Diplomat Times (New Delhi) – World Environment Council Delhi’s 2nd Environment Awards ceremony was successfully organized at India International Centre, Lodhi Garden, New Delhi.
On this auspicious occasion, many eminent environmentalists of India were honored with Paryavaran Bhushan, Paryavaran Shri and other national and international awards.
Awards were given to the excellently inspiring children’s/youth’s/people’s selfless work in the areas of environment protection and awareness in various states of India. Especially Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma was honored for his comprehensive work. The National Environment Awareness Award was given to 20 conscious workers across the country for their social service, education and research.
‘Paryavaran Bhushan’ and ‘Paryavaran Shri’ awards were given to the extraordinary work done in the field of water literacy and security by some truly Indian citizens at the national and international level.
All the awards were included with Medal, Trophy and Certificates. Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma, The Director of Biotech Council, Pant Nagar, Uttarakhand is an active science communicator. His exemplary and excellent work was appreciated by Padmashree awardee Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi. Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma expressed his gratitude towards the blessings of his parents and the guidance of teachers and elders as a source of inspiration for his achievement.
Professor Ganesh Channa, the founder-chairman of the World Environment Council, spoke with Diplomat Times Correspondent that the World Environment Council has been doing extensive work in the field of environmental protection at the world level for the past several years and has been partnering with the United Nations Council (UNESCO) in many environmental programs.
Among the ‘Environment Bhushan’ award winners were veteran environmentalists like Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi and Dr. Shivvaran Shukla.
Among the ‘Environment Shri’ award winning environmentalists were Shri. Vinay Kansal, Mr. Ajit Gokhale, Smt. Chitralekha Vaidya, Sh. Ramesh Goyal, Mr. Jagat Singh Chowdhary, Mr. There were environmental activists like Prashant Bhave. Honorees of the International Environment Awareness Awards include Mrs. Arna Wadhawan and Mr. Niranjan Dev was Bhardwaj.
In the ‘National Environment Awareness’ awards, Mr. Dheerajkumar, Mr. Amitkumar, Mr. Neeraj Wankhede, Mr. Vijay Patil, Smt. Geeta Venkatesan, Sh. Sachin Shinde, Mrs. Jaya Mishra, Dr. Vinay Agarwal, Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma, Kumari Iha Dixit, St. Francis School were involved.
Dr. Meera Mishra and Shri. Nagraj Vannal were honored with Social Excellence Award. Mr. Shrikant Bhimashankar Gote contributed his service as an anchor of this national level award ceremony .
World Environment Council’s second environment award ceremony concluded in New Delhi
Dubai’s Kanoo Group Sees Opportunities to Invest in India, China
Dubai’s Kanoo Group Sees Opportunities to Invest in India, China
Bloomberg- Kanoo Group is benefitting from a strong rebound in the United Arab Emirates’ economy.
Dubai-based conglomerate Kanoo Group is looking at opportunities to invest across the Middle East, and in India and China next year, tapping growing economies with strong returns, according to Chairman Mishal Kanoo.
The family-owned company, with interests spanning shipping, real estate, financial services and energy, sees potential in sectors including artificial intelligence and clean energy, Kanoo said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday. “Each country has a different industry that they are really good at.”
Kanoo Group, which is benefitting from a strong rebound in the United Arab Emirates’ economy and higher oil prices earlier this year, is also holding internal talks about whether to sell units of the business in an initial public offering.
“There are some benefits of going public because then there is more structure, more governance and more regulatory oversight,” he said. “On the other hand we also have issues we do as a family that we couldn’t do anymore and we’d have to be much more transparent, which a lot of families might not be ready for at this present time.”
If Kanoo Group were to go ahead with an offering, the company would likely sell shares division by division, he said. But, currently a share sale is unlikely, he said.
The Middle East has emerged as a hotspot for initial public offerings, buoyed by rising oil prices and investor inflows at the start of the year. More than $20 billion has been raised so far from share sales, putting the region on course for its second-best year on record “- eclipsed only by 2019, which saw Aramco’s $29.4 billion IPO, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
About Kanoo Group
Established in 1890, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBA Kanoo) started from a humble trading and shipping enterprise founded in Bahrain by Haji Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo. From Bahrain, the business spread to Saudi Arabia in the 1930s.
In 1967, Hamed Kanoo came from Saudi Arabia to the UAE to expand the family business. Having successfully established Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBA Kanoo)’s operations in Khafji in the Kingdom, the company asked him to replicate the same in the UAE too. With only 5 people, including him, Hamed Kanoo put-up The Kanoo Group as a trade name in the UAE Map.
