Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Kowloon City today (April 14), in which a man died.
At 5.37am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 74-year-old man was travelling along Boundary Street towards Kowloon City. When approaching the junction of Waterloo Road, it reportedly knocked down a 62-year-old man who was riding a bicycle.
Sustaining head injuries, the man was rushed to Kwong Wah Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.54am.
The PLB driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Kowloon West is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9023.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Temporary suspension of LCSD’s Mobile Library 3 services The affected service points are Prime View Garden, Siu Hong Court, Shan King Estate, Sam Shing Estate, Leung King Estate and Fu Tai Estate in Tuen Mun; Kingswood Country Club and Tin Ching Estate in Tin Shui Wai; and Sheung Tsuen Park, Wang Chau, San Tin, Long Shin Estate and Fairview Park in Yuen Long. For enquiries about Mobile Library 3 services, please call 2450 1857.
Readers are welcome to use other public libraries during the service suspension period. They may also renew library materials by telephoning 2698 0002 or 2827 2833, or via www.hkpl.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by CE at World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit (English only) (with photo) Honourable Wang Yong (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Zhuang Rongwen (Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China), Honourable Zheng Yanxiong (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Honourable Ren Xianliang (Secretary General of the World Internet Conference), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. I’m delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.
And I am honoured to say that the Asia-Pacific Summit, taking place over these next two days in Hong Kong, marks the first time the World Internet Conference has held an international summit outside Mainland China.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to Hong Kong’s rising role as an international innovation and technology hub. It also reflects our deepening integration with our country’s national development.
That will become abundantly clear over these next two days. Like the World Internet Conference itself, this Summit offers high-level dialogue for the global internet community – for you – the nearly 1 000 professionals here from 30 countries and regions.
You are senior government officials and business leaders, industry association heads, academics and researchers and professionals from different disciplines. And you’re here to expand your international connections, create business opportunities and help build the interconnected digital future.
Hong Kong’s rise as an I&T hub has been fast-tracked by our vibrant economy, which is powered by free trade and boasts the world’s third-largest financial centre. It helps, too, that Hong Kong has long been a key business conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world.
And it all comes together under our unique “one country, two systems” framework.
This cardinal governing principle gives Hong Kong the best of both worlds: access to the vast opportunities of the Mainland market, while maintaining the advantages of our unmatched connectivity of our common law system, free flow of information, capital, goods and people. This unmatched connectivity has brought you here.
There are many good examples. A shining example is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which ranks second, globally, in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index. It shows how, with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, we can converge Hong Kong’s excellent research and development and world-class, international business environment, with the innovative prowess of the Mainland’s technology industry.
We are building Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which straddles the small river that separates Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hong Kong Park within this Co-operation Zone smartly embodies the virtues of the “one country, two systems” principle and cross-boundary co-operation.
Last month, I attended the topping-out ceremony for the Park’s first three buildings – two wet laboratories and a talent accommodation complex. The Park will enter its operational phase this year, with the first tenants – from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, to data science and other pillar industries – moving in.
The development of another five buildings is in full swing. We have earmarked some US$500 million to expedite the Park’s two-phase development.
We need, of course, strategic companies and talent to take full advantage of the Park’s opportunities – and other of Hong Kong’s far-reaching prospects. And we’re getting them. Under the enhanced talent admission regime we rolled out in 2022, we have already approved more than 300 000 talent admission applications. Over 200 000 of them, i.e. two-thirds, have already arrived here.
Meanwhile, over 80 strategic enterprises from around the world in the booming industries of life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech and more, have joined us. They will invest over US$6 million and create over 20 000 jobs here in the coming years.
The Park is situated in the Northern Metropolis, an entirely new economic engine for Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis, which makes up one-third of Hong Kong’s area, straddles our land boundary with Shenzhen.
I’m confident that our collaborative efforts with Shenzhen, and throughout the Greater Bay Area, will see the rise of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone as a world-class I&T hub, creating a critical source of new quality productive forces for the country.
AI is central to Hong Kong Park’s research and development. It’s no less central to Hong Kong’s future.
In December last year, the first phase of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre became operational. Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport is home to more than 330 start-ups specialising in AI and big data.
Hong Kong is determined to maximise AI’s immense potential for new industrialisation, and to further society’s digital transformation.
We have, for example, set up funding schemes to help local manufacturers switch to smart manufacturing and strategic industries to establish smart production facilities here in Hong Kong.
