David Kennedy, CEO of Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

Mounting pressures on global food systems, where more frequent droughts, heatwaves, and shifting growing seasons threaten harvests and drive annual agricultural losses of $123 billion worldwide. In Asia, these climate-related disasters equate to nearly 4% of agricultural GDP, cascading impacts through food security, livelihoods, and economic stability.

David Kennedy, CEO of Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), during his recent visit to India, positioned the Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) sector’s reliance on ecosystems as a call to invest in regenerative practices, reduce food waste and deforestation, and build resilience through diversified sourcing, traceability, and stronger supplier partnerships.

By end-2024, 85% of companies with validated SBTi FLAG targets implemented regenerative farming to slash agricultural emissions, while 75% tackled land-use change and deforestation, proving science-based targets drive tangible operational shifts for sustainable supply chains. Over 10,000 companies and financial institutions globally, including 290 in India, have set SBTi targets, representing more than 40% of global market capitalization across major sectors and regions.

David Kennedy, CEO of SBTi said, "Indian companies are at the forefront of food systems transformation in the Global South. More than 400 food value chain companies globally now have science-based targets covering FLAG emissions. Embedding these targets into core strategy can unlock long-term cost efficiencies, strengthen resilience, reduce regulatory risks, and improve access to capital. The opportunity now is to scale credible, low-emission systems that deliver for business, smallholders and the planet with urgency and integrity."

Arun Nanda, Trustee on the SBTi Board, stated, "India's corporate climate moment is here. Extreme weather is already disrupting supply chains and productivity, but science-based targets offer a clear pathway to turn these pressures into competitive advantages. Indian firms, deeply embedded in global markets, can lead by adopting SBTi frameworks to cut costs through efficiency, secure green financing, and build resilience across food systems. The time to act is now, shaping a sustainable economic future for the nation."

SBTi research shows companies with science-based targets gain benefits beyond emissions cuts, including stronger risk management, competitive advantage, and deeper supplier relationships. The revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard (V2) adds tailored criteria for medium companies across upper-middle, lower-middle, and low-income countries, and for small and micro-enterprises globally, improving accessibility despite size, location, or financing constraints. Scope 3 targets drive collaborative supplier engagement through capacity building and transition planning. Both V1.3 and draft V2 also stress climate justice, urging greater support for vulnerable countries and affected communities.

For Indian companies, Kennedy stressed that adopting SBTi routes insulates against sourcing volatility, cuts long-run costs via efficiency and resilience, and positions firms as leaders in equitable food transitions, recognizing "survival emissions" while prioritizing adaptation co-benefits like nutrition security and livelihoods.

About SBTi

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) drives ambitious corporate climate action by providing science-based emissions reduction targets. Over 10,000 companies and financial institutions use SBTi standards to align with the Paris Agreement, fostering resilient, net-zero economies.

Learn more at www.sciencebasedtargets.org.

CCDC field staff collecting samples from a patient

Excess dietary salt intake is a major preventable risk factor for hypertension and CVDs. Thus, salt reduction is recommended by most global health organizations and the National NCD Action Plan as a key strategy to reduce CVDs. Reducing the salt intake by 30% by 2025 is among the WHO's nine voluntary global targets. The most recent WHO status report shows that the world is far behind in achieving this target.

Prof. (Dr) Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Executive Director, CCDC and senior author of the study, explained the relevance of these findings and population study in the context of national efforts to combat the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) reported in India. He said, “One of the major concerns in terms of reducing salt intake is whether it would impact iodine consumption, given that there is a mandatory fortification of salt with iodine to prevent hypothyroidism and goitre. However, this study clearly shows that even with reduced sodium intake, iodine intake remains adequate, and the fear that lowering sodium intake will reduce iodine intake is misplaced. It is crucial, as a public health measure, to reduce sodium to reduce the prevalence of hypertension in the population. To give a context, more than 300 million Indians live with hypertension. And one of the most essential lifestyle measures is reducing salt intake. In this regard, the study has provided major insights: reducing salt intake will not adversely affect iodine intake.”

Speaking about the findings, Professor Sailesh Mohan, Deputy Director & Head-CVD Epidemiology, CCDC, and one of the senior study authors, said, “Salt intake is high in India, and its reduction through population-wide efforts is an urgent imperative to control the rising burden of hypertension, which affects a third of Indian adults. This study’s findings provide much-needed evidence to indicate that salt reduction to recommended levels is unlikely to impact iodine levels among adults.”

Study Design and Findings

This study aimed to estimate the daily salt and iodine consumption levels of the adult population in India and examine the effect of the WHO-recommended salt intake levels on iodine levels. The study sites were selected to include slum and non-slum urban and rural areas. The urban part of the survey was conducted in Delhi, and the rural part in Faridabad, Haryana. Participant recruitment was done using a stratified random sampling method to recruit individuals from urban, urban slum, and rural areas, from 6 age and sex groups.

Iodine in salt, which was collected from 205 households, was estimated by iodometric titration with sodium thiosulfate. All samples were analyzed in triplicate with two levels of controls. The intra- and interassay coefficient of variation were 1.39% and 1.42%, respectively

Key Takeaways

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Delhi and Haryana, India, among adults aged ≥20 years, and 24-hour urine samples were collected to assess the salt and iodine levels.

1. Sample - The mean salt intake was 8.07 g/d (95% confidence interval: 7.03, 9.11), median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 167.8 μg/L (102.63–284.5), and the mean urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was 276.1 μg/ 24h (254.5–297.8).

2. Observation - Analysis to assess iodine intake adequacy by salt intake levels indicated that the median UIC, as well as UIE, were adequate when salt intake was as per the WHO- WHO-recommended level, i.e., ≤5 g/d. The conclusion was that even at the WHO-recommended salt intake levels, population iodine intake in this study population was adequate, likely indicating that upward titration in iodine concentration in salt may not be required.

3. Conclusion - Thus, current salt reduction recommendations are unlikely to impact iodine supplementation efforts, indicating compatibility between the 2 interventions, which should be continuously monitored through robust surveillance.

This study demonstrates that in India, where universal salt iodization is mandatory, a reduction in salt intake to WHO’s recommended levels of ≤ 5 g/d does not compromise the level of iodine intake among participants as measured by 24-h UIC and UIE in adults.

These findings provide strong support for the WHO’s recommendations to reduce population salt intake to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and also allay concerns regarding the requirement of an upward iodine titration in salt to account for the reduced dietary salt intake. Thus, current salt reduction recommendations are unlikely to impact iodine supplementation efforts, indicating compatibility between the 2 interventions.

The study protocol was approved by the Indian Health Ministry’s Screening Committee and the ethics committee of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi. It was supported by a funding award made by the Global Alliance for Chronic Disease through the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC).

About CCDC

The Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) is leading efforts to transform public health and empower public health professionals to combat the growing challenge of chronic diseases across India and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Established in 2000 as a non-profit scientific organization, this Delhi-based organization has been working alongside the Government of India (GoI) to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in India. 

L to R: Mitesh Dhorda, Avinash Gupta, Bharat Zaveri, Shri Harsh Sanghavi Ji, Rajesh Rokde, Avi Shah & Salim Daginawala
 

A high-level delegation from GJC, led by Chairman Rajesh Rokde, Vice Chairman Avinash Gupta, Director Salim Daginawala, ZCM Avi Shah, Bharat Zaveri, and National Secretary Mitesh Dhorda, met with Shri Harsh Sanghavi ji, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, to present the proposal.
 

The meeting was described as extremely positive, with GJC expressing confidence in receiving strong support from the Honourable Minister and the Government of Gujarat for the swift implementation of the committee.

Key Highlights of the Proposal

• Formation of Gujarat State Level Vigilance Committee to safeguard jewellers from undue harassment.

• Involvement of key local jewellers to ensure fair representation and transparency.

• Joint preparation of SOPs by jewellers and authorities to streamline processes and build trust.

• Shri Devendra Fadnais ji, Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Minister of State for Home (Rural), Housing, School, Education, Cooperation and Mining, Shri Pankaj Bhoyar ji and Smt Chitra Kishor Wagh, Member of Legislative Council played a leading role in implementing Dakshata Committee Model in Maharashtra. GJC shall be using this as benchmark for effective implementation in Gujarat.

• Creation of District-Level and City-Level Committees under GJC to strengthen vigilance and provide localized support to jewellers.

Rajesh Rokde, Chairman, GJC, said, "The establishment of a Gujarat State Vigilance Committee will be a landmark step in ensuring that jewellers can operate without fear of harassment, while maintaining compliance and transparency. Alongside the state committee, GJC will also form district and city-level committees to provide grassroots support and ensure jewellers’ concerns are addressed swiftly. We are grateful to Shri Harsh Sanghavi ji for his positive response and look forward to working closely with the Government of Gujarat to bring this initiative to life. We are also thankful to our valued members Zaveribhai Mandalia, Bharatbhai Mandalia and Avibhai Shah for facilitating this important meeting."

Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman, GJC, added, "This initiative will create a structured mechanism where jewellers and authorities work hand-in-hand to prepare SOPs and resolve issues collaboratively. By involving local jewellers at every level - state, district, and city - we can ensure fairness, accountability, and a strong support system across Gujarat. We are confident that this model will set a benchmark for other states as well."

About GJC
All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council is a national trade council established with the objective to address the industry, its functioning, and its cause with a 360° approach to promote and progress its growth, while protecting the industry’s interests. As a self-regulated trade body, GJC, since the last 20 years, has been serving as a bridge between the Government and the trade as well as undertaking various initiatives on behalf of and for the industry.

One Prastha Sector 87 Sonipat

The residential project, a fine amalgamation of modern amenities with ancient Indian sensibilities, is ideal for luxurious living away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Strategically located within a few minutes’ drive from the GT Road, there are reputed hospitals, educational institutions, and shopping hubs very close to the area. Defined by its community-first approach, this is the key point attracting aspirational buyers who are looking for residences aimed towards holistic living.

The Sonipat project offers the buyers registry-ready freehold plots ranging from 120 to 175 sq. yards. It is a gated community with vastu-compliant layouts and pollution-free surroundings filled with lush green trees. The township is equipped with smart infrastructure such as underground water storage, LED street lighting, reliable power backup, 24x7 CCTV surveillance and more.

Speaking on the occasion, Somesh Mittal, Co-Founder, One Prastha said, “The RERA approval comes as a mark of trust and faith on us. We have always believed in offering our customers the best in holistic living. The Sonipat project is designed with a community-first approach, where residents can enjoy luxurious living in an aesthetically designed environment, with all the facilities of modern living. Sonipat today has become a hub of aspirational living and One Prastha is the answer to everyone’s dream home.”

The One Prastha plots on which villas can be made are more than just homes, it is a lifestyle rooted in Indian ethos and aimed towards future living. Backed by a strong track record of early project delivery, competitive pricing, and a multi-generational planning approach, the One Prastha brand is soon emerging as a trusted name redefining real estate in northern India.

