It is the collective responsibility of the nation to ensure the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes, serving & retired soldiers as well as their dependents, whose unmatched sacrifice, commitment & patriotism is the bedrock of a safe and prosperous India. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing an event, organised by an NGO in Surat, Gujarat on December 30, 2023, to honour the valour & sacrifices of the fallen heroes, and extend support to their families.

Paying rich tributes to these bravehearts, Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that the nation will forever remain indebted to the soldiers who safeguard the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the motherland. He commended the Armed Forces personnel for successfully discharging their duties with the Government’s ‘India first, security first’ approach, stating that the people are able to contribute to nation building as they know that the borders are secure. He also expressed gratitude to the family members for producing “these diamonds whose shine illuminates the entire country”.

The Raksha Mantri drew parallels between the process of creating diamonds and the transformation of youth into extraordinary soldiers. “Just as very high temperature and pressure transforms carbon atoms into diamonds, the challenging circumstances, under which the soldiers serve the nation, shape the ordinary youth into diamonds. With their shine, these diamonds then protect us from darkness,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh took the opportunity to encourage business leaders to prioritise nation building over personal gains, emphasising that money should be viewed as a means and not the ultimate life goal. He also spoke of the historical significance of Gujarat and its role in the progress of the nation. “Gujarat is the birthplace of prominent figures such as poet Narsingh Mehta who united the then society through his devotion and literature; Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi whose ideals & principles ensured our freedom; Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who strengthened the unity & integrity of the nation; and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who has raised India’s stature at the international level and has taken the nation forward on the path of prosperity and security. Last but not the least, it is also the birthplace of countless soldiers who bolster the security of our borders by risking their lives,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri added that the Government stands with the Armed Forces and is equipping them with the latest weapons and platforms to protect the nation from threats. He assured the nation that the military is ready to face every challenge and it will give a befitting reply to anyone who tries to cast an evil eye.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Pujya Purani Swami Smriti Mahotsav, organized by Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP), in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, today

On this occasion, Shri Amit Shah said that when Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he would urge all MLAs to spend three days in a year to reflect upon the principles, working culture of their party and take it forward. He said that this Gurukul has contributed to many good trends. Shri Shah added that unless personality development is done well, we cannot build our nation and this Gurukul has imbibed the tradition of personality development very well. He said that a child who comes here, returns to the society as a patriot and learned citizen. Shri Shah said that not only Indian and Sanatan culture and all the values of Swaminarayan and Bhakti sect are inculcated in the children here, also the child coming out of Rajkot Gurukul comes out as a patriot. This Gurukul has given many good and successful citizens not only to Gujarat but the entire country. He said that along with the values of addiction-free life, worship of Hari, good attitude, not allowing laziness in life and staying connected to the land from Gau Sewa to farming, an environment of complete education including Sanskrit, Shastra, music and sports has been provided here.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that during the British rule, Swaminarayan Sampraday lit up many lives through activities like being connected to Sanatan through devotion, getting rid of addiction, providing education and keeping the family together. He said that if the Gurukuls of different institutions of the Swaminarayan sect had not been functioning in Gujarat, the state’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan would have remained incomplete. Shri Shah said that the Swaminarayan sect started Gurukuls to prevent religious conversion in inaccessible tribal areas and through them, they connected the tribal children with Sanatan Dharma, provided them education and also gave them the courage to reach heights in life. He said that SGVP Gurukul is a combination of patriotism, spirituality and modern education. In this Gurukul, there is a provision for practice of philosophy along with values, morality, ethics, authenticity, and knowledge of Vedas, Sanskrit, science and sports.

Shri Amit Shah said that today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is being hailed all over the world in every field. He said that from 2004 to 2014, India was immersed in despair and looked helpless, whereas under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is moving forward with a determination to become first in world in the 10 years from 2014 to 2024. He said that Prime Minister Modi has awakened the soul of this country. He said that today the whole world is eager to know about several heritages of our country. Shri Shah said that today when we say that our medical science will be taught in our 18 languages, then the whole world wants to know how this will happen. Our country, language is only a medium of expression, the basic thing is intellectual power. He said that from spirituality to Ayurveda, social science to solar power, mathematics to Metaverse and zero to space, India has been dominating the world today. He said that 75 years of independence have completed and at the time of 100 years of independence in 2047, India will be the first in every field in the world.

