Georgia Declares October as ‘Hindu Heritage Month’
In a significant move, Governor Brian Kemp of the U.S. state of Georgia has officially declared that the month of October will be celebrated as ‘Hindu Heritage Month’ within the state. This proclamation aligns Georgia with several other states across the United States that have taken similar steps to honor and commemorate Hindu heritage, culture, values, and traditions.
Georgia Joins a Growing List
Georgia joins a growing list of states that have recognized the importance of Hindu heritage and culture. These states include Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Minnesota, Virginia, and others. The declaration of ‘Hindu Heritage Month’ serves as a way to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions and significance of Hinduism in American society.
Significance of October
The choice of October for this celebration holds special meaning. It is the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi, an iconic figure known for his principles of peace, non-violence, and civil rights. Additionally, October is a time when major Hindu festivals, such as Navratri and Diwali, are celebrated, making it an ideal month to honor Hindu heritage.
The proclamation recognizes that Hindu heritage, culture, traditions, and values offer valuable solutions to many of life’s challenges. These teachings often serve as a source of inspiration, reflection, and contemplation for millions of individuals who seek guidance from the wisdom of Hinduism.
Communal Celebration Across Georgia
During the month of October 2023, the Hindu community across the state of Georgia, as well as across the entire nation, will come together to collectively celebrate their heritage. This celebration will focus on promoting and preserving Hindu culture and the diverse spiritual traditions that originated in India.
Georgia Assembly’s Stand Against Hinduphobia
Notably, on March 23, the Georgia Assembly took a historic step by passing a resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry. This resolution marked Georgia as the first American state to take such action.
Recognizing the Global Presence of Hinduism
The resolution emphasizes that Hinduism is one of the world’s largest and oldest religions, with more than 1.2 billion adherents in over 100 countries. It encompasses a wide array of diverse traditions and belief systems, with core values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace.
This declaration of ‘Hindu Heritage Month’ and the resolution against Hinduphobia reflect a growing awareness and respect for Hindu culture and spirituality within the United States, highlighting the rich tapestry of religious diversity in the country.
ASI Launches “Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme” Indian Heritage app and e-permission portal
To ensure the preservation and enhancement of India’ rich cultural heritage and its invaluable cultural legacy, the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) is set to launch the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme on September 4, 2023, at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi.
Revitalizing Our Heritage: “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” Programme
The “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme is a revamped and dynamic initiative building on the foundation laid by its predecessor launched in 2017. This program is designed to facilitate corporate stakeholders’ active involvement in improving amenities at heritage sites by utilizing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
The goal is to enhance the overall visitor experience while preserving and showcasing India’s cultural treasures. Under this program, corporate entities are invited to adopt a monument or specific amenities at a monument through a dedicated web portal, accessible at www.indianheritage.gov.in. The portal provides comprehensive details of the monuments available for adoption, along with gap analysis and financial estimates for the required amenities.
Selection Process and Amenities Enhancement
The selection process for corporate stakeholders will involve thorough due diligence, discussions with various stakeholders, and a comprehensive assessment of the economic and developmental opportunities associated with each monument.
The selected stakeholders will be entrusted with developing, providing, and maintaining amenities in hygiene, accessibility, safety, and knowledge categories. Their involvement will not only contribute to the preservation of heritage sites but also position them as responsible and heritage-friendly entities. Initially, the term of the appointment will be for five years, with the possibility of extension for another five years.
Unlocking India’s Heritage with Technology
In conjunction with the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme, a user-friendly mobile app named ‘Indian Heritage’ will be launched on the same day. This innovative app will serve as a digital showcase of India’s rich heritage monuments. It will provide state-wise details of monuments, accompanied by photographs, a list of available public amenities, geo-tagged locations, and a feedback mechanism for citizens. The app’s launch will be carried out in phases, with ticketed monuments introduced in Phase I, followed by the remaining monuments.
Additionally, to streamline and expedite various processes related to heritage sites, an e-permission portal with the URL www.asipermissionportal.gov.in will be launched. This portal will facilitate the acquisition of permissions for photography, filming, and developmental projects on monuments, resolving operational and logistical bottlenecks involved in these activities.
R Madhavan Nominated as President of FTII Pune
Renowned actor R Madhavan has been nominated as the new President of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Additionally, he will serve as the Chairman of the governing council of FTII.
Honors for ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’
Madhavan’s nomination follows the recent success of his film, ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,’ which earned national recognition. The film secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award during the 69th National Film Awards.
‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’
The acclaimed film, ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,’ delves into the life of former ISRO scientist S Nambi Narayanan and his remarkable contributions to India’s space agency. Its recognition with a national award is a testament to its compelling storytelling and relevance in showcasing India’s scientific achievements.
Coincidentally, the National Award for ‘Rocketry’ was conferred on August 24th, just a day after a historic achievement by ISRO. On August 23rd, ISRO successfully achieved the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the lunar surface. This dual recognition highlights India’s prowess in both cinematic storytelling and space exploration.
FTII’s Legacy in Indian Cinema
FTII has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian film and television industry. It has been instrumental in nurturing and producing numerous talented filmmakers, actors, and technicians who have left an indelible mark on the global cinematic landscape.
The institute boasts a remarkable roster of alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to the world of cinema. This includes renowned filmmakers such as Rajkumar Hirani, Mani Kaul, and Shyam Benegal, along with accomplished actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, and many others.
