly PLFS estimates, district-level labour statistics, and the upcoming Domestic Tourism and National Household Travel Surveys.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Menon underscored the collaborative role of academic institutions in advancing a culture of data-driven decision-making, calling statistics “a tool for social listening” that amplifies citizens’ voices. The Vice-Chancellor mentioned that Goa University is the first in India to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) curriculum, which mandates the submission of research papers in the final semester of all master’s programs, where NSS data plays a crucial role. He emphasized that the seminar would serve as the starting point for future collaborative efforts, which will be highly encouraged and greatly beneficial for students, researchers, and scholars alike.

Following the inaugural session, the cultural programme featured an exquisite Bharatnatyam dance performance and the vibrant Goan folk dance, Fhugdi, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India.

Out of 225 participants, 125 were students, researchers, and scholars from various universities, institutes across Goa, and other organizations. Their active engagement over the two-day event made it a dynamic and impactful gathering

The seminar featured a total of five technical sessions wherein 14 papers were presented by the researchers, academia, and government officials from various institutions and discussed their research papers based on the survey findings. These papers provided rich insights into ICT skill disparities, financial inclusion, youth digital literacy, household consumption patterns, Prediction of NSS estimates using Machine Learning Approach, Exploration of features of Multidimensional Poverty using Neural Network, AYUSH healthcare usage, contract labour trends, informal sector productivity, and app-based service dynamics, among others. The robust empirical analyses underscored the value of NSS and other national datasets for informed policymaking.

Each of the technical sessions was chaired by experts and professors from reputed academic institutions, as well as senior officers from the MoSPI. These included Dr. G.C. Manna, Former Chairman of the Working Group of NSS 78th Round; Shri Pravin Srivastava, Former Chairman of the Working Group of 79th Round and ex-CSI; Shri Siddhartha Kundu, ADG, Household Survey Division, NSO, MoSPI; Prof. Ankush Agrawal, Professor of Economics, IIT Delhi; Shri Salil Kumar Mukhopadhyay, ADG, Enterprise Survey Division, NSO, MoSPI; and Prof. Badri Narayan Rath, Professor, IIT Hyderabad.

A special session was also conducted featuring presentations from Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and private survey agency to discuss the utility and practical applications of NSS data in programme design and policy formulation.

All authors and presenters of papers at the two-day National Seminar were felicitated by the NSO, MoSPI through a certificate distribution ceremony.

Delivering the Concluding Remarks, Shri Pravin Srivastava, Former Secretary, MoSPI and Chief Statistician of India, praised the presenters and emphasized the importance of collaboration between official statisticians and critics. He noted MoSPI’s introduction of a new curriculum incorporating NSS data for internal research, boosting data standards. He also highlighted innovations like AI and CAPI, which have enhanced data quality and reduced respondent burden.

The seminar concluded with a collective resolve to deepen the synergy between data producers and users, strengthen the statistical system’s responsiveness, and promote evidence-based governance across sectors.

For more details on survey reports and upcoming statistical initiatives, please visit the official MoSPI website: www.mospi.gov.in

Watch the recorded sessions on MoSPI’s YouTube Channel: @GoIStats.

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2120545) Visitor Counter : 52

8th Session of India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects held in New Delhi

Source: Government of India

8th Session of India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects held in New Delhi

India and Russia agree on 6 new strategic projects to boost bilateral investment cooperation

2nd Edition of India-Russia Investment Forum held alongside Working Group meeting

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

The 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP) under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi today.

The Working Group meeting was held successfully, with the co-chairs signing a protocol highlighting multiple projects of strategic importance to both nations. The session aimed at strengthening economic ties between India and Russia by identifying and advancing collaborative projects in sectors of mutual interest.

The Working Group also reviewed the outcomes of the 7th session, and both sides agreed to include six new strategic projects aimed at deepening bilateral investment cooperation. Discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to expand investment collaboration across various sectors.

On the sidelines of the 8th Session of IRWG-PIP, the 2nd Edition of the India-Russia Investment Forum was also organised, in collaboration with Invest India, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

The Session was co-chaired by Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia from the Indian side, and Deputy Minister of the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Ilichev, from the Russian side.

