As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Vice President CSIR and Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hails India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel; describes it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors:

Source: Government of India

As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Vice President CSIR and Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hails India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel; describes it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors:

The Minister calls upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact:

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology Reviews CSIR Activities; Lauds Breakthroughs under NMITLI Programme

Pushing forward the Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision envisaged by PM Sh Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh Underscores the Need for Self-Reliance in Science, Technology and innovation

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Vice President CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) Dr Jitendra Singh has hailed  India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel.

Describing it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors, the Minister disclosed that the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel, which may later pave the the way for hydrogen fuel driven larger sea vessels or ships, was developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd featuring a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by the CSIR.

 Dr. Jitendra Singh was convening a high-level meeting today to review the ongoing initiatives and achievements of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The meeting was attended by all Heads of CSIR Directorates, the Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, CSIR.

Director General, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi presented a detailed overview of CSIR’s current research activities, recent technological advancements, and collaborative engagements with industry. During the discussions, the Minister emphasized the importance of aligning CSIR’s scientific pursuits with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Atma Nirbhar, especially in critical technology domains where indigenous development is key.

The Minister lauded the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), calling it a unique example of collaborative innovation in the public-private space. As India’s largest publicly funded, industry-oriented R&D programme, NMITLI brings together top institutions, industrial partners, and research labs to pursue high-risk technological ventures with the potential for national impact.

Dr. Jitendra Singh particularly appreciated two recent breakthroughs supported under the NMITLI programme. The first is the development and commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers (CTR-300 and CTR-150), achieved through a partnership between CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR–AMPRI), Bhopal, and M/s TechnoS Instruments, Jaipur.

These high-end Raman spectrometers, approved for marketing in January 2022, represent a significant milestone in India’s scientific instrumentation capabilities. Eleven units of indigenous Raman Spectrometers have been supplied across the country to date, demonstrating growing national adoption of this indigenous technology.

The second highlighted success, Dr Jitendra Singh noted, was the development of fuel cell technology under the Industry-Originated NMITLI programme. In this initiative, KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to develop and demonstrate low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems. The expertise developed through this collaboration has since been translated into applications for the marine, defence, and automotive sectors. A major outcome of this effort was the launch of the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the Harit Nauka initiative. The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., features a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by CSIR.

Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these achievements exemplify the role of CSIR in driving technology-led growth and contributing to India’s self-reliance in frontier areas.

The Minister called upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact and pursue bold R&D initiatives aligned with national priorities.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2122190) Visitor Counter : 17

Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare conducts review meeting on NPS Oversight Mechanism

Source: Government of India

Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare conducts review meeting on NPS Oversight Mechanism

Ministries/Departments to ensure welfare of NPS employees through National Pension System Oversight Mechanism

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is committed towards the welfare of Central Government pensioners including those covered under National Pension System (NPS). In this regard, third review meeting on the status of setting up of NPS Oversight Mechanism was held under the Chairmanship of Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary (Pension) on 16.04.2025 with the Financial Advisor and the Nodal officers of 11 Ministries/Departments. Representative of M/s Protean have also attended the meeting.

In the meeting, Secretary (Pension) reviewed and emphasized  upon timely credit of deduction made from the salary of Central Government employees towards their contribution to NPS, as also the applicable contribution of the Central Government, to the NPS financial architecture and redressal of grievances of Central Government employees. Further, Ministries/Departments were requested to constitute NPS oversight Mechanism and hold periodic meetings of the Committee and submit their six monthly report along with timely generation of PRAN and remittance of monthly contribution.

To ensure better monitoring, DoPPW has developed an online portal with URL https://pensionersportal.gov.in/NPS  for submission of six monthly report.          

The constant review of the implementation of NPS would enhance timely remittance of fund into NPS architecture and also reduce grievance of employees covered under NPS.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2122189) Visitor Counter : 15

Top seven finalists announced for the Anti-Piracy Challenge under the Create in India Initiative of WAVES 2025

Source: Government of India

Top seven finalists announced for the Anti-Piracy Challenge under the Create in India Initiative of WAVES 2025

Anti-Piracy Challenge receives overwhelming response from the industry and participants

Over 1,600 registrations and 132 idea submissions from startups, technology providers, research institutions, and students across the country

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:21PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 16 April 2025

 

The finalists of the Anti-Piracy Challenge, a pioneering initiative under the Create in India Challenge Season 1 of WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) 2025, has been announced. WAVE Summit is being organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India on May 1-4, 2025 in Mumbai.

