Category Archives: World Opinion

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE: Kiran Nadar Conferred with France’s Highest Civilian Award, the “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”

Ms. Nadar, chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art has played a vital role in advancing Indo-French cultural ties, and artistic cooperation.

Philanthropist and art collector Kiran Nadar was recently conferred “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain.

The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Ms. Nadar’s outstanding contribution in the field of art, her commitment to providing greater access to culture both nationally and internationally, and her leading role in fostering Indo-French cultural ties.

Ms. Nadar, chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) — a philanthropic initiative in art — and a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation has played a vital role in advancing Indo-French cultural ties, and artistic cooperation.

“It is an absolute privilege for me to be conferred ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur’ and I am deeply grateful to the French Government for this great honour.

“KNMA has a longstanding relationship with France in the cultural space. Our partnership with France has been instrumental in bringing together diverse perspectives and promoting cultural exchange,” said Ms. Nadar in a statement.

In 2022, KNMA joined hands with Alkazi Foundation, and the French Institute in India to create “Converges”, the largest exhibition of original pictures from French photographers ever shown in India.

This exhibition was brought to India as part of “Bonjour India 2022”, a six-month cultural festival organised by France across India as a present for India’s 75th Independence anniversary.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE: World’s Tallest Pier Railway Bridge to be part of Jiribam-Imphal railway project

The world’s tallest pier railway bridge, with a height of 141 metres, is being constructed as part of the Jiribam-Imphal railway project.

The world’s tallest pier railway bridge, with a height of 141 metres, is being constructed as part of the Jiribam-Imphal railway project which has already achieved physical progress of 93.30 per cent, officials said on Sunday.

With the completion of the 111-km-long Jiribam-Imphal railway project by December this year, Manipur capital would come onto the Indian Railways network, making Imphal the fourth capital city in the northeastern region to have a rail link.

Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De said that the Rs 14,322 crore project is one of the crucial connectivity projects for the northeastern region and it is at an advanced stage of completion.

He said that construction of the railway project involves multiple tunnels and bridges in tough terrain with the total length of tunnels in this project being 61.32 km, out of which 59.11 km of tunneling work has already been completed.

The project would have total 11 major bridges and 137 minor bridges, out of which work for five major bridges and 101 minor bridges have been completed so far.

The section from Jiribam to Khongsang has already been commissioned earlier for train service.

After completion of the entire project, the present road journey time of about 10 hours to reach Imphal from Jiribam would be reduced to 2.5 hours by railways.

The NFR has been putting their full effort by working 24X7 for the completion of this project dealing with all the challenges including heavy rainfall and other logistic hindrances, De said.

The CPRO said that the Jiribam-Imphal rail project would provide enhanced connectivity to the people of Manipur, help grow small scale industries in the area and boost tourism of the state.

It would also help in receiving essential commodities faster by the state and help the state local producers to export their products outside the state faster.

The economy of the state would receive a boost, the official stated.

Assam’s main city of Guwahati (adjoining capital Dispur), Tripura capital Agartala and Arunachal Pradesh’s Naharlagun (adjacent to capital city Itanagar) are already on the railway network.

source/content: maritimegetaway.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: REGIONAL: SECURITY: India to host meeting of Security Advisers (NSA’s) from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Countries

Secretary of Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev will attend the meet chaired by NSA Ajit Doval.

India on Wednesday will host a meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of member-countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which will be attended among others by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev. The meeting will be chaired by NSA Ajit Kumar Doval and will be attended in person by several high-level delegates from the Central Asian Republics. Diplomatic sources have confirmed that China and Pakistan will participate in the meeting virtually.

Mr. Doval, who has emerged as one of the core negotiators between India and Russia in the backdrop of the Ukraine war, has engaged Mr. Patrushev multiple times over the last year since the beginning of the Russian campaign in February 2022. The meeting of the NSAs of the SCO member-countries is part of the preparatory meetings for the SCO summit that will be held in India this year.

Global spotlight

The visit of Mr. Patrushev acquires special significance as Russia’s participation in the SCO and the G20 has been in the global spotlight as it shows that western strategy to isolate Russia over the military action against Ukraine has not succeeded so far. Mr. Patrushev had hosted Mr. Doval in February this year when Moscow had held a meeting of the SCO countries on Afghanistan. The two had earlier met in August 2022 when Mr. Doval had visited Moscow for bilateral consultation. It is understood that Mr. Patrushev and Mr. Doval will meet for a bilateral discussion in Delhi. Russia has been assuring that military supplies from its end will not be disrupted because of the pressure on its arms industry from the war campaign in Ukraine and Mr. Patrushev’s presence will allow India a chance to evaluate the situation further.

