President Assent to Three Bills

Murmu Encourages IAS Officers To Make India Inclusive And Developed

A group of 182 IAS officers from the 2021 batch, currently serving as Assistant Secretaries in various Union Ministries and Departments, had the privilege of meeting President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today.

Addressing these young officers, President Murmu emphasized the unique nature of their service, describing it as a mission rather than a typical career, the press release by the President’s Secretariat read.

She underscored their vital role in propelling India and its people forward within the framework of good governance.

President Murmu conveyed that their destiny is intrinsically linked to serving the nation and its people.

Their collective destination, she said, is to transform India into an inclusive and developed nation. These officers have the opportunity to empower their fellow young citizens across various fields and contribute to building a developed India by 2047.

President Murmu said, “This Amrit Kaal is rightly being described as ‘Kartavya Kaal’ for every Indian. This period also covers the larger time slice of our remaining window of demographic opportunity. You can make a huge contribution by enabling your fellow young citizens to realise their potential in different fields. You have the great opportunity to contribute to building the developed India of 2047”.

President Murmu noted that a compassionate civil servant, whose heart resonates with the poor and underprivileged, distinguishes themselves as a true civil servant rather than just a career bureaucrat, read the press release.

She encouraged them to champion the cause of marginalized sections of society, making it a fundamental part of their service.

Understanding the connection between “file to field” and “field to file” with a people-centric perspective, she believed, would enable them to engage with files more meaningfully.

The President acknowledged the remarkable strides made in women’s empowerment, with an increasing number of women assuming prominent roles in various aspects of growth and development.

She celebrated the passing of the historic ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ by both houses of Parliament and the growing number of women IAS officers, including 42 per cent in the 2023 batch.

“I am very happy that the historic ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ has been passed by both houses of Parliament. Women are breaking stereotypes and glassceilings”, said President Murmu.

Out of the top 25 ranks, 14 were secured by women, indicating positive shifts in gender equality and inclusivity.

Regarding their training, President Murmu praised the well-conceived training modules and their Bharat Darshan experiences, emphasizing the importance of deepening their awareness through continuous learning.

She reminded them that, as Assistant Secretaries, they would interact more with files than people but encouraged them always to consider the individuals impacted by the files. By doing so, they could significantly enhance their engagement with files.

President Murmu concluded by quoting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision for public servants and their role in building the developed India of 2047.

President Murmu said, “What Sardar Patel communicated to that group of probationers in 1947 remains relevant for all of you also. I will quote from the great speech of Sardar Patel for your benefit. Sardar Patel had said and I quote, ‘You should regard it as a proud privilege … to uphold throughout your service its dignity, integrity and in-corruptibility. It is not for you to approach your task … entirely from self-interest … your foremost consideration should be how best to contribute to the well-being of India as a whole … If you serve in the true spirit of service, I am sure, you will have your best reward”.

She emphasized upholding the dignity, integrity, and incorruptibility of their service, with the primary focus on the well-being of India as a whole.

By following these principles, she expressed confidence that they would achieve success and glory in their service to the nation. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Conference NHRIs Of Asia Pacific

Murmu To Inaugurate Conference Of NHRIs Of Asia Pacific On Sept 20

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the Biennial Conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of Asia Pacific on September 20, 2023, in New Delhi, an official statement issued by NHRC said on Thursday. 

The conference is being organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) on September 20-21, 2023. The Asia Pacific Forum will also hold its 28th Annual General Meeting on September 20, 2023, to discuss the issues of common interest to member countries.

NHRC said that more than 1,300 delegates from India and abroad are likely to participate in the conference. 

“The conference will be attended by Heads, members and senior officials of the National Human Rights Institutions of 23 countries and 5 observer countries along with representatives from the Union and state governments, State Human Rights Commissions, Special Rapporteurs, Monitors, various institutions involved in the protection and promotion of human rights in the country, members of civil society and NGOs, human right defenders, lawyers, jurists, academicians, diplomats, representatives of UN agencies, academic institutions, etc. Earlier, in 2002 and 2014, such an AGM of Asia Pacific Forum and conference was held in India,” an official statement said. 

