by admin | May 25, 2021 | Business Summit, Economy, Events, News, Politics
New Delhi : India is committed to provide power to all citizens at affordable cost as well as boost the national economy through an industrial revolution, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Wednesday.
The President spoke after inaugurating the International Conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment: Challenges and Opportunities (ENCO 2019) here.
He said that in today’s era of rapid technological advance, energy and environment were major concerns not only for developing countries but also for developed countries.
Global trends showed that coal will remain the predominant energy source for most countries, including India, while renewable sources will also grow, he said.
The President said that India was committed to provide power to all citizens at affordable cost as well as boost the national economy through an industrial revolution.
He urged participants of the Conference to come up with actionable ideas on environmental issues related to the use of fossil fuels and viable alternatives.
The conference was organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News
New Delhi : President Ram Nath Kovind will present the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony on February 18 here for the years 2014-2016 for an “outstanding contribution towards promoting values of cultural harmony”.
Manipuri dance exponent Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Bangladeshi cultural organisation Chhayanaut, and Statue of Unity sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar will be presented the award for years 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.
The annual award was instituted in 2012, and carries a prize of Rs 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and a handicraft or handloom item.
According to a Ministry of Culture statement, the jury for the award comprises the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Leader of the Opposition, and two eminent nominees.
Born in 1932 in Imphal, Singh, who is a Padma Shri (1986) recipient and Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi (2011), has been a performer and a choreographer for over 60 years. The years bear witness to his creativity within the framework of traditional Manipuri dance. A scholar, writer and guru, he choreographed the Manipuri dance segment of the opening ceremony of Delhi’s Commonwealth Games 2010.
The award recognises his contribution in keeping the tradition of Manipuri dance alive and vibrant, promoting harmony through dance and also pays tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, who, deeply influenced by Manipuri dance, made it an integral part of the education curriculum at Visva Bharati, the Ministry said.
Organisation Chhayanaut was part of the movement for an independent Bangladesh that provided a platform for “cultural expression and assertion of the Bengali identity at a time when such activities were considered anti-state and acts of sedition”.
During the Liberation War, its singers organised performances to inspire freedom fighters and refugees. After independence, it got involved in intensifying practice and celebration of mainstream music and culture.
A focal point for promotion of universalist thoughts and Bangla tradition, Chhayanaut was selected for “upholding the liberal progressive tradition of universal humanism of Gurudev and in promoting the spirit of cultural harmony”.
The 94-year-old sculptor behind world’s tallest statue – the 182-metre Statue of Unity in Gujarat – Sutar has been selected for his contribution towards “preservation of Indian culture and its artistic tradition”. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan holder, he has carved over 600 monumental sculptures in the last 80 years.
The first Tagore Award was conferred upon Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and the second one in 2013 upon music maestro Zubin Mehta.
The award was instituted as part of commemoration of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary in 2012.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Finance, News, Politics
New Delhi : President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that the 2016 demonetization was “an important step” in tackling black money and corruption in the country.
Addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the start of the Budget Session, Kovind said: “Demonetization was an important step in the campaign by the government against black money and corruption. It led to an attack on the parallel economy and it brought unaccounted cash back to the system. It eliminated the forces that were weakening the country.
“My government has taken strong measures against black money,” he said. Agreements have been signed with countries considered as tax havens. As many as 3.38 lakh shell companies have been shut, he added.
The President said the government had seized properties worth over Rs 50,000 crore under Benami Transactions Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other laws to deal with fugitive economic offenders.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday termed the Modi government’s decision to provide 10 per cent quota to the economically backwards sections among upper castes as “historic” and said it will help provide justice to the poor.
Addressing the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members at the beginning of the Budget Session of Parliament, Kovind said: “This historic decision will serve as justice to those poor girls and boys, who due to poverty felt deprived of their rights.”
Kovind said that the government has been making efforts to get the Triple Talaq Bill passed which is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha.
“To help Muslim women get over a life of fear and give them the right to live like other women, my government is making efforts to get the Triple Talaq Bill passed.”
He also spoke of efforts to expedite justice in cases of crimes against women and said capital punishment in aggravated rape cases has acted as a deterrent.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said that he and President Ram Nath Kovind will jointly lay the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor project in Dera Baba Nanak area of Gurdaspur district on November 26.
“Happy to share that I’ll be joining President Ram Nath Kovind ji in laying foundation stone for Kartarpur Corridor to International Border at Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur, on November 26. It will be a great moment indeed for all devotees of Sri Guru Nanak Dev,” the Chief Minister tweeted.
The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to develop the corridor from Gurdaspur in Punjab to the International Border (IB) to facilitate the passage of pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara in Pakistan as part of the 550th birth annversary celebrations of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, next year.
However, the Centre clarified that India’s decision was not in response to any proposal from Pakistan.
The resolution was passed after many weeks of internal consultations and preparations within the government.
The gurdwara is significant for the Sikh community since Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life in Kartarpur till he died in 1539.
It is located around 2 km from the IB between both countries and can be seen from the Indian side.
—IANS