And our HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, amounting to nearly US$1.3 billion, channels market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance, including AI and robotics.
There’s more. We aim to establish, by the next financial year, the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute, having reserved nearly US$130 million to get it up and running. The Institute will spearhead Hong Kong’s R&D and drive AI-based industrial applications.
AI will also promote smart government. Not only driving document digitalisation and automation, and payments and business processes, but, more important, how we go about making policy and delivering public services.
All that, and much more, will fuel discussion and debate at today’s main forum and the three sub-forums taking place tomorrow.
This Summit matters. Co-operation matters. Especially during these challenging times to geopolitics and trade relations. Hong Kong champions free trade and multilateralism. We believe in teamwork and offer a range of welcoming programmes for investors, companies, researchers and other strategic talent. Hong Kong welcomes all business interests from those who are keen to pursue development with us. In this global city, we will make a decided difference for you, and your future.
I am grateful to the World Internet Conference for hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit here in Hong Kong. Grateful, too, to our Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and other government offices for organising this high-profile global event.
I wish you all an inspiring Summit, and the best of business, and health, through this endlessly challenging, but promising, year.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Director Xia Baolong to attend Opening Ceremony of National Security Education Day on April 15 organised by Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR via video link April 15, 2025 (Tuesday) is the 10th National Security Education Day. It carries profound significance as this year also marks the fifth anniversary of the promulgation by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) for implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (the Hong Kong National Security Committee) will hold the Opening Ceremony cum Seminar of the National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre that morning.
The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech via video link. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Chairman of the Hong Kong National Security Committee, Mr John Lee, extends his very warm welcome and expresses sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along.
Mr Lee pointed out, “The National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was passed by the NPCSC in 2015, legally confirms the guiding status of a holistic approach to national security and designates the 15th of April each year as the National Security Education Day. April 15, 2025 marks the 10th National Security Education Day, and it holds profound significance since this year is also the fifth anniversary of the promulgation by the NPCSC for implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
“At present, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. The geopolitical landscape is getting complicated, regional conflicts are frequent, global economic growth is slowing down, and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, all contributing to increasing global instability. With Hong Kong faced with ever-changing national security risks, the HKSAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, deepen the understanding of a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and actively promote national security education across society.
“The Hong Kong National Security Committee organises the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day and co-ordinates a series of school and community activities, which help to promote national security education, encourage community-wide participation, and continuously strengthen the community’s awareness and atmosphere of safeguarding national security of their own accord.
“While we strive on all fronts to develop a vibrant economy, advance development and improve people’s livelihood, we must also make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, so as to contribute more to the country’s opening-up at a higher level.” Issued at HKT 12:30
The Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 was inaugurated on 13 Apr 25 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, marking a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and African nations. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania, Shri Sanjay Seth, India’s Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM) and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. The event also saw the attendance of distinguished military leaders, including the Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).
Tanzania’s Defence Minister, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, whilst inaugurating the exercise, stressed the “significance of going along” to tackle maritime threats like piracy and trafficking. She called for “collaborative effort towards Maritime security by like-minded partners” and highlighted the aim of building an “enduring framework of maritime security, including innovation and information sharing.” She also reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to hosting future AIKEYME editions and their broader belief in “collaborative regional cooperation” beyond military affairs.
In his address, RRM Shri Sanjay Seth emphasised the spirit of collaboration by quoting the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, If you want to go far, go together.” He expressed hope for a “life-long partnership”, invoked India’s maritime vision Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) and thanked Tanzania for co-hosting AIKEYME 25 alongside India.
For AIKEYME, the Indian Navy is represented by INS Chennai and INS Kesari. Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR was also present for the inaugural ceremony. The chief guests interacted with the multinational crew from Friendly Foreign Countries(FFCs) from IOS Sagar.
AIKEYME 25, meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, will be conducted over six days with participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, alongside India and Tanzania. The exercise will include a harbour phase with joint training and exercises focused on piracy and information sharing, followed by a sea phase to enhance maritime security cooperation. This initiative aims to develop collaborative solutions to regional maritime challenges, enhance interoperability, and strengthen the friendly relations between India and African nations.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India today released the first edition of International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum, marking a significant step toward articulating India’s outward-facing strategy in Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation (QSTI), with the intent to accelerate discovery, foster innovation, and catalyse adoption across critical sectors.