About One Prastha

One Prastha Realty LLP, founded in 2023, draws inspiration from the ancient Indian concept of Prasthas—historic settlements rooted in community living. The company aims to recreate these timeless values through modern, meticulously planned ecosystems across residential, commercial, industrial, and farmhouse segments. After successfully delivering its first 8.5-acre boutique project ahead of schedule, One Prastha is now developing a 60-acre integrated township in Sonipat and expanding into farmhouse communities, industrial parks, and high-rise residential formats.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale with leaders and experts at the inauguration of the 2nd Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards 2025 in New Delhi

The 2nd Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards 2025 organized by Sustainability Matters and IndiAgri, and supported by Indian Railway Finance Corporation, Godrej Agrovet, IPL Biologicals, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), brought together an influential cross-section of stakeholders, progressive farmers, industry leaders, scientists, development practitioners and senior bureaucrats from across the country.

“A strong agricultural base will ensure that India’s economic growth is inclusive and resilient,” Athawale said, adding that initiatives which integrate environmental sustainability with farmer welfare will be critical for India’s long-term prosperity.

Setting the tone for the deliberations, Dr Jayadev Sarangi, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Government of Delhi and Government of Goa, noted that agriculture today is not just about food security but about economic strategy. “Every investment we make in sustainable agriculture translates into greater national stability and global competitiveness,” he observed.

Such investments, speakers pointed out, need a robust financial backbone. India’s agri-credit flow crossed Rs. 20 lakh crore in FY2024, but much of it remains concentrated in short-term crop loans rather than long-term climate-resilient infrastructure.

Manoj Kumar Dubey, Chairman & Managing Director, Indian Railway Finance Corporation, said “The private and public sectors must work in tandem to unlock capital for green and farmer-centric innovations. Financing climate-smart agriculture is an investment in India’s economic future.”

Beyond financing, panellists noted, execution at the grassroots often determines the real impact of policies and programs. District administrations have been central to introducing innovations that not only address climate and resource challenges but also diversify farm incomes in regions dependent on traditional crop cycles.

Highlighting the role of innovative crop diversification, Ms Deepshikha, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Ferozepur, shared her experience from Ferozepur, Punjab. She said the district is boosting farmer welfare by promoting chilli cultivation between paddy and wheat cycles. “This diversification has improved incomes, enhanced soil health, and reduced environmental stress,” she noted. She was among six IAS officers honoured for their district-level sustainable initiatives, alongside Ravi Anand, IAS, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Jamtara; Pamela Satpathy, IAS, District Collector, Karimnagar; Hari Chandana, IAS, District Collector, Hyderabad and Himanshu Nagpal, IAS, Chief Development Officer, Varanasi; Rajesh Jogpal, IAS, Haryana.

Such local interventions, speakers observed, work best when complemented by strong market linkages and rural entrepreneurship, enabling farmers to capture more value beyond the farmgate.

Dr Rajendra Prasad, General Manager & Regional Head, SIDBI, noted that while SIDBI’s primary mandate is to support MSMEs, it also has an important role in encouraging entrepreneurship across industries, including agriculture. “As a financing institution, we are leveraging resources from international, multilateral, and bilateral partners to fund mitigation projects that address climate and sustainability challenges. I invite all institutions working in this space to collaborate with us so that together we can channelise these resources towards achieving the government’s vision for Viksit Krishi. We believe the time for action is now,” he said.

Dr Vimala Prakash, Head of the Technology Innovation Center at IPL Biologicals Limited, added that science-led innovation is bridging the gap between farm needs and sustainable outcomes. “Biologicals, precision tools, and data-driven practices can transform Indian agriculture into a global benchmark,” she said.

Siba P Mohanty, Managing Director, Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), stressed on the role of responsible input management and water stewardship in securing the future of Indian agriculture. “Innovations like zero liquid discharge systems, efficient nutrient management, and training in water-smart practices show how environmental responsibility and economic growth can go hand in hand. The future of climate-resilient agriculture lies in blending technology with strong farmer engagement,” he said.

“This summit is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, where agriculture is not a constraint but a catalyst for sustainable growth,” said Dr Navneet Anand, Executive Director of Sustainability Matters.

“Under the banner of Krishi 2047, our aim is to document what’s working on the ground and build a platform for dialogue, recognition, and policy linkages that can take these models national,” Anand said.

The awards ceremony recognised exemplary work across multiple categories, celebrating achievers such as Godrej Agrovet; IPL Biologicals; Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL); SeedWorks International Limited; Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur; Love Kumar, District Agriculture Officer & District Horticulture Officer, Jamtara; Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Bhagalpur; Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation; Dhaksha; and the Federation of Seed Industry of India.

Mohit Kamboj, Founder of Mohit Kamboj Bharatiya Foundation, actively driving social initiatives focused on community welfare and inclusive growth
 

The newly launched initiatives focus on three key areas: empowering the transgender community, ensuring dignity for the unclaimed deceased, and restoring culturally significant temples across the country.
 

As part of its Transgender Upliftment initiative, the Foundation is launching postgraduate education opportunities, skill development programs, and incubation support to prepare individuals for meaningful participation in the workforce. Complemented by dignity-led awareness campaigns, the initiative is designed to promote true inclusion and economic self-reliance for the transgender community, one of the most underserved and marginalized groups in the country.
 

In a deeply humanitarian gesture, the Foundation’s Dignified Dead Bodies initiative ensures that unclaimed or neglected deceased individuals are given respectful last rites. With this effort, the MKB Foundation strengthens its belief that every human life, regardless of status, identity, or circumstance, deserves dignity, even in death. To implement this initiative effectively, the Foundation is collaborating with municipal corporations, the police department, and trusted NGOs across cities.
 

With its third initiative, the Foundation is working to restore temples of spiritual and cultural significance. This effort not only aims to preserve India’s rich heritage but also to promote communal harmony and reawaken pride in shared traditions.
 

Speaking about the social initiatives, Mr. Mohit Kamboj, Founder of Mohit Kamboj Bharatiya Foundation, said, “True nation‑building begins when every citizen feels seen, respected, and empowered, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. These initiatives move us beyond short‑term aid toward lasting pathways for inclusion, dignified livelihoods, and cultural pride. By enabling the transgender community to gain skills and earn meaningful work, honouring the unclaimed deceased with respectful last rites, and restoring our ancient temples so heritage can inspire future generations, we are embedding dignity, equality, and cultural confidence at the heart of India’s progress.”
 

With a relentless focus on grassroots impact and community transformation, the Mohit Kamboj Bharatiya Foundation continues to serve as a beacon of hope, driving positive change across India.
 

About Mohit Kamboj Bharatiya Foundation
The Mohit Kamboj Foundation (MKB), founded on May 10, 2019, by philanthropist and social activist Mohit Kamboj Bharatiya, is committed to creating lasting social impact across India. Inspired by the spirit of Bharatiya, the Foundation promotes equality, dignity, and unity by empowering the transgender community, offering respectful last rites for unclaimed deceased individuals, and restoring culturally significant temples, preserving heritage while fostering inclusion and pride.
 

For further details, please visit mkbfoundation.in.
 

Instagram www.instagram.com/mkb_foundation/

Facebook: shorturl.at/almUu

The panel also features visionaries like Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki, Founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation and Professor at IIT Bombay, championing solar energy advocacy; Dr. Indu K Murthy, Sector Head for Climate, Environment & Sustainability at CSTEP, known for her groundbreaking climate policy work; Mr. Jagdish Bakan, IFS, DFO Hosur, Tamil Nadu, with rich field experience in forest conservation; and Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Division, Climate Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India who spearheads national strategies in critical areas such as solar energy, hydrogen, energy storage, smart grids, and carbon capture with her leadership role in advancing India's decarbonization goals and fostering climate resilience.

Other distinguished members include Mr. Jibin Thomas, Co-ordinator at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), driving agricultural sustainability; Dr. K K Upadhyay, Chairperson of Sustainability & CSR at BIMTECH, an expert in corporate sustainability; and Dr. Kalachand Sain, Advisor at DST CoE for Climate Information, IIT Delhi, a leader in climate data research.

The panel further includes stalwarts like Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, Vice-Chancellor at Atria University and former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of UPES, with deep insights into sustainability education; Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO & Secretary of GRIHA Council, TERI, a sustainability ratings expert; Lt Gen Suresh Sharma, Former Engineer-in-Chief & Director General, Border Roads, Ministry of Defence, with extensive experience in sustainable infrastructure; and Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, Coordinator of the Energy and Wetlands Research Group at IISc, a distinguished voice in environmental research.

About M3M Foundation

M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group and is committed to bringing equitable development that ensures a life of dignity for every individual. The Foundation works on key areas such as education, healthcare, environment, disaster management, skill development, and community welfare. Programs like iMpower, Lakshya, Sarvoday, Saakshar, and Sankalp are empowering communities across India with sustainable, inclusive development models.

About CASCA

CASCA (Climate Action & Sustainability Conference and Awards) is a premier platform dedicated to recognizing outstanding contributions in the fields of climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The event, organised by India’s leading Impact Advocacy Platform TheCSRUniverse brings together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to share knowledge, best practices, and strategies for a sustainable future.

More details: CASCA’25

Going beyond conventional ease-of-doing-business rankings, PRISM provides a data-driven, multi-dimensional evaluation of investment attractiveness based on Cost, Speed, Ease of Doing Business, and Ease of Living. Developed through extensive insights from over 100 CXOs across industries, it offers a holistic, investor-centric roadmap for driving economic growth.

Bridging the Gap Between Rankings and Real Investments

India has made significant progress in improving its business environment, climbing from 142nd in 2015 to 63rd in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2020. However, BRAP (Business Reform Action Plan) rankings have not always aligned with actual investment inflows, revealing the need for a more nuanced evaluation model:

• Andhra Pradesh, ranked 1st in BRAP 2019, placed 8th in private investments.

• Karnataka, India’s top private investment recipient in 2019-20, was ranked 17th in BRAP.

• Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab, labelled "Top Achievers" in BRAP 2020, ranked 10th, 13th, and 14th in private investments​.

This disconnect underscores the limitations of regulatory rankings as standalone indicators of investment attractiveness.

Expert Endorsements: A Call for a More Holistic Approach

Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Government of India, emphasized the importance of evolving beyond traditional ease-of-doing-business measures:

"Ease of Doing Business must evolve to incorporate the Speed of Doing Business, Cost of Doing Business, and Ease of Living. Investors today seek more than just ease of entry—they require tailored solutions, sector-specific support, and forward-thinking regulatory mechanisms. PRISM provides a strategic roadmap to address these needs.”​

Echoing this sentiment, Kanishk Maheshwari, Co-Founder & MD, Primus Partners, stated, "Investors evaluate multiple factors beyond ease-of-doing-business rankings. Cost efficiencies, logistics infrastructure, and policy consistency play a defining role. PRISM is designed to capture these realities, offering policymakers a results-oriented tool to enhance regional competitiveness."​

A Comprehensive Framework for Investment Competitiveness

PRISM integrates nine key factors and 64 sub-factors, categorized into four dimensions that directly influence investment decisions:

• Cost of Doing Business – Covers land costs, labor expenses, logistics, and regulatory compliance burdens.

