Consulate General of India, Vancouver www.cgivancouver.org
Vol. 01, Issue No. 05 October 06, 2017.
India in Vancouver Weekly Newsletter
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Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017.
Consulate News Deadline for conversion of PIO card to OCI card is extended to 31st December, 2017. All PIO card holders are advised to convert their PIO cards in to OCI cards at the earliest without waiting for the deadline of 31st December, 2017.
Indian High Commissioner's visit to Vancouver High Commissioner Vikas Swarup's visit to Vancouver accompanied by Mrs Aparna Swarup. Series of engagements connecting with a vast cross section of diaspora, intellectuals and executives.
https://www.facebook.com/cgivancouver/
Reception hosted by Mr Vivek Savkur, President and the Board of Directors of BC-IBN to welcome High Commissioner to Vancouver. HC also met with Mr Gordon Fyfe, CEO of BCIMC and with Mr Peter Dhillon, CEO of the Richberry Group.
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Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is inviting the Overseas Indian community to be the Ambassadors for Indian Tourism! Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with other Central Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders, is organizing a “Paryatan Parv” across the country from the 5th to 25th October 2017. The programme is being organized with the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and reinforcing the principle of "Tourism for All". Paryatan Parv will have three main components: 1. Dekho Apna Desh: To encourage Indians to visit their own country. This will include Video, Photograph and Blog Competitions of sites visited during the Event, Stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes, on Social Media, Tourism related Quiz, Essay, Debate and Painting Competitions for Students, Television Campaigns to promote travel to J&K and N.E. States. 2. Tourism for All: Tourism Events at thirty sites across States in the country. The activities at these sites will include illumination in and around the Sites, Cultural Programmes of Dance, Music, Theatre, Story Telling, Sensitisation Programmes for Stakeholders around the Sites, Tourism Exhibitions, Showcasing Culture, Cuisine and Handicrafts / Handlooms, Guided Heritage Walks, etc. These will be “People’s Events” with large scale public participation. 3. Tourism & Governance: Interactive Sessions & Workshops with Stakeholders on following themes: •
Skill Development in Tourism Sector
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Innovation in Tourism
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For inducting Ex-servicemen as service providers for Taxi Operation
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Developing Rural Tourism in locations near established Destinations
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Community Sensitisation Workshops on Home stay and B&B Opportunities
The Parv will be inaugurated at the Humayun’s Tomb on 5 th October 2017. Heritage Walks are being organized at the monument from 8 AM to 4 PM along with a Painting Competition for students. The formal inauguration of the event will be held at 5:30 PM at the venue which will include a cultural programme with Meera Bhajans by Vidya Shah and Dastan-e-Amir Khusrau presented by Dr. Syeda Hameed, Zakia Zaheer & Rene Singh. The Paryatan Parv will culminate in a 3 days event in New Delhi from the 23 rd to 25th October 2017 which will showcase the cultural diversity of the country, with cultural performances, crafts bazaar, food court showcasing folk and classical dance & music, handicrafts & handlooms and cuisine from all regions and States of the country. Please visit http://tourism.gov.in/paryatan-parv-5th-25th-october-2017 for more details. 2|P a g e
Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017. \\
Advantage Health Care India 2017: Promoting Services Exports from India ‘An International Summit on Medical Value Travel’ 12-14 October 2017, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru
We are pleased to share that after two very successful editions of ‘Advantage Health Care India (AHCI), we are now organizing the third edition – AHCI 2017, an International Summit on Medical Value Travel with the aim of ‘Promoting Healthcare Services Exports from India’, scheduled from 12 - 14 October, 2017 at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru. 2. AHCI is an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC). The event is being supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, NABH, EEPC and PHARMEXCIL. The main features of the Summit are - Exhibition, B2B Meetings, Regional Forums, Conference Sessions as well as Hospital Visits. 3. The medical value travel industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing segment of tourism industry despite the global economic downturn. According to the FICCI – IMS Report, India is one of the key MVT destinations in Asia with over 500,000 foreign patients seeking treatment. MVT can be a 9 billion USD opportunity by 2020 through adequate focus and effective execution. 4. Our endeavor, through the “Advantage Health Care – India 2017” is to showcase India and its immense pool of medical capabilities as well as create opportunities for healthcare collaborations between the participating countries. For registration and more information please visit http://www.ahcindia.in
Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), will be organizing the 3rd edition of International Exhibition & Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Industry – INDIA PHARMA 2018 & INDIA MEDICAL DEVICE 2018 - at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 15-17, 2018. 2. The events would comprise of an International Exhibition and a Conference along with a series of concurrent events, such as CEOs Forum, Investors Meets, International Drugs Regulatory Meet, Buyer-Seller Meet, etc. 3. The 2nd edition of the event held in February 2017 witnessed over 275 exhibitors from the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device sectors and hosted Buyers from over 24 countries. International Drug Regulators from 8 Countries and 29 Embassy/High Commission officials apart from 10,000 Business Visitors visited the event during the 3 days. Government of Karnataka participated as the Host State while the Government of Chhattisgarh was the Partner State in the last event 4. The 3rd edition will have the following components: • Exhibition • Conference • Reverse Buyer Seller Meet • International Regulators Meet • Investors Meet • CEO’s Forum with the Hon’ble Minister • India Pharma & India Medical Device Awards For further information on the events, you may refer to event website: http://www.indiapharmaexpo.in and http://www.indiamediexpo.in/ 3|P a g e
Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017.
