Tag Archives: Bharat First

INTERNATIONAL: ASIAN REGION – RECORD: Srinagar’s ‘Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden’ enters World Book of Records as Asia’s Largest, adorned with the splendour of over 1.5 million Tulip bulbs

The Commissioner Secretary of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, received the certification from the President and CEO of the World Book of Records (London).

The people of Kashmir are rejoicing as the renowned Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden secures a distinguished position in the esteemed World Book of Records (London).

Nestled amidst the picturesque foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range, this accolade recognizes the garden’s status as Asia’s largest tulip haven, adorned with an awe-inspiring array of 1.5 million tulip bulbs showcasing an astonishing collection of 68 distinct tulip varieties.

Echoing the sentiments of the locals, it’s widely believed that Kashmir holds immense untapped potential. The region’s natural beauty and the magnificence of the tulip garden have once again put it in the spotlight.

In a formal ceremony hosted at the Tulip Garden, the Commissioner Secretary of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, received the certification from the President and CEO of the World Book of Records (London), Santosh Shukla.

The event was graced by the presence of Dilip N Pandit, Editor of World Book of Records (London), the Director of Floriculture Kashmir, various officials, and dedicated gardening staff.

Commending this remarkable achievement, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team at the World Book of Records (London) for acknowledging the splendour of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.

He emphasized that this recognition stands as a monumental milestone, not only enhancing the reputation of Srinagar’s floral treasure but also contributing to the local economy’s growth within the tranquil valleys of Kashmir.

The Commissioner Secretary remarked that the inclusion in the World Book of Records signifies not just the blossoming gem of Srinagar, but also celebrates the enchanting bond between humanity and nature, a sentiment cherished deeply in the hearts of Kashmir’s inhabitants.

Santosh Shukla, President and CEO of the World Book of Records, extended his warmest congratulations to the Central Working Committee of the organization for this exceptional achievement.

He underlined that this recognition underscores the unparalleled beauty and magnificence of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, positioning it as an emblem of both natural splendor and human creativity.

Affectionately known for its breathtaking vistas, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden boasts not only a splendid array of tulips but also provides sanctuary to an array of other flower species.

Delicate Daffodils, fragrant Hyacinths, resplendent Roses, charming Ranunculi, vibrant Muscaria, and enchanting Iris blooms flourish alongside the iconic tulips, weaving an enchanting tapestry of colours and fragrances that captivates visitors.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ARMS MANUFACTURING: India’s State-owned Defence Co., AWEIL launches ‘Prabal’ 1st long-range Revolver; makes it accessible for civilians

The swing revolver —Prabal — is capable of firing up to 50 metres and will be made available for arms dealers and civilians with a valid licence.

Amid growing incidents of gun violence in recent years, India’s state-owned defence company has launched the country’s first long-range swing revolver ‘Prabal’ for civilians and arms dealers.

Manufactured by the state-owned enterprise Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (AWEIL) based in Kanpur, the Prabal revolver boasts of a firing range of up to 50 metres, which the company claims is “twice the range of other revolvers.”

The single and double-action ‘Prabal’ revolver weighs 675 grams (excluding cartridges). It has a chrome-platted barrel length of 76 mm and an overall length of 187.7 mm.

AWEIL’s officiating director Rajiv Sharma said the .32-bore revolver is capable of accurately hitting targets up to 50 metres away. “This range is more than double that of other revolvers currently in production, establishing Prabal as a frontrunner in the field of long-range handguns,” he added.

“The feature that sets Prabal apart from its counterparts is the incorporation of a side swing out cylinder. This innovative design element eliminates the need to fold the firearm for cartridge insertion, simplifying the reloading process and enhancing user convenience,” he said.

What does India’s gun law say and who can own firearms?

The gun control laws in India are among the most stringent legislations in the world.  According to the Arms Act of 1959, the possession, sale, manufacture and export of firearms without a valid license is outlawed and is punishable with a fine and jail term. 

Under the Arms Act, firearms are classified into two categories — Prohibited Bore (PB) and Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) firearms. PB weapons comprise of fully and semi-automatic firearms and other specified types of firearms that are issued only by the Centre for certain groups of people, while NPB weapons are firearms issued by the government for civilians.

Only, defence officers, high-ranking government officials and select shooters can hold PB weapons while civilians are only granted a licence to hold NPB weapons. According to the Arms Act, a maximum of two firearms can be issued per license.

In order to hold a firearm in India, the individual applying for a license must be a citizen of this country and must be a minimum of 21 years of age. Guns can only be utilized for three purposes —  sports, crop protection and self-defence.

For a self-defence license, an individual must provide proof of a threat to life. However, this can also be cited with respect to protection from wild animals in certain cases. The individual must also detail a record of their criminal behaviour (if any) as the law prohibits gun ownership for civilians sentenced to imprisonment on charges of violence for five years.

Upon submitting the application, police will take two months to perform background checks, assess the individual’s mental health and criminal history. They will also evaluate any threats claimed and the individual’s competence to handle firearms. 

Amid a spate of gun-firing incidents

The revolver’s launch comes at a time when India continues to witness a surge in civilian-triggered gun violence and deaths.

From the killing of an Imam during the recent communal clashes in Haryana’s Nuh and Gurugram to the gunning down of a journalist in Bihar’s Aria district last week, gun violence continues to be a growing problem in India. 

On August 17, two people were killed and six others were injured when a person who works as a bank security guard opened fire on them from his double-barrel gun after an altercation over pet dogs in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city.

In the past week, India’s top court had expressed concern over multiple incidents of gun violence across courts in Delhi and called the situation “appalling.”

However, gun violence is not restricted to civilians as well. 

An RPF constable gunned down his senior officer and three Muslim passengers on a Jaipur-bound train near Maharashtra’s Palghar station on July 31. While officials claim the motive behind the crime is not clear, the constable has a past history of harassing minority community members.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIA’S GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY TIE-UPS: Trinidad and Tobago becomes latest Country to Sign up for IndiaStack Tech Package

The Caribbean nation joins the list of others such as Papua New Guinea, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia to tap India’s home-grown technologies such as UPI to advance their own digitization. 

Trinidad and Tobago has become the latest country to sign for IndiaStack — a set of technologies such as UPI — to help with the digital transformation of the Caribbean nation. 

These set of technologies were developed to solve India’s problems while progressing towards a presence-less, paperless, and cashless society.

Having been successfully deployed in India, the country is keen on exporting low-cost technology to other developing nations. 

A similar MoU was signed with Papua New Guinea also last month, showcasing the growing interest and acceptance of the initiative on a global scale.

Since June 2023, India has already signed technology export agreements with Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda.

In addition, UPI, which is also a part of India Stack, has been exported to France, UAE, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

The government said it is in advanced discussions with several other countries such as Mauritius and Saudi Arabia for finalizing cooperation on IndiaStack.

Under the latest agreement, India and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to conduct capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions, etc.

This collaboration comes after Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator Mr Hassel Bacchus, in August last week.

During the meeting, they discussed mutual cooperation in the fields of IT, emerging technologies, and the India stack.

The Indian government is keen to export the technologies across the globe, especially to “those that have been left behind in their digitalisation efforts”.

“With the help of India Stack, these countries can climb up the digitalisation ladder rapidly and transform their economies and governance,” the government said. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIA’s INDEPENDENCE DAY / AUGUST 15th, 1947 : 77th Independence Day 2023: Theme, History, Significance, celebrations and all you need to know about I-Day

India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Know the theme, history, significance and celebration of this day.

India is gearing up to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on August 15. In 2023, India will mark 76 years of freedom from British colonial rule – a significant milestone for the country. Independence Day is celebrated with pomp across the nation and Indians around the globe. It is a reminder of the struggles that won us our liberation from the British Raj after nearly two centuries, the sacrifices made by the leaders, the freedom fighters who laid their lives to win Independence, and more. As we near the date, here’s all you need to know about this year’s theme, history, significance, and celebrations.

Independence Day 2023 Theme:

This year, the theme for Independence Day is “Nation First, Always First”. All Independence Day programmes and events will be based on this theme.

Independence Day 2023 History and Significance:

Led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Independence movement began with World War I. On July 4, 1947, the Indian Independence Bill was introduced in the British House of Commons and was passed within a fortnight. On August 15, 1947, India marked its Independence as the 200-year-old British rule came to an end. Many leaders played a prominent role in the Indian freedom struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, and many more.

Independence Day is a reminder of the many sacrifices and struggles made by the Indian freedom fighters to help the country achieve its freedom from the British Raj and why we should honour this Independence. The day also invokes feelings of patriotism for the nation and the willingness to serve the country and lead it to prosperity. It also creates a sense of unity and duty among citizens.

Independence Day 2023 Celebrations:

Independence Day is marked as a national holiday in India. Every year, the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at Delhi’s Red Fort and addresses the nation, followed by a military parade. On August 15, 1947, the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi. Every Prime Minister has followed that tradition ever since.

People celebrate Independence Day by organising cultural activities in school, colleges and their workplaces, adorning these places in tricolour-ornaments and decorations, wearing triclolur-themed clothes , watching patriotic movies, listening to songs related to India’s history and freedom struggle, and more.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CRAFTS / MUSIC / RECORDS : 3-time Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej releases ‘Indian National Anthem Rendition with the Largest 100-piece British Orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in London, UK’

Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.

On the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej on Monday released a rendition of the country’s National Anthem recorded with the largest orchestra ever at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.

The recording of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ features a 100-piece British orchestra from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and was recorded a few days ago in time for India’s Independence Day on Tuesday.

Kej and the Indian mission in London called on members of the diaspora to share the one-minute-long video as they mark the milestone.

“A few days ago, I conducted a 100-piece British orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to perform India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London,” Kej tweeted.

“This is the largest orchestra ever to record India’s National Anthem, and it is spectacular! The ‘Jaya He’ at the end gave me goosebumps. Felt great as an Indian composer. I am sharing this historic recording with every one of you this Independence Day – use it, share it, watch it, but with respect. It is yours now. Jai Hind,” he said.

The RPO is recognised as the UK’s “most in-demand” orchestra, founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946 – a year before India’s independence.

Its stated mission is to place orchestral music at the heart of contemporary society and, through collaboration with creative partners, foster deeper engagement with communities to ensure that live orchestral music is accessible to as inclusive and diverse an audience as possible.

“Ricky Kej, three-time Grammy Award winner, always innovative, always at the cutting edge of doing something new in the world of music. This year, we congratulate and thank Ricky for putting together a unique project – celebrating India on its Independence Day with a recording and a performance of India’s National Anthem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London; the largest-ever orchestra to record the Indian National Anthem and put out as a tribute to India,” said Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.

The High Commission in London will mark the occasion with a customary flag-hoisting ceremony and its own rendition of the National Anthem on Tuesday morning.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIOAL – ASIA: SPORTS / FIELD HOCKEY: India Secures 4-3 Victory over Malaysia to Clinch Asian Champions Trophy for the 4th time.

Jugraj Singh (9th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th) and Akashdeep Singh (56th) were the goal scores for India.

  India fought back from two goals down to eke out a 4-3 win over a spirited Malaysia in a thrilling final to claim their fourth Asian Champions Trophy title at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday.

Jugraj Singh (9th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th) and Akashdeep Singh (56th) were the goal scores for India.

For Malaysia, Abu Kamal Azrai (14th), Razie Rahim (18th) and Muhamad Aminudin (28th) found the back of the net.

It is India’s record fourth title, making it the most successful team in the event.

India had earlier thrashed Malaysia 5-0 in the round-robin league stage.

Malaysia were aggressive in the first half as the Indians found it difficult to restrict their opponents.

India converted their first penalty in the ninth minute with Jugraj scoring with a fierce flick to the right of the Malaysian goalie. The Indians got into their groove as the match progressed and played full-press hockey after a sluggish start. But Malaysia didn’t sit back and continued to test the Indian defence.

Their efforts bore fruit in the 14th minute when Azari found the back of the net after being fed by Azuan Hasan from the right flank. Seconds from the first quarter, India secured back-to-back penalty corners but wasted both the chances.

Malaysia kept up the tempo in the second quarter and earned consecutive penalty corners in the 18th minute, the second of which was converted by Rahim as the ball went in after getting a deflection from rusher Amit Rohidas’ stick.

Malaysia secured a penalty corner for an unnecessary stick check by Jugraj in the 23rd minute but the effort went wide.

Malaysia got another penalty corner in the 28th minute and this time Aminudin made no mistake to hand his side a 3-1 lead at half-time.

