The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai today. The Session provides an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing among the various stakeholders related to sports.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underlined the significance of the session taking place in India after 40 years. He also informed the audience about India’s victory in the Cricket World Cup fixture at the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad to the roar of cheers. “I congratulate Team Bharat and every Indian on this historic victory”, he said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that sports has been a vital part of India’s culture and lifestyle. When you go to the villages of India, the Prime Minister said, one can find that any festival remains incomplete without sports. “Indians are not just sports lovers, but we also live it”, Shri Modi said. He highlighted that the sporting culture is reflected through the thousands year old history of India. Be it the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Period or the era after it, the Prime Minister underlined that India’s sporting legacy has been very prosperous. He informed that scriptures written thousands of years ago mentioned being proficient in 64 genres including sports such as horse riding, swimming, archery wrestling etc. and emphasis was laid on excelling in them. He stated that a ‘Dhanur Veda Samhita’ i.e. a Code for Archery was published to learn the sport of archery which mentions 7 mandatory skills as a prerequisite to learn archery namely Dhanushvan, Chakra, Bhala, Fencing, Dagger, Mace and Wrestling.

The Prime Minister presented scientific evidence of this ancient sport legacy of India. He mentioned the Dholavira UNESCO World Heritage site and talked about sports infrastructure in the urban planning of this 5000-year-old city. In the excavation, the Prime Minister said, two stadiums were found, one of them being the oldest and biggest stadium in the world at that time. Similarly, in Rakhigarhi sports-related structures have been found. “This sporting legacy of India belongs to the entire world”, Shri Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said, “There are no losers in sports, only the winners and learners. The language and spirit of sports are universal. Sports is not mere competition. Sports gives humanity an opportunity to expand.” “That is why records are celebrated globally. Sports also strengthens the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth, One Family, One Future”, he added. The Prime Minister also listed recent measures for the development of sports in India. He mentioned Khelo India Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games, Member of Parliament sports competitions and the upcoming Khelo India Para Games. “We are focussing on inclusivity and diversity in sports in India”, the Prime Minister emphasized

The Prime Minister credited the efforts of the government for India’s shining performance in the world of sports. He recalled the magnificent performances of many athletes in the last edition of the Olympics and also highlighted India’s best-ever performance in the recently concluded Asian Games and the new records made by young athletes of India in the World University Games.  He underlined that the positive changes are a sign of the rapidly transforming landscape of sports in India.

Shri Modi emphasized that India has successfully proved its capability to organize global sports tournaments. He mentioned the recently hosted global tournaments such as the Chess Olympiad which witnessed the participation of 186 countries, the Football Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the Hockey World Cup, the Women’s World Boxing Championship, the Shooting World Cup and the ongoing Cricket World Cup. He also underlined that the nation organizes the largest cricket league in the world every year. The Prime Minister informed that the IOC Executive Board has recommended including Cricket in the Olympics and expressed confidence that the recommendations will be accepted.

Underling that global events are an opportunity for India to welcome the world, the Prime Minister emphasized that India is primed to host global events owing to its fast-expanding economy and well-developed infrastructure. He gave the example of the G20 Summit where events were organized in more than 60 cities of the country and said that it is proof of India’s organizing capacity in every sector. The Prime Minister put forth the belief of 140 crore citizens of India

“India is eager to host the Olympics in the country. India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organization of the Olympics in 2036, this is the dream of the 140 crore Indians”, the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that the nation wishes to fulfill this dream with the support of all stakeholders. “India is also eager to host the Youth Olympics taking place in the year 2029”, Shri Modi remarked and expressed confidence that the IOC will continue lending its support to India.

The Prime Minister said that “sports is not just for winning medals but is a medium to win hearts. Sports belongs to all for all. It not only prepares champions but also promotes peace, progress and wellness. Therefore, sports is another medium of uniting the world”. Once again welcoming the delegates, the Prime Minister declared the session open.

President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Thomas Bach and member of International Olympic Committee, Mrs Nita Ambani were present on the occasion among others.

Background 

The IOC session serves as a key meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members. Important decisions regarding the future of the Olympic games are made at the IOC Sessions. India is hosting the IOC session for the second time after a gap of about 40 years. The IOC’s 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983.