The report was officially unveiled by PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood during the Office of PSA’s podcast on the occasion of World Quantum Day 2025, celebrated every year on April 14. This report comes with a special significance because of 2025 being the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST) designated by the United Nations and member states.
The strategy report provides a foundational landscape analysis to enable domestic and foreign stakeholders in government, academia, and industry to formulate context-specific action points aligned with their engagement goals complementing the ambitions of India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) and other ongoing efforts by various agencies and stakeholders in the ecosystem.
Talking about the importance of Quantum Tech, Prof. Sood highlighted it is an area where no country wants to be left behind because it is important for strategic autonomy and there cannot be strategic autonomy without being quantum safe. Further speaking about gaps and potential in the sector for India, he stated, “India has to invest in Quantum hardware, we have to reduce our dependencies on imports, and advancements in all areas of quantum computing can help with that. We need to bring much more funds for startups, and de-risk the investment — which means we need to create markets for the products. And this is where all the players, be it government, private sectors, academia, or startups, play a role to create this ecosystem,” he added. “We need to be an active player in defining the global standards for Quantum Tech. This is a gap we need to fill. Because once we have that, we will also play a role in standardisation efforts, and that is what leads to strategic autonomy. We have to do that very proactively and ensure that we have these global standards because our market is not only the Indian market but global.“
While talking about NQM, Prof. Sood mentioned that the mission being very efficiently rolled out by the Department of Science and Technology ( DST ) under the leadership of Secretary DST looks at the complete life cycle of this frontier technology – the R&D needed, what does it take to translate that R&D to technology and how to make a product from that for the market scale up. He also explained the key features of the hub-and-spoke model that is being implemented by NQM at the national scale involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 UTs .
This inaugural edition of ITES-Q provides a comprehensive overview of both global and national quantum ecosystems, covering analysis of investments, talent development, institutional strengths, research publications, intellectual property, startups, supply chains, and industrial activity. The ITES-Q is thought out to facilitate impactful partnerships and particularly add value to the efforts of Indian missions abroad in strengthening bilateral and multilateral engagements for QSTI.
The ITES is an initiative of the Office of the PSA to GoI, designed to strengthen and elevate India’s Technology Diplomacy efforts across critical and emerging domains.
In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in a joint overnight operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on April 12-13, 2025, seized over 300 kg of narcotics (methamphetamine) worth approximately Rs1,800 crore.
Based on a corroborated input from Gujarat ATS, an ICG ship from the Coast Guard Region (West), which was on multi-mission deployment off North Maharashtra/ South Gujarat area, diverted and intercepted an attempted transshipment in proximity of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). On realising the approaching ICG ship, the suspect boat dumped its narcotics consignment in sea before it started fleeing towards the IMBL. The alert ICG ship deployed its sea boat immediately for recovery of the jettisoned consignment whilst commencing a hot chase of the suspect boat.
The proximity of IMBL and the initial separation between the ICG ship and the boat at the time of its detection helped the perpetrator to evade interception before it crossed over the IMBL within a short time. The cross over resulted in termination of the hot chase and precluded the ICG ship to apprehend the suspect boat. Meanwhile the ICG team in a sea-boat, after thorough search in the tough night conditions, recovered the sizable amount of narcotics that was dumped into the sea.
The seized narcotics have been brought to Porbandar by the ICG ship for further investigations. The jointness of ICG and Gujarat ATS, which has led to 13 such successful law enforcement operations in recent years reaffirms the synergy for national objectives.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of new terminal building of Hisar airport worth over Rs 410 crore Today, being the birth anniversary of the architect of our Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, is a very important day for all of us, for the entire country: PM
Today flights have started from Haryana to Ayodhya Dham, meaning now the holy land of Shri Krishna, Haryana, is directly connected to the city of Lord Ram: PM
On one hand, our government is emphasizing on connectivity and on the other hand, we are also ensuring welfare of the poor and social justice: PM
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:14PM by PIB Delhi
In line with his commitment to make air travel safe, affordable, and accessible to all, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar, Haryana worth over Rs 410 crore today. Addressing the gathering, he extended his greetings to the people of Haryana, acknowledging their strength, sportsmanship, and brotherhood as the defining traits of the state. He expressed his gratitude to the large gathering for their blessings during this busy harvest season.
