SOUTH ASIA AND THE INDO-PACIFIC

 In an epoch where defence and security paradigms are dynamically evolving, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), presided over the curtain raiser event, offering a glimpse of the upcoming two-day defence dialogue, set to navigate the wide canvas of regional and global security.

The event, ‘Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023’ is being organised by the Indian Army in partnership with Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). The first edition of Chanakya Defence Dialogue will be held on 3rd & 4th November 2023 in Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. This is the first event of its kind being organised by the Indian Army.

This Dialogue will carry out a comprehensive analysis of security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. It will focus on crafting a roadmap for collaborative security measures in the region to fortify India's position as a ready, resurgent, and relevant stakeholder among the nations of this region.

Envisaged as a powerful platform, it aspires to meticulously analyse the multifaceted security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific and define a roadmap for collective security within the region.

The Curtain Raiser witnessed a Fireside Chat with the COAS moderated by Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (Retired), unveiling themes and aspirations behind this noble initiative. General Manoj Pande remarked that unprecedented trends are shaping the current geo-strategic landscape. He highlighted that India’s rise in stature brings recognition, additional responsibilities, opportunities and challenges. He emphasised that the centrality of national interests remains paramount amidst the ongoing flux wherein the salience of national security is continuously increasing in the international system. The COAS also mentioned that technology is the new strategic arena of geo-political competition and self-reliance has emerged as a key imperative.

Highlighting the significance of self-reliance or Atmanirbharta, General Manoj Pande mentioned that recent conflicts reveal that security of the nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on the largesse of others. While highlighting enabling actions undertaken by the Government to encourage self-reliance, the COAS cited examples of Positive Indigenisation List; Earmarking R&D Budget; Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories; Emphasis on Defence Exports and Establishment of Defence Corridors.

Highlighting the strides of Indian Army towards Atmanirbharta, General Manoj Pande brought out that the Indian Army has been closely working with 340 indigenous defence industries towards fructification of 230 contracts by the year 2025. The COAS also mentioned that Indian Army has identified 45 niche technologies in the field of military applications.  Underscoring the importance accorded to niche technologies, the COAS highlighted that Centres of Excellence have been established by the Indian Army including 5G Test Bed, Artificial Laboratory and Quantum Laboratory.

The Chief of the Army Staff commented that the Indian Army is operating as part of a larger defence and security eco-system and is proactively reaching out to other Government Departments and Ministries, to enhance outcomes. He mentioned that linkages with all Ministries are being leveraged to achieve common objectives. He cited examples such as PM Gati Shakti Project and National Logistics Policy wherein the infrastructure requirements of Indian Army have been aligned and synergised with the overall national logistics requirements.

 Fireside Chat by the COAS was followed by an engaging Round Table Discussion on the topic “Securing India and Indo-Pacific Region-Collaborating for Comprehensive Security”, moderated by Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (Retired). The panellists were astute minds like Vice Admiral Anil Chopra (Retired), Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhyaya alongside Mr Jayadeva Ranade. The discussion germinated the seeds for the upcoming dialogue, shedding light on pivotal areas like the new security paradigms, lessons from ongoing conflicts, collaborative partnerships and comprehensive security, imperatives for a secure South Asia and Indo-Pacific, whilst maintaining an air of anticipation for the forthcoming event.

Chanakya Defence Dialogue is planned to be a regular event steered by the Indian Army in the years ahead. The Dialogue will be conducted in six sessions on the following topics: -

Neighbourhood First - South Asia Prognosis.

Indo Pacific - The Decisive Frontier.

Collaborative Partnerships for Security.

How Emerging Technologies Impact Defence and Security.

Indian Defence Industry as Enabler for Collaborative Capacity Building.

Comprehensive Deterrence: The India Way.

Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023 will witness a congregation of eminent speakers from India and abroad. The galaxy of Indian speakers includes Dr. Arvind Virmani (Niti Aayog), Prof Ajay Kumar Sood (PSA to Govt of India), Ambassador V Misri (Deputy NSA), Ambassador DB Venkatesh Varma, Lieutenant General Subrata Saha (Retired), Lieutenant General DS Hooda (Retired), Lieutenant General Prakash Menon (Retired), Ambassador Vijay K Gokhale, Ambassador Ashok K Kantha and Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retired) besides some other distinguished luminaries.