“On 21st September 2023, the Biennial Conference will mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UNDHR). It will also celebrate 30 years of National Human Rights Institutions and the Paris Principles, with a sub-theme on the environment and climate change,” it added. 

During the conference, three plenary sessions on the themes ‘Setting the Scene-30 Years of Promoting and Protecting Human Rights across Asia and the Pacific’; ‘Advancing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its Promise of Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All’; and ‘The role of NHRIs in responding to and mitigating the human rights impacts of climate change-national, regional, and international actions’, will be held.

NHRC said that the Biennial Conference also aims to provide an opportunity for sharing good practices to support communities to respond to human rights impacted by climate change.

A separate session on ‘Business and Human Rights’ will also be held in partnership with UNDP, which will be attended by the representatives of business and industry, workers’ organizations and associations, various ministries, departments, statutory organizations, UN agencies, human rights defenders, NGOs, etc. In this session issues related to the human rights of workers in various businesses and professions will be discussed.    

The APF is one of the four regional NHRI networks, including Africa, NANHRI; Americas, RINDHCA; and Europe, ENNHRI, part of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

The NHRC, India, has been a valued partner of the APF as an independent and autonomous ‘A’ status NHRI, fully compliant with the Paris Principles. The year also marks 30 years of the existence of NHRC, India. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

National Teachers Day Award 2023

Murmu Confers National Teachers’ Award 2023 To 75 Awardees In Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the National Teachers’ Award 2023 to 75 selected awardees in Delhi.

Speaking on occasion, President Murmu said, “Our teachers and students should gather detailed knowledge from Charak and Sushruta and from Aryabhatta to Chandrayaan-3, take inspiration from them and work for the glorious future of the country with a broad mind. I firmly believe that our teachers and students will together take India rapidly ahead towards becoming a developed country in Kartavya Kaal.”

She further said that giving students love is more important than giving them education.

“When teachers appreciate or encourage or punish, students remember everything. If they are punished to improve them, students realise it with time. So, I believe that giving them love is more important than giving them education. Our Education Policy gives priority to connecting with Indian culture and pride,” she said.

The award ceremony was held in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. 

According to a government release, each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal.

Department of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Education has been organising a National level function on Teachers Day every year to confer the National Awards to the best teachers in the country, selected through a rigorous, transparent selection process.

From this year, the ambit of the National Teachers’ Award has been expanded to include teachers of the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, it added.

50 school teachers, 13 teachers from higher education and 12 teachers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship have been awarded this year.

Every year, the country celebrates September 5, the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as National Teachers’ Day. The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students.

With a view to recognize innovative teaching, research, community outreach and novelty of work the nominations were sought in online mode to maximize participation (Jan Bhagidari).

The ministry constituted three separate Independent National Jurys comprising eminent persons for the selection of teachers. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Khap Members to Meet Murmu

Wrestlers Protest: Khap Members To Meet President Murmu

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said that Khap representatives will meet President Droupadi Murmu and the Central Government regarding action over the wrestlers’ protest.

“Khel Committee and Khap Panchayat have come here. We will meet President (Droupadi Murmu) and the Central government here. If they don’t take any decision, then we will take the next step. The final decision will be taken after five days of discussion,” Tikait said.
He further said that protesting women wrestlers will not be “defeated”.

“A Khap representative will meet the President and the government. Khap and these women (protesting wrestlers) won’t be defeated. More decisions will be taken at Kurukshetra tomorrow” Rakesh Tikait added.

A Khap ‘Mahapanchayat’ to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh started in Soram village on Thursday.

Khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi attended the Mahapanchayat on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat went to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar along with their supporters to immerse their medals in the Ganga river.

But after farm leaders persuaded them not to take the drastic step, the wrestlers decided not to throw their medals in the river.

The farm leaders have sought five days’ time to address their grievances.

The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against WFI chief Singh.

While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty.

