Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah met the families of martyred policemen of Jammu and Kashmir in Jammu and hands over appointment letters to 9 nominees on compassionate grounds

The whole country is proud of the brave policemen who sacrificed their lives to protect the country

Home Minister urges J&K Government to take positive steps for compassionate appointment of 12 year old Yuvraj Singh, son of martyr SGCT Jaswant Singh, when he attains adulthood

Shri Amit Shah also pays his respects and expressed his gratitude to the family of Late Shri Shashi Bhushan Abrol, Deputy Manager/Designer, APCO Construction Company

The sacrifice, courage and commitment of the martyrs will always remain etched in our hearts and will continue to inspire us to build the India of their dreams

Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, significant progress has been achieved in tackling terrorism and ending separatist ideology

Posted On: 07 APR 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah met the families of martyred policemen of Jammu and Kashmir in Jammu today and handed over appointment letters to 9 nominees on compassionate grounds. Union Home Minister paid tribute to the martyred police personnel and expressed gratitude to their families.

Addressing the families of the martyred police personnel, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that for more than three and a half decades, Jammu and Kashmir has suffered the devastating effects of terrorism. He said that we are proud of the sacrifice of our brave policemen who laid down their lives to protect our country, our homes and our future. Home Minister said that the whole country is proud of the brave policemen who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. He said that today under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, significant progress has been achieved in tackling terrorism and ending separatist ideology. Shri Shah also said that our mission is still not accomplished, because terrorism has been curbed, but it has not been completely eliminated.

Home Minister urged J&K Government to take positive steps for compassionate appointment of 12-year-old Yuvraj Singh, son of martyr SGCT Jaswant Singh, upon attaining adulthood (18 years of age). Shri Shah also paid his respects and gratitude to the family of late Shri Shashi Bhushan Abrol, Deputy Manager/Designer, APCO Construction Company, Gagangir, District Ganderbal. Late Shri Shashi Bhushan Abrol made the supreme sacrifice while on duty during a terrorist attack on the critical infrastructure project of Sonamarg Tunnel on 20 October 2024. Home Minister said that no amount of words can take away the pain being felt by the bereaved, but it symbolizes our deep gratitude and the government’s unwavering commitment to stand with the families of the brave martyrs, just as the loved ones of the martyrs have stood by the nation.

Union Home Minister urged everyone to follow the ideals of the martyrs and have an eternal love for duty, honour and ‘Maa Bharti’. He said that the sacrifice, courage and commitment of the martyrs will always remain etched in our hearts and will continue to inspire us to build the India of their dreams.

The visit of the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation to Jammu and Kashmir reflects the continued commitment of the Government of India to bring peace and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir, especially the significant steps taken for infrastructure development and strengthening the security situation.

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RK/VV/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2119837) Visitor Counter : 62

Source: Government of India

Union Minister Shri C R Patil inaugurates Symposium on “Dam Safety Act, 2021: Towards Integrated Dam Safety Management” in New Delhi

Shri C R Patil lauds the role of NDSA in Dam safety Management

Union Minister highlights how the Act has created a structured safety framework and institutional set up in ensuring compliances of the provisions of the Dam Safety Act

Three Years of NDSA’s Journey marked with Key Releases and Discussions on Implementation Challenges

Posted On: 07 APR 2025 9:43PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister Shri C R Patil inaugurated  Symposium on “Dam Safety Act, 2021”: Towards Integrated Dam Safety Management”organised by National Dam Safety Authority” (NDSA) ,DoWR, RD & GR, Govt. of India in the presence of Minister of State for Jal Shakti Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary  in SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi today.This event highlighted the progress made in improving dam safety, and it emphasized the need for integrated dam safety management through involvement of all Stakeholders.

Shri C. R. Patil,outlined the efforts in implementation of the Dam Safety Act. Union minister highlighted how the Act has created a structured safety framework and institutional set up in ensuring compliances of the provisions of the Dam Safety Act.  While lauding the role of NDSA in Dam safety Management, HMoJS  encouraged stakeholders to view dam safety not merely as compliance; but, as a commitment to human safety, ecosystem preservation, and national resilience. HMoJS emphasized that every specified dam owner must earmark sufficient funds as mandated; and uphold global best practices and advanced technology for a secure water future. He highlighted that dams are getting old and more efforts are needed to take preventive measures for Dam Safety.

Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary,  Minister of State for Jal Shakti urged states to adopt risk-based prioritization tools and integrate startups and private sector innovation into dam safety practices. Also emphasised on the importance of Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application, i.e. DHARMA  Portal as a repository of data of all th.e specified dams of the country.

Key releases during the Symposium:

• The National Register of Specified Dams-2025 was released, providing a comprehensive database of all the 6628 Specified dams in the country.
• Guidelines for Preparing Operation & Maintenance Manual for Ungated Dams was released, aimed at improving safety protocols of dams.
• A Compendium  on regulations published under the Dam Safety Act, 2021
• The National Strategy for Developing Dams as Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Destinations was introduced to explore eco-friendly tourism opportunities.

 

Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR elucidated the efforts made by NDSA in implementation of provisions of Dam Safety Act, 2021 in close association with all other stakeholders. She outlined that India is one of the leading countries in Dam Safety management. However, she cautioned the dam fraternity that any complacency in dam safety efforts could derail the process. She stressed upon the need for integrated Dam Safety Management, by taking care of each & every aspect related to Dam Safety in a holistic manner and need to have plans in place for ground implementation of various measures required to improve the safety performance of the dams. She also pointed out that dam safety is becoming increasingly difficult with climate change.

Shri Anil Jain, Chairman, NDSA highlighted the achievements during the Authority’s three-year journey and reiterated that dams are not just engineering marvels, but lifelines critical for irrigation, power generation, and flood protection. He stressed that ensuring dam safety is a shared national responsibility.

Shri R.K. Choudhary. CMD, NHPC presented a perspective on dam safety compliance and risk mitigation strategies. He elaborated on best practices in structural health monitoring and adaptive management strategies adopted by NHPC to enhance dam resilience. He shared about the best practices being followed by them for all the Dams of NHPC. He emphasised that NHPC is maintaining their Dam Safety Dam Management data through their In-house portal of NHPC, which is called “SAHAJ SEWA”.

Dr. Sanjay Belsare, Secretary CAD & WM, Maharashtra highlighted on-ground progress, particularly in enhancing inspection protocols and capacity building, while also pointing out challenges like funding constraints and manpower shortages.

The technical sessions by NDSA focused on the evolution and key regulatory provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, emphasizing the significance of a structured legal framework in ensuring the long-term safety and maintenance of dams. Further, the role of NDSA in implementing the Act and the challenges ahead was discussed. The need for capacity building among dam owners and state agencies, particularly in monitoring, inspection, and emergency action planning was highlighted.

State representatives from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Meghalaya shared their experiences and challenges in implementing the Act. They highlighted key issues such as fund constraints, trained manpower.

Senior officials from the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), and key stakeholders from states and public sector organizations were also present at the event. More than 250 delegates from 18 states attended the event, representing various sectors involved in dam safety management.

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Dhanya Sanal K

Director

 

(Release ID: 2119911) Visitor Counter : 86

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah visits Border Outpost ‘Vinay’ in Kathua during his visit to J&K and interacts with BSF personnel

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the Central Government fully committed to the welfare of the security forces and their families

The Modi Government is working to reduce the difficulties faced by the soldiers in discharging their duties

More than 26 technology-related initiatives are currently being tested, which include anti-drone technology, tunnel identification technology and electronic surveillance

BSF is the first line of our security and the force has always discharged this responsibility very well

In a few years, the security forces deployed on the entire India-Pakistan  and India-Bangladesh border will be fully equipped with latest technical support

The Sacrifice, bravery, valor, and courage of our soldiers form the shield of India against enemies from across the border, and this is why the people of the country hold deep respect for the BSF

Union Home Minister also pays tribute to martyred Assistant Commandant of Border Security Force, Vinay Prasad, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty on the International Border in Kathua district in the year 2019

Shri Amit Shah also inaugurates 8 newly constructed women Barracks, High Mast Lights, G+1 Tower and Composite BOP at the border at a cost of Rs 47.22 crore

Posted On: 07 APR 2025 6:26PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today visited the Border Outpost ‘Vinay’ in Kathua during his Jammu and Kashmir visit and interacted with the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed. On this occasion, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and Director-General of the Border Security Force, along with several other dignitaries, were present.

