Government set to achieve Rural Housing Targets
Hon’ble Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) exactly one year ago on 20th November, 2016 from Agra. A target of completing one crore new houses after beneficiary registration, geo-tagging and account verification by 31st March, 2019 was set. Of these, 51 lakh houses had to be completed by 31st March, 2018.
After the launch, it took few months to complete the process of beneficiary registration, geo-tagging, account verification etc. 55.85 lakh houses have already been sanctioned and work is under progress. Nearly 30 lakh of these houses have reached roof level of construction and 15 lakh of these houses are at finalization level. As on 20th November, 2017, 9.03 lakh houses have already been completed. It is expected that 10 lakh PMAY(G) homes will be completed by 30th November, 2017, 15 lakh houses by 31st December 2017, 25 lakh houses by 31st January, 2018, 35 lakh houses by 28th February, 2018 and 51 lakh houses by 31st March, 2018. States like Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal have completed a large number of houses.
New designs, local construction material, use of technology through rural mason training, geo-tagging of assets and payment directly into the account of beneficiary through IT-DBT platform have ensured transparent, hassle-free and quality programme implementation. All States and UTs are trying very hard to facilitate beneficiaries to complete their homes on time. The use of Socio Economic Census (SECC 2011), validation by Gram Sabha and use of Space Technology for geo-tagging has ensured that there are least inclusion errors and it is only the homeless and those living in one kuccha room with kuccha roof or two kuccha rooms with kuccha roof are the beneficiaries of this pro-poor programme. Technology has been used to empower the poor. The homes are designed by the best of institutions after studying the existing local design typologies and are constructed by beneficiaries as per their need. These homes are not only changing the rural landscape but also bringing about a social transformation in villages across the country. The poor are getting safe homes and can live with dignity with facilities like toilet, LPG connection, electricity connection, drinking water facility etc. The governance reforms under PMAY(G) and the impact of higher demand of steel and cement on growth is being studied by the National Institute of Public Finance & Policy, New Delhi. The Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee will undertake a study on actual use of new designs, impact of rural mason training, local materials and new technologies under PMAY(G). A study on social transformation is being commissioned separately to understand the impact of a good housing programme. The progress of PMAY(G) can be seen by any person on Awaassoft.nic.in platform with geo-tagged photographs and complete details of beneficiaries and payments made to them.
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International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be inaugurated in Goa today
The opening and closing ceremonies at IFFI-2017 are being live-streamed on YouTube, Facebook & Periscope of the main Social Media Platforms.
Press Conferences will be starting from 21st November 2017. The Opening Press conference will about the Film “Beyond The Clouds” from acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi. Those addressing this press conference will be Vishal Bhradwaj (Dialogue Writer), Ishaan Khatter (Actor), Malavika Mohanan (Actor), Reza (EP) Majid Majidi (Director), A R Rehmaan (Music Composer) Sharin Mantri (Producer, Namah Pictures), Sujay Kutti (Producer, Zee Studios), Kishor Arora (Producer, Namah Pictures). The second Press Conference will be on the section “Country Focus – Canada”.
IFFI 2017 has already garnered a great amount of buzz owing to its stellar announcements that include many firsts. The Festival, that is credited with a Grade “A” status by the International Federation of Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) announced that the festival will be presenting 195 films from over 82 countries of which there will be 10 World Premieres, 10 Asian and International premieres and over 64 Indian premieres as part of the Official programme.
The Festival will open with the much talked about new feature, “Beyond The Clouds” from acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi and presented by Namah Pictures and Zee Studios and close with the World premiere of the Indo Argentinian Co-production “Thinking of Film” directed by Pablo Cesar. While noted actor Shahrukh Khan will grace the opening ceremony of the festival as a special guest, the closing ceremony will be graced by noted actor Salman Khan, this in addition to a galaxy of noted industry professionals, international guests, dignitaries and film celebrities.
The press and delegate screenings that will kick off on the 21st of November will also see the opening of the Indian Panorama section, with the section being inaugurated by renowned actress Sridevi. The same day will also see the IFFI 2017 Country Focus on Canada being celebrated with a grand red carpet opening, amidst the presence of noted Canadian actors and celebrities. The Country focus Canada that has been organized in association with the government of Canada with the collaboration of Telefilm Canada, curated by the Toronto International Film Festival,
The International Competition section of IFFI 2017, which carries a cumulative cash prize of over Rs. 1 Crore (Rs.10 Million)will showcase 15 of the finest films of this year, competing for the Golden and Silver Peacock awards. The International Competition jury will be headed by renowned filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, who is joined by his fellow jury members Festival director Maxine Williamson from Australia, Actor-Director Tzahi Grad from Israel, Russian Cinematographer Vladislav Opelyants, Director and Production Designer Roger Christian from the United Kingdom.
This edition of the Festival will also be presenting films from a record number of women filmmakers (Over 30) in addition to a carefully curated section of Restored classics from across the globe, which includes the recently completed restorations of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis and Tarkovsky’s Sacrifice among some other notable films.
Among many other firsts at the Festival, IFFI 2017 will present a specially curated section celebrating the most loved spy in films, James Bond. The section will showcase films featuring the various leading actors who have played the iconic character, through a package of 9 films. Additionally, the Festival will present 4 films from young filmmakers of the Biennale College as a first of its kind collaboration with the the Venice International Film Festival. Speaking about the same, Venice International Film Festival Director, Alberto Barbera said “I am particularly grateful to IFFI for the collaboration that gives the Venice Film Festival the opportunity to present four films produced in the frame of the Biennale College Cinema, a projects we are greatly proud of for the results obtained in supporting young filmmakers from all over the world. I am sure that the audience of the prestigious IFFI will appreciate the quality of these micro-budget films, and combined efforts of our two institutions to offer them a larger visibility. I wish that we will be able to continue our collaboration, which is based on shared feelings of love for good cinema and passion for young talented film directors”.
The 2017 edition of the Festival will also host a Mixed Reality Sidebar featuring Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality activities in addition to a series of Master Classes and Panel Discussions featuring the who’s who of the entertainment industry, including noted filmmakers Atom Egoyam, Shekhar Kapur, Nitesh Tiwari and Farah Khan, as well as Oscar winning sound designer Craig Mann.
IFFI 2017 will present the coveted Indian film personality of the year award on acclaimed actor Amitabh Bachchan and the Lifetime Achievement award to celebrated Canadian director Atom Egoyan.
Health Ministry notifies amendment to Food Safety & Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011
Food Safety & Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through FSSAI, has notified amendment to Food Safety & Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011 on 7th November, 2017. This notification contains maximum permissible limits of various antibiotics in meat and meat products including chicken. Maximum permissible limits of 37 antibiotics and 67 other veterinary drugs are prescribed for chicken.
Through this notification, objections and suggestions have been invited from all the stakeholders including general public within 30 days of the notification i.e. by 6th December, 2017. The objections & suggestions received will be placed before the Scientific Panel of FSSAI on Residues of Pesticides and Antibiotics for consideration. The recommendations of the Scientific Panel will be considered by the Scientific Committee and then the Food Authority for approval after which it will be notified in the Gazette of India with the approval of the Hon’ble Minister.