The 141st IOC Session, being held in India embodies the nation’s dedication to fostering global cooperation, celebrating sporting excellence and furthering the Olympic ideals of friendship, respect, and excellence. It provides an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing among the various sports-related stakeholders.

The session was also attended by the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach and other members of the IOC, along with prominent Indian sports personalities and representatives from various sports federations, including the Indian Olympic Association.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the launch of ferry services between Nagapattinam, India and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that India and Sri Lanka are embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is an important milestone in strengthening the relations.

Underlining the shared history of culture, commerce and civilization between India and Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister pointed out that Nagapattinam and nearby towns have been known for sea trade with many countries including Sri Lanka and the historical port of Poompuhar finds a mention as a hub in ancient Tamil literature. He also spoke about Sangam age literature like Pattinappalai and Manimekalai which describe the movement of boats and ships between the two countries. He also touched upon the great poet Subramania Bharti’s song ‘Sindhu Nadhiyin Misai’, which mentions a bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka. He further added that the ferry service brings alive all those historical and cultural connections.

During the recent visit of President Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister informed that a vision document was jointly adopted for an economic partnership with the central theme of connectivity. “Connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer. It also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer”, Shri Modi said. He emphasized that connectivity enhances trade, tourism and people-to-people ties, while also creating new opportunities for the youth of both countries.

The Prime Minister recalled his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 when direct flights between Delhi and Colombo were launched. Later, the Prime Minister added, the landing of the first international flight in the pilgrim town of Kushinagar from Sri Lanka was also celebrated. He also informed that direct flights between Chennai and Jaffna began in 2019, and now the ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is yet another important step in this direction.

“Our vision for connectivity goes beyond the transport sector”, the Prime Minister emphasized as he underlined that India and Sri Lanka collaborate closely in a wide range of areas such as fin-tech and energy. Noting that digital payments have become a mass movement and a way of life in India due to UPI, Shri Modi informed that both governments are working on fin-tech sector connectivity by linking UPI and Lanka Pay. He also touched upon connecting the energy grids between the two nations to enhance energy security and reliability as energy security is crucial for the development journey of both India and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that partnership for progress and development is one of the strongest pillars of India – Sri Lanka’s bilateral relationship. “Our vision is to take development to everyone, leaving none behind”, he said. The Prime Minister stated that the projects implemented with Indian assistance in Sri Lanka have touched the lives of the people. He informed that several projects related to housing, water, health, and livelihood support have been completed in the Northern province and expressed delight in extending support for the upgradation of the Kankesanthurai Harbour. “Be it restoration of railway lines connecting North to South; construction of the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre; roll out of emergency ambulance service all across Sri Lanka; or the multi-speciality hospital at Dick Oya we are working with a vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”, Shri Modi added.

Speaking about the G20 Summit recently hosted by India, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which has been welcomed by the international community. He underlined that a part of this vision is giving priority to sharing progress and prosperity with the neighboring nations. He also mentioned the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during the G20 summit and stated that it is an important connectivity corridor that will create a massive economic impact on the whole region. He underlined that the people of Sri Lanka will also benefit from it as multimodal connectivity between our two countries is strengthened. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude and thanked the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the successful launch of the ferry service today. He also spoke about working towards resuming the ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. “India remains committed to working closely with Sri Lanka to further strengthen our bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of our people”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal released a “Compendium of PM GatiShakti” in New Delhi yesterday to mark the completion of two Years of PM GatiShakti. The Compendium consists of some of the best use cases showcasing adoption and benefits of PM GatiShakti across the country. The Compendium was released in the presence of Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Sh. Som Parkash, Special Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Smt. Sumita Dawra and other senior officers.

Over the past two years, PM GatiShakti has been pivotal in planning more than 7,000 kilometres of expressways, with digital surveys through GIS maps expediting field surveys. The year 2022-23 witnessed a remarkable increase in Final Location Surveys (FLS) for new railway lines, with over 400 projects, compared to just 57 the previous year, resulting in the planning of a staggering 13,500 kilometres of railway lines. The platform has also revolutionized the preparation of detailed surveys for petroleum and natural gas pipelines, reducing the process from 6-9 months to just a few hours, demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation by minimizing deforestation.