India in Vancouver News or advertisements under this section is/are/may be third party(ies). Consulate General of India does not modify any third party(ies) content. CGI circulates the contents in newsletter based on request of concerned third party(ies).
Gandhi Jayanti 2017 Mahatma Gandhi’s 148th birth anniversary was celebrated on 2nd October 2017 at the Peace Square in Burnaby Campus of Simon Fraser University at an event jointly organized by SFU and The Thakore Charitable Foundation. Several members of the Indo-Canadian community including children paid respects and garlanded the bust of Mahatma Gandhi.
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Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017.
HINDI LOK MAHOTSAVA A HUGE SUCCESS
- ACHARYA DWIVEDI
The Hindi Literary Society of Canada, B.C has been promoting and preserving Hindi language and literature since 1998. The Society organizes its own literary events such as poetry recital sessions, seminars, conferences, book launch and annual event “Hindi Lok Mahotsava”. This year it was held on September 15, 2017. Smt. Archana Harit, President of the Society welcomed the guests and artists; and invited Acharya Dwivedi, the founder of HLSOC to address the gathering, “Hindi is a third most popular spoken language on earth. Its literature is incredibly rich. The sister sub-languages/boli of Braj, Awadhi, Rajasthaani, Pahaadi, Bhojpuri, Bundeli and Bagheli etc carry enormous variety of folk songs and dances. We are proud to revive our Lok/folk tradition with this Lok Mahotsava", commented Acharya Dwivedi. The Haryaanvi and Gujarati colorful dances won the hearts of audience. The programs by the young artists were well received. Dr. Ajay Garg conducted the cultural and literary quiz. The immediate past President Smt. Deepa Sharma was honored for her extra-ordinary contribution in elevating the image of Society. The board members of the Society Smt./Shri Deepa Sharma, Archana Harit, Pushplata Sharma, Kanti Dwivedi, Ajay Garg, Anupama Garg and Dwivedi recited the Hindi Tappe which were composed by Acharya. The Chief Guest Smt. Abha Gosain representing the Consulate General of India, Vancouver, gave cash and trophies to the winners of Hindi Pratiyogita that was organized earlier. She admired the activities of Society and expressed hope that the Consulate and the Society would co-host the next Hindi Divas. Smt. Archana gave the cash prizes and Shri Narinder Sharma and his wife Smt. Pushplata provided the trophies. Dr. Ajay Garg, VP thanked all. More than 350 guests attended the function and all were entertained with delicious dinner.
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Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017.
