Weekly news report 01 05 2018

Consulate General of India, Vancouver www.cgivancouver.org

Vol. 02, Issue No. 01 January 05, 2018.

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

विश्ि ह द िं ी हदिस 2018 के अिसर पर माननीय प्रधानमिंत्री जी का सिंदेश

Skill Summit 2018, Momentum Jharkhand - 12th-13th January 2018 at Ranchi To provide a focused platform to the stakeholders engaged in Skills Development, the State Government of Jharkhand is organizing a flagship event - Skill Summit 2018 - Momentum Jharkhand from 12th-13th January 2018 at Ranchi. The Skill Summit will attract participation across multiple domains in skill development. It is an excellent occasion to see the potential of Jharkhand in various sectors and to interact with the policy makers, skills providers, employers, and thought leaders from all across the world. In its "Global Investors Summit' organised in February 2017, more than 210 leading organizations from India and Overseas, signed strategic Memorandums of Understanding promising more than 310 lakh Crore of investments in the State.

Jharkhand state in the last three years has set skilling of its youth at the forefront of its development activities and aims to establish itself as a "Skill Hub of India" in the next five years. Further, Govt of Jharkhand has put in a plan to train over 2 million youth skilled, assessed & certified in the next five years.

Further details about the – “Skill Summit 2018, Momentum Jharkhand” can be accessed at the website: http://hunar.jharkhand.gov.in/home 2|P a g e

Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

The State Government of Punjab has launched the “Connect with Your Roots" (CYR) Programme for Young Boys and Girls of Punjabi Origin settled abroad.

The Programme would provide an opportunity to the youngsters settled in different parts of the world, to visit the places from where their families hailed or where their ancestors were born, or where they themselves spent their early years.

This scheme will be part of Friends of Punjab Garima Gram Yojana scheme and will be financed from this scheme only viz.–06Friends of Punjab Mukh Mantri Garima Gram Yojana – Plan Scheme NRI-2. Likely Expenditure for a group of 15 NRIs on a ten days tour would be Rs 3.00 to 4.00 lac. In all 6 to 8 groups would visit the state of Punjab in a year.

The proposed scheme could be open to young boys and girls in the 16-22 years of age group as there is a lot of curiosity among Indian-Origin youngsters settled in others countries to know about their ancestral home. The proposed Scheme would open to Young Boys and Girls of NRIs Parents living abroad, a platform to go back to their roots and connect with their roots and discover their identities. The visit would also give these youngsters a chance to learn and speak their native language. It would also enable them to learn about their family background and the culture to which they belong and also to build an emotional bonding with the Country of their roots. In the long run this programme will enhance the NRIs engagement at the level of the Youth, who can be a vital engine in the State’s progress to achieve social harmony, modernity and all-round development of its youth living abroad and in Punjab.

The dates of programme can be scheduled to align with the academic calendar and school/Collage vacations of the participants.

We can also try to link the dates with the traditional Punjabi festivals and auspicious days, such as Lohri, Holi, Baisakhi, Gurupurabs and Diwali etc.

Initially, the programme will be open to youth from U.K, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, U.S.A and Canada.

See the brochure: https://issuu.com/indiacomsec/docs/connect_with_your_roots For more details, please visit: http://cyrnri.punjab.gov.in/

Global Notice for “REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL” (Notice No. CT/SRC/EOI/USP dated 02.01.2018)

Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Research Designs & Standards Organisation Manak Nagar, Lucknow -226011 (INDIA) Ministry of Railways, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (R.D.S.O.), Lucknow is inviting the proposal from the firms whose product (USP) qualifies the technical criteria given in Annexure-C for short-listing the products for considering for ‘Field Trial for reduction in the ballast cushion up to 100mm in track using Under Sleeper Pads (USP) from standard ballast cushion of 300/350mm on Indian Railways”, as per details appearing on RDSO website.

2. Firms who can supply the USP for ballast thickness reduction purpose meeting the technical criteria i.e. generic specification / performance parameters of USP as given in Annexure-C of this document are requested can see the complete details and document on RDSO’s website www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in at HOMEPAGE under ‘Expression of Interest (EOI)’ Tab. The Global RFP document for USP including all Annexures can be downloaded b clicking here.

3. The firms are requested to submit the proposal and requisite details in the prescribed format to Director/Track-IV, Anusandhan Bhawan, Track Design Directorate, RDSO, Manak Nagar, Lucknow –226011 (INDIA) up to 15.02.2018.

4. For any clarification, Firms may contact Director/Track-IV, RDSO, Lucknow on Telephone No. +91-522-2452796 or/and email: dtd5rdso@gmail.com on any working day for further details.