In this compendium, eight exemplary use cases vividly illustrate the extensive adoption and profound benefits of PM GatiShakti throughout the country. These cases encompass a wide array of projects, including the planning of expressways and Multimodal Logistics Parks by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, rail connectivity planning by the Ministry of Railways, planning of green energy corridors by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and initiatives like setting up schools in unserved areas of Uttar Pradesh, etc. This compendium will serve as an important resource demonstrating the benefits and utility of PM GatiShakti to stakeholders and promote wider adoption.

Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi the implementation of PM GatiShakti is achieving new heights. It is facilitating development of Next Generation Infrastructure, Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.

PM GatiShakti represents a groundbreaking approach to infrastructure planning by harnessing data for informed decision-making. This strategy employs multiple layers of data, which can be integrated on GIS maps to streamline digital surveys, revolutionizing the infrastructure planning process and significantly reducing field survey time and project timelines. It offers complete visibility of connectivity points, mitigates investment risks, simplifies governance for multimillion-dollar projects, and promotes economic and social connectivity.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said, after the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission and the unlocking of Space sector by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, ‘sky is not  the limit’ for India’s Space journey.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was delivering the inaugural cum  keynote address at ‘Campus Dialogue’ on Chandrayaan 3 under the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @2047′ at the Central University of Jammu today.

While interacting with the academia and students, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, India’s quantum leap in space research with India’s space economy standing at $8 billion has been only possible due to the courageous decision taken by PM Narendra Modi to unlock the space sector from the shackles of the past.

 India’s Space economy projected to grow beyond $40 Billion by 2040 and as per ADL (Arthur D Little) Report, India’s space economy has the potential to go beyond $100 Billion by 2040, which is going to be a gigantic jump, Dr. Jitendra Singh added.

On the successful conduct of the G20 Summit and Chandrayaan-3 Mission, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India today is at par with countries, such as the United States which commenced their space journey decades before us. Stating that India has made a quantum jump in its space journey in the last nine years, the Minister said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has created a supportive ecosystem. He added that the space sector has been opened for public private participation, with a swift increase in number of Space StartUps.

Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Government of India has embarked on a mission to open Space Technology Teaching Centres in higher educational institutions. In this regard, the Minister mentioned the ISRO Teaching Centre established at the Central University of Jammu. A similar centre has also been set up at NIT, Agartala in Northeast,  he informed.

Enumerating the salient features of the National Education Policy 2020,  Dr Jitendra Singh stated that India’s youth are no more “prisoners of their aspiration” as the Policy now empowers them to choose or change subjects freely depending on their aptitude,skill, interest and other factors.

Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu and Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu were among those who also spoke on the occasion.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi today. The summit is being hosted by the Parliament of India under the broader framework of India’s G20 Presidency with the theme of ‘Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister welcomed the dignitaries to the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit on behalf of 140 crore citizens of India. “The Summit is a ‘Maha Kumbh’ of all Parliamentary practices from across the globe”, the Prime Minister remarked. Underlining that all the delegates present today hold the experience of the Parliamentary framework from different countries, Shri Modi expressed great satisfaction with today’s event.

Referring to the festive season in India, the Prime Minister said that G20 kept the festive fervor going throughout the year as G20 festivities pervaded many cities where G20-related events were organized during India’s presidency. These festivities were augmented by events like the moon landing of Chandrayaan, a successful G20 summit and the P20 summit. “The biggest strength of any nation is its people and their will power and this summit is a medium to celebrate that”, he said.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the P20 Summit is taking place on the land which is not only known as the mother of democracy but is also the largest democracy in the world. As representatives of different Parliaments from around the world, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of debates and deliberations as he mentioned accurate examples of such debates from history. He informed that assemblies and committees have found a mention in the five-thousand-year-old Vedas and scriptures of India, where collective decisions were made for the betterment of society. Speaking about Rigveda, India’s oldest scripture, the Prime Minister recited a Sanskrit shloka which means ‘We must walk together, speak together and that our minds must be conjoined’. He informed that issues related to the village level were resolved by indulging in debates which became a source of great amazement for the Greek ambassador Megasthenes who wrote about it in great detail. The Prime Minister also touched upon a 9th-century inscription in Tamil Nadu which elaborates upon rules and codes of village legislatives. “The 1200-year-old inscription also mentions the rules for disqualification of a member”, he added. Speaking about the Anubhav Mantappa tradition which has been going on since the 12th century in India, and years before the Magna Carta came into existence, the Prime Minister informed that discussions were encouraged where people from every caste, creed and religion were free to express their thoughts. “The Anubhav Mantappa initiated by Jagatguru Basweshwara makes India proud even today”, the  Prime Minister remarked as he underlined that the journey of India from 5000-year-old scriptures till today is a heritage of Parliamentary traditions not just for India but the entire world.

