Consulate General of India,
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PBD 2018 and VHD 2018 special Vol. 02, Issue No. 02 January 12, 2018.
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Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 2018.
Consulate News Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas 2018 Celebration (09 January, 2018) Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas 2018 celebrated at CGI Vancouver with presence of distinguished members of Indian diaspora. Pleasure to receive Mr Raj Chouhan, Hon'ble Dy Speaker BC LA who spoke on the occasion. Other prominent speakers were Prof Nemy Banthia and Mr Barj Dhahan of IC-IMPACTS who shared their experience in the Canada India partnership projects and Mr Aditya Tawatia of Indo Canadian Socio-Economic Association. Consul Commerce Smt Abha Gosain welcomed the guests and Consul General Abhilasha Joshi gave the opening remarks and congratulated the Indo Canadian community for their remarkable achievements. She also briefed the gathering on the ongoing flagship projects of the Govt of India. The speeches of Hon'ble EAM and PM on the occasion of the first PIO Parliamentarians Conference were screened as well as a short film on India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians. The CGI thanks all the members who participated in the event.
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Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 2018.
विश्ि ह द िं ी हदिस 2018 समारो World Hindi Divas 2018 Celebration (10 January 2018) विश्ि ह द िं ी हदिस 10 January 2018 को भारतीय कोंसुलािास, िैंकूिर में मनाया गया। भारतीय समुदाय और ह द िं ी प्रेममयों के प्रमुख सदस्यों ने इस काययक्रम में भाग मलया। श्रीमती आभा गोसाईं, कौंसुल ने मे मानों का स्िागत ककया. श्रीमती अमभलाषा जोशी, कॉन्सल जनरल ने सभा को
सिंबोधित ककया और विशि ह द िं ी हदिस के अिसर पर माननीय प्रिान मिंत्री का सिंदेश पढा। इस अिसर पर माननीय विदे श मंत्री का भाषण ददखाया गया. आचायय द्वििेदी, श्रीमती मिु िरश्ने और श्री सुदेश कुमार ने अपने विचार प्रस्तुत ककए। ह द िं ू मिंहदर बनायबी के स्िामी सत्य और डॉ प्रीती ममश्रा ने भी इस काययक्रम में भाग मलया।
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Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 2018.
Consulate General of India Vancouver Swachh Bharat Kosh – Contribution of funds by NRI/PIOs With a view to achieving ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ Government of India has established ‘Swachh Bharat Kosh’ to mobilise the required funds. NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin are requested to generously contribute to the ‘Kosh’ to achieve the purpose of making India swachh. 2.The contribution can be made either online or through cheque/DD/electronic transfer. Societies can also contribute to the Swachh Bharat Kosh through the same channel. Bank details for transfer of funds to Swachh Bharat Kosh are given below: Account No: Bank Name: Branch Name: Branch Code: Address: Email: IFSC Code: MICR No: SWIFT Code: PAN No:
34215500587 State Bank of India Central Secretariat Branch 00625 North Block, New Delhi 110001 sbi.00625@sbi.co.in SBIN0000625 110002014 SBININBB373 AAPTS3635L
3.In case any clarification is required, Shri Rajeev Ranjan, Administrator, Swachh Bharat Kosh, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India can be contacted. His coordinates are: Phone: +91 11 23095679 & Email: jspfs-doe@gov.in or Shri N.K.Sinha, Director, PF C.II: Email: nk.sinha@nic.in ……………..
Consulate General of India Vancouver Press Release Subject: Procedure for reverification of mobile connections for NRIs, etc A large number of overseas Indians have been facing difficulty in operating their mobile connections procured in India as the telecom operators are insisting on linking Aadhaar number with the mobile number. As most of NRIs do not possess Aadhaar Card, they are unable to link their Indian mobile number with the Aadhaar number. The matter regarding exempting overseas Indians from linking Aadhaar with their Indian mobile connections and issuing suitable advisory to telecom service providers was under consideration of Department of Telecommunications (DoT). 2. DoT has now issued a communication dated 01.12.2017 to all mobile phone service licensees to use alternative method to reverify existing customers belonging to certain categories including foreigners (covering PIOs and OCI cardholders) and NRIs. Procedure and format for this purpose has been prescribed. A copy of DoT No.800-26/2016-AS.II dated 01.12.2017 is attached and the same is also available on the public domain of DoT i.e. http://www.dot.gov.in/subscriber-verification *** 03rd January 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)
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Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 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. 2. This scheme will be part of Friends of Punjab Garima Gram Yojana scheme and will be financed from this scheme only viz.– 06-Friends 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. 3. 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. 4. 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/
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. 4|P a g e
Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 2018.