World Fisheries Day Celebrations 2017
On 21st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers from 18 countries met at New Delhi and established the World Fisheries Forum (WFF) advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies. To commemorate this occasion, every year 21st November is celebrated all over the world as World Fisheries Day. In India, it is being celebrated for the fourth consecutive year. This year the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is celebrating it on 21st November 2017 at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, Pusa Road, New Delhi. This year’s theme is “2022 Ka Hai Sapna … Kisan Ki Aay Ho Dugna – Sankalp Se Siddhi”.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare will inaugurate the World Fisheries Day Celebrations. Exhibition, technical sessions and information on Blue revolution Schemes are the main attractions of the event. On this occasion an exhibition showcasing the technological advances made and development achieved in Fisheries Sector would be organized and about 50 exhibitors will be participating. In technical sessions, Subject Matter Experts, Progressive Farmers and Entrepreneurs would make presentations on various topics in emerging areas related to Fisheries Development in the county for the benefit of the participants and the stakeholders at large, for achieving the envisaged fish production. Topics on components and targets of Blue Revolution, shrimp aquaculture, sustainable intensification of aquaculture, cage culture, tilapia culture, ornamental fish farming, aquatic animal health management, policy on fisheries, etc., all of which would lead to increase in production and productivity, will be discussed. Fishers, fish Farmers, entrepreneurs, Departmental officers from States, extension workers, scientists, and other dignitaries from all over the country will participate in the event.
Indian riders seal the Asia Cup of Road Racing Championship 2017
Indian riders seal the Asia Cup of Road Racing Championship 2017 at Suzuki Gixxer Cup.
Joseph Matthew clinches the 2017 Suzuki Gixxer Cup Championship
New Delhi, November 19, 2017: It was an exciting weekend of the wheel to wheel racing as the Suzuki Gixxer Cup Championship and the Asia Cup of Road Racing, under the aegis of FIM and FMSCI, in association with JK Tyre Motorsports, concluded today at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).
Joseph Matthew of Coimbatore warded-off a spirited challenge from the defending champion Sachin Chaudhary, of Ahmedabad, to clinch the 2017 Suzuki Gixxer Cup Championship. For the final round of this year’s Suzuki Gixxer Cup championship, the added incentive for the racers was an opportunity to test their mettle against the continent’s best racers on the common grid for 2 races with the participants of Asia Cup of Road Racing. The local crowd, which had turned out in large numbers, had a lot to cheer as India’s Sai Rahil Pillarisetty took the top spot in both the races. Sai, however, had to dig deep to hold on to his top spot in the Race 2 as Japan’s Ms. Miu Nakahara ran him close, finishing just 0.19 seconds in the second-place
In the Suzuki Gixxer Cup, having entered the Round 4 with 56 out of a possible 60 points in the previous 3 rounds, Joseph reaped dividends of his previously consistent performances to stake claim to this year’s championship. Despite Sachin winning both the races at the Buddh International Circuit and collecting a 20-point haul, the 8-points earned by Joseph in Race 1 from a second-place finish ensured that he had the last laugh by wresting the championship from Sachin.
Sachin had earlier won the Race 1 as well in just 17:30.116 minutes, ahead of Joseph by 0.321 seconds. However, it was his stunning victory in the final race that had made it a Sunday to remember for the audiences that had packed into the iconic Grand Stand. Clocking 17:28:492 minutes over his 6 laps; Sachin edged past Mumbai-boy Sanjeev Mhatre by just 2.903 seconds to romp home. In the process, he took the second spot in the 2017 Gixxer Cup Championship with a total tally of 49-points, while Malsawmdawngliana of Aizwal managed a third-place finish with 43 points. Aizwal’s Lalmawipuia, who finished the fifth today, ended the championship in fourth-place with 42 points. Sanjeev’s second-place finish at the final race allowed him to end the championship at the fifth-place with 32-points.
In the Asia Cup Road Racing, racers are exposed to different environments, as they compete on unfamiliar tracks in the unfamiliar country on bikes they have never ridden before. The races are conducted in two-person teams where they pair-up with riders they normally battle within their national championships. Besides enabling them to test themselves against leading riders in other Asian countries the championship also provides the perfect grooming ground to prepare for their future international careers as they have to adapt to new languages, food and weather conditions while dealing with new racing challenges.
The detailed race results are as follows:
Suzuki Gixxer Cup:
Race 1: (6 Laps)
| Name | Total Time | Fastest Lap Time |
| Sachin Chaudhary (Ahmedabad) | 17:30.116 | 02:53.980 |
| Joseph Matthew (Chennai) | 17:30.437 | 02:53.362 |
| Sanjeev Mhatre (Mumbai) | 17:45.325 | 02:55.031 |
Race 2: (6 Laps)
| Name | Total Time | Fastest Lap Time |
| Sachin Chaudhary (Ahmedabad) | 17:28.492 | 02:50.477 |
| Sanjeev Mhatre (Mumbai) | 17:31.395 | 02:54.373 |
| Lalmawipuia (Aizwal) | 17:39.448 | 02:54.614 |
Asia Cup of Road Racing:
Race 1: (6 Laps)
| Name | Total Time | Fastest Lap Time |
| Sai Rahil Pillarisetty (India) | 17:30.175 | 02:54.021 |
| Israel Vanlalhruaizela (India) | 17:59.773 | 02:58.028 |
| Lal Nunsanga (India) | 17:59.775 | 02:57.791 |
Race 2: (6 Laps)
| Name | Total Time | Fastest Lap Time |
| Sai Rahil Pillarisetty (India) | 17:28.411 | 02:54.250 |
| Miu Nakahara (Japan) | 17:28.598 | 02:54.168 |
| Mei Sakurai (Japan) | 17:35.910 | 02:54.630 |
About the Championship
Suzuki Motorcycle launched the Gixxer Cup in 2015 with much fan following and through the last 3 seasons, it evolved into a brilliant platform for the budding racers in India and a spectacular racing championship. In addition to laying the foundations for Suzuki’s global racing heritage in India, the Suzuki Gixxer Cup has brought class-leading motorcycle racing infrastructure to the local talent at a fractional cost. Apart from showcasing the real potential of the Gixxer SF, this championship also doubles up as a rider development program for the up and coming local racers by giving them an affordable platform for valuable racing experience and exposure to the dynamic sport of motorcycle racing.
For the third year of the Gixxer Cup, Suzuki is determined to raise the bar yet again and has teamed up with JK Tyre Motorsport to organize the Gixxer Cup for 2017 along with JK-NRC racing championship. Visit our dedicated website www.suzukigixxercup.in for all the relevant information – Championship Calendar, Results, Photos, and Videos.
International Seminar on Indian Space Programme:
Mr Ulrich SchelbDir of MT Aerospace AG present papers at Ashoka Hotel New Delhi
International Seminar on Indian Space Programme: ‘Trends and Opportunities for Industry’ inaugurated in New Delhi
The International Seminar on Indian Space Programme: ‘Trends and Opportunities for Industry’ was inaugurated here today. The seminar is being organised by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Antrix Corporation Limited (the commercial arm of ISRO), in coordination with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The objective of this two-day conference is to deliberate on the best practices, pursue the ongoing discussion process to support further work of India’s Space Sector and facilitate arriving at coherent framework, where in India’s Space Sector can start expanding the domestic and global opportunities through enhanced partnerships and collaborations. The seminar is aimed to highlight the achievements and major milestones of Indian Space Sector in recent past, and the future programs and plans. During the seminar, the stakeholders from industry, policy makers, thought leaders and academia, will brainstorm on the enabling and encouraging policies of Government of India to exploit the commercial space segment by Indian Industry targeting both domestic and international market.
While giving his inaugural address, the Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman Space Commission and Chairman Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shri AS Kiran Kumar said that Innovations are shaping the Space Industry and the endeavour should be to provide access of advantages of space to common people. He said that technological innovations have undergone a giant leap with the passage of time. He further said that the development and progress of the country is directly dependent on the strides made in the sector of space growth.
