Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet; S. Jaishankar Leads Indian Delegation
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is on a four-day visit to Kigali in Rwanda from June 22, leading the Indian delegation in the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Decisions taken at CHOGM guide the work programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the CHOGM but it has been postponed twice due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The theme of this year's summit is – 'Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'.
The Commonwealth provides an important platform to deepen India's engagement with Commonwealth members, in particular the Small States and Small Island Developing States. India is also one of the largest contributors to the Commonwealth and has assisted the organisation with technical assistance and capacity building.
The Commonwealth is an association of 54 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Together they are home to one-third of the world's population and the association includes both advanced economies and developing countries.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) unveiled its patented indigenous solar cook top, "Surya Nutan", developed by the oil refiner's Faridabad R&D centre. Surya Nutan will aid in reducing India's CO 2 emissions drastically and keep our citizens insulated from the vagaries of the high international fossil fuel prices.
The product was demonstrated in the presence of the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) HS Puri; Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh; Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce & Industry Som Prakash; MoS for Housing & Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore, and Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Affairs of Uttar Pradesh Suresh Khanna.
The solar cook top is a stationary, rechargeable and kitchen-connected indoor solar cooking system. It offers an online cooking mode while charging
Surya Nutan works in hybrid mode, which means it can run on both solar and auxiliary energy sources simultaneously. The insulation design of the solar cook top minimises radiative and conductive heat losses.
South Indian Bank Launches SIB TF Online, EXIM Trade Portal
South Indian Bank launched a new portal called 'SIB TF Online' for its corporate EXIM customers. The portal facilitates a platform for trade-related payments to foreign entities remotely. The customer can initiate the payment request over SIB TF Online after uploading the relevant supporting documents for the transaction.
SIB TF Online is yet another accomplishment by the bank to make its operations more tech-driven. It comes close on the heels of launching the internet banking facility targeting retail savings and NRE SB customers to initiate foreign remittances without visiting the branch.
The bank plans to launch SIB TF Online in phases, with the initial version allowing three types of import remittances such as advance remittance for Imports, remittance against import bill received from overseas bank for collection (Bank-to-Bank Foreign Inward Collection Bill) and payment against Import documents received by the importer directly from overseas suppliers.
Max Life, Policybazaar Launch Life Insurance Savings Plan
Max Life Insurance Company Ltd launched the 'Max Life Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan', a non-linked, non-participating, individual life insurance savings plan. The offer helps customers meet short-term financial goals with a minimum policy tenure of five years.
The plan offers guaranteed tax-free returns up to 6.14% along with life cover protection at monthly premiums as low as Rs. 3000 and is also available to purchase on Max Life's website and Policybazaar.com.
The Smart Fixed-return Digital Plan is designed for a generation that wants a short-term guaranteed product with tax-free returns topped with life insurance. The combination of easy liquidity and agile onboarding makes this new-age product a valuable fit in the millennials' savings journey.
Former SBI Official Appointed Member of Advisory Committee of SIFL & SEFL
The Reserve Bank appointed Venkat Nageswar Chalasani, former Deputy Managing Director of SBI, as a member of the Advisory Committee of Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited (SIFL) and Srei Equipment Finance Limited (SEFL).
After superseding the boards of SIFL and SEFL in October 2021, the RBI had appointed a three-member advisory committee to assist Rajneesh Sharma, the administrator of the two crisis-ridden firms.
Consequent upon resignation of R. Subramaniakumar from the Advisory Committee, it was decided to appoint Venkat Nageswar Chalasani as a member of the Advisory Committee with immediate effect.
The Advisory Committee shall advise the Administrator in the operations of the SIFL and SEFL during the corporate insolvency resolution process.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expected to begin the rollout of chip-based e-passports in India by the end of 2022. The company is working with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to set up a new control centre and a new data centre for the same. Once the setup is complete, the company will begin rolling out e-passports in the country.
As per reports, under the second phase of the passport implementation phase, the company will setup new Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and revamp the existing PSKs with refreshed infrastructure to ensure a more convenient and faster turn-around-time. It will also improve citizens' experience with solutions such as chatbots, biometrics and auto-responses as a passport application is processed. In addition to this, PSKs across the country will also be upgraded in terms of infrastructure in the second phase of the project.
Lisa Sthalekar Becomes First Woman President of FICA
Legendary Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar became the first woman president of the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA).
The former Australia captain was confirmed in the role at the FICA Executive Committee meeting held in Nyon, Switzerland.
She will take up a position that has previously been held by former South Africa batter Barry Richards, former West Indies all-rounder Jimmy Adams, and most recently by former England batter Vikram Solanki.
India Jump Two Places to 104 in FIFA Ranking after Asian Cup Qualification
The Indian football team reaped a good harvest of its impressive Asian Cup qualification campaign as it gained two places to jump to 104th in the latest FIFA world rankings released in June 2022.
The Blue Tigers were placed just below New Zealand (103rd), who missed out on a 2022 FIFA World Cup spot after losing to Costa Rica 0-1 in the intercontinental play-off.
India's ranking among Asian Football Confederation members, however, still remained static at 19th place. Iran retained the top spot among AFC countries at 23rd place.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new premises of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Vanijya Bhawan in the national capital. The Vanijya Bhawan, which is constructed near the India Gate, is designed as a smart building which incorporates the principles of sustainable architecture with a special focus on energy saving. It will serve as an integrated and modern office complex that will be used by the two Departments under the Ministry, the Department of Commerce and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
As per reports, the Prime Minister also launched a new portal-- National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade (NIRYAT).
NIRYAT is developed as a one-stop platform for the stakeholders to get all the necessary information related to India`s foreign trade.
Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Suspends Deputy Secretary in CM Arvind Kejriwal's Office, 2 SDMs
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena ordered the suspension of the deputy secretary in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal`s office and two sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) over corruption charges. Prakash Chandra Thakur posted as deputy secretary in the Chief Minister`s office, Vasant Vihar SDM Harshit Jain, and Vivek Vihar SDM Devender Sharma were suspended and disciplinary proceedings were ordered against them. The lieutenant governor had ealier also suspended two assistant engineers of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) after finding lapses in the construction of EWS flats in Kalkaji Extension.
Indian Navy Inks Pact with DG Shipping for Transition of Indian Navy Personnel into Merchant Navy
The Directorate General of Shipping under Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways issued DGS Order No 17 detailing 16 transition schemes for Indian Navy Personnel to Merchant Navy. These transition schemes have been drawn after a detailed discussion with Indian Navy.
These Schemes enable smooth transition of the retiring Indian Navy Personnel into Merchant Navy by acquiring necessary certification to work on merchant ships in accordance with the Standards of Training Certification and Watch keeping Convention of International Maritime Organisation.
To implement these schemes, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Vice Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, AVSM, NM, Chief of Personnel on behalf of Indian Navy and Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping, on behalf of Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India.
Some of the key highlights of the transition schemes are:
It caters for transition of personnel involved in Engine Room work on Naval Ships that is from rating to artificers to Engineers and also provides option for those working on electrical duties as well as mechanical engine duties.
It caters for equivalent transition with minimum bridge courses, sea-service & examination of those who during their tenure with Indian Navy have reached a certain position but were unable to gain step by step STCW Certification.
It further provides various options to Indian Navy Personnel from NCV Ship to Foreign Going Ships certification.
It smoothens the process of Mechanical Artificers to become Chief Engineer of Merchant Ships operating in Near Coast Area and with propulsion power less than 3000 KW.
It allows for Electrical Engineers and Electrical Artificers to become Electro-technical officers of Merchant ships with respective bridging courses.
Specialist executive branch officers of the Indian navy to obtain Certificate of Competency as Officer in charge of navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more (i.e. 2nd Mate (FG/NCV)), Chief Mate and Master (Foreign going and Near coastal voyages) of a merchant navy vessels.
Former Haryana DGP Urges PM Modi to Declare July 22 as National Flag Day
Former Haryana Police chief Sheel Madhur took it upon himself to spread awareness on the importance of national flag, the 'Tiranga', with a missionary zeal. He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare July 22 as National Flag Day.
Seeking to give it a canonical status, he said that it encapsulated the suffering and sacrifices of millions of Indians for Independence. Madhur emphasised that there is an urgent need to have the provision a National Flag Day as it will prove to be the greatest saviour of the unity, integrity and strength of the country.
On July 22, 1947, our national flag, popularly known as 'Tiranga', came into existence in its present format and specification as it was accepted and adopted as the national flag of independent India by the Constituent Assembly.
Gender Responsive Governance: NCW Launches Workshop to Train Women MLAs
The National Commission for Women (NCW) organised a workshop on Gender Responsive Governance for elected women representatives (MLAs) under 'She Is A Changemaker' project, a pan-India capacity-building programme of the Commission for improving leadership skills of women representatives at all levels.
The three-day workshop was organised in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and the National Gender and Child centre of LBSNAA from June 22 to 24, 2022.
During the workshop, the women MLAs were trained on gender-responsive governance in different sessions such as 'Effective Leadership', 'Inclusive Governance', 'Overview on Gender-Based Violence with a Special Focus on Trafficking of Women and Adolescents', 'Gender Sensitive and Inclusive Communication', 'Emotional Intelligence', etc.
The workshop was attended by participants from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Festival 'Jyotirgamaya'
Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated 'Jyotirgamaya' – a festival showcasing the talent of unsung performers in New Delhi. As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and on the occasion of World Music Day, Sangeet Natak Akademi organised this festival to showcase the talent of rare musical instruments from across the country, including street performers and train entertainers.
The festival envisages sensitising people about the need to safeguard the craft of making as well as the skill of playing rare musical instruments. This is a unique endeavour of Sangeet Natak Akademi to salvage the dying performing arts of India.
The first India-Nepal Bharat Gaurav tourism train was flagged off from Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi.
This tourist train will connect India and Nepal, for the first time.
The Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train between India and Nepal will provide an opportunity to people from across the countries to explore the architectural, historical and cultural marvels of the country. The train started its first Shri Ramayana Yatra for 18 days. First trip of the train will also cover the religious destination of Janakpur (in Nepal), apart from other popular destinations like Ayodhya, Nandigram, Varanasi, Sitamarhui, Chitrakoot, Prayagraj, Hampi, Pancvati (Nasik), Rameshwaram and Bhadrachalam.
Ministry of Tourism in coordination with Ministry of Railways and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has also proposed Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains for Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit, and many other circuits.
+91-85588-96644
