PM addresses Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations of University of Delhi

By — Shyamal Sinha

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations of the University of Delhi at the Multipurpose Hall of Delhi University Sports Complex today. He also laid the foundation stone of the building for the Faculty of Technology, Computer Centre and Academic Block, to be built in the North Campus of the University. The Prime Minister released Commemorative Centenary Volume – Compilation of Centenary Celebrations; Logo Book – Logo of Delhi University and its colleges; and Aura – 100 Years of University of Delhi. Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Vice Chancellor of University of Delhi, Shri Yogesh Singh were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister took a metro ride to reach University of Delhi. He also interacted with the students during the journey. Upon arriving, the Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the exhibition – Journey of 100 Years. He also witnessed Saraswati Vandana and University Kulgeet presented by the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister asserted that he had firmly decided on taking part in the Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations of University of Delhi and said that the feeling is like a homecoming. Referring to the short movie played before the address, the Prime Minister said that the contributions of the personalities, which have emerged out of the University, give a glimpse of the life of Delhi University.  The Prime Minister expressed happiness to be present at Delhi University on a festive occasion and in a festive spirit. Underlining the importance of the company of colleagues for any visit to the University, the Prime Minister expressed happiness to have the opportunity to travel by Metro to reach the event.

The Prime Minister noted that the centenary celebrations of the University of Delhi are taking place at a time when India is celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav after completing 75 years of its independence. “The universities and educational institutions of any nation present a reflection of its achievements”, the Prime Minister said. In the 100-year-old journey of DU, the Prime Minister continued, there have been many historic landmarks which have connected the lives of many students, teachers and others. He remarked that Delhi University is not just a university but a movement, and it has filled every single moment with life. The Prime Minister congratulated every student, teacher and those associated with Delhi University on the Centenary Celebrations.

Noting the gathering of old and new alumni, the Prime Minister said that this is an occasion to catch up. The Prime Minister said, “If during these hundred years, DU has kept its emotions alive, it has kept its values vibrant too”. Underscoring the importance of knowledge, the Prime Minister noted that when India had vibrant universities like Nalanda and Takshila, it was at the peak of prosperity. “India’s rich education system is the carrier of India’s prosperity”, he said, underlining the high Indian share in the global GDP of that time. Continuous attacks during the period of slavery destroyed these institutions leading to obstruction of the intellectual flow of India and bringing the growth to standstill, he added. 

He said after Independence, universities played a  crucial role in giving concrete shape to the emotional swell of post-independence India by creating a strong generation of talented youngsters. Delhi University too played a major part in that, he said. This understanding of the past gives shape to our existence, shape to our ideals and expansion to the vision of the future, he said. 

“When the resolve of an individual or an institution is towards the country, then its achievements are equated with the achievements of the nation”, the Prime Minister remarked. Shri Modi pointed out that there were only 3 colleges under Delhi University when it began but today there are more than 90 colleges under it. He also underlined that India which was once considered a fragile economy has now become one of the top 5 economies in the world. Noting that the number of women studying at DU is more than men, the Prime Minister pointed out that the gender ratio has significantly improved in the country. He emphasized the importance of an interconnection between the resolutions of a University and a nation and said that the deeper the roots of the educational institutions, the higher the progress of the country. The Prime Minister noted that the goal of Delhi University was India’s independence when it first began, but now that the institution will complete 125 years when India reaches 100 years of independence, the goal of Delhi University should be to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’. “The third decade of the last century gave new momentum to the struggle for India’s independence, now the third decade of the new century will give impetus to the development journey of India”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister indicated the large number of upcoming universities, colleges, IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. “All these institutes are becoming the building blocks of new India,” he added. 

Click the link for the Text of PM’s address at the Valedictory Ceremony of Centenary Celebrations of University of Delhi – https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1936376

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for gracing the ceremony with his esteemed presence and enlightening speech. He said that this historic event, held at the iconic campus of DU, marks a momentous milestone in the journey of one of India’s premier educational institutions.

He said that the Delhi University has played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the nation for over a century. Delhi University has a rich legacy of contributing to the freedom struggle and shaping the nation’s destiny, the Minister explained.  Today, as the nation stands in Amritkaal, Delhi University remains committed to implement the new National Education Policy (NEP) in its true spirit, contributing to the vision of making India a knowledge-based superpower, he added.

Shri Pradhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is playing a pivotal role on the global stage, with its agenda on future skills, research, technology, foundational literacy and numeracy, aligned with the expectations of the Global South.

source — pib

First of its kind exhibition ‘Banking on World Heritage’ Inaugurated at IGNCA, New Delhi

By — Shyamal Sinha

First of its kind exhibition ‘Banking on World Heritage’  was Inaugurated at IGNCA, New Delhi by the Minister of Culture and External Affairs, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi on Friday 30^th June. The exhibition displays banknotes of G20 member nations,  depicting world heritage sites listed by UNESCO,  in a unique manner. The exhibition will be on display till Sunday, July 9th 2023.  The exhibition has been curated by the scholar Ms. Rukmini Dahanukar. The inauguration was attended by High Commissioners and Ambassadors of G20 Countries.

On this occasion , Minister of Culture and External Affairs, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi said if the world has to progress and humanity has to survive then Indian way is the way forward and that way is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ . The exhibition has been organised in the spirit of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.

The Minister said that the exhibition will help to connect the youth, who are mostly engaged on the digital platform,  to their heritage through the physical currency notes. The depiction of Heritage sites  adds to the intrinsic  value of currency notes, she added.

She further remarked that the G20 countries have 70 percent of declared  Heritage of the world and the exhibition brings out the collective effort of these countries to preserve and conserve Heritage and to connect the current generation to the greatness of their past.

To commemorate the ongoing celebrations under India’s presidency of the G-20 Summit, the exhibition focuses on banknotes of the member nations. It is also a special occasion that coincides with the celebration of India’s 75th year of independence along with UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention’s 50th year. The theme proposed, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One Future” perfectly matches the “Outstanding Universal Values of World Heritage.”

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts also plans to publish a souvenir. This souvenir will be of value to scholars and visitors to the exhibition. Apart from this, it will also create awareness about the World Heritage Sites of different civilizations. It will provide an opportunity for exchange of ideas between scholars and researchers from different countries.  It is the first time that banknotes depicting UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world have been presented and commemorated in such a unique way.

Ms. Rukmini Dahanukar the curator of the exhibition said that this exhibition will educate the millennial and youngsters about their culture and heritage through bank notes. The bank notes in our country have 17 languages of India, which reflects inclusivity and unity in diversity.  She further added in this context that everything is Make in India and everything is projection of India which is being reflected in this exhibition.  She remarked that this exhibition  showcases connection of humanity and culture through banknotes.  

Interestingly, the member countries have issued currencies that are one of the most effective ways to depict grand monuments of our history for educating the society about their importance.

The coins are invaluable source of reconstructing ancient Indian history. They depict the glorious history of our past. In many cases, they tell us about the reigning period of kings, the economy of kingdoms, the extent of empires and about trade during that period. They also throw light on the art and religion of the period to which they belong. To complement the exhibition, IGNCA also organized a panel discussion  on the subject.

source — pib

“Statistics Day” celebrated on 29th June, 2023

By — Shyamal Sinha

In recognition of the notable contributions made by (late) Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the field of statistics and economic planning, the Government of India has been celebrating his birth Anniversary, on 29th June, as “Statistics Day”, every year since 2007.

The Chief Guest of the event, Rao Inderjit Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Ministry of Planning, and Minister of State of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, inaugurated the event and addressed the participants on the occasion. Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission and Dr. G. P. Samanta, Chief Statistician of India & Secretary, MoSPI also addressed the participants. Senior officers of MoSPI, representatives of other Central line Ministries/Departments and States/ UTs Governments, representatives of UN organizations also participated in the event. The event was also live-streamed through social media handles of the Ministry.

Winners of ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition, 2023’ were also felicitated during the event.

A brief presentation on the theme of Statistics Day, 2023 was made by Dr. Ashutosh Ojha, Deputy Director General, MoSPI. Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog and Mr Rajesh Gupta, Director, NITI Aayog also addressed the participants on the theme of Statistics Day, 2023.

