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August 31, 2018
India Government launches 'Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)'
Photo: India Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar.
To ensure that Innovation is the primary fulcrum of all Higher Education Institutions, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, is introducing ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)’ to rank education institutions and universities on innovation-related indicators. ARIIA will consider all significant signs which are commonly used globally to list the most innovative education institutions/universities in the world.
“ARIIA ranking will certainly inspire Indian institutions to reorient their mindset and build ecosystems to encourage high-quality research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than quantity, ARIIA will focus on the quality of innovations and will try to measure the real impact created by these innovations nationally and internationally. Moreover, ARIIA will set tone and direction for institutions for future development for making them globally competitive and in the forefront of innovation,” the Ministry said.
“For India to emerge as a global innovation hub, the higher education institutions need to play a crucial role to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem,” the Ministry explained.
ARIIA will primarily focus on five main parameters
Indicators — Weightage
- Budget Expenses and Revenue generated through Innovation and entrepreneurship development — 20
- Facilitating access to advance centers / facilities and entrepreneurial support system — 10
- The idea to Entrepreneurship — 54
- Development of Innovation Ecosystems Supported through Teaching & Learning — 10
- Best innovative solutions Developed In-house for Improving Governance of Your Institution — 6
- Total Weightage — 100
Application Open Date: 15th Oct 2018.
Last Date: 30th Nov 2018.
The announcement of ARIIA ranks: April 2019.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:51 AM | View the original post
August 30, 2018
India at the Asian Games 2018, Jakarta, Indonesia
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, with the Boxing Gold Medal Winner of the Asian Games 2018 in New Delhi on September 05, 2018.
Photo: Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra selects the javelin for the final of the 18th Asian Games Men’s Javelin Throw at the Bung Karno Main Stadium Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, August 27, 2018. Neeraj Chopra won the Gold Medal. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Andika Wahyu/mes/18.
Photos: Indian shooter, Rahi Sarnobat, prepares to shoot the target in the final of the women’s 25-meter Pistol at the 2018 Asian Games shooting arena in Jakabaring Sports City, Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Rahi Sarnobat won the Gold Medal. ANTARA FOTO/ INASGOC/Iggoy el Fitra/thv/18.
Photo: Indian Badminton Women’s Singles Player, Saina Nehwal, clenches her fist after gaining extra points in the semi-finals of the 2018 Asian Games individual event at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, August 27, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC//Hadi Abdullah/tom/18.
Photo: India Squash Player, Sunayna Sara Kuruvilla hits the ball while competing against Thai squash player in the 2018 Asian Games Women’s Team Squash preliminary round at the Gelora Bung Karno Squash Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, August 28, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Ikhwan Yanuar/inp/18.
Photo: India’s Badminton Singles Player, Pusarla V Sindhu, in action in the women’s first round of the 2018 Asian Games at the Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, August 23, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Nafielah Mahmudah/tom/18.
Photo: Japanese Sailing Pair, Furuya Shingen and Hachiyama Shinji (right), with Indian Sailing Pair, Varun Ashok Thakkar, and Ganapathy Kelapanda Chengappa (left), spur their sailboats while competing in the Asian Games 2018 Sailing Competition in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday, August 25, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/YU/18.
Photo: Indian Women Sailing Pair, Varsha Gautam and Sweta Shevegar, spur their sailboat while competing in the Asian Games 2018 Women’s Sailing Competition in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. Varsha Gautam and Sweta Shevegar won the Silver Medal. ANTARA FOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/YU/18.
Photo: Indian Squash Player Joshana Chinappa participates in the Squash Women’s Team Semifinal at the 2018 Asian Games at GBK Squash Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, August 31, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Sakti Karuru/inp/18.
Photo: Indian Bridge Payers, Shibhnath Sarkar and Pranab Bardhan, won the Gold Medal in the Men’s Pair category in the 18th Asian Games 2018 at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, September 1, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/INASGOC/Setiyo Sc/Ttn/18.
Photo: Indian Hockey supporters wave their hands and shout during the 3rd place competition in the men’s hockey in 2018 Asian Games at Hoki Square, Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, September 1, 2018. ANTARA FOTO/ INASGOC/Dadang Tri/pras/18.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:17 AM | View the original post
August 27, 2018
India Ministry of Tourism organizes “International Buddhist Conclave 2018”
Photo: The delegates of the International Buddhist Conclave- 2018 visiting the Ajanta Caves, in Maharashtra on August 24, 2018.
