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Yogi Adityanath Hails Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Icon of Good Governance on 100th Birth Anniversary

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday hailed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as an icon of good governance, emphasizing his pro-poor policies aimed at empowering marginalized communities. Yogi’s remarks were made during the inauguration of “Good Governance Week” at the Sangeet Natak Academy in Lucknow, a week-long event running until December 25 to commemorate Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary. The CM praised Vajpayee’s transformative leadership, which turned political instability into governance stability. He highlighted key policies such as the Antyodaya scheme, which sought to uplift the poor, deprived, and backward sections of society, and initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and the Golden Quadrilateral that revolutionized India’s infrastructure. “This year marks the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, a great son of India. His vision of good governance continues to inspire the nation, including Uttar Pradesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Yogi said. He also noted Vajpayee’s strong connection to Uttar Pradesh, with the late leader representing Balrampur and Lucknow in Parliament. The CM emphasized that Vajpayee’s unblemished career spanned six decades in public service as a poet, journalist, and politician. The event also included exhibitions celebrating Vajpayee’s life, and various activities like essay writing, speeches, painting contests, and seminars in rural areas will take place during the week. Winners will be honored on December 25, followed by a poetry session inspired by Vajpayee’s works across districts, schools, and colleges. Source: Hindustan Times Photo Credit: Hindustan Times

PM Modi Expands Ayushman Bharat Health Coverage for Seniors, Criticizes Non-Participating States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), now offering health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above. Speaking at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, he noted that this initiative, alongside several other healthcare projects worth ₹12,850 crore, aims to make quality healthcare universally accessible for seniors, regardless of income. During the event, Modi distributed Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to new beneficiaries, highlighting the scheme’s universal reach. Modi criticized Delhi and West Bengal for not implementing Ayushman Bharat, describing it as a “political” decision that denies the elderly access to free treatment. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal countered by urging the PM to consider Delhi’s own comprehensive healthcare model, while West Bengal’s TMC defended its Swasthya Sathi scheme. Focus on Digital Health and Ayurveda Modi launched the U-WIN platform, following the success of Co-WIN during the pandemic, aimed at creating a comprehensive digital health interface for India. He also highlighted the government’s emphasis on integrating Ayurveda with modern healthcare, inaugurating the second phase of the All India Institute of Ayurveda on Dhanvantari Jayanti. This expansion aligns with the government’s health policy priorities: preventive care, early diagnosis, affordable treatment, accessible healthcare, and digitalization. Commitment to Affordable Healthcare In addition to expanding Ayushman Bharat, the PM praised the 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which offer medicines at 80% discount, estimating a collective saving of ₹30,000 crore for low- and middle-income families. He emphasized the need for scientific validation of traditional herbs, such as ashwagandha, citing its growing demand in international markets. Progress in Medical Education Highlighting unprecedented advancements in India’s healthcare infrastructure, Modi stated that over the past decade, nearly 100,000 new MBBS and MD seats were created, along with numerous new AIIMS and medical colleges. He stressed that this growth contrasts sharply with limited achievements in prior decades, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating a holistic health system. Source: Hindustan Times

Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Cover Senior Citizens Aged 70+ Regardless of Income Starting Next Week

The enrollment process for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is set to commence next week, extending comprehensive health coverage to this age group irrespective of income. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate this significant initiative on Tuesday, alongside other health projects, including the launch of the UWIN app. The UWIN app, a new platform developed by the government, is designed to record every vaccination event for pregnant women and children as part of the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). By streamlining immunization data and appointment scheduling, the app is expected to enhance healthcare access and coordination across India. Last month, the government approved a policy to provide health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh annually on a family basis for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the AB-PMJAY scheme. Pilot projects conducted in various regions of India have assessed the scheme’s readiness for full implementation, with a positive response reported by officials. The inclusion of this age group under the Ayushman Bharat umbrella is expected to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for senior citizens, who are often at higher risk of requiring medical intervention. According to officials, the UWIN app will also serve as a tool to schedule healthcare appointments for seniors, ensuring more accessible and efficient services. This move aligns with India’s continued efforts to provide universal healthcare access to vulnerable sections of society, marking another milestone in the country’s health infrastructure expansion. Source: Times of India

Maldives Government Suspends Ministers Over Derogatory Remarks Against PM Modi

The Maldives government took swift action on Sunday, suspending three ministers—Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid—over their derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversial statements triggered a significant backlash, prompting former presidents, including Mohammad Nasheed and Ibrahim Solih, to demand immediate action against the ministers. In a statement issued earlier on the same day, the Maldives government distanced itself from the remarks, categorizing them as ‘personal opinions.’ India had firmly conveyed its disapproval, labeling the comments by junior lady minister Mariyam Shiuna as uncalled for and unacceptable. Expressing concern over the use of hateful language, former president Ibrahim Solih emphasized the enduring friendship between India and the Maldives. He urged the government to prevent such remarks from negatively impacting the age-old relationship between the two countries. Former Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid echoed the sentiment, condemning the derogatory remarks made by the ministers on social media. He called for stern action against the officials, emphasizing the reprehensible and odious nature of their comments. The ministers’ remarks have sparked widespread outrage on social media, with not only citizens but also celebrities, including film stars, condemning the Maldivian leaders for their hate-filled rhetoric against PM Modi. This incident comes at a delicate time as Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu is in Beijing seeking funds. President Muizzu, a Sunni Salafi Muslim leader, won the November elections by advocating for the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives. The suspension of the ministers underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic decorum and preserving relations with India amid ongoing financial negotiations in Beijing.

PM Modi Reviews Progress of Rs 31,000 Crore Worth of Key Projects Across Seven States

News on Gov

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a PRAGATI meeting on Wednesday to assess the progress of eight significant projects spanning seven states, collectively valued at approximately Rs 31,000 crore, according to a statement from his office. PRAGATI, a multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation of projects involving both the central and state governments, marked its 43rd edition during this meeting. These projects encompassed various domains, with four focusing on water supply and irrigation, two centred on expanding national highways and connectivity, and two related to rail and metro rail connectivity. The statement specified, “These projects have a cumulative cost of around Rs 31,000 crore and relate to 7 states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.” Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of leveraging the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal in conjunction with technologies like satellite imagery to address implementation and planning challenges regarding project location and land requirements. He recommended that stakeholders involved in projects within densely populated urban areas appoint nodal officers and establish teams to enhance coordination. For irrigation projects, the Prime Minister advised organizing visits to areas where successful rehabilitation and reconstruction work had been carried out, with the intention of showcasing the transformational impact of these projects to inspire early execution. During the meeting, he also examined the progress of ‘Mobile Towers and 4G Coverage under USOF Projects.’ These projects aim to provide mobile coverage to 33,573 villages through 24,149 mobile towers under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Modi instructed officials to ensure that mobile towers are installed in all uncovered villages within the current financial year, emphasizing the importance of regular meetings with all stakeholders to achieve full mobile coverage even in remote areas. According to the statement, up to the 43rd edition of PRAGATI meetings, a total of 348 projects with a combined cost of Rs 17.36 lakh crore have undergone review.

PM Modi to Inaugurate Futuristic IIT Jodhpur Campus: A Hub for Innovation and Education

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is set to inaugurate the sprawling Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur campus today. This futuristic institution, located on an expansive 852-acre site, boasts 10 departments, three schools, five centres, and six interdisciplinary programs. IIT Jodhpur plays a crucial role in providing high-quality and inclusive education to over 4,500 students. Moreover, it serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and deep-tech innovation initiatives, with a focus on bolstering the country’s economy. Established in 2008 along with seven other IITs, this institute is situated on the Jodhpur-Nagaur Highway. IIT Jodhpur is recognized for its meticulous campus planning and commitment to sustainability, setting it apart as one of India’s best-planned technical institutions. Its mission is to cultivate intellectual excellence, instil human values, and nurture future leaders dedicated to building a self-reliant India. The academic programs at IIT Jodhpur are in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in emerging fields such as Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and Bio-engineering. Notably, IIT Jodhpur and AIIMS Jodhpur collaborate to offer unique innovation-driven joint degree programs in the field of medical technologies. Furthermore, the institution runs a mandatory social connect program that enables students and faculty to collaborate on scientific projects that benefit rural and surrounding areas. Students also have the opportunity to engage in advanced research in interdisciplinary areas like digital humanities, computational social science, quantum information and computation, space science and technology, as well as robotics and mobility, among others. IIT Jodhpur fosters a dynamic innovation ecosystem and actively participates in major projects supported by various government agencies, including DST, ISRO, DRDO, DAE, MeitY, DBT, BIRAC, Ministry of Ayush, and the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor.

PM Modi to Virtually Distribute 51,000 Appointment Letters in Nationwide Job Fair

In a virtual event scheduled for Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute approximately 51,000 appointment letters to recently recruited government employees across various departments. This nationwide ‘Rozgar Mela’ will take place simultaneously at 46 locations, as announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The newly appointed individuals will be joining different government ministries and departments, including the Department of Posts, Indian Audit & Accounts Department, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Revenue, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, among others. The PMO emphasized that the Rozgar Mela is a significant step towards fulfilling the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritize employment generation. It is expected to serve as a catalyst for further job creation, offering meaningful opportunities to young individuals for empowerment and active participation in the country’s development. Additionally, the newly appointed personnel will have the chance to enhance their skills through the Karmayogi Prarambh program, an online module available on the iGOT Karmayogi portal. This platform offers access to over 680 e-learning courses designed for flexible learning on any device, further enriching the training opportunities for the new recruits.

PM Modi Highlights India’s Inclusive Tech Initiatives and Global Impact

In an interview with a news agency, Prime Minister Modi discussed how India’s digital public infrastructure is promoting social inclusion and democratizing technology. He emphasized that India’s efforts have gained global recognition and are paving the way for a broader global movement. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the success of the CoWIN initiative, which facilitated the world’s largest vaccine drive, providing over 200 crore free doses. The platform, CoWIN, was even made open source for other countries to adopt. Referring to the UPI initiative, Modi noted that digital transactions are empowering businesses of all sizes, from street vendors to major banks, and contributing to financial inclusion. He praised India’s Digital Public Infrastructure for its role in delivering public services during the pandemic, citing the Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity’s effectiveness in ensuring financial inclusion and benefit transfers. Modi also mentioned the ONDC e-commerce initiative, which is seen as a significant step in democratizing digital platforms and creating a level playing field. He discussed the adoption of India’s digital public infrastructure by the G20 forum, which has established principles for a secure digital economy and laid the foundation for the One Future Alliance to coordinate global efforts in this regard. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s impact on healthcare service delivery and India’s commitment to global health through the G20’s Global Digital Health Initiative. He stressed India’s approach of using technology to promote inclusion and equality, turning it into a force for good. Modi also addressed the government’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity, acknowledging the challenges posed by technology in combating illicit financial activities and terrorism. The Prime Minister celebrated India’s achievements across various domains, including the space sector, startups, sports, and education, expressing optimism about India’s economic prospects in the near future. This interview provides valuable insights into India’s efforts to leverage technology for social inclusion and global cooperation. Interview link: https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/ptis-exclusive-interview-with-prime-minister-narendra-modi/

PM Modi pitches India’s emerging clean energy market at G7, urges investment from member nations

Article on Gov

In the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and while attending the G7 Summit in Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Group of Seven (G7) countries to consider supporting and investing in India’s emerging markets for clean energy technologies. The US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan make up the G7, an informal alliance of industrialised economies. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz extended an invitation to PM Modi to join the G7 Summit this year as a partner country. Along with India, partner countries Indonesia, Argentina, Senegal, and South Africa also attended the summit. India is currently developing into a significant market for sustainable energy technologies. The G7 nations can spend money on manufacturing, research, and innovation in this area. At the G7 Summit at a session on “Investing in a better Future: Climate, Energy, Health,” Modi emphasised that the scale that India can provide for every new technology can make it accessible for the entire globe. The fundamental concepts of the circular economy are deeply ingrained in Indian culture and way of life. “When a large country like India shows such ambition, other developing countries also get inspiration. We hope that the rich countries of G7 will support India’s efforts…” he said. Modi reaffirmed the pledge made by India at the COP26 summit of the United Nations on climate change in Glasgow in November 2021: that the nation will reduce its emissions to net zero by 2070, not adding to greenhouse gases. “All of you will agree that energy access should not be the privilege of only the rich,” Modi added, alluding to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has caused energy costs to rise globally. “A poor family also has the same rights on energy. And today, when energy costs are sky-high due to geopolitical tensions, it is more important to remember this.” Modi met with all of the G7 leaders outside of the meeting, where the major topic of conversation was how to get energy as a result of the global fuel crisis brought on by the Russia-Ukraine war. As Europe looks for methods to wean itself off Russian gas, the PM and Scholz discussed ways to improve their energy cooperation during their one-on-one discussion. India has received harsh criticism from Europe for continuing to purchase Russian oil despite the country being subject to western sanctions, but India has retaliated. Modi praised Scholz in a tweet for the “warm hospitality during the @G7 Summit.” “We discussed cooperation in key sectors like commerce and energy. We also had deliberations on furthering environmentally friendly growth for our planet,” he continued. The two leaders met for the second time this year at this gathering. The previous meeting took place on May 2 during the PM’s trip to Berlin for the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations.