LOKMAT DEDICATES KARGIL WAR MEMORIAL HOME TO JAWANS - Business Guardian
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LOKMAT DEDICATES KARGIL WAR MEMORIAL HOME TO JAWANS

Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta appreciated the initiative of Lokmat Media Group for its contribution through Lokmat Foundation towards the development of the Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans. He said that the Lokmat Media Group’s initiative will inspire others. “I am grateful to Lokmat Media Group for expressing its gratitude towards the soldiers through action,” he said. Earlier, Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta felicitated Vijay Darda. Copies of the book ‘Public Issues Before Parliament’ written by Vijay Darda were presented to Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Colonel Kamaldeep Singh. Sweets were distributed among the jawans on this occasion

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Dras (Ladakh), July 29: The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans built for sheltering the soldiers engaged in the protection of Kargil War Memorial in Dras, which tells the story of indomitable bravery of the soldiers, was dedicated to the jawans in presence of hundreds of soldiers on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday.

The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been built with the contribution by Lokmat Foundation and funds collected from members of the public.

The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda dedicated the environmental-friendly facility to jawans in the presence of Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, Major General Nagendra Singh and the editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media and former minister Rajendra Darda. A total of 559 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for the motherland during the Kargil war of 1999. The Kargil War Memorial, which tells the story of their bravery, has been built at Dras. Every year, soldiers pay homage to these heroes and express gratitude towards them.

After the Kargil war, Lokmat Foundation undertook various social initiatives through its contribution and funds collected from the members of public. The initiatives, so undertaken, included the Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans dedicated to jawans on Tuesday.

This Kargil War Memorial Home has been constructed for the soldiers deployed to protect the Kargil War Memorial. Dras experiences minus 42 degree Celsius temperature during winter. During this time, soldiers have to face extremely difficult situations.

To overcome this problem, an environment-friendly Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been built. The temperature in this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will be more than 15 degree Celsius. Therefore, water in this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will not freeze even at sub-zero temperatures.

Commanding Officer B S Bora, under whose guidance the work was completed, gave information about the special features of this facility. Brigadier B S Multani, Brigadier U S Anand and Colonel Kamaldeep Singh were prominent among those present on this occasion.

‘LOKMAT STANDS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY’

On this occasion, the editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Rajendra Darda said after the Kargil war, Lokmat Media Group built hostels at five places in Maharashtra for the children of soldiers in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Solapur, Latur and Nanded. He informed that these social activities are being undertaken with the help of Lokmat Foundation and lakhs of readers of Lokmat.

LT. GEN. SENGUPTA APPRECIATES LOKMAT MEDIA GROUP

Commander of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta appreciated the initiative of Lokmat Media Group for its contribution through Lokmat Foundation towards the development of Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans. He said the Lokmat Media Group’s initiative will inspire others. “I am grateful to Lokmat Media Group for expressing its gratitude towards the soldiers through action,” he said. Earlier, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta felicitated Vijay Darda. Copies of the book ‘Public Issues Before Parliament’ written by Vijay Darda were presented to Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta and Colonel Kamaldeep Singh. Sweets were distributed among the jawans on this occasion.

VIJAY DARDA, RAJENDRA DARDA PAY TRIBUTES

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, several former officers of the Army were present in the morning to pay their respect at Kargil War Memorial in Dras. The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda and editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media Rajendra Darda were accorded the honour of paying their respects first. They paid floral tributes to the brave soldiers at War Memorial.

On this occasion, Vijay Darda and Rajendra Darda wrote their feelings in the visitors’ book. Vijay Darda wrote, “Here in Kargil, I can feel the heroic saga of the indomitable courage and valour of the Indian Army. I am proud of our defence forces. My dear brothers, we are living in peace because of your constant vigil and alertness.

“My humble tributes to all those brave sons who made supreme sacrifice to hold our tricolour aloft. Beyond the narrow confines of caste, creed, religion, rich and poor, true India resides in our Army. On behalf of Lokmat Media Group, I assure you that we all stand with you in every moment of life. I am proud to be associated with Kargil.

“We built boys and girls hostels in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Solapur and Latur for the children of the soldiers from Maharashtra who were martyred in the Kargil war, so that they can get a better education.

“We had collected money for the families of the martyrs. We went to the villages of the martyrs, opened separate bank accounts for their families and children and deposited the amount. Today I am satisfied that special houses have been constructed to protect the jawans in minus 42 degree Celsius temperature. I have come to dedicate these houses to you all. You stay safe, stay healthy. A big salute to all of you from the Lokmat Media Group. I salute your dedication, devotion and spirit. Jai Hind!”

