January 2024 - Page 20 of 39 - Lokmarg

Farsi To Be One Of India’s Nine Classical Languages: Jaishankar

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

In a significant move to deepen cultural ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the Government of India has decided to include Farsi (Persian) as one of the nine classical languages in India under the New Education Policy.

“The government of India has decided to include Farsi as one of the nine classical languages of India in our New Education Policy,” said Jaishankar, highlighting the cultural, literary, and linguistic connections between Iran and India.

Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Iran, made the above remarks during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, H Amir-Abdollahian on Monday.

This recognition reflects a commitment to fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Farsi’s rich heritage within the Indian educational framework. Tamil was the first language in India to be accorded classical language status in 2004. Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia are the other languages that have been declared classical languages in India by the central government.

“In addition to these classical languages Pali, Persian, and Prakrit; and their works of literature too must be preserved for their richness and for the pleasure and enrichment of posterity,” according to India’s National Education Policy-2020.

During the press conference, Jaishankar and Amir-Abdollahian delved into the political and economic aspects of their bilateral relations, emphasising the multifaceted nature of the diplomatic engagement. “The foreign minister and I specifically focused on its political and economic aspects, but naturally there were other domains as well,” the EAM said.

The ministers recognised the strength of people-to-people contacts and the profound cultural, literary, and linguistic ties that unite the two nations.

“Our people-to-people contacts have long been a strength. Iran and India are united by our deep cultural, literary, and linguistic ties, which create a unique foundation for increasing exchanges of tourists, students, artists, athletes, and scholars. We discussed how we can better link our cultural and educational institutions,” stated Jaishankar, underscoring the potential for enhanced cooperation in various fields.

Addressing the issue of regional connectivity, Jaishankar reiterated India’s interest in leveraging Iran’s strategic geographical position to access markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Eurasia. The ministers explored opportunities to strengthen economic ties and enhance regional connectivity for mutual benefit.

“Regional connectivity has been a critical pillar of India-Iran relations and was naturally prominent in the agenda of today’s discussions. I reiterated India’s interest in benefiting from Iran’s unique geographical position to access markets in Central Asia, Afghanistan and Eurasia,” he added.

Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive nature of the discussions, emphasising the frequent high-level interactions between the two countries. “My discussions today benefited from the fact that our countries have maintained a regular momentum of high-level interactions. PM Modi and President Raisi recently met in Johannesburg,” he highlighted.

“Our leaders have been in frequent touch through letters and phones. I also personally maintained regular contact with Abdollahian in recent days. We also held our Foreign Office Consultations just two months ago, and due to the regularity of these exchanges and the guidance provided by our leadership, there is a good basis to expand substantive cooperation in a variety of areas,” he also said.

Jaishakar also met Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development on Monday and discussed establishing a “long-term cooperation framework” for Chabahar Port, a strategic maritime facility situated on the southeastern coast of Iran.

EAM Jaishankar is in Iran as part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)

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General Supply of Petroleum Oil Lubricants

Modi Hails IMD For Its Exceptional Service To Nation

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the India Meteorological Department for its exceptional service to the nation and said that the weather department has been instrumental in safeguarding lives and enhancing the understanding of the environment.

IMD celebrates its 150th year of service to the nation with yearlong celebrations commencing from January 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025.

Referring to this, PM Modi posted on X, “Today we mark 150 years of the India Meteorological Department’s exceptional service to our nation. From pioneering weather forecasting to advancing climate research, IMD has been instrumental in safeguarding lives and enhancing our understanding of the environment.”

Meanwhile, lauding the India Meteorological Department for issuing timely forecasts of weather events such as cyclones that helped save lives, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said that the IMD’s impact extends beyond the borders as neighbouring countries also rely on its expertise as “evidenced” during cyclone ‘Mocha’.

“IMD’s impact extends beyond our borders. Our neighbours also rely on IMD’s expertise as evidenced during Cyclone Mocha. Our technological progress is also an important mechanism of soft diplomacy because relationships are defined by what a country has to gain from another in economy & technology,” Dhankhar said.

He also said that the MeT department is touching every life, be it- farmers farming the land or jawans guarding the borders.

Launching the yearlong 150th anniversary celebrations of IMD, Dhankhar said that the IMD acts as a safety net protecting our national interest, shielding our citizens from the wrath of nature.