Photo: The delegates of the International Buddhist Conclave - 2018 visiting the Sarnath Stupa, at Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh on August 26, 2018.
India’s Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, is organizing a 4-day International Buddhist Conclave from 23rd - 26th August, 2018 at New Delhi and Ajanta (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh).
From 24th - 26th August 2018, delegates would be taken for site visits to Aurangabad, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, and Sarnath.
The delegates from the following 29 countries are participating in the International Buddhist Conclave: - Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, who inaugurated the gathering, said that tourism is a multi-stakeholder enterprise. “The private sector and civil society have substantial roles. The state and municipal administrations play a critical part in providing a safe and secure visitor experience. The business potential of tourism is immense. Across our world, this industry is a big job creator, especially for local households and local communities. In its essence, tourism, like Buddhism, is about people and empowering them to realize their potential,” the President added.
According to the India Ministry of Tourism, “There are nearly 500 million Buddhists all over the World, and the majority of them live in East Asia, South East Asia, and Far East countries. However, a tiny percentage of them visit the Buddhist sites in India each year. So the potential of encouraging more tourists to visit the Buddhist destinations where Lord Buddha lived and preached is immense.”
“One of the most precious gifts that Ancient India has given to the World is, the Buddha and his Path, which is, the Eight-fold Path, in the Pali language, Aá¹á¹hangiko Maggo. Therefore, ‘Buddha Path’ on the one hand, refers to the extraordinary Teachings of the Buddha which is also called the Middle Path which when practiced brings the purity of mind and leads to Peace, Happiness, and Harmony within and even in the Society as well. The Buddha Path provides quality of life based on Values as moral principles, or other ideas that guide our choices; Right beliefs, connection to nature and place with spirituality; Way of Life, daily practices, good habits and inspiring traditional skills for mental growth, thereby, making it the Living Heritage,” the Ministry of Tourism explained.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:35 AM | View the original post
August 26, 2018
India's Prime Minister, Vice President, and President Greet People on the Auspicious Occasion of Raksha Bandhan
Photo: The Union Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, tying a Rakhi to the Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, in New Delhi on August 26, 2018.
Photo: Preschool girl is tying a ‘Rakhi’ on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wrist on the occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ in New Delhi on August 26, 2018.
The Prime Minister of India, the Vice President of India, and the President of India have greeted the people on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
“Greetings on Raksha Bandhan,” the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said in his short message.
“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan.
“Raksha Bandhan is celebrated all over the country reaffirming the strong bond of love and affection between brothers and sisters. The festival also upholds the high place traditionally accorded to women in our society.
“On this happy occasion, let us rededicate ourselves to upholding the dignity and respect of women in our country,” the Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu, said in his message.
“On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad.
“Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the unique relationship between brothers and sisters. Tying off a Rakhi symbolizes love, affection and mutual trust between sisters and brothers. May the spirit of this festival strengthen fraternal feelings, and inspire us to live in a society defined by universal respect for the security and dignity of women, especially of girl children,” the President, Ram Nath Kovind, stated in his message.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:35 PM | View the original post
August 23, 2018
UN Security Council Meets on Threats to Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts
Photo: Joana Cook, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, chairs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. 23 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Manuel Elias.
Photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaks with Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, before the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. 23 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.
Photo: Nikki R. Haley, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, speaks with Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, before the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. 23 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.
Photo: Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), addresses the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. 23 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.
Source: United Nations, New York.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:07 PM | View the original post
Prime Minister of India attends convocation of Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressing at the 4th Convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on August 23, 2018.
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the 4th Convocation of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on August 23, 2018. The Governor of Gujarat, O.P. Kohli, and the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, are also seen.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, today attended the convocation ceremony of the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
He described the University and its students as pioneers. He appreciated the students for their persistence in selecting a stream that is conventionally believed to be unconventional but is highly essential for today’s age. He said that these traits of self-belief and determination would help the students in times to come.
The Prime Minister said that a robust forensic science setup helps in ensuring public safety and curbing crime much the same way as an efficient police force and a competent judiciary.
Forensic science is crucial since it makes a potential criminal fear that he is very likely to be caught if he commits a crime, the Prime Minister said.
“Not just India, but from across the globe, Law Enforcement Agencies are coming forward to ask for help from your university. Your university is getting a reputation at the international level by helping many countries by providing training and consultancy to their people.”
“I have been told that in the last five years, Gujarat Forensic Science University has trained more than six thousand officers. The University has trained more than 700 police officers from more than 20 countries. After returning to their respective countries, the officers are using their knowledge and skills to keep their country and society safe today. It is a matter of great pride for all of you and Gujarat that this University is playing such a decisive role in Global Security on the strength of its training and education.”
“Friends, criminals and ways of committing crime are constantly changing. To deal with the rapidly changing crime scenario, you have to develop newer techniques to make it clear that we will not spare the criminals. The Government is establishing a State of the Art lab at Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh. I am confident that in the coming times, we will be able to speedily and accurately investigate crimes,” Mr. Modi told the audience.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:23 PM | View the original post
August 18, 2018
New Permanent Representative of Italy Presents Credentials to the UN Secretary-General
Photos: Maria Angela Zappia, new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Italy to the United Nations, presents her credentials to Secretary-General António Guterres. 13 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
Source: United Nations, New York.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:38 AM | View the original post
International Press Institute (IPI) urges Pakistan Leader, Imran Khan, to ensure Press Freedom; Welcomes Coordinated Press Freedom Editorials in the United States
Photo: Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan, is captured at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. January 27, 2011. Image provided by & copyright © World Economic Forum / Jolanda Flubacher.
The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 100 countries, has called on Pakistan leader, Imran Khan, to reverse a deteriorating environment for the independent press in the country.
In a letter to Khan this week, IPI Executive Director urged the former cricket star to set a new course.
“IPI would like to congratulate you and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party PTI on the success in the recent elections. The people of Pakistan have demonstrated faith in you and PTI has emerged as the largest single party in the National Assembly,” the letter said.
“While the citizens of Pakistan are looking forward to a change in the governance of the country and hope that it will be free of corruption and coercion, the IPI network expects that you will restore media freedom and create an environment where journalists and media organizations can function without anxiety,” IPI Executive Director wrote in the letter.
“Excellency, you are well aware that a discordant climate is contrary to both the democracy and the free flow of information necessary for a strong and corruption-free democracy that you have promised to usher in to create a new Pakistan.”
“We, therefore, call upon Your Excellency to do everything possible to ensure that the government reverses the deteriorating environment for the independent press and that the government protects the press from the onslaught of state institutions. Unless strong measures are taken to deter further attempts to influence reporting in the media and to ensure that newspapers are allowed to publish freely, and television channels are allowed to broadcast in Pakistan without any further harassment, it will be hard to establish a vibrant democracy,” the letter stated.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
• IPI Welcomes Coordinated Press Freedom Editorials in the United States.
Photo: Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, speaking during the Session “Special Address by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America” at the Annual Meeting 2018 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. January 26, 2018. Image provided by & copyright © World Economic Forum / Faruk Pinjo.
Photo: Miriam Elder, Foreign Editor, BuzzFeed, USA, is captured at the Annual Meeting 2014 of the World Economic Forum at the Congress Centre in Davos, Switzerland. January 24, 2014. Image provided by & copyright © World Economic Forum / Andy Mettler.
The North American Committee (NAC) of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 100 countries, today welcomed coordinated editorials published by hundreds of newspapers across the United States in support of press freedom.
In a statement, the NAC said it “lauded and supported the efforts of 350 American publications to promote a free and robust press.”
It continued: “The editorials, while aimed at critical statements by President Donald Trump, are an effort to remind the American people that the press has a vital role in a democracy. Force or aggression against journalists undermines our democracy. Press Freedom is an issue that speaks to the heart of who we are as Americans - that we need a free and fearless press to be able to function in our democracy. These editorials remind all of us the critical function of the media in our society.”
The editorials came as the U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning “attacks on the institution of the press” and affirming that “the press is not the enemy of the people.”
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:07 AM | View the original post
August 14, 2018
Preschool Children visit Vice President of India; Greet him on the occasion of the Country's Independence Day
Photo: A section of a group of preschool children (from GD Goenka La’Petite Preschool) at the residence of the Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu, to greet him on the occasion of Independence Day of India, in New Delhi, today.
Interacting with the children and their teachers (from GD Goenka La’Petite Preschool) who had come to wish him on the occasion of Independence Day, in New Delhi, today, the Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu, said that Mother is the first Teacher to a child, and we should educate the children about Mother, Motherland, and Mother’s tongue. He further stated that we should enlighten them about our traditions and rich cultural heritage. Their education should begin with a good grounding in their mother tongue, he added.
The Vice President advised the teachers to take the responsibility of transforming children into responsible citizens. He further said that Guru plays the most crucial role in building up the future of the nation by educating children. Technology is also necessary, but Google can never replace Guru, he observed.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressing the Nation on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2018.
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, interacting with the school children after addressing the Nation on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi on August 15, 2018.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:28 AM | View the original post
August 13, 2018
United Nations Event on Indigenous Peoples’ Migration and Movement
Photo: Chief Tadodaho Sidney Hill of the Onondaga Nation (United States), leaves the podium after making a ceremonial call to order to open an event on the theme “Indigenous Peoples’ Migration and Movement”, held on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August). 09 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Manuel Elias.
Photo: Rosa Montezuma, of the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous and Miss Panama 2018, makes opening remarks during an event on the theme “Indigenous Peoples’ Migration and Movement,” held on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August). 09 August 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Manuel Elias.
Source: United Nations, New York.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:58 PM | View the original post
August 11, 2018
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addresses Annual Convocation of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, delivering the convocation address at the 56th Annual Convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, in Mumbai on August 11, 2018.
Photo: An award winner at the 56th Annual Convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, in Mumbai on August 11, 2018.
Mumbai, India, August 11, 2018 — The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today delivered the convocation address at the 56th Annual Convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
“IIT Bombay is one of those institutions of independent India which were conceived to give a new direction to nation building through technology. For the past 60 years, you have continued in this mission. During this time, you have established yourself among the top institutions of the world. Your institution is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. However, more important than that, all the diamonds which are present here in front of me, who are graduating today, who have been graduating from here, are illuminating the name of India all over the world,” Mr. Modi told the gathering.
“The result of the continuous efforts of the last six decades is that IIT Bombay has made its place among the country’s selected Institutions of Eminence. So now you are going to get the financial help of Rs. 1000 crores which would be useful in the development of infrastructure here in the future. I congratulate you and the whole team for this,” Mr. Modi said, referring to the “Institution of Eminence” status the Government of India has accorded to the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. See this post for more information —
Government of India grants "Institution of Eminence" status to Six institutes
“The nation is proud of the IITs, and what IIT graduates have achieved. The success of the IITs led to the creation of several engineering colleges around the country. The IITs inspired them, and this led to India becoming one of the world’s largest pools of technical workforce. Over the years, the IITs have built Brand India globally. IIT graduates went to America and excelled there: first as students in Universities and then as technology experts, entrepreneurs, executives and in academics. It was a large number of IIT students who built the IT sector in India, brick by brick..or I should say, click by click,” Mr. Modi declared.
“The degree you have received today is a symbol of your dedication to your goal. Remember that this is just a pause, the real challenge is waiting outside. What you have achieved till today and what you are going to do now is linked with the expectations of yourself, your family, and the hundred and fifty million countrymen. What you are going to do will be the basis of the New India. Once again many Good Wishes and Congratulations. I consider myself honored that I have had the opportunity to spend some time among you all,” Mr. Modi concluded.
The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar; the Governor of Maharashtra, C. Vidyasagar Rao; the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis; and many other dignitaries attended the gathering.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
आज इस अवसर पर सबसे पहले मैं डिगà¥à¤°à¥€ पाने वाले देश-विदेश के विदà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤°à¥à¤¥à¤¿à¤¯à¥‹à¤‚, और उनके परिवारों को बधाई देता हूं, उनका अà¤à¤¿à¤¨à¤‚दन करता हूं: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 11, 2018
बीते 6 दशकों की निरंतर कोशिशों का ही परिणाम है कि IIT Bombay ने देश के चà¥à¤¨à¤¿à¤‚दा Institutions of Eminence में अपनी जगह बनाई है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 11, 2018
आपको अब à¤à¤• हज़ार करोड़ रà¥à¤ªà¤ की आरà¥à¤¥à¤¿à¤• मदद मिलने वाली है जो आने वाले समय में यहां इंफà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤Ÿà¥à¤°à¤•à¥à¤šà¤° के विकास में काम आने वाला है: PM
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:35 AM | View the original post
August 10, 2018
President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, calls on Prime Minister Modi of India
New Delhi, India, August 10, 2018 — Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Ms. Espinosa on her election to the post of President of the 73rd UN General Assembly. Ms. Espinosa shared her priorities for the General Assembly’s upcoming session. Prime Minister Modi assured her of India’s full and constructive cooperation in discharging her new responsibilities.
They discussed the need for stronger UN action on significant global challenges including terrorism, United Nations reform and climate change.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:54 PM | View the original post
August 9, 2018
International Press Institute (IPI) writes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh expressing concern over growing intolerance toward independent journalism.
Photo: Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, speaking during the Session “A New Chapter for Climate Action” at the Annual Meeting 2017 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 18, 2017. Image provided by & copyright © World Economic Forum / Manuel Lopez.
Vienna, Austria, August 8, 2018 — The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, has expressed grave concern to the government of Bangladesh over recent intolerance towards objective reporting.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, IPI has urged her to take robust steps to prevent this growing narrow-mindedness.
“Thanks to the role of the press, strong public opinion was built across the world in favor of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The writers of the Bangladesh constitution recognized the importance of a free press by guaranteeing press freedom in the constitution. We urge you to keep this spirit in mind and ensure that the government upholds the constitutional protections for the press,” IPI wrote in its letter.
“The IPI network is also extremely concerned about your government’s move to replace the ICT Act with the Digital Security Act, provisions of which will restrict the right of journalists to expose acts of corruption that you have consistently promised to eradicate.”
“The bill, if approved by Parliament in the current form, will have a serious, oppressive impact not only on journalists but also on all citizens of Bangladesh,” the letter said.
“We, therefore, urge you to act immediately and take appropriate action to end intolerance towards reporters and hold talks with journalists’ bodies in the country to create a conducive atmosphere for press freedom in Bangladesh, which has been severely compromised by recent incidents,” IPI stated in its letter.
• IPI welcomes India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s quick decision to rescind controversial policy.
Photo: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Recently, the International Press Institute (IPI) welcomed the prompt decision by the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, to revoke a controversial policy issued by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had issued a statement announcing that it would withdraw government press accreditation of those found to have published or broadcast fake news. The announcement did not define what constituted false intelligence. After condemnation by the press in India, primarily by the TV News Channels, who vehemently opposed the move, Prime Minister Modi intervened and ordered the withdrawal of the announcement.
Commending Prime Minister Modi’s immediate decision to uphold media freedom, IPI’s executive director, Barbara Trionfi, said that the new rule would have severely impaired the freedom of TV News Channels in India and their ability to report on crucial issues. ‘’We are thankful for Prime Minister Modi’s quick response to this misguided policy”, she said.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:13 PM | View the original post
August 8, 2018
Vice President of India calls for Strong, Non-Profit, Philanthropic Private Universities
Photo: The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, presenting medals to the students at the 7th Convocation of O.P. Jindal Global University, in New Delhi on August 07, 2018.
New Delhi, India, August 7, 2018 — “Strong, non-profit, philanthropic private universities, aimed at providing quality education and promoting academic freedom need to emerge at the earliest,” the Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, said while addressing the 7th Convocation of O.P. Jindal Global University, here today.
“This process needs to go hand-in-hand with the development of existing public universities that suffer from inadequate funding for faculty and infrastructure,” Mr. Naidu added.
“Sadly, the World University Rankings over the years have not been featuring even a single Indian university in the list of top 200 ranked institutions of the world. I am deeply conscious of the fact that other developing countries like China have made vast strides in quality higher education, while India has lagged behind. We need to change this dismal scenario and infuse new values and future-oriented thinking in our universities, particularly by learning from best practices of other universities around the world which have leapfrogged in a short duration,” Mr. Naidu said.
“I believe that our universities should have open doors to collaborations with the best institutions in the world to ensure student mobility, joint faculty research, and joint projects. That way, some of the deficits in our system can be overcome through knowledge transfer. We are in an era where innovation need not mean reinventing the wheel on all aspects of university management and functioning. We can easily pick up good ideas and adapt them to Indian conditions, provided we have an open mind.”
“Our institutions are still saddled with unnecessary bureaucratic baggage, narrow academic politics, and absence of visionary administrative leadership. Financial weakness and low quality of higher education are two sides of the same coin. I wish to emphasize that significant private sector contributions are vital for new and innovative universities to come up.”
“To create world-class universities, we must draw from experiences around the world, and, a mere glance at top-ranked public and private universities around the world makes it apparent that the non-profit system is one effective way to ensure excellence in teaching, research, and capacity-building,” Mr. Naidu observed.
“I have noted that O.P. Jindal Global University has a large number of full-time foreign faculty members recruited from top universities across the world. Let me end by congratulating once again the graduating students. Remember that India and the world are waiting for you to make a valuable contribution to public well-being. No matter which profession you take up after graduating, always keep high moral values as your guiding principle,” Mr. Naidu concluded.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:21 AM | View the original post
August 6, 2018
University Grants Commission of India (UGC) asks Registrars of all Universities to Refund Interest Gained against Grants or Aids and Report Compliance
New Delhi, August 6, 2018 — The University Grants Commission of India (UGC) has asked all the Universities to refund the interest against grants or aids released to them.
“All interests earned against grants-in-aid released to university should be mandatorily remitted to the UGC account after finalization of accounts. Any interests earned out of grants-in-aid should not be treated as additional funds over and above the allocation,” the commission said in a communication to Registrars of all Universities.
The UGC has asked the universities to refund the amount at the earliest and send the compliance report to it.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:40 AM | View the original post
August 5, 2018
India and the UN: Celebrating 70 years of Invaluable Service to the Cause of Peace
Photo: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with General Dalbir Singh, Chief of the Army Staff of India. 04 April 2016. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Evan Schneider. (file photo).
Photo: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, addresses a tea ceremony for military and police advisers of troop-contributing countries hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
Among others, LuÃs Carrilho, United Nations Police Adviser; Carlos Humberto Loitey, United Nations Military Adviser; and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations; attended the ceremony. 01 June 2018. United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
United Nations, New York, August 4, 2018 — From protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants and helping countries transition from conflict to peace, Indian men, and women in uniform have served the cause of peace from the earliest years of United Nations peacekeeping and continue to do so in some of the most challenging missions.
“UN peacekeeping operates in increasingly complex environments, and we are grateful for steadfast partners like India, who have risen to new challenges and continue to participate meaningfully in our efforts to protect vulnerable civilians,” the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said in a recent interview with UN News.
Mr. Lacroix visited India in June as part of a broader trip to the sub-region during which he thanked the Government and people of India, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, for their service and sacrifice in the name of peace. Together, troops and police from the four countries currently make up close to one-third of some 91,000 uniformed personnel across 14 UN peacekeeping operations.
According to UN News, commencing with its participation in the UN operation in Korea in 1950, India has a long and distinguished history of service in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country, as well as the first-ever all-female force that helped to bring peace to Liberia in the wake of that country’s brutal civil war.
From 2007-2016, there were nine rotations of all-female police units from India, whose primary responsibilities were to provide 24-hour guard duty, public order management and conduct night patrols in and around the capital, Monrovia, while assisting to build the capacity of local security institutions.
Hailed as role models, these female officers not only played a vital role in restoring security in the West African nation but also contributed to an increase in the number of women in the country’s security sector, the UN News said.
“The contribution you have made to inspiring Liberian women, to imparting in them the spirit of professionalism, to encourage them to join those entities, those operations that protect the nation, for that we will always be grateful,” then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf stated when the last all-female unit departed Liberia in February 2016.
Medical care is among the many services Indian peacekeepers provide to the communities in which they serve on behalf of the Organization. They also perform specialized tasks such as veterinary support and engineering services.
In South Sudan, for, example, the Indian veterinarians ran a mobile clinic earlier this year, traveling across the Upper Nile region, including to remote and dangerous locations, to treat sick cattle and educate their owners about disease prevention.
“Wherever I went I was being welcomed by people. They were delighted because there was no one, no one to look after them and whatever little we could contribute as a veterinarian and part of UNMISS, it is beneficial for them and the animals,” said Indian peacekeeper and veterinarian Prashant Tripathi.
The Indian contingent in the Upper Nile region includes the Indian Battalion, the Horizontal Mechanical Engineering Company, the Level II hospital, the Petroleum Platoon and the Force Signal Unit. They have all received UN medals of honor for their dedication and service in peacekeeping.
The Indian contingent in South Sudan has gone the extra mile by providing vocational training and life-saving medical assistance, as well as carrying out significant road repair work.
It is the nature of the Indian Army to step in any time when there is a need when we are on peacekeeping missions, says Colonel Gaurav Bhatra, UNMISS battalion chief.
Colonel Gaurav Bhatra, who commands the 850-strong Indian battalion, considers such efforts “a normal part of Indian culture.”
“Even in our country, we are sometimes called upon to assist in areas where it is challenging to alleviate the suffering of the people. It is the nature of the Indian Army to step in any time when there is a need when we are on peacekeeping missions.”
According to UN News, more than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948. Currently, there are around 6,700 uniformed peacekeepers from India, the vast majority of them in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
India has also provided 15 Force Commanders to various missions and was the first country to contribute to the Trust Fund on sexual exploitation and abuse, which was set up in 2016.
India’s longstanding service has not come without cost; as of 30 June 2018, over 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price while serving with the United Nations.
“India has lost more peacekeepers than any other Member State. We grieve with the families and the people and Government of India for these losses,” noted Under-Secretary-General Lacroix. “India’s continued commitment to UN peace operations and global peace and security is invaluable,” Mr. Lacroix said.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:26 AM | View the original post
August 4, 2018
UN Information Service conducts the United Nations Graduate Study Programme at the UN Office, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Photos: Participants of the United Nations Graduate Study Programme in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. 13 July 2018. UN Photos / Jean-Marc Ferré.
To deepen the understanding of the United Nations system through first-hand observation and study, the United Nations Information Service conducts Graduate Study Programme at the United Nations Office at Geneva each year.
This seminar provides an opportunity for outstanding graduate and postgraduate students from all over the world to deepen their understanding of the principles, purposes, and activities of the United Nations and its related agencies.
The 56th Graduate Study Programme was held at the Palais des Nations from 2 to 13 July 2018. It comprised lectures given by senior members of the United Nations and the Geneva-based specialized agencies.
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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:45 AM | View the original post
August 1, 2018
Higher Education Institutions remain committed to advancing the Global Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with the United Nations
Photo: United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed (left), meets with Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). United Nations, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.
Photo: UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, speaks at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea while attending the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF-SD). Seoul, South Korea. UN Photo/Mark Garten.
New York: UNESCO, as a partner of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), joined the “Higher Education Sustainability Initiative Global Event,” held at United Nations Headquarters, at the margins of the High-level Political Forum 2018.
The global event for higher education institutions brought together diplomats, UN officials, education experts, university administrators and students to share their experiences and strategies for advancing the sustainable development agenda. University administrators from all over the world participated in the discussion, including from the University of São Paulo, Universidade de Cabo Verde, Universidad de Monterrey, Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University.
Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, underscored that equal access to education for all men and women is a fundamental building block for sustainable peace and sustainable development.
Lily Gray, Senior Program Specialist and Liaison Officer from UNESCO’s New York office, moderated the session on highlighting innovative collaborations between Higher Education Institutions and the United Nations. In her opening remarks, Ms. Gray stressed the importance of Education for Sustainable Development, which empowers learners with knowledge, skills, and values they need to address the social, environmental and economic challenges of the 21st century. UNESCO representative emphasized that universities and higher education institutions have a pivotal role to play in Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development, by contributing to analysis and diagnosis of sustainability challenges to inform policy, conducting research and providing advice on strengthening national education systems and capacity building for sustainable development across different sectors.
The interactive discussion explored how the world is integrating 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into sustainability strategies, research, teaching, pedagogy, and campus practices, and how it is positioning higher education institutions as crucial drivers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), is a partnership between United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNESCO, United Nations Environment, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, United Nations University (UNU), UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, and UNITAR. With commitments from over 300 universities from around the world, it provides higher education institutions with a unique interface between higher education, science, and policy-making.
UNESCO is the only UN agency with a mandate in higher education. As such, it contributes to developing evidence-based higher education policies. In line with Target 4.3 of Sustainable Development Goal 4 that says “by 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university,” UNESCO provides technical support to the Member States to review higher education strategies and policies in order to improve equitable access to quality higher education and enhance mobility and accountability. Through its UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, UNESCO partners with higher education institutions to advance teaching, learning and research that supports the development of sustainable knowledge societies.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:25 PM | View the original post