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

Corrigendum No. 1- Global Notice for Expression of Interest, Notice No. CT/IM/LWR/RSM (Dev), Ministry of Railways, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) Manak Nagar, Lucknow (INDIA) -226011 Last date of receipt of details in the prescribed format for Expression of Interest (EoI) for ‘Exploring the availability of the manufacturers/suppliers of the equipment/system for nondestructive measurement of Rail Stresses and Determination of Stress Free Temperature of LWR/CWR’ as per the Global Notice No. CT/IM/LWR/RSM (Dev.) dated 23.10.2017 for Expression of Interest (EoI) published earlier, is extended from 11.12.2017 up to 16.01.2018. Remaining conditions of EoI shall remain un-altered.

For details log on to RDSO website Corrigendum No. 1 www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in at HOME PAGE under ‘Expression of Interest’.

Director Standards/Track Design-I For Director General (Track) RDSO, Lucknow (for & on behalf of President of India)

After the astounding success of the past three editions of Global Exhibition on Services (GES), the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are organising the 4th Global Exhibition on Services from 15th - 18th May 2018 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. GES event is targeting participation from 100 countries and will also host 30 knowledge sessions and thousands of B2B & B2G meetings.

2. An annual flagship event of India, the first GES was inaugurated in 2015 by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The subsequent editions were inaugurated by then President of India in 2016 and 2017. GES 2017, was a huge success with participation from over 573 companies from 73 countries (including India) and more than 5000 structured meetings.

3. GES 2018-Mumbai proposes to focus on Services sector excellence in India and expanding our global footprint. It will feature the following services sectors - IT & Telecom, banking & financial services, education, energy services, environmental services, exhibition & event services, facility management, healthcare, logistics, media & entertainment, next gen cities, printing & publishing, professional services, railway services, retail & e-commerce, skills, space, sports services, starts-ups/SME, tourism & hospitality and wellness.

4. The buyer’s nomination is purely on first cum first basis. Selected buyers will get return economic class air fare and hotel. The last date of registration for “Foreign Buyers” is 1st March 2018. You may register your confirmation to Mr Rajesh Wadhwa at rajesh.wadhwa@cii.in Tel: 91-124-4013875 / 4014060 or visit http://www.gesindia.in/buyer.htm Visit www.gesindia.in for more information and click here to read the GES brochure.

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

http://organics-millets.in

Celebrating Karnataka as the hub of Next Gen Smart foods, the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka is organizing the ‘Organics & Millets 2018 International Trade Fair’ at Bengaluru Palace, Bengaluru during 19 th – 21st January, 2018.

The Fair will address all aspects of the value chain, from farm to shelf, in organic and millet segments. It aims to create/enhance new markets and opportunities in organics and millets.

2. The International Trade Fair and conference offers opportunity for the organic and millet stakeholders to meet and promote business. The objective is to connect the local farmers to global value chains wherein they derive benefits of expanding organic and millet food markets. The ‘Organics and Millets 2018 International Trade Fair’ will host an international conference and an exposition. It will be a platform for domestic and international companies, farmer groups from different states and Central/State bodies in organic or millet promotion to connect with opportunities in agri-horticulture, processing, machinery, technology and marketing in global and domestic markets.

3. Detailed information with options for registration to the ‘Organics and Millets 2018 International Trade Fair’ can be accessed at the website http://organics-millets.in/.

4. Please click here to download the brochure.

News from India 1. PM on Mann Ki Baat

2. Rs 2 trillion earmarked for 90 smart cities, work on 77 started: Govt An official statement issued on Monday quoted the Minister's address to a meeting of the Parliamentary consultative committee attached to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on December 28, which said projects worth Rs.1,35,459 crore in 2,855 projects were in various stages of implementation. While 147 projects worth Rs. 1,872 crores have been completed and 396 projects with a cost of Rs 14,672 core are currently under implementation, further tendering has started for 283 projects at a cost of Rs. 16,549 and detailed project reports are being prepared for 2,029 projects worth Rs.1,02,366 crore.

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

3. Clean energy crosses 62 GW mark; solar over 16 GW, wind 32.7 GW "A total of 62.05 GW of renewable energy capacity has been installed as on November 30, 2017 which includes 32.75 GW from wind, 16.61 GW from solar, 8.29 GW from bio-power and 4.40 GW from small hydro power (up to 25 MW)," Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today. The government has fixed a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from Biopower and 5 GW from Small Hydro power.

4. Railways set to start Rs 10,000-crore track renewal exercise to replace 8,000 km of lines Indian Railways will soon start its largest track renewal exercise, targeting the replacement of 8,000 km of old and depleted lines on trunk routes at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore and overhauling the entire signaling network to improve safety. It will invite global tenders for the procurement of rails. "This length of 8,000 km would be taken starting next financial year and we would wrap up the work by the end of FY20. These are the high-density tracks for Indian Railways. We're working towards an accident-free network," a top government official said.