The Anti-Piracy Challenge, which aimed at fostering technological advancements in fingerprinting and watermarking solutions, received an overwhelming response from the industry and participants. Launched on September 12, 2024, the Challenge was conceived with a core objective— to promote Make in India technologies in the fight against digital piracy. The challenge witnessed participation with over 1,600 registrations and 132 idea submissions from startups, technology providers, research institutions, and students across the country. After a rigorous multi-stage screening and evaluation process, 15 ideas were shortlisted, and now, following in-depth assessments by an esteemed jury panel, 7 standout finalists have emerged for their breakthrough innovations in digital content security.

The top seven finalists will present their solutions before the final jury and a live audience during the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled from 01–04 May 2025 at Jio Centre, Mumbai. The winners will be felicitated by at the Grand Finale of the Summit.

Team Name

Proposed Solution

Brief Details on solution

Aezowie Infotech Services Pvt. Ltd.

StealthGuard

An offline tool that embeds robust, hidden watermarks in media files, traceable even after

compression or format changes.

Atomstate

Monk DB

An      AI-native      vector       database         using fingerprinting and watermarking for real-time

content verification and piracy detection.

Nuronics

NuroTrace

A comprehensive video protection suite combining encryption, licensing certificates, access control, dynamic watermarking, and

piracy detection.

Guardians of Originality

PirateX

An advanced DRM and anti-piracy system

designed to secure multimedia content from unauthorized access and illegal distribution.

Hummingbird

Tryambaka

A blockchain-powered solution combining

blind watermarking and cryptographic hashing for tamper-proof content protection.

CipherCore

Secure Fingerprint Steganography

System (SFSS)

A system that utilizes steganography and cryptographic techniques to embed secure fingerprints into digital media, enabling robust

piracy prevention.

WhiteHatLovers

Shadow Stamp

A marker-based tracking system using invisible,

uniquely identifiable markers to monitor and trace digital content in real time.

 

  • Focused on advanced technologies such as fingerprinting, watermarking, blockchain, and steganography
  • Diverse participation from startups, students, and technology innovators
  • Judged by a distinguished jury comprising industry experts and technologists
  • Winning solutions to receive national recognition, mentorship, and industry collaboration opportunities

In today’s fast-evolving media and entertainment landscape, protecting the security, integrity, and authenticity of digital content is more important than ever. The surge in digital media consumption has heightened the risk of piracy, unauthorized distribution, and content manipulation—posing serious challenges to content creators, distributors, and rights holders.

A Media Partners Asia report estimates that 90 million users engaged in online video piracy in India in 2024, causing potential losses of USD 1.2 billion. Without effective robust anti-piracy interventions, this could rise to 158 million users by 2029.

Rights holders and broadcasters increasingly rely on technological solutions to identify, disrupt,   and enforce their IP rights. However, criminal syndicates behind major piracy sites and services are continually adapting and obfuscating their infrastructure, making piracy detection and enforcement more complex than ever before.

This competition, designed to foster technological innovation in fingerprinting and watermarking solutions, reflects the growing urgency to secure India’s digital ecosystem.

The Anti-Piracy Challenge marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards securing its digital future and encouraging indigenous innovation in critical technology domains.

The Challenge organized by CII as part of WAVES was supported by IPHouse, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Hack2Skill, who have played a pivotal role in the evaluation process and in facilitating industry engagement throughout the challenge.

 

About WAVES

The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), 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

Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now

 

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(Release ID: 2122186) Visitor Counter : 78

Chief of Defence Staff confers MacGregor Memorial Medal Award to four Armed Forces personnel for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration & adventure

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan felicitated four individuals from the Armed Forces for their outstanding contributions in the fields of military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure activities during the MacGregor Memorial Medal Award Ceremony held at the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi on April 16, 2025. The awardees for 2023 included Wing Commander D Panda, Indian Air Force and EA (R) Rahul Kumar Pandey, Indian Navy. For 2024, CHEAA(R) Ram Ratan Jat, Indian Navy and Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia, Indian Air Force were honoured with the MacGregor Memorial Medal.