Vijay Darda also informed how Lokmat Media Group raised funds to help the families of the martyrs. These amounts of money were also deposited in the bank accounts of the martyrs’ family members by going to their villages.

DESIGNED BY SONAM WANGCHUK

The Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans has been designed by renowned educationist and founder of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) Sonam Wangchuk. The facility has been built using environment-friendly and commonly used materials.

For this, the crop straw thrown away by the farmers from Punjab and the soil of Ladakh has been mainly used, said the chief operating officer of HIAL Tanmay Mukherjee. Bricks are made by mixing crop straw and Ladakh soil. These bricks act as insulators. The special feature of this Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans is that the temperature in Dras dips to minus 42 degree Celsius in winter. Also, five to six feet deep snow gets accumulated on the road. During the winter, it is essential to maintain normal room temperature. The temperature in this eco-friendly Kargil War Memorial Home for Jawans will be 15 degree Celsius. Therefore, the water kept in the room will not freeze even in the sub-zero temperatures.

Chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda inaugurating the Kargil War Memorial Home for jawans along with editor-in-chief of Lokmat Media and former minister Rajendra Darda in the presence of (from left) Brig U.S. Anand, Brig B.S. Multani, Lt. Gen. Anindya Sengupta and Major General Nagendra Singh.

A total of 559 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for the motherland during the Kargil war of 1999. The Kargil War Memorial, which tells the story of their bravery, has been built at Dras. Every year, soldiers pay homage to these heroes and express gratitude towards them.

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Policy&Politics

Kejriwal unveils ‘Guarantee’ for LS Polls: AAP’s pledge for change

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On “Kejriwal ki Guarantee”, he said 24X7 power supply, good education and health facilities, and arranging two crore jobs for youths every year are part of it.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal declared “Kejriwal ki Guarantee” on Sunday, outlining 10 urgent initiatives to be pursued swiftly, including the liberation of Indian territory from Chinese control, should the INDIA bloc come to power at the Centre. This opposition alliance, comprising parties like AAP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was established to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Lok Sabha elections.

A day after his release from jail on interim bail, Kejriwal on Saturday said the INDIA bloc will form the next government and his AAP will be part of it. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the AAP leader said people will have to choose between “Modi ki Guarantee” and “Kejriwal ki guarantee”. The latter is a “brand”, Kejriwal said.

On the announcement of his guarantees, Kejriwal said, “I have not discussed with my INDIA bloc partners about this. I will press upon my INDIA bloc partners to fulfill these guarantees.”

Kejriwal said while the AAP has fulfilled its “guarantees” of free power, good schools, and Mohalla Clinics in Delhi, “(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has not fulfilled his guarantees”.

On “Kejriwal ki Guarantee”, he said 24X7 power supply, good education and health facilities, and arranging two crore jobs for youths every year are part of it.

“We worked on management to ensure 24×7 power supply in Punjab and Delhi. We can do it in the entire country. The government schools in the country are in a bad shape. We will arrange good quality education across the country. We know how to do it,” he said.

Kejriwal also promised to end the Agniveer scheme and ensure that farmers get MSP for their crops as per the Swaminathan Commission’s report. “Rashtra Sarvopari is our guarantee. China has occupied our land and we will free it from their occupation,” he said. Kejriwal also promised to provide full statehood to Delhi.

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Economy

Macro & financial stability, boost to infra, extended PLI likely key areas in Modi 3.0

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If one were to go by the Central Government’s poll manifesto which has stayed aligned to the pre-poll interim Budget, a strong adherence to the path of macro and financial stability as priorities, marked by low inflation, strong external balances, high growth, and fiscal prudence, appears to be the likely scenario if it comes back to power. A DBS Group research by Radhika Rao, senior economist, DBS Group Research and Taimur Baig, MD and Chief Economist, DBS Group Research indicates that the government will continue with the infrastructure push, policies to expand the manufacturing sector, and establish the country’s position as a voice of the Global South.

On the first, the focus will be on improving physical and digital infrastructure, marked by new metro networks, new railway tracks, new-age trains, improved connectivity, new bullet trains, roads, and energy infrastructure. Concurrently, besides expanding the 5G network, improving rural broadband connectivity, exploring 6G technology and the digitization of land records, amongst others, were highlighted in the to-do lists, as per Rao and Baig.