The Prime Minister touched upon the constant evolution of and strengthening of the parliamentary traditions of India with time. He informed that 17 General elections and more than 300 state assembly elections have taken place in India since Independence. People’s participation is consistently increasing in this largest electoral exercise. He said the 2019 General election where his party was elected to power was the biggest electoral exercise of human history as 600 million voters participated in that. At that time, he said, there were 910 million registered voters, more than the population of entire Europe. 70 percent turnout among such a large electorate shows the deep faith of Indians in their parliamentary practices. The 2019 election witnessed record participation of women. Referring to the expanding canvas of political participation, the Prime Minister said that more than 600 political parties participated in the last General Election and 10 million government employees worked in the conduct of the elections and 1 million polling stations were erected for voting.

The Prime Minister also dwelled on the modernization of the election process. The use of EVMs since the last 25 years has brought transparency and efficiency to the election process as election results come within hours of the start of counting. He informed that 1 billion people will participate in the general election next year and invited the delegates to witness the elections.

The Prime Minister informed the delegates about the recent decision of reserving 33 percent seats in the Parliament and the state assemblies for women. He also told them that out of more than 3 million elected representatives in the local self-government institutions, almost 50 percent are women. “India today is promoting women’s participation in every sector. The recent decision taken by our Parliament will further enrich our parliamentary tradition”, Prime Minister Modi added.

The Prime Minister highlighted the unwavering faith of the citizens in the parliamentary traditions of India and credited its diversity and vibrancy. “We have people of every faith here. Hundreds of types of food, ways of living, languages, dialects”, the Prime Minister said. He informed that India has more than 900 TV channels in India in 28 languages to provide real-time information to the people, more than 33 thousand different newspapers are published in about 200 languages, and about 3 billion users on different social media platforms. Shri Modi emphasized the huge flow of information and the level of freedom of speech in India. “In this world of the 21st century, this vibrancy of India, unity in diversity, is our greatest strength. This vibrancy inspires us to fight every challenge and solve every difficulty together”,  Prime Minister Modi added.

Referring to the interconnected nature of the world, the Prime Minister said that a world full of conflict and confrontation is in no one’s interest.  He continued, “A divided world cannot provide solutions to the major challenges facing humanity. This is the time of peace and brotherhood, a time to move together. This is a time for growth and well-being of all. We have to overcome the global trust crisis and move forward with human-centric thinking. We have to look at the world in the spirit of One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Underlining the importance of wider participation in global decision-making, the Prime Minister said that it was behind the proposal to include the African Union in G-20 which was accepted by all the members. The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the Pan Africa participation in the forum of P20.

Speaking about the Lok Sabha Speaker giving a tour of the new Parliament to the delegates, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to highlight the cross-border terrorism faced by India for decades killing thousands of innocent people. Shri Modi recalled the terrorist attack on the Parliament of India about 20 years ago when it was in session and the terrorists were prepared to take the MPs hostage and eliminate them. “India has reached here today after dealing with many such terrorist incidents”, he emphasized as the world is also realizing the huge challenge of terrorism in the world. Shri Modi continued, “No matter where terrorism occurs, for whatever reason, in whatever form, it is against humanity” as he stressed the need to be uncompromising when dealing with such a situation. The Prime Minister also drew attention to the global aspect where no consensus regarding the definition of terrorism is achieved. He underlined how the International Convention on Combating Terrorism is waiting for a consensus in the United Nations even today. He stressed that the enemies of humanity are taking advantage of this attitude of the world as he urged the Parliaments and representatives around the world to come up with ways of working together in this fight against terrorism.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined that there can be no better medium than public participation to deal with the world’s challenges. “I have always believed that governments are formed by majority, but the country is run by consensus. Our parliaments and this P20 forum can also strengthen this sentiment”, the Prime Minister said and expressed confidence that the efforts to improve this world through debate and deliberations will definitely be successful.

Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr Duarte Pacheco were present on the occasion among others.

Background

In line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, the theme of the 9th P20 Summit is ‘Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future’. Speakers of Parliaments of G20 members and invitee countries attended the event. The Pan-African Parliament also took part in the P20 Summit for the first time after the African Union became a member of G20 at the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit on 9-10 September 2023.

The thematic sessions during this P20 Summit will focus on the following four subjects – Transformation in People’s Lives through Public Digital Platforms; Women-led development; Accelerating SDGs; and Sustainable Energy Transition.

A pre-summit Parliamentary Forum on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was also held on 12 October 2023 to deliberate upon initiatives towards a greener and sustainable future in harmony with nature.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the concluding ceremony of Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita 2023 via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that it is a special feeling to connect with those participating in the Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita 2023. Noting that this month is auspicious for sports in the country as Indian players have scored a century of medals in the Asian Games, the Prime Minister pointed out that many players from Amethi have also showcased their sporting talent amidst these events by taking part in Amethi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita. He said that the new energy and confidence that the athletes have got from this competition can be felt and it is now time to handle this enthusiasm and groom it for the best results. “The experience you have gained in the last 25 days is a great asset for your sporting career”, the Prime Minister said. He took the opportunity to congratulate every person who has supported and encouraged these young players by joining this great campaign in the role of teacher, coach, school or college representative. He underlined that the gathering of more than one lakh players is a big thing in itself and especially congratulated Amethi MP Smriti Irani ji, who made this event such a success.

“It is very important for the development of any society that sports and players get the opportunity to flourish there”, the Prime Minister said. He underlined that personality development in youth occurs in a natural way through sports while they work hard to achieve the goal, try again after losing and move forward by joining the team. Shri Modi emphasized that hundreds of MPs from the present government have prepared a new path for the development of society by organizing sports competitions in their respective constituencies and its results will be clearly visible in the years to come. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the young players of Amethi will definitely win medals at national and international levels in the coming years and the experience gained from such competitions will come in very handy.

Prime Minister Modi said, “When players enter the field, they have only one goal – to make themselves and the team victorious”. He emphasized that the whole country is thinking like the players today, putting the nation first. Referring to players, Shri Modi said that they put everything at stake and play for the country, and at this time the country is also pursuing a bigger goal. He underlined that every citizen of every district of the country has a role in making India a developed nation. For this, the Prime Minister said, every sector will have to move forward with one feeling, one goal and one resolution. He mentioned schemes like TOPS and Khelo India Games for the youth. He informed that hundreds of athletes are being trained and coached in the country and abroad under the TOPS scheme and being given assistance worth crores of rupees. He also informed that more than 3 thousand players are being given assistance of Rs 50,000 per month under Khelo India Games which helps them in meeting the needs of training, diet, coaching, kit, necessary equipment and other expenses.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in today’s changing India, talent from small towns is getting a chance to come forward openly and highlighted the contributions of small towns in making India a startup hub. Noting that many famous sporting talents in today’s world hail from small towns, the Prime Minister credited the transparent approach of the government where youth get a chance to come forward and showcase their skill. He gave the example of Asian Games where most athletes who won medals belonged to smaller cities. Prime Minister Modi underlined that the result of the government respecting their talent and providing all possible facilities can be witnessed today. “These athletes have given the result”, the Prime Minister said as he highlighted the performance of Uttar Pradesh’s Annu Rani, Parul Chaudhary and Sudha Singh. The Prime Minister emphasized that Sansad Khel Pratiyogita is a great medium to unearth such talented individuals and hone their skills for the nation.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the hard work of all the athletes will begin to show results in the coming times, and many athletes will bring glory to the country and the Tricolour.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addressed the felicitation program organized by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for the unprecedented work done by the Modi government for the Sikh community.

Shri Amit Shah said that apart from the Sikh community, there would rarely be any other community which would have such a long tradition of struggle and sacrifice against the injustice of the invaders for 10 generations. He said that no one in the whole world can match the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus for humanity and the country. Shri Shah said that we can never forget the sacrifice of the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on the plea of Kashmiri Pandits who were facing the atrocities of Aurangzeb in Kashmir reached there on foot and gave supreme sacrifice. He said that when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had decided to celebrate a festival in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, then the same place was chosen for it where the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was announced. On the same wall words in his praise were inscribed and the ceremony was held at the Red Fort itself.