 

 

Instituted on July 03, 1888, the MacGregor Memorial Medal commemorates Maj Gen Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, KCB, CSI, CIE – founder of the United Service Institution of India established in 1870. Originally intended to recognise the acts of military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys, the medal’s scope was expanded in 1986, post-independence, to include military expeditions and adventure activities.

While military reconnaissance and exploration remain the foremost criteria, the medal is open to all ranks (serving and retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles. To date, 127 medals have been awarded, including 103 prior to independence.

Among the notable recipients are Capt FE Younghusband (1890), Maj Gen Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Maj ZC Bakshi, VrC(1949), Col Narinder Kumar for Siachen Glacier exploration (1978–81) and Cdr Dilip Donde and Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy for their solo global circumnavigations. The honour continues to inspire and motivate the Armed Forces personnel to undertake courageous feats and uphold the tradition of valour, perseverance and discovery.

The event also featured the launch of the book Bravest of the Brave, a truly inspirational chronicle on the life and heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM, by the Chief of Defence Staff. General Anil Chauhan complimented Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), the author and former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) for his vivid and heartfelt portrayal of the personal turmoil of a soldier, their unwavering resolve in the face of adversity and their indomitable spirit. The book serves as a poignant tribute to a gallant soldier and a reminder of the selfless service rendered by the men and women in uniform.

The ceremony at USI highlighted the enduring legacy of the Indian Armed Forces in exploration, bravery and service to the nation, while also celebrating stories that continue to inspire future generations.

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SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2122199) Visitor Counter : 103

WAVEX 2025 broadens Eligibility, extends Application Deadline to April 21

Source: Government of India

WAVEX 2025 broadens Eligibility, extends Application Deadline to April 21

Flagship media-tech startup event opens doors to older ventures and draws nationwide interest

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 16 April 2025

 

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has announced two major updates for WAVEX 2025, India’s premier platform for startups in the media and entertainment technology space. In a bid to foster wider participation and amplify innovation, the eligibility criteria have been expanded, and the application deadline has been extended.

Startups incorporated from 2016 onwards are now eligible to apply for WAVEX 2025. This marks a significant shift from the earlier criteria, which restricted entry to startups founded in 2020 or later. The move is expected to attract a broader pool of participants, particularly those with a track record of resilience, growth, and impact in the media-tech sector.

In response to strong interest and requests from entrepreneurs across the country, the application deadline has also been pushed to April 21, 2025. The extension gives aspiring media-tech innovators additional time to submit their proposals and secure a chance to feature on a national stage.

WAVEX 2025 Investment pitches will take place on May 2nd and May 3rd at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai during the Waves 2025 summit. A flagship segment of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), WAVEX is positioned as a high-stakes launchpad for startups working in areas such as gaming, animation, XR, metaverse, generative AI, and content technologies.

Selected startups will participate in closed room pitching sessions and gain visibility among top venture capital firms and high-profile angel investors. They will also benefit from mentorship by leading industry experts, exposure to global stakeholders, and opportunities to collaborate with prominent technology and media companies.

WAVEX 2025 is designed not merely as a showcase of emerging ideas, but as a strategic platform to accelerate how content is created, delivered, and monetized in the digital era.

Applications can be submitted through the official WAVEX portal at https://wavex.wavesbazaar.com.

 

About WAVES

The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), 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

Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now

 

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(Release ID: 2122174) Visitor Counter : 25

Ministry of Ayush Organises Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:58PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Ayush conducted a session of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at Ayush Bhawan today, aimed at enhancing the service orientation and professional skills of its employees. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission under the Mission Karmayogi framework.

Earlier on 18th of March, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated the first phase of the session wherein he highlighted the importance of building a workforce that is responsive and efficient. He had also encouraged participants to apply the training in their day-to-day responsibilities to improve service delivery.

The second phase of the session, led by Programme Director Dr. Subodh Kumar and facilitated by Ms. Shipra Singh, adopted an interactive format, focusing on practical learning rather than traditional lectures. Discussions, team exercises, and problem-solving activities were incorporated to help employees reflect on their roles and contributions.

