Yearly Archives: 2017

Assembly Elections Schedule Goes Viral on Twitter, Facebook

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The announcement of Election Commission of India on State Assembly Elections in five States on 4th January, 2017 has gone viral reaching 21 lakh people on social media within 24 hours, achieving widest possible outreach of information on the election schedules and other ECI guidelines for citizens.

The combined effort made by Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) to use Social Media (SM) Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, coupled with the live-streaming of it on YouTube channel, and on the Facebook Pages of PIB, MIB and Facebook India proved successful with tweets going LIVE.

The actual figures of the reach of the information on the ECI Press Conference as on 7:00 PM, on 4th January, 2017, showed a total of 22 tweets, 5 Facebook and 1 YouTube posts on Ministry of Information & Broadcasting platform. On Facebook, the 5 posts reached over 5.24 Lakh people, with 1,219 Likes and 140 Shares. The ECI press conference was also Live-streamed on Ministry’s Facebook page, which received 12,000 views and reached over 4.95 Lakh people.

Also, a total of 55,127 Impressions were achieved for the 22 tweets made from MIB handle and these were re-tweeted 1,448 times and 550 favourites were received. Further, the Live Stream of the ECI Press Conference on YouTube got 1,700 views.

Among PIB’s social media accounts, a total of 68 tweets and 10 Facebook posts were made on Assembly Election Schedule. The Facebook posts achieved a total reach of more than 29,700 people, 167 Likes and 46 Shares, while PIB’s tweets resulted in 6.5 lakh impressions (views), 4,140 retweets and 951 favourites. The live-streaming of the event on PIB’s Facebook page has reached 3.04 lakh people and fetched more than 800 views.

In addition to the above platforms, the ECI press conference was live streamed for the first time on two Facebook pages, namely Facebook India and Government, Politics and Non Profits, which collectively received a massive response with more than 1 Lakh video views and reached over 13 Lakh people on Facebook. The Facebook Live Stream received 6,400 likes and 624 shares. (Figures as on 7:00 PM, 4th January, 2017)

On Twitter, Top Trending Hashtags throughout the day were #ElectionCommission, #AssemblyElection, Manipur & Goa, 5 States, Phase2, Uttarakhand and Model Code of Conduct. The maximum potential reach was achieved on the hashtags #ElectionCommission and #AssemblyElection of about 21.2 crores and 20.1 crores of people respectively.

Festival of India in Cambodia Next Week

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A Festival of India is being organized in Cambodia from 10th January to 16th February, 2017 featuring  Ramayana Performance, Rajasthani Folk Music and Dance Group (Manganiyar Group) and Classical Dance.

A Buddhist Mahotsav – Exhibition titled Dhamma Darshana – to explore the life, teachings and important events connected with Lord Buddha and Photo Exhibition on Buddhist religious/heritage sites in India will also be organized, said a statement.

To complete the experience, a Food Festival will also be held and the Festival events are being showcased in three cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang in Cambodia.

Cambodia is among the four Souteast Asian nations — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam — (CLMV Region) where India is keen to increase its economic presence and a Project Development Fund (PDF) with a corpus of Rs 500 Crore was set up last year by the government.

These four nations offer a gateway for market access to China/EU and other markets due to various trade agreements for India. The key advantage of positioning India on the regional value chains is securing on a long term basis, a dedicated market for Indian raw materials and intermediate goods besides a dedicated source for inputs and raw materials for Indian industry.

While opportunities are a plenty in CLMV region, Indian entrepreneurs’ endeavors in these countries have, thus far, been limited due to limited information, infrastructure and other contingent risks. The fund is created to benefit India’s industrial community for business expansion, and to maintain cost competitive supply chains, besides integrating with global production networks.

Bangalore Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 to Focus on Diaspora Achievements

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The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 or the annual global convention for the Indian diaspora, to be held in Bangalore from January 7 to 9, 2017 will focus on what the Indian origin NRIs and PIOs achieved in the last few years and an awards function at the end of it will felicitate some of them.

The event, to be attended by over 4,000 delegates from across the world will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee will present the awards on the last day. The Bangalore event will be the first full-fledged festival of diaspora Indians under a new format adopted by the government last year.