At present, The Kanoo Group operates in the UAE and Oman, with Mishal Hamed Kanoo serving as the Chairman, and over 1,200 employees working for its divisions.
The Kanoo family remained true to their early values. This adherence to ethics and beliefs made them an essential component of the regional business life.
After successfully establishing YBA Kanoo’s operations in Khafji in Saudi Arabia, late Hamed Kanoo was asked to conquer the UAE market as well. Hamed, along with 4 other members, successfully put the Kanoo name in the UAE Map in 1967—making him the Founding Father of The Kanoo Group.
One of the first industries that Kanoo excelled at was shipping. No one could have predicted that it would challenge the monopoly of long-established British companies and would become the largest regional shipping agency in the Middle East. Kanoo Shipping is one of the founders of S5 Agency World Ltd. and was the first Arab shipping agency in the region in 1911. At present, Kanoo Shipping operates in 20 countries and in all principal ports and offshore tanker loading terminals around the Arabian Peninsula, including Iraq. It handles 20,000 port calls every year, which covers all ports in the Suez to India range.
Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters : Minister of MEA (GOI) Jaishankar was present along with UN Secretary at Inauguration Ceremony
Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters : Minister of MEA (GOI) Jaishankar was present along with UN Secretary at Inauguration Ceremony
New York – Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters New York.
External Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar (GOI) was present on this Inauguration Ceremony. The bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been placed in the “prestigious” North Lawn of the UN building, is a gift from India to the United Nations as India gets ready for UNSC presidency.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was present at Inauguration Ceremony for Mahatma Gandhi Bust they have spoken about Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was an uncompromising advocate for peaceful co-existence, non-discrimination & pluralism.
The new installation located at @UN Headquarters will serve as a reminder of the values Gandhi upheld, and to which we must remain committed. pic.twitter.com/CIFlQvPmGI
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 15, 2022
It’s a great pleasure to join you today to mark the installation of this bust of Mahatma Gandhi. I thank the government and Permanent Mission of India for donating this tribute to one of the giants of the modern age.
My visit to India earlier this year reminded me that there are few people in history who are so aligned with the goals and values of the United Nations as Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi-ji’s anti-imperialist vision was foundational for the United Nations. As the Charter states, our Organization is built on the principle of “equal rights and self-determination of peoples”. Indeed, the drafters of the Charter took great inspiration from Gandhi’s message of peace, non-violence, and tolerance.
Gandhi’s success in mobilizing millions for anti-colonial resistance, while adhering to the principles of non-violence, inspired people across the world.
But Gandhi is not only a historical figure. His visionary ideas and values, including his concern for justice and social transformation, continue to resonate today.
Many of his ideas prefigured the concept of sustainable development – including his view that “poverty is the worst form of violence”. His belief that societies should be judged on their record of uplifting the most vulnerable holds important lessons for today’s leaders.
He renamed those considered “untouchable” as “Harijan” or “Children of God”, and considered the campaign against caste discrimination to be as important as the struggle against colonialism.
Gandhi was one of the first to recognize the dangers of the plunder and destruction of our environment, observing that the earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers, but on loan from our children. He was a famous supporter of sustainable local products like khadi – India’s homespun cotton.
He championed women in politics and rejected discriminatory practices of all kinds.
Gandhi was an uncompromising advocate for peaceful co-existence, non-discrimination, and pluralism.
Recognizing that diversity is one of India’s greatest assets, he strove for harmonious relations between religions, cultures and communities.
The focus of his life was pressing for social and political reform through non-violent resistance, while creating a culture of peace.
His legacy is everywhere, including in the daily work of the United Nations around the world for equality, solidarity and empowerment.
Once again, I thank the Government of India for its generous donation of this bust.
I hope its installation here at the Headquarters of the United Nations will remind us of the values Gandhi upheld, and to which we remain committed.
About the Bust
The bust, designed by renowned Indian sculptor Padma Shree awardee Ram Sutar, who also designed the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat.
The bust of Mahatma Gandhi is the first Gandhi sculpture to be installed at the United Nations headquarters, which proudly displays gifts and artifacts from all over the world.
The other Indian gift on display at the United Nations Headquarters is an 11th-century black-stone statue of ‘Surya,’ the Sun God, which was donated on July 26, 1982. The statue is dated from the late Pala period and is currently on display in the Conference Building, was given to the UN as a gift by then-Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi. The sculpture was accepted on behalf of the United Nations by then-Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar.