• Speed of Doing Business – Examines approval timelines, regulatory efficiency, and infrastructure readiness.

• Ease of Doing Business – Focuses on transparency, government engagement, and industry collaboration.

• Ease of Living – Assesses social infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and workforce quality​.

Empowering Policymakers with Actionable Insights

PRISM offers a data-backed, actionable roadmap to help governments and policymakers:

• Benchmark regions against real investor expectations.

• Identify key bottlenecks affecting investment inflows.

• Implement targeted interventions for improving business ecosystems.

• Strengthen policy frameworks for long-term investment sustainability.

With global competition for investments intensifying, PRISM equips governments with the necessary insights to attract, retain, and expand investments—ensuring sustained economic growth and regional competitiveness.

About Primus Partners Pvt Ltd

Primus Partners is a leading management consulting firm specializing in policy, technology and economic advisory. With a strong presence across India, the firm provides strategic insights and innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth for both public and private sector clients.

For more information, visit: www.primuspartners.in.

Malabar Group launches 'Uyirp' scheme for landslide victims in Wayanad, Rs. 2 crore for higher education

The 'Uyirp' project was inaugurated by Priyanka Gandhi - MP, in the presence of several distinguished guests. T. Siddique MLA presided over the function. Malabar Group Chairman M P Ahmed delivered the keynote address. 'Missile Woman of India' Dr. Tessie Thomas was the chief guest. Former MLA and Rajya Sabha member MV Shreyams Kumar, former minister and MLA AP Anil Kumar, IC Balakrishnan MLA, Wayanad District Panchayat President Shamshad Marakkar, Municipal Chairman Adv. T J Isaac, Kalpetta Block Panchayat President Chandrika Krishnan, Meppadi Panchayat President K. Babu, Standing Committee Chairman Mujeeb Keyamthodi, Malabar Group Executive Director A. K. Nishad, Head of Retail Operations R. Abdul Jaleel, Head of Solidarity and Operations Abdul Yashir Adiraja and others attended the inauguration ceremony.

Malabar Group has allocated Rs. 2 crores for the 'Uyirp' initiative, of which Rs. 63.5 lakh has already been disbursed. The financial aid will cover all study-related expenses, including course fees, hostel fees, study materials, examination fees, and travel costs. Additionally, any outstanding fees from previously pursued courses will also be paid by the company. To further ensure the future of these students, Malabar Group has committed to giving them priority employment within its businesses. A dedicated placement cell is being formed to help them secure jobs in other organizations as well, and a finishing school is being set up to provide necessary training for their career growth.

Among the selected students, 70 are girls and 64 are boys, pursuing a variety of academic disciplines. The distribution of students across different fields includes 26 in medical courses, 17 in IT-related fields, 24 in science disciplines, 27 in commerce, 26 in humanities, and others in aviation, engineering, and teaching. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with T. Siddique MLA’s 'MLA Care' project.

Speaking about the initiative, M.P. Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Group said, “Nothing can replace the pain of those who lost everything in the disaster, but we are committed to supporting them. The 'Uyirp' initiative is our effort to help these children build a bright future. As a business, we believe in giving back to society, and this initiative reflects our responsibility toward the community.”

Malabar Group has a longstanding commitment to social welfare. In 2019, following the Puthumala disaster in Wayanad, the company provided housing for 16 families who had lost their homes. Over the years, Malabar Group has spent more than Rs. 286 crores on various CSR projects across 20 states, impacting over 16 lakh people by setting aside 5 percent of its profits.

One of the company’s flagship CSR initiatives is the ‘Hunger-Free World’ project, which provides nutritious food to over 60,000 people daily across 81 cities in 17 states in India. Additionally, 10,000 meals are distributed daily to school children in Zambia, Africa, with plans to expand the program to 1 lakh meals per day across 200 centers in the near future.

Malabar Group has also launched the 'Grandma Home' project, which provides free accommodation to needy and destitute women. Currently, homes have been set up in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with plans to establish similar facilities in Kerala, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai. All the major CSR activities of Malabar Group are implemented in collaboration with 'Thanal', a leading voluntary organization working in the field of philanthropy.

In the field of education, Malabar Group has established 581 micro-learning centers across the country, benefitting 26,000 street children by providing them with basic education and nutrition, with 8,000 children having already transitioned to formal schooling. The company also offers scholarships to 96,513 girls nationwide to support their higher education.

Further strengthening its commitment to public welfare, Malabar Group is formulating a plan to set up medical stores across all assembly constituencies in Kerala to provide medicines at significantly reduced prices.

With the 'Uyirp' initiative, Malabar Group reaffirms its dedication to uplifting communities and providing opportunities for those in need. By investing in the education and future of Wayanad’s youth, the company is taking a significant step toward empowering the next generation and fostering long-term social impact.

Dr Rahul Mehra, India’s National Representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education and Executive Chairman, Tarang Health Alliance

Highlighting these concerns, Dr Rahul Mehra, India’s National Representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education and Executive Chairman of Tarang Health Alliance, has called for urgent reforms to ensure a more comprehensive approach to school health education. Following a review of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), he has put forward four key recommendations to make health a priority in schools, emphasising that without these changes, young learners will remain ill-equipped to navigate the complex challenges of modern life.
 

Dr Mehra’s first recommendation is to expand the curriculum beyond physical fitness and integrate structured discussions on mental health, emotional well-being, and social skills. “Topics such as self-esteem, stress management, decision-making, and relationship-building must be embedded into everyday learning,” he said. Secondly, he stresses the need to address contemporary health challenges such as air pollution, drug abuse, and digital addiction, ensuring that health education remains relevant to the realities faced by students today.
 

As a next step, and as his third vital recommendation, Dr Mehra calls for specialised training for health educators as well. “Teachers must be equipped with structured materials and clear learning objectives to effectively impart knowledge on holistic well-being,” he said. Lastly, he advocates for a collaborative approach to health education, urging schools to actively involve parents, local communities, and public health experts to create a supportive ecosystem that extends beyond the classroom.
 

Dr Mehra draws attention to successful global models, such as Finland and Canada, where comprehensive health education is a core part of the school system. Finland’s education framework seamlessly integrates physical, mental, and emotional well-being, reducing student stress and fostering creativity. Canada’s Comprehensive School Health (CSH) model, through initiatives like the “Healthy Schools Certification” programme, ensures that student well-being is prioritised at multiple levels, involving parents, educators, and policymakers.

With curriculum revisions occurring only once every 15-20 years, Dr Mehra stresses that India has a rare chance to implement these much-needed reforms now. By embedding a truly holistic approach to health education, schools can play a transformative role in shaping a healthier and more resilient generation. As policymakers and educators plan the future of India’s education system, he emphasises that health must no longer be an afterthought, it must be at the very heart of learning.

Tarang Health Alliance, led by Dr Mehra, is a non-profit organisation working to promote health education and preventive healthcare across India. Since 2016, it has been raising awareness and developing programmes to improve children’s physical and mental well-being. The organisation advocates for compulsory health education to help shape policies that equip children with the knowledge and skills for a healthier future. It has successfully implemented school health programmes in cities like Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, and Jaipur. In 2024, the initiative expanded to 30 schools, focusing on both student education and parental involvement for a more comprehensive approach to well-being.

Social impact organization and NGO Sanmat recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tribal Welfare Commissioner, Department of Schedule Tribe, Schedule Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare, Jharkhand, for the betterment of tribal communities in the state. Under this collaboration, both Sanmat and the Tribal Welfare Commissioner of Jharkhand will aim to achieve the scale required to address any adverse impact in case of a pandemic or disaster and ensure support to the public systems and the communities residing in the 992 hard-to-reach areas in 55 blocks across 13 districts in the state. While Sanmat will be responsible for executing programs, the Tribal Welfare Commissioner will monitor and supervise the execution under the MoU.
 

NGO Sanmat Signs MoU with Tribal Welfare Commissioner for Tribal Welfare in Jharkhand
 

As part of this collaboration, Sanmat will be supporting the Tribal Welfare Commissioner’s office in the elimination of Sickle Cell Disease and Epilepsy by spreading awareness and mass screening, followed by a proper treatment plan and to combat the spread and management of sickle cell anemia, it has initiated sickle cell information and treatment centers in 14 welfare hospitals. With regard to the state’s healthcare initiatives, Sanmat will support the design and development of interventions to improve the health and nutrition of tribal children, pregnant ladies, mothers, and seniors of tribal communities through special mobile medical unit operations.

Sharing his excitement at the collaboration, Mr. Amit Kumar Choubey, CEO of Sanmat, said, “We are glad and grateful to TWC for giving us this opportunity to serve the people in Jharkhand. We have impacted approximately 2.31 crore lives nationally, with almost 23 lakh individuals being affected directly by our initiatives in Jharkhand, and I am sure this MoU will be a great driving force to reach out to more people. Bridging the gap between government policies and their implementation is core to Sanmat’s mission, and we will continue to impact lives through effective implementation across regions and sectors.”

With regards to the livelihood and tribal welfare aspects, under the MoU, Sanmat will be working with subjudice prisoners, providing legal support to them while simultaneously imparting skills training to include them in their livelihood initiatives and has also ​​created a pool of 16 advocates, with the Tribal Welfare Commissioner set to provide space for court practice. Sanmat will also offer a Tribal Development Fellowship to support various programs of the state without any financial support from TWC (Tribal Welfare Commissioner).

Ajay Nath, IAS, Tribal Welfare Commissioner, Govt. of Jharkhand, said, “Sanmat has played a significant role in the development of the marginalized communities, and we feel this collaboration will go a long way in benefiting the tribals of Jharkhand. Sanmat’s innovative development models and well-researched strategies help in the easy identification as well as implementation of various government schemes. We will offer all the required support to Sanmat so that together we can bring positive growth and development among the people of Jharkhand.”

Sanmat has been working in the social sector since 2007 with a focus on bridging governance gaps in the development of implementation models in healthcare, livelihood, education, and climate change mitigation. Founded in the aftermath of the Chennai Tsunami by techno-socio-policy entrepreneur Ankit Kumar (CEO), Sanmat has been providing accessible healthcare solutions to marginalized communities, including tribal groups, Dalits, women, children, and persons with disabilities. Originating from Jharkhand, Sanmat continues to impact lives at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. With its various initiatives in health, climate change, education, and livelihood, Sanmat aims to create a long-term impact on the lives of the marginalized communities in Jharkhand.

