by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi : After nearly a decade, Rashtrapati Bhavan will not host an Iftar party this year with President Ram Nath Kovind stating that there should no religious observance at taxpayer’s expense at the public building.
“After the President took office in July 2017, he directed Rashtrapati Bhavan being a public building, there would be no religious observances at taxpayer expense. This is in keeping with the principles of a secular state and applies to all festivities, irrespective of religion,” Ashok Tandon, Press Secretary to the President, said in a tweet.
He said that the President wishes all fellow citizens on all major religious festivals.
“Officials and employees living in the President’s Estate premises are absolutely free to celebrate any religious festival of their choice in the privacy of their homes. President’s Estate has religious institutions, such as a temple, a gurdwara and a masjid, erected by and for residents. On major festive occasions, the President does visit these to wish people. For example, he recently visited the masjid to mark the holy month of Ramadan,” he added.
Officials said that Iftar parties have been traditionally hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan except during the term of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002-2007).
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
New Delhi, (IANS) Rashtrapati Bhavan would be transformed into a smart township with the help of IBM Smart City Solutions.
IBM on Thursday announced that its smart city solutions have been deployed for the digital transformation of the Presidential Estate.
“Spread across 330 acres of land and home to over 5,000 residents, the self-sustained Presidential Estate is adopting IBM’s technology and solutions to become future ready. The Intelligent Operations Center addresses challenges that are inherent to townships – water supply, security, electrical infrastructure and solid waste management,” said an IBM statement.
“The transformation of the estate into a smart township is customized to further enhance the efficiency of critical infrastructure and utilities,” it added.
The partnership to reimagine the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the digital age was announced at an event graced by President Pranab Mukherjee.
A citizens mobile app, created by IBM Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), was also launched, which allows residents to report issues using the web and mobile.
“Rashtrapati Bhavan is an iconic representation of India’s smart city vision. It is a proud moment for all of us and the beginning of a great journey. We are honored to be their partner in enabling this transformation,” said Vanitha Narayanan, MD, IBM India.