The Prime Minister paid respectful homage to Guru Jambheshwar, Maharaja Agrasen, and the sacred Agroha Dham. He shared his fond memories of Haryana, particularly Hisar, recalling his time working closely with many colleagues when he was entrusted with the responsibility of the state by his party. He highlighted the dedication and efforts of these colleagues in strengthening the party’s foundation in Haryana. He expressed pride in his party’s commitment to the goal of a developed Haryana and a developed India, working with utmost seriousness toward this vision.
“Today is a significant day for the entire nation as it marks the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar”, said Shri Modi, highlighting that Babasaheb’s life, struggles, and message have been the cornerstone of the government’s 11-year journey. He emphasized that every decision, every policy, and every day of the government has been dedicated to Babasaheb’s vision. He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the lives and fulfilling the dreams of the underprivileged, oppressed, exploited, poor, tribal communities, and women. He stated that continuous and rapid development has been the mantra of their government to achieve these goals.
Underlining the launch of flights connecting Haryana to Ayodhya Dham, symbolizing the direct link between the sacred land of Shri Krishna and the city of Lord Ram, the Prime Minister announced that flights to other cities will commence soon. He highlighted the foundation stone laying of the new terminal building at Hisar Airport, describing it as a step toward elevating Haryana’s aspirations to new heights. He extended his congratulations to the people of Haryana for this significant milestone.
Reiterating his promise that even those wearing slippers would fly in airplanes, a vision now being realized across the country, Shri Modi highlighted that in the past 10 years, millions of Indians have experienced air travel for the first time. He noted that new airports have been built even in areas that previously lacked proper railway stations, sharing that before 2014, India had 74 airports, a number achieved in 70 years while today, the number of airports has surpassed 150. He emphasized that nearly 90 aerodromes have been connected under the UDAN scheme, with over 600 routes operational, enabling affordable air travel for many. He remarked that this has led to record-breaking numbers of annual air travelers. He further highlighted that various airlines have placed record orders to the tune of 2,000 new aircraft, which will create numerous jobs for pilots, air hostesses, and other services. He also pointed out that the aircraft maintenance sector will generate significant employment opportunities. “Hisar Airport will elevate the aspirations of Haryana’s youth, providing them with new opportunities and dreams”, he added.
“Our government is focusing on connectivity while ensuring welfare for the poor and social justice, fulfilling the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the aspirations of the Constitution’s framers”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He criticized the Congress party for its treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system. He remarked that after Babasaheb’s passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas. He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr. Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country.
Shri Modi remarked that Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalized individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. He criticized the previous government for treating SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure. He highlighted the disparity under its rule, where water reached the swimming pools of some leaders but failed to reach villages. He noted that even after 70 years of independence, only 16% of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities. He shared that in the past 6-7 years, their government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80% of rural homes. He expressed confidence that, with Babasaheb’s blessings, tap water will reach every household. He also addressed the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities. He highlighted the government’s efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged.
Criticising the previous dispensation’s rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them. He highlighted that under their government, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities. He proudly noted that today, these individuals confidently showcase their RuPay cards, symbolizing their financial inclusion and empowerment.
Shri Modi further criticised the Congress party for turning the sacred Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power. He remarked that whenever they faced a crisis of power, it crushed the Constitution. He highlighted the Emergency period, during which the then Government undermined the spirit of the Constitution to retain power. He emphasized that the essence of the Constitution is to ensure a uniform civil code for all, but the then Government never implemented it. He pointed out the opposition to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, despite its alignment with the Constitution’s principles.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remarked that the Constitution provided for reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, but Congress turned it into a tool for appeasement. He highlighted recent reports of the present government in Karnataka granting reservations in government tenders based on religion, despite the Constitution not allowing such provisions. He stated that appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished. He pointed to the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous Government’s flawed policies. He noted that in 2013, just months before elections, Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several constitutional provisions.
Criticising the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful actions, Shri Modi remarked that if the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50% of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature. Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, Shri Modi pointed out that these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits. He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasizing a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards. He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests. He stated that the new provisions will honor the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld. He affirmed that this reflects the true spirit of the Constitution and genuine social justice.
