AVS POST

Category: News

  • Republic Day Celebrations 2023: Over 1200 performers to take part in the first ever Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance Festival in the National Capital

    Republic Day Celebrations 2023: Over 1200 performers to take part in the first ever Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance Festival in the National Capital

    Republic Day Celebrations 2023: As part of the Republic Day celebrations 2023 and to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (celebrated as Parakram Diwas), the Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance performances are being showcased under the banner  Adi- Shaurya: Parv Parakram kain Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on 23-24 January 2023. Themed as Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance, this event is aimed at throwing light on the contribution of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to our freedom struggle.

    The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tribal Affairs are jointly organising the event, with Indian Coast Guard being the coordinating agency.

    The initial practice sessions for the event began on 10 January and the reverberations of the military drums and trumpets have set the stage for the traditional dance performances to blend in representing our country’s unique cultural trends and fostering the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat”.

    About 1200 plus performers are fine tuning their art forms each day in rehearsals with each group enlivening a slice of India with their unique and colourful costumes, headdresses, music instruments and rhythmic dance beats. The traditional dance performance to be presented during the main event include Gaurr Maria, Gaddi Nati, Siddi Dhamal, Baiga Pardhoni, Purulia, Bagurumba, Ghusadi, Balti, Lambadi, Paika, Rathwa, Budigali, Songimukhawate, Karma, Mangho, Ka Shad Mastieh, Kummikali, Palaiyar, Cheraw & Rekham Pada. These events and groups are coordinated by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

    The Indian Army is presenting its prowess in the event through Paramotor gliding, Hot Air Balloon, Horse Show, Khukuri Dance, Gatka, Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Thang-ta, Motorcycle Display, Air Warrior Drill, Navy Band and martial arts.

    The grand finale will also showcase a performance by famous Bollywood playback singer Shri Kailash Kher. People interested to witness the show live at JLN stadium may do so by booking their free tickets through www.bookmyshow.com.

  • Pariksha Pe Charcha 2023 to be held on 27th January 2023-Dharmendra Pradhan

    Pariksha Pe Charcha 2023 to be held on 27th January 2023-Dharmendra Pradhan

    Pariksha Pe Charcha: Union Education and Skill development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today announced  that the 6th edition of Prime Minister’s Interaction Programme with school students, teachers and parents “Pariksha Pe Charcha 2023” will be held on 27th January 2023 at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conceptualized this unique interactive program – Pariksha Pe Charcha wherein students, parents, teachers from across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss anxieties related to examinations and life after school.   The event seeks to help in overcoming stress in order to celebrate life as an Utsav. This event was organized successfully for the last five years by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.

    For PPC 2023, Students, Teachers and Parents have enthusiastically participated in big numbers from State Boards, CBSE, KVS, NVS and other Boards. Registrations have more than doubled this year compared to the year 2022. About 38.80 lakh participants (Students- 31.24 lakh, Teachers – 5.60 lakh, Parents – 1.95 lakh) have registered for PPC- 2023 compared to about 15.7 lakh for PPC-2022. Students from over 150 countries, Teachers form 51 countries and parents from 50 countries have also registered for PPC-2023.  

    The programme is proposed to be in townhall type format, as in the year 2022, while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols, as determined by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India from time to time. An online creative writing competition was conducted at  https://innovateindia.mygov.in/ppc-2023/ /on various topics between 25th November and 30th December 2022 to select participants (school students of classes 9 to 12, teachers and parents) on a bouquet of themes  mentioned below:

    Themes for Students

    1. Know your freedom fighters (हमारी आज़ादी के नायक)

    2. Our culture is our pride (हमारी संस्कृति हमारा गर्व)

    3. My book my inspiration (मेरी प्रिय किताब )

    4. Save Environment for future generations (आने वाली पीढ़ियोंके लिए पर्यावरण सुरक्षा)

    5. My life, my health (अच्छा स्वास्थ्य क्यों ज़रूरी है?)

    6. My startup dream (मेरा स्टार्टअप का सपना)

    7. STEM education/ education without boundaries (सीमाओं केबिना शिक्षा)

    8. Toys and Games for Learning in Schools (विद्यालय में सीखनेके लिए खिलौने और खेल)

    II. Themes for Teachers

    1. Our Heritage (हमारी धरोहर)

    2. Enabling Learning Environment (सीखने के लिए समर्थवातावरण)

    3. Education for Skilling (कौशल के लिए शिक्षा)

    4. Lesser Curricular Load and No fear for exams (पाठयक्रम काकम भार और परीक्षा का कोई भय नहीं)

    5. Future educational challenges (भविष्य में शिक्षा की चुनौतियाँ)

    III. Themes for Parents

    1. My child, my teacher (मेरा बच्चा, मेरा अध्यापक)

    2. Adult Education- Making everyone literate (प्रौढ़ शिक्षा– सभीको साक्षर बनायें)

    3. Learning and growing together (सीखना और एकसाथ बढ़ना)

     

    About 2050 participants selected through the creative writing competitions on MyGov will be presented with a special Pariksha Pe Charcha kit comprising of Exam Warriors book in Hindi and English, written by Prime Minister and a certificate. Some of the questions by the participants, to be selected by NCERT, may feature in PPC-2023.                               

  • Over 93.31 crore portability transactions recorded under One Nation One Ration Card

    Over 93.31 crore portability transactions recorded under One Nation One Ration Card

    #OneNationOneRationCard : The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan, for nation-wide portability of the National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) benefits, is presently enabled in all the 36 States/UTs (across the nation), covering entire NFSA population (around 80 Crore NFSA beneficiaries) in the country. Under the plan, the NFSA beneficiaries have been empowered with the choice to lift their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card with biometric authentication on an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device.

    ONORC plan is particularly beneficial for those NFSA beneficiaries who frequently change their place of dwelling in search of temporary employment or for other reasons and miss out their food security benefits due to migration – such as numerous workers/labourers, daily-wagers, urban poor like rag-pickers, street-dwellers, temporary workers in both organized and un-organized sectors, domestic workers, etc. So far, a total of 93.31 crore portability transactions are recorded under ONORC. State-wise list of ONORC portability transactions is under.

    States/UT-wise inter and intra State portability transactions

    During the August 2019 to 30th November 2022

    S. No. States Total Intra State Portability Transactions Total Inter-State Portability Transactions Total Portability Transactions
    1 A&N ISLANDS 32,786 367 33,153
    2 ANDHRA PRADESH 114,137,592 3,697 114,141,289
    3 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1,218 242 1,460
    4 ASSAM 980,145 49 980,194
    5 BIHAR 292,175,640 41,704 292,217,344
    6 CHANDIGARH – 318 318
    7 CHHATTISGARH 1,952,910 1,667 1,954,577
    8 DELHI 17,166,126 4,127,019 21,293,145
    9 GOA 29,934 13,573 43,507
    10 GUJARAT 3,353,578 227,118 3,580,696
    11 HARYANA 45,763,133 709,937 46,473,070
    12 HIMACHAL PRADESH 1,054 74,042 75,096
    13 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1,202,509 43,380 1,245,889
    14 JHARKHAND 2,677,225 19,845 2,697,070
    15 KARNATAKA 55,626,509 28,891 55,655,400
    16 KERALA 51,510,248 28,281 51,538,529
    17 LADAKH – 315 315
    18 LAKSHADWEEP 9,575 54 9,629
    19 MADHYA PRADESH 29,874,926 33,052 29,907,978
    20 MAHARASHTRA 46,515,895 284,724 46,800,619
    21 MANIPUR 1,505 20 1,525
    22 MEGHALAYA 38 103 141
    23 MIZORAM 5,306 4 5,310
    24 NAGALAND 28,898 410 29,308
    25 ODISHA 83,501 1,164 84,665
    26 PUDUCHERRY – 236 236
    27 PUNJAB 8,546,426 17,210 8,563,636
    28 RAJASTHAN 103,058,412 59,954 103,118,366
    29 SIKKIM 11,559 932 12,491
    30 TAMIL NADU 5,715,430 11,736 5,727,166
    31 TELANGANA 79,832,263 13,427 79,845,690
    32 DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU 254,178 108,464 362,642
    33 TRIPURA 1,092,684 11,295 1,103,979
    34 UTTAR PRADESH 61,444,491 41,484 61,485,975
    35 UTTARAKHAND – 57,384 57,384
    36 WEST BENGAL 4,052,508 1,766 4,054,274
    Total 927,138,202 5,963,864 933,102,066
  • Prime Minister to unveil the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency on 8th November

    Prime Minister to unveil the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency on 8th November

    New Delhi: Prime Minister will unveil the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency on 8th November 2022 at 4:30 PM via video conferencing. Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister, the foreign policy of India has been evolving to undertake leadership roles on the global stage. In a significant step in this direction, India will assume G20 Presidency from 1st December, 2022. The G20 Presidency offers a unique opportunity to India to contribute to the global agenda on pressing issues of international importance. The logo, theme and website of our G20 Presidency would reflect India’s message and overarching priorities to the world.

    G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. During the course of its G20 Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across India. The G20 Summit to be held next year, would be one of the highest profile international gatherings to be hosted by India.

  • Special Campaign 2.0: CBDT concludes the Special Campaign 2.0 by launching HARIT (Hariyali Achievement Resolution by Income Tax department) Aaykar initiative

    Special Campaign 2.0: CBDT concludes the Special Campaign 2.0 by launching HARIT (Hariyali Achievement Resolution by Income Tax department) Aaykar initiative

    New Delhi: #SpecialCampaign2.0 The Government of India undertook Special Campaign for Swachhata in government offices and disposal of pending matters from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st October 2022, on the lines of the Special Campaign held in 2021. The Special Campaign 2.0 covered all Ministries/ Departments of Government of India. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) along with its subordinate offices of Income Tax Department enthusiastically participated in the Special Campaign 2.0. The Campaign was organized in two phases – Preparatory Phase from 14th September, 2022 to 30th September, 2022 and Implementation Phase from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st October, 2022.

    During the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 2.0, officers were sensitized, ground functionaries were mobilized, nodal officers were appointed, campaign sites were finalized and scrap/ redundant materials were identified. Further, pendency in specific categories including public grievances, grievance appeals etc. was identified.

    During the campaign phase, all out efforts were made to dispose-off all identified references and to improve the overall cleanliness of Government offices. The efforts of the Department in the Special Campaign 2.0 were widely disseminated through media including social media. Progress of the campaign was monitored on a daily basis.

    During the campaign, the Department resolved more than 27,000 public grievances which include CPGRAMS as well as e-Nivaran grievances. About 800 grievance appeals were also disposed of.

    Special efforts were made for Swachhata in Government offices and 416 Swachhata campaigns were conducted across India which include campaigns conducted in field offices at urban and suburban locations. Record management in offices was also attended to on priority and more than 63,000 redundant office files were weeded out. Under these campaigns, office scrap was disposed of, which generated revenue of more than Rs. 19 lakh and freed up space of around 67,000 sq. ft. Special efforts were also made for beautification of reclaimed office spaces, to enhance the work environment. Furthermore, balconies, terraces and rooftops have been converted into green spaces in various office buildings in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and North Eastern Region. ‘Aaykar Udyaan’, a herbal garden has also been developed at Aaykar Bhawan, Mumbai.

    Best practices of the Department in the field of grievance redressal through Aaykar Sewa Kendras and in the field of Swachhata through reuse of waste plastic by creation of vertical gardens were specifically highlighted. More than 120 tweets with an average of 4 tweets per day were done by the Department to give wide publicity to the Department’s efforts for Swachhata and disposal of pending matters.

    The Chairman, CBDT, Shri Nitin Gupta concluded the Special Campaign 2.0 on a high note by launching HARIT Aaykar (Hariyali Achievement Resolution by Income Tax department) initiative on 31st October, 2022 by planting and inaugurating the Aaykar Aranya, a series of micro forests near Attari on the India-Pakistan border. He further exhorted the officers and officials of the Department to work towards achieving the objectives of HARIT Aaykar initiative to increase green spaces and create micro-forests in and around Income Tax department’s buildings and other public areas.

  • MSDE institutionalizes Swacchata through Special Campaign 2.0

    MSDE institutionalizes Swacchata through Special Campaign 2.0

    The Government of India has announced Special Campaign 2.0 from 2nd October to 31st October 2022 with a focus on Swachhata and reducing pendency in the Government. The Special Campaign 2.0 places a greater emphasis on field/outstation offices in addition to the Ministries, Departments, and their subordinate offices. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) oversees the implementation of the campaign.

    As part of the special campaign 2.0, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is giving special attention to institutionalising Swacchata, including finalisation of campaign sites, sensitization of nodal officers, identification of pendency in identified categories, scrap disposal, and record management as per laid down procedures. MSDE has made efforts to ensure effective execution through intense engagement with the field staff and close monitoring of the campaign. Daily progress is being uploaded on the SCPDM portal hosted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. So far, 32 public grievances have been disposed of during the implementation phase (2nd October 2022 – to date), and 12 references from Members of Parliament cases have been resolved. Furthermore, 12830 e-files were reviewed, 2115 files were disposed of and weeded out, 6954 cleanliness campaigns were conducted, 5783 sqft of space was freed, and revenue of INR 373175 was earned. Additionally, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, a subordinate office of MSDE, has implemented certain ‘best practices’ throughout all JSS in the country for showing promising results through the campaign.

    The Cabinet Secretary addressed all Secretaries of the Government of India on 23rd August 2022 and DARPG Guidelines note for the same was issued on 25th August, 2022. All wing and division heads of MSDE were also directed to closely monitor and ensure the successful implementation of the campaign in all ITIs, JSS, PMKK, offices of MSDE, NCVET, DGT, Autonomous Institutes, RDSDE, CSTARI, NSTI, etc.

    Addressing the Special Campaign 2.0, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said that with a special focus on institutionalizing cleanliness in government departments, digitizing government records, and freeing up blocked resources, Special Campaign 2.0 has been launched under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He further said that MSDE is committed to this Special drive by Government of India, and it is in best of our interest that we are all jointly working towards the success of this initiative. MSDE has been conducting several activities and has made excellent progress and we will continue our endeavors in ensuring maximum participation and outcome-based activities, he added.

    The special campaign consists of two phases: the preparatory phase from 14th September 2022 to 30th September 2022; and the implementation phase from 2nd October to 31st October 2022 covering 11 parameters for the successful execution of cleanliness campaigns.

     

  • Ministry of I&B blocks 45 YouTube videos from 10 YouTube channels under IT Rules, 2021

    Ministry of I&B blocks 45 YouTube videos from 10 YouTube channels under IT Rules, 2021

     New Delhi: Based on the inputs from intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has directed YouTube to block 45 YouTube videos from 10 YouTube channels. Orders to block the concerned videos were issued on 23.09.2022 under the provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. The blocked videos had cumulative viewership of over 1 crore 30 lakh views.

    The content included fake news and morphed videos spread with the intent to spread hatred among religious communities. Examples include false claims such as the Government to have taken away the religious rights of certain communities, violent threats against religious communities, declaration of civil war in India, etc. Such videos were found to have the potential to cause communal disharmony and disrupt public order in the country.

    Some of the videos blocked by the Ministry were being used to spread disinformation on issues related to Agnipath scheme, Indian Armed Forces, India’s national security apparatus, Kashmir, etc. The content was observed to be false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign States. Certain videos depicted erroneous external boundary of India with parts of J&K and Ladakh outside the Indian territory. Such cartographic misrepresentation was found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

    The content blocked by the Ministry was found to be detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, India’s friendly relations with foreign States, and public order in the country. Accordingly, the content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

    The Government of India remains committed to thwart any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order.

  • Direct Benefit Transfer biggest achievement of Government, freed people from shackles of middlemen: Former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

    Direct Benefit Transfer biggest achievement of Government, freed people from shackles of middlemen: Former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

    Former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today unveiled the book Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas”, a collection of selected speeches of Prime Minister, along with Governor of Kerala Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur in a function organized by Directorate of Publications Division. The book is a compilation of 86 speeches of the Prime Minister from May 2019 to May 2020 on various subjects

     

    Speaking on the occasion the former Vice President said that the book is a significant contribution to widen the understand of the challenges being faced by the nation and the concerted efforts being made to overcome them. The current government he said is working under the broader philosophy of ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhawantu’. He further said that good schemes have been launched earlier also he said, but only the current Prime Minister, leading from the front, is ensuring all programmes adhere to set timelines and targets, he is hands on and ensures continuous monitoring and eventual delivery. With his gift of enormous communication skills, Shri Naidu said, PM Modi can connect with all the people of the country alike.

    Shri Naidu recalled the time the vision of opening crores of bank accounts appeared unattainable, but under the able leadership of PM Modi, the target was achieved very quickly. Counting Direct Benefit Transfer as the biggest achievement of the Government, Shri Naidu said it freed people from the shackles of middlemen, ensuring endpoint delivery of welfare measures. When previously schemes were identified either as Government or political, PM Modi understood that realization of a goal depended hugely on the involvement of people. Swachha Bharat Abhiyan was thus envisioned by the Prime Minister as a Jan Andolan (people’s movement).

    Shri Naidu summed up commenting that “for long people have said that India does not speak from a position of strength and stature. With the advent of PM Modi, India is now a force to reckon with and India’s voice is heard by all.”

    Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has said that a common thread runs through the book and that is the Prime Minister’s concern for marginalized section and women empowerment. He highlighted that the twin issues of availability of toilets and water connectivity had needed urgent Government intervention for very long but had been lagging even as many Governments came and went. It was the only the current Government that took up this mission on war footing from the beginning.

     

    Speaking on triple talaq, he said that getting rid of this evil, which had been thriving for centuries, is no small achievement. Frustrating as it was, married Muslim women lived under constant threat of divorce. Recalling an anecdote when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had counted as his biggest failure, his inability to give Muslim women the same rights as Hindu women, Shri Mohammed said that the effect of this historic decision will be felt many years later when political and sociological thinkers analyse this decision and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be remembered as the emancipator of Muslim women. He credited the Prime Minister for braving all odds and opposition and yet delivering on this promise.

    He further added that before PM Modi, development of the country was only the responsibility of the Government and its bureaucracy. However, PM Modi has ensured that development of the country becomes a programme of Jan Bhagidari, where people of the country become equal stakeholders in the process and the results, and this has realized the concept of true democracy.

    Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur speaking about the book remarked that the book has compiled 86 speeches of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 10 chapters and elucidates his deep understanding of complex societal issues and his clear vision. The compilation, he said, is going to be very useful for future historians.

    He further said that in these speeches, one can find his thoughts and his leadership on complicated national issues, which resulted in actions due to which India stands as the fifth largest economy in the world. It is these actions along with his passion to serve and ensure last mile delivery, bereft of middlemen, that have caused people to have unwavering faith in him.

    Crediting Shri Narendra Modi for his uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Shri Thakur said that from students to women, from farmers to soldiers on the borders, from sportspersons to businessmen, anyone who listens to the Prime Minister can identify with his speeches and various international surveys have called PM Modi the most favorite Prime Minister in the world. Powerful world leaders have delved in detail on what it means to be Narendra Modi.

    This book contains his speeches on foreign relations, his thoughts on the economy and his consideration to restoration of our cultural heritage such at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Ayodhya, Deoghar etc. The book, he said, will inform the reader on his ideas on India’s environment and the steps taken to create a green India, achievements of various Ministries, mainstreaming of fitness, Yoga and sports, achievements of the Government in the field of science and technology, agriculture and agro-businesses, employment, from Gramoday to Rashtroday, India’s journey to becoming self-reliant.

    This book is an encyclopedia of Shri Narendra Modi’s ideas on various Government schemes. In this compilation, readers will find speeches given on historical occasions – such as the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha, the speech given on the completion of 100 years of ASSOCHAM, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after the removal of Article 370 on 8 August 2019. His address to the nation, message given to the nation on 19 March 2020 regarding Covid, address given at the launch of Fit India Movement, his message to the nation after the Supreme Court’s decision on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya etc.

    The Minister said that the book has a response to the catastrophic prophecies by various political leaders who had said that India will not be able to survive the abrogation of Article 370, that not one person would hoist the Indian tricolour in Kashmir. Today Har Ghar Tiranga campaign has seen equal success in Kashmir as in other parts of the country and Kashmir is witnessing development like never before.

    Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Apurva Chandra, Director General, Directorate of Publications Division, Ms Monideepa Mukherjee and several other senior officers of different media units of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

    About the book Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas’

    The book focuses on 86 speeches of the Prime Minister from May 2019 to May 2020 on various subjects. Divided into ten thematic areas, these speeches reflect the PM’s vision for ‘New India’. These well-distributed sections are – Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Economy, People-First Governance, Fight Against Covid-19, Emerging India: Foreign Affairs, Jai Kisan, Tech India-New India, Green India-Resilient India-Clean India, Fit India-Efficient India, Eternal India-Modern India: Cultural Heritage, and Mann ki Baat.

    The book portrays the PM’s vision of a new India, which is self-reliant, resilient and capable of converting challenges into opportunities. The Prime Minister combines leadership qualities, visionary thinking, andforesight with excellent communication abilities to connect with masses throughhis exceptional oratory style. The same is reflected in this book.

    The English as well as Hindi books are available at the sales outlets of Publications Division and the Books Gallery at Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi. They can also be purchased online through Publications Division’s website as well as Bharatkosh platform. The e-books are also available on Amazon and Google Play.

  • UP Election Results 2022: Big victory for BJP, SP distant 2nd position

    UP Election Results 2022: Big victory for BJP, SP distant 2nd position

    UP Election Results 2022: Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) as an incumbent government has returned to power in Uttar Pradesh after over three decades. In the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly, the BJP has won 255 seats, 53 more than the halfway mark of 202. Its allies Apna Dal(S) and Nishad Party clinched 12 and 6 seats respectively. 

    The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) won 111 constituencies and its allies Rashtriya Lok Dal of Jayant Chaudhary 8 and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party of Om Prakash Rajbhar grabbed 6. 

    While Congress managed to win two seats, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) could only get one seat despite polling 12.88 per cent votes.

    The BJP’s vote share rose to 41.29 per cent as against 39.67 per cent in the 2017 assembly elections. The vote share of the SP increased from 21.82 per cent in 2017 to 32.06 per cent.

    It was a high-stakes election in UP for the Bharatiya Janata Party as the state sends the highest number of 80 MPs to Lok Sabha and the party’s performance will have a bearing on the 2024 general election.

  • On International Women’s Day, The Honourable President Will Confer Prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars To 29 Outstanding Individuals For The Years 2020 and 2021

    On International Women’s Day, The Honourable President Will Confer Prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars To 29 Outstanding Individuals For The Years 2020 and 2021

    New Delhi:  As part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the week-long celebrations of International Women’s Day started on 1st March, 2022 in New Delhi. The culmination of week-long events will witness conferment of Nari Shakti Puruskar for the years 2020 and 2021 by the Honourable President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind at a special ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 8th March, 2022. The award ceremony for the year 2020 could not be held in 2021 due to prevalent situation created by COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Honourable Prime Minister of India will also be having an interactive session with the Awardees to applaud their efforts and to inspire the masses to work for and excel in areas relating to women empowerment.

    In all, 28 awards (14 each for the year 2020 and 2021) will be presented to 29 individuals in recognition of their exceptional work in rendering distinguished services towards empowerment of women, especially vulnerable and marginalized women.

    ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’ is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society.

    These achievers have not allowed age, geographical barriers or access to resources to come in the way of fulfilling their dreams. Their indomitable spirit will inspire the society at large and the young Indian minds in particular to break gender stereotypes, and stand up against gender inequality and discrimination. These awards are an effort to recognize women as equal partners in the advancement of society.

    The winners of the Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2020 are from fields as diverse as entrepreneurship, agriculture, innovation, social work, arts and crafts, STEMM, and wildlife conservation, etc. The winners of the Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2021 are from the fields of linguistics, entrepreneurship, agriculture, social work, arts and crafts, Merchant Navy, STEMM, education and literature, disability rights, etc.

    The list of awardees is below:

    Nari Shakti Puruskar 2020

    Sl. No Name State/ UT Domain
    		Anita Gupta Bihar Social Entrepreneur
    		Ushaben Dineshbhai Vasava Gujarat Organic farmer & Tribal Activist
    		Nasira Akhter Jammu & Kashmir Innovator – Environmental Conservation
    		Sandhya Dhar Jammu & Kashmir Social Worker
    		Nivruti Rai Karnataka Country Head, Intel India
    		Tiffany Brar Kerala Social Worker – Working for Blind people
    		Padma Yangchan Ladakh Revived the lost cuisine & clothing in Leh region
    		Jodhaiya Bai Baiga Madhya Pradesh Tribal Baiga Art Painter
    		Saylee Nandkishor Agavane Maharashtra Down syndrome affected Kathak Dancer
    		Vanita Jagdeo Borade Maharashtra First Women Snake Rescuer
    		Meera Thakur Punjab Sikki Grass Artist
    		Jaya Muthu, Tejamma  (Jointly) Tamil Nadu Artisans – Toda embroidery
    		Ela Lodh (Posthumous) Tripura Obstetrician & Gynecologist
    		Arti Rana Uttar Pradesh Handloom Weaver & Teacher
    Nari Shakti Puruskar 2021
    		Sathupati Prasanna Sree Andhra Pradesh Linguist – preserving minority tribal languages
    		Tage Rita Takhe Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneur
    		Madhulika Ramteke Chhattisgarh Social Worker
    		Niranjanaben Mukulbhai Kalarthi Gujarat Author & Educationist
    		Pooja Sharma Haryana Farmer & Entrepreneur
    		Anshul Malhotra Himachal Pradesh Weaver
    		Shobha Gasti Karnataka Social Activist – Working for ending Devadasi system
    		Radhika Menon Kerala Captain Merchant Navy – First woman to receive award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea from IMO
    		Kamal Kumbhar Maharashtra Social Entrepreneur
    		Sruti Mohapatra Odisha Disability Rights Activist
    		Batool Begam Rajasthan Maand & Bhajan Folk Singer
    		Thara Rangaswamy Tamil Nadu Psychiatrist & Researcher
    		Neerja Madhav Uttar Pradesh Hindi Author – working for rights for transgenders and Tibetan refugees
    		Neena Gupta West Bengal Mathematician