The Sustainable Development Goals-National Indicator Framework, Progress Report, 2023 was released during the event. Along with the report, Data Snapshot on Sustainable Development Goals-National Indicator Framework, 2023 and Sustainable Development Goals- National Indicator Framework, 2023 were also released. There is a provision in the Report to download goal wise data from the website of MoSPI in the Excel file.

source — pib

INS TRISHUL ARRIVES IN SEYCHELLES TO PARTICIPATE IN SEYCHELLES NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS ON 29 JUN 23

By — Shyamal Sinha

Seychelles, island republic in the western Indian Ocean, comprising about 115 islands, with lush tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches, and a wide variety of marine life.

INS Trishul made a port call at Seychelles as part of Operational Deployment reflecting India’s cordial ties with her maritime neighbours. During the visit, the Commanding Officer paid courtesy calls to H.E. Mr Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and senior defence Leaders of Seychelles Armed Forces. He also called on High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Mr Kartik Pande,. 

The ship prior entry into port, undertook joint EEZ surveillance. His Excellency Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles welcomed the joint EEZ surveillance with Indian Navy which has helped in fostering the existing maritime cooperation between the two countries.

During the interactions, Brigadier Michael Rosette, CDF, Seychelles Defence Forces highlighted the strong relations between India and Seychelles. Col Jean Attala, Chief of Staff, Seychelles Defence Forces and Col Kunal Sharma, Military Advisor to Seychelles Defence Forces were also present.

The ship is scheduled to participate in the Seychelles National Day celebrations on 29 Jun 23.

source — pib

Weekly drops of wisdom from the banks of Mother Ganga

By — Shyamal Sinha

The Gift of Yoga Sadhvi gracefully unfolds the profound significance of The Gift of Yoga, subtly reminding us of the invaluable treasures hidden within its practice. With each breath, each stretch, and each moment of stillness, the immense power that yoga holds to enhance our lives, keep fit physically, remain emotionally balanced and mentally strong and bring us spiritually closer to our true selves is revealed! In this loving call to action, Sadhvi also reminds us that yoga extends far beyond the confines of a yoga mat. It is an invitation to infuse the principles of yoga into every aspect of our existence. By incorporating the mindfulness, compassion, and balance that yoga imbues into our daily lives, we can unlock the transformative power that lies within us. The Gift of Yoga subtly nudges us to explore this ancient practice, allowing it to seep into the depths of our being and fostering not only physical health but also spiritual well-being. Through this gift, we embark on our own yogic journey and embrace its wisdom, and the profound joy it brings.  Click here to watch!Click here to watch more from Sadhvi Bhagawatiji

Vande Bharat Express to provide world class experience to passengers and provide boost to tourism

By — Shyamal Sinha

Indian Railways witnessed a historic day today when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off five new & upgraded versions of Vande Bharat Express trains at Rani Kamalapati Station in Bhopal. During this event, Governor, Madhya Pradesh Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, public representatives and special guests were also present at the venue.

Heralding a new era of comfortable and enhanced rail travel experience, five new Vande Bharat Express trains are running between Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur, Rani Kamalapati-Indore, Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai, Ranchi-Patna, and Dharwad-Bengaluru. These Vande Bharat trains flagged off today will improve connectivity among the state capitals and other cities, reduce the travelling time & enhance the comfort of journey. These Vande Bharat trains are taking the message of a New India – Viksit Bharat to each and every corner of our nation.

Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express

            Rani Kamalapati – Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station and will reach Jabalpur station the same day with stoppages at Narsinghpur, Pipariya & Narmadapuram Railway stations.

With the operation of Vande Bharat train, the connectivity of Jabalpur, the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh and nearby religious places and tourist places will increase as well as the all-round development of the region will also increase.

Rani Kamalapati -Indore Vande Bharat Express

            Bhopal – Indore Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Bhopal Railway Station and reach Indore station the same day with stoppage at Ujjain Railway station. Running of Vande Bharat train between Rani Kamalapati to Indore will facilitate easy and fast travel, and will become an important medium to connect the culture, tourism and pilgrimage places of these regions. Vande Bharat Express will also provide a pleasant and better rail travel experience.

Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express

Goa (Madgaon)- Mumbai Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station and reach Madgaon station the same day with stoppages at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Khed, Ratnagiri, Kankavali & Thivim Railway stations.

The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will provide the means to travel with speed and comfort to the people of the Konkan region. It will provide boost to tourism in the area. It is expected that the new Vande Bharat Train on this route will add new dimension in facilitating tourists.

Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express

Ranchi- Patna new Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Patna and will reach Ranchi station the same day, with stoppages at Gaya, Kodarma, Hazaribag, Barkakana & Mesra Railway stations.

Blessed with mineral resources in abundance, Ranchi is an ideal place for mineral based industries. The train will be beneficial for the local traders and businessmen for faster connectivity with Patna.

Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express

Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express train will depart from KSR Bengaluru City and reach Dharwad station the same day, with stoppages at Yeshvantpur, Davangere & Hubballi Railway stations.

In Karnataka, Dharwad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat train will connect Vidya Kashi  Dharwad, Vanijya Nagari, Hubballi and Bengaluru. This Vande Bharat train will connect North Karnataka to South Karnataka. 

Vande Bharat Express trains offer a myriad of superior amenities which will provide passengers with world class comfortable travelling experience & advanced state-of-the-art safety features including KAVACH technology. Each train has been provided with bogies having fully suspended traction motors for 160 kmph operational speed. The advanced state-of-the-art suspension system ensures smooth and safe journey & enhanced riding comfort for passengers.

The train has been designed to increase Indian Railways’ Green footprint by dispensing with the power cars and saving about 30% electricity with advanced regenerative braking system.

source — pib

National security our top-most priority: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in Jammu

By — Shyamal Sinha

National security is the Government’s top-most priority and it is committed to protect the sovereignty, unity & integrity of the country. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing a ‘National Security Conclave’ in Jammu on June 26, 2023. He asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He pointed out that India’s image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat.

Elaborating on the blueprint on national security, the Raksha Mantri stated that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been working on four directive principles- to enable the country to deal with threats to its security & sovereignty; to take every action to protect national interests; to create safe conditions within the country to facilitate progress, improve the lives of the people & fulfil their aspirations and to build an environment with friendly countries to tackle global challenges such as terrorism unitedly.

Shri Rajnath Singh stated that no stone is being left unturned to equip the military with latest weaponry and modern technology, assuring the Nation that the Armed Forces are fully capable of protecting the borders and the seas. “Our goal is to bring our Armed Forces in the frontline of modern militaries,” he said.

“Since long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of India’s ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’ policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces. Today, most of the countries are united against terrorism. The joint statement issued after the Prime Minister’s meeting with US President Mr Joe Biden is an indication of how India has changed the mind-set of the world on the issue of terrorism,” the Raksha Mantri said.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. “Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms & drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of Under Ground workers,” he said.

On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the Raksha Mantri stated that the decision has connected the people of the Union Territory with the country’s mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace & progress.

On PoK, Shri Rajnath Singh said, Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India, he said.

The Raksha Mantri termed the border situation with China as a matter of perceptional difference, but there are agreements & protocols, based on which the armies of both the countries carry out the patrolling. Referring to the stand-off in East Ladakh in 2020, he said, the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC. He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by PLA to change the status quo.

Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that the talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. He assured the nation that the Government will never compromise on India’s border, its honour and self-respect. “We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated,” he added.

The Raksha Mantri touched upon the measures taken by the Government to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. He listed out a number of steps taken to attain self-reliance, namely notification of positive indigenisation lists and earmarking 75% of defence capital procurement budget for domestic industry in Financial Year 2023-24. “India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only strengthen when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Our aim is to ‘Make in India, Make for the world’. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons. Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh also enumerated the structural reforms undertaken by the Government, including the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff and setting up of Department of Military Affairs. He added that the Government continues to move forward and work is being done to set up theatre commands, which will be another revolutionary reform.

The Raksha Mantri also shed light on the transformed image of India on the global stage under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stated that today the world keenly listens to India on international forums due to the Prime Minister’s credibility on the global stage.

Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the importance of coordination with major world powers, such as the US & Russia, to protect India’s security interests in this globalised world. He stated that India and US are being seen as natural allies and their strategic partnership is being further cemented.