Some of the panellists from abroad will be Ms Lisa Curtis (Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at CNAS), Dr. Satoru Nagao (Japan), Dr Paco Milhiet (France), Ambassador Shamsher M Chowdhury (Bangladesh), Mr. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera (Sri Lanka), Mr Chiran Jung Thapa (Nepal), Vice Admiral Amarulla Octavian (Indonesia), Dr. R De Castro (The Philippines).

With this pioneering initiative, the Indian Army has embarked on a journey where defence, strategy, and collaborative partnership converge to forge a secure, stable, and prosperous future in the vibrant landscape of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

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Lok Sabha constituency Gandhinagar to a gaming zone today

 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah took children of Anganwadi centres of his Lok Sabha constituency Gandhinagar to a gaming zone today. In his post on ‘X’ Shri Amit Shah said “Today took children of Anganwadi centres of my Lok Sabha constituency to a gaming zone. The children enjoyed playing their favorite games”.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said, “As an MP, it is my endeavor to ensure that the children of Anganwadi centers in my Lok Sabha constituency get all the possible facilities and happiness that children from affluent families get. For this, continuous efforts are being made to provide them with good education, nutritious food along with distribution of toys among them and to entertain them by taking them to gaming zones. I am extremely overwhelmed to see this happiness and enthusiasm of the children.

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COASTAL SECURITY EXERCISE – EAST COAST

 A two-day comprehensive Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach 02/23 involving all maritime security agencies was conducted by the Indian Navy in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the UT of Puducherry from 11-12 Oct 2023. The exercise was executed under the aegis of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, FOCINC (East) who also exercises the authority of Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (East). About 2500 personnel from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, State and U/T Administration, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs,  Intelligence Agencies, Light Houses, Ports Forest etc were engaged in the exercise.

 The exercise aimed to assess the efficacy and robustness of the coastal security mechanism while dealing with asymmetric threat emanating from the sea. Indian Naval Ships along with assets of the Coast Guard and other coastal security agencies were deployed to augment surveillance in the area. Enhanced security measures were instituted and extensive aerial surveillance undertaken by Dornier aircraft  and helicopters operating from Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Ramnathapuram. The exercise was closely monitored at Joint Operations Centre (East) at Visakhapatnam which is the nodal hub for all coastal security operations and exercises in the area of operations.

 The exercise witnessed close coordination and synergy among all coastal security stakeholders. Lessons learnt from the exercise would be incorporated to strengthen the coastal security architecture.

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G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20)

 The Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, hosted lunch for delegates of participating nations on the occasion of Ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi today.

 

The lunch was attended by the Speakers and Heads of Delegation of G20 nations who had participated in the 9th P20 Summit and Parliamentary Forum, hosted by the Parliament of India in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from 12 to 14 October, 2023 in New Delhi.

 

The Vice-President also interacted with H.E. Mr. Duarte Pacheco, President of IPU, who called on him at Yashobhoomi. Discussions focused on the importance of interparliamentary cooperation and the role of the IPU in providing a platform for Parliamentarians to discuss wide ranging issues relevant to contemporary times.

The Vice-President also received Parliamentary Delegations that called on him on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Forum and the P20 Summit.

A day earlier, on October 13, Shri Dhankhar had received the P-20 Parliamentary delegation of Türkiye led by H.E. Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the National Assembly, and that of Russia, led by the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, H.E. Ms. Valentina Matvienko, at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas.

The Vice-President held wide ranging discussions with leaders of both countries. The leaders highlighted the historical, cultural and warm people-to-people contact between India and their respective nations, and also underlined the importance of deeper parliamentary exchanges between their countries.

Prior to this, on October 12, the Vice-President had also received the Australian Parliamentary delegation comprising the President of the Senate, Senator Sue Lines and Speaker of House of Representatives, H.E. Mr. Milton Dick. H.E Shaikh Abdulmalik Al Khalili, Chairman of Majlis A’ Dwala (State Council), Sultanate of Oman also met the Vice-President at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas on the same day.

Enhancing parliamentary exchanges to further strengthen vibrant people to people ties and the long-standing friendly relations between the nations was a focal point for both engagements.