5. Crypto-currencies not legal tender in India, says FM Arun Jaitley Bitcoins or such crypto-currencies are not legal tenders and those indulging in such transactions are doing it at their own risk, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said as several members expressed concerns over trading on these platforms. Read more…

(The Financial Express | 2 Jan 2018)

6. Relaxed fumigation norms for agri imports extended till June 30 The Centre has extended the relaxation from methyl bromide fumigation for imported farm commodities by six months till June 30, as it is yet to notify alternate fumigants, a senior government official said today. Indian plant quarantine norms stipulate that farm commodities, particularly grains, have to be fumigated with methyl bromide at the port of loading to prevent foreign insects and pests from reaching the Indian shores.

7. India is world's second largest exporter of herbal medicines after China In an event conducted in New Delhi recently, it was announced that India is the second largest exporter of medicinal plants in the world. With 6,600 medicinal plants, India is second to China in this ranking, and together they produce over 70 percent of the herbal medicine’s demand across the globe. The event was the first time that eminent people from across the world came together to discuss the strengthening of the traditional medicinal system and its scientific purpose. The four-day programme ‘International Arogya 2017’ was organized in December 2017, where 1,500 delegates from over 60 countries participated.

Products and services from over 250 companies that manufacture alternative medicines were showcased in the event. The current valuation of the Indian herbal market is at Rs 5,000 crore with an annual growth of 14 percent........

(Think Change India, Your Story, Thu, 04 Jan, 01:02pm)

8. UP declares Noida, Yamuna E-way as electronics manufacturing zone "To develop the state as the hub of electronics manufacturing, a new policy has been released under which the units set up in this zone will be eligible for claiming necessary benefits," Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who holds the IT and Electronics portfolios said today. The minister said the aim of this policy is to ensure that the state gets the status of a favorite investment destination.

9. Telangana launches India’s 1st co-financing NBFC for MSMEs Telangana Industrial Health Clinic (TIHCL), the newly formed organization by the Telangana government for reviving and restructuring micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), has received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s approval to function as a first of its kind co-financing non-bank financial institution (NBFC) for reviving MSMEs. TIHCL, a stressed asset resolution company, will extend bridge loans and advance credit facility to MSMEs........

(BV Mahalakshmi, Financial Express, Thu, 04 Jan, 12:27pm)

10. Digital India 2018: Government launches NARI portal for women empowerment "After almost 75 years, this is the first time in India, a new portal has been launched which will provide access to all government schemes and other important information. The portal provides links to the Ministries, Departments and various autonomous bodies offering these schemes as well as easy access to online applications and grievance redressal," the Minister said to the media. As such, users can log on to www.nari.nic.in to access information on different programs offered by various State governments as well as the Centre. The NARI portal carries details on 350 different schemes for women and will be updated from time to time. The schemes are divided into seven different categories - education, health, employment, housing, and shelter, addressing violence, decision making, and social support. All in all, by introducing such initiatives it looks like the Indian government is working hard to realize its Digital India dream.

(Samden Sherpa, GIZBOT, Wed, 03 Jan, 01:36pm)

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Vol. 02, Issue. 01, January 05, 2018.

11. The Indian who became the first female doctor in the UAE Indian national Zulekha Daud is widely understood to be the first practicing female doctor in the United Arab Emirates and has played a crucial part in transforming its healthcare sector. She met BBC Hindi's Zubair Ahmed. Dr. Daud, 80, vividly remembers the day she was "parachuted" in to Dubai in 1963. "When I landed here I found there was no airport. There was only a runway.

The moment we got off we were hit by a wave of unbearable heat," she recalls........

(BBC, Fri, 29 Dec, 01:15pm)

12. Top royal honor for Indian-origin scientist Pratibha Gai Acclaimed York-based scientist Pratibha Laxman Gai has been named for damehood, the female equivalent of a knighthood, leading a number of people of Indian-origin from various walks of life in the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List 2018 released on Saturday. Gai, professor and acclaimed expert on electron microscopy based at the University of York, grew up in India and won the national science talent scholarship before winning another scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge. She is the fourth Indian-origin woman conferred with the honor since it was instituted in 1917, following Maharani Lakshmi Devi of Dhar (1931), educationist Asha Khemka (2014) and medicine academic Parveen Kumar (2017). She has been honored for “services to chemical sciences and technology”, an official release said.

(Prasun Sonwalkar , Hindustan Times, Sun, 31 Dec, 01:10pm)

13. The history of India in one exhibition A rare collection spanning two million years of history is on display in an exhibition in the Indian city of Mumbai. The India and the World: A History in Nine Stories exhibition is chronologically divided into nine sections that together account for 228 artefacts, from sculptures and pottery to portraits and drawings. It opened on 11 November at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai's biggest museum. It will run until 18 February 2018, after which it is expected to travel to the capital Delhi. Its aim, according to CSMVS director Sabyasachi Mukherjee, is "to explore connections and comparisons between India and the rest of the world".........

(BBC, Mon, 01 Jan, 05:35pm)

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