The Raksha Mantri added that India-US defence cooperation has grown rapidly with the expansion of military-to-military engagements, information sharing and cooperation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, cyber, space and mutual logistics support. He termed the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the US as a landmark event, which ushered the bilateral defence cooperation in a new era.

Shri Rajnath Singh called for integrated and united response to deal with global threats & challenges. “India is a major regional power. Therefore, it is important for us to align our security concerns with other countries in our extended neighbourhood,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned about the General Electric (GE) Aerospace-Hindustan Aeronautics Limited deal to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India. “With this deal, we will become the fourth country to manufacture jet engines. Tejas aircraft will be fitted with these Made in India engines,” he said.

Rejecting speculative reports on the price and other terms of purchase of MQ-9B drones from the US, the Raksha Mantri stated that the Ministry of Defence will compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the best price General Atomics (GA) offered to other countries. He added that the acquisition will be made only by following the established procurement procedure.

source — pib

Goa, Bihar and Jhakhand to get Vande Bharat train connectivity for the first time

By — Shyamal Sinha

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on 27th June, 2023.

At around 10:30 AM, Prime Minister will reach Rani Kamalapati Railway Station and flag off five Vande Bharat Trains. The five Vande Bharat trains are : Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati)-Indore Vande Bharat Express; Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati)-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express; Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express; Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express and Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express. 

Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati)-Indore Vande Bharat Express will facilitate easy and fast travel between two important cities of Madhya Pradesh and will improve connectivity of the cultural, tourist and religious places in the region. 

Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati) – Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will connect Mahakaushal Region (Jabalpur) to the Central Region (Bhopal) of Madhya Pradesh. Also, tourist places in the region will also be benefitted by improved connectivity.

Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express will be the first Vande Bharat for Jharkhand and Bihar. Enhancing connectivity between Patna and Ranchi, the train will be a boon for tourists, students and businessmen.

Dharwad–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will connect important cities in Karnataka – Dharwad and Hubballi with State Capital Bengaluru. It will immensely benefit tourists, students, industrialists etc in the region.

Goa (Madgaon)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will be Goa’s first Vande Bharat Express. It will run between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Goa’s Madgaon station and help in boosting tourism in both Goa and Madhya Pradesh.

source — pib

PM Modi’s visit to the US takes bilateral relations to greater heights: ASSOCHAM

By — Shyamal Sinha

Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s visit to the US which included his inspirational address to the US Congress and meetings with the President Mr Joe Biden, has taken India-US strategic and commercial relations to greater heights , paving way for immense opportunities for the bilateral engagement , ASSOCHAM has said. 

”Prime Minister’s visit is being viewed as a turning point in Indo-US relations in a fast-changing world order which would see both the countries emerge as the most influential economies with strategic prowess in the unfolding international political economy, ” ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr Deepak Sood said. 

Mr Sood said while Mr Modi demonstrated India’ s soft power as he participated in the International Yoga Day at the UN Headquarters in New York, his   personal chemistry with President Biden at the White House demonstrated shared cultural values of the two largest democracies of the world.  

”In his inspirational address to the joint sitting of the US Congress, Mr Modi conveyed to the world substantive all-round progress India has made in the most critical areas for our country and the world. These include an inclusive and impressive expansion in the Digital landscape with 850 internet connections, online transactions and tech-enabled governance. The Make In India initiative has started yielding dividends in electronics and strategic space of defence manufacturing, as is evident in the deal between GE Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics for manufacture of fighter jet engines in India”. 

The ‘Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies’ is a demonstration of mutual trust paving the way for cooperation in the cutting-edge technologies.  Joint commitment in sustainable development under the aegis of India-headed G 20 too stands out as a common area of interest.  

”One of the defining areas of India-US relations is the people to people connect. With an Indian diaspora of over four million people, ”our voice matters amongst the most influential people in the US.   

Will allocate Rs 100 crores to nurture entrepreneurship: Haryana DCM

By — Shyamal Sinha

 Haryana will be allocating around Rs 100 crores in their upcoming state budget as a part of new innovative incentives, setting up incubation centres, and assistance for loans, all aimed at fostering balanced regional development and nurturing entrepreneurship among youth in the state, stated Shri Dushyant Chautala, the honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana at the 3rd ASSOCHAM Haryana MSME Samvaad.