“IMD is much beyond just weather forecast, and I am saying this because I am the son of a farmer. IMD acts as a safety net protecting our national interest, shielding our citizens from the wrath of nature, and of course, it is extremely useful for our security concerns. We have come a long way. From agriculture to healthcare, aviation to energy, it is present in our lives and with an affirmative stance. Farmers farming the land to jawans guarding the borders, IMD plays a critical positive role,” he added.

The Vice President further said that there was a time when rainfall forecasts proved to be incorrect, due to lack of scientific progress, but now the predictions are precise.

“There was a time when IMD used to predict rains and there were no rains because there was little scientific progress. Now so much is the precision, it is by seconds. We are proud of our scientists,” the vice president said. (ANI)

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ED Summons K Kavitha In Delhi Excise Policy Case

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha has been summoned by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to join the investigation in connection with the Delhi Excise policy scam case.

Kavitha has been asked to appear before ED on Tuesday.

Earlier in September last year, the Enforcement Directorate issued a summon to Kavitha and in March in connection with the probe into the Delhi liquor policy case.

Kavitha, who is a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the same case in December 2022.

Earlier on January 13, ED issued a summon to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the fourth time in a money laundering probe related to irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 case asking him to join the investigation on January 18.

The fresh summons to Delhi CM follows the third summons which he skipped last week.

Kejriwal has so far skipped summons issued by the ED on three occasions including on January 3, November 2 and December 22, calling them “illegal and politically motivated.”

The ED wants to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery.

ED has so far filed five charge sheets in the case, including against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia. (ANI)

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Mauritians To Light Diya, Recite Ramayana During Pran Pratishtha Celebrations

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

As the world anticipates the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of Mauritius, revealed the grand plans for the Mauritian community to participate in the spiritual event.

The people of this island nation are standing united in celebration of the spiritual milestone unfolding in Ayodhya. They are preparing to light a ‘Diya’ each in all temples of Mauritius and the verses of the ‘Ramayan Path’ will echo through the corridors of these temples, creating an atmosphere of devotion and cultural celebration.

Mauritius High Commissioner Dillum said, “There are a lot of temples in Mauritius, and in all the temples, one ‘diya’ (earthen lamp) will be lit, and ‘Ramayan Path’ will be recited during that day.” This symbolic gesture is poised to create a luminous tapestry across the island nation, reflecting the shared reverence for Lord Ram.

High Commissioner Dillum also said that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will be observed concurrently in all temples, underscoring the collective commitment to honouring Lord Ram’s divine presence.

“And at the same time, we’ll also follow the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. It has also been decided by various social and cultural organizations and the appeal has also been made by the government to light up and celebrate the second Diwali in all the houses,” he told ANI.

The Mauritian envoy also stated that the ceremony on January 22 is not just a great event for India but also for the people of Mauritius.

“Preparations are going on and any event that touches the hearts of all Mauritians is a big event. It’s believed that Lord Ram is coming back again. So I think this is a great event not only for India but also for the people of Mauritius, and they are keen and willing to follow the Pran Pratishtha ceremony,” High Commissioner Dillum said.

Highlighting the deep connection between Mauritius and Lord Ram, High Commissioner Dillum said that the Mauritian government has granted special leave to officials for the inauguration ceremony.

He said, “There are a lot of Ram followers in Mauritius. There was a strong request from various social-cultural organisations and various institutions to be present on January 22 for the Pran Pratishtha.”

To accommodate this, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth proposed a two-hour leave during last Friday’s cabinet meeting, which was unanimously agreed upon by the government. This decision allows the Hindu community to actively participate and follow the Pran Pratishtha from the comfort of their homes.

Reflecting on the broader India-Mauritius relations, High Commissioner Dillum highlighted the strength of the bilateral ties. “PM Modi invited us as the guest country during the G20, which shows the strong bond between the two countries,” he affirmed. He also disclosed plans to send a cultural troupe to Ayodhya, further cementing the multifaceted relationship between the two nations.

Highlighting the importance of Lord Ram in Mauritius, the envoy said, “If I go back some 200 years, you will recall that the immigrants and labourers who went to Mauritius had only two things: One was the Ramayana, and the second was the Hanuman Chalisa.”

