Tag - India

“Demand for items made in India is increasing all over the world,” says PM Modi in Mann ki Baat

On Sunday Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and this is his first radio programme after winning assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

PM Modi lauded the export figures of India and said that last week India had the export target of $ 400 billion, i.e. 30 lakh crore rupees.

Talking about the potential of India he said that at one time the export figures of India used to be 100 billion, at times 150 billion, and sometimes 200 billion but it’s 400 billion.

“In a way, this means that the demand for items made in India is increasing all over the world; the other meaning is that the supply chain of India is getting stronger by the day… and it also has a very big message. The nation takes great strides when resolves are bigger than dreams. When there is a sincere effort day and night for the resolves, those resolutions also attain fruition… and you see, the same happens in a person’s life as well. When one’s resolve, one’s efforts, become bigger than one’s dreams, success comes to the person on its own,” said PM Modi.

PM said that ever new products from all corners of the country are reaching foreign shores.

“Leather products from Hailakandi in Assam or handloom products from Osmanabad, fruits and vegetables from Bijapur or black rice from Chandauli, the exports of all of these are increasing. Now, you will also find the world famous apricot of Ladakh in Dubai too and in Saudi Arabia, you will find bananas shipped from Tamil Nadu,” he said.

He also emphasized how an array of new products are being sent to ever newer countries.

“For example, the first consignment of millets grown in Himachal and Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark. Bainganapalli and Subarnarekha mangoes from Krishna and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh were exported to South Korea. Fresh jackfruits from Tripura were exported to London by air and for the first time King Chilli from Nagaland was dispatched to London. Similarly, the first consignment of Bhalia wheat was exported from Gujarat to Kenya and Sri Lanka,” said PM Modi.

He also spoke about the potential of India and said that the basis of its strength are our farmers, artisans, our weavers, engineers, our small entrepreneurs, the MSME sector; people from many different professions.

He said that small entrepreneurs are playing a major partnership role in government procurement through Government e-Market place i.e. GeM.

During the last one year through the GeM portal, the government has purchased items worth more than one lakh crore rupees. Close to 1.25 lakh small entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers from every corner of the country have sold their goods directly to the government.

PM Modi said, “There was a time when only big companies could sell goods to the government. However, the country is changing now; the old systems are also changing. Now even the smallest of shopkeepers can sell one’s goods to the government on the GeM Portal – this is the New India.”

India And UK Conclude Second Round Of Talks For Free Trade Agreement

On Thursday 17 March 2022, the Republic of India and the United Kingdom concluded the second round of talks for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

A delegation of Indian officials undertook technical talks in London. The negotiations were conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some negotiators in a dedicated UK negotiations facility, and others attending virtually.

For this round of negotiations, draft treaty text was shared and discussed across most chapters that will make up the agreement.  Technical experts from both sides came together for discussions in 64 separate sessions covering 26 policy areas.

The third round of negotiations is due to be hosted by India in April 2022.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates BRO website to promote tourism in border areas

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Tourism portal in New Delhi on Thursday, March 24. The website aims to facilitate e-booking of guided tours to the road infrastructure projects constructed by the BRO.

The website contains photos and video galleries of tourist destinations and local flora & fauna, besides providing information about the BRO, the nature of works it has executed in border states and the challenges faced.

In the initial phase, only e-Booking for a guided tour to Atal Tunnel, Rohtang will be available through the portal. Soon, infrastructure projects in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh etc. will be included for guided tours. The world’s highest motorable road at Umling La Pass, state-of-the-art bi-lane Sela Tunnel and Nechiphu Tunnel are among the projects which will be included.

During the inauguration, the first ticket from the website was presented to the Raksha Mantri by Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry.

Rajnath Singh, in his address, appreciated the efforts of the BRO in developing the portal and exuded confidence that the website will go a long way in boosting tourism in far-flung areas.

He made special mention of the setting up of BRO Cafes at 75 places in far-flung areas, expressing confidence that these cafes will provide basic amenities to the travellers, promote tourism in remote areas and strengthen the local economy. He also praised the BRO for constructing more than 60,000 kilometres of roads, 850 major bridges, 19 airstrips and four tunnels over the last six decades, thereby playing a vital role in nation building through infrastructure development in remote and inaccessible areas.

Pointing out the willingness of people, especially the youth, to connect with the subjects related to defence, Rajnath Singh urged the officials of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to devise a plan to promote defence tourism.

Nepal adopts India’s UPI for digital transactions

A government periodical ‘New India Samachar’ in its latest edition said Nepal has adopted the unified payment interface developed by India for digital transactions. Earlier this year, Bhutan also launched a BHIM-UPI based payment system.

“Many countries praised the CoWin app, which was created for vaccination during the first Covid period, and Nepal has now adopted India’s UPI (Unified Payment Interface) for digital transactions. It will bolster interoperable real-time person-to-person (P2P) and person to-merchant (P2M) transactions. As a result of this, the people of Nepal will benefit from the best facility for easy digital payments,” read the article written in New India Samachar.

According to official data provided by the National Payments Corporation of India, Bharat Interface for Money-Unified Payments Interface (BHIM-UPI) has achieved a record of 4,527.9 million digital payment transactions with the value of Rs 8,26,843 crore till February 28, 2022.

