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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today called for Global Scientific Collaboration for bringing “Ease of Living” for common man. A Swedish Delegation led by Ambassador KlasMolin called on the Union Minister to discuss and review bilateral cooperation in Science and Technology and Innovation.

The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Professor K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DST, Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DBT, Smt. RenuSwarup, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Shri Shekhar Mande and other senior officers of the Ministry took part in the meeting.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership Science and Technology got special impetus in the last 6-7 years and the scientific pursuits and endeavours are being assigned special importance. He said, the ultimate goal of all Scientific Innovations should be that it reaches every household like happened in case of Space Technology. He said, India and Sweden are best positioned to take the S&T partnership forward and particularly emphasised the early operationalisation of Smart Grid Project in the wake of challenges of Climate Change.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, both the Governments proposed to launch a new joint call on Circular economy including the themes such as Health Science and Waste to Wealth by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Swedish VINNOVA soon. The Minister recalled that Joint Declaration on India-Sweden Innovation Partnership and the Joint Action Plan adopted during the visit of the Prime Minister of India in April 2018 identified the Energy Sector as an important area for taking forward concrete cooperation between the two countries. He said, the 6th Joint Committee held on 2nd May 2019 between two countries identified several important themes for S&T cooperation such as Smart Cities, Clean Technologies, Circular economy etc.

In his address, Ambassador KlasMolin said that the cooperation is happening in an organic fashion and it has the blessings of top leadership from both the countries. He also called for a Joint Action Plan for a sustainable future and creation of more employment opportunities in both the countries. He said, the number of Indian Skilled Workers are continuously growing in Sweden as roughly 50,000 are currently gainfully employed.

Prime Ministers of India and Sweden recently had a meeting on 5th March 2021 in which Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation welcomed the launch of a second joint industrial R&D call on Smart and Sustainable Cities, Transport Systems, Clean Technologies and Digitalization and Internet of Things under India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme, and welcomed cooperation in Smart Energy Grids amongst many other things.

On the day of virtual summit, 5th March 2021, both the Governments, through DST and VINNOVA (Swedish Research & Development Agency) launched joint call on Smart Cities, Clean Technologies, Digitalization including Internet of Things, Machine Learning etc. Under this call, 22 applications have been received jointly from various sector like IOT, AI, Healthcare, Solar, Smart Grid, Smart transport and Cleantech. The evaluation of these project proposals is in process.

The program aims to foster and support the development of collaborative R&D projects that bring together companies, research organizations, academics and other collaborators from both countries for the joint development of innovative products or processes in the following technology sectors:

1. Smart and sustainable cities and transport systems
2. Clean technologies, IoT and digitalization

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Transport & Mobility; Electrical vehicles, Autonomous vehicles, Traffic safety, Mobility as a service, Reduction in traffic congestion, Digital solutions, etc.
• Environmental technologies (Eco–system services, clean water and air, Waste management, Renewable energy, etc.)
• Circular and bio-based economy (Bio-based materials, Bio-fuels, Resource efficiency in consumption and production, Waste-to-wealth, etc.)
• Energy (Reduced energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, Alternative fuels and mobile energy sources, Renewable energy, Energy storage, Resource-efficient infrastructure planning, etc.)
• City planning (ICT for urban technical supply, Geodata, tools for dialogue with citizens, etc.)

Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, AVSM, NM has assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff from Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC at a formal ceremony held this morning at South Block, New Delhi. Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar is retiring today after glorious service of 39 years.

Vice Admiral SN Ghormade is an alumni of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Naval Staff College at the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and the Naval War College, Mumbai. The Flag Officer was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1984 and is a Navigation and Direction specialist. The Flag Officer has had extensive operational tenures onboard frontline warships of the Indian Navy. During his career spanning over 37 years, he has been through a myriad of operational and staff appointments. His important operational appointments include Commands of Guided Missile Frigate INS Brahmaputra, Submarine Rescue Vessel INS Nireekshak, and Minesweeper INS Alleppey, and Second-in-Command of Guided Missile Frigate INS Ganga. INS Nireekshak was awarded the Unit Citation for the first time during his command.

His important staff appointments ashore include Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development), Principal Director of Personnel, Director Naval Plans and Joint Director Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters as separate assignments, Director (Military Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs (Disarmament & International Security Affairs), Local Workup Team (West), and Instructor at the Navigation Direction School and the National Defence Academy. The officer also held the coveted appointments of Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.

In the rank of Vice Admiral he has held the challenging and coveted appointments of Director General Naval Operations, Chief of Staff Eastern Naval Command and Controller Personnel Services. The Flag Officer was holding the tri-service appointment of Deputy Chief (Operations & Training) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff prior taking over the present appointment as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at IHQ MoD(N).

The Flag officer was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 Jan 17 and Nausena Medal in 2007 by the President of India, and Commendation by the Chief of the Naval Staff in 2000.

He has succeeded Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar who retires after more than 39 years of illustrious service on 31 Jul 21. During his tenure as VCNS, the Navy saw an increase in budget allocation with 100% utilisation of allocated budget with impetus on capital acquisition. He proactively pushed for adopting ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ Mission with Navy allocating more than 2/3rd of capital procurement from indigenous sources, 39 out of 41 ships and submarines for Indian Navy are being constructed in Indian Shipyards. The first ever procurement case under the Strategic Partnership Model for Project 75(I) was successfully progressed for issuance of RFP during his tenure. Many other instances of technological advancements, capability enhancements and research and development projects with DRDO and DPSU were progressed during his illustrious tenure.

Today, the 30th July 2021 (Friday), the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee had organised its 1st Office Bearers Meeting of the newly appointed President

Today, the 30th July 2021 (Friday), the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee had organised its 1st Office Bearers Meeting of the newly appointed President, MPCC Shri N. Loken Singh, MLA at Congress Bhawan, B.T. Road, Imphal. The said meeting was chaired by Shri N. Loken Singh, MLA, Hon’ble President, MPCC in presence of various other party leaders.

At the outset of the meeting, the members present were warmly welcomed by Shri Hareshwar Goshwami, General Secretary(Admn.), MPCC. 

Before the commencement of the same meeting, a 2 (two) minutes silent observation was condoled on the sudden demise of Shri Sanasam Koireng Singh, Former Permanent Secretary, MPCC on 28th July, 2021. He was expired on his 73 (seventy-three) years of age.

The members present in the meeting applauded and shown their gratitude to Shri N. Loken Singh, MLA on being appointed as President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). They also expressed their views and put up several issues related to strengthening party organisation.

The Hon’ble President, MPCC highlighted several points to strengthen the party organisation thereby providing assurance to get maximum number of seats not less than 45 (forty-five) out of 60 (sixty) Assembly Constituencies in the upcoming Assembly Elections – 2022.

Meanwhile, Shri N. Loken Singh, Hon’ble President,MPCC also seeks maximum cooperation and support from all the party leaders and congress workers for the purpose of ensuing elections.

( S. Jeeten Singh )

General Secretary (Media), MPCC.