A couple of minutes after the the change of ends, India earned a penalty corner but failed to utilise the opportunity. The home team asked for a referral for another set piece, which was turned down by the TV referee. India worked well to win another penalty corner in the 36th, but Jugraj shot wide.

Sensing urgency, India switched to possession-based play. But the Malaysian defenders did well to intercept at the right time and keep the Indian attackers at bay.

Malaysia earned another penalty corner in the 43rd minute but India defended stoutly.

The Indians turned the match on its head in a span of a minute, pumping in two goals to level the scores 3-3.

While India skipper Harmanpreet scored from a penalty stroke in the 45th minute, seconds later Gurjant found the back of the net from field play to make the scoreline 3-3.

India secured a penalty corner six minutes from the final hooter, but Harmanpreet’s flick was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.

India kept up the pressure and earned another penalty corner soon, but Harmanpreet’s effort went wide.

Akashdeep scored the winner for India with a slap stick from top of the ‘D’ after receiving a pass from Mandeep Singh.

The Indians pressed hard in the final few minutes of the match, drawing two fine saves from the Malaysian goalkeeper.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: RIVERS OF INDIA / SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IIT(ISM) in Dhanbad develops ‘Online Real-Time River Health Monitoring System’

Based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, IRHIS is the result of a joint effort by departments of environmental science and engineering at the IIT(ISM).

The IIT(ISM) in Dhanbad has developed an online real-time river health monitoring system called the Integrated River Health Investigation System (IRHIS) that can send early signals on flooding and pollution.

Based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, IRHIS is the result of a joint effort by the departments of environmental science and engineering at the IIT(ISM).

“The system developed by faculty member S.K. Gupta in association with his research scholar Sujoy Gupta in 2021-23 is inbuilt with safety alarms and video cameras to facilitate early signals to the decision makers against flooding, theft, and critical pollution locations,” said IIT(ISM) dean (media and branding) Rajni Singh.

Singh said the system was demonstrated last week during a mega exhibition of the Union ministry of education held on the occasion of the third anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the second edition of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam in New Delhi.

“The event was held from July 29-30 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi and only deep-tech and high-impact innovations were selected for demonstration,” Singh added.

“IRHIS is one of the most advanced AI and IoT-based online real-time river health monitoring systems developed to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-6) keeping in view its vital application in the Namami Gange mission,” Gupta said.

He said IRHIS, which is equipped with advanced sensors, can help in real-time monitoring of the discharge of any toxic material in the river.

“The patent for the system has already been published,” Gupta added.

On the selection of his system for demonstration at the exhibition, Gupta said: “The education ministry’s innovation cell and the All India Council for Technical Education selected 150 Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7) or above early-stage startups, edutech growth stage startups, innovations and institutions to demonstrate their contributions towards achieving the overall goal as envisioned under NEP 2020.”

“The collaboration with the Telecom startups-MSMEs Mission, SRI, DoT and the ministry of communications is in progress for its implementation in rural development, river monitoring and industrial surveillance,” Gupta added.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: PHARMACEUTICALS: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT: India has started Manufacturing 38 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in past 18 months that were previously being Import Reliant: Mandaviya

Mansukh Mandaviya said that the impetus for a self-reliant strategy came in the aftermath of the 2017 border conflict with China in Doklam.

Over the past eighteen months, India has commenced the production of 38 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that were previously reliant on imports, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

Speaking at the inaugural Healthcare Summit hosted by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Mandaviya said this stride towards self-sufficiency was made possible through the implementation of the production-linked incentive (PLI) initiative within the pharmaceutical sector.

Mandaviya said that the impetus for a self-reliant strategy came in the aftermath of the 2017 border conflict with China in Doklam. This in turn prompted India to reassess its dependence on a single source for 95% of APIs used in the formulation industry, he added.

“In our efforts through the PLI scheme, we tried to eliminate the need for importing 54 APIs from foreign sources and instead promote domestic production for our formulation industry. Today, I’m pleased to announce that within just a year and a half, India has successfully initiated the manufacturing of 38 APIs, illustrating a prime instance of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the Union health minister said.

The government’s commitment to fostering self-reliance is evident in its allocation of a substantial ₹15,000 crore budget for the pharmaceutical sector under the PLI scheme, according to Mandaviya.

Mandaviya further underscored the Centre’s core objective of enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability in rural areas.

An essential stride in this direction has been the significant expansion of medical education, with the number of MBBS seats surging from 52,000 to 1,07,000 over the past nine years, he said. Additionally, the government has approved the establishment of 54 new medical colleges, reflecting a dedicated effort to address the shortage of medical professionals, added Mandaviya.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic instigated a comprehensive reevaluation of healthcare strategies, inspiring a fresh approach to planning, redevelopment, and innovation in the sector, said the Union health minister.

He emphasized that India is brimming with intellectual and human resources, and the key lies in recognising the aspirations of its youth and creating avenues for their fulfilment.

The Healthcare Summit, organised by the Centre of Management of Health Services (CMHS) and IIMA Healthcare Alumni Special Interest Group (SIG), showcased two tracks dedicated to pivotal aspects of healthcare innovation.

The summit featured two tracks, each focused on a crucial aspect of healthcare innovation, with panel discussions and competition for healthcare start-ups.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: EDUCATION: Government launches ‘Study in India’ Portal to attract Foreign Students

Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly launched the portal in Delhi on Thursday, in the presence of ambassadors of over 10 countries.

The government on Thursday launched the Study In India (SII) portal to offer a one-stop solution for student registrations and visa applications, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of establishing India as a global education hub. Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar jointly launched the portal in Delhi on Thursday, in the presence of ambassadors of over 10 countries.

While addressing the gathering, Jaishankar said that the portal would help the country establish a strong international footprint in the education sphere. “The integrated approach of the portal enables user-friendly application processes for international students from registration to visa approval. This simplifies their entire journey, facilitating the choice of desired courses and receiving offers from relevant institutions,” he said.

Pradhan said that the portal is guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “With PM Modi’s vision of making education transcend geopolitical boundaries, the SII portal is going to be a pivotal step,” he said.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SPORT / SKATING / RECORDS: 18-year-Female Teen Super Skater, holder of several Guinness World Records Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma shatters ‘Limbo Speed Skating Record’

This isn’t the first time that Shrishti has broken a record. She has been doing so since 2015 when she was just 11 years old.

Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma, an 18-year-old super skater from India, has broken her own record for the ‘fastest time to limbo skate over 50 metres’. Shattering her previous record of 7.38 seconds in 2021, she has now achieved this feat in just 6.94 seconds.

Notably, in the sport, a person drives on roller skates underneath an obstacle like a horizontal pole without any form of touch.

According to Guinness World Records’ official website, Shrishti limbo skated under 51 horizontal bars which were placed just 30 cm or 12 inches above the ground – without touching or dislodging any of them.

Additionally, neither her hands nor arms were permitted to touch the floor at any point during the attempt, so she held her legs for the entire duration whilst maintaining the splits position,” it mentioned.

This isn’t the first time that Shrishti has broken a record. She has been doing so since 2015 when she was just 11 years old, noted the website.

As an avid campaigner for the ‘Save a Girl Child’ humanitarian project, she uses her record attempts to promote the organisation. “Every citizen of civilised society should be made aware of the fact that a girl child is as important as a boy child,” she said.

Notably, the first Guinness World Records title Shrishti achieved as an 11-year-old was the ‘lowest limbo skating over 25 metres’. She managed to successfully skate underneath 25 bars placed at a height of 17 cm. To date, no one has been able to break this record, Guinness World Records shared.

Later in 2017, Shrishti elevated the difficulty level and took her talents to an ice rink, achieving the record for the ‘lowest limbo ice skating over 10 metres’ at a height of 17.78 cm. This record, too, hasn’t been toppled to date.

“As Shrishti grew older in age, her body naturally grew bigger in size, meaning it became harder for her to set new records for low limbo skating. However, she didn’t let this stop her from breaking records, and in 2020, she turned her attention to limbo speed skating ,” the website mentioned.

The teen decided to attempt to break the record for the ‘fastest time to limbo skate under 10 bars’. “In 2020, Shrishti successfully broke the record, becoming the first person to break the 2-second barrier, with a time of 1.72 seconds. Amazingly, in 2021, she again broke her record with a time of 1.69 seconds,” it added.

With her latest record, Shrishti has cemented herself as the “queen of limbo skating”.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)