In a show of global significance, the Mauritian government announced a two-hour special break for Hindu public officers on January 22. This gesture aims to enable them to participate in local events marking the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

The Mauritian Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, issued an official statement on Friday that read, “(The) Cabinet has agreed to the grant of a one-off special leave of two hours on Monday, January 22, 2024, as from 1400 hours to public officers of Hindu faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India, which is a landmark event as it symbolises the return of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ceremonial installation of the idol of Shri Ram Lalla on January 22. The ceremony, spanning seven days from January 16, will include Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. (ANI)

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Ram Lalla Idol Placement In ‘Garbha Griha’ On Jan 18

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai on Monday announced that the idol of lord Ram will be placed at its position at the ‘Garbh Griha’ of the temple on January 18 and Pran Pratishtha will take place at 12.20 pm on January 22.

Addressing a press conference, Rai said that the muhurat (auspicious timing) was decided by Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid of Varanasi.

“The religious rituals will begin from Jan 16 and will continue till Jan 21. On Jan 22, ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony will take place. The idol for which ‘Pran Pratishtha’ will be done is expected to be around 150-200kgs. On 18th January, the idol will be placed at its position in the ‘Garbh Griha’ of the temple.”

He further said that the formal procedures of pre-Praan Pratishtha sacraments will start on January 16 and continue till January 21.

General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said that the Pran Prathishtha’ is expected to conclude by 1 pm on January 22.

“On Jan 20 and 21 darshan will remain closed to public,” he added.

“There are Seven Adhivaasas in Pran Pratishtha ceremony and a minimum of three Adhivasas are in practice. There will be 121 Acharyas conducting the rituals. Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid will be overseeing, coordinating, anchoring and directing all the proceedings of the ritual and the principal Acharya will be Luckshmikant Dixit of Kashi,” he added.

He further said that the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony will be conducted in the august presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwatji, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patelji, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathji and other dignitaries.

Rai said that all acharyas of all schools of Bharatiya spiritualism, religion, a system of worship, tradition, Sants of more than 150 traditions, Mahamandaleshwars, Mandaleshwars, Shrimahants, Mahants, Nagas, as well as leading figures of more than 50 Adivasi, Girivasi, Tatavasi, Dwipavasi tribal traditions, will remain present to witness the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony on the premises of the Temple of Nativity of Lord Ram.

“The traditions include Shaiva, Vaishnav, Shaakta, Gaanapatya, Patya, Sikh, Bauddha, Jain, Dashnaam Shankar, Ramanand, Ramanuj, Nimbarka, Madhva, Vishnu Nami, Ramsanehi, Ghisapanth, Garibdasi, Gaudiya, Kabirpanthi, Valmiki, Shankardev (Assam), Madhav Dev, ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Gayatri Parivar, Anukul Chandra, Thakur Parampara, Mahima Samaj of Odisha, Akali, Nirankari, Namdhari from Punjab, Radhasoami and Swaminarayan, Varkari, Veer Shaiva, etc,” Rai said.

Champat Rai further said that after the completion of the Pran Pratishtha in the Garbha-Griha (sanctum sanctorum), all the witnesses will have darshan respectively.

He further said that the enthusiasm for the consecration of Ram Lalla is being felt everywhere. It has been resolved to celebrate it with great enthusiasm all over India, including Ayodhya.

“During the run-up to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, people from different states are continuously coming with water, soil, gold, silver, gems, clothes, jewellery, huge bells, drums, aroma/fragrance items, etc,” he added.

Noting that he has also received Bhaars (gift) from Janakpur and Sitamarhi (Bihar) for lord Ram.

“The most notable among them were the Bhaars (gifts sent at the time of setting up a daughter’s house) sent from Maa Janaki’s maternal homes at Janakpur (Nepal) and Sitamarhi (Bihar) which a large number of people carried to Ayodhya and also gifts of different types of jewellery, etc., were offered by the Nanihal (maternal grandmother’s place of Shri Ram) at Raipur, Dandakaranya area,” Rai said.

Preparations are underway in full swing for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22.

