Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called upon BJP MPs to do politics of everybody’s welfare. In the concluding session of the two-day training programme for party MPs , he urged them to shun any negativity and work with a positive mindset so as to win over even those who did not vote for the party.

Quoting Prime Minister Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri Prahlad Joshi said, Shri Modi also said that members’ behaviour should be endear to all. Party has also asked its MPs to carry out Padyatra in their segments to inform voters about various welfare schemes of the government.

Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested its state-of-the-art Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM) against live aerial targets from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

Two missiles, developed by DRDO, were tested against two live targets meeting complete mission objectives of engaging the targets. QRSAM, with many state of the art technologies, engaged the targets at different ranges and altitudes.

The systems have been tested in final configuration with RADAR mounted on a vehicle & missiles on the launcher.

The systems are equipped with indigenously-developed Phased array radar, Inertial Navigation System, Data Link & RF seeker.

The entire mission was captured by various Electro Optical Tracking Systems, Radar Systems and Telemetry Systems.

The system is being developed for Indian Army with search and track on move capability with very short reaction time.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and Industries on achieving the significant milestone.

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has said that India’s growing energy sector is attractive for foreign investors. Speaking at Bloomberg NEF New Delhi Summit today, he said that it has repeatedly received funding from Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds, long-term strategic investors from Western countries, Asian Countries and the Middle East. “The economy projected to grow at more than 7%, will attract more funding. Many companies have successfully raised funding through overseas bond market and this funding route is likely to grow manifold going forward.”, he added.

The Minister said that India’s upstream sector is an important focus area of the government.  Several transformative policy reforms have been undertaken to revitalize the E&P eco-system and establish a conducive business environment, which would facilitate more investment and boost domestic oil & gas production. “The key policy reforms undertaken to augment the domestic oil and gas production include the policy of uniform licensing, marketing and pricing freedom to the operators, availability of comprehensive data to the investors to take informed decisions and fiscal incentives with the thrust on production enhancement.”, Sh Pradhan said.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said India remains a bright spot in the global economy. With strong domestic economy and supportive policy environment, the Government is committed towards achieving holistic, inclusive and sustainable economicdevelopment.India will become 3 trilliondollar economy this year and aims to achieve a 5 trillion dollar target in the near future. To achieve this target, India needs secure, affordable and sustainable energy to sustain thehigh growth and provide energy access to 1.3 billion people. Therefore, it is important for us to tap every source of energy.“We have taken several measures to overhaul the hydrocarbon sector to ensure energy security for the country while pursuing a green path to progress.”, the Minister said.

On the issue of energy landscape, the Minister said that it is passing through a big change – making way for clean energy technologies. “In a drive to provide energy access to all in a sustainable manner, our Government has taken a big responsibility by making global commitment to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 – 35% from 2005 levels. One of the main strategies India is planning to adopt towards achieving this goal is by having 40% electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.”, Shri Pradhan said.

Appreciating the oil and gas companies for investing in developing renewable energy projects for self-consumption and for supplying to the grid, Shri Pradhan said that. Oil Marketing Companies are providing soft loans and subsidies to petrol pump dealers to install solar rooftops. He said “This is the right time to think of sale options like blending electricity generated from gas power plants with renewable energy. This will further aid the process of emission reduction.”

Shri Pradhan said the Government is committed towards clean energy, which extends beyond justelectricity. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has transformed the lives of millions of poor households by ensuring access to clean cooking fuel.  “More than 75 million LPG connections have been provided under the Ujjwala Yojana so far, which has resulted in enhancing the LPG penetration in India to around 95% as against 56% in May 2014.  The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has saved millions of women and children from the health hazards of smoky kitchens”, he said.

On the issue of city gas network, Shri Pradhan said thatonly 20% of the populationwas covered under it in 2014 but with the success of the 10^th CGD Bid Round, CGD network will expand to nearly 70% of our population. CGD would be available in 228 geographical areas comprising 402 districts spread over 27 States and Union Territories covering 53% of the country.The recently-concluded 9^th and 10^th CGD rounds will require investment of one lakh twenty thousand crore rupees.