Speaking at the event, Shri Chautala informed that the state government’s vision is to build Haryana as the competitive and most favoured investment destination. He motivated ASSOCHAM Haryana Council to organise the MSME Summit not annually but Quartely to leverage the benefit for the MSME community. 

“Haryana MSME sector also has to attract investment of over Rs 1 lakh crore and generate 5 lakh jobs in the state and to reach this target and lay the foundation of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” he said.

He informed that the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in Haryana has witnessed remarkable growth, with a staggering 2,81,024 new MSME manufacturing units registered in the past five years alone. “This has created more than 15 lakh jobs and has propelled Haryana to the top ranking among all northern states, contributing significantly to the state’s GDP and employment,” he pointed out.

He explained that in line with the state’s focus on bolstering the MSME ecosystem, the PADMA scheme, or the Programme to Accelerate Development for MSME Advancement, was introduced. This comprehensive program aims to establish dynamic and self-sustainable industrial infrastructure at the cluster level, facilitating local product promotion and generating employment opportunities for the youth and Antyodaya families. The PADMA scheme includes a venture capital fund of Rs 200 Crore to support the growth of MSMEs, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster start-up development, he said.

Recognising the potential of the textile industry, the Haryana AtmaNirbhar Textile Policy has positioned the state as a key player in the sector.
Shri Chautala explained that through a robust package of incentives, infrastructure support, and skill development programs, the policy has stimulated investment, innovation, and employment generation in the textile sector. 

He said that Haryana’s commitment to sustainability, technological advancements, and export-led growth has solidified its status as a prominent textile manufacturing and trade hub.
He informed that the establishment of a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) in Haryana showcases the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering and empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the MSME ecosystem. Through this proactive initiative, the Haryana government aims addresses the challenges faced by SMEs and fosters an environment conducive to their growth and success.

“The PMU will streamline processes, provide technical assistance, facilitate access to finance, and promote entrepreneurship, catalysing the growth of MSMEs and contributing to our state’s economic development and prosperity,” he added.

Anand Mohan Sharan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana said MSME formalization plays a huge role in the state’s economy and is the backbone of the industry. The developmental ecosystem provided in Haryana for MSMEs is phenomenal and there is plethora of schemes to incentivize MSMEs. Infact Haryana has the highest number of schemes formulates just for the MSME sector. 

He further said, Multiple focus areas include MSME manufacturing and innovation policies, medical devices policies, electronic policies. The Government vision is to support women entrepreneurs and weaker section to ensure employment. Digital commerce is the leading trend post COVID-19, lot of MSMEs coming out with their products and services. PADMA scheme initiates acceleration of small businesses and Haryana state is adamant to implement where budding entrepreneurs can come up. There is a short supply of land in the state but there is a concern for cheap and affordable space.

Mr  Swatantra Kumar Singal, Chairman, Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency shared that,”Conducive policy regime and adoption of energy conservation measures will help msmes to produce cost effective products”.

Mr. Vijay Sharma, Chairman, ASSOCHAM Haryana Development Council, said that Haryana has a huge potential to become the hub of MSMEs not only in India but at the global level. “Today’s deliberations, which focussed on making Haryana a preferred investment destination, strengthening digital ecosystem and unlocking new schemes for MSMEs in the state, would go a long way in scaling the greater heights of success by MSMEs in the state,” he said.

Further, Mr  S V Goyal, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM North Regional Development Council mentioned that the road to self-reliance goes through MSMEs and Haryana, which has one of the best ecosystems in the country. According to him, a number of experts and industry representatives deliberated upon various issues linked to MSMEs including financing, incentives and ease of doing business, and role of energy conservation for MSMEs.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Jyoti Prakash Gadia, Co-Chair, ASSOCHAM Haryana State Development Council and MD, Resurgent India, said that fueling the collective drive to achieve excellence and unlock the true potential of MSME sector in Haryana is the need of the hour. He also congratulated the winners of the Haryana MSME Excellence Recognition Awards and their unwavering commitment to excellence.