Monthly Archives: January 2017

Indian Coast Guard Holds Talks With Visitng Sri Lanka Counterparts

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A three member delegation led by Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunge, which is on a three day visit to India from 03 January 2017 for a High Level Meeting, held talks with the Indian Coast Guard delegation was led by Director General of Indian Coast Guard Mr Rajendra Singh.

The visit was part of the bilateral efforts by the governments of the two countries to cooperate with the coast guards of two countries on maritime issues of mutual concerns to formulate a cooperative approach.

The meeting indicates the pro-active efforts of the Sri Lankan Coast Guard in meeting the challenges in the new global safety and security regime in the region. The visit also provides impetus to the existing ties between the two organisations at the operational level interaction for search and rescue, preservation and protection of marine environment, revalidating operational and communication procedures between the two maritime forces.

During the visit, the Sri Lanka delegation also called on the Defence Secretary G. Mohan Kumar and discussed on issues of common maritime interests. It was also agreed to strengthen the cooperation on evolving collaborative approach, in addressing the procedure for release and repatriation of fishermen, which tops the agenda.

India to be in Top 3 Nations in Science by 2030: PM Modi

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Addressing scientists in the holy city of Tirupati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the rapid global rise of Cyber-Physical Systems has the potential to pose unprecedented challenges and the science community should be prepared to face it.

The 104th session of The Indian Science Congress was opened on Tuesday in the campus of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati on Tuesday focusing on theme “Science & Technology for National Development”.

The PM also paid tributes to eminent scientist Dr. M.G.K. Menon who died on November 2016. On new technologies, he said, “We equally need to keep an eye on the rise of disruptive technologies and be prepared to leverage them for growth.”

On the rapid global rise of Cyber-Physical Systems, he said it has the potential to pose unprecedented challenges and stresses to our demographic dividend but it should be turned into an opportunity by research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, deep learning, quantum communication and Internet-of-Things.

“We need to develop an Inter-Ministerial National Mission in the Cyber-Physical Systems to secure our future by creation of basic R&D infrastructure, manpower and skills,” he added.

On ocean exploration, he said the Indian peninsula with over 1,300 islands, provides the nation a 7,500 kilometre coastline and 2.4 million square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone with huge opportunities in energy, food, medicine and a host of other natural resources, which may provide a significant dimension of a sustainable future.

He also noted that the Ministry of Earth Sciences is working to launch a Deep Ocean Mission to explore, understand and harness ocean resources.

“By 2030 India will be among the top three countries in science and technology and will be among the most attractive destinations for the best talent in the world. The wheels we set in motion today will achieve this goal,” he said and asked Indian institutions to involve foreign and NRI Ph.D. students in post-doctoral research in their projects.

He said the Ministry of Science & Technology is initiating a programme focused on students of classes 6 to 10 that will scout, mentor, reward and showcase 10 lakh top innovative ideas focused on local needs from 5 lakh schools.

IFC Invests $67 Million in Apollo to Open 1000 Access Health Centers

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IFC, a World Bank investment arm, is investing $67 million in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited, a subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals group to focus on small-format healthcare centers across India, improve access to quality healthcare and create jobs.

IFC is investing half for its own account and half will come from the IFC Emerging Asia Fund, an investment fund managed by IFC Asset Management Company.

Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited will use IFC’s equity investment to open nearly 1,000 medical facilities, laboratories and collection centers. The investment will create over 4,000 new jobs across India for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and technicians.

“The investment will help us meet the ever-increasing demand for quality healthcare in the country,” said Neeraj Garg, CEO of Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited.

India accounts for 20% of the world’s disease burden but access to quality healthcare remains an acute problem. Small-format healthcare centers will allow Apollo to provide affordable and quality healthcare accessible to a broader population, including lower-income patients and those living in areas under-served by tertiary hospitals.

Henrik Elschner Pedersen, IFC Senior Manager – Consumer and Social Services – Asia, said: “Since 2005, IFC has made multiple rounds of debt and equity investments in Apollo Hospitals to help the company with its expansion plans and increase access to affordable healthcare in the country.”

Apollo Health & Lifestyle Limited runs a network of multispecialty clinics including diagnostic centers, maternity clinics, planned surgery formats, and diabetes management clinics,

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