Underlining the numerous steps taken by the government since 2014 to honor Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and inspire future generations, the Prime Minister pointed out that places associated with Babasaheb, both in India and abroad, were neglected for years. He noted that even for constructing Babasaheb’s memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai, people had to protest. He emphasized that their government has developed all key sites, including Babasaheb’s birthplace in Mhow, his educational site in London, his Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, and his Diksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, transforming them into the “Panchteerth.” He shared his privilege of recently visiting Diksha Bhoomi to pay homage to Babasaheb. The Prime Minister criticized Congress for making lofty claims about social justice while failing to honor Babasaheb and Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna during their tenure. He proudly stated that Babasaheb was awarded the Bharat Ratna only when a BJP-supported government was in power at the center, and it was also their party when in power honored Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna.
Lauding the Haryana government for consistently strengthening the path of social justice and welfare for the poor, the Prime Minister highlighted the dire state of government jobs in Haryana under previous administrations, where individuals had to rely on political connections or sell family assets to secure employment. He expressed satisfaction with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s government, which has eradicated these corrupt practices. He praised Haryana’s remarkable track record of providing jobs without bribes or recommendations. He noted that previous governments had made every effort to prevent 25,000 youth in Haryana from receiving government jobs. However, as soon as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini took office, thousands of appointment letters were issued to deserving candidates. He described this as an example of their good governance and commended the government’s roadmap for creating thousands of new jobs in the coming years.
Highlighting Haryana’s significant contribution to the nation, with a large number of youth serving in the armed forces, Shri Modi criticized previous dispensations for decades of deception regarding the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and emphasized that it was his government that implemented OROP. He shared that ₹13,500 crore has been disbursed to Haryana’s ex-servicemen under OROP. He pointed out that the previous Government had allocated only ₹500 crore for the scheme while misleading the nation’s soldiers. He remarked that the previous government has never truly supported Dalits, backward classes, or soldiers.
Expressing confidence in Haryana’s role in strengthening the vision of a developed India, the Prime Minister praised the state’s global impact, whether in sports or agriculture. He conveyed his trust in Haryana’s youth and described the new airport and flights as inspirations for fulfilling Haryana’s aspirations and concluded by extending his congratulations to the people of Haryana for this new milestone.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
The new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport will include a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, a cargo terminal and an ATC building. With scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya (twice weekly), three flights in a week to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh, this development will mark a significant leap in Haryana’s aviation connectivity.
The inauguration of Hisar Airport marks a significant milestone in Haryana’s development journey. It will boost regional connectivity and catalyse economic growth across the state. https://t.co/8DtkTWUEXD
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hongkong Post announces sale of philatelic products of various postal administrations China Post issued a set of two special stamps titled “Year of Yisi”. The first stamp, “Snake Presents Bumper Harvest”, captures the vibrant imagery of a golden coiling snake in traditional Chinese culture. The golden snake, holding an ear of wheat in its mouth, symbolises a good harvest and an affluent life. The second stamp, “Happiness Embraces All Blessings”, depicting the cursive-script Chinese character “福” (fu, meaning “happiness”) formed by three snakes, is an innovative piece of work that is concise and untrammelled, with a sense of gracefulness and smoothness. Macao Post and Telecommunications released the sixth issue of the fourth series of Chinese Zodiac philatelic products with the stamp theme “Lunar Year of the Snake”. The stamps vividly depict snakes in different postures in the style of traditional Chinese ink painting.
In addition, postal administrations around the world continue the tradition of issuing zodiac stamps to welcome the Year of the Snake. Australia Post launched a set of three stamps entitled “Lunar New Year of the Snake”. The three stamps are decorated with, respectively, gold coins, gold ingots and a money tree, which are feng shui elements representing wealth and prosperity. Isle of Man Post Office issued a set of four stamps to celebrate the “Year of the Snake”. The stamps depict a colourful illustration of a snake with various decorations inspired by the traditions of Lunar New Year, symbolising harmony, prosperity, hope and renewal in the Year of the Snake. Liechtensteinische Post AG issued a stamp which combines two traditional Chinese cultural elements, namely snakes and mahjong tiles. New Zealand Post issued a set of four stamps to celebrate the “Year of the Snake”. Each stamp, combining Chinese traditions with New Zealand characteristics, depicts the interactions between a child and a snake, exuding a joyous new year atmosphere.
Annual albums released by various postal administrations will also be put on sale concurrently. The stamp albums, comprising a rich collection of special stamps issued in 2024 with descriptions and illustrations, are not to be missed by philatelists.