Union Home Minister said that we could not reconstruct the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram for the last 550 years, but after the formation of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, now on January 22, Ram Lala will be consecrated in Ram Temple again. He said that the consecration of Ram Lala in his home and the beginning of India’s Amrit Kaal is a signal from nature that this is the golden time of India and our country is going to become the first in the next 25 years. He said that today our Yoga and Ayurveda are being accepted all over the world and the whole world is eager to understand the scientific perspectives of our Vedas, Upanishads and philosophy. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi will visit Ayodhya on January 22 and perform the consecration of Ram Lala in the presence of saints, this is an auspicious sign for the entire country. He said that not only Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has been rebuilt, Mahakal Lok has been built in Ujjain, Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham have been rebuilt, Somnath temple has been once again gold plated and in Gujarat, after so many years, Shaktipeeth will also be established again at Pavagadh, this beginning is an auspicious sign.

Shri Amit Shah said that in 2014, India was the 11th largest economy in the world, today it is at the 5^th position and under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, it will become the 3^rd largest economy in the world by 2027. He said that the new education policy has been made taking inspiration from our ancient education tradition, it has modernity as well as the original Indian education system, which the Prime Minister has continuously urged for. Shri Shah said that the children educated under the new education policy will not become “Babus”, but they will become Indians and will realise the dream of creating a great India. He said that today we are moving towards becoming the world’s largest mobile manufacturer, third in the world in terms of startups, third in renewable energy and no one can raise any doubt about India’s security today.

Union Home Minister said that for years, we have been carrying the stigma of Article 370, which was root cause of secessionism and terrorism. He said that Prime Minister Modi abolished Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Home Minister said that India sent a strong message by carrying out surgical strikes and air strikes that no one can fiddle with the Indian Army and India’s borders, otherwise a strong action will be taken, and, this tradition has been started by Shri Narendra Modi ji. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, has worked to fill the security vacuum in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas and after the surrender of about 9000 rebel cadres in the Northeast, today the same youths are shaping the future of the Northeast. Shri Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji, peace, security and good relations with neighbours are our biggest priorities, but this does not mean that we will compromise with the security of our borders. He said that we definitely need cordial relations with our neighbours, but no one is allowed to infringe into our borders. He said that this balanced security policy has been formulated in the last 10 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing. The Prime Minister also addressed the gathering on the occasion.

Thousands of beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra from across the country joined the event. The programme was joined by Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs and local level representatives.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said “this campaign to connect with the resolve of a developed India is continuously expanding. It has not been even 50 days since the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra started, but till now this Yatra has reached 2.25 lakh villages. This is a record in itself.” he thanked everyone, especially women and  youth for making it a success. He said “the aim of Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra is to reach that person who, due to some reason, has been deprived of the schemes of the Government of India.” The Prime Minister said that this proactive outreach to people is meant to assure them that the government schemes are available to all and without any favour or discrimination. “I am searching for people who have been left out”, he added. The Prime Minister noted the unprecedented confidence among the beneficiaries and  said “every beneficiary across the country has a story about the changes in their lives in the last 10 years. It is a story full of courage.”

The Prime Minister said that these benefits are pushing the beneficiaries to make their lives even better. He said “Today, millions of beneficiaries of the country are using the government schemes as a medium to move ahead.”

He said that wherever Modi ki Guarantee ki Gaadi is going it is increasing people’s confidence and fulfilling the hopes of the people. He informed that during VBSY 4.5 lakh new applications have been filed for Ujjwala gas connection, 1 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, 1.25 crore health check ups have been conducted, 70 lakh people have been screened for TB, and 15 lakh sickle cell anaemia tests have been conducted. He also informed that simultaneous issuing of ABHA cards will create medical records of the beneficiaries.  “This will spread new awareness regarding health in the entire country”, he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that many new people are getting the benefits and stressed the responsibility of representatives of the local bodies and asked them to identify every eligible person in the village, ward, city and locality.