Secondly, Make-in-India and PLI schemes are likely to be expanded, with an emphasis on employment creation, simplification of regulatory processes, appropriate infra for manufacturing hubs, and R&D. A mix of traditional and new-age sectors will likely be prioritized, including a globally competitive food-processing industry, and core sectors (steel, cement, metals, engineering etc), besides a push towards indigenous defense manufacturing, pharma, new age & chip manufacturing, auto and electric vehicles, amongst others.

Existing social welfare programs are likely to be enhanced with better outreach, including, a middle-class focus through the provision of high-value jobs, quality healthcare and infra to improve ease of living, amongst others. Also on the radar is affordable housing program expansion with a focus on slum redevelopment, sustainable cities, etc. The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is to be a priority, which will continue to provide free foodgrain ration to about 800 mn residents. On healthcare, Rao and Baig see continuity to provide quality free health treatment to up to 500,000 poor families under Ayushman Bharat.

The economists are also of the view that the PM Ujjwala Yojana, which has already benefited 100 mn with cooking gas connections, will be expanded. Subsidies for solar panels on roofs of 10 mn households up to 300 units/month under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, unorganized workers, farmers and continuation of financial assistance to farmers under PM Kisan, farm self-sufficiency, etc.), start-ups and micro-credit enterprises, will be the other focus areas to boost the economy from a bottom-up approach.

Rao and Baig foresee limited fiscal implications from these announcements as part of these were included in the interim budget and the manifesto did not outline any new big-bang reforms or fresh social welfare spending programs. “We maintain our FY25 fiscal deficit assumption at -5.1% of GDP with the existing borrowing program,” says the economists.

A broad-based push towards more contentious structural reforms (land, labor, farming, etc.) did not receive a mention in the manifesto, which may still be prioritized if the party returns for a third term. In our view, the incoming government is neither limited by nor will be restricted by the poll promises. To that extent, the scope of reforms can be wider than what has been laid out in the respective manifestos.

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Policy&Politics

Govt extends date for submission of R&D proposals

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The Government has extended the deadline for submission of proposals related to R&D scheme under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The R&D scheme seeks to make the production, storage, transportation and utilisation of green hydrogen more affordable. It also aims to improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of the relevant processes and technologies involved in the green hydrogen value chain. Subsequent to the issue of the guidelines, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy issued a call for proposals on 16 March, 2024.

While the Call for Proposals is receiving encouraging response, some stakeholders have requested more time for submission of R&D proposals. In view of such requests and to allow sufficient time to the institutions for submitting good-quality proposals, the Ministry has extended the deadline for submission of proposals to 27th April, 2024.

The scheme also aims to foster partnerships among industry, academia and government in order to establish an innovation ecosystem for green hydrogen technologies. The scheme will also help the scaling up and commercialisation of green hydrogen technologies by providing the necessary policy and regulatory support.

The R&D scheme will be implemented with a total budgetary outlay of Rs 400 crore till the financial year 2025-26. The support under the R&D programme includes all components of the green hydrogen value chain, namely, production, storage, compression, transportation, and utilisation.

The R&D projects supported under the mission will be goal-oriented, time bound, and suitable to be scaled up. In addition to industrial and institutional research, innovative MSMEs and start-ups working on indigenous technology development will also be encouraged under the Scheme.

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Policy&Politics

India, Brazil, South Africa to press for labour & social issues, sustainability

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The Indian delegation also comprises Rupesh Kumar Thakur, Joint Secretary, and Rakesh Gaur, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Labour & Employment.

India, on Thursday, joined the G20’s two-day 2nd Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the Brazilian Presidency which is all set to address labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and job-rich growth for all. India is co-chairing the 2nd EWG meeting, along with Brazil and South Africa, and is represented by Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Labour & Employment.

The Indian delegation also comprises Rupesh Kumar Thakur, Joint Secretary, and Rakesh Gaur, Deputy Director from the Ministry of Labour & Employment. India has pointed out that the priority areas of the 2nd EWG at Brasilia align with the priority areas and outcomes of previous G20 presidencies including Indian presidency, and commended the continuity in the multi-year agenda to create lasting positive change in the world of work. This not only sustains but also elevates the work initiated by the EWG during the Indian Presidency.

The focus areas for the 2nd EWG meeting are — creating quality employment and promoting decent labour, addressing a just transition amidst digital and energy transformations, leveraging technologies to enhance the quality of life for al and the emphasis on gender equity and promoting diversity in the world of employment for inclusivity, driving innovation and growth. On the first day of the meeting, deliberations were held on the over-arching theme of promotion of gender equality and promoting diversity in the workplace.