 

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DEPwD observed World Sight Day

 The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment observed the World Sight Day, through the institutions associated with it by conducting various activities like Eye Checkup, Physical Seminars, Awareness Programmes and Webinars at more than 20 places across the country.

The main highlights of the observance of World Sight Day were at National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) Hyderabad and CRC Lucknow where they provided free eye check up to childrens and their parents. Similarly others National Institutes, CRCs and other affiliated institutions observed the World Sight Day.

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CRPF Women's Bike Yatra' to spread the message of Nari Shakti

 As a part of the celebration of Nari Shakti of the country, the CRPF is organising the CRPF women bike expedition having 75 bikers with pillion riders from 5th Oct 2023 from 3 corners of the country i.e. Kanyakumari, Srinagar and Shillong which will travel in 121 district of 15 states and 2 UTs and will cover around 10000 Kms to spread the message of Nari Sakti, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, Unity, Integrity and women empowerment and culminate at the world famous Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

During the meeting their journey the team is meeting and interacting with girl students, women self help groups, Anganwadi workers, cadets of the NCC and other women entrepreneurs to spread the message of inclusiveness and unity. The bikers known as Yesheswini is carrying our National flag and CRPF flag to spread message of the Force ie. Desh ke ham hei rakshak.

One of the 3 Yeshaswini team comprising 25 bikers on its entourage from Kanyakumari to Ekta Nagar has reached Group Centre CRPF Bengaluru on 12/10/2023 evening after covering around 1250 Kms and passing through Thiruananthapuram, Madurai, Pondicherry, Avadi, Vellur, Krishnagiri and Hosur. Today 13/10/2023 the Department of Women and Child Development Karnataka State has conducted a felicitation programme to honour Women Motor Cycle expedition team.

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92nd Indian Air Force Day

 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has extended greetings and felicitation to all air warriors, veterans and their families on the 92nd Indian Air Force (IAF) Day on October 08, 2023. This momentous occasion marks nearly a century of unwavering dedication and unparalleled service of the IAF to the nation. As we celebrate this milestone, we also pay homage to the bravehearts who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Their courage, valour and dedication continue to inspire generations of Indians.

The IAF has played an important role in all wars fought by the country, undertaken punitive air strikes, extricated the Indian diaspora from conflict zones and provided relief through Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions within and beyond the borders. The IAF has a rich history of regular and successful engagements in international air exercises with friendly countries. It has adequately demonstrated interoperability with global Air Forces, thereby credibly establishing its capability to operate effectively in our immediate neighbourhood and also in our extended environment.

The Indian Air Force has encouraged capability development through indigenous defence production under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. An appreciable effort has been put in towards capacity enhancement of force multipliers in the form of Electronic Warfare, harnessing Space and Cyber capabilities to fight tomorrow’s war, Artificial Intelligence-based Decision Tools and systems incorporating the latest technology like Swarm Unmanned Munition Systems, an outcome of successful Mehar Baba Drone competition conceptualised by the IAF.

The IAF is poised to embrace the challenges of the 21st century, with a commitment to modernisation, innovation, and international cooperation. On this 92nd IAF Day, let us all stand together in honouring the IAF and expressing our gratitude to the men and women who soar high to protect our skies and secure our future. It will continue to be a symbol of our nation's strength and resolve. May the IAF reach new heights of glory always.

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PM lauds India’s best ever performance at Asian Games in the last 60 years

 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded India’s best ever performance at Asian Games in the last 60 years with the highest ever medal tally of 107. Shri Modi hailed the unwavering determination, relentless spirit and hard work of the players. 

The Prime Minister posted on X:

“What a historic achievement for India at the Asian Games!

The entire nation is overjoyed that our incredible athletes have brought home the highest ever total of 107 medals, the best ever performance in the last 60 years.

The unwavering determination, relentless spirit and hard work of our players have made the nation proud. Their victories have given us moments to remember, inspired us all and have reaffirmed our commitment to excellence.”

 

 

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Northern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute inks Memorandum of Understanding with Mahindra

 The Northern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (NRFMTTI), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India based in Hisar, Haryana, has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of India's foremost manufacturers of tractors and agricultural machinery Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., Mumbai. This strategic partnership aims to foster skill development among the youth, equipping them with the necessary expertise for a career in the field of farm mechanization.

