Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kozhikode, Kerala

 Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar reviewed steps taken for containment of Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, Kerala, from the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), in Pune today.

After undertaking the review, Dr Pawar stated that “the Govt of India under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and under the guidance of Hon’ble Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya is monitoring the situation and necessary steps for prevention of spread are being taken”.

Dr Pawar said that under the guidance of Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, high level teams from the Centre and ICMR-NIV with mobile units equipped with BSL-3 laboratories have already reached Kozhikode and will be doing on-ground testing.  She also declared that the affected gram panchayats in the Kozhikode area have been declared as quarantine zones. A multi-disciplinary team led by Dr Mala Chhabra has been deputed by Union Health Ministry to support the state in public health measures to deal with this outbreak.

The Union Minister assured that that the Union Health Ministry and the ICMR-NIV is monitoring the issue on a daily basis and all possible arrangements are being made by the central government to deal with the viral outbreak.

****

Election Commissioner of India, Shri Arun Goel visits Maldives to observe Presidential Elections 2023

 On the invitation of the Election Commission of Maldives, Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner is leading a three-member delegation to Maldives to observe the conduct of the Presidential Election, 2023.  The first round of the election was conducted on 9th September 2023.   There are eight candidates in the fray.   The election was held as per the Constitution of Maldives, 2008, Election (General) Act, 2008, Presidential Elections Act, 2008 and Presidential Elections Rules and Regulations, 2008.

Under the Election Laws of Maldives, the President is elected for a five-year term directly by the people by universal and secret suffrage.  The voting system for election of the President is a direct election through a majority vote with the first-past-the-post method. The winning candidate has to secure a minimum of 50 % of total votes polled in one or multiple rounds. The Election Commission of Maldives comprises of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and three other Commissioners.   The number of eligible electors for the Presidential Election is 2,82,395 (Male: 1,44,199 and Female: 1,38,196).  There are 574 ballot boxes (polling booths) and the maximum number of voters registered in a ballot box is 850.  Out of these boxes 8 have been set up overseas for the citizens of Maldives residing abroad.

The delegation led by Election Commissioner Mr.  Arun Goel included Mr. Ajay Bhadoo, Deputy Election Commissioner and Mr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary, visited 22 polling booths located in Male and Hulhumale and observed the polling process, the system and procedure of voter registration and identification, the arrangements of booths for polling and noted many initiatives taken by the EC of Maldives.   International Observers from other countries and organizations also participated in the election observation programme.

The counting of the votes was done on the same day i.e., 9th September 2023 and as per the result none of the candidates could get over 50% of votes.   According to their election laws, there will be a second round of elections on 30th September 2023 to be contested only by the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the first election.  

******

TRIBES INDIA PAVILION AT CRAFTS BAZAAR AT BHARAT MANDAPAM

 The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs is showcasing a wide range of traditional tribal art, artifacts, paintings, pottery, textiles, organic natural products and many more at the ‘Tribes India’ pavilion. The exhibition is being hosted at the Crafts Bazaar (Hall 3), as part of the G-20 Leaders' Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 9th and 10th September 2023.

Padmi Shri awardee Shri Paresh Rathwa, a renowned artist of Pithora art, would be present and giving live demonstration of the richness and ritualist art revered by Rathwa, Bhilala, Naik and Bhil tribes of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This passionate approach to the age old art has not only revived our cultural richness but also has generated curiosity world over.

Gond painting from Madhya Pradesh and Saura painting by artisans from Odisha is captivating to the eye. Besides the Angora and Pashmina shawls from the high altitudes of Leh-Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, woven by the Bodh and Bhutia tribes are ‘not to be missed’. The colorful jewelery by the Konyak tribals of Nagaland appeases the eye.

The richness of the Maheshwari silk sarees from Madhya Pradesh is worn during religious functions and auspicious events. Add it to Eri or “Millenium Silk”, so delicately made by Bodo tribe from Assam which gives richness a new dimension altogether.

