Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign to be launched in run-up to Independence Day
On 30th July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of “Meri Mati Mera Desh” campaign in run-up to Independence Day to honor the martyred bravehearts of the country.
What’s in News?
In this month, in Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, PM Modi announced the launching of “Meri Mati Mera Desh” campaign to honor the bravehearts and programmes will be organised across the country in memory of those who laid down their lives for the country.
Amrit Kalash Yatra
During the campaign of “Meri Mati Mera Desh”, an Amrit Kalash Yatra will also be taken out. This ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ will reach Delhi, carrying the soil in 7,500 Kalash from villages and various corners of the country. This yatra will also carry plants from various parts of the country. An ‘Amrit Vatika’ will be built close to the National War Memorial from these 7,500 Kalash of soil and plants.
Har Ghar Tiranga
PM Modi urged the people through Mann Ki Baat progamme to hoist the tricolor at their homes just like the previous year programme “Har Ghar Tiranga” to realise the innumerable sacrifice made for the freedom of the country and to realise the value of freedom.
Highlights of Mann Ki Baat, July2023
Haj:
PM Modi praised the changes made by the government in the Haj Policy in the past years and said now more and more are getting an opportunity to go for the annual pilgrimage. This time the number of women who performed Haj without Mehram was not just only 50 or 100 but over 4,000 which was a big change.
About People’s suffering from Natural Calamities:
PM Narendra Modi also talked about the people’s suffering in the past few days which were full of worries and trouble due to natural calamities as people has to suffer in many places due to many swelled rivers like the Yamuna. Amid natural calamities, people of the country have once again brought to the fore the power of collective effort.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launches Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition in Chennai
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, in line with India’s G20 Presidency, launched the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) in Chennai. The coalition aims to promote resource efficiency and circular economy practices worldwide, bringing together companies from various sectors and countries. The event took place during the G20’s Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting.
The Vision for RECEIC:
Under India’s G20 Presidency, the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) was launched to foster resource efficiency and circular economy practices globally. The coalition is intended to be a self-sustaining initiative that continues its operations beyond India’s G20 Presidency, leaving a lasting impact on environmental sustainability.
Diverse Participation of Founding Members:
RECEIC comprises 39 companies headquartered in 11 different countries, representing a diverse range of businesses. From multinational corporations to startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), these companies cover industries spanning manufacturing, waste collection, sorting, and recycling.
Addressing Critical Environmental Challenges:
The world faces pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Resource efficiency and circular economy strategies offer compelling solutions to tackle resource scarcity and promote equitable and sustainable development. By transitioning from the linear “take-make-waste” model to a more sustainable and regenerative approach, these strategies optimize resource utilization and minimize waste.
Catalyst for Positive Change:
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the significance of RECEIC as a catalyst for action and sustainable solutions. Through collaboration, the industry can transform aspirations into tangible actions, facilitating partnerships, technological cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovative financing.
Guiding Principles of RECEIC:
The coalition operates based on three guiding principles: a. Partnerships for Impact: Collaboration among participating industries to drive meaningful change and collective action. b. Technology Cooperation: Promoting the exchange of innovative technologies to support sustainable practices. c. Finance for Scale: Facilitating access to financing for large-scale adoption of resource efficiency and circular economy practices.
Collaborative Platform for Sustainability:
RECEIC serves as a collaborative platform for sharing best practices, sustainable strategies, and knowledge among participating industries. By fostering knowledge-sharing, RECEIC aims to advance resource efficiency and circular economy practices at an unprecedented scale.
Amit Shah released the ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die’ book in Rameshwaram
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah released the ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die’ book in Rameshwaram. The Union Home Minister visited Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam House, Mission of Life Gallery Museum and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial.
This book is an English translation of the Tamil book ‘Ninaivugalukku Maranamillai’. Written by two people closest to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, his niece Dr. Nazema Maraikayar and the distinguished ISRO scientist Dr. Y.S. Rajan, who was a close confidante of Kalam, this book gives a holistic and honest revelation of the life of Dr. Kalam from his early childhood till he breathed his last. This is the story of how a small-town boy from Rameswaram ascended to the highest echelons of the Indian political world. This book comprehensively covers the beautiful history of Indian rocketry, precursors to today’s Science and Technology, the workings of the Indian political and administrative
About the book:
The release of the book ‘Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die’, readers across the country will definitely get an opportunity to know, understand and follow Dr. Kalam. This book assimilates the history of Indian rocketry, science, technology and innovation, beautiful representation of Indian politics and administrative system and description of many incidents related to wishes and imagination of Dr. Kalam. In this book there is a complete and honest description of the incidents related to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
This book would prove to be very helpful in understanding the struggle of an ordinary boy born in a poor household in Rameshwaram to reach the highest peak of Indian politics. This book brings to the readers Dr. Kalam’s love for literature and art, his exhortations about the poems of Thirukural and Bharthiyar and many unknown aspects of his life. Shri Shah said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a great team player. He implemented the principles of management in his life.
Amazon India to open first-ever floating store in Dal Lake
Amazon India has inaugurated its first-ever floating store on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir. This initiative aligns with Amazon India’s commitment to providing customers with reliable and convenient delivery services, while simultaneously enabling small businesses to seize profitable earning prospects.
The store is part of company’s ‘I Have Space’ delivery program, which started in 2015. The program helps them deliver packages to customers in faraway places using local shops and partners.
Serving Customers around Dal Lake
The ‘I Have Space’ store serves as a crucial solution for the numerous customers residing and operating businesses around Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in Srinagar, which are highly frequented spots by both tourists and locals.
About ‘I Have Space’ Program
Amazon India’s last-mile delivery program, ‘I Have Space,’ collaborates with local stores and business owners to efficiently deliver products within a 2 to 4 kilometers radius of their respective stores, providing them with an opportunity to generate supplementary income. Launched in 2015, this program has garnered an extensive network of more than 28,000 neighborhood and kirana partners spread across nearly 420 towns and cities throughout India.
‘I Have Space’ Program: Empowering Local Store Partners
On average, Amazon India’s store partners successfully handle around 20 to 30 packages daily, earning a fixed fee for each delivery they make. Additionally, many of these stores serve as convenient pick-up points, accepting deliveries on behalf of customers. Leveraging their familiarity with the local area and enjoying a positive reputation within their communities, these enterprising locals adeptly manage the entire process of product delivery and receipt. By participating in these services, they consistently make a significant and positive impact in their neighborhoods.
CM Command Centre’ launched in Uttar Pradesh for evaluating governance
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched Command Centre and CM Dashboard to ensure needy and deserving have access to the benefits of the government schemes and services.
What’s in News?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated ‘Chief Minister’s Command Centre’ and also a ‘CM Dashboard’ on 30th July at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Bhawan (Annex) in Lucknow to ensure needy and deserving have access to the benefits of the government schemes and services.
What are CM’s Command Centre and CM Dashboard?
CM’s Command Centre and CM Dashboard are effective steps of the UP Government taken to provide timely solutions for the problem of the common people, and to ensure better implementation of the government schemes.
Objective
The primary objective behind the launching of Command Centre and CM Dashboard is to ensure the accessibility of the government schemes and services to the needy and deserving.
To measure the performance of officials working in police service, municipal corporations and development authorities through monthly ranking and grading.
This initiative will mainly focus on the welfare of 24 crore people of U.P.
Significance
CM’s Command Centre and CM Dashboard will play a significant role in maintaining the trust of the common people in Chief Minister and his government. It helps to evaluate the performance of various government departments through monthly rankings and grades. Through this initiative CM will give suggestions to the departments with poor ranking and help to improve them.
Working
CM’s Command Centre is equipped with an integrated dashboard, a video wall, a video conferencing facility, a call centre, and discussions, training and technical rooms with world-class amenities.
Performance Index: Currently 588 schemes of 53 departments are registered under it. To issue monthly state-level grading, a performance index has been developed based on the information received from departments on the CM Dashboard.
Data Quality Index: A data quality index has been developed to ensure the quality of departmental data, and its monthly evaluation will be displayed.
Ranking and Grading: 100 flagship projects have been identified for ranking and grading Administration Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates. Additionally, rankings based on performance will also be done for Police Commissioners, Senior Police Superintendent, Superintendents of Police, Municipal Corporations, Development Authorities and Universities on a monthly basis.
Indian-American foreign policy expert Nisha Biswal confirmed as deputy CEO of US DFC
Nisha Biswal has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
With over 30 years of experience in US foreign policy and international development programs across the Executive Branch, Congress, and the private sector, Biswal’s nomination was put forward by President Joe Biden.
Nisha Biswal’s Current Role at the United States Chamber of Commerce
Nisha Desai Biswal is currently serving as the Senior Vice President for international strategy and global initiatives at the United States Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she also oversees the South Asia programs, reflecting her expertise in the region.
Previous Role as President of the US-India Business Council
Before her current position, Biswal held the prestigious role of President of the US-India Business Council at the United States Chamber of Commerce. This role highlights her significant involvement in fostering business relations between the United States and India.
Her Role in the US Department of State
Biswal has a distinguished history of public service, having served as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the United States Department of State during President Barack Obama’s administration from 2013 to 2017. Notably, she was the first South-Asian American to hold this influential position.
Recognition and Samman Award
In January 2017, Nisha Biswal was honored with the prestigious Samman Award by the President of India, recognizing her outstanding achievements and commitment to promoting bilateral ties.
The United States International Development Finance Corporation(DFC)
The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) functions as a development finance institution and agency under the United States federal government.
Its main focus is investing in development projects, with a primary emphasis on lower and middle-income countries. It was first authorized on 5 October 2018, and officially became an independent agency on 20 December 2019.
The DFC utilizes its lending capacity to offer loans, loan guarantees, direct equity investments, and political risk insurance to support private-sector led development projects, feasibility studies, and technical assistance.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurates new building of Assam Legislative Assembly
Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla inaugurated new building of Assam Legislative Assemble on 30th July in Guhawati in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Inauguration of New Building
At the inauguration of the new building of Assam Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Speaker of Lok Sabha that he is glittering personality in the democracy of India. He has a source of inspiration for all the parliamentarians of Assam to raise various questions on people’s welfare in the Parliament.
New features with new building
The new building of Assam Legislative Assembly is equipped with the facilities of e-Vidhan, audio-visual and information technology.
It has office chambers for Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister and other ministers, MLAs, conference hall, meeting halls etc.
The new building will be a symbol of a developed and confident Assam.
The new assembly building will carry image of an iconic building.
The new building constructed using the classical and ethnic arts, epitomises the confluence of modern and traditional design.
The different rooms of the building are designed using the rich and diverse art forms of Assam.
Assam Legislative Assembly
The Assam Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Assam.
Founded: 7th April 1937
Seats: 126
Speaker of the house: Biswajit Daimary, BJP
Term limit: 5 years
Governor of Assam: Gulab Chand Kataria
Initiatives of Assam Legislative Assembly
The first initiative of the assembly was the establishment of Assam University.
Setting up of Guhawati High Court.
Establishment of Oil Refinery.
Moreover, decentralisation for strengthening Panchayati Raj System, Cow Protection Act, abolition of zamindari system, establishment of institutions of higher education, banning of ragging in educational institutions and hostels etc. have been passed in Assam Legislative Assembly.