1. Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership
2. MoU between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the field of Digital Technologies
3. MoU between Sagarmala Division, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of the Republic of India and Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand for development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat
4. MoU between National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), the Republic of India and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), the Kingdom of Thailand on cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
5. MoU between the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
6. MoU between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) of the Republic of India and Creative Economy Agency (CEA) of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand
With just 79 days to go for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, the Indian Yoga Association (IYA) has volunteered to play an active role in the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga . IYA representatives led by Secretary General Subodh Tiwari met senior officers from the Ministry of Ayush to discuss their plan of activities.
Representatives from 27 state chapters of the IYA actively participated in the discussions, showcasing their dedication and enthusiasm for the mega International Day of Yoga 2025.
The Ministry of Ayush thanked the IYA for their proactive approach and advance planning for IDY 2025. This collaboration is expected to enhance the celebration and promote the benefits of yoga on a global scale.
As announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, theme for IDY 2025 is “Yoga for One Earth One Health,”. The Prime Minister has also appealed to everyone to include Yoga into their routine and take pride in the country’s traditional wisdom for overall well being. IYA expressed its commitment to spread this theme through their number of institutions.
The IYA members stated that many of them have already chalked out specific plan to carry out activities related to the 10 unique signature events that have been identified to mark the 10th anniversary of International Day of Yoga 2025.
These 10 signature events are
Yoga Sangam– A synchronised Yoga demonstration at 1,00,000 locations, aiming for a world record.
Yoga Bandhan– Global partnerships with 10 countries to host Yoga sessions at iconic landmarks.
Yoga Parks– Development of 1,000 Yoga Parks for long-term community engagement.
Yoga Samavesh– Yoga Samavesh is an inclusive initiative promoting accessible yoga for persons with special needs, children, seniors, and marginalized groups. It features 10 key events, each focusing on a specific yoga protocol for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, mental health, and substance abuse. Over 1,000 participants will undergo a 10-day training conducted by partner organizations.
Yoga Prabhav– A decadal impact assessment on Yoga’s role in public health.
Yoga Connect– A Virtual Global Yoga Summit featuring renowned Yoga experts and healthcare professionals.
Harit Yoga– A sustainability-driven initiative combining Yoga with tree planting and clean-up drives.
Yoga Unplugged– An event to attract young people to Yoga
Yoga Maha Kumbh– A week-long festival across 10 locations, culminating in a central celebration led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Samyoga– A 100-day initiative integrating Yoga with modern healthcare for holistic wellness.
IYA members will strive to ensure that their IDY 2025 activities will revolve around the above signature events.
Annexure
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) has become a global wellness movement, uniting millions across countries. Here’s a brief look at its key milestones:
IDY 2015 –New Delhi: The first IDY at Rajpath saw 35,985 participants, setting two Guinness World Records.
IDY 2016 –Chandigarh: 30,000+ participants gathered at Capitol Complex, including 150 Divyangjan performing Yoga Protocol for the first time. The Prime Minister emphasised Yoga’s role in treating ailments like diabetes.
IDY 2017 –Lucknow: 51,000 participants joined at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, with Yoga highlighted as affordable ‘health insurance’.
IDY 2018– Dehradun: 50,000+ participants at Forest Research Institute, with the theme “Yoga for Public Health”. ISRO launched BHUVAN-YOGA and Yoga Locator apps.
IDY 2019– Ranchi: Focused on ‘Yoga for Heart Care’, with eco-friendly Yoga accessories benefiting Khadi artisans.
IDY 2020– Virtual: Amid the pandemic, 12.06 crore people joined online. The “My Life, My Yoga” contest attracted entries from 130 countries.
IDY 2021– Virtual: Themed “Yoga for Wellness”, reaching 496.1 million people globally. Iconic celebrations occurred at Times Square, the Eiffel Tower, and Tokyo Skytree.
IDY 2022– Mysuru: 15,000 participants at Mysore Palace, with a ‘Guardian Ring’ global Yoga relay and VR-powered digital exhibition.
IDY 2023 –Jabalpur & UN HQ, New York: With 23.44 crore participants, this IDY set two Guinness World Records, including the most significant Yoga session (1.53 lakh participants in Surat). The ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ covered 35,000 km.