The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to offer comprehensive training programs that will prepare young individuals for the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural machinery industry. The primary objective of this partnership is to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the skill sets possessed by the youth, ultimately strengthening the workforce in the farm mechanization sector. 

Key Highlights of the MoU:

Skill Development Programs: NRFMTTI and the leading agricultural machinery manufacturer will jointly design and implement skill development programs tailored to the specific needs of the farm machinery industry.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Mahindra will develop world-class training facilities, laboratories, and experienced faculty to ensure high-quality training for the enrolled students.

Industry-Linked Curriculum: The training curriculum will be designed to align closely with industry demands, ensuring that graduates are job-ready upon completion of their training.

Internship and Placement Support: The partnership will facilitate internship opportunities for students within the manufacturing company, providing them with practical exposure to real-world industry operations. Additionally, the manufacturer will actively participate in NRFMTTI's placement efforts, aiding in job placements for graduates.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, the Director of NRFMTTI, Dr. Mukesh Jain expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "This partnership marks a significant step in our mission to prepare the youth for a prosperous future in the agricultural machinery industry. By combining NRFMTTI's expertise in training and the Mahindra and Mahindra’s industry knowledge, we are confident in our ability to nurture skilled professionals who will contribute to the growth of the sector."

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DOT takes up Mission Swachhata in a big way- Special Campaign 3.0

 Department of Telecommunications is implementing Special Campaign 3.0 in its organizations/field offices across the Country to reduce pendency, promote sustainable practices and ensure cleanliness & efficient record management in offices. The preparatory phase for this campaign was from 14.09.2023 to 30.09.2023. During this phase, targets were identified and action plans drawn up. In the implementation phase, these targets are scheduled to be achieved over the period from 02.10.2023 to 31.10.2023.

The drive for office cleanliness and weeding out of old records was given an impetus by Secretary (Telecom) who inspected various sections of Sanchar Bhawan on 03.10.2023 and 05.10.2023 and gave pointed directions to concerned employees. Earlier, the Special Campaign on Swachhata was colourfully inaugurated through a drawing & painting completion for employees’ children on the theme ‘Swachhata in daily life’ organized on Gandhi Jayanti by the Department. 

The Department has identified more than 350 cleanliness sites across the country and 735 pending Public Grievances for redressal during the Special Campaign 3.0. Over 16000 physical files and around 3500 e-files have been identified for review during the campaign. Starting the implementation phase on a positive note, the Department has disposed of office scrap on 01.10.2023 with a revenue of Rs. 4,58,650/- earned. 

Daily progress is being monitored at Senior levels. Some snippets of cleanliness campaigns at different sites are given below –

The Department is aiming to better its performance in this Campaign 3.0 in comparison to the last year Campaign 2.0.

Orientation & Learning Summit for Independent Directors of CPSEs

 The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) organised the Orientation & Learning Summit for Independent Directors of CPSEs on 5th and 6th October in New Delhi — under the aegis of Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and with the knowledge partnership of Capacity Building Commission (CBC).

 

The summit opened with addresses from Shri Praveen Kumar, Director General & CEO of IICA; Shri Animesh Bharti, Economic Advisor, DPE; Dr. Anup K. Pujari, former Secretary, Government of India; and Dr. Niraj Gupta, Head of the School of Corporate Governance & Public Policy, IICA. The inaugural addresses stressed the need for a more proactive role of Independent Directors on CPSE boards for their good governance practices, better performance, and enhanced contribution to the national developmental goals.

The summit covered various facets of board governance. Attendees explored the nuances of board governance, the effectiveness of Independent Directors in CPSEs, their roles in CSR and Audit Committees, and delved into the regulatory framework surrounding their responsibilities. Interactive panels, open houses, insights into board meeting preparations, and an exploration of board dynamics versus management relations were also discussed as per agenda.

Other eminent speakers include Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Secretary, Govt. of India; Nawshir Mirza, professional Independent Director; Anupam Kulshrestha, former Deputy CAG of India; Dr. Anil Kumar, Independent Director, Life Insurance Corporation; and Dr. Anil Khandelwal, ex-chairperson, Bank of Baroda.

 

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