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, holds great spiritual, historical and cultural significance for the people of India. (ANI)

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No Headway In Identification of source in hoax threats calls to Indian airlines

Delhi Airport Asked To Expedite On CAT III-Enabled Runway Due To Fog

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

Delhi Airport has been asked to immediately expedite the operationalization of its CAT III-enabled fourth runway to the satisfaction of the civil aviation regulator DGCA for final approval, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Monday.

The airport in the national capital already has a CAT III-enabled runway. A CAT III landing is a precision approach that allows aircraft to land safely in low-visibility conditions.

Delhi witnessed unprecedented fog wherein visibility fluctuated for several hours, and at times, dropped to zero between 5 AM to 9 AM on Sunday. On Monday too, the national capital woke to a thick fog.

Taking to social media platform X, Union Minister Scindia said that the Delhi Airport authorities were compelled to enforce a shut-down of operations for some time even on CAT III runways (CAT III runways cannot handle Zero-Visibility operations), keeping passengers’ safety in mind.

In the past 48 hours, around 600 flights, both domestic and international combined, were delayed due to the severe weather conditions.

To mitigate the situation in the near future, the DGCA will issue an SOP for airlines on better communication and facilitation of passengers to minimise discomfort in view of flight cancellations and delays due to adverse weather.

“It is my earnest request to all travellers to bear with us during this difficult period. All stakeholders are trying their best to minimize passenger inconvenience. Incidences of unruly behaviour amidst this are unacceptable, and will be dealt with strongly in line with the existing legal provisions,” Scindia said in a post on ‘X’.

“I would like to assure everyone that all stakeholders are working round the clock to minimise the fog-related impact,” the minister further wrote. (ANI)

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BSP To Contest Karnataka Assembly Elections

76th Army Day Celebrations in Lucknow: Parade, Awards, and Military Displays

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

The 76th Army Day was celebrated with grandeur on Monday in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow with a parade of six marching contingents.

The celebrations were organised at the parade ground of the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre in Lucknow under the command of Major General Salil Seth.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande reviewed the parade and presented gallantry awards to the selected officers and jawans.

Six marching contingents from the army’s different regiments, a military band comprising five regimental brass bands and three pipe bands participated in the parade.

The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade, Sikh Light Infantry, Jat Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Bengal Engineer Group and the Army Air Defence were among the six marching contingents at the parade.

The five regimental brass/military bands included the Punjab Regiment Centre, Grenadier Regimental Centre, Bihar Regiment Centre, Sikh Light Regiment Centre, Kumaon Regimental Centre and SIKH Regimental Centre.

The five regimental pipe bands that participated in the parade were the SIKH Regiment Centre, SIKH LI Regiment Centre, JAT Regiment Centre, KUMAON Regimental Centre and 1 Signal Training Centre.

In his address to the toops, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that the Army is fully prepared and capable to deal with any challenge and have taken many concrete steps to develop our capabilities on the northern borders.

“In the past, the Indian Army has faced all security challenges with determination and commitment. I am proud that each of our soldiers has fulfilled his responsibility, be it security of borders, deployment in difficult areas and challenging weather. Our army is fully prepared and capable to deal with any challenge. Our army has foiled the infiltration attempts with full vigilance. As a result of continuous efforts by the security forces in the areas of Jammu and Kashmir, there has been a significant reduction in violence. We, together with all the stakeholders, are working determinedly to root out terrorism from the country,” he said.

General Manoj Pande asserted that today our country stands on the brink of a new era, adding, “We all have set a vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ as our country completes 100 years of independence for which a secure environment is essential and Indian Army plays a vital role in achieving it.

“There have been advances in automation, digitization and networking to make our systems and functions more efficient. In this, we have got more benefits in areas like operational situational awareness, decision support system, management information system and human resource management. Agnipath scheme is an important step in the field of human resource management. Our efforts are continuing in nation building work especially in the border areas. We are taking our efforts forward by linking them with the projects of the state and central governments” he said.

The parade was followed by a skydiving display and daredevil jumps by the Paratroopers, a daredevil motorcycle display by the Corps of Signals Daredevil team and a fly-past by helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps consisting of the ALH Dhruv and the ALH Rudra Helicopters. (ANI)

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Lucknow Hosts 76th Army Day Celebrations With Parade Of Six Marching Contingents

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

The 76th Army Day was celebrated with grandeur on Monday in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow with a parade of six marching contingents.