IDY 2024– Srinagar: Held at SKICC, Srinagar, with 7,000 participants braving the rain. The ‘Yoga for Space’ initiative saw ISRO scientists join in. A Guinness World Record was set in Uttar Pradesh, with 25.93 lakh people pledging to Yoga. 24.53 crore global participants marked this as a historic celebration.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shinawatra for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me.
I express my deepest condolences on behalf of the people of India for the loss of life in the earthquake that occurred on March 28. We also wish for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.
Friends,
The age-old relations between India and Thailand are rooted in our deep cultural and spiritual ties. The spread of Buddhism has brought our people together.
There have been exchanges of scholars from Ayutthaya to Nalanda. The story of Ramayana is deeply rooted in Thai folk lore. And, the influence of Sanskrit and Pali continues to resonate with our languages and traditions today.
I am grateful to the Government of Thailand for releasing a special postage stamp based on the 18th century ‘Ramayana’ mural paintings as part of my visit.
Prime Minister Shinawatra just gifted me a Tri-Pitaka. On behalf of India, the land of Buddha, I accept it with folded hands. Last year, the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha were sent from India to Thailand. It is a matter of great pleasure that more than four million devotees got the opportunity to pay their tributes. I am extremely happy to announce that the Holy Relics found in Aravali, Gujarat in 1960 will also be sent to Thailand for an exposition.
This year our old connection was also visible in the Mahakumbh in India. More than 600 Buddhist devotees from foreign countries, including Thailand, became part of this spiritual and cultural gathering. This event gave the message of global peace and harmony.
Friends,
Thailand holds a special place in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. Today, we have decided to strengthen our ties into a strategic partnership. Also, we discussed establishing a ‘Strategic Dialogue’ between our security agencies.
We thanked the Government of Thailand for their cooperation in facilitating the return of Indian victims of cybercrime. We have agreed that our agencies will collaborate closely to combat human trafficking and illegal migration.
We have emphasized on cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture and education between Thailand and the North-Eastern states of India.
We discussed growing mutual trade, investment, and business exchanges. Agreements have also been made to foster cooperation in the areas of MSME, handloom and handicrafts.
We have decided to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, e-vehicles, robotics, space, bio-technology and start-ups. In addition to enhancing physical connectivity, both the countries will work to boost FinTech connectivity.
With the aim of promoting people-to-people exchanges, India has started offering free e-visa facilities to Thai tourists.
Friends,
ASEAN is the comprehensive strategic partner of India, and in this region, as neighbouring maritime countries, we have shared interests in regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
India firmly supports ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality. In the Indo-Pacific region, both countries advocate a free, open, inclusive and rule-based order.
We believe in development and not expansionism. We welcome Thailand’s decision to co-lead the ‘Maritime Ecology’ Pillar of the ‘Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative.
Friends,
I am eager to participate in the BIMSTEC Summit tomorrow. Under Thailand’s chairmanship, this forum has gained new momentum towards regional cooperation. We congratulate the Prime Minister and his team for this achievement.
Excellency,
Once again, I thank you for this warm welcome and honour. I also express my gratitude for this gift of the Tri-Pitaka.
Khop Khun Khap!
DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported detention of a journalist covering a protest over alleged financial irregularities in a bank in Guwahati, Assam Issues notice to the Director General of Police, Assam, calling for a detailed report within four weeks
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that on 25th March, 2025 in Guwahati, a journalist of a digital news portal was called at Panbazar police and detained after a dharna in front of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd, which he had gone to cover. Reportedly, the journalist had questioned the Managing Director of the bank on the alleged financial irregularities, though no reason was cited for his detention.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise the issue of violation of the journalist’s human rights. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Government of Assam, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 25th March, 2025, the protestors were demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in the management of the bank and strict action against those responsible.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launches Water Resource Census application and portal at New Delhi https://wrcensus.mowr.gov.in/
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launched Water Resource Census application and portal at Shram Shakti Bhavan, New Delhi. The Water Resource Census application and portal aids in the following census schemes.
The 7thMinor Irrigation Census
2ndCensus of Water Bodies
1stCensus of Springs
1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects
A 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the reference year will be 2023-24 agricultural year (July 2023- June 2024) under Irrigation Census Scheme.