Dhyaneshwar Mulay, Secretary, Overseas Indian Affairs, said, “Highlight of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 is social innovations by Indians, 20 social innovations will be highlighted and there will also be a contest of innovators and the winner will get an award of Rs.1 lakh.”

Muley said all sessions will be held in plenary format to allow more interaction with delegates from overseas to convey their suggestions to the government directly. “The sessions will focus on immigration and the role of diaspora organisations,” he said.

The event initially raised several eye-brows over the rumour that participation from the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan would make it different this year but no confirmation has been made so far about it.

The theme this year is ‘Redefining engagement with Indian diaspora’ and the event exhibition would showcase the achievements of the government in various sectors, and the delegates can also explore business opportunities in India and connect with government officials, business owners and entrepreneurs.

India to Allocate Dwarka Land for 2nd Diplomatic Enclave in Delhi

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Indian Cabinet has approved the transfer of 34.87 Hactares of land in Sector 24, Dwarka, New Delhi from Delhi Development Authority to Land and Development Office (L&DO) for the purpose of allocating it to the proposed Second Diplomatic Enclave in the national capital.

Currently, there is only one Diplomatic Enclave in Chanakyapuri, where land has been allotted to the Embassies soon after Independence and several embassies and foreign missions have been set up in nearby Shanti Niketan or Vasant vihar areas.

The Ministry of External Affairs has long been demanding for more land for allotment to Diplomatic Missions/ International Organizations for building their Chanceries/ Embassies in Delhi. For this DDA has earmarked 34.87 Ha land in Sector 24, Dwarka, which will be transferred to L&DO, said a statement.

This will provide land for Second Diplomatic Enclave in Dwarka near the International Airport in New Delhi, which will be easy to access for foreign missions in the capital.

Indian Cabinet Okays MoU with Portugal, Kenya, Uruguay

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Indian Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved signing of bilateral agreements with Portugal, Kenya and Uruguay in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

The Agreements cover exchange of scientific and technical information, trade in plants and plant products, exchange of information in phytosanitary issues, training programmes, seminars and visits of experts and consultants.

These agreements will faciitate constitution of a Joint Working Groups comprising of representatives from both countries, to monitor the implementation of MoU and making concrete proposals for agriculture cooperation in the future.

The agreements will remain in force for five years, to be automatically extended for another five years unless either Party gives written notice through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intention to terminate the Agreement at least six months before its expiration, said a statement by the government.

The agreement with Uruguay is significant as it also envisages cooperation in Customs Matters. It vouches for help in the availability of information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences to ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the two countries.

The Agreement also takes care of Indian Customs’ concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value declared, the authenticity of certificates of origin of goods and the description of the goods traded between the two countries.

Uruguay is an important trading partner of India among members of the MERCOSUR, a trading block in Latin America, with which India signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that came into effect from 1st June, 2009.

As trade between India and the Uruguay has been expanding gradually, the pact provides a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries and help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.

Dawood Ibrahim UAE Properties Seized, BJP Claims Modi’s Victory

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By Pallavi Kumari
pallavik

Following news reports from Dubai about the United Arab Emirates government seizing the properties of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim worth Rs.15,000 crore, BJP has gone to the street basking on its new accomplishment.

In a tweet, the Bharatiya Janata Party said the credit goes to PM Narendra Modi’s "major diplomatic success". It has also claimed that a dossier provided by the Indian government played the trick to narrow down the properties in UAE which allegedly belong to Dawood Ibrahim.

"Major diplomatic success of PM Modi: One of India’s most wanted criminals, Dawood Ibrahim’s properties worth Rs. 15,000 crore seized in UAE," the BJP tweeted on its official social media site.

The Mumbai don who was the most wanted criminal in India for his alleged Mumbai riots in 1993 in which 257 people were killed, is believed to be entering his 60 years of age and hiding in Pakistan’s Karachi.

Already termed a terrorist by the UN, he is accused by India and the US of financing al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist groups. Last year, the UN sanctions committee made changes to its entry on Dawood making it easier to impose sanctions such as blocking wealth and accounts, ban on travel and arms on the person.

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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