News from India 1. Nobel Prize in Physics: 37 Indian Scientists Co-authored Winners' Gravitational Waves Paper A total of 37 Indian scientists contributed and co-authored the gravitational waves discovery paper which has been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. The 37 Indian scientists are from nine institutes, including Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). On Tuesday, October 3, one half of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2017 was awarded to Rainer Weiss, the other half jointly to Barry C. Barish and Kip S. Thorne “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”. A TOI report says that at least 12 scientists from IUCAA were co-authors of the first discovery paper. Sanjeev Dhurandhar, a trailblazer in gravitational waves astronomy in India, said that Indians played a major role in the Nobel Prize-winning gravitational waves discovery paper. He said the Indians contributed especially in “extracting signal from noise, in detecting the gravitational waves. Scientists stressed the Nobel prize would give impetus to LIGO India project”. The group was led by Dhurandhar at IUCAA. The group of the people initiated the foundation work on developing data analysis techniques which are done to detect the weak gravitational wave signals buried in the detector’s noise. Dhurandhar told TOI that he himself has been working on this for past 30 years. “India’s contribution is quite a bit and we have played an important role in the discovery,” he said, adding, “It was a big challenge. Many thought it was an impossible task 30 years ago, but I took it up and it has received the well-deserved Nobel,” reported TOI. (India.com, Thu, 05 Oct, 03:47pm)
2. 1,300 Malayali women bid for dance record in UAE Young and old participants rehearse ‘Thiruvathirakali’ at homes, parks and other venues for record-breaking attempt on Oct 27. From young girls to grand moms, around 1,300 Malayali women in the UAE are gearing up for dancing their way into record books. They have been rehearsing in 40 different groups at homes, parks and other venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Al Ain for a few weeks now to perform a mega ‘Thiruvathirakali’, a traditional dance form from the South Indian state of Kerala. The grand performance will be held as part of Pooram Dubai, an event replicating the mini version of Thrissur Pooram, the most famous cultural festival of Kerala. It will be held at the Etisalat Academy in Dubai on October 27. Malayalam actress and dancer Asha Sharath has choreographed the 15 minutes 30 seconds-long performance. Also known as Kaikottikali, this dance form is performed by women in Kerala irrespective of their religion and caste. The dancers dressed in ethnic Kerala saree — cream colour ‘mundum neryathum’ with golden border — follow a circular pattern while dancing by clapping hands and singing. The UAE is not unfamiliar with Thiruvathirakali since it is performed at Onam festival celebrations and other events organised by the one million-strong Malayalee community here. In 2013, a mega Thiruvathirakali performance by over 450 participants had been held in Dubai. Organisers said they have invited officials from the Guinness World Records and Limca Book of Records to witness the recordbreaking attempt. The current Guinness World Record for the largest group performing Thiruvathirakali was given to 6,582 girls and women who performed the dance in Kizhakkambalam in Kerala in May this year. Reports said along with 2,500 women and children from Kerala, women from 20 other Indian states took part in the 16-minute performance. Apart from this, Pooram Dubai will also showcase various traditional art forms and a ‘kudamaatam,’ the changing of the traditional ornate parasols by mahouts sitting atop elephants. In the absence of live elephants, the organisers are arranging life-size elephant replicas. (Sajila Saseendran, Gulf News, Fri, 06 Oct, 04:28pm)
3. Indian entrepreneur wins UK business award A Ghana-based Indian entrepreneur has won a prestigious business award in the UK for his efforts to bring innovative IT solutions to Africa. Birendra Sasmal, CEO of Subah, bagged the International Business Person of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards in London last week, for turning the company into a thriving IT, telecoms and manufacturing success story with operations across West Africa. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Subah Group employs around 350 people with offices in Guinea, Sierra Leone, New York City and Dubai. Under Sasmals leadership, the groups revenues have increased by over 3,000 per cent and it has been named among one of Africas fastest growing tech companies. "We are working with Governments and operators in West Africa to help reduce fraud on their networks? and maximise revenues," said the entrepreneur who has been based in Ghana since 2010. The IT expert believes the next phase of growth for the industry will most likely involve artificial intelligence. (Aditi Khanna, India Today, Sun, 01 Oct, 03:59pm)
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Vol. 01, Issue. 05, October 06, 2017. 4. Making history again, India’s first women fighter pilots will soon take up combat jets When Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were commissioned as flying officers in the Indian Air Force, they created history as the first batch of women fighter pilots inducted in the country, a stream that was male-dominated since the dawn of Indian defense aviation. Presently, the women stalwarts are undergoing rigorous training before undertaking the responsibility of the combat jets. “You will be glad to know that their performance has been on par with other pilots despite the strenuous and demanding nature of flying,” Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa proudly mentioned during a press conference. According to a senior IAF official, who is part of the training team, the young women pilots would begin their combat jet flying operations from next month onwards, reports NDTV. At the moment, they are flying Hawk advanced jet trainer aircrafts. The IAF chief also stated that the next batch of women trainee pilots for the fighter stream that was shortlisted in July is already undergoing stage-2 fighter pilot training. “On successful completion of the training, the three women fighter pilots will be commissioned into the fighter stream in December this year,” Dhanoa added. With government motioning the induction of women in fighter stream last year, scores of girls and young women in the country can now work towards achieving their dream of becoming fighter pilots and as IAF motto goes, touch the sky with glory. (Lekshmi Priya, The Better India, Fri, 06 Oct, 03:35pm)
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