Wednesday’s meeting is expected to take up the developments in Afghanistan and also help in advancing consultations on Russia’s plans for the Eurasian economic bloc. The SCO consists of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Iran is expected to become a full member of the SCO this year when India is serving as the Chair of the organisation. Apart from the presence of the Russian team, the presence of Pakistan in the SCO is a subject of interest. India has already extended invitation to Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to participate in the meetings of the Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of the SCO. Diplomatic sources have not confirmed so far on Pakistan’s participation in the events. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: WORLD BANK: Indian-American Ajay Banga poised to become World Bank Chief unopposed 

The World Bank on Wednesday closed a month-long window for nominations for its next president, with no alternatives announced to 63-year-old Banga.

Indian-American business leader Ajay Banga is poised to become the next President of the World Bank which has said he is the sole nominee for the post as no other candidates were nominated.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors will interview Banga before he is formally appointed.

In February, President Joe Biden announced that the US would be nominating Banga to lead the World Bank because he is “well equipped” to lead the global institution at “this critical moment in history.”

The World Bank on Wednesday closed a month-long window for nominations for its next president, with no alternatives announced to 63-year-old Banga.

Banga is the only application received for the position of president of the World Bank, the financial institution said on Thursday.

“The Board received one nomination and would like to announce that Mr Ajay Banga, a US national, will be considered for the position,” the bank said.

“In accordance with established procedures, the Board of Executive Directors will conduct a formal interview with the candidate in Washington D.C., and expect to conclude the Presidential selection in due course,” said a statement issued by the bank.

The bank has not announced the timing of the interview.

The former Mastercard Inc. chief, Banga currently serves as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic.

A new leader of the World Bank is expected to be chosen by early May.

Over the next few months, you will see the World Bank undergo an important transition.

We expect that Ajay Banga, President Biden’s nominee, will be elected President of the World Bank, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Wednesday.

“He will be charged with accelerating our progress to evolve the institution to better address 21st-century challenges. This evolution will help the Bank deliver on its vital poverty alleviation and development goals,” Yellen said.

If confirmed, Banga would become the first-ever Indian-American and Sikh-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions: the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Banga is expected to replace the current World Bank president David Malpass, who will step down in June, nearly a year before his term is scheduled to expire.

Malpass faced strong criticism over the bank’s commitment to climate action and over his personal views on climate change.

Last week, reports emerged that China sounded doubtful about backing Banga, saying it is “open” to supporting “other potential candidates” based on merit.

Banga, however, received overwhelming support from major countries across the world, including India.

Following Banga’s nomination, he has travelled to several countries for support.

A coalition of 55 advocates, academics, executives, luminaries, and former government officials — including four Nobel Laureates — wrote an open letter to welcome and support Banga’s nomination as the next President of the World Bank.

Raised in India, Banga has a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing developing countries and how the World Bank can deliver on its ambitious agenda to reduce poverty and expand prosperity, President Biden had said.

He has also worked closely with Vice President Harris as the Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016.

Banga is expected to take over the reins of the anti-poverty lender at a crucial time, with the US and Western nations pitching for reforms to focus on addressing a slew of wide-ranging global issues like climate change.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: SATELLITES & SPACE: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Successfully Launches 36 Satellites for UK-based OneWeb

This batch of 36 satellites by the UK-based OneWeb will be its 18th launch to date, its third this year and the second with ISRO.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Sunday successfully launched the second batch of 36 satellites for the UK-based OneWeb.

“We have lift off! Thanks to our colleagues at @isro and @NSIL_India for a successful launch. If you don’t already, make sure to follow us for more updates throughout the rest of the mission,” OneWeb tweeted at 9.04am on Sunday.

This batch of satellites by the UK-based company will be its 18th launch to date, its third this year and the second with ISRO. This will also complete the company’s first-generation LEO (low earth orbit) constellation, enabling the company to initiate global coverage in 2023.

HT on March 6 reported about ISRO’s plan to launch the second batch of OneWeb’s satellites on March 26.

On February 16, these 36 satellites reached India from the US for their launch. On March 15, the satellites were also encapsulated.

The communications satellites were launched by ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3). In October last year, the Indian space agency successfully launched the first set of 36 satellites by OneWeb from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking the rocket’s entry into the global commercial launch service market.

A week after that, ISRO successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 engine in the high-altitude test facility of its propulsion complex at Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri for 25 seconds for the second batch of satellites that are expected to be placed on low earth orbit.

After its first launch, OneWeb had said that its partnership with NSIL and ISRO demonstrated its commitment to provide connectivity across the length and breadth of India by 2023.

ISRO’s LVM3 rocket is capable of launching four-tonne class of satellites to geosynchronous transfer orbit. It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strapons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage. The OneWeb satellites will be placed in orbit at an altitude of 1,200km above the earth’s surface.

“This mission marks OneWeb’s second satellite deployment from India, highlighting the collaboration between the UK and Indian space industries. Across India, OneWeb will bring secured solutions not only to enterprises but also to towns, villages, municipalities and schools, including the hardest-to-reach areas across the country,” the company said last week.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: AVIATION: 67 Foreign Pilots Employed by Indian Airlines: Govt informs Parliament

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there are around 10,000 pilots including 67 foreign nationals employed with various airlines of India.

As many as 67 foreign pilots are employed by different Indian airlines, the government said on Thursday.

This development comes two days after the civil aviation ministry said there was a shortage of pilots forcing them to allow airlines to hire foreign pilots.

“According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there are around 10,000 pilots including 67 foreign nationals employed with various airlines of India,” Dr Gen VK Singh (Retd), minister of state (Mos) for civil aviation, stated in a written reply to Kanimozhi Karunanidhi of DMK.

According to industry projections, there may be a need for 1000 pilots per annum in India over the next five years, Singh said.

“The annual requirement of commercial pilots depends upon various factors such as financial health of an airline, airline expansion plan and growth in the aviation sector,” he added.

Singh stated that 15% of pilots in India are women which is almost three times the global average of 5%. He, however pointed out that currently, there is no special program in the government to encourage pilot training for women and backward classes including SC/STs.

“There are 35 DGCA approved flight training organisations (FTOs) in India operating at 53 bases,” he said.

He also said that data from the Indian scheduled airlines showed that a total of 244 pilots were recruited in 2021 and as on March 1 this year, a total of 15,896 regular officials are employed in Airports Authority of India (AAI) posted across various airports and stations.

In yet another response, Singh stated that the air traffic data for 2022-23 is estimated to be 12.3 million.

Meanwhile, civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal had, on Tuesday, stated that the demand of Boeing 777 aircraft pilots is such that for the first time, after years, the government is allowing Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA) pilots.

“Normally we don’t allow foreign pilots. But currently there is demand but there is no skilled competency available. I would go to the extent of saying that this demand has happened since the Air India privatisation took place a year ago. That is why, today we don’t have any Boeing 777 aircraft pilots available in the country and hence we are resorting to taking foreign pilots for a short time” he had said speaking in an aviation summit organised by CAPA India.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

HISTORY: March 23rd, 1944 : Japanese Cross into Assam

During operations in this area our troops made a small-scale attack near Palam on March 20 in which a few prisoners and some equipment were taken.

In their counter-offensive across the river Chindwin, the Japanese raiding columns have continued to move to the west in the wild and mountainous district of the Somra Hills tracts.

At one or two places they have crossed the frontier into Manipur State, states an Allied war communique. At some points they are in contact with our advanced patrols. In the Chin Hills area, part of our forces have moved north from their most advanced positions to deal with the Japanese outflanking movements north of Tiddim.

On the North Burma front, the Chinese 22nd Division continue their steady drive southward from the Hakawng Valley to the Mogaung Valley and forward elements are fighting along the road south of the highest point can me pass over Jambu Bum. One Japanese prisoner and two anti-tank guns were captured on Jambu Bum, says an Allied war communique.

During operations in this area our troops made a small-scale attack near Palam on March 20 in which a few prisoners and some equipment were taken. Further to the north our patrols have been active and have inflicted casualties on the enemy. An attack was made on one Japanese position in which the enemy were driven out.

In the Kaladan Valley there has been a quiet 24 hours.

Jap Attack Repulsed

On March 21, the Japanese made a comparatively heavy attack on our positions in the area of the tunnels on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung Road. This attack was repulsed and our positions remained intact. On the following night the enemy made two attacks on other positions further to the south which were beaten off.

To the south of Buthidaung our troops have captured a small hill feature.

Heavy and medium bombers of the Strategic Air Force, Eastern Air Command, on the night of March 21-22 attacked Prome and other targets in, South and Central Burma. The night before, heavy bombers attacked Martaban and Moulmein.

Dive-bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters of the Tactical Air Force, on March 21, attacked objectives in the Chin Hills, Chindwin Valley, Arakan Mayu and Kaladan areas. Main targets were enemy positions and communications.

Long-range fighters on March 20 and 21 maintained their offensive against communications. In one attack, locomotive and rolling stock exploded, while another locomotive’s boilers blew up and a third was badly damaged.

Escorted medium bombers have destroyed the Meza Road bridge and knocked out part of the railway bridge.

From all these operations no Allied aircraft is missing.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORDS: ARTS & CULTURE: President Biden presents National Humanities Medal to Indian-American Actress and Producer Mindy Kaling

President Biden said that Mindy Kaling empowers a new generation to tell their stories with irreverence and sincerity.

U.S. President Joe Biden has presented the prestigious 2021 National Humanities Medals to Indian-American actress and producer Mindly Kaling, with several others, in recognition of her giving voice to a new generation of storytellers, at a White House ceremony.

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award, given to artists, arts patrons, and groups by the U.S. government. It honours exemplary individuals and organisations that have advanced the arts in America and inspired others through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage.

Presenting the award to the actress on March 21, at the ceremony attended by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Second Gentlemen, Mr. Biden said that Mindy Kaling is the first woman of colour to create, write, and star in a primetime sitcom.

He added that the 43-year-old actress empowers a new generation to tell their stories with irreverence and sincerity.

“The daughter of Indian immigrants — we know about that, right? Our Vice President is a daughter of Indian immigrants — a mother who was a great scientist,” the U.S. President said.

“Above all, she is hardworking and an adoring mom, just like her own mom was. And, Mindy, we know your mom is always with you in your spirit. We know that,” Mr. Biden added.

“Imbued with humour and heart, Mindy Kaling’s work across television, film, and books inspires and delights, capturing and uplifting the experiences of women and girls across our nation,” the citation of Mindy’s award, read by a military aide later, said.

The award honours individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.

The 11 other distinguished medal recipients were Judith Francisca Baca, Fred Eychaner, Jose Feliciano, Gladys Knight, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Antonio Martorell-Cardona, Joan Shigekawa, Bruce Springsteen, Vera Wang, The Billie Holiday Theatre, and the International Association of Blacks in Dance.

Richard Blanco, Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Walter Isaacson, Earl Lewis, Henrietta Mann, Ann Patchett, Bryan Stevenson, Amy Tan, Tara Westover, Colson Whitehead and Native America Calling were the recipients of the National Humanities Medal.

thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: TELECOMMUNICATIONS: UN telecom body ‘The International Telecommunication Union'(ITU) Opens Area Office and Innovation Centre in New Delhi, India

The area office will work with local stakeholders and develop connectivity in South Asia, ITU’s secretary-general said.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) opened an area office and innovation centre in New Delhi on Wednesday. The facility will be funded by the Union government, and located within the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a government body for telecom research, the specialised agency of the United Nations said in a press release.

“Meaningful connectivity and innovation are tightly linked, and we will use our new presence in South Asia to expand the benefits of digital technology for everyone, everywhere,” ITU secretary-general Doreen Bogdan-Martin said in a statement.

The Host Country Agreement (HCA) to set up the area office, was signed in March 2022. A brief published by the ITU indicated that the office would work towards introducing advanced technologies, contributing to telecom development in South Asia, and promoting connectivity overall.

The innovation centre would be a test-bed for experimental technology and promote growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the ITU said.

At the launch event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the “6G Vision Statement”, a 34-page document, outlining some ideas for the next generation of telecommunications, even as telcos work to roll out 5G networks in more and more districts.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: SPORTS / TENNIS: India’s Rohan Bopanna becomes Oldest ATP Masters 1000 Champion after claiming ‘Indian Wells Doubles Title’ at 43

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

Indian Wells :

India’s Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden claimed the men’s doubles crown at the BNP Paribas Open here.

The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final on Saturday.

“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” said Bopanna, who was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final.

“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.

“It’s been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy.”

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I told him sorry I’m going to beat his record,” he joked.

“Winning the title, that stays with me, so really happy with that. ” It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017.

This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo.

He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.

The Indo-Australian pair stunned defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, while getting the better off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters.

Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.

A former World No.3, Bopanna jumped four places to No.11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.

source/content: newindianexpress.com / PTI (headline edited)