The programme included four focused sessions covering themes such as self-awareness, motivation, and leadership. Case studies from ongoing initiatives in Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional medicine systems were shared to provide practical context.

Ministry officials actively participated in the programme, which aimed to build awareness of individual responsibilities and the broader impact of public service. The Ministry of Ayush continues its efforts to strengthen capacity and efficiency within its workforce.

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MV/AKS

(Release ID: 2122209) Visitor Counter : 39

Conclave on PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub organised in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha

Source: Government of India

Conclave on PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub organised in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha

Co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha.

An endeavour to promote and empower MSMEs in the State and create synergys

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised the ‘PM Vishwakarma – National SC-ST Hub Conclave’ on 16 April, 2025, at the Convention Hall, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.

The event commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition and brought together stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government officials to highlight key initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and the National SC-ST Hub.

The Conclave was co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. The dignitaries inaugurated the Conclave with a ribbon-cutting and lamp-lighting ceremony.

 The gathering was also graced by Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSME, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Prakash Soren, Hon’ble MLA, Baripada, Govt. of Odisha; Ms. Mamata Mohanta, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha;
Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister of State (IC)Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Labour, Labour & Employees State Insurance, Govt.of Odisha; Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing and Urban Development, Public Enterprises, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Hon’ble MP, Lok Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and other senior officials of the Ministry.

The conclave began with the welcome address by Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, ADC, DC(MSME), followed by a welcome address and a presentation on role of Ministry’s Schemes and MSMEs growth in Odisha State by Dr. Rajneesh, AS & DC, DC(MSME). The event featured experience-sharing by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, and SC-ST Hub initiatives. To empower entrepreneurs, e-certificates were distributed to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, along with the distribution of credit cheques. Certificates were also awarded to National SC-ST Hub beneficiaries and PMEGP beneficiaries.
Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Government of India, spoke about the significant role the MSME sector playing in job creation and improving livelihoods. He highlighted the importance and role of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, along with the contributions of the Coir Board and Khadi, in empowering individuals and improving livelihoods.

I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, whose guidance has brought me here to Odisha, her region, with the purpose of promoting MSMEs. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisions India becoming a developed nation, and by the year 2027-28, it will become the world’s third-largest economy,” the Hon’ble Minister said.

Shri Manjhi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us a Ministry of a vision — and the Ministry of MSME is truly a ministry of vision. I am 200% sure of this. I feel extremely grateful to be working for the MSME sector. This Ministry is the greatest department, and every entrepreneur aspires to grow through it.”
Odisha is doing very well and the MSME sector in the state is progressing impressively. Because of MSME initiatives, today every enterprise is registered on the Udyam Registration Portal. The MSME sector in Odisha will continue to grow through our Ministry’s efforts, contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India,” he further added.

Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighted the achievements of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, and how the people of the state has benefited from the support of the Ministry and its initiatives.

“PM Vishwakarma is playing a key role in the life of middle class. The Ministry of MSME has given a special focus to Odisha and organised the PM Vishwakarma- National SC-ST Hub Conclave here,” the Hon’ble Chief Minister said.
Launched on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme supports traditional artisans and craftspeople with skill development, financial aid, and toolkits. Meanwhile, the National SC-ST Hub, launched in October 2016, empowers SC/ST entrepreneurs through capacity building, market linkages, and access to technology and credit.

The MSME sector, comprising over 6.25 crore enterprises and employing 26.7 crore individuals, plays a crucial role in India’s economic development, contributing nearly 30% to GDP and over 45% to exports.

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SK

(Release ID: 2122168) Visitor Counter : 74

Police and HKMA remind public to remain vigilant against phishing messages

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (April 16) remind members of the public to remain vigilant against phishing SMS messages purporting to be from Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) and the HKMA.

     These messages claim to assist recipients in recovering their frozen assets or payments made to scammers, instructing them to contact bogus law firms, and provide their bank account information or transfer money to specific bank accounts.

     Police and the HKMA reiterate that officers will not contact the members of the public on personal financial matters, nor will they authorise any law firm to assist in recovering fraud losses.