Union Home Minister said that when every religion of the world was fighting a war for its own ideas, at that time from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the tenth Guru everyone gave the message of equality of all religions to the world, which the whole world is following till today and this is a matter of pride for entire India. He said that the Sikh community has moved forward taking religion and work together. He said that when it comes to sacrificing one’s life for the religion, a true Sikh never looks back and Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifices, from independence to protecting the country. He said that the country can never forget the teachings and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus.

Shri Amit Shah said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji spread the message of equality of all religions in many countries of the world. He said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji also spread the message of love throughout the world without any self interest. Shri Shah said that Guru Granth Sahib imbibes all good teachings and there can be no greater message of equality of all religions than Guru Granth Sahib.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has provided 33% reservation for women in the legislatures of states and Parliament for Women-led Development. Shri Shah said that the tradition of women empowerment started years ago in the Sikh panth with the teachings of Mata Khivi’s langar. He added that history showcases that Sikh community women have made significant contributions in the freedom struggle as well in the nation’s progress. He said that whether it’s the freedom struggle of India, the fight against the Mughals and the British, the horrors of partition, or securing the borders of the country after independence, the Sikh community has always been at the forefront. The history of our freedom struggle is full of sacrifices of brave Sikhs, and after the independence of the country, the Sikhs have made the maximum sacrifices for national security.

Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the last 9 years, several significant initiatives have been taken, such as the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, exempting GST on Langar, constructing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, making Sultanpur Lodhi a heritage city, establishing a chair in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at a British university, and providing facilities for Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan. He said that no civilized person can forget the 1984 riots, and such heinous killings were politically motivated. Shri Shah said that until the formation of the Modi Government in 2014, no one was arrested, and no one spent a single day in jail. He said that probe commissions were set up, but no concrete results ever came from them. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi established an SIT and re-opened 300 cases, leading to the imprisonment of the guilty. He said that cases are still ongoing, and the Modi government will ensure justice for the victims. He said that it was Shri Modi who has provided financial assistance of Rs. 5 Lakh each to 3,328 families of victims and restored the Jallianwala Bagh memorial to its former glory. Shri Shah Modi government opened the way to give citizenship under the ‘Citizenship Amendment Act’ to Sikh sisters and brothers who were tortured in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is very fortunate that with the blessings of the Gurus, he has got the opportunity to serve Guru Sahiban. He said that contribution of Sikh community and the Sikh Gurus to society and humanity cannot be repaid even in thousands of years.

“Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (NRF) will unfold Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s science driven growth, said the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space while chairing the monthly joint meeting of Union Secretaries of all the Science Ministries and Departments, in New Delhi today.

The Minister said, the NRF, envisaged by PM Modi, will catapult us to the league of handful of developed nations pioneering new research in new frontiers.

“Anusandhan” NRF Act was passed by the Parliament in the recent Monsoon session. NRF will provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of Natural Sciences including Mathematical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Environmental and Earth Sciences, Health and Agriculture.

Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Dr. Abhay Karandikar informed the Minister that he convened the first meeting of NRF Implementation Committee recently. The Draft Rules & Regulations will be ready by next week and once finalized, it will be tabled in Parliament.

Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said, a proposal of names for the 16-member NRF Governing Body is also under finalization. It will include 6 Experts, 5 Industry representatives and 1 Humanities expert. The NRF will connect to Tier 2 & Tier 3 institutions since 11% of its budget is earmarked for their Capacity Building.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the Executive Council of NRF is mandated not only to monitor the progress of the different projects but also to analyse the accountability of the funding at different level stages. NRF will promote the culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions and R&D laboratories and give further impetus to Clean Energy research in India and Mission Innovation, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh stressed that Tier 2/3 Institutions will need handholding so that they can absorb the funds. Besides, he said, the NRF will bring about sweeping changes in the work culture as Industry will have to come forward to take risk cover and await the gestation.