About Sanmat

Sanmat is a committed NGO in India, empowering marginalized communities through sustainable initiatives in health, education, skill development, and social forestry. Since 2007, it has impacted over 23 million lives across six states. Sanmat leads transformative programs, including the Post Matric Scholarship scheme, livelihood generation projects, and community radio stations, while also managing Tribal Kalyan Hospitals in rural areas. With 13 offices, 637 professionals, and 32,500 volunteers, Sanmat remains dedicated to driving meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Dignitaries from the Piramal School of Leadership and Emory University along with the Himachal Pradesh Secretary of Education present during the signing of the MoU
 

At its core, the initiative aims to cultivate Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEEL) among the students of HP, paving the way for a future-ready and compassionate generation of learners. Piramal Foundation and the Himachal Pradesh government had signed a Letter of Intent earlier in May 2024 and have now formalized their commitment by signing a 5-year MoU. 
 

The SEE Learning Program developed at the Compassion Centre, at Emory University, USA, was implemented in India through a partnership between Piramal Foundation and Emory University in 2019. This program enables students to strengthen themselves from within through a scientifically robust curriculum that teaches Compassion in the same way as one would teach Geography and Mathematics.
 

Over the past five years, Piramal Foundation has successfully implemented the SEE Learning program in 6 states across 100,000+ schools across India.
 

“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow into a good human being, but achieving this is no simple task. It requires a well-structured system to instill these values in our schools. And SEE Learning is perhaps the only solution that we can see. We were genuinely excited when this idea was first introduced. I see this as a valuable opportunity, and we are committed to making the most of it to ensure that every child in Himachal Pradesh benefits from this program,” said Shri Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary of Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
 

“This MoU holds great significance not just for the Piramal Foundation and the Government of Himachal Pradesh but, most importantly, for the children of Himachal Pradesh. Through this partnership, they will gain access to Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEEL). At Piramal Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that SEEL reaches every child, in every classroom, leaving no one behind,” said Saurabh Johri, Co-founder & Director, SOESC, Piramal School of Leadership.
 

"Integrating Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning) within education is essential for shaping a society rooted in compassion and strength. We are committed to embedding these transformative principles into the heart of India’s school system, nurturing academic growth along with empathy, ethical values, and emotional resilience among students. I believe this partnership with the Himachal Pradesh government is a significant step towards integrating SEE Learning into the state’s educational framework and paving the way for a more inclusive, compassionate, and future-ready education system for students across the region,” Monal Jayaram, Co-founder & Director, SOESC, Piramal School of Leadership.
 

“The critical need for compassionate education has never been more relevant, and we are taking this forward through SEE Learning. We deeply appreciate the profound support of Piramal Foundation in this endeavour,” said Dr. Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Executive Director, the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, Emory University.
 

Other distinguished dignitaries present at the occasion included: Mr. Chhime Regzing Chhoekyapa, Senior Secretary at Office of the His Holiness Dalai Lama; Ms. Anshu Dubey and Mr. Ghanshyam Soni, Core Team Members, Piramal School of Leadership (PSL); Ms. Seema Verma, Coordinator, SPD Office, Samagra Shiksha; Ms. Maulshree Kalothia, Program Director, PSL; and Mr. Rajender Kumar, Program Manager, PSL.
 

This partnership between Piramal School of Leadership and the Himachal Pradesh Government marks a significant step towards creating a more equitable, innovative, and impactful education system.

About PSL
Piramal School of Leadership (PSL) is dedicated to leadership development through personal transformation in public systems. Designed for government sector middle managers and senior leaders, PSL operates across four schools: School of Education and Systems Change, School of Climate and Sustainability, School of Health, and School of Inclusion. PSL is aligned with national priorities and emphasises ‘Sewa Bhaav’ and innovation to address complex challenges in public systems. Through rigorous training and strategic partnerships with state governments and other organisations, PSL empowers leaders to drive meaningful change in public systems.
 

About SOESC
The School of Education and Systems Change at PSL nurtures students with self-agency and compassion, preparing them for the workforce through 21st-century education. We address the future-readiness gap by instilling ‘Sewa Bhaav’ in learners and middle managers, fostering a transformative shift in the public education system towards compassion and resilience for the future.

iSPIRT and Primus Partners Lead Roundtable on Global DPI Expansion
 

To further India’s DPI solutions and continue conversations, Primus Partners, in association with iSPIRT, held a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Roundtable, that brought together key stakeholders such as senior bureaucrats, diplomats, policymakers, industry leaders and thought leaders.
 

The Roundtable explored how India’s DPI becoming a global conversation of inclusive and scalable infrastructure and how it can serve as a blueprint for other nations to harness technology for improving citizens lives. The Event sought to explore India’s leadership in advancing DPI and its role in driving socio-economic transformation.
 

The Keynote Address was delivered by Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa. Mr. Kant highlighted that, “India has made a remarkable leap to become the voice of the Global South in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and achieving in 9 years what would have taken 50 years. This sentiment was echoed during India’s G20 Presidency, where countries reached a common consensus that DPIs are essential for equitable development and to improve the lives of citizens, especially in the global south.”
 

The first session on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through DPI: Addressing the Global South’s Needs brought attention to the potential of DPI to accelerate sustainable development across the Global South. H.E. Dr. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of South Africa to India, discussed India's seminal role in using DPI to drive progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that India must take the lead in the global DPI progress.
 

Mr Vinay Vijay Singh, CFO and Chief AI Officer, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development highlighted how the United States has been leveraging technology for effective flood control and disaster management through early warning systems. The panellists also highlighted that partnerships with India will be crucial to ensure that the Global South can move towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure and financial inclusion.
 

The next session on the Impact of India Stack on Businesses, included Mr. Lav Agarwal, Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and key industry leaders like Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal, CEO and Co-founder - Droom, and representatives from World Bank, UNDP, BMGF and Wadhwani Foundation. The panellists shared insights on how India Stack has revolutionized businesses by promoting financial inclusion and enhancing operational efficiencies and leveraging Aadhaar-enabled services to facilitate easier access to credit for small businesses.
 

Mr. Devroop Dhar, Co-founder and Managing Director, Primus Partners during the session shared that, “Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are a powerful mechanism that have the power to bring inclusion at a rapid scale. Governments and businesses are proactively adopting DPIs to improve public service delivery, creating a more resilient and equitable environment.”
 

The final session on Laying the Foundation for Standards and Protocols to Globalize India Stack, saw discussions on possibilities of furthering DPI on a global stage and the need to facilitate cross-border transactions and collaboration by exploring issues such as privacy, interoperability and security. The panel included key stakeholders such as Mr. Amit Agrawal, CEO of UIDAI, Mr Rohit Rathish, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Ms Shweta Khurana - Senior Director APJ, Intel, Mr Rajesh Ranjan, Head of Government Affairs, Google and Mr Ranjeet Goswami - Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
 

Mr. Amit Agrawal, CEO, UIDAI shared that, “The strength of India’s DPI is not just about the technology but also about the enabling services that touches the lives of millions and brings improvements even to the last mile."
 

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Sharad Sharma, Co-founder of iSPIRT. He shared with the panel that, “India Stack ushered in Digital Public Infrastructure in India and it is changing the way State and Central governments are operating. But it is also travelling to other parts of the world, especially in the Global South.”
 

As more countries are trying to further their digital agenda, India’s DPI will play a crucial role in shaping the world of governance and to ensure an ecosystem that is open, safe, trusted and interoperable.

Mr. Frank Muller-Rosentritt (Member of Parliament, Free Democratic Party, Germany) along with FNF team, during their visit to an MSME unit in Delhi
 

During the visit, the FNF team interacted with MSME owners and operators, acquiring a deeper understanding of the challenges these enterprises face and the opportunities that exist within the sector. The delegation acknowledged the critical role MSMEs play in driving economic growth and creating employment in India. Discussions focused on how these businesses could continue to develop, ensuring sustainable growth in the years to come.

The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), a public trust established in 2005, facilitated the visit. FMC has been working for nearly two decades to enhance resource efficiency and promote the use of sustainable materials across various MSME clusters in India. Some of FMC's key achievements include:

• Reducing 41,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually in foundry clusters.

• Establishing paving block enterprises that consumed 163,000 tonnes of foundry slag.

• Replacing 1,800 tonnes of unsustainable materials with bamboo in bamboo clusters.

These projects have received support from national and international donors, including the European Union, SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), and the Yes Foundation. FMC is currently working on multiple projects in the Panipat recycled textile cluster, focusing on resource efficiency and traceability, supported by HSBC, DANIDA, SIDBI, and the European Union.

Friedrich Neumann Foundation (FNF) has been a long-standing partner of FMC, supporting its work in promoting sustainability and resource efficiency within MSME clusters. The recent visit allowed the FNF delegation to witness firsthand the operations of Indian MSMEs and gain valuable insights into the sector's vital role in India's industrial landscape.

About FNF

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom operates in over 60 countries worldwide, with offices in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. FNF promotes civic education, training, and the exchange of ideas in the areas of economic freedom, human rights, urban governance, and digital transformation. In South Asia, FNF collaborates with partners in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, supporting both country-specific and regional programs.
 

For more information, please visit website www.fmc.org.in.

IFCCI unveils whitepaper to DPIIT: Key Policy and Regulatory Insights and Recommendations by French Subsidiaries in India

As the Indo-French strategic partnership continues to strengthen, this whitepaper offers a comprehensive analysis of the policy and regulatory landscape in India. Drawing on feedback from leading French companies in India, it highlights overlapping issues that these businesses face and proposes actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing business operations and fostering long-term growth.

Key Highlights of the Whitepaper:

• Analysis and Recommendations: The whitepaper provides a deep dive into the concerns of French subsidiaries, offering targeted recommendations aimed at streamlining business operations and improving the regulatory ecosystem for enhanced growth.

• Key recommendations pertain to cold-chain development, product imports and exports, investment incentives, clarity in tariff structures, FDI policy, Bureau of Indian Standards, EV policy, local sourcing, customs duties, and approval processes across industries

• Insights from Top French Investors in India: Sector leaders have contributed their first-hand experiences, sharing valuable insights that will inform policy discussions and serve as a roadmap for strengthening Indo-French economic ties.

• Ongoing Collaboration: In addition to the key recommendations, IFCCI assures that any suggestions not included in the whitepaper will be addressed separately at future forums, in a continued effort to support French business interests in India.

Commenting on the launch, Ms. Payal S Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI, said, “This whitepaper represents a significant step forward in addressing the regulatory challenges faced by French businesses in India. With support from DPIIT and the collaborative input of industry stakeholders, we aim to strengthen Indo-French economic ties and create a conducive environment for future growth.”

The whitepaper is the result of extensive consultation and analysis, and while it provides detailed recommendations, IFCCI remains committed to taking forward any additional insights or recommendations that were not included in this publication. These will be addressed through continuous dialogue in future forums.

CII - Regional Council Meet - Srinagar 12-14July 2024

While Mr Vikramjit Singh, Comm/Secretary - Industries and Commerce Department, Government of J&K provided an overview of significant investments in the Union Territory and gave a detailed presentation about industrial policy and schemes for investors, Mr Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir provided insights into the strategic plans for industrial development in J&K. "Jammu & Kashmir is poised for a significant industrial transformation. We are focused on improving infrastructure, ensuring ease of doing business, and fostering innovation”, he said.

CII also organised its Regional Council Meeting in Srinagar after a gap of nine years wherein more than 60 industry members from across the Northern Region states and local members participated. The meeting facilitated a constructive dialogue between government representatives and industry members, addressing key challenges and opportunities in J&K. The discussions covered a range of topics including investment opportunities, infrastructure development, tourism, and skill enhancement. Mr Madhav Singhania, Chairman, CII Northern Region and Deputy MD & CEO, JK Cement Limited said, ”The collaborative spirit and forward-thinking strategies presented by the government of J&K officials are set to revolutionize J&K’s industrial landscape." Their insights are invaluable as we work together to unlock the region’s full potential. Mr Sunjay Kapur, Deputy Chairman, CII NR and Chairman, Sona Comstar said, “The strategic plans outlined by the Regional Council are pivotal for fostering a robust industrial ecosystem in J&K. Their emphasis on infrastructure, skill development, and sustainable tourism offers immense potential for our industry stakeholders”.

Mr. Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairman, CII J&K, and Group Executive Director, FIL Industries said, “We have suggested that the Government of India organize a vibrant tourism festival around the stunning monuments and gardens of Dal Lake. This would also be a celebration of Kashmir’s rich culinary strengths, the rich cultural heritage of the Dogra’s and Kashmiris as well as championing our talented craftsmen and artisans and providing a platform for business opportunities for them. ”. He also mentioned that the visit of this delegation has highlighted significant opportunities for J&K's growth to the big industry players and said “The government’s focus on sustainable tourism and industrial transformation aligns perfectly with the goals of CII. These initiatives will greatly benefit our local industries and communities.” 

PM taking charge of the office of the Prime Minister of India at South Block, in New Delhi on June 10, 2024. Photo Credit: PM India Media Gallery

Under PM Modi’s guidance, India has made significant strides in economic reform, infrastructure enhancement, and business facilitation. Optimism abounds among industry leaders regarding continued economic growth and stability under PM Modi’s leadership. Anticipated improvements in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and healthcare sectors are poised to generate fresh opportunities and employment for millions of Indians.

Overall, industry sentiment is one of confidence and anticipation, as leaders eagerly collaborate with the government to unlock India’s potential as a dynamic economic force under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership.

"Heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his tremendous victory and forming the government once again with a vision of progress in the third consecutive term. We commend his steadfast leadership and eagerly anticipate further strides in India's economic growth. Danube Group, deeply connected to Indian expats and their aspirations, looks forward to contributing to India's prosperity and global advancement," expressed Mr. Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman, Danube Group.

Mr. Ajay Chaudhary, CMD of Ace Group, remarked, "We are optimistic that the newly formed government will take significant steps to bolster the real estate sector. We hope that critical issues, such as the implementation of single-window clearance, will be addressed promptly. This will not only expedite projects but also foster a more efficient and transparent regulatory environment."

Reflecting on the implications for the real estate sector, Mr. Vijay Jain, Managing Director of Star Estate, stated while congratulating Modi 3.0 team, "We eagerly anticipate continued progress and growth under his leadership, expecting this victory to pave the way for industry-friendly policies that will enhance the stability and prosperity of the real estate sector."

"We eagerly anticipate the country’s progress and global recognition to strengthen further. With the continuation of Prime Minister Modi’s term, we look forward to building upon the transformative policies initiated during his previous tenure, creating an environment conducive to high-quality real estate development and stronger global admiration of the country’s infrastructural growth," said Mr. Arjunpreet Singh Sahni, Executive Director, Solitaire Group.

Mr. Hari Kaimal, President-Strategy and Development at Supersonic Imagine, conveyed, “PM Modi’s unwavering dedication to fostering economic growth in the country has been instrumental in achieving this remarkable milestone. Supersonic Imagine eagerly looks forward to continuing its support and confident of remarkable tenure of Modi 3.0 in history of the country.”

"It is a historic victory which showcases Prime Minister’s inspiring leadership that continues to pave the way for India's growth and development. We look forward to a future of progress and prosperity under his steadfast guidance," added Mr. Kushal Patel, Managing Director, Axita Cotton.

Mr. Aman Choudhary, Executive Director Marketing at Anmol Industries Limited, added, "We must commend Prime Minister for successfully igniting a renewed optimism in the Indian economy, so much so, we have been a witness to the country's rise as the world's third largest economy. As industrialists, we eagerly anticipate his progressive policies to continue in his third term as well. Anmol Industries stands committed to actively contribute its bit to the country's progress under his dynamic leadership.”

"We believe the clear policy direction of the stable government will continue to bring about a sizable difference in the overall economic scenario of the country, keeping it strongly on a high growth trajectory," highlighted Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chairman, Ramagya Group.

Mr. Manoj Gupta, Director, Fortune Marketing Pvt. Ltd emphasized, "We applaud his unwavering leadership and look forward to continued progress under his guidance, believing that the government’s steadfast policies, including ‘Make in India’ will further bolster India's growth and development on the global stage."

Mr. Sanchit Sekhwal Goyal, Director of Su-Kam Power Systems Limited, noted, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has fostered a conducive environment for industrial growth and innovation. We look forward to the sustained progress of the country under his guidance.”

Mr. Gautam Kanodia, Co-Founder, Kanodia Group, "Warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic third consecutive term victory. His visionary policies have laid a strong foundation for India's economic resurgence. We pledge our support to propel the industry towards greater heights."

Md. Sharique Khan, Sr. Vice President-India Formulation Business, ArEx Laboratories said, "Heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister on his resounding victory and forming the government for the third consecutive term. His leadership inspires confidence and promises a bright future for India. Arex Group remains committed to supporting the nation's healthcare sector and contributing to its robust growth under your visionary leadership." Mr. Lokesh Vats, Director, Easy Solar Solutions Pvt. Ltd. shared, "We appreciate his government's significant steps to promote renewable energy, particularly in the solar segment, during its earlier terms. The government's continued commitment to this sector in its new term is expected to further bolster the renewable energy landscape."

"Winning the faith of voters for third time is undoubtedly the result of PM Modi’s continued commitment to promoting common man and industry-friendly policies, such as Make in India and digital interventions in the industry. As a distinguished player in the power sector, we expect the industry to gain confidence from a stable government and look forward to further advancements that will drive growth and prosperity for all,” added Mr. Rajinder Kaul, CMD, Sharika Enterprises.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his decisive victory and forming the government for the third term. His visionary policies have paved the way for India's progress, particularly in healthcare,” shared Mr. Sumit Arora, Director, Alniche Lifesciences adding that Alniche is dedicated to advancing healthcare solutions and India's journey towards health and prosperity under your capable guidance.

The resounding support from industry leaders signifies confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to drive India's growth trajectory forward with sustained economic reforms. The unwavering commitment to policy consistency and reform continuity has bolstered investor confidence, reinforcing India’s allure as a promising global investment destination.

 
First Minister Mark Drakeford and Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan, launched the year-long initiative at St David’s Day events in London’s Indian High Commission and in Mumbai, yesterday. 

Wales in India is a 12-month series of events celebrating the links between the two countries, especially across art and culture, education, health, business and human rights. 

As well as strengthening the ties between Wales and India, it will help to foster new trade and investment opportunities, champion cultural and sporting connections and cement academic and healthcare collaborations.

To kickstart the programme, Eluned Morgan is leading a Welsh delegation to India. 

A key focus for the Ministerial visit is progressive policies on LGBTQ+ rights and combatting gender-based violence. She starts her week-long visit by meeting LGBTQ+ community members, including Pride organisers, diplomats, equal marriage activists and India’s first openly gay Prince, His Highness Manvendra Singh Gohil.

Wales is already working closely with the government of the Maharashtra state in India, which is home to 114m people. The state is looking at how it can shape its own version of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act - Wales has been praised by the UN for being the only country in the world to legislate to ensure Ministers and public bodies must consider the long-term impacts of their decisions. 

First Minister Mark Drakeford said, “We have so many remarkable connections with India and the many Indian communities living in Wales. Throughout this year of Wales in India, we will deepen our mutual appreciation and understanding, showcasing our deep-rooted partnerships and forging new connections."

“The series of events and visits we have planned have been designed to not only grow trade and investment, but to strengthen our cultural, academic, artistic, and sporting connections and to advance our healthcare and wellbeing ambitions."

“Wales in India really is a celebration of two nations of culture and innovation, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts this rich programme will have in 2024 and beyond.”

Minister Morgan said, "This week I have cemented relationships with our Indian friends who are working to create a fair world, a principle which guides all of our government work in Wales." 

“I look forward to collaborating with our Maharashtrian friends in influencing a Future Generations Act, and the Indian LGBTQ+ community and Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil on advancing gay rights, as well as supporting work to prevent gender-based violence."

“Tomorrow I will visit the state of Kerala to see how we can work together on a mutually beneficial health deal to provide work placement opportunities for nurses in our Welsh NHS. I hope to make an announcement on this in the coming days.”

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner, who has joined Minister Morgan on her India visit said, “Wales is proud of its Well-being of Future Generations Act and is serious about the obligation it puts on us to be a nation of good ancestors."

“The world needs more countries to legislate in the interests of future generations, if we are to collectively halt climate destruction and protect those people on the sharpest end of its impacts." 

“This shared mission with Maharashtra during Wales in India Year will allow both countries to work together for the sake of people who aren’t yet born, to share learning on implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and support current and future leaders to act now for a better tomorrow.”

Sian Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, part of Minister Morgan’s delegation to promote Her Future Coalition, a charity who works to combat gender-based violence, said, “We are delighted to be embarking on this journey with Her Future Coalition, as their unwavering commitment to vulnerable young girls is truly inspiring. Our #FelMerch (transl. ‘Like a Girl’) project was first launched to empower the young women of Wales, and we fully support Her Future Coalition’s work in creating a lasting change in India."

“Twenty years ago, the Urdd established a partnership with the city and charities of Kolkata. We look forward to resuming our international volunteering programmes by taking a group of young ambassadors to India later this year to support Her Future Coalition’s programs and initiatives. We are not only going to India to impart knowledge, but also to learn and be inspired by their resilience, positivity, and creativity and how in the face of adversity, they forge self-sustaining paths for their future.”

For the latest news and updates on Wales in India, follow @WalesInIndia on twitter and Wales in India on LinkedIn.

Titled 'India@2030 - Scaling Good Growth' and powered by Hindalco, ‘The Exchange’ by Xynteo will specifically foster discussions on actionable approaches to address common systemic challenges that impede sustainable development in India.