During his visit, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah paid tribute to the martyr Assistant Commandant Vinay Prasad of the Border Security Force, who made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty at the international border in Kathua district in 2019. Earlier, in 2021, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah had also visited the Makwal Border Post along the Jammu frontier.

Union Home Minister inaugurated newly built facilities at the border, including 8 women barracks, high-mast lights, a G+1 tower, and a composite BOP, all constructed at a cost of ₹47.22 crore. These initiatives have strengthened the security arrangements during the Border Security Force personnel’s duties and have also improved their living conditions.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation appreciated the efforts of the BSF personnel and officers in monitoring the international border in the Jammu region. During his interaction with the soldiers, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, said that on visiting this place one realises the difficult conditions under which the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel ensure the security of the country’s borders. He mentioned that despite extreme cold, heavy rainfall, or temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius, and regardless of the geographical or climatic challenges, our soldiers remain vigilant and dedicated to securing the borders with preparedness and alertness.

Shri Amit Shah said that the BSF has a glorious history when it comes to the country’s security. He mentioned that the entire nation knows that the BSF is our first line of defence, and the force has always performed this responsibility exceptionally well. He further noted that in every war with Pakistan, the contribution of our BSF soldiers has been as significant as that of the Indian Army.

He added that two models of electronic surveillance systems have been developed for deployment on the border. After their installation across the entire border, soldiers will find it much easier to receive information and respond immediately to any actions by the enemy, using technology. Shri Shah also mentioned that several experiments have been conducted to identify infiltration and to detect and destroy tunnels, using technology.

Union Home Minister said that in a few years, the security forces deployed on the entire India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh border will be fully equipped with technical assistance. He said that the sacrifice, bravery, valor, and courage of our soldiers form the shield of India against enemies from across the border, and this is why the people of the country hold deep respect for the BSF.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has no shortage of budget in the three areas of ensuring minimal casualties, reducing hardships through facilities, and supporting vigilance with technology. He mentioned that over 26 initiatives related to technology are currently being tested, including anti-drone technology, tunnel identification technology, and electronic surveillance. Shri Shah expressed confidence that some results from these tests could be achieved by next March, which would make it easier for the soldiers in fulfilling their duties.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister said that the Modi government is working to reduce the difficulties faced by soldiers in the discharge of their duties and will continue to do so. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the central government is fully committed to the welfare of security forces and their families. The Government of India has launched several welfare schemes for security forces, including Ayushman CAPF, Ex-Gratia Payments, accidental death insurance coverage under the CAPF salary package scheme, the Unified Pension Scheme, the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS), and E-Housing.

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RK/VV/ASH/PS

(Release ID: 2119839) Visitor Counter : 46

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 07 APR 2025 10:56PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri PiyushGoyal, on Monday said that India is well poised to convert the current global situation into an opportunity, just as it did during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the late 1990s when the Indian IT sector leveraged the Y2K bug crisis to mark its emergence on the global stage.

Addressing the foundation day of FICCI,  in Mumbai, Shri Goyal underscored the need for unity and collaboration among nations and industries to tackle evolving global challenges. “We are all in it together. All well-meaning countries and businesses must address these challenges collectively and convert them into opportunities,” he said.

He emphasized that the collective consciousness of the Indian industry can help drive the country towards self-reliance and sustained growth. “We need to support each other. We need to have a nationalist outlook,” he said, adding that Indian companies must work in the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s 1931 address to FICCI, the Minister said that Indian industry should place nationalism at the heart of its work. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi truly embodies this spirit through his vision of Viksit Bharat, inclusive growth, and delivering the benefits of economic progress to the last person in the queue,” he said.

Shri Goyal urged Indian businesses to support each other, focus on quality, and avoid the pitfalls of short-term gains. He warned against predatory pricing and over-dependence on cheap imports. “Low-cost goods may seem attractive today, but in the long run, they can hurt businesses and economies. This has been evident in several parts of the world where supply chains have collapsed due to over-dependence on a single geography,” he noted.

