Celebrating 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak…
Consulate General of India,
“Speak only that which will bring you honor.”
www.cgivancouver.gov.in
Guru Nanak
Vancouver
Vol. 03, Issue No. 04 January 28, 2019.
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. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019.
Consulate News Republic Day 2019 celebrations at the Consulate General of India in Vancouver Consul General, Mrs. Abhilasha Joshi unfurled the national flag and read out the President’s address to the nation. Distinguished members of diaspora, Indian nationals and friends of India attended the function. Hon’ble Jinny Sims, Minister for Citizen Services, Provincial Govt of B.C. graced the occasion. CGI thanks all friends for their presence!
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Glimpses of Evening Reception in celebration of 70th Republic Day of India Consulate General of India, Vancouver hosted a Reception on the evening of 26 Jan 2019 in celebration of the 70 th Republic Day of India. Hon'ble Jinny Sims, Minister for Citizen Services, Govt of BC graced the event as the Chief Guest. Hon'ble Raj Chouhan, Deputy Speaker, BC Legislative Assembly along with Honorable Minister Harry Bains, MLA Jagrup Brar, Councilor Sav Dhaliwal and former MLA Dave Hayer also attended the Reception along with a large gathering of diplomats, representatives of various community and cultural organizations, distinguished members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India. Dynamic Indian Cultural Performances by the Team Bollybaaz enthralled the guests.
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Information for Overseas Electors Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation National Voters’ Services Portal 1|P a g e
Vol. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019.
Consulate General of India, Vancouver congratulates Mr Karthik Vijayakumar Deshpande, Canada - Winner of Gold Medal in the Final Round of Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz 2018-19 in PIO-OCI category.
Shri Ramesh Chotai from Canada received the prestigious “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2019” from #PresidentKovind at the Valedictory Session of #PBD2019 in Varanasi on 23 Jan 2019.
List of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees (PBSA) for the year 2019
Republic Day Special Supplement - 2 Articles on India 1. India’s next Big Dream! Send an Indian into Space on Indian Technology. New Delhi, India, January 19, 2019 By: Pallava Bagla India has a new dream, a deep conviction to launch an Indian into space, from Indian soil on an Indian rocket by 2022 which is before the seventy-fifth birthday for India’s independence. Work has started in right earnest at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which is expected to deliver this Herculean task in less than 1.4 billion dollars, possibly the cheapest human space flight ever to be undertaken in the world. This confidence and promise come riding on the repeated successes that the Indian space agency has tasted in the past. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, on August 15, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi a known space buff said `we have a dream; our scientists have a dream. We have resolved that by 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of Independence or maybe even before that, certainly some of our young boys and girls will unfurl the tricolour in space. With Mangalyaan our scientists have proved their capabilities. I feel proud to announce that very soon as a part of our manned-space mission; we shall be sending an Indian into space. This will be done through the pursuit of our esteemed scientists, and we will proudly find ourselves as the fourth such nation to have launched a successful man space mission.’ Read more… 2|P a g e
Vol. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019. 2. UN Peacekeeping: India’s Contributions Ambassador (Retd.) Asoke Kumar Mukerji Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations India’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs)have been underscored by the experience and professionalism of India’s armed forces. Speaking at the September 2015 Leaders’ Summit in New York on UN Peacekeeping, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had said: “The foundations of the United Nations were laid by the brave soldiers on the battlefields of the Second World War. By 1945, they included 2.5 million men of the Indian Army, the largest volunteer force in history.” India today is the largest contributor of troops to UNPKOs. More than 200,000 Indian troops have served in 49 of the 71 UNPKOs deployed so far. As an “original” founder-member of the United Nations, India has not hesitated to respond to the calls of the UN to contribute troops for maintaining international peace and security. In 1950, soon after India’s independence, the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance of the Indian Army was sent to provide medical cover to U.S./R.O.K. and UN forces engaged in the Korean War. The unit served in Korea for a total of three and a half years (November 1950- May 1954), the longest single tenure by any military unit under the UN flag. Read more…
Important Trade Fairs in India – To know more, click on Global Investors Summit, Indore, Madhya Pradesh (23-24 February, 2019) Global Investors Summit 2019 is the flagship investment promotion event of Government of Madhya Pradesh supported by DIPP, Government of India. It is scheduled to be held on 23 rd & 24th February 2019 at Brilliant Convection Centre., in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The summit will have more than 15 thematic sessions to brainstorm on the leading practices of the focus areas and sectors and way ahead to tap the opportunities. A Global Trade Exhibition 2019 is also being organized as an integral part of the GIS 2019 and will provide the participants with an opportunity to showcase their products and services. 2. The Government of Madhya Pradesh is inviting representation from various countries through their business delegations and has extended invitation to 25 countries as ‘Partner Country’ and are seeking their confirmations. Associating with Government of Madhya Pradesh as a ‘Partner Country’ is a significant collaboration as it will firm up trade and business relationship for mutual benefits and prosperity. The benefits of participating in the event will be multiple including a platform for B-2-G/B-2-B interactions with dedicated meeting slots and countries can book dedicated space in our trade exhibition to exhibit their key strengths. Please visit www.investmp.com for more information and registration.