The India-Russia Investment Forum saw enthusiastic participation from over 80 Indian and Russian businesses, including entrepreneurs, financial institutions, cargo companies, business chambers, researchers, and officials.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2120588) Visitor Counter : 78

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs meeting with Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in New Delhi to review implementation of three New Criminal Laws in the State

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs meeting with Odisha Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in New Delhi to review implementation of three New Criminal Laws in the State

Odisha government should prioritize the 100% implementation of the New Criminal Laws across all levels of administration for the next six months

Next decade is crucial for the development of Odisha; considering the state’s future industrial and technological growth, New Criminal Laws will play a vital role in strengthening law & order

State’s Home Secretary should review the progress of implementing the New Criminal Laws once a week, Chief Secretary and DGP should review it every 15 days, and the Chief Minister should review on a monthly basis, setting a timeline for their implementation in the state

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 8:42PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a review meeting on the implementation of three new criminal laws in Odisha, in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in New Delhi today. The meeting reviewed the implementation and present status of various new provisions related to police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensics in Odisha. The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Odisha, the Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), the Director, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the government of Odisha.

 

 

During the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, said that the Odisha government should prioritize 100% implementation of the new criminal laws across all levels of administration for the next six months.

Shri Amit Shah said that the next decade is crucial for the development of an emerging state like Odisha. Considering the state’s future industrial and technological growth, he highlighted that the three new criminal laws will play a vital role in strengthening the law and order.

 

Union Home Minister said that the state’s Home Secretary should review the progress of implementing new criminal laws on a weekly basis and the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police should review it fortnightly and the Chief Minister should review on a monthly basis, prioritizing the timelines of implementation.

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VV/RR/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2120594) Visitor Counter : 46

Read this release in: Hindi

Top 10 finalists of Innovate2Educate: Handheld Device Design Challenge announced ahead of WAVES 2025

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 APR 2025 6:20PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 9 April 2025

 

The Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) has announced the top 10 finalists of the Innovate2Educate: Handheld Device Design challenge. The competition, organised by the IDGS in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as part of the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, is aimed at driving innovation among the youth at the intersection of technology, education, and gaming, inspiring breakthrough ideas and design for handheld devices that can revolutionize learning experiences.

Launched as a key initiative of WAVES 2025 Create in India Challenge, the Innovate2Educate challenge invited students, designers, startups, and tech enthusiasts from across the world to envision next-generation portable devices that blend entertainment with education for diverse user groups.

The top 10 finalists have been selected from 1856 registration of innovative ideas after rigorous evaluation by an expert jury panel comprising industry leaders, technologists, educators, and designers. The jury includes Mr Indrajit Ghosh, Co-Founder, Eruditio; Mr Rajeev Nagar, Country Manager, Inda and SAARC, Huion; and Mr Jeffrey Cray, Co-Founder and Product Head, Squid Academy.

The 10 finalists are:

  1. KARNATA PARVA – Code Craft Junior (Karnataka)
  2. VIDYARTHI – Smart Learning Tablet for Kids: An Interactive and Adaptive Educational Companion (Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)
  3. TECH TITANS – Smart Handwriting Learning Device with Interactive Writing Assistance (Tamil Nadu)
  4. PROTOMINDS – EduSpark (Delhi, Kerala, UP, Bihar)
  5. APEX ACHIEVERS – BODMAS Quest: Gamified Math Learning For Smarter Education (Tamil Nadu)
  6. SCIENCEVERSE – The Imperative of Interactive Educational Handheld Devices for Children (Indonesia)
  7. V20 – VFit – Interactive Learning Through Play (Tamil Nadu)
  8. WARRIORS– Maha-shastra (Dehi)
  9. KIDDYMAITRI– A Handheld Mathematical Gaming Console (Mumbai, Odisha, Karnataka)
  10. E-GROOTS– Micro Controller Mastery Kit (Tamil Nadu)

Talking about the competition, Rajan Navani, President of Indian Digital Gaming Society, said that the challenge has demonstrated how India’s creative and technological talent can design solutions that address real educational needs while leveraging the power of gamification and interactive content.

Ashutosh Mohle, the nodal officer from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for the Innovate2Educate challenge said that the WAVES Handheld Videogame Design Challenge is not just about gaming—it’s about nurturing a new wave of innovation in India’s hardware ecosystem. “By leveraging microcontrollers and aligning with the goals of the India Semiconductor Mission, we’re pushing young minds to dream, design, and build at the intersection of creativity and technology,” he said.

The top 10 shortlisted teams will present their ideas at a special showcase during the WAVES 2025 in Mumbai. The winners of the challenge will be felicitated at the grand finale by the ministry.

                                        

About Indian Digital Gaming Society

The IDGS is a premier industry body promoting video gaming and esports, interactive media, and digital entertainment in India, fostering talent development, innovation, and industry collaborations.

 

About WAVES

The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

Have questions? Find answers here 

Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

Register for WAVES now

 

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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Riyas Babu/ Darshana | 89

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(Release ID: 2120522) Visitor Counter : 79