Consulate General of India, Vancouver www.cgivancouver.gov.in
Vol. 02, Issue No. 38 September 20, 2018.
India in Vancouver Weekly Newsletter
India Perspectives India Perspectives is the flagship publication of the Ministry of External Affairs. Richly illustrated, this magazine provides our readers with an insight into India’s culture and tradition along with elements of contemporary India. Click here to read more‌. Ministry of External Affairs, India
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Vol. 02, Issue 38, September 20, 2018.
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Vol. 02, Issue 38, September 20, 2018.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots. During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad. The 15th PBD Convention is being held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 is "Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India". Special arrangements are also being made for participation in Kumbh Mela and Republic day parade. 2. As a run up to PBD 2019, Ministry has organized seven PBD Conferences (Panel Discussions) in New Delhi in 2017 & 2018 on issues importance to the Indian Diaspora. These Conferences are chaired by the Minister of External Affairs. Domain experts from the Diaspora, stakeholders and policy makers based in India and foreign countries are invited for day-long deliberations on various topics. Their recommendations are submitted to the concerned Ministries & Departments in the Government of India for consideration in policy formulation. At the 15th PBD Convention in January 2019, Action taken on the recommendation will be presented to PBD delegates for their suggestions and comments. Please visit https://www.pbdindia.gov.in for more information.
Program Schedule Registration – Individual Registration – Group
India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2018. New Digital Horizons: Connect, Create, Innovate (25-27 October 2018, New Delhi) Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has envisioned a Digital India program to transform the nation into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy. In order to move closer to realizing this great vision, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, along with Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and other stakeholders is organising the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2018, scheduled from 25th to 27th October 2018, in New Delhi. 2. The first edition of India Mobile Congress held in September 2017 brought together Mobile, Internet, and Technology companies on one platform, under the theme “Connecting the Next Billion”. The event was attended by over 2000 Delegates, 32000 Visitors, 152 Speakers, 100 Exhibitors and 100 Start-ups. 3. IMC 2018, is envisaged to be an even bigger event with its theme “New Digital Horizons: Connect, Create, Innovate”. It aims at building ideas, showcasing emerging mobile technologies and product trends, manufacturing, start-ups, sectoral insights and impactful solutions. The platform will see a greater International presence than the first edition of IMC, with over 10 Partner Countries, 100 Global Speakers, 300 Exhibitors, 1000 International Media and 50,000 Visitors. A special focus will be accorded to Start-ups in the technology space through a dedicated engagement program. 4. The key element of IMC this year is the ASEAN & BIMSTEC Ministerial Conclave. This conclave will bring together Telecom & ICT Policy Makers and Regulators of 14 nations from the ASEAN and BIMSTEC regions in Asia. The Conclave will drive discussions around developing policies and regulatory road maps in a dynamic digital landscape. 5. This is a rare opportunity to any country, their government and industry to be present in the event hosted by Government of India in partnership with the telecom operators and supported by all stakeholders like manufacturer, R&D, Academia etc. Brochure of India Mobile Congress
Registration
Participants may contact email: ceo@indiamobilecongress.com or visit www.indiamobilecongress.com for more information.
Important Trade Fairs in India – To know more, click on 2|P a g e
Vol. 02, Issue 38, September 20, 2018.