To give impetus to the rural economy, the Government of India is running a huge campaign to provide self-employment to women in villages. In the past years, about 10 crore sisters, daughters and didis in the country have joined self-help groups. These sisters and daughters have been provided assistance of more than Rs 7.5 lakh crore by the banks. The Prime Minister announced “to further expand this campaign, I have set a target of creating 2 crore Lakhpati Didis in the next three years.” He also mentioned the Namo Drone Didi Yojana that will enhance the confidence of rural women.

Elaborating on the campaign to organize the small farmers the Prime Minister talked about FPOs and cooperative enterprises like PACs. He said “it is our endeavor that cooperation emerges as a strong aspect of rural life in India. Till now we have seen the benefits of cooperation in the milk and sugarcane sectors. Now it is being expanded to other areas of farming and sectors like fish production also. We are moving ahead with the target of creating new PACS in 2 lakh villages in the coming time.” He also informed about the proposals for promoting cooperative solutions in dairy and storage.  “Efforts are also being made to strengthen more than 2 lakh micro industries in the food processing sector”, he added.

The Prime Minister also talked about One District One Product scheme and stressed the need to prompt ‘vocal for local’. He said Modi ki Guarantee ki Gadi is informing people about local products and these products can be registered on GeM portal too. He concluded by hoping for the continued success of Modi ki Guarantee ki Gadi.

Background

Since its launch on 15th November, 2023, Prime Minister has regularly interacted with the beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra all across the country.  The interaction has happened thrice through video conferencing (30th November, 9th December and 16th December). Also, Prime Minister has interacted with Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra beneficiaries physically on two consecutive days (17th-18th December) during his recent visit to Varanasi.

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being undertaken across the country with the aim to attain saturation of flagship schemes of the government through ensuring that the benefits of these schemes reach all targeted beneficiaries in a time bound manner.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir and took stock of the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) on December 27, 2023. He carried out a first-hand assessment of the prevailing situation as well as the counter-terror operations in the area. He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi.

The Raksha Mantri was given a detailed brief on the prevalent security situation, counter-infiltration grid and operational preparedness. The aspects associated with the operating challenges were discussed by Shri Rajnath Singh with the Commanders on ground. He called for professional conduct and due diligence while carrying out operations.

Interacting with the troops, the Raksha Mantri paid tributes to the soldiers killed in action and conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the bravehearts. He wished a speedy recovery of the injured soldiers, emphasising that all necessary measures are being taken in view of the prevailing situation.

Shri Rajnath Singh assured the troops that the Government stands with the Armed Forces and the nation will forever be indebted to the unparalleled valour and sacrifice of the soldiers. He termed the welfare of the Armed Forces as the Government’s top priority, stressing that additional efforts are being made to bolster the security and intelligence framework.

“Indian Army is not an ordinary army. The soldiers are our protectors. It is their duty to not only safeguard national interests, but also to win the hearts of the people,” the Raksha Mantri added. He exhorted the troops to remain extra vigilant, so that no untoward incident occurs in future, reiterating that there should be zero tolerance to terrorism.

The Raksha Mantri described the recent incidents in the sector as unfortunate and asked all ranks to undertake operations based on hard intelligence, in accordance with established procedures aided by niche technology. He urged all Commanders to have zero tolerance for violations of the well-established SOPs.

Shri Rajnath Singh also met with the families of the deceased persons, residents of village Topa Peer of Bufliaz in Poonch district. He assured expeditious investigation into the incident culminating into deliverance of justice.

The Raksha Mantri expressed satisfaction for the high level of synergy between the security forces, civil administration, J&K Police, Central Armed Police Forces and other security agencies in projecting a clear message of resoluteness towards improving of the security environment, that is conducive to fostering a new era of development in the Union Territory (UT). He also complimented the local people for their steadfastness and contribution towards joining the mainstream efforts undertaken by the Government of India. It was emphasised that the unity in thought process, alignment and collective resolve for the good of the nation is the most important foundation for achievement of shared aspirations of peace & development in the UT.

Preceding the visit of the Raksha Mantri, the Chief of Army Staff had visited the area on December 25, 2023 and exhorted all ranks of the Indian Army to conduct operations in the most professional manner while remaining resolute and steadfast against all challenges. He had also underscored the commitment of the Indian Army to respecting human rights and zero tolerance for violations in any form.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah released a commemorative Postal Stamp, to mark 50 years of Pandit Jasraj’s music festival – ‘Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroha’, in New Delhi today. The commemorative stamp has been brought out by the Department of Post, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

On this occasion, Shri Amit Shah said that Pandit Jasraj ji has immortalised Indian classical, Pushtimargiya music and Bhakti Pad of Vaishnav tradition immortal for over 8 decades for the music lovers of whole world. He said that Pandit Jasraj would sing bhajan with so much devotion that the image of Lord Krishna would come alive before the audiences. Home Minister said that Pandit Jasraj took Indian classical music and Bhakti Pad to greater heights and that is why people across the globe love him so much. Shri Shah said that India can never forget his contribution to the strengthening of Indian Classical and Bhakti music. He said that today, the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has decided to take his legacy forward by releasing a postal stamp in his memory. Shri Shah added that this honour by Government of India will revive memories of Pandit Jasraj in hearts of his fans.

This music festival was started by Pandit Jasraj ji in 1972 to musically express love to the only memory he had of his Father, Sangeet Ratna Pandit Motiram ji, who passed away when Pt. Jasraj was only 4 years old and his elder brother and later his Guru, Sangeet Mahamopadhyay Pandit Maniram ji.

Besides being one of the greatest all time Indian Classical Vocalist, Pandit Jasraj ji made an unprecedented contribution in the field of culture and music to India by carefully introducing young musicians to audiences of Hyderabad, who have now grown to become legends in their own right.

During his lifetime, for 47 years, without a single break, Pandit Jasraj ji hosted this annual Sangeet Samaroh himself. It is the oldest festival of Hyderabad, and this legacy is carried forward by Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation. For this unique contribution he was called “Son of Hyderabad”.

On the occasion of release of postal stamp, daughter of Pandit Jasraj, Ms. Durga Jasraj and son of Pandit Maniram ji & grandson of Pandit Motiram ji, Pandit Dinesh, amongst several other dignitaries were present.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal of Ministry of External Affairs to sign and ratify the Migration and Mobility Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Italian Republic.

The Agreement would enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of students, skilled workers, business people and young professionals and strengthen cooperation on issues related to irregular migration between the two sides.

The Agreement locks-in the current Italian visa regime including mechanisms for post study opportunities, internships, professional trainings assuring an advantage for India under the existing labour mobility pathways under the Flows Decree.

Some of the key provisions are listed below:

1. Indian students wishing to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months.
2. The Italian side has detailed provisions related to Professional Training, Extracurricular Internships and Curricular Internships which allow Indian students/trainees to gain experience in Italian skill/training standards.
3. For workers, the Italian side has reserved a quota of 5000, 6000 and 7000 non seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under the current Flows Decree (Total reserved quota stands at 12000 for non-seasonal workers). Additionally, the Italian side has reserved a quota of 3000, 4000 and 5000 seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under current Flows Decree (Total reserved quota stands at 8000 for seasonal workers).

Under the Flows Decree, Italian side has offered incremental re­served quotas for both seasonal and non-seasonal workers from 2023-2025. Additionally, the Agreement also formalises joint working on fur­thering mobility pathways between India and Italy through agreements on Youth Mobility and Facilitation of Recruitment of Indian qualified  professionals in the healthcare and medical services sectors which will be discussed under the Joint Working Group (JWG).

Cooperation between the two parties in fight against irregular migration has also been formalised through the Agreement.