The event boasts an impressive lineup of speakers and guests, including Amitabh Kant (G20 Sherpa for India) and Suman Bery (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog).

Other dignitaries speaking at the Exchange include Nigar Shaji (Project Director, Aditya L1 Solar Mission, ISRO), Debjani Ghosh (President, NASSCOM), Soumya Swaminathan (Former Chief Scientist, WHO), Vikas Mehta (Executive Director, SED Fund), ⁠Rohit Jawa (CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Limited), Auguste Tano Kouamé (Country Director for India, World Bank), Pramod Bhasin (Founder and former CEO, Genpact), Naina Lal Kidwai (Chairperson, India Sanitation Coalition), Poonam Muttreja (Executive Director, Population Foundation of India), Sandeep Sethi (Division President, Work Dynamics, Asia Pacific, JLL), CVL Srinivas (Country Manager, WPP India) and Neena Gupta (Renowned Actor). 

Rajashree Birla (Chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives & Rural Development and Vikaasa Advisory Board), Satish Pai (Managing Director Hindalco Industries and Chair of the Vikaasa Executive Committee) and Vipul Kumar (Senior Partner, Xynteo) will also address the audience at the event.

Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries and chair of Vikaasa Executive Committee, shares, “India is poised to be a beacon of equitable and sustainable growth in this decade. Building on this potential, we are thrilled to be with Xynteo in its mission of engaging leaders to support and accelerate this growth. Our partnership with The Exchange specifically reiterates our dedication to human well-being, environmental stewardship and economic empowerment in the nation. We are also proud members of Xynteo’s Vikaasa coalition, a purpose-driven business alliance, propelling India towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Since its inception in 2017, Vikaasa has explored over 100 projects and positively impacted over 1.5 million people. We aim to build impactful partnerships with stakeholders across sectors to advance our sustainability goals, at the upcoming event."

As more businesses transform strategies for ecological integrity, human dignity and economic prosperity, The Exchange aims to empower them for responsible and sustainable innovation through three key event elements:

The Square: Featuring panel discussions, fireside chats, and speaker series, where industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and change-makers share insights.

Studios: Facilitating focused discussions in a roundtable format on specific themes, fostering actionable steps towards a people- and planet-positive future.

The Marketplace: Providing a platform for emerging startups to showcase technologies and solutions for key sustainability and inclusive growth challenges in India and across the world.

Xynteo’s Senior Partner Vipul Kumar adds, “We view business as a co-creator, not a mere observer, in society's transition. Since its inception, The Exchange has been a platform for economic and social progress. We are honored to convene global leaders, fostering a movement for change. The upcoming event will host a multi-stakeholder dialogue, propelling an Indian model of growth that sets global benchmarks beyond GDP, solidifying the country's position as a sustainability leader.”

About Hindalco Industries
Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. Along with its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is the global leader in flat rolled products and the world's largest recycler of aluminium. With a global footprint spanning 52 manufacturing units across 10 countries, the company is committed to driving sustainable development through innovative solutions. Hindalco was ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) in 2020, 2021 and 2022. At COP28, Hindalco won the Energy Transition Change Maker award for its pioneering renewable energy initiative in aluminium decarbonisation.

About Xynteo
Xynteo is a purpose-driven strategic advisory firm that helps global organisations, and their leaders, find new ways to grow forward as they tackle the societal and environmental challenges that are too big, too expensive, and too complex to solve alone. We believe that business is a force for good when leaders think long-term, work with, not against nature, and use their influence and resources for the many, not the few. For us, this is good growth. Our partnerships and communities include Build Ahead, Energy Leap, Europe Delivers, Leadership Vanguard, Vikaasa and Xynteo Exchange.

Har Dil Mein Samvidhan event by campaign partner 'Reclaim Constitution'
 

Partners from almost all districts in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have joined and 50% of districts in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are represented. The campaign has seen consistent participation from partners in the North Eastern states, including Assam and Meghalaya, as well as participants from Daman & Diu.
 

“We are very excited to partner in this noble venture. We want to take this campaign to as many communities in South India as possible, because ultimately constitutional awareness is essential for every citizen so that they can use the Constitution as a life guide,” Ram, ED, Mission Samriddhi, Co-organiser, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan.
 

Since our first Republic Day in 1950, India’s Constitution has been the nation’s bedrock, upholding the values of equality, liberty, justice and fraternity. Over seven decades, civil society, people’s movements and citizens networks have tirelessly championed rights and welfare, making strides towards fulfilling the Constitution's promises. However, a substantial number of citizens remain unaware of the core values, rights, and responsibilities of this powerful document.

Har Dil Mein Samvidhan’s tagline - ‘know, recognize and live’ encapsulates the vision of the campaign to bridge this gap. Its overarching goals include building deep awareness and engagement with the Constitution of India and its relevance in daily life among citizens across the country. The campaign aspires to offer an open platform for individuals and institutions to actively participate in celebrating constitutional values and enhance the visibility of this narrative in mainstream media.

“Knowing our Constitution helps us recognize and reduce inequalities and injustice in society. It also enables us to demand accountability from elected representatives and government functionaries, and ensure that they perform based on their constitutional mandate,” Vinita Gursahani Singh, Managing Trustee, We, The People Abhiyan, Co-organiser, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan.

Since January 2023, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan partners have been organizing various activities like Street Plays, Workshops, Cycle rallies, Marathons, Pad-Yatra/Jagrukta, Blood Donation, and Preamble distribution in schools, colleges, anganwadi centers, community gatherings, and more. They also host Constitution themed games and cultural events tailored to local communities and are creating and amplifying songs about the Constitution, especially effective in reaching the youth. In the spirit of inclusivity, partners have translated the campaign logo into regional languages and initiated the first-ever recitation and recording of the preamble in multiple languages.

As part of the campaign, Hamari Virasat by Hand For Handmade Foundation showcased 75 handmade textile artworks from diverse artisan groups across India, inspired by the art and ideals of the Constitution of India. The exhibit is currently showing at the Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai.

"Because this campaign is everyone's, anyone can join and design aligned activities in their own context, we joined in too. The first thought that came to my mind when we did, was that if the Constitution reaches every heart and we start living it, how beautiful our society and country will look with justice, fraternity, equality and freedom at its core! With our communities in Harda, we are conducting a pad-yatra (walking tour), workshops with youth, games and sports with children where they learn about these values first hand," Rajesh Kalam, Sajha Netritva Manch, Harda, Madhya Pradesh, Co-organiser, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan.

Through nationwide action, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan is cultivating awareness about the constitutional values towards awakening the collective consciousness of all citizens. The campaign aspires to ultimately realize the vision ‘​​Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - the world is one family.

Mr. Dinesh Chand Sharma, Mr. Girish Sethi, Mr. Souvik Bhattacharjya, Mr. Vipin Sahni, Mr. Laurent le Danois, Shri Vineet Mathur, Smt. Gunjan Dave, Mr. Chandan Bahl, Ms. Margot Dor and Mr. Wim De Kesel
 

Petrol pump dealers associations from many states at a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi

Representatives of many state dealers associations submitted a memorandum to the Government of India saying that the last revisions in the margins given to dealers were done six years ago in 2017. India has over 70,000 petrol pumps, which directly and indirectly provide livelihood to over 10 Lakh people and this “continued denial of revision of margins by oil marketing companies” has led to severe financial crunch and hardships.
 

Petroleum dealers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh came together in support of a joint call given by Petroleum Dealers’ Welfare Association Haryana and others.
 

“Petrol stations earn by the margins given by oil marketing companies or the OMCs. Since 2017 when the last dealers margin revision was done, prices of petrol and diesel have gone up but the margins have remained constant. Simultaneously, expenses of the petrol pump dealers including salaries have also gone up, and so has the inflation. This has led to a lot of hardships to us,” said Sanjeev Chaudhary, President of the Petroleum Dealers Welfare Association, Haryana.
 

India boasts of one of the largest networks of fuel stations. “Despite the Government's emphasis on electric vehicles, it is estimated that in the foreseeable future the contributions of petrol stations will continue to grow, with the growth of the economy. In many ways, petrol pumps are the quiet bulwark of the Indian economy, fueling its growth and keeping the country rolling. No wonder, they are vital, and so are their concerns. We need fair play,” said Monty Sehgal, spokesperson of Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Punjab.
 

Chaudhary said that various associations have consistently been engaging with the oil marketing companies and requesting for revisions of the margins over the past six years. “Due to the restrictions during COVID pandemic, petroleum dealers suffered substantial losses, even as oil companies reaped record-breaking profits. The disparities and discrimination continue. We worked day and night to ensure that the wheels of Emergency Services keep moving during COVID19 lockdowns and restrictions, despite drastic drops in routine sales and volume resulting in huge losses.”
 

“Even in the current scenario, despite fluctuations in crude oil prices, the retail prices of petrol and diesel have remained unchanged since May 2022. Meanwhile, OMCs have posted significant profits in the first quarter of FY24,” added Chaudhary, who along with various petrol pump owners of Haryana joined the New Delhi demonstration. 
 

The Associations also highlighted their concerns about many other issues faced by them. “The smaller dealers with less than 200 kilolitres throughput should get special packages from the oil companies. Also, in view of many bleeding petrol pumps it may not be appropriate on part of oil companies to consider opening new pumps, as the new advertisements indicate,” said Paramjit Singh Doaba, President, Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Punjab.
 

“It is becoming difficult for us to sustain ourselves with the current static margins and we feel let down by the oil marketing companies. They have remained unresponsive to our legitimate demands and are compelling us to seek recourse from the Government of India. We have tremendous faith in Hon PM and Union Petroleum Minister and appeal to them to help us,” added Doaba.
 

The associations have also flagged the issue of adulterated diesel. Due to the absence of any monitoring system, the bowsers are used extensively for selling chemical mixed adulterated diesel, an association member said.

“Women must ensure national ambition for Global Good is Recognised": Smriti Irani
 

“We are at a time in our country’s history where we can catapult to new achievements in new areas for a greater good. Cannot afford to lose this opportunity,” she added.
 

"The union minister criticised the previous Congress rule for ignoring women’s issues, such as their safety as well as lack of sanitation and proper hygiene." “The Congress government in 2005-06 knew that women were getting raped in the open; in 2010, it knew that the GDP (gross domestic product) was taking a hit due to lack of sanitation. Building toilets was never considered glamorous in the politics but now women have access to toilets. Before 2014, many people said women can’t start a business, but now Mudra has made it possible for them," she said.
 

Irani shared an anecdote featuring ‘Missile Woman of India’, Tessy Thomas, when she was the union education minister and how she was instrumental in getting the eminent scientist nominated to the IIT Council, the apex body of all Indian Institutes of Technology.
 

She described her experience when she held the first meeting of the council, where the room was full of male scientists. “I asked them about a woman representative but they told me that I was the ‘face’. But I told them I was the politician, and walked out of the room to make a phone call. I immediately called Tessy Thomas, and asked her if she would like to be nominated by me to the IIT council. She literally choked; the Missile Woman of India choked," she said.
 