Cultural Heritage - Festivals of India GANESH CHATURTHI One of the most popular deities in India, Lord Ganesh is a symbol of wisdom and good luck. It is said that his elephant head epitomises everything related to wisdom - small shrewd eyes, large ears that miss nothing, a long nose that can smell out anything and his vehicle, a mouse, reflects how much importance a wise man gives to the smallest of the life forms. Displayed at gateways and on doors, either by visuals or symbols, generally facing the rising sun in the East, Ganesh (or Ganapati) is revered across India as Vighnaharta, the one who removes obstacles. Vinayak Chaturthi, in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, is the festival of Ganesh. Also called Vinayagar in Tamil Nadu, the son of Shiva and Parvathi, he is believed to bestow his presence on the earth for all his devotees during this festival. It is said that this is the day when Shiva declared his son, Ganesh, superior to all gods. The Ganesh Festival in Maharashtra is coupled with Gauri Poojan, which is the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that this is when the two sisters of Ganesh, Jyeshtha and Kanishtha (elder and younger one), come to meet their dear brother. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on the fourth day of the waxing moon. The date usually falls between 20th August and 15th September. The festival lasts for about ten days ending on Anant Chaturdashi(the fourteenth day of the waxing moon). Source: https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/maharashtra/festival/ganesh-festival
News from/of India 1. ASEAN, India are "the most promising markets in the world," Sequoia's Klaus Wang says Klaus Wang had a good a venture capital job at GGV Capital in Shanghai starting in 2015, but this year made a big career bet on helping to link China and Southeast Asia. He is now working in Singapore as a senior associate at Sequoia Capital (India) Singapore. Why take the plunge? “The most promising markets in the world” are in ASEAN and India, he said in a recent interview. “I want to connect Chinese entrepreneurs who want to go overseas,” particularly to that part of Asia. Southeast Asia’s relatively low labor costs are already attracting many outside investors. “A lot of manufacturers are moving their headquarters to India and Southeast Asia. It’s definitely a trend." Read more… (Russell Flannery, Forbes, Mon, 17 Sep, 04:22pm)
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Vol. 02, Issue 38, September 20, 2018. 2. These six startups are making drinking water more accessible to Indians India is facing the worst kind of water scarcity in its history. A recent report by WaterAid states that India has the lowest access to clean drinking water – close to 163 million Indians are said to be suffering from this scarcity. Government data suggests the average annual per capita water availability fell drastically between 2001 and 2011, from 1.8 million litres to 1.5 million litres. With water becoming even more scarce, the Indian government expects annual per capita water availability to stand at 1.3 million litres and 1.1 million litres in the years 2025 and 2050 subsequently. Luckily, not just the government but social impact businesses too have taken notice of this situation and have introduced technological products and services to battle this rising shortage in the country. From Internet of Things (IoT) to solar power, YourStory lists six startups that are leveraging technology to provide clean drinking water solutions to the masses. Read more… (Ayesha Roy , Your Story, Sat, 15 Sep, 05:46pm)
3. India’s 102-year-old female athlete wins gold medal at World Masters Athletics Championships; Twitterati cheer Age is just a number, a quote quite clearly proven by India’s oldest female athlete Man Kaur. Hailing from Patiala, Punjab, the 102-year-old athlete made the country proud by winning a gold medal at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain. Kaur won the 200 m race medal in the age group of 100 – 104. According to History Tv 18, Kaur started her career at the age of 93. Read more… (Trends Desk , Indian Express, Thu, 13 Sep, 05:20pm)
4. Solar Mamas lighting up lives across the world Tilonia, a small village in Ajmer district of Rajasthan, is helping light up the lives of people in remote, backward areas across the world. The Barefoot College in this village teaches women from under-developed regions to assemble solar-powered equipment. Last week, the 20th batch — a group of 45 women from 10 countries — graduated from the college. Diplomats from five countries attended the event to celebrate the success of this initiative to make a better world. These women, who will now be known as ‘Solar Mamas’ were taught the skills for making solar panels, lights and photovoltaic circuits during a special six-month course. Interestingly, the trainers of these ‘Solar Mamas’ are modestly educated women from Tilonia and neighbouring villages. Read more… (Rajesh Asnani, New Indian Express, Sun, 16 Sep, 02:29pm)
5. Indian-American scientist awarded million for cancer biomarkers An Indian-American scientist has been awarded USD 6.5 million to identify cancer biomarkers which may improve diagnosis and help develop new targeted therapies for the deadly disease. The grant awarded by the US National Cancer Institute to Arul Chinnaiyan, a professor at University of Michigan, will provide long-term support to increase understanding of these markers to leverage targeted treatments for cancer. Chinnaiyan has received an 'Outstanding Investigator Award' from the National Cancer Institute, which provides USD 6.5 million in funding over seven years, the University of Michigan said in a statement. Read more… (Millennium Post, Thu, 13 Sep, 05:42pm)
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Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a veteran Indian politician who had served three terms as the Prime Minister of India passed away on 16 Aug 2018. He had been conferred with Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour in 2015.
Canada India Global Forum pay homage to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji.
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