The Minister said that many of our refineries are today close to large urban clusters, and as part of their focus as good corporate citizens, all have shifted to cleaner natural gas for their energy needs. In addition, the government has already implemented fuel efficiency norms for commercial heavy vehicles. “To tackle pollution issues, we are looking at gas-based transportation solutions. We are switching to BS-VI fuels from 1^st April 2020. The National Capital Territory of Delhi has already switched to BS-VI fuels in April last year. We are promoting the use of CNG, bio-CNG and LNG in transportationsector. We are setting up bio-refineries and targeting newer sources of ethanol. The ethanol-blended program will enable OMCs to sell 10% blended petrol.”, Shri Pradhan said.

On the bio-diesel programme, the Minister said “I am confident that we will soon be rolling out initiatives to enable achievement of 5% biodiesel blended diesel across country.” He said “we will promote EVs, but it will be a holistic and integrated planning, where I have mentioned in my recent statements that all forms of transportation, which are clean and affordable, will be considered in our Energy Policy.”

The Minister said “we are mindful of the difficulties being faced by investors in some instances where State Government is trying to renegotiate some of the executed contracts. Our Government has requested State Governments to reconsider their decision, as this will jeopardize future investment in not only the concerned state but also the country as a whole.”

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Mozambique in Africa from July 28-30. He will have talks with the President, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of Mozambique during the visit.

During the visit of Shri Rajnath Singh, three MoUs/Agreements in the fields of exclusive economic zone surveillance, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography would be signed to further strengthen & expand bilateral defence cooperation. There will also be handing over ceremony from India to Mozambique of two fast interceptor boats and 44 SUVs.

Raksha Mantri will be accompanied by Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs.

It may be recalled that bilateral relations between India and Mozambique are seeing further improvement, following the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to this African country in July 2016.

Union Culture Minister (IC) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel Inaugurated an Exhibition of ‘Monuments of Valour & Victory Homage to Kargil Warriors’on the 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Divas today in New Delhi. The Exhibition was organized by National Monuments Authority of Ministry of Culture.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that the nation is grateful to brave solders and paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives to save our country during the Kargil War. The Minister further said that the memories of martyrdom last indefinitely.  He appreciated the efforts of National Monuments Authority to showcase glorious heritage of an invincible ever victorious India through the exhibition.

Shri Prahlad Singh Patel urged National Monuments Authority to find out some more unknown yet historically important moments and events through which we can understand our history in better way. He further said that we should do some more research on our Independence Movement to find out some important yet ignored moments which can be great heritage of our country.

The Minister said that the exhibition shows that we have a large number of sculptures, currencies and inscriptions, which show that the history of India is about its heroic legends.

Shri Patel also said that the celebration of ‘Vijay Diwas’ in the memory of India’s thumping victory over Pakistan, culminating in the recapture of high altitude peaks in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir on this day in 1999, brings to fore a great sense of pride for the valour of our armed forces. While remembering the martyrdom of those who laid their lives for the sake of their Motherland, it also freshens our minds about the long and glorious tradition of victory over the evil and the remarkable courage shown by sons and daughters of the soil through the ages.

Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inform Rajya Sabha that the Government is committed to not only retain the students passing out of the premier educational institutions in the country, but also attract the non-resident Indians back to the Country. For attracting highly skilled researchers to pursue their R&D interests in Indian Institutions, several initiatives have been launched such as: Faculty Recharge Programme, CV Raman Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme by University Grants Commission (UGC), Ramanujan Fellowship, JC Bose Fellowship, Swarnjayanti Fellowship, Young Scientist Project Award, Women Scientist Scheme by Department of Science & Technology (DST), and Ramalinga Swami Re-entry Fellowship by Department of Biotechnology.  Ministry of Human Resource Development have launched Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) which seeks to tap the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs from abroad, including those of Indian origin to augment the country’s existing academic resources.

Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekarinaugurated Video Walls in all eight Doordarshan Studios and Earth Station at DD Kendra, Delhi today.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prakash Javaedkar highlighted the significance of the Video Walls in enhancing viewer experience. He said that under the three year Action Plan of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, support has been given to Doordarshan to modernise its infrastructure.  Addition of State of Art Video Walls and Spectrum efficient Satellite equipment, is a step in the direction of revamping the Public Service Broadcaster. Appreciating the role of Doordarshan, he stated that the channel is synonymous with credibility. He asked the officials present to work towards expanding the spread of DD Free Dish from the current 3.25 crore households to 5 crore households. On this occasion, he also announced that Creative Head will soon be brought in for DD to give a further boost to programming and high quality content creation.