The main objective of the Water Resource Census is to build a comprehensive and reliable database in the irrigation sector for effective planning and policymaking including water use efficiency, water budgeting etc. The digital application for collection and validation of data significantly enhances data accuracy while reducing the time required for conduct of census.
The key features of the censuses are the following:
Paperless and end to end digital solution:
mobile application for data collection and
web application for management and validation processes
Ground truthing of data received from SAC database during 2nd Census of Water Bodies
Recording Latitude, Longitude and images of all schemes
Pre-population of previous census data (6th MI and 1st Water body Census) using LGD codes in the mobile application during data collection to the extent possible
Use of reverse GIS technology for ensuring accurate recording of Lat/Long of all scheme wherever village boundaries are available
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil launches Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal https://rsms.cwc.gov.in/frameWork/web/public-dashboard
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launched Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal today at New Delhi.Central Water Commission monitors Live Storage Capacity of 161 important reservoirs of country an issues weekly bulletin on every Thursday. The total live storage capacity of these reservoirs at FRL is 182.375 BCM which is about 70.74% of the total live storage capacity estimated to have been created in the country. This Bulletin is sent to PMO, Niti Aayog, MoJS, MOP, MOA&FW, IMD, Disaster Management Authorities and all concerned states as well as uploaded on CWC web site. The storage position is updated every Thursday and Advisories are issued to concerned State Governments in case of (likely) critical situation of storage.
The present system involves manual generation of various Graphs, Charts and Tables etc. for inclusion in the bulletin. However, in the new portal all required data analysis and generating maps, tables, graphs etc. including issuing the final bulletin shall be done automatically by clicking the button(s) once the data is entered in the portal. Also, through this portal, general public can get information about the storage status of any particular reservoir or any state or country as a whole. If required, any person can also download the bulletin from the portal. Today i.e. 3.4.2025, first bulletin of Financial Year 2025-26 has been issued with the launch of Web based Reservoir Storage Monitoring System (RSMS) Portal by Union Minister of Jal Shakti.
Live storage status of reservoirs is a very important input for the decision makers in order to priorities the requirements of water in terms of its domestic, agriculture, power, navigation and recreations uses. It indicates the level of water security in the country. It also helps respective authorities to plan various agricultural activities across the country.
Water is a critical resource that underpins not only our daily lives but also the economic and social well-being of our communities. Agriculture is a primary source of income and livelihood for a substantial portion of India’s population, particularly in rural areas. Reservoirs are crucial for irrigation as they store water during wet periods, enabling its regulated release for agricultural use during drier seasons, ensuring a reliable water supply for crops and mitigating the impacts of water scarcity. They also provide a safeguard during the dry season and help us mitigate the impacts of extreme weather patterns, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launches a new website of the Department of Water Resources, RD &GR based on DBIM Framework https://www.jalshakti-dowr.gov.in/
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:43PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil launched a new website of Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, RD & GR) in Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) format with objective to align to cohesive digital ecosystem across all Ministries/Department today at Shram Shakti Bhavan, New Delhi.
The upgraded website is among the first few government platforms to be successfully onboarded& revamped in full compliance with the latest DBIM and Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0.
Aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a harmonized and unified digital identity for Government of India, the Key Features of the New Website are :
1. Consistency Across Government Websites: The DBIM framework ensures a unified look and feel across all government websites. This consistency not only strengthens the government’s digital identity but also helps in promoting trust and recognition among citizens.
2. Uniform User Experience: The new website is designed to provide a uniform user experience across all central government portals. Citizens will now find it easier to navigate and access information across different departments, thanks to standardized menus, layouts, and features.
3. Enhanced Accessibility: The website complies with the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of STQC, making it accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities.
4. Optimized for Speed and Performance: Leveraging the DBIM framework’s optimized coding structure, the website offers faster load times and improved performance, ensuring a seamless experience even on low bandwidth connections. This is particularly beneficial for users in rural and remote areas.
5. Centralized Banner Publishing System: One of the standout features of the DBIM framework is the centralized banner publishing system integrated with My Gov. This system allows us to publish important government announcements, public service messages, and critical information directly across all government websites. This centralized approach ensures that citizens receive the latest updates promptly, improving communication and outreach.
6. Mobile-Friendly Design: The responsive design ensures that the website functions smoothly across all devices, including smart phones, tablets, and desktops. This flexibility enhances the overall user experience, especially for citizens who predominantly use mobile devices to access online services.
7. Centralized Content Management: The framework includes a centralized content management system (CMS) that allows for efficient updates and maintenance across various government portals. This reduces the time and effort required for website management and ensures up-to-date information is available to the public.
8. Improved Security Features: The DBIM framework is built with robust security protocols, including SSL encryption, secure authentication, and regular vulnerability assessments. This ensures that citizen data remains safe and secure, in line with the government’s data protection policies.
The upgraded portal now features a unified interface, consistent branding, and technology standardization, making Department of Water Resources, RD & GR an exemplar of digital excellence and accessibility.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked the Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali, hailing it as a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings.
In a post on X, he wrote:
“A very special gesture!
I am grateful to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving me a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali. Pali is indeed a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings. As you are all aware, our Government had conferred the status of Classical Language on Pali last year. People from all over the world have appreciated this decision and it has also encouraged research as well as study on this language.
@ingshin”
A very special gesture!
I am grateful to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving me a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali. Pali is indeed a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings. As you are all aware, our Government had conferred the… pic.twitter.com/FDTx4yfmDd
The Government has prepared plans across key sectors namely Industry, Buildings (including appliances), Transport and Others/Miscellaneous. By implementing these plans, it is aimed to reduce the energy consumption by 89 Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2030 as compared to the scenario in which these interventions are not carried out.
Sustainable cooling acts as a tool to address the growing cooling demand. To balance the growing cooling demand while ensuring the sustainable and energy efficient cooling solutions, two new building codes: the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for adoption by States. The Air-conditioners, Ceiling Fans and Refrigerators have been brought under mandatory compliance of Standard and Labelling programme to ensure that energy efficient devices are deployed for cooling purposes.
Additionally, with the overarching goal to address the rising cooling demand, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).
Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the aegis of Ministry of Power has taken several initiatives to promote the energy efficiency in industry, transport and domestic sectors which includes;
Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme to improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries. It sets sector-specific energy reduction targets, allowing industries to earn Energy Saving Certificates for exceeding targets, which can be traded on power exchanges. This incentivizes cost-effective energy savings while providing flexibility in compliance.
Under the Standards and Labelling programme, the major energy consuming appliances are given star rating from 1 to 5 with 5 star as most efficient appliance. Based on star label, the consumer is encouraged for making informed choice regarding purchase of energy efficient appliances thereby saving electricity consumption.
The Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published for energy savings in building sector. These codes are to be adopted and implemented by the States / local bodies.
Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms for passenger cars for energy savings in transport sector.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The Union Cabinet approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on 6th September 2023, to support the development of BESS. As per the Scheme, VGF support will be provided for BESS approved during 2023-26. The fund disbursement will occur in 5 tranches: 10% upon financial closure of the project, 45% upon achieving the Commercial Operation Date (COD), and 15% per year over the next 3 years from COD.With the decline in battery prices, the scheme capacity has been increased from 4000 MWh to 13,200 MWh while staying within the approved budgetary allocationof Rs 3,760 Cr.
A budgetary provision of ₹96 Crore was made for 1000 MWh BESS in 2024-25, assuming 10% disbursement upon financial closure. However, with falling BESS costs, the VGF amount reduced from ₹96 lakh per MWh (estimated in 2023-24) to ₹46 lakh per MWh or 30% of capital cost, whichever is lower. As a result, the budgetary allocation was revised from ₹96 Crore to ₹46 Crore. As per scheme guidelines, 10% of VGF is to be disbursed after financial closure. Since, none of the projects could achieve financial closure, no expenditure was incurred under the scheme during 2024-25.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is responsible for monitoring the scheme, while the Ministry of Power oversees the scheme, to ensure timely completion and efficient fund utilisation.
The National Electricity Plan 2023 estimates that 236 GWh BESS would be required by 2031-32. This scheme will support integration of renewable energy and help minimize costs during peak demand periods in non-solar hours.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.