NRF budget envisions a spending of Rs. 50,000 crore over five years, out of which a major share of Rs. 36,000 crore, over 70%, is estimated to come from non-government sources, from industry & philanthropists, from domestic as well as outside sources.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the NRF will hike the R&D spending in the country.

“The demarcation between the Public and Private sector will be bridged and there will be integration. NRF will also act as a think tank, it has the mandate of deciding the themes on which the projects have to be undertaken and funded, and deciding on foreign tie-ups,” he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said there will be Industry linkages right from the beginning, creating an optimum ecosystem for innovation. Active involvement of Industry and the capital to push the quantum start-up ecosystem in India is required to boost the industry.

“Prime Minister Modi envisages the NRF that will pave the way for India to emerge a Developed Nation by 2047,” he said.

NRF will be an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) – 2020, at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crores during five years (2023-28).

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines. Since the scope of the NRF is wide-ranging – impacting all ministries – the Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be its ex-officio Vice-Presidents. NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries. It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the Industry on R&D.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that manpower will be doubled for processing Intellectual Property (IP) applications, and the process will be streamlined and made more transparent. While delivering an inspiring address at the “National Intellectual Property Conference 2023: Nurturing Growth of IP for Knowledge Economy” in New Delhi today, the Minister announced plans for a 100% digitalization of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks for enhanced efficiency.

Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of transparency in the IP system and reduced fees for applicants, particularly for women entrepreneurs, micro and small units, and academic institutions. He expressed his optimism about the involvement of women in India’s innovation ecosystem. The Minister highlighted the untapped potential for accelerating innovation and creativity through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Shri Goyal noted that women are taking leadership roles in various sectors, including startups, and their contributions are expected to be a game-changer for the country. The Minister reiterated the commitment of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to women-led development or ‘Nari Shakti’. He highlighted that nearly half of Indian startups have at least one or more women directors, and India has celebrated women’s accomplishments on a global stage.

The Minister underscored the importance of instilling a spirit of inquiry and innovation in the country’s youth. He acknowledged that their efforts to develop new ideas and innovations could only succeed if they receive proper protection and support. Shri Goyal emphasized that technology and ideas serve as the twin engines of growth, with the intellectual property regime acting as the fuel that powers this engine.

Shri Piyush Goyal quoted the Prime Minister and said, “India is committed to protecting IPR of all innovators & entrepreneurs. He discussed the efforts made to establish a robust IP regime in India, including the National IPR Policy. The Minister emphasized the pivotal role of intellectual property in India’s journey towards becoming a developed economy. He highlighted that innovation is at the core of India’s transformation and progress.

Shri Goyal stressed that no country can achieve developed nation status without a robust commitment to promoting the knowledge economy and technology-based solutions that cater to the needs of society, industry, and government. A vital aspect of this commitment is the protection and nurturing of a strong IP ecosystem. The Minister spoke about the National Research Foundation and the collaborative efforts of academia, industry, and government to promote research and development.

In his address, Shri Goyal commended the ‘National IP Award’ winners for their achievements, which he believes will inspire future generations to come up with better ideas and innovative solutions that contribute to both business and the well-being of the people. He emphasized that efforts to make business easier and improve the quality of life are interdependent, and intellectual property plays a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of stakeholders with innovative ideas.

The Minister underscored India’s vast potential for innovation, driven by its abundant talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and the skill sets of its young population. He described India as being on the verge of becoming the world’s third-largest economy, positioning it as an innovation powerhouse with infinite potential. Shri Goyal encouraged all the stakeholders to work towards realization of India’s potential as a global hub for innovation and technology.

Commenting on the growth forecast of IMF, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that India is a global bright spot, a powerhouse of growth and innovation. It is because of strength and skills of our people, Shri Modi said.

He has also reiterated commitment that we  will continue to strengthen our journey towards a prosperous India, further boosting our reforms trajectory.

Responding to the X threads of IMF, the Prime Minister said;

“Powered by the strength and skills of our people, India is a global bright spot, a powerhouse of growth and innovation. We will continue to strengthen our journey towards a prosperous India, further boosting our reforms trajectory.”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah participated as the chief guest in the consecration program of the statue of BrahmaleenMahantShri Chandnath Yogi ji and Deshmela in Rohtak, Haryana today. Many dignitaries including Union Minister Shri Bhupendra Yadav were present on this occasion.