Israel refusal to grant visas to UN staff could impact aid work: UN
Israel refusal to grant visas to UN staff could impact aid work: UN
Middle East – The United Nations expressed concerns, Thursday, that Israel’s refusal to grant entry visas to UN personnel could affect humanitarian work in Palestine, Anadolu News Agency reports.
Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said it could have a significant long-term effect on the humanitarian community’s ability to support Palestinians in need.
“We’re, of course, remaining engaged with the Israeli authorities on this issue and we hope it does get resolved,” he added.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry refused to issue visas to officials from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), accusing employees from the aid agency of “under-counting” the number of Israeli civilians who are killed or injured in “Palestinian terror attacks”.
Israel withheld entry visas for newly appointed personnel of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Territories, Palestinian news agency, Wafa reported. With the latest obstruction, this brings the number of OCHA staff documenting Israeli human rights violations who have been denied entry to 20.
UN spokesperson, Stephane, expressed concerns that this would have significant long-term ramifications on OCHA’s ability and that of the broader humanitarian community to support Palestinians in need. “The impact of this on OCHA’s work in planning the humanitarian response for 2023 is already being felt,” Stephane is reported saying.
The ministry said: “OCHA is accused of reporting the killing or harming of Israeli civilians under disputed circumstances while taking reports of Palestinian casualties at face value and assigning blame to Israel, including in clashes between IDF forces and Palestinian militants.”
International Human Rights Day : 10 December 2022
International Human Rights Day : 10 December 2022
New Delhi – Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December annually across the world. This Day came into existence on December 10, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. This day is observed every year across the world, as it empowers us all. The day also acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world.
The theme of the day:
The theme for Human Rights Day 2021 is “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.” This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to ‘Equality’ and Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
History of the day:
United Nations General Assembly also known as UNGA adopted the UDHR i.e Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the year 1948 on this very day. This was adopted with an agenda to eradicate the feeling of alienation from any person’s life due to the colour of his/her skin, the background of their community or culture, etc. The movement gained popularity instantly and almost 200,000 human rights stamps were ordered in advance from the United Nations Postal Administration in the year 1952.
Human Rights Speech : By United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Human rights violations anywhere concern all of us, everywhere. As journalists, every day, you play an incredibly important role in ensuring that large-scale human suffering does not go unreported and that the demands of the people are amplified so that those with the power, influence and the funds hear it to make a difference.
You will have seen my statement on Ukraine on Wednesday, and today I want to highlight for you a few other crises. In fact situations that have serious effects, and somehow have been forgotten. But don’t make the headlines.
Among these is Haiti. A crisis that has now actually forced its way back into the headlines. It cannot be ignored. This is a country where armed gangs, reportedly supported by economic and political elites, control more than 60% of the capital. Where some 4.7 million face acute hunger. Since the beginning of this year, a staggering 1,448 people have been killed, 1,145 injured and 1,005 kidnapped by gangs.
And remember that behind each of these numbers are entire families and communities that are torn apart by the violence. Gang members are also using sexual violence to instill fear and exert control over the population, as a report issued in October by the Human Rights Service of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) highlighted.
This is a multifaceted and protracted crisis. But solutions exist. They require political courage and responsibility at a national and international level. The root causes of the crisis, especially social inequalities, rampant corruption, collusion between powerful elites and gang leaders, and endemic impunity, must be addressed. It is unconscionable that there are people benefiting from this endemic insecurity and the suffering of Haitians.
These – and many other crisis situations that have faded from the headlines – not only have severe consequences for the people directly affected, but are likely to have ripple effects across borders, and risk further de-stabilizing their regions.
One thing they – and so many other crises – have in common is disregard for human rights.
And globally, we are also seeing a crisis of trust. The rise in social movements and protests, across all regions, is a clear sign of the corrosiveness of institutions that are supposed to serve people.
The world cannot afford for its leaders to consider human rights only as an afterthought or – worse – an instrument of geopolitics.
What greater lesson did we glean from COVID-19 – and the climate emergency – than just how interdependent we truly are? That’s really a big lesson.
Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe calls on the President
Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe calls on the President
New Delhi – A Parliamentary Delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, called on President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (December 7, 2022).
Welcoming the delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that relations between India and Zimbabwe are centuries old. The presence of about 9000 people of Indian origin in Zimbabwe is an important link between our people.
A Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker of the Parliament, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Details: https://t.co/afAEMV7Yrn pic.twitter.com/9TSwwncA3I
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 7, 2022
The President was happy to note that India’s economic relations with Zimbabwe are progressing well. The trade between India and Zimbabwe is around $200 million. Indian companies have invested about $500 million in Zimbabwe. India has provided five lines of credit to Zimbabwe, and has also set up a vocational training centre. She was also happy to note that the ITEC and ICCR scholarships from India are popular among Zimbabweans. She said that we should make more efforts to enhance our bilateral cooperation.
The President said that Parliament represents the voice of the people. There should be more interaction and exchange between our two parliaments. We have a lot to learn from each other.
The President said that India is the world’s largest democracy. Our strong and vibrant democracy starts from the grassroots level. It truly represents the people of this country. She expressed confidence that the delegation would learn more about India’s democratic systems during this visit.
India and Zimbabwe Relations
India and Zimbabwe have a long history of close and cordial relations. During
the era of the Munhumutapa Kingdom, dating back to 14th century and later, Indian
merchants established strong links with Zimbabwe, trading in textiles, minerals and
metals. India had extended support to liberation movement of Zimbabwe. Then PM
Smt. Indira Gandhi participated in the Independence Day celebrations in 1980.
Since then, several Indian Prime Ministers and then President of India, Dr. S.D.
Sharma has visited Zimbabwe, and President Mugabe has visited India several
times. He has also been a recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in 1989.
However, since 1996 no bilateral high level visit from India has taken place, though
former PM Shri Vajpayee and President Mugabe had met twice on the sidelines of
UNGA and NAM Summits in 2003.
India and Zimbabwe share a similarity of views on most international issues
and closely cooperate at UN, NAM and other multilateral fora like WTO and G-15.
India has supported Zimbabwe in the Human Rights Commission and Zimbabwe
supported India for its elections to ECOSOC, UNESCO, and Council of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and in the UN Human Rights Council
elections.
India and Zimbabwe are members of G-20 in WTO and having common
position on IPRs and agricultural subsidies. Zimbabwe generally supports India in
most of the elections in the multilateral fora and our Resolutions in the UN.
During
the year 2011, Zimbabwe supported India´s candidates for election to the UN
Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Question (ACABQ).Zimbabwe also supported our candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC.
Via – PIB | PRESIDENT OF INDIA MEDIA
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Orders for Control of Pollution, ensuring water quality better
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Orders for Control of Pollution, ensuring water quality better
New Delhi – National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued directions, among others, for ensuring water quality and e-flow in the rivers, vide order/judgement dated 10.12.2015 and 13.07.2017 in Original Application (OA) 200 of 2014 and vide order dated 20.09.2018 in OA No. 673 of 2018.
NGT in its orders in Original Application No. 673 of 2018, directed all State and Union Territory (UT) Governments concerned to implement Action Plans approved by task team of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for rejuvenation/ restoration of polluted river stretches (PRS) falling in category priority I to priority IV. All concerned State/ UT Governments were directed to ensure execution of approved action plans by 30.06.2021 for bringing all the polluted river stretches identified by CPCB fit for bathing purpose (i.e Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) < 3 milligram/litre, Dissolved Oxygen more than 5.0 mg/l and Feacal Coliform < 500MPN/100ml). River Rejuvenation Committees (RRCs) have been constituted by State/UT Governments for preparation and implementation of approved action plan for PRS falling in category priority V, and a Central Monitoring Committee (CMC) has been constituted at Central level to monitor progress of implementation.
Pursuant to the orders of Hon’ble NGT in OA No. 673 of 2018, CMC meetings are held on a regular basis under the chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Water Resource, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, wherein implementation of approved action plans formulated by the concerned States/ UTs are reviewed.
CPCB in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in different States/Union Territories (UTs), have been monitoring the water quality of rivers and other water bodies across the country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Based on water quality monitoring results, pollution assessment of rivers has been carried out by CPCB from time to time. As per the last report published by CPCB in September 2018, 351 polluted stretches were identified on 323 rivers based on monitoring results in terms of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), an indicator of organic pollution. State/UT wise details of polluted river stretches are at Annexure.
Out of total 351 PRS in the country, 53 PRS were identified in the State of Maharashtra. These include 9 stretches in priority I, 6 in priority II, 14 in priority III, 10 in priority IV and 14 in priority V.
NRCP has so far covered 78 polluted stretches on 36 rivers in 80 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the sanctioned cost of projects as Rs.6248.16 crore, and sewage treatment capacity of 2745.7 MLD created. Under Namami Gange programme, 406 projects, including 176 projects for sewage treatment of 5270 MLD and a sewer network of 5214 km, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.32898 crore against which sewerage treatment capacity of 1858 MLD has been created so far.
In addition, sewerage infrastructure is created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
Steps taken by the Government to stop discharge of industrial effluents into rivers inter alia, include issuance of notification of specific discharge standards, revision of the criteria for categorization of industries and issuing directions to all SPCBs/ PCCs to adopt the same, issuance of consent to establish/consent to operate by the SPCBs/PCCs, based on Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index (CEPI) critically polluted areas are identified to take necessary measures through time-targeted Action Plans, regular inspections of Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) by CPCB for compliance verification, installation of Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System (OCEMS) for assessment of effluent quality and compliance status. In addition, the industries are encouraged to reduce their waste water generation by technological advancement, reuse/recycle of wastewater and maintain Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) where ever possible.
As per the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, SPCBs and PCCs monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take punitive action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.
Cleaning of river is a continuous process. A number of sewerage infrastructure projects have been completed in a time bound manner in the years 2020-22. Improvement in water quality of identified rivers is being reported by several States.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Via – PIB
International World Constitutional Parliamentary Award Honored to Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia from Assam
International World Constitutional Parliamentary Award Honored to Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia from Assam
Diplomat Times (Mumbai) – Global President of the Association of World Constitutional Parliamentarians, Professor Dr Glenn T. Martin, conferred the International World Constitutional Parliamentarian Award to Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia, a national-level human rights and social activist from Assam.
Speaking at a brief function at Shrirampur near Shirdi, Martin said the award had been presented to Dr Saikia for his outstanding service to human society over the last 24 years for human rights, humanity and peace. Under the award, he was given a commemorative certificate and books.
After receiving the international award, Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia said that the United Nations had recognized the languages of various small-world countries. Still, Hindi has yet to be identified, although Hindi is spoken by many people worldwide.
He said that freedom of expression is being violated in other countries of the world as well as in India.
He further said that nuclear missiles, bombs, war etc. are not suitable for the modern civilized world. For the last 24 years, apart from the remarkable work done during the Covid period with various services to humanity, he has also filed a case in the National Human Rights Commission regarding fake police encounters in Assam and multiple provinces. Due to the cognizance of his claim, such a case has stayed. It is noteworthy that Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia has already received more than 116 national and international awards.
He runs awareness campaigns against superstition, witchcraft and drugs nationally and in Assam. He is treating many victims and helping many families in various ways. Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia greeted Dr Glenn T. Martin, Mrs Phyllis Turk and other US citizens by presenting them with flowers, tea and rhino mementoes.
Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill Gate Foundation meet President of India HE Droupaadi Murmu
New Delhi – Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill Gate Foundation meet President of India HE Droupadi Murmu today at Rashtarpati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Welcoming Ms Melinda French Gates to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President was happy to note the work done by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over the past two decades.
The President said that the Government of India is investing significantly in health and development through a range of flagship initiatives. The Government is making special efforts to ensure an inclusive approach, so that the benefits reach the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society.
She expressed confidence that the Foundation would also make efforts to reach those who are most in need – whether they are women and girls, tribal communities, or those residing in remote parts of the country. The President also highlighted the role of women in the overall development of the country, and called on the Foundation to continue its efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The President appreciated the pioneering work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in public health, infectious disease control and malaria and TB prevention. She encouraged the Foundation to also give attention to other serious ailments, such as sickle cell anemia, which particularly afflicts tribal communities. The President also appreciated the good work of the Foundation in the area of agricultural development, and urged the Foundation to consider starting cooperative marketing initiatives for minor forest produce in tribal areas.
Speaking about India taking over the G20 Presidency, the President said that India’s experience and best practices can be very useful lessons for other developing countries. In particular, India’s rich and diverse tribal heritage can be showcased to the world – living in harmony with nature, traditional systems of medicine, and a genuine ‘sustainability’ approach are the hallmarks of this unique lifestyle.
President appreciated pioneering work of the Gates Foundation in public health and infectious disease control.
Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation calls on the President #DroupadiMurmu at @rashtrapatibhvn today
President appreciated pioneering work of @gatesfoundation in public health and infectious disease controlhttps://t.co/6e5wwnBtQ2 pic.twitter.com/6rxgfH84rF
— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 6, 2022
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls. As co-chair of the foundation, she shapes and approves the organization’s strategies and overall direction, reviews results, and works with grantees and partners to further the foundation’s goal of improving equity in the United States and around the world.
Through her work at the foundation over more than two decades, Melinda has seen firsthand that empowering women and girls can transform the health and prosperity of families, communities, and societies. Her work has led her to focus increasingly on gender equity as a lever for change. In 2015, Melinda founded Pivotal Ventures, a company working to accelerate the pace of social progress in the United States.
About Melinda French Gates
Melinda is the author of the bestselling book The Moment of Lift, in which she introduces readers to the inspiring women she has met during her work and travels around the world and shares her own journey to becoming an advocate for women and girls.
The second of four children, Melinda grew up in Dallas, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics and an MBA, both from Duke University. She spent the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work.
She has three children—Jenn, Rory, and Phoebe—and lives in Seattle, Washington.
Via – PIB | Melinda Gates Foundation
The 1st Sherpa Meeting of India’s G20 Presidency started in the historic city of Udaipur, Rajasthan
The 1st Sherpa Meeting of India’s G20 Presidency started in the historic city of Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur – The 1st Sherpa Meeting of India’s G20 Presidency, chaired by G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant, is commencing today in the historic city of Udaipur. The four-day gathering (04-07 December 2022) of the Sherpas of G20 Members, invited countries and International Organizations, will set the stage for important conversations on some of the most pressing issues of our time, including technological transformation, green development and LiFE, spotlighting women-led development, accelerating implementation of the SDGs, facilitating inclusive and resilient growth, and multilateral reforms.
The Meeting will kick start on 4 December 2022 with a panel discussion on accelerating implementation of the SDGs. Formal Sherpa discussions will be spread over five sessions and will be held on 5-6 December 2022. During these sessions, India will introduce the broad priorities of all the Working Groups and also hear the views of the G20 countries, guests and International Organizations. An informal session for free-flowing discussions among G20 Sherpas without any set agenda is also being planned.
Discussions of the 1st Sherpa Meeting were initiated by India’s G20 Sherpa, Shri Amitabh Kant, through an overview of India’s G20 priorities across our 13 Working Groups. The Sherpa highlighted India’s role in providing a greater voice to the Global South, and utilizing its G20 Chairship to forge win-win collaborations between developing countries and advanced economies. Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, then proceeded to outline key economic challenges facing the world today, and highlighted the need for collective efforts by the G20 to respond to them.
This was followed by Session 1 on Technological Transformation, including the working groups on Digital Economy, Health, and Education. Delegates discussed challenges in accelerating digitalization across different sectors in their countries. Further, delegates from G20 countries, guest invitees, and IOs, made interventions on leveraging the power of technology through multiple pathways. The importance of cyber security, inclusivity in expanding access to technological services and infrastructure, and digital skilling, were inter alia highlighted in the discussions.
Session 2 on ‘Green Development and Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)’ followed, with the focus moving to effective strategies to collectively combat climate change. The need to facilitate just green and energy transitions was discussed, with India’s G20 Sherpa highlighting the necessity of galvanizing collective action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The topics covered under the Development (DWG), Energy Transitions (ETWG), Climate Sustainability Working Group (CSWG), and Disaster Risk Resilience and Reduction (DRRWG) working groups were covered in this session. Countries appreciated India’s ‘LiFE’ initiative and extended support to take the agenda forward.
A dialogue on “Global & Regional Economy: Prospects & Challenges” was held next. Ms. Kristina Kostial, Deputy Director of Strategy and Policy Department, IMF, made a presentation on the pressing global economic challenges of the day, including the international debt situation and trade. The dialogue discussed ideas for the world to tackle such concerns and emerge more resilient to economic vagaries.
A discussion between G20 Sherpa over high tea in the evening – ‘Chai pe Charcha’, was held to discuss ways forward on shared concerns as well as to foster deeper relationships and enhance the contribution of G20 as a whole.
During an excursion to the historic Manek Chowk in Udaipur, G20 Sherpas were provided traditional Indian jackets, Safas/Turban and stoles to further enrich their authentic cultural experience of Rajasthan. Day 2 concluded with Ratri Bhoj par Samvaad (Conversation over Dinner) at the spectacular venue – Jagmandir, Udaipur.
Through a range of cultural activities, visits to historic sites and scenic locations and showcasing Rajasthani art and craft, the visiting G20 delegates have got a rich glimpse and deep insight into our rich history and traditions. Udaipur, a city known for its white marble architecture and beautiful lakes, and the G20 discussions here, is providing them a memorable and unique experience of India.
Via – PIB/ G20