This Agreement will come into effect on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the last of the two notifications by which Parties shall have communicated to each other the completion of their internal procedures necessary for its entry into force and will remain into force for a period of 5 years. Unless terminated by any Participant, the Agreement will be automatically renewed for a similar successive period.

The Agreement provides a formal mechanism for its monitoring through a JWG which would meet periodically, in virtual or physical mode as convenient, and oversee its implementation. The JWG would share relevant information, evaluate implementation of Agreement and discuss all appropriate proposals to support implementation as necessary.

Background:
The Agreement was signed on 2 November, 2023 by External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar on Indian side and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Shri Antonio Tajani on Italian side.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for copra for 2024 season. In order to provide remunerative prices to the cultivators, government had announced in the Union Budget of 2018-19, that MSPs of all the mandated crops will be fixed at a level of at least 1.5 times of all India weighted cost of production. The MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling copra has been fixed at Rs.11,160/- per quintal and for ball copra at Rs.12,000/- per quintal for 2024 season. This will ensure a margin of 51.84 percent for milling copra and 63.26 percent for ball copra, which are well beyond 1.5 times the all India weighted average cost of production.  Milling copra is used to extract oil, while ball/edible copra is consumed as a dry fruit and used for religious purposes.  Kerala and Tamil Nadu are major producers of million copra, whereas ball copra is produced predominantly in Karnataka.

The MSP for 2024 season is an increase of Rs.300/- per quintal for milling copra and Rs.250/- per quintal for ball copra over the previous season. In the last 10 years, the Government has increased MSP for milling copra and ball copra from Rs.5,250 per quintal and Rs.5,500 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs.11,160 per quintal and Rs.12,000 per quintal in 2024-25, registering a growth of 113 percent and 118 percent, respectively.

A higher MSP will not only ensure better remunerative returns to the coconut growers but also incentivize farmers to expand copra production to meet the growing demand for coconut products both domestically and internationally.

In the current season 2023, the Government has procured a record amount of more than 1.33 lakh metric tonnes of copra, at the cost of Rs.1,493 crores, benefiting around 90,000 farmers.  The procurement in the current season 2023 indicates a rise of 227 percent over the previous season (2022).

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) for procurement of copra and de-husked coconut under Price Support Scheme (PSS).

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the program marking ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. Shri Modi witnessed a recital and three martial arts displays performed by children. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also flagged off a march-past by youth in Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the nation is remembering the immortal sacrifices of Veer Sahibzade and deriving inspiration from them as a new chapter of Veer Bal Diwas unfolds for India in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal. The Prime Minister recalled the celebrations of the first Veer Bal Diwas celebrated on the same day last year when the tales of valor of the Veer Sahibzade left the entire nation electrified. “Veer Bal Diwas is a symbol of the never-say-die attitude for the protection of Bhartiyata”, PM Modi emphasized, “This day reminds us that age does not matter when it comes to heights of bravery.” Calling it a celebration of the heritage of the Sikh Gurus, the Prime Minister said that the courage and ideals of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four Veer Sahibzades embolden every Indian even today. “Veer Bal Diwas is a national tribute to the mothers who gave birth to bravehearts with unparalleled courage”, the Prime Minister said as he remembered the sacrifices made by the family of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and the devotion of Diwan Todarmal. This true devotion towards the Gurus, the Prime Minister said, ignites the flames of devotion towards the nation.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that Veer Bal Diwas is now being celebrated internationally as the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, UAE and Greece witnessed programmes related to Veer Bal Diwas. Recalling the incomparable history of the battles of Chamkaur and Sirhind, the Prime Minister said that this history can not be forgotten. He remembered how Indians faced cruelty and despotism with dignity.

PM Modi pointed out that the world too only took notice of our heritage the time we started giving our heritage its due respect. “Today when we are taking pride in our heritage, the world’s viewpoint has also changed”, he said. Shri Modi expressed satisfaction that today’s India is shedding the mentality of slavery and having full confidence in the capabilities, inspirations and people of the country. “For today’s India, the sacrifice of Sahibzadas is a matter of inspiration.” Similarly, the sacrifice of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and  Gobind Guru inspires the entire country.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the world keeps India among the foremost lands of opportunities. India, PM Modi emphasized, is playing a key role in global problems of economy, science, research, sports and diplomacy. That is why, the Prime Minister reiterated his clarion call that he gave from the Red Fort “Yahi Samay hai Sahi Samay Hai’. “This is India’s time, the next 25 years will showcase India’s capabilities”, he added. He also stressed the need to follow Panch Pran and not waste even a single moment.

The Prime Minister emphasized that India is going through a time period which comes in aeons. In this Amrit Kaal of Azadi, Shri Modi said that multiple factors have come together which would determine the golden period for India. He stressed on India’s youth power and informed that the population of youth in the country today is way more than during the freedom struggle. and expressed confidence that the present generation of youth can take the country to unimaginable heights. He mentioned Nachiketa who broke all barriers in search of knowledge, Abhimanyu who at a young age took on the ‘Chakravyuh’, Dhruv and his penance, Mauryan King Chandragupta who led an empire at a very young age, Eklavya and his dedication towards his Guru Dronacharya, Khudiram Bose, Batukeshwar Datt, Kanaklata Barua, Rani Gaidinliu, Baji Raut and various others national heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.

The Prime Minister was very clear when he stressed “The coming 25 years are bringing huge opportunities for our youth. The youth of India, irrespective of which region or society they are born in, have limitless dreams. To fulfill these dreams, the government has a clear roadmap and a clear vision.” He elaborated on this by mentioning enabling National Education Policy, 10 thousand Atal Tinkering Labs and vibrant startup culture. He also mentioned 8 crore new entrepreneurs from poor segments of youth, SS/ST and backward communities who have emerged due to Mudra Yojana.

Highlighting the success of Indian athletes in recent international events, the Prime Minister noted that most of the athletes hail from middle-class families in rural areas. He credited their successes to the Khelo India campaign which provides better sports and training facilities near their homes and ensures a transparent selection process. This, the Prime Minister said, is a result of prioritizing the welfare of the youth.

The Prime Minister expanded on the meaning of the dream of becoming the third-largest economy. He said this will benefit the youth the most and it means better health, education, opportunities, jobs, quality of life and quality of products. PM Modi told the young audience about the nationwide campaign of linking youth with the dreams and resolution of Viksit Bharat. He invited every youth to register at the MY-Bharat portal. “This platform is now becoming a big institution for the young daughters and sons of the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister advised the youth to give top priority to their health as it is crucial to achieving the desired results in life. He suggested making some ground rules for themselves and firmly adhering to them as he mentioned the challenges of physical exercise, digital detox, mental fitness, adequate sleep and including Shri Anna or millets in their diet. Prime Minister Modi also touched upon the menace of drugs in society and stressed tackling it by coming together as a nation and society. He also urged all religious leaders along with the government and families to initiate a strong campaign against drugs. “Sabka Prayas is imperative for a capable and strong youth power”, the Prime Minister concluded, remembering that the teachings of ‘Sabka Prayas’ as imparted to us by our Gurus will make India a developed nation.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur,

Background

To mark Veer Bal Diwas, the Government is organizing participatory programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the story of the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades. A digital exhibition detailing the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country. A film on ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ will also be screened nationwide. Also, there will be various online competitions like interactive quizzes which will be organized through MYBharat and MyGov portals.

On the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on 9th January 2022, the Prime Minister announced that 26th December will be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, to mark the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah sought blessings at Gurudwara Shri Badi Sangat Sahib at Kolkata, West Bengal on the occasion of Veer Baal Diwas today. This historic Gurudwara has the blessings of sangat of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

In his post on X platform, Union Home Minister said that he is fortunate to be here to attend the Satsang on Veer Baal Diwas.

He said that sacrifices made by Sahibzaade of Guru GobindSunghji in early age to protect dharma and satya will keep inspiring all of us for ages to come.

In another post on X platform, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah bowed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji on Veer Bal Diwas. Home Minister said that with supreme courage they stood against the brutal Mughal rule and chose martyrdom, refusing to convert. Their unmatched valor will continue to inspire generations to come. Proclaiming their Martyrdom Day as Veer Baal Diwas, Prime Minister Modi Ji has spread the saga of their sacrifice to every corner of the country and the world.

INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an impressive ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 26, 2023. The event marks the formal induction of the third of four indigenous ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, being designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

Speaking on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri described INS Imphal as a shining example of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and a reflection of the commitment of Indian Navy, MDL & all other stakeholders towards national security. “INS Imphal is a symbol of India’s growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India. It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas & Gas configuration, and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.

The Raksha Mantri defined INS IMPHAL as a conglomeration of different strengths of the nation. “Brahmos Aerospace installed Brahmos missile on the ship. Torpedo tube launchers are of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Rapid Gun Mount has been installed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and Medium Range missiles by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In addition, many start-ups and MSMEs are involved in its construction. Just like many elements have given a concrete form to INS IMPHAL, people from all walks of life should work together for us to become ‘Viksit Bharat’. Every citizen is a carrier of India’s security and progress. Whenever one works, the betterment of the nation must be kept in mind,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s resolve to lay equal emphasis on the modernisation of all the three Services to safeguard national interests, stating that earlier governments focussed only on protecting the country from land-based threats. He pointed out that with the Himalayas in the north and the hostile behavior of Pakistan in the west, most of India’s goods trade comes through sea, which makes it an island country from ‘trade’ perspective. He stressed on the need to continuously develop the Navy’s capabilities as global trade is of great importance to India to secure its national interests.

The Raksha Mantri also referred to the recent suspected drone attack on Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and the attack on ‘MV Sai Baba’ in the Red Sea. He stated that India’s growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred. He added that the Government of India has taken the attacks very seriously and the Navy has increased its surveillance. He assured that the perpetrators of these attacks will soon be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against them.

“India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.

In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar stated that INS Imphal possesses the distinction of being a shining symbol of Indian Navy’s unflinching commitment towards achieving the vision of self-reliance in defence. He also termed it a testament to ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ vision of the Government. He added that the ship will not only tackle physical threats that emanate from the seas, but will also demonstrate the strength of an integrated country. “INS Imphal will deter the various designs that try to harm national unity. It will breath fire upon the enemy and demonstrate unflinching resolve in the face of adversity,” he said.

The Chief of the Naval Staff exuded confidence that the fourth Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer ‘Surat’ will be commissioned in 2024. Prior to the commissioning of INS Imphal, two destroyers of the same class INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao were commissioned into the Navy in 2021 & 2022 respectively.

Admiral R Hari Kumar pointed out that to counter piracy & drone attacks on merchant shipping, the Indian Navy has deployed four destroyers of Project 15B & 15A class deployed. He added that the P8I Aircraft, Dorniers, Sea Guardians, Helicopters & Coast Guard Ships have all been deployed jointly to counter these threats.

The Chief of the Naval Staff added that the Navy aims to induct at least one Agniveer from each district, each block and each village of the country. “The strategy is to attract youth – both men and women – from every corner of the country, up-skill them when in Service, certify their abilities through education institutions, inculcate a spirit of nationalism and ensure that they re-join the civil sector as invaluable assets. The vision is to percolate such a nationalistic workforce across the length and breadth of the country,” he said.

INS Imphal has the unique distinction of being the first warship to be named after a city in the North-east, underscoring the importance and contribution of the region and Manipur to the Nation & the Indian Navy. Its keel was laid on May 19, 2017 and the ship was launched on April 20, 2019. The ship sailed for her maiden sea sortie on April 28, 2023, and underwent comprehensive trials in harbour & at sea, with its delivery on October 20, 2023 marking a record time frame of less than six months. The time taken to build INS Imphal and undergo trials has been the shortest for any indigenous destroyer. The ship successfully completed the first-ever test-firing of extended range Brahmos missile prior to its commissioning, making it ‘weapon-ready’.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Director (Finance) with Additional Charge of Chairman & Managing Director, MDL Shri Sanjeev Singhal were among those who attended the commissioning ceremony.

The ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel, and is commanded by Captain KK Choudhury, a Gunnery and Missiles specialist. It will augment the Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility in safeguarding the nation’s maritime security and interests.

INS Imphal has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section, achieved through efficient shaping of hull, full beam superstructure design, plated masts and use of radar transparent material on exposed decks. It is armed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) rocket launchers & Torpedo launchers, ASW helicopters, radars, sonar and Electronic Warfare systems. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare conditions.

A unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation of about 75%, highlighting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s efforts towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The indigenous equipment/systems include Combat Management System, Rocket Launcher, Torpedo Launcher, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System, and the Bow-mounted SONAR.

India will take a leading role in weather forecasting and climate studies, Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju, said today.

“Department of Earth Sciences has a short-term plan already and now the Department is drawing up a plan for the Amritkaal to make Bharat Atmanirbhar @ 2047,” he said.

Shri Rijiju was addressing the gathering after releasing the logo commemorating the India Meteorological Department, IMD’s 150 years of service to the nation.

Shri Rijiju said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was among the select Heads of Government invited to address the World Climate Action Summit, COP28, in Dubai recently, demonstrating that the global community realises India’s leadership role in Climate Change mitigation.

“PM Modi has unveiled the idea of making ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE) a global Mission through bolder steps by the global clean energy fraternity,” he said.

Shri Rijiju said, as per the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), India has achieved its two targets for 2030 well ahead of time.

Shri Rijiju called for greater participation of private sector in fulfilling India’s needs for more Doppler radars in precise localized weather forecasting.

“With a slew of PLI schemes, India is now emerging as a manufacturing hub. Private sector must come forth to supply ‘Make in India’ Doppler radars,” he said.

Shri Rijiju called upon the IMD to mobilize school children during its year-long celebrations beginning next month to raise awareness on Climate Change issues.

“Climate change and Global Warming are global concerns. We need to raise awareness that all individuals will have to come together, because the immediate phenomenon of pollution and extreme weather such as cloud burst and heavy rains are a result of wider climate change on Earth,” he said.

On the occasion, Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences spoke about the need to enhance awareness and outreach programmes along with the enhancement of capabilities to communicate the weather & climate services of IMD to common people and stakeholders.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, DG, IMD, in his welcome address, discussed the evolution of logo since its inception in 1875, in pre-Independence era, Independence era and the existing logo.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875 as one of the first scientific departments of the Government of India. As it commemorates its 150^th year of service to the nation, IMD is ushering into a new era. IMD will celebrate this milestone with year-long celebrations during January 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025.

The IMD logo symbolizes the remarkable journey of the department since 1875:

• It signifies 150 years of dedicated service to the nation by IMD.
• It indicates the continuous progress of the department in providing weather and climate support for a weather-ready and climate-smart nation.
• It highlights the role of IMD in global welfare in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
• The logo is a testimony to the transition from dependent India to a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• It illustrates the continuity of Indian meteorology from the ancient era to the modern era, with “Aadityaat Jaayete Vrishti” embedded in the logo.
• The logo’s resemblance to the national tricolour theme ensures alignment of IMD’s services with the national vision and mission.

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda participated in the historic programme marking Veer Bal Diwas at Gurudwara Saheeb Baba Deep Singh Ji at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand today.

Veer Baal Diwas is commemorated to honor the martyrdom of Baba Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh on 26^th December, 1704, Sahibzade (sons) of 10^th Guru Govind Singh Ji after being executed in the court of Wazir Khan, the Mughal Governor of Sirhind. This is the only gurudwara in Jamshedpur built to commemorate the martyrdom of Shaheed Deep Singh ji.

The Sikhs have a long tradition of fighting against injustice, destruction, and have been making sacrifices for generations. No one can match the sacrifices made by Sikh Gurus for humanity and the country. Guru Granth Sahib, which gives the message of selfless service and peace, is a source of inspiration, not only for the Sikh community but also for every other Indian community.