In his address Shri Amit Shah said that many saints from across the country have come here to pay homage on the occasion of the unveiling of the statue of MahantChandnathji. He said that Mahant Shri Chandnath Yogi ji believed that only Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi can do the seemingly impossible tasks in the interest of the country.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that India is a land of many sects and for centuries, many sages here have performed penance and revealed many secrets of the universe. He said that the Nathsect occupies a unique position among our Hindu sects. He added that it is said that the Nath sect was started by Lord Shiva himself. Shri Shah said that in the tradition of 9 Naths of Nath sect, many saints from Baba Mastnath to Baba Balaknathji have worked to create many dimensions of social service, hence today there is a feeling of reverence towards this math in the entire sect.He said that this mathhas also built many important institutions in the field of health and education and, in a way, started a yagya. Shri Shah said that even during the Covid pandemic, this math came forward and started a yagya of continuous service here. He said that the tradition of service has been going on here since the eighth century and now Balaknathji is taking it forward.

Shri Amit Shah said that for For the first time since independence, Indian players have brought more than 100 medals in the Asian Games. He said that this is a matter of great pride and joy for the entire country and especially for Haryana. Shri Shah said that whether it is Tokyo Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games or World Championship competitions, there has been progress in the performance of Indian players in every competition since 2014. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken steps for sports like searching for talents from village to national level, arranging for their training, worrying about their finances and physical nutrition, selection of players in a transparent manner. Apart from this, programs like Khelo India started by the Prime Shri Narendra Modi have proved to be a game changer. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created such infrastructure in the country that when the centenary of independence is celebrated, India will be first in the world in sports like in every other field.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently presented the Delhi Declaration during the G20 conference held in India, which was unanimously passed by the entire world. He said that the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken many such decisions which will prove to give impetus to the country’s economy in the coming times. Shri Shah said that in the last 9 years, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has restored many cultural heritages of the country. In the year 2019, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi performed the BhoomiPujan of Ram temple in Ayodhya and in the year 2024, we all will be able to see Ram Lalla installed in a grand temple there.

Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has done the work of construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Corridor in Ujjain, revitalization of Kedarnath and BadrinathDham, construction ofKartarpur Corridor and restoration of ShardaPeeth in Kashmir in the last 9 years. He said that the last 9 years have, in a way, been 9 years of cultural renaissance in India. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken forward the Indian heritage of Yoga and Ayurveda by popularizing them in front of the whole world. Along with this, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also connected South and North through Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Kashi Telugu Sangamam and Kashi Saurashtra Sangamam. He said that Shri Narendra Modi installed Dharma DandaSengol, the symbol of Chola Empire, in the new Parliament building following cultural practice, which has given new momentum and consciousness to the cultural and spiritual movement of the entire country.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on October 11, 2023, visited the Safran Engine Division’s R&D Centre at Gennevilliers near Paris, France during the second and final leg of his two-nation tour. During his visit to the Centre, he witnessed the latest developments in aero-engine technology. Mr Olivier Andries, Global CEO Safran welcomed the Raksha Mantri to the facility and, along with his team, gave a detailed briefing to him. Safran expressed interest in being a part of the Indian growth story by working with its counterparts on mutually agreed joint projects.

The Raksha Mantri also met with the CEOs of the top French defence companies with a focus on their plans for collaboration with India. Mr Eric Trappier, CEO Dassault; Mr Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO Naval Group; Mr Guillaume Faury, CEO Airbus; and Mr Olivier Andries, CEO Safran Group were present during the interaction. Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production in India, including possibilities of exports to third countries. He underlined the inherent advantages of Indian market such as a large, skilled HR base, world class infrastructure and a strong legal architecture.

Later in the day, Shri Rajnath Singh will be holding the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue with the French Minister of Armed Forces Mr Sebastien Lecornu.

The Raksha Mantri reached Paris late on October 10 and interacted with the Indian community. While addressing the sizeable Indian community at the India House, he highlighted the various achievements of India in the defence sector such as increased defence exports, increasing indigenous production of defence equipment, concerted efforts on co-development and co-production in India and an enhanced outreach in the region. The Raksha Mantri spoke about the tremendous progress achieved in India in the last nine years, an assessment which was heartily supported by the Indian community.