Secretary, Ministry of I&B Shri Amit Khare said that the Government is committed to support Doordarshan and All India Radio in every possible way to ensure that the Public Service Broadcaster is able to provide services of contemporary industry standards, reaching out to every nook and corner of India.

Shri A Surya Prakash, Chairman, PrasarBharatilauded the efforts of Doordarshan and highlighted that in the recent past a number of impactful and meaningful programmes have beencreated, which have taken the Flagship Schemes of the Government to the door steps of people.

The State-of-Art Video Walls, installed at a cost of Rs 10.75 Crores under the three year Action Plan of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are at par with those in studio centres of leading International Broadcasters. The induction of Video walls will save a lot of time in physical erection of Sets. Further, it will give greater flexibility through dynamic change of backdrop by introducing live/recorded videos, graphics etc. in studio sets as per program requirement.

The Earth Station, which is based on spectrum efficient technology, will result in increasing capacity to almost double the number of channels in the same bandwidth. The new Earth Station is HD capable and can give all the national channels of DD in HD. This state of art Earth Station will enable DD to save cost on teleport of DD channels and also allow inclusion of new channels in DD bouquet.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, on his birth anniversary.  

“लोकमान्य तिलक को उनकी जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। देशभक्ति की भावना से ओतप्रोत वे एक ऐसे स्वतंत्रता सेनानी थे, जिन्होंने पूर्ण स्वराज के लिए अपना जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र उनके योगदान को सदैव स्मरण करता रहेगा।”,

लोकमान्य तिलक को उनकी जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। देशभक्ति की भावना से ओतप्रोत वे एक ऐसे स्वतंत्रता सेनानी थे, जिन्होंने पूर्ण स्वराज के लिए अपना जीवन समर्पित कर दिया। कृतज्ञ राष्ट्र उनके योगदान को सदैव स्मरण करता रहेगा। pic.twitter.com/1YJYz0tNbH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2019

Former Delhi BJP President Shri  Mange Ram Garg  is no more. He passed away at a hospital in Delhi  on July 21. He was not keeping well due to age-related issues.

The demise of Garg, 83, was mourned by senior BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described him as a partyman with a deep connect with Delhi.

Garg had pledged his organs to the “Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti” for which his body was taken to the Lady Hardinge Medical College hospital, the family members said.

“Mange Ram Garg Ji had a deep connect with Delhi and that was seen in the manner in which he selflessly served the people of the city. He played a pivotal role in strengthening BJP in Delhi. His demise is saddening. My thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said in a tweet. He added , Leaders like Shri Mange Ram Garg Ji are assets for any party. They work selflessly at the grassroots and touch the lives of several people through various community service initiatives. The good work Garg Ji did would continue to be remembered for years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP Senior leader Shri   L K Advani, the party’s national vice president Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, General secretary (organisation) Shri B L Santhosh and Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari also paid their last respects to Garg.

BJP President and Union Home Minister Shri Shah said Garg selflessly worked for people throughout his life, adding that he served the people of Delhi from the time of the Jan Sangh and his sudden demise was a very big loss that could not be compensated. Shri Garg represented the Wazirpur Assembly constituency in the national capital between 2003 and 2008. He had held a number of positions in the saffron party, including that of the treasurer, the district president and the chief of its Delhi unit.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of former Delhi Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit.

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti”, the Prime Minister said.

Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019

India’s lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on the 22nd of this month. The national space agency ISRO has announced that it will be launched onboard the booster GSLV Mark-Three on Monday, at 2:43 pm from the spaceport at Sriharikota.

Originally Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled to be launched at 2.51 am on July 15. However, less than an hour before the launch, leakage of liquid fuel in the crucial cryogenic upper stage of the rocket GSLV Mark-Three has been detected, leading to aborting the mission temporarily.

The cause of the leakage is said to have been identified so that it can be plugged. The current launch window is said to be available only till the 22nd of this month.