Shri Kumar emphasized the vision and objectives enunciated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi can be achieved, with progress in ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up and Stand-up India’ initiatives. He said the industry and stakeholders in the space sector value-chain can play a pivotal role in providing the necessary fillip to the advancement of country. He said that Industry-Academic interaction and collaboration are the pillars for knowledge development in this sector. He emphasized that the value addition in the space sector is multi-faceted in its approach with collaborative models of development like Public Private Partnership (PPP) are adding a new dimension to the future growth prospects. He urged the private sector to collaborate and explore the huge potential in space sector in areas such as space exploration, joint ventures of collaboration in assembly and integration of satellite sub-system, cluster development, knowledge and information dissemination, launch infrastructure co-development, ISRO’s versatile workhorse PSLV launch vehicle integration and GSLV Cryogenic technology transfer, communication and navigation satellite creative co-creation opportunities, among others. He said seminars like this provide the necessary platform to deliberate and brainstorm on various multi-dimensional aspects of space collaboration among various stakeholders like Government, Industry, Academia and Scientific Community. He said that space has no national or geographical boundaries and the scope for collaboration is immense. He said indigenous development of space and satellite technology, be it PSLV or GSLV, can provide the ideal ground for infrastructure development of country. He said such developments can help in communication and navigation earth observation, education, health, agriculture, energy resource exploration, mineral and meteorological analysis.
Shri AS Kiran Kumar said the pace of development in the space sector is resulting in astronomical demand for more scope of co-development and collaboration. He said that ISRO has presently 42 operational satellites and has set new benchmarks in Lunar and Mars exploration by India’s successful launch of Chandrayaan And Mangalyaan. He said in the years to come the challenge will be decreasing the cost of access to space for optimal advantage of common people and to utilize the talent base of demographically young country. He said that the endeavour should be to improve the quality and standard of living of citizens of the country. He said India has demonstrated to entire world its capabilities in satellite launch with comparative cost advantage compared to other foreign space agencies. He said this has ideally placed India in the league of nation for successful space launches even for other foreign countries, who wish to utilize this advantage which ISRO provides. He emphasized that recent initiative of launching a SAARC satellite in space is bearing fruits for all its neighboring South-Asian countries.
President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Mr. Naoki Okumura said that the collaboration of India and Japan is multi-dimensional in aspects related to exploration of space science, collaboration among space industry of both countries; promote research communities for their scientific endeavour and development of centers of excellence in space infrastructure projects. He emphasized on developing the space projects leveraging each other capabilities for the holistic growth of the space sector.
Deputy Director General, JSC Glavkosmos, Russia, Mr. Vitaly Safonov said the scope of collaboration of space industry is promising. He said that India and Russia have excellent bilateral relations in political, cultural and diplomatic level and the space collaboration is another step in defining the growing relations between the two countries. He said that the perspective of industry partners of two countries is for capacity building and for new modes of development in various sector like space and earth sciences, communication and navigational satellite technological advancement, space enabled services cooperation, space engine and sub-system co-development with utilizing each other potential by elevating the level of cooperation to unprecedented levels.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman Space Division of FICCI, Col HS Shankar said the ecosystem of technology and satellite development can be felicitated by big industries like TATA, L&T, GODREJ, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) ably enabled by Small and Medium Enterprises. He said that the growth can be fostered with Government to Business and Government to Government collaboration with foreign Government and Space Agencies.
Advisor, Space Division of FICCI Lt Col Ratan Srivastava said that foreign countries agencies and industry participating in the Seminar can collaborate in space sector strengthening and co-development, while deliberating and discussing the scopes of development in various stages of value chain and supply of sub-systems. He expressed optimism in build capabilities and establishment of centers of excellences in this sector.
Secretary General, FICCI Dr. Sanjaya Baru said that the approach of development should be coordination and collaboration among Private and Public sector, strategic agencies of foreign countries, space agencies, Ministry of Defence, Department of Space and Atomic Energy.
The two-day seminar includes sessions on Space Industry Ecosystem: Role and Opportunities for Industry, Leveraging Public-Private Partnership for Indian Space Programs, Capacity building and talent management and panel discussion on role of industry in Indian Space Program. Eminent speakers include Dr M Annadurai, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre (Bangalore), Dr P G Diwakar, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, Shri K. Sivan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Shri S. Somnath, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Shri P. Kunhikrishnan, Director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shri Tapan Mishra, Director, Space Applications Centre, Dr V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. Y V N Krishnamurthy, Director, National Remote Sensing Centre and Dr. Kumar Krishen, Professor, University of Houston, USA.
The conference will help in gaining the latest insight on the key thrust areas of Indian Space sector, provide access to latest current and future outlook of space sector, provide first hand information on the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the space sector, help discussing innovations and developments in the space sector, building partnerships and identifying investment opportunities and act as a platform to interact with the policy makers, space scientists, technocrats and industry leaders. The B2B and B2G meetings giving opportunity to stakeholders to know each other and discuss the business opportunities.
The valedictory session of the conference will he held tomorrow. The Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar and Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog will be present during the valedictory session.
Love Jihad a threat for the Hindus and the nation: Dr. Surendra Jain
New Delhi. Nov. 20, 2017. The kind of objection that the secular brigade has displayed on the distribution of Love-Jehad related literature at the spiritual fair in Jaipur by Vishwa Hindu Parishad, proves the anti-Hindu mentality of the secular brigade. The Int’l Jt. Gen Secy of VHP Dr Surendra Jain said that today the whole world is contemplating on how to tackle the Love-Jehad conspiracy. The term used by the west for Love-Jehad is Romeo-Jehad. In India, the name Love-Jehad has been given by the Kerala High Court. In a similar kind of case, the secular should be asked for answers to the questions posed by the Allahabad High Court. The Allahabad High Court has asked, “Why is it that only Hindu girls are getting married to Muslim boys. Why is it that Muslim girls are not getting married to Hindu boys?” “Why is it that only Hindu girls are converting to Islam but the Muslim boys are not converting to Hinduism? Why is it that a lot of these girls are simply disappearing after such marriages?”
Dr. Jain said that earlier it was only in Kerala and Karnataka, but now thousands of such examples have come up all over the country. In many instances, the Hindu girls have themselves spoken to the press and narrated the stories of their persecution at the hands of the Muslim. A Mumbai model has very recently spoken about the harassment she faced in the hands of her Muslim husband. On many occasions, the arrested criminals have accepted that they have been carrying out Love-Jehad under a planned conspiracy and get paid for it. Despite all these facts, how can the secular brigade of the country disrespect this VHP movement for reawakening of Hindutva and national security?, he asked.
In India, a new dimension of Love-Jehad has raised its ugly head. The women who have fallen into the trap are being sent to terrorists. In Kerala, a father had knocked on the doors of justice, now a mother too has done the same requesting the court to intervene to save her daughter. The Hon Supreme Court has asked the NIA to investigate the matter. There is a suspicion in the minds of many in different walks of society that the women who have been waylaid in Kerala will end up in terrorist organizations. Today, Love-Jehad is a big threat to national security.
There is a lot of dis-satisfaction due to Love-Jehad in many places in the country. In Laddakh, this has reached its highest point because of the conspiracy hatched by the Jehadis for a long time. It is because of this Jehad that the Buddhists in Laddakh have beaten up the Muslims there. Even in neighboring Sri Lanka, there is talk of such skirmishes between Buddhists and Muslims. Even in Myanmar, the Rohingya problem basically has Love-Jehad in its roots. The time has now come to expose this conspiracy instead of concealing it behind the veil of secularism. Non-Muslims should now be on their guard, he added.
Through the press statement issued by Shri Vinod Bansal, the national spokesperson VHP today, Dr Jain also said that everyone should learn a lesson from the situation in Kashmir. The Muslims must learn a lesson from the Myanmar episode. This has also started in Laddakh and Sri Lanka. The secular brigade might try and put a veil over wrong deeds of the Jehadis but the affected people will definitely retaliate after a time. If this goes on like this, it will be a threat to the love and co-existence between the communities. The Muslims will have to abandon Jehad and learn to live in peaceful co-existence with the non-Muslims.
Released by
Vinod Bansal
National spokesperson
Vishwa Hindu Parishad
Twitter : @vinod_bansal
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