However, Singh on Thursday alleged that the protesting wrestlers are changing their “demands and language” continuously and added that he still stands by his statement that he will hang himself if even one of the allegations against him is proven to be true.

“…First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself…I stand by my statement..,” said Brij Bhushan to media in Gonda. (ANI)

Read More: lokmarg.com

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade

R-Day Parade Chief Guest Egyptian Prez El Sisi Arrives In India

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials for his official visit from January 24-27.

As he arrived in New Delhi, the traditional folk dance is being performed to welcome Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day.

Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a ‘guest country” during its G20 Presidency.

According to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others, with whom he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA.

On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

He will hold a meeting with PM Modi and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest during his stay.

The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honor of the visiting dignitary.

On Republic Day, Sisi will witness the Republic Day Parade as the chief guest. A military contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath along with other contingents.

Sisi will attend the “at home” reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27.

“This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated, “The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt.”

India and Egypt have “warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties”, as per the MEA statement.

The ties between the two nations are based on shared cultural values, commitment to strengthening economic growth, and cooperation in various sectors, including defense, security, and convergence on regional and global issues. (ANI)

Read more: http://13.232.95.176/

President Murmu at Uttarakhand

President Murmu performs rudrabhishek at Uttarakhand Raj Bhavan temple

President Droupadi Murmu, on the second day of her two-day visit to Uttarakhand, on Friday, performed a “rudrabhishek” at the Raj Pragyeshwar Mahadev Temple inside the Raj Bhavan here.

She also inaugurated the Nakshatra Vatika at the governor’s official residence.
Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.), his wife Gurmeet Kaur, along with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were also present.

President Murmu on Friday is scheduled to address the valedictory function of the 97th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.

She will also attend the annual convocation ceremony of Doon University here in the state capital during the day.

On Thursday, after reaching the hill state, the President praised Uttarakhand for its immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’.

She attended a civic reception hosted in her honour by the State Government here on Thursday evening.

President Murmu also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport, on the occasion.

Chief Minister Dhami presented a shawl made from Kandali fibre to the President. She was also presented with a memento made of a mixture of Uttarakhand’s folk art style Thape and Aipan.

Addressing a gathering, the President said that the contribution of the land and the people of Uttarakhand to Mother India are immense.

“Uttarakhand is the source of many rivers that have irrigated and developed a large part of India. The Himalayas and Uttarakhand are embedded in the hearts and souls of Indians. Our sages have been taking shelter in the caves and caverns of the Himalayas in search of knowledge. This state has been a source of wellness, both in terms of spiritual peace and physical healing,” she said.

“The state has immense possibilities for ‘nature tourism’, ‘adventure tourism’ as well as ‘medical tourism’,” she said.

Remembering the contributions of brave soldiers of Uttarakhand in India’s defence, the President said that on behalf of the people of India, she would express her gratitude to the brave sons of Uttarakhand.

“The entire Himalayan land, including Uttarakhand, has been the centre of Shakti worship since time immemorial. A part of the same dignity and strength is found in the life stories of brave-woman like Rani Karnavati, forest conservators like Gaura Devi and like Bachendri Pal, the first woman to hoist the tricolour on Mount Everest,” said the President.

She was happy to note that the young daughters of Uttarakhand are also moving forward on the path of progress.

The President said that we are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is our duty to remember the known and unknown freedom fighters. She recalled the contributions of Bishni Devi Shah, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, Dev Suman, Kesari Chand, Indramani Badoni and Govind Ballabh Pant.

She said that efforts should be made to acquaint the young generation of the entire country with the contribution of these personalities of Uttarakhand.

In the context of the younger generation, the President mentioned Lakshya Sen, who was conferred with the Arjuna Award and said that the 21-year-old Sen sets an ideal for the youth of the entire nation to aim towards achieving excellence in their respective fields.

The President said that she was happy to lay the foundation stones and inaugurate various projects related to healthcare, power generation and supply, technical education and transport.

She also appreciated the people of Uttarakhand and said that the hardworking and talented residents of the state have contributed significantly to its developmental journey. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/