Irani added, “It’s not that women of merit didn’t exist, but she (Tessy Thomas) was not in that room. Women, when they are young, are told that they will only reach a certain level of achievement, so it’s incumbent upon my generation and the one after me to recognise the potential of those before us."
 

"New18’s Rising India-She Shakti” is a movement that empowers women, celebrates their saga of success, and encourages their continued progress. It is a symbol of India's commitment to fostering gender equality and inclusivity across all aspects of society.

Signalling its commitment to improve the state’s healthcare services and address the skills gap in the healthcare sector, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Group’s CSR arm Religare Care Foundation (RCF) in Itanagar today.
 

Signing of PPP MoU between Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Care Foundation

In the presence of Honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu, Honourable Minister of Health, Government of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Alo Libang, Chief Secretary, GoAP, Shri Dharmendra, Secretary (Health & FW), GoAP, Shri Liyon Borang, Dr Satendra Katoch, Director – Medical, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises Ltd, signed the MoU.
 

Leading healthcare professionals and senior officials, including Shri Vivek HP Special Secretary (Health & FW), Dr Moji Jini, Director TRIHMS, Dr H Jauhari, Chairman – Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Mr Rakesh Asthana, Group Head – Corporate Affairs and Business Advisor, Religare Enterprises Ltd were also present at the occasion.

Under the MoU, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and its partner Religare Care Foundation (RCF) will offer technical assistance to GoAP to strengthen the hill state’s tertiary healthcare systems and infrastructure. 

The government and the advisory team have already chosen their initial project for collaboration. They will establish a Centre of Excellence for Renal Sciences at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS).

Arunachal Pradesh Government under the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting various development initiatives related to healthcare, education and sports in the state. 

Expressing happiness at the association, Shri Pema Khandu, Honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh said, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a step forward to fulfil the vision of providing affordable, accessible and equitable Health care services to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It is an endeavour of the Government to bring the best of the tertiary health care services near to home thereby reducing the cost and also the psychological trauma the family has to go through for seeking such medical cares. By joining hands with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare group, we look forward for bringing about changes that positively impacts the lives of the people and also the entire Health care landscape of the State.”

Shri Alo Libang, Minister of Health, Government of Arunachal Pradesh said, “I congratulate Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Religare Group, Religare Care Foundation on this association. In the first phase of the partnership, the Group will assist us in establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility dedicated to renal sciences and related research. This facility will ensure that patients requiring dialysis or kidney transplants receive the same level of care as those in other parts of the country. Moreover, healthcare professionals in the state will receive appropriate training to enhance their skills and bring them in line with their counterparts in leading states with superior healthcare facilities.”

Commenting on the occasion, Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises Ltd said, “We are grateful for our partnership with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. We would like to express our gratitude to Honourable Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu Ji for giving us this opportunity. This collaboration will greatly enhance the state’s healthcare infrastructure and contribute to the professional development of healthcare practitioners. We believe that this partnership will give us a unique opportunity to serve the people of Arunachal Pradesh and make the state the healthcare services hub in the North East.”

The state government has been working towards improving the healthcare services and addressing the skills gap in the state. The state has been able to address the skills gap in the healthcare sector with the significant reduction from 34 percent to 6 percent in the last five years.

The state also boasts a workforce of over 8,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, nurses, and more. These skilled individuals work in over 500 government health centres across the state.

Additionally, the state benefits from various central government Schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS). Through Ayushman Bharat, the state has seen the establishment of health and wellness centres and dispensaries, which have greatly enhanced healthcare services.⁽¹⁾

Dr Ajay Swaroop, Chairman – Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, “We are committed to improving the healthcare ecosystem in the state. It is our firm belief that working along with the state’s healthcare professionals, we will be able to bring a qualitative difference to the healthcare services in the region.”

About Religare Enterprises Limited

Religare Enterprises Limited (REL), a Core Investment Company (CIC) registered with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is a diversified financial services company. REL offers an integrated suite of financial services through its underlying subsidiaries and operating entities, including loans to SMEs, Affordable Housing Finance, Health Insurance and Retail Broking. REL is listed on the BSE and National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India. The Religare Group (REL and subsidiaries) reaches over 1 million policyholders in insurance business, 1 million plus broking customers, more than 26,000 customers in MSME finance and over 10,000 customers in affordable housing finance. The Group employs more than 11,000 professionals servicing this diversified customer base with a presence in over 1,000 locations across India.

About Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

Founded in 1921 by leading philanthropist, Sir Ganga Ram, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), New Delhi, has a harmonious blend of privatized health care along with the charitable dispensing of medical services for the needy members of the society for indoor as well as outdoor treatments. A Management Board comprising medical consultants of eminence and international repute governs the Hospital. The Board operates under the overall guidance of the Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society. As per the mandate of the Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, the hospital offers free treatment to 20 percent of inpatients. The hospital is also the first large tertiary care hospital from the National Capital Region (NCR) to join the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Within the next two months, the hospital will witness the inauguration of a state-of-the-art cancer facility with a capacity for 200 beds. It will transform the hospital into a comprehensive tertiary care institution boasting 1000 beds that cater to various medical specialities. Not only has this esteemed establishment achieved notable success in terms of numbers and quality of care across multiple specialities, but has also successfully conducted over 6000 kidney transplants with an impressive success rate of 95 percent. In addition, this medical facility boasts a highly comprehensive Liver transplantation program. The establishment has also successfully executed heart transplants and is working towards providing lung and hand transplantation services soon.

Women diplomats at BRICS CCI WE Trailblazers Dialogues

BRICS CCI WE represents the women’s vertical of The BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) which promotes commerce and industry in the BRICS and other friendly nations. The Vertical focuses on women empowerment initiatives and policies across geographies.

Historically, diplomacy has been the preserve of men. However, research shows that when women have a seat at the table, the odds of reducing instability and conflict improve significantly. The results of the 2023 Women in Diplomacy Index suggest that women remain underrepresented in ambassadorship positions across the world with only around 20% of all ambassadors being women in 2023. Between 1992 and 2019, women represented a mere 13 percent of negotiators, 6 percent of mediators, and 6 percent of signatories in peace processes worldwide. The numbers are even lower in conflict-affected states where women have been quasi-absent from peace processes.

While greeting the gathering, Dr. BBL Madhukar, Director General, BRICS CCI, highlighted the importance of providing equal opportunity to women in education and representation. Dr. Madhukar stated “In a rapidly changing world, diplomacy stands as the cornerstone of international relations, shaping the course of nations and the trajectory of global affairs. However, one critical dimension remains underrepresented in the diplomatic arena: the influential voices of women. As women gain power, societal barriers are removed.”

Shri R.K. Vishnoi, Chairman, BRICS CCI, as a part of his special address to the event, highlighted “The role of women in diplomacy is inevitable. People, international committees, and leadership are convinced that women bring a lot of ideas that are life-changing. When women have a seat at the table, the odds of solving conflict improve significantly.”

Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE said, “While recognizing the indispensable contributions women have made to diplomacy throughout history, let us also collectively work towards a future where gender equality and women's empowerment are fully integrated into our diplomatic efforts.” ‘’These discussions are especially important in a year when India is spearheading the G20 dialogues with holistic and inclusive, women-led development being a key focus area,’’ she added.

The Roundtable saw the participation of Ambassador Bizunesh Meseret, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia; Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of Sri Lanka; Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Israel in India; Ms. Amaranta Vandeperre, Third Secretary and Counsel, Embassy of Chile; Ms. Jalpa Ratna, Chief of Field Services, United Nations Children's Fund. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Shormishtha Ghosh, Governing Body Member, BRICS CCI. Amb. Manju Seth (Retd.), Former Ambassador & Consul General of India delivered the valedictory address.

H.E. Ms. Bizunesh Meseret, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia, shared reports of women's representation in Ethiopia and highlighted the Government of Ethiopia’s initiatives that have resulted in increased participation of Women in Diplomacy. Ms. Meseret said, "Ethiopia has a female policy in place at both national and regional levels ensuring women empowerment in all spheres, be it political, economic or humanitarian.”

Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counselor, High Commission of Sri Lanka highlighted Sri Lanka’s glorious legacy of female leadership. “In Sri Lanka, we’ve had a long tradition of democracy and great female leaders. We have free education. We elected the 1st female PM in the world in 1960, who also laid the foundation stone for the Sri Lankan High Commission in Delhi,’’ said Ms. Amarasinghe.

Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Israel in India, appreciated BRICS CCI WE for hosting the discussion and reiterated the importance of such deliberations. Ms. Hagar said, “The journey of making a change is no less important than the achievement itself. Shaping an agenda that includes women's representation and raising awareness is critical in paving the way towards reaching gender equality. We are still facing gender-biased perceptions which require the adoption of more inclusive, proactive and tolerant approaches, sometimes even affirmative actions.” 

According to Ms. Amaranta Vandeperre, Third Secretary & Counsel, Embassy of Chile, “Increasing women's participation in diplomacy or in any other field is vital to achieving equality in a context of deep-rooted discrimination”. Highlighting Chile’s achievement in this area, Ms. Vandeperre noted, "Chile went from having 15% women ambassadors to 33% in the past decade.”

The round table conference saw the participation of various international & global organizations, including UNICEF. Ms Jalpa Ratna, Chief of Field Service, UNICEF spoke about the vital role of primary education of girls to ensure long-term gender equality even in diplomatic roles. Ms. Ratna also mentioned “Bal Patrakars” or “Child Reporters”, an initiative run by UNICEF in India empowering students from classes 6 to 8 to spread awareness of child rights in their communities and take the issues affecting them directly to the Chief Minister of their respective states. 

Amb. Manju Seth, Former Ambassador & Consul General of India in her Valedictory Address put forth her desire for a day when the talk for gender equality is no longer a topic of discussion. Ms. Seth urged men to come forward to empower women in all fields, including diplomacy.

Bringing the inaugural Trailblazers Dialogues- Round Table Discussion to its successful conclusion, Ms. Shabana Nasim, Executive Director, BRICS CCI and Chief Patron, BRICS CCI WE delivered the Vote of Thanks for the day. 

Siddharth Kamble and Pravin Darekar
 

The Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. was appointed as the Nodal Agency and coordinator between the Maharashtra Government and housing societies. Under the guidance of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, 'Sahakar Parishad' addressed various issues and made significant decisions.
 

One notable decision was the issuance of a revised Deemed Conveyance G.R. on May 31, 2023. Additionally, other decisions and government resolutions (G.R.) will be issued accordingly. According to the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies (MCS) Act, a circular was issued by the Divisional Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Mumbai, on June 1, 2023. The circular mandated all housing societies to invest and maintain their Fixed Deposit (FD) investments with the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., as per the relevant sections of the MCS Act.
 