India rejects OIC resolutions; says Pakistan its manipulator

On Thursday India responded to the statements and resolutions adopted in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Pakistan.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the statements and resolutions adopted at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting “demonstrate both the irrelevance of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as a body and role of Pakistan as its manipulator.”

Arindam Bagchi further said that the references that have been made to India are based on falsehoods and misrepresentation.

“References have been made to India that are based on falsehoods and misrepresentation. The absurdity of this body commenting on the treatment of minorities, that too at the instance of a serial violator of human rights like Pakistan, is so evident,” Bagchi said in a statement.

The spokesperson added that the governments who associate themselves with such exercise should realise how it impacts their reputation.

“Nations and Governments that associate themselves with such exercises should realise the impact it has on their reputation,” said Bagchi.

India slams China’s foreign minister Wang Yi on his Kashmir comments at OIC

India has reacted sharply to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at a recent session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that Jammu & Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India and China has no locus standi to comment on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We reject the uncalled reference to India by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his speech at the Opening Ceremony. Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues,” said Arindam Baghchi.

The strong response from India came after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his speech at the OIC meeting, said, “On the Kashmir issue, we have heard the voices of many Islamic friends again today and China has the same desire for this.”

Yi’s remarks on Kashmir were in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s keynote address at the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC at the Parliament House.

Former Chief Justice of India RC Lahoti passes away at 81; PM Modi, Law Minister Rijiju condole demise

On Wednesday evening the former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ramesh Chandra Lahoti died at a hospital in Delhi. The former CJI was 81 years old.

Justice Lahoti was appointed as the 35th chief justice of India on June 1, 2004. He retired on November 1, 2005.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the sudden death of CJI Ramesh Chandra Lahoti. PM Modi said that CJI Ramesh Chandra Lahoti will be remembered for his remarkable contributions to the judiciary.

“Anguished by the passing away of former CJI Shri RC Lahoti Ji. He will be remembered for his contributions to the judiciary and emphasis on ensuring speedy justice to the underprivileged. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti,” tweeted PM Modi.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju condoled the death of Chief Justice Lahoti and said that he reached the highest position of judiciary because of his ability, knowledge and wisdom.

“Saddened to hear the passing away of Shri RC Lahoti, former Chief Justice of India. He rose from a humble background and reached the highest position of our country’s judiciary because of his ability, knowledge and wisdom. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family,” tweeted Kiren Rijiju.

India, 12 others abstain in UNSC on vote on Russia’s draft resolution on Ukraine

India, along with 12 other UN Security Council members, abstained on a resolution tabled by Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Syria joined the Russian Federation in submitting the text.

The draft resolution was defeated by a vote of 2 in favour to none against, with 13 abstentions, it would have needed nine votes in favour with no veto to pass.

Russia and China voted in favour of the resolution while India and the remaining Security Council members abstained.

The draft resolution by Russia demanded civilian protection in Ukraine and called for unhindered access for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

It was the Council’s third vote since 24 February and India abstained all of them. Twice in the Security Council and once in the General Assembly on resolutions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

After the vote on the resolution, other council members made statements, however, India did not.

United States said Russia is using the Council to provide cover for its brutal actions.  It is “unconscionable” that Russia has the audacity to submit a draft resolution requesting that the international community resolve a humanitarian crisis that Russia alone created.

Explaining that the United States will abstain from voting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said:  “To state the obvious, Russia does not care about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and the millions of lives and dreams the war has shattered. Russia is the aggressor, the attacker, the invader, the sole party in Ukraine engaged in a campaign of brutality against the people of Ukraine.”

Shaheed Diwas: PM Modi pays tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev on Martyr’s Day

On Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on Shaheed Diwas.

The PM took to Twitter and wrote in Hindi which roughly translates into, “Tributes to the immortal sons of Mother India, Veer Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on Martyrs’ Day. His passion to die for the motherland will always inspire the countrymen. Long live India!”

Home Minister Amit Shah said the patriotism and devotion of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru instilled the spirit of independence in the people.

“Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru are such strong pillars of the Indian independence movement, whose patriotism and devotion to the motherland not only instilled the spirit of independence in the people against the atrocities of foreign rule, but their sacrifices still serve the nation to every Indian,” Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi.

AAP president and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also paid tributes to the trio and said that every countryman will always be indebted to the sacrifice of these heroes.

“On the martyrdom day of martyr Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, the immortal icons of the country’s freedom movement, I bow to them. Every countryman will always be indebted to the immortal sacrifice of these heroes of the country,” Arvind Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Union Cabinet approves MSP of Raw Jute for 2022-23 season; Rs 250 higher over previous year

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for 2022-23 season. The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

The MSP of Raw Jute (TDN3 equivalent to TD5 grade) has been fixed at Rs.4750 per quintal for 2022-23 season with an increase of Rs.250 over the previous year.

This would ensure a return of 60.53 percent over all India weighted average cost of production.

The announced MSP of raw jute for 2022-23 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.

The government said that it assures a minimum of 50 percent as margin of profit. It is one of the important and progressive steps towards ensuring better remunerative returns to the jute growers and to incentivize quality jute fibre.

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will continue as Central Government Nodal Agency to undertake Price Support Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in such operations, will be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.