The Indian delegation emphasized the need for creating inclusive environments by ensuring equal representation and empowerment for all, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. To increase female labour force participation, India has enacted occupational safety health and working conditions code, 2020 which entitles women to be employed in all establishments for all types of work with their consent at night time. This provision has already been implemented in underground mines.

In 2017, the Government amended the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, which increased the ‘maternity leave with pay protection’ from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for all women working in establishments employing 10 or more workers. This is expected to reduce the motherhood pay gap among the working mothers. To aid migrant workers, India’s innovative policy ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ allows migrants to access their entitled food grains from anywhere in the Public Distribution System network in the country.

A landmark step in fostering inclusion in the workforce is the e-Shram portal, launched to create a national database of unorganized workers, especially migrant and construction workers. This initiative, providing the e-Shram card, enables access to benefits under various social security schemes.

The portal allows an unorganized worker to register himself or herself on the portal on self-declaration basis, under 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors. More than 290 million unorganized workers have been registered on this portal so far.

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Policy&Politics

India to spend USD 3.7 billion to fence Myanmar border

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India plans to spend nearly $3.7 billion to fence its 1,610-km (1,000-mile) porous border with Myanmar within about a decade, said a source with direct knowledge of the matter, to prevent smuggling and other illegal activities. New Delhi said earlier this year it would fence the border and end a decades-old visa-free movement policy with coup-hit Myanmar for border citizens for reasons of national security and to maintain the demographic structure of its northeastern region.

A government committee earlier this month approved the cost for the fencing, which needs to be approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, said the source who declined to be named as they were not authorised to talk to the media. The prime minister’s office and the ministries of home, finance, foreign affairs and information and broadcasting did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Myanmar has so far not commented on India’s fencing plans. Since a military coup in Myanmar in 2021, thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops have fled from there to Indian states where people on both sides share ethnic and familial ties. This has worried New Delhi because of risk of communal tensions spreading to India. Some members of the Indian government have also blamed the porous border for abetting the tense situation in the restive north-eastern Indian state of Manipur, abutting Myanmar.

For nearly a year, Manipur has been engulfed by a civil war-like situation between two ethnic groups, one of which shares lineage with Myanmar’s Chin tribe. The committee of senior Indian officials also agreed to build parallel roads along the fence and 1,700 km (1,050 miles) of feeder roads connecting military bases to the border, the source said.

The fence and the adjoining road will cost nearly 125 million rupees per km, more than double that of the 55 million per km cost for the border fence with Bangladesh built in 2020, the source said, because of the difficult hilly terrain and the use of technology to prevent intrusion and corrosion.

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Policy&Politics

ONLY 2-3% RECOVERED FROM $2-3 TN ANNUAL ILLEGAL TRADE THROUGH BANKING: INTERPOL

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However, Stock highlighted the enormity of the challenge, noting that between 40% and 70% of criminal profits are reinvested, perpetuating the cycle of illicit financial activity.

In a press briefing held on Wednesday, Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock unveiled alarming statistics regarding the extent of undetected money laundering and illegal trade transactions plaguing the global banking network. Stock revealed that over 96% of the money transacted through this network remains undetected, with only 2-3% of the estimated USD 2-3 trillion from illegal trade being tracked and returned to victims.

Interpol, working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies and private financial sectors across its 196 member countries, is committed to combating the rising tide of fraud perpetrated by illicit traders. These criminal activities encompass a wide spectrum, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms dealing, and the illicit movement of financial assets.

Stock emphasized the urgent need to establish mechanisms for monitoring transactions within the global banking network. Currently, efforts are underway to engage banking associations worldwide in setting up such a framework. However, Stock highlighted the enormity of the challenge, noting that between 40% and 70% of criminal profits are reinvested, perpetuating the cycle of illicit financial activity. The lack of real-time information sharing poses a significant obstacle to law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat money laundering and illegal trade.

Stock underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in exacerbating this problem, citing its use in voice cloning and other fraudulent activities. Criminal organizations are leveraging AI technologies to expand their operations and evade detection on a global scale. Stock emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies and private sector banking groups. Realtime information sharing is crucial in the fight against illegal wealth accumulation.

Drawing inspiration from initiatives such as the “Singapore Anti-Scam Centre,” Stock called for the adoption of similar models in other countries to strengthen the collective response to financial crimes. In conclusion, Stock’s revelations underscore the pressing need for concerted action to combat global financial crimes. Enhanced cooperation between public and private sectors, coupled with innovative strategies for monitoring and combating illicit transactions, is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system.

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