News from India 1. Indian Diaspora Across the World are Permanent Ambassadors of the Country: PM at PIO Conference Lauding the countless contributions made by the Persons of Indian Origin world over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, called the PIOs “permanent ambassadors of India” during the inaugural session of the PIO-Parliamentarian Conference in New Delhi. He further acknowledged NRIs’ active role as partners in India's development. Click Here to Read Full Speech 2. BC Deputy Speaker Raj Chauhan calls on Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana KP Chandigarh, December 12, 2017: Deputy Speaker of British Columbia Legislative Assembly Mr Raj Chouhan today called upon the Speaker Punjab Legislative Assembly Rana KP Singh to explore the possibility of establishing a mutual arrangement or partnership agreement between Legislative Assemblies of both states. He also conveyed congratulations to Chief Minister Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh on the behalf of Premier of British Columbia Mr John Horgan for winning the confidence of the people. Read more… 3. ISRO’s PSLV-C40 places CARTOSAT-2 Series, 30 other satellites in two different orbits SRIHARIKOTA: After a lull of over four months, the Indian Space Research Organization is back in the game as its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C40) successfully placed 31 satellites in two different orbits in one of the longest missions. The launch was also significant for another reason -- ISRO demonstrated multiple-burn technology that it tested in three previous launches. "This is PSLV's 40th successful launch," project director R Hutton said. PSLV-C40, in its 42nd flight, placed 31 satellites -- Cartosat-2 Series, Microsat, 28 foreign nanosatellites and an Indian nanosatellite -- in orbits. The foreign nanosatellites are from the US, France, Finland, the UK, South Korea and Canada. Read more… 4. One lakh gram panchayats become internet-service ready in Phase 1 The government has completed the first phase of the BharatNet programme, having connected 1 lakh gram panchayats (GPs) with optic fiber, telecom minister Manoj Sinha Monday said, and hoped that the second phase to connect to 1.5 lakh more GPs will be completed before time by December this year. "101,370 gram panchayats (village blocks) are service ready as of December 28, 2017, while the second phase has already been initiated with eight states doing at their own," Sinha said. Read more… 5. Nearly 8,500 stations to get Wi-Fi facility at Rs 7-bn cost: Railways All railway stations, nearly 8,500 across the country, including those in rural and remote areas - will be equipped with Wi-Fi facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 7 billion. As part of the government's ambitious Digital India initiative, the national transporter has currently commissioned Wi-Fi services at 216 major stations enabling about seven million rail passengers to log on to the free Internet facility. The Wi-FI facility at these stations in rural and remote areas will be offered to the local population as part of the digital makeover of rural India to promote e-governance. As per the timeline, while 600 stations are targeted to be provided with the Wi-FI facility by March 2018, the Railways aim to cover all 8,500 stations by March 2019............... (IANS, Business Standard, Mon, 08 Jan, 01:11pm)
6. Bullet Train - Work on India’s first undersea tunnel starts Aee Biz reported that initial work on India’s first undersea tunnel, part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, has started in Mumbai. The bullet train has a 21-km underground corridor from BKC to Kalyan Shilphata, and of this, seven km is under the Thane creek, with 1.8km of it to be built under the sea bed, and the remaining under the mangroves marshland on either side of the creek. Currently, a team of engineers from National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), RITES Ltd, and Japan’s Kawasaki Geological Engineering reportedly congregated in the city to initiate phase one of the work of the tunnel....... (AEE BIZ, Steel Guru, Fri, 05 Jan, 01:26pm)
7. On fast lane! Tractor sales on course to hit record high this fiscal With almost all tractor manufacturers, including majors Mahindra & Mahindra, Sonalika and Escorts, posting double-digit growth in the nine-month period ended December, the industry expects to surpass the previous sales high of 6.3 lakh units in FY2014, and clock sales of 6.5 lakh units in the current fiscal (against 5.82 lakh units reported in FY2017), said industry sources. Read more… 5|P a g e
Vol. 02, Issue. 02, January 12, 2018. 8. Indian-origin businessman appointed World Business Council for Sustainable Development Chairman Singapore-based Indian-origin businessman Sunny Verghese has been appointed as the Chairman of the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Verghese, 57, Co-Founder and the CEO of Singapore's agri-business group Olam International Limited, is the first World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Chair from the agri-sector. (PTI , Times of India, Wed, 10 Jan, 12:53pm)
9. Aamir Khan ranked ‘no. 1 foreign actor’ in China In a recent survey conducted by IMDB China, Aamir Khan has emerged as the ‘No. 1 foreign actor.’ Aamir Khan has a huge fan base across the globe and especially in China. After a record-breaking run in India, Aamir Khan’s “Dangal” topped charts in China too, crossing Rs. 1200 crore there. Owing to the actor’s popularity, Khan's previous films – “3 Idiots,” “PK” and “Dhoom 3” were also very successful at the Chinese box office. The Chinese market has not opened for any other actor the way it has for Aamir Khan. For them, Indian movies are almost synonymous with Khan, just the way it was for Raj Kapoor in the erstwhile USSR (Russia) and is for Rajinikanth in Japan. (R.M. VIJAYAKAR, India West, Fri, 05 Jan, 01:48pm)
10. Meet an auto driver from Kerala who has donated over Rs 15 lakh for the treatment of 7 kids Sathyan is not an ordinary Autowala, he contributes a good part of his income for the family of children who cannot afford their medical expenses. Till now, He has donated Rs 15 lakh for the treatment of children who suffered from various ailments, reports Mathrubhumi.com. Sathyan has contributed to the treatment of seven kids so far. He has given Rs 5.5 lakh for Arjun, a fivemonth-old resident of Malappuram. He looks after his family and meets both ends of his life from the income he earns from driving. Now, his two children have got jobs, and he is now happy that he can give a good portion of his income for the needy. (The Logical Indian, Thu, 11 Jan, 05:46pm)
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