Sub-Registrars were instructed to strictly adhere to the circular's instructions, aimed at strengthening the District Central Co-operative Bank and ensuring its stability. It is important to note that the Mumbai Bank serves as the apex bank for all co-operative societies in the Mumbai District.
 

All co-operative housing societies were encouraged to become account holders of the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. and invest their Fixed Deposits with the bank. The bank offers various loan facilities for self-redevelopment, construction, repairs, payment of legal dues, solar plant installations, waste management plants, and more. It also provides an attractive interest rate of 7.75% for general , 8% for bulk deposits and 8.25% for senior citizens for a fixed deposit period of 21 to 24 months.
 

With 50 branches and three extension counters conveniently located in Mumbai District and the suburban city, the Mumbai Bank ensures accessibility for all residents living in housing societies. Individuals can approach their nearest branch for assistance or inquiries related to their investments.
 

The collaboration between the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. and housing societies through 'Sahakar Parishad' aims to foster the growth and development of co-operative societies in Mumbai District. By collectively supporting the housing community, they provide reliable financial services and assistance for various needs.

eGovernments Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc collaborates to deploy DIGIT, a digital public good, for governance

The strategic collaboration between eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc will facilitate the implementation of eGov Foundation's DIGIT, an open-source service delivery and governance platform, across federal, state, and public sector organizations in Nigeria. The primary objective of this partnership is to promote e-governance, ensure statutory compliance, optimize revenue generation, and enhance government performance.

Commenting on the partnership, Viraj Tyagi, CEO, eGov Foundation, said, “We are excited about the digital transformation possibilities in Nigeria leveraging the DIGIT platform and we are committed to providing the necessary support, documentation, and knowledge to facilitate this journey.”

Ms. Ifueko M. Omoigui Okauru, Managing Partner of Compliance Professionals Plc, added, “It is our belief that this partnership will foster a strong bond between eGov Foundation and Compliance Professionals Plc, and together, we will successfully achieve our common goal of improving governance in Nigeria. We will drive the transformative and institutional change required by government bodies in adopting the DIGIT Platform for effective e-governance.”

DIGIT is an open, interoperable, free-to-use platform that offers solutions for citizens, first-mile employees, administrators, commercial players and policymakers for delivering Citizen Services and improving Governance. The platform has been adopted by Government departments, Urban Local bodies and gained recognition as the platform of choice for delivering citizen services and enhancing governance. India’s National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) also relies on the power of DIGIT to drive its initiatives.

With an impressive lineup of business leaders, policymakers, founders, and investors, the conversations throughout the day shed light on potential areas of growth, issues that matter and how a collaborative approach will help set the pace for globalization of India’s unique advantages and offerings.

In a thought-provoking address, Union Minister Hon. Smriti Zubin Irani speaking on “Faster Inclusion for Mutual Benefit and Socio-Economic Impact” said, “India is now setting new standards on the issue of gender justice. Over the years, our nation has transitioned from focusing on women’s development to women led development. Women are not only a gender that has faced many complexities and challenges, but we are also at the forefront of delivering solutions. India has now proven a social and economic case for gender justice. For keeping humanity in, keep women in your consideration. That’s my message to the India Global Forum’s Annual Summit.”

Prof. Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum said, “It is exciting to witness the progress role of women-centric initiatives across sectors and within the policy framework which are setting the pace for India. The country continues to rise and shine in women led development and providing equal opportunities. At IGF, we believe in building lasting partnerships that will provide opportunities for women leaders to realise their potential and scale globally."

The Summit also hosted insightful conversations with Hon. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bhupender Yadav. Encompassing 30 themes, 35+ concurrent roundtables, and 500+ participants, IGF’s Annual Summit analysed diverse perspectives and expert views on how India is “Setting the Pace” for the global economy. From Technology and Innovation, Investment, Finance and Infrastructure to Diversity, Inclusion and Climate Finance, the day covered a wide range of informative sessions amongst policymakers, industry captains and other influential thought leaders.

A few highlights from the roundtables:

• During the roundtable entitled Setting the Pace on the Future of Social Media: Building from India for the world with Koo, the panelists highlighted how Indian social media companies are making waves in the global market as they expand their services beyond India's borders. Companies such as Koo have gained immense popularity in India and are now attracting users from other countries as well. Additionally, the Indian government's push for self-reliance has fueled the growth of these companies, which are now competing with global giants.

• Another roundtable discussion around Setting the Pace on Foreign Direct Investment with Sorin Investments, flagged that in 2023, India is expected to continue its position as a top destination for foreign direct investment, thanks to its large market size, growth potential, and business-friendly reforms. Despite the government’s FDI attracting measures such as liberalizing investment rules, simplifying regulations, and providing tax incentives whilst providing a positive outlook, the country faces some challenges in attracting FDI, such as bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructure gaps, and policy uncertainties, which need to be addressed to fully leverage its potential. 

• Setting the pace on Building for Bharat with Google Cloud India shed light on how Building for Bharat is the initiative to build products and services that are accessible and affordable for the next billion users in India. Cloud services can play a key role in this initiative by providing the infrastructure and tools that businesses need to build and scale their products and services.

• The roundtable around Setting the Pace on Web3 with Coinbase touched upon how with a thriving IT sector, immense talent pool, and growing economy, India has the potential to lead the world’s Web3

• revolution. Effective implementation of Web3 technologies could revolutionize education, government services, infrastructure development, financial inclusion and many other aspects that can be beneficial not only for India but can also serve as a strong benchmark for the rest of the developing world.

• As digitisation accelerates, governments utilise technology for improved service delivery. With the theme of Setting the Pace for Digitising Government Services with Deloitte India, the roundtable examined barriers and enablers of digitizing government services, the impact of AI, IoT, and blockchain, strategies for secure and scalable digital infrastructure, and creating inclusive citizen-centric services. The discussion also focused on leveraging these technologies for efficient, effective services, ensuring no citizen is left behind in India's digital growth story.

• During the Setting the Pace for Diversity and Inclusion with Sequoia session, the discussion highlighted that Accelerating Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace is critical for organisations seeking to remain competitive in today's global marketplace. Diverse and inclusive workplaces drive innovation, improve decision-making, and enhance financial performance. Research shows that gender-diverse companies are 25% more likely to outperform their peers, while ethnically diverse companies are 36% more likely to do the same. How can we build a diverse talent pipeline and promote inclusive workplaces?

• The roundtable around Setting the Pace for Climate Tech B Capital discussed how India's climate tech industry, currently valued at $10 billion, is poised for rapid growth at an impressive CAGR of 15%. Fuelled by innovative startups, cutting-edge research institutions, and robust government support, the sector is set to revolutionise green energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture. As India tackles pressing environmental challenges, this vibrant ecosystem will play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development and propelling the nation towards a greener, more resilient tomorrow. With such promising prospects, can India emerge as a global climate tech leader in the coming years?

• The Roundtable on Setting the Pace on Funding Female Entrepreneurship hosted by Josh Talks addressed the issues access to funding which remain a critical challenge. The discussions were around how can female entrepreneurship attract greater funding, what are the unique challenges facing female entrepreneurs and now can we nurture female-led ventures more? 

Click here to access the full list of speakers. For more information on the event, click here.

About India Global Forum

IGF is the agenda-setting forum for international business and global leaders. It offers a selection of platforms that international corporates and policymakers can leverage to interact with stakeholders in their sectors and geographies of strategic importance. Our platforms range from large global events to invite-only, intimate conversations and analysis, interviews and thought leadership through our media assets.

For more information please visit www.indiaglobalforum.com. 

Stating that India continues to move forward in forging partnerships and trade relations, Hon. Piyush Goyal talked about India’s growth in global trade and partnerships built on the 3 elements-sensitivity, trust and a strong bond between the negotiating entities.
 

Hon. Piyush Goyal at the Investors Interaction and the Opening Session of India Global Forum Annual Summit 2023
 

Speaking at an exclusive Investor Interaction graciously presided by him ahead of the India Global Forum (IGF) ’s Annual Summit 2023, Hon. Piyush Goyal said, “India recognises that when we talk of self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat), we are not thinking of closing the doors, in fact opening it further wide. There is a reason that the whole world wants to talk to us, and we are talking to them. Every country has certain competitive advantages; similarly, wherever, we see we have an edge, we cannot have sub-optimal products populating our markets. We want quality products. I am confident, in the years to come, Indian industries will be able to get the ‘mojo’ back in the manufacturing space. We want to negotiate trade with countries which believe in reciprocity, follow a rules-based approach and believe in transparency. We will engage with the world, but as an equal.”

During his address, the minister spoke about how it is India’s turn to drive growth, set the pace and emerge as a bright spot in an increasingly turbulent world.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum said, “I have been impressed at India’s growth in global trade and its focus on creating win-win partnerships while it is leveraging its strengths in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, and renewable energy. Minister Piyush Goyal has aptly reaffirmed the same. India Global Forum has always led the agenda by highlighting and amplifying India’s globalisation story - as we head into the IGF’s Annual Summit, we will look at how we can collaboratively propel India’s journey to the top and centre of the global stage.”

This year’s IGF Annual Summit will be held on March 27 in New Delhi and has a unique 3-in-1 format featuring IGF Zones, The Forum and the IGF Studio. While the IGF Zones will provide 35+ innovative concurrent roundtables on pertinent topics and issues, the Forum will include plenary sessions with leading personalities from government and business. The IGF Studio will broadcast content across key global topics including leadership, geopolitics, climate, technology and much more.

Click here to access the full list of speakers. For more information on the event, click here.

About India Global Forum

IGF is the agenda-setting forum for international business and global leaders. It offers a selection of platforms that international corporates and policymakers can leverage to interact with stakeholders in their sectors and geographies of strategic importance. Our platforms range from large global events to invite-only, intimate conversations and analysis, interviews and thought leadership through our media assets.

For more information please visit www.indiaglobalforum.com.

Launch of the Policy Briefs
 

Mr. Aditya Mishra, Chairman, Land Ports Authority of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India made the keynote address and launched three policy briefs:

• "Global Supply Chains and Trade Facilitation: Identifying the contours of an Indian Approach" by Dr. Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore.

• "Women's Inclusion in India's Trade Ecosystem: From Talk to Action" by Nikita Singla, Associate Director of BRIEF.

• "Intellectual Property Rights in Global Value Chains: The State of Play in India" by Arpan Banerjee, Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Centre for Intellectual Property and Technology Law.

The policy briefs were developed as part of The Asia Foundation’s ‘Think Tank Engagement on Indo-Pacific Issues’ project supported by the U.S. State Department. Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) was the knowledge partner for this project.

Ms. Nandita Baruah, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation, reflected on India’s potential to contribute to becoming an economic hub and providing opportunities for growth and employment. “This research aims to provide actionable recommendations to further India’s intent to become an economic hub and global engine of growth. We hope the findings from the policy briefs can add value to the government’s initiatives to expand India’s engagