Month: February 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the government will draft policies to ensure that no hindrance comes in the path of the emerging new drone market in the country.

The Prime minister flagged off 100 Kisan drones in different cities and towns of India to spray pesticides in farms across India. He virtually addressed to a group of farmers gathered at Manesar from where the “Drone Kisan Yatra” was flagged off.

“This occasion is the best example of how far the country can fly if policies are drafted with the right spirit,” he said while adding, “Till recently, there was a conception that drones were meant for armed forces and fighting enemies. However, the Kisan Drone Suvidha has added a new chapter in the direction of modern agricultural facilities of the 21st century.”

He further said that this beginning will not only prove to be a milestone in the development of the drone sector but also will also open the sky to unlimited possibilities.

“Many companies in the country are moving fast in this direction. A new ecosystem of the drone market is developing in India. More than 200 drone startups are currently working in the country and soon their numbers will increase to 1000 which will create huge job opportunities. India is poised to witness the emergence of new leadership in the drone sector and I assure you that the government will draft policies to ensure no obstructions come in the path of the entrepreneurs,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the development of the drone market in India will generate fresh employment and new opportunities for the youth.

“I have been told that Garuda Aerospace has set a target of manufacturing 1 lakh Made-in-India drones in the next 2 years. This will generate fresh employment and new opportunities for the youth,” he said.

“The reforms that have taken place in the country in the last few years have given strength to the youth and private sector. India has not lost its time in apprehensions. We relied on youth thinking and went ahead,” he added.

PM Modi said that in this year’s Budget, the country has openly given priority to technology and innovation.

“Recently, 100 drones were at display during the beating retreat ceremony. Under the Swamitva scheme, land records are being documented through drone technology, medicines, vaccines are being supplied to various parts of the country and it is also being used for sprinkling pesticides etc on crops,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the Kisan Drone will usher in a new edge revolution as high capacity drones will be used to carry vegetables, fruits, fishes to the market directly from the farms. “These items will be supplied directly to the market with minimal damage, consuming lesser time, resulting in more profits to farmers and fishermen,” the prime minister said.

During the Budget 2022-23 announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a major stimulus for the agriculture and farming sector.

Giving details, Sitharaman said the Centre will promote Kisan Drones, chemical-free natural farming, public-private partnerships for the delivery of digital and high-tech services to farmers across the country during the financial year 2022-23

Emphasizing the usage of technology, she said Kisan Drones will be promoted for crop assessment, digitization of land records and spraying of insecticides and nutrients. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday remembered Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary and said that his emphasis on social welfare has been inspiring people for generations.

“I bow to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. His outstanding leadership and emphasis on social welfare have been inspiring people for generations. He was uncompromising when it came to standing up for the values of truth and justice. We are committed to fulfilling his vision,” PM Modi tweeted.

Chhatrapati Shivaji was born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort in Pune. (ANI)

Siliguri Horticulture Society (SHS) in association with the Government of West Bengal organised a five-day flower show in Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri on Friday.

North Bengal flower festival is being organized at Kanchenjunga Stadium Mela ground in Siliguri under Darjeeling district of West Bengal to bring in the flower lovers from the region.

This fair is being organised for the past 38 years and it attracts a huge crowd to see the flowers and the orchids brought in from the different places of the region.

Prsanta Sen, Secretary of Siliguri Horticulture society said, “The main motto behind the show is to generate employment and create awareness about environment protection among the common people following the COVID-19 situation. There have been as many as 350 participants from North Bengal and Sikkim. 2,400 potted plants of 77 different species have been put on display. People from different regions of North Bengal have come to the show just to get a fragrance of the flowers being presented there.”

Amit Sarkar, a flower lover from Siliguri said, “We were staying inside our homes for the two last years owing to the pandemic. But this kind of event encourages all to grow plants at homes.”

Notably, a special variety of Orchids from Sikkim and Cactus from the Kalimpong have been put on display. (ANI)

US President Joe Biden on Friday (local time) said that there has been an uptick in Russian disinformation that could be used as a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

“We are calling out Russia’s plans loudly and repeatedly … we’re doing everything in our power to remove any reason Russia may give to justify invading Ukraine and prevent them from moving. Make no mistake: if Russia pursues its plans, it will be responsible for a catastrophic and needless war of choice,” Biden said at the White House while discussing developments on the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

President Biden said the US believes that Russian troops intend to attack Ukraine “in the coming week, the coming days.”

“We have reason to believe the Russian forces are planning and intend to attack Ukraine in the coming week, the coming days,” the President said Friday speaking from the White House. “We believe that they will target Ukraine’s capital Kyiv — a city of 2.8 million innocent people.”

Biden went on to condemn such an attack, in the process pledging to continue supporting Ukraine.

“The United States and our allies are prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory from any threat to our collective security as well. We also will not send troops in to fight in Ukraine, but we will continue to support the Ukrainian people,” the President added.

Biden said reports pushed to the Russian public that Ukraine is planning to launch an attack in separatist-controlled Donbas lacked evidence. He said those claims defied logic.

“All of these are consistent with the playbook the Russians have used before,” Biden said.

“This is also in line with the pretext scenario that the United States and our allies and partners have been warning about for weeks,” Biden went on.

He said the US had seen an uptick in violations of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

Biden meanwhile also said that it is up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whether he will attend this weekend’s Munich Security Conference 2022 held in Germany.

“That’s a judgment for him to make,” Biden said when asked by reporters following remarks he gave on the current state of tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

Biden added, “I’ve spoken with Zelensky a dozen times, maybe more, I don’t know. In the pursuit of a diplomatic solution, it may — maybe be a wise choice. But it’s his decision.”

It was previously reported that Biden administration officials have privately urged Zelensky that they do not believe it is a good idea for him to leave Ukraine and visit Munich on Saturday.

Nearly half of Russian forces surrounding Ukraine are in attack position, according to a US defence official familiar with the latest assessment.

The number of battalion tactical groups has swelled to approximately 120-125. A battalion tactical group usually comprises 1,000 troops.

The official said the Russian military has continued to move forces toward the border, and within the last 48 hours, the number of forces in attack position has reached 40-50 per cent.

At the same time, the Russian destabilization campaign has begun, the official said, with Russia accusing Ukraine of genocide in Donbas, conducting false flag operations, and more.

On Friday, a military vehicle exploded in the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine near the Government House building, the headquarters of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic.

An advisor to Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Anton Gerashchenko, called it a “staging and a provocation.”

Earlier, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, two self-governed regions in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists, organized the evacuation of civilians to Russia. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will inaugurate over 12,000 smart classrooms in 240 government schools in the national capital on Saturday.

This comes a day ahead of the Assembly polls in Punjab where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is contesting.
A total of 12,430 new smart classrooms will be inaugurated today following which the tally of new classrooms built by the Kejriwal government will reach 20,000 which is synonymous with 537 new school buildings, said a statement issued by the Delhi government.

The specialities of the new building constructed by the government include the designer desk in the classrooms, libraries, multipurpose halls for the conduct of events, added the statement. (ANI)

In a landmark achievement for India, over two crore youngsters between 15-18 of age group are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.

Taking to Twitter, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the citizens of the country and said, “Young India taking the world’s largest vaccination drive to the next level! Over 2 crore youngsters between 15-18 age group are now fully vaccinated against #COVID19.”
Notably, the vaccination drive for those aged between 15-18 years commenced on January 3 this year.

India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 174.99 crore (1,74,99,61,545) today. More than 32 lakh (32,92,516) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm on Friday, the health ministry in its press release stated.

More than 1.86 crore (1,86,82,261) precaution doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (HCWs, FLWs and over 60 years) for COVID-19 vaccination have been administered so far.

The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. (ANI)

VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog on Friday advised all the citizens not to lower the guard against the COVID-19 pandemic as the current surge has settled and added that the government has invited other vaccine manufacturers to collaborate with scientists and develop vaccines in the country.

“We can see that the surge has settled, but we must also know that there are cases at a significant number. Hopefully, it will be sustained but we cannot lower our guards. There should be a complete watch that we are ready for any eventuality,” Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog told ANI.
“We invited other vaccine manufacturers to collaborate with our scientists and develop vaccines on our soil. Later, they manufactured vaccines and offered us to buy them demanding sovereign immunity waiver, but this was not acceptable to the government,” he added.

Highlighting India’s fight against the COVID pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said the government had denied accepting objectionable negotiation terms raised by the top vaccine manufacturers of the world for vaccine supply to the country.

India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 174.99 crore (1,74,99,61,545) today. More than 32 lakh (32,92,516) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm on Friday, the health ministry in its press release stated.

More than 1.86 crore (1,86,82,261) precaution doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (HCWs, FLWs and over 60 years) for COVID-19 vaccination have been administered so far.

The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed happiness that India and UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) today, in less than 3 months after the negotiations began in September last year.

“I am very happy that both our countries have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement today. It is noteworthy that India and UAE were able to conclude negotiations on such an important agreement in less than 3 months which usually takes several years to complete,” said PM Modi during India-UAE virtual summit.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the Prime Minister noted the UAE took care of Indian citizens in their country. “This year is of extreme importance for both countries. You will celebrate the 50th year of the establishment of UAE and we start to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our freedom,” he said.

During his opening remarks, PM Modi said that his government encourages startups in India and UAE through joint incubation and joint financing. “For the skill development of our citizens, we can also cooperate on modern institutions of excellence.”

PM Modi also condemned the recent terror attack in UAE. “I strongly condemn the recent terrorist attacks in UAE. India and UAE will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism.”

He also welcomed the interest shown by UAE companies in investing in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Following the visit of LG of Jammu and Kashmir to the UAE, many UAE companies have shown interest in investing in the UT. We welcome investment by UAE in all sectors including logistics, healthcare, hospitality in J&K,” PM Modi said.

The Joint Vision Statement signed earlier today lays out contours of the future course of bilateral relations and highlights areas of focus. Both sides agreed to enhance maritime cooperation contributing to the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

They reaffirmed joint commitment to the fight against extremism and terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, in all forms, at both regional and international levels.

On the economic partnership, CEPA will result in an increase of bilateral trade from USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in 5 years.

On energy partnership, both have decided to promote collaboration opportunities to support India’s energy requirements, including new energies, and ensure the provision of affordable and secure energy supplies to India’s growing economy.

They also vowed to mutually support energy transition and focused work on a low-carbon future. The two sides agreed to support each other’s clean energy missions and establish a joint Hydrogen Task Force to help scale up technologies, with a special focus on the production of Green Hydrogen.

Furthermore, they agreed to expand cooperation and collaborate on critical technologies and mutually promote e-businesses and e-payment solutions and promote start-ups from both countries. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday assured Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that the Centre has taken the matter of the alleged links between the banned organisation ‘Sikhs for Justice’ and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seriously and he would personally ensure that the matter is looked into in detail.

Earlier, the Punjab Chief Minister had written to Shah alleging that the banned organization Sikhs for Justice is in touch with AAP.
The Union Home Minister said Punjab Chief Minister had requested an investigation against the Aam Aadmi Party taking the help of banned separatist organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for Punjab Assembly polls.

“A political party maintaining a connection with a banned, anti-national and separatist organization and seeking help in elections is a serious concern for national security. This kind of agenda is in accordance with agenda of the country’s enemies. It is condemnable that these people are joining hands with separatists and working towards threatening Punjab as well as nations’ security in the greed of power,” Shah said in his letter to the Punjab Chief Minister.

The Union Home Minister assured the Punjab Chief Minister that the central government took cognizance of the matter and will not allow anyone to threaten the country’s unity and integrity. “I personally will ensure that the matter is looked into in detail,” said Shah.

In his letter to the Union Home Minister, the Punjab Chief Minister said, “Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which is a banned organization, is in constant touch with Aam Admi Party. The SFJ has given support to AAP in the elections to the State Assembly in 2017 and similarly in these elections too. The SFJ has exhorted the electorate to vote for the Aam Aadmi Party. This is a serious issue of compromising the security and integrity of the country and thus needs to be investigated. I would urge upon you to immediately get this matter investigated for taking appropriate action in this regard.”

Assembly polls for 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. The results will be declared on March 10. (ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against 160 more accused, including the chairmen of three medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh, in a case related to the 2013 Pre-Medical Test (PMT-2013) Examination conducted by Vyapam.

In the Vyapam case, CBI has filed a supplementary charge-sheet against then Bhopal Controller of Vyapam, the then Director Medical Education (DME), the then Joint Director in the Office of DME, 16 Officials including Chairman of private Medical Colleges at Bhopal, Indore, 56 Beneficiary Candidates, 46 Impersonators, 30 guardians of the beneficiary candidates, 9 middlemen, in which candidates had bribed officials and rigged exams by deploying imposters to write their answer sheets.
CBI had registered the instant case on August 21, 2015, following the Supreme Court’s orders dated July 9, 2015, of the Supreme Court of India.

In the Vyapam case, it was alleged that middlemen and several others were operating from different cities of Madhya Pradesh- Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Shahdol, Ratlam, and Sagar. These racketeers were allegedly involved in arranging for beneficiary candidates and solvers in the PMT Examination. The pairing of the respective impersonator and beneficiary candidates was being done by the middlemen.

It was further alleged that the middlemen, thereafter, were getting the roll numbers of these impersonator-beneficiary candidates manipulated through Vyapam officials, such that a beneficiary candidate was seated right behind his impersonating candidate, thus enabling the beneficiary to cheat and copy the answers from the impersonator or solver Candidates. The Madhya Pradesh Police had filed 12 Charge-Sheets against the accused and kept the investigation open against the remaining accused.

After conducting the investigation, CBI filed a Charge-Sheet in the instant case against 490 accused on October 31, 2017, in the Court of Special Judge, Vyapam Cases, Bhopal.

“CBI conducted a further investigation against the remaining accused on various allegations including manipulations in assigning favorable Roll Numbers to the beneficiary candidates and impersonators, conspiracy with middlemen, conspiracy with 3 private Medical Colleges of Madhya Pradesh and other co-accused who facilitated illegal admissions to otherwise ineligible students or candidates in the said private Medical Colleges of Madhya Pradesh, involvement in an illegal vacation of state quota seats of MBBS and subsequent illegal admissions to otherwise ineligible students/candidates by said private Medical Colleges of MP etc. After a thorough investigation, a supplementary charge sheet was filed against 160 accused,” stated the CBI. (ANI)