R Madhavan’s appointment as President of FTII reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence in the field of film and television education and its continued dedication to nurturing and celebrating talent in the Indian film industry.
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Gets Navratna Status
The Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) conferred ‘Navratna Status‘ upon Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF). Navratnas constitute a group of public sector firms endowed with the financial independence to invest up to Rs 1000 crore without necessitating approval from the central government. Prior to this, the company had attained ‘Miniratna Status‘ from the Department of Public Enterprise.
Navratna Companies: Pillars of India’s Public Sector Excellence
Navratna Companies, a select group of nine esteemed public sector enterprises in India, are renowned for their outstanding performance and significant contributions to the nation’s economy. These companies enjoy substantial financial independence, granting them the authority to make investment decisions for projects up to a specific threshold without requiring government approval.
Navratna Companies, classified as Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), are subject to specific operational and financial criteria based on factors such as net profit, total production cost, earnings per share, and cross-sector performance.
About Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF)
Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) is an Indian government-owned enterprise headquartered in Mumbai, primarily engaged in the production of chemicals and fertilizers. It operates under the ownership of the Government of India and falls under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
RCF holds the distinction of being the fourth-largest producer of government-owned fertilizers in India. The company’s inception in 1978 followed the restructuring of the Fertilizer Corporation of India. RCF’s product portfolio encompasses Urea and Complex fertilizers (NPK) as well as a diverse range of Industrial Chemicals. It ranks as the fourth-largest Urea manufacturer in India, trailing behind IFFCO, NFL, and KRIBHCO.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Rated ‘A+’ In Global Finance Central Banker Report 2023
In a recent announcement that has garnered international attention, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been awarded an ‘A+’ rating in the prestigious Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023. This commendation places him at the pinnacle of central bank governors worldwide. The announcement was made by the RBI through its official communication channel on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter).
A Global Recognition
This recognition has placed Shaktikanta Das at the top of the list of three central bank governors who have been rated ‘A’. Joining Shaktikanta Das in the elite category of central bank governors who earned an ‘A+’ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023 are Thomas J. Jordan from Switzerland and Nguyen Thi Hong from Vietnam. This recognition solidifies Governor Das’s standing as one of the most influential and effective central bank leaders in the world.
A Tradition of Excellence
The Central Banker Report Cards have been published annually by Global Finance since 1994. These report cards provide a comprehensive assessment of the performance of central bank governors from 101 key countries, territories, and districts, including prominent institutions like the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States, and the Central Bank of West African States.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam Wins Singapore Presidential Election
In a significant political development, Indian-origin economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam has emerged victorious in Singapore’s presidential election. This victory is especially noteworthy as it comes after a gap of ten years, marking the country’s first contested presidential polls since 2011.
Electoral Margins
Tharman Shanmugaratnam secured a substantial majority in the presidential elections, receiving a resounding 70.4 percent of the votes. His victory was achieved against two other contenders of Chinese origin, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, who garnered 15.7 percent and 13.88 percent of the votes, respectively.
Profile of Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the president-elect, entered the realm of politics in 2001. During his campaign, he articulated a vision for Singapore, promising to cultivate the country’s culture and uphold its standing as a “shining spot” on the global stage.
Shanmugaratnam, aged sixty-six, previously held the position of Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019. His political journey began in 2001, and he has also made significant contributions in the public sector, holding various ministerial positions.
High Voter Turnout
The presidential election witnessed active civic participation, with over 2.7 million voters casting their ballots. The voting process commenced at 8 AM when polling stations opened and concluded at 8 PM local time. The strong turnout reflects the public’s engagement and interest in the electoral process.
Transition from Incumbent President
Madam Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s eighth and first female president, is set to conclude her six-year term on September 13. Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s election signals the start of a new era in Singapore’s presidential leadership, marking the first competitive presidential race since 2011.
Cabinet okays PRIP scheme to boost research and innovation
The Union Health Ministry has announced an ambitious plan to boost research and innovation in the pharmaceutical and medtech sectors. To achieve this goal, they have introduced the Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech sector (PRIP) scheme, which has been approved by the Union Cabinet. The scheme was rolled out earlier this month by the government with the belief that the Indian pharmaceutical industry has the potential to increase its current 3.4 per cent share of the global market to 5 per cent by the year 2030.
More Details
The Union Health Ministry has announced a plan to invest ₹700 crore in creating seven Centres of Excellence at various National Institutes of Pharmaceutical, Education & Research (NIPER) to boost research and innovation in the pharma and medtech sector.
The scheme, called Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech sector (PRIP), will be launched in September and will have a duration of five years, from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
The Centre will also provide ₹4,250 crore to support research in the private sector through milestone-based funding. The Centre may also acquire equity stakes of 5-10% in these private entities in exchange for the funding.
The scheme aims to enhance the capacity of PSUs and encourage private sector participation in research.
The scheme’s two components, dedicated funding for the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPERs) and support for the private sector aim to address critical challenges and promote growth in these sectors.
The National Policy focuses on three key areas:
strengthening the regulatory framework,
incentivising investment in innovation, and
enabling an ecosystem for innovation and research.
The policy aims to accelerate drug discovery and development, foster collaboration between industry and academia, and streamline existing policies to optimise research resources. The PRIP scheme, with an allocation of Rs 5,000 crore, focuses on two components: the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) within existing institutions to strengthen research infrastructure, and promotion of research in priority areas. These priority areas encompass a range of fields such as new chemical and biological entities, precision medicines, medical devices, and antimicrobial resistance solutions.
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