Dhokra jewelery, carved out of molten metals, beads, colorful glass pieces, wooden balls gives it the ethnicity, exoticness and richness. This traditional jewelery is natural themed and ethically sophisticated. Tribal artisans from West Bengal, Odisha, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are the architects of these pieces of intrinsic art.

Grace and beauty are so delicately carved out of Meena tribal artisans of Rajasthan in the Metal Ambabari craft. These products are crafted using enameling which is the art of colorings or decorating a metal surface by attaching delicate designs of flowers, birds, etc. on the surface. This gives a unique traditional grace and serenity to the households where such crafts are displayed.

Natural products such as Araku Valley coffee, honey, cashews, rice, spices from various states of India including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhatisgarh and Maharashtra on display are a few among the many products promoted by TRIFED.

All these along with many other products are being showcased at Tribes India pavilion that depicts Unity in Diversity, cultural and traditional collage, richness of heritage of the nation, all under one roof.

Some of the snapshots of the exhibition are below:

**

Stride towards Swachhta by the Ministry of Mines

 As part of the Special Campaign 2.0, the Ministry of Mines along with its field formations continued its activities from November 2022 to August 2023. The Campaign for the Ministry was launched by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines on 2ndOctober 2022 at New Delhi where all the Organizations under the Ministry joined through V.C. The Ministry identified 84 Site Offices throughout India for implementing 116 Swachhta campaigns.

The goal set by the Ministry during the campaign was “giving back to the environment” in the form of rainwater harvesting, compost pits, cleaning lakes/ponds and eco-disposal of waste. As part of best practices, the buildings owned by the offices of Ministry of Mines had set up rainwater harvesting structures. Sites were identified for the Vermi Compost Pit Projects.

HCLVermicompostPlant- ICC Unit, Ghatsila (Jharkhand)

Vermicompost Plant at NALCO, Damanjodi (Odisha)

Rainwater Harvesting, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited(MECL), Nagpur

GSITI Hyderabad,Rainwater Harvesting

 

Wellness Centre on unutilized space, NALCO, Angul (Odisha)

 

While reviewing the works done under the Special Campaign, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi suggested segregation of waste in the departmental canteen which has been implemented by the Ministry of Mines. The Ministry of Education, the Nodal Ministry was requested to issue similar guidelines for the departmental canteens of Shastri Bhawan for waste segregation and usingbio waste for making compost pits.

Waste Segregation in Departmental Canteen of Ministry of Mines, Shastri Bhawan

 

GSITI, Hyderabad also as a best practice started waste segregation in its hostel canteen and used bio waste for making compost. Compost Pit has been created in GSITI, Hyderabad. Beside that unutilized land was converted into Open Air Gym for the Trainees/Employees/Public.

GSITI, Hyderabad, Open Air Gym

The Ministry of Mines as a part of its Special Campaign 2.0, weeded out around 2743 files from November 2022 to August 2023, freeing up a total of 34549 sq.ft space and generated a total revenue of Rs.172,130,148 from scrap disposal.

The Office Space were modernized to create a better working environment. Corridors of the Ministry of Mines were adorned with paintings and potted with plants to beautify the space and were used for the Inauguration Programmes of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Har GharTiranga campaigns. Director-level Officers were assigned duties to inspect the office space and submit reports. Same practices were being followed at all the organizations, PSUs of Ministry of Mines. The initiative has resulted in continued swachhta in the premises and perpetual initiatives are taken under the Special Campaign 2.0.

 

 

***

INTERACTION WITH RAKSHA RAJYA MANTRI

 Shri Ajay Bhatt, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri interacted with the Senior Naval Leadership during the Bi-annual Naval Commanders Conference which commenced at New Delhi on 04 Sep 23. Having shifted the venue of Commanders Conference outside Delhi wef 2023, wherein the first edition was conducted onboard INS Vikrant in March 2023, the second edition that started today is to review the status of decisions taken during the first edition. During his interaction, Hon’ble RRM commended the Navy for maintaining a high Operational tempo in ensuring secure seas for national security and prosperity. He praised the Navy for the efforts invested towards indigenisation and innovation towards becoming a fully Aatmanirbhar Force by 2047, which was exemplified during the recent launch of indigenous stealth frigates Vindhyagiri and Mahendragiri. He also appreciated the Navy for undertaking steady initiatives in line with the Paanch Pran enunciated by the Hon’ble PM .Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff, Dr Samir V Kamat, Secy DRDO and senior officials from the MoD were also present during the inaugural session (Extracts of RRM Speech).

Tech Demo - The ongoing and planned indigenous projects of the Indian Navy utilising niche technologies in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Tactical Communications, Combat Management Systems, Cyber Security, Underwater Domain Awareness and Combat Platform Integration, were showcased at the conference. In addition, the newly designed uniform items being introduced in Service for enhanced comfort, hygiene and functionality, viz. high absorption T-shirts, camouflage cap and jacket, high ankle shoes, and National Civil Dress for Messes/ functions were displayed on the sidelines of the conference.

The Hon’ble RRM also released the Maritime Infrastructure Perspective Plan 2023-37, IRS Rules and Regulations Handbook, Family Logbook, and Electronic Service Document Project during the event.

The MIPP aims to synchronise and enmesh the infrastructure requirements of the Navy, over the next 15 years, through a comprehensive Perspective Plan model. The Plan Document is aligned with the GoI vision on creation of sustainable infrastructure, and encompasses salients for compliance with broader policy directives on PM Gati Shakti Project, Disaster Resilience, Transition to Net Zero, among others.

The IRS Rules and Regulations Handbook for Construction and Classification of Naval Combatants has been revised since previous edition of 2015 to cater for technological advancements and Aatmanirbharta. The new rule book represents the self-reliance in Naval shipbuilding industry.

The Family Logbook for Defence Civilian Personnel of Indian Navy is a personal financial record book for reference of families of naval civilian personnel, which provides important financial information on insurance, loans, investments etc. This will serve as a ready reckoner in times of emergency in the family, mishaps, accidents, etc.

The Electronic Service Document Project will transform the HR record keeping and management of Naval personnel into an efficient, digital, centralised and transparent process in line with the Digital India Vision.

In his Opening Remarks Adm R Hari Kumar, CNS highlighted that “As an instrument of nation's maritime power, we must accomplish every mission and each task that comes our way. Second, we must be ready for the heavy lifting in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, in pursuance of the vision SAGAR. Third, as the cutting edge of our rising Nation, we must embrace larger societal changes that are happening around us. Fourthly, we are working closely with the CDS and the other two services to progress jointness and integration to meet challenges of the future.”

 

****

SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF VISIT OF UAE NAVY SME DELEGATION

 A three member UAE Navy Subject Matter Expert (SME) Delegation led by     Colonel Dr Ali Saif Ali Mehrazi successfully completed professional interaction with Indian Navy during their four day visit to specialized Meteorology, Oceanography, training and Weather Modelling facilities on 01 Sep 23.

The bilateral meeting, held at Integrated Headquarters (IHQ) of MoD (Navy), New Delhi on 01 Sep 23 was a key highlight, during which both navies expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes and agreed to deepen cooperation in the fields of Meteorology and Oceanography. Both sides recognised the mutual benefits that can be achieved through joint research projects, knowledge exchange, and capacity building initiatives.

Colonel Dr Ali Saif Ali Mehrazi, head of delegation expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and outstanding hospitality extended by IN that facilitated the fruitful discussions keeping in view the mutual interests of both navies. UAE Navy highly valued the insights gained from engaging with counterparts and witnessing the cutting-edge technologies, methodologies, and research programs developed by IN. The delegation looks forward to utilizing this new knowledge and exploring possibilities for joint research and cooperation.

As part of the visit to IHQ MoD (Navy), New Delhi, Colonel Dr Ali Saif Ali Mehrazi also called on Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI). Discussions emphasising the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges such as weather patterns, oceanic conditions, and climate change as well as the other related fields that have implication on naval operations were undertaken.

This visit is a testament to the commitment and dedication of both nations to creating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

****