He pointed out that resilient and diversified supply chains, along with energy and food security, have become global priorities. “More and more developed countries are recognising that this is not just about geopolitics, but about national resilience and self-reliance, especially in critical technologies,” he said.

The Minister stressed that India’s demographic dividend, a 1.4 billion-strong consumer base, and the fastest-growing economy in the world present an unparalleled opportunity. “From a $4 trillion economy today, India is poised to grow to $30-35 trillion in the next 25 years. We have an opportunity of a lifetime,” he declared.

Calling on industry stakeholders to seize this moment, he said, “Be a part of the solution, be a part of this moment in history. If we all come together with determination, India is unstoppable.”

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

(Release ID: 2119919) Visitor Counter : 95

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The second edition of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) will be held from June to September, with various performances and activities being presented for the public to experience traditional Chinese fine culture.

 

The festival’s opening show is a dance production. “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is directed by the internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, and blends modern dance with poetry, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving and guqin music to delicately deconstruct the poetic works of Su Dongpo, a literary master during the Song dynasty.

 

A core part of the CCF, this year’s Chinese Opera Festival (COF) features six quality productions covering Peking opera, Yuediao opera, Qinqiang opera, Yue opera, Cantonese opera and Kunqu opera.

 

The COF this year features classic plays inspired by the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. There will also be a dance drama highlighting the resilient spirit and sentiments of the famous Song dynasty poetess, Li Qingzhao, and her contributions to China’s literary inheritance from a contemporary perspective.

 

In another production, the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts will present the original Chinese dance drama “A Dream of Red Mansions”, the plot of which concerns a love triangle between Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai. The production restructures the traditional storylines from the perspective of the 12 Beauties of Jinling.

 

This year’s CCF also features a “Tea Culture” series curated by Hong Kong’s Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, the internationally renowned composer and conductor Tan Dun.

 

The City in Focus of this year’s CCF is Xi’an. Relevant shows include the classic opera “Zhou Ren on the Way Home”, a exhibition showcasing Xi’an’s invaluable archaeological relics, and a production of the ballet “Swan Lake” by the Xi’an Acrobatic Troupe.

 

Call 2268 7321, 2268 7323 or 2268 7325 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

China Concrete Company Ltd today was today fined $212,000 after it carried out works at its two concrete batching plants in Yau Tong without a specified process licence and failed to comply with an air pollution abatement notice.

The two plants, located at 20 and 22 Tung Yuen Street, were found to have contravened the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. The company pleaded guilty to 28 summonses at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court and was fined a total of $212,000.

The Environmental Protection Department said it had made every effort to combat the plants’ illegal operations. To date, it has issued 39 summonses for criminal prosecution against the company.

Thirty of those charges have now resulted in conviction, while the remaining nine cases of non-compliance are still in progress.

Under new amendments to the Air Pollution Control Ordinance due to take effect on April 11, the Director of Environmental Protection will be empowered to issue closure notices to premises if the director has reasonable cause to believe that unlicensed SP operations are taking place.

Stressing that the legal amendments have proved decisive in addressing the Tung Yuen Street plants’ illegal operations, the department said China Concrete Company Ltd had given notice that it would cease all concrete batching and related operations early this month.

The department said that if the two plants are found to have continued conducting unlicensed operations after the legal amendments take effect, it will take stringent action in accordance with the law.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department issued six pre-sale consents for residential and non-residential developments in the first quarter of this year.

Among these, five were issued for residential developments, involving a total of 2,749 residential units.

Three of the projects are expected to be completed next year. Two of these are phases of developments – specifically a phase in Chai Wan comprising 592 units, and another in Tin Shui Wai involving 525 units. The third project, in Sha Tin, covers 240 units.   

A development in Yau Tong involving 748 units, and another in Fanling comprising 644 units, are expected to be completed in 2027.

The remaining pre-sale consent is in relation to a non-residential development.

At the end of last month, 21 applications for pre-sale consent for residential developments, comprising a total of 7,090 residential units, were being processed.

In addition, the department was handling 11 applications for consent to assign, involving 3,436 residential units and four non-residential units.

Three applications for pre-sale consent for non-residential developments were also being processed.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region