The celebrations were organised at the parade ground of the 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre in Lucknow under the command of Major General Salil Seth.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande reviewed the parade and presented gallantry awards to the selected officers and jawans.

Six marching contingents from the army’s different regiments, a military band comprising five regimental brass bands and three pipe bands participated in the parade.

The 50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade, Sikh Light Infantry, Jat Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Bengal Engineer Group and the Army Air Defence were among the six marching contingents at the parade.

The five regimental pipe bands that participated in the parade were the SIKH Regiment Centre, SIKH LI Regiment Centre, JAT Regiment Centre, KUMAON Regimental Centre and 1 Signal Training Centre.

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Sachin Spots Deepfake Video Of Himself

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar cautioned everyone on Monday against a deep fake video of a himself which has been used to promote an App. In the video Sachin Tendulkar’s Video and Voice has been manipulated to make it sound like Tendulkar was promoting the app.

Tendulkar who spotted the manipulation took to X cautioning his fans and the public that that the video was fake and asked people to report such applications, videos and advertisements.

He also tagged the Maharashtra Cyber Police, Union Electronics and Information Technology Ministry and Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrashekar, in his tweet.

“These videos are fake. It is disturbing to see rampant misuse of technology. Request everyone to report videos, ads & apps like these in large numbers. Social media platforms need to be alert and responsive to complaints. Swift action from their end is crucial to stopping the spread of misinformation and fake news. @GoI_MeitY, @Rajeev_GoI and @MahaCyber1,” tweeted Sachin.

Notably, on November 6 last year, a modified video of actor Rashmika Mandanna appeared online sparking discussions of digital safety. In the viral video, it can be seen that a woman resembling the actress Rashmika was entering a lift wearing a black swimsuit.

The video quickly went viral and several social media users came forward to confirm that it was a deep fake. It was later identified that the video was of a British actress, Zara Patel.

The actor strongly reacted to the alleged deep fake video and said, “I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deep fake video of me being spread online. Something like this is honestly, extremely scary not only for me but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused.”

Amid that deep fake video issue, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said that notices were issued to all social media platforms directing them to take necessary steps to identify and remove such content.

Vaishnaw, had said, “Deep fake is a big issue for all of us. We recently issued notices to all the big social media forms, asking them to take steps to identify deepfakes, for removing those content. The social media platforms have responded. They are taking action. We have told them to be more aggressive in this work.”

“Also, we must notice that the ‘Safe Harbour’ Clause that most of the social media platforms have been enjoying, doesn’t apply if the platforms do not take adequate steps to remove the deepfakes from their platforms,” he added. (ANI).

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Boeing Opens Its First India-Focused Distribution Center In UP

By LokMarg 15th January 2024

Global aerospace major Boeing has opened its first distribution center in India — in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. The 36,000-square-foot parts warehouse will support regional aviation customers in maximising fleet utilisation.

The aerospace company, in a release issued on Monday, asserted that the new site is part of its continued commitment to expanding its presence in the country and delivering an efficient, cost-effective, and local solution.

“The Boeing India Distribution Center illustrates Boeing’s commitment to supporting the growth of this market, aligned with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. This center will support the emergent needs of spare parts for Boeing aircraft in India, reducing lead times, improving availability, and supporting the MRO industry here,” said Salil Gupte, president, of Boeing India.

The new India location is one of eight distribution centers around the world.

“The India Distribution Center represents another significant step forward in Boeing’s strategy to provide parts and services when and where customers need them,” said William Ampofo, vice president, Parts and Distribution Services and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services.

“It also represents our commitment to delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions for Boeing’s commercial airplane customers in the region.”

The aerospace company announced its investment in the distribution center less than a year ago during Aero India 2023, and the first parts were shipped to customers in December 2023.

The India distribution center is positioned strategically along India’s Eastern Freight Corridor, with proximity to both Delhi and the upcoming Jewar airport. The warehouse, which prioritizes innovation, safety, and sustainability, is operated in collaboration with third-party logistics provider DB Schenker.

These initiatives encompass a partnership with GMR Aero Technic to establish a Boeing Converted Freighter line in Hyderabad and the establishment of a Global Support Center in Gurgaon.

Additionally, Boeing has committed a USD 100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to support India’s growing demand for pilots in the coming two decades. (ANI)

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