Cultural Heritage - Yoga with Hon’ble PM Modi
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Vol. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019.
Cultural Heritage - Festivals of India The Kumbh Mela 2019 The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith, anywhere in the world. The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Sarasvati. Primarily, this congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of life. Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four sacred rivers as listed below: o o o o
Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism. The Kumbh Mela is an event that intrinsically encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and sociocultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
Pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of the religion ranging from Sadhus (saints) and Naga Sadhus who practice ‘sadhana’ and keenly follow a strict path of spiritual discipline, to Hermits who leave their seclusion and come to visit the civilization only during the Kumbh Mela, to seekers of spirituality, and to common people practicing Hinduism. During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the Kumbh Mela. (Courtesy: https://kumbh.gov.in/ )
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Vol. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019.
News from/of India 1. Best photos from India’s 70th Republic Day celebrations About this Gallery - India's military might and rich cultural diversity were on display during the 70th Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. Click here to view photos. (indiatimes.com, Jan 26, 2019)
2. Republic Day 2019: 22 tableaux depict montage of Mahatma Gandhi’s life Different facets of Mahatma Gandhi’s life were displayed through a series of 22 tableau at Rajpath during the 70th Republic Day Parade to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation. Read more… (dna Correspondent, Updated: Jan 27, 2019, 06:25 AM IST)
3. Punjab's Jallianwala Bagh-themed tableau wins third prize at R-Day parade Punjab's tableau, highlighting the historic Jallianwala Bagh massacre, has won the third prize at the Republic Day celebrations. Congratulating the State Information and Public Relations Department, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said the award was an honour for the state and Punjabis living in different parts of the country and abroad. Read more… (www.tribuneindia.com, Punjab, Posted at: Jan 28, 2019, 5:40 PM)
4. India top as biggest International supporter in world: World Economic Forum survey The World Economic Forum released a survey where India has emerged as the biggest international supporters by assisting internationally other countries along with a global public opinion survey which has put India on the top when it comes to supporting other countries. Read more… (The Wire, Mon, 21 Jan, 04:22pm)
5. PSLV-C44 successfully launches Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 New Delhi: India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully injected Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits. The PSLV-C44 lifted off at 23:37 Hrs (IST) on January 24, 2019 from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota in its 46th flight. Read more… (Press Information Bureau: January 25, 2019)
6. Mytrah Mobility bags $1 billion from UN-backed GCF for electric buses Mytrah Mobility, the electric vehicle (EV) solutions firm based in Gurugram, will be implementing the largest of its kind funding programme for electric buses and allied infrastructure in India. The UN-backed Green Climate Fund (GCF) will be channelising funds worth $1 billion through the company. Read more… (www.business-standard.com, Jyoti Mukul | New Delhi, Last Updated at January 22, 2019 00:23 IST)
7. TRIUMF Researcher Emeritus Vijay Verma receives prestigious Hind Rattan award – given by NRI Welfare Society of India TRIUMF is pleased to share that TRIUMF Researcher Emeritus Vijay Verma has been awarded the prestigious Hind Rattan award. The award (the ‘Jewel of India’) recognizes achievement by diasporic citizens of India and is considered the highest honour given to non-resident persons of Indian origin. Verma, who is also an accomplished author and speaker, is being recognized for his outstanding services, achievements and contributions within the fields of project management and engineering… Read more… (www.triumf.ca, 17 January 2019)
8. Plastic ban to women equality: 5 times Sikkim became an example for all of India Sikkim, one of the tiniest states in India, stands out from the others thanks to the several firsts it has to its name. The Himalayan state’s progressive track record has received yet another boost after it announced its ambitious plan of implementing a universal basic income for all of its 6,10,577 citizens. This is perhaps, the first ever time that any democratic state in the world has employed such a scheme. Read more… (Lekshmi Priya , The Better India, Sat, 19 Jan, 04:35pm)
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Vol. 03, Issue 04, January 28, 2019.
In Vancouver… Dr. Nemy Banthia Awarded Global Citizenship Award at the Alumni UBC 2018 Achievement Awards On November 15, 2018, Dr. Nemy Banthia was awarded the Global Citizenship Award at the alumni UBC 2018 Achievement Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Global Citizenship Award recognizes Dr. Banthia’s dedication to improving the lives of people in marginalized communities through his work to develop advanced infrastructure innovations in answer to challenges facing remote and rural regions of Canada and India. Read more… (https://drishtimagazine.com )
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