     Police and the HKMA urge the public not to trust any messages, social media pages or advertisements claiming to assist in recovering fraud losses. Before seeking assistance from professionals, it is advised to verify their background and professional qualifications. Information on solicitors can be found on the website of The Law Society of Hong Kong (www.hklawsoc.org.hk).

     The “Registered SMS Sender ID” of the ADCC is “#ADCC18222”. The official SMS messages do not contain any hyperlinks and only provide the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222”. For enquiries, members of the public may call the 24-hour hotline “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222”. 

INDIAN NAVY HOSTS MEGHAYAN-25 METEOROLOGICAL AND OCEANOLOGICAL SEMINAR

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:55PM by PIB Delhi

The 3rd edition of the Indian Navy’s Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium – Meghayan 25 – was held on 14 Apr 25, to commemorate the formation of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and celebrating WMO Day 2025. Hosted at the Nausena Bhawan at Delhi, the symposium was virtually inaugurated by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. The event brought together an impressive array of distinguished experts, high-ranking naval officers, outstation guests, and key stakeholders from across the meteorological and oceanographic spectrum. Premier organisations like the India Met Dept (IMD), the Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the Indian Air Force, Space Applications Center (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, National Maritime Foundation (NMF) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) participated in the event. The seminar was organised to align with this year’s WMO Day theme – ‘Closing the Early Warning Gap Together’.

The technical program was divided into two enriching sessions, each moderated by seasoned Subject Matter Experts. Session I, moderated by RAdm G Rambabu, Principal of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) and the seniormost Met Officer, featured a series of insightful presentations that showcased cutting-edge developments in Marine Meteorology and Oceanology. Session II, moderated by Cmde SMU Athar, Cmde (NE), shifted focus to Statistical Approaches in Weather Forecasting. Both sessions ended with stimulating Q&A, sessions with active participation from the audience. The event also featured an incisive and thought-provoking Panel Discussion focused on “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together: Enhancing Maritime Security and Coordination” bringing together experts to deliberate on integrated strategies for maritime safety and preparedness. The discussion was moderated astutely by VAdm Pradeep Chauhan (Retd), the Director General NMF. 

The final session was presided over by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff. The event was also attended by Vadm Tarun Sobti, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, VAdm Lochan Singh Pathania, the Chief Hydrographer to the GoI and veteran Met officers. Dr Nilesh Desai, Director SAC, Ahmedabad graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, while Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the Director General IMD and Hony Vice President of the WMO delivered the Keynote Address.

A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of the pioneer of the Navy’s Meteorological specialisation, Cmde PI Oommen (Retd). The 94 years young first Principal Director of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology addressed the gathering and shared a few treasured memories and experiences with the audience.

In keeping with the quest for continuous improvement of meteorological services within the Indian Navy, Meteorological and Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre – Indian Navy (MOSDAC-IN) web services, a joint collaboration between the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (DNOM) and SAC was officially launched by Dr Nilesh Desai. MOSDAC-IN, which provides customised satellite derived weather products with separate log-ins for individual Naval Met Offices.

The symposium also saw the revival of its professional Meteorological and Oceanological journal after a gap of almost 10 years. The 10th edition of “Sagarmanthan” was launched during Meghayan 25. 

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(Release ID: 2122172) Visitor Counter : 82

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Commences Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 with Swachhata Pledge

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 16 APR 2025 7:10PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs today inaugurated the Swachhata Pakhwada 2025, a fortnight-long cleanliness drive aimed at promoting the spirit of Swachh Bharat and fostering a clean and sustainable work environment.

On this occasion, Shri Umang Narula, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, administered the Swachhata Pledge to all officers and officials of the Ministry, urging them to renew their commitment to the cause of cleanliness and hygiene in both personal and professional spaces. He also motivated officials of the Ministry to make plantation at the nearby places of their residence or at any suitable location to make the environment green.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, encouraged officials to actively participate in the 15-day Swachhata Pakhwada. He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and consistent efforts in achieving the goals of a clean, green, and sustainable environment. Dr. Prakash also provided a brief overview of the activities to be carried out during the Pakhwada.

The Ministry remains committed to the ideals of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and will continue to promote cleanliness and sustainability through regular initiatives and campaigns.

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SS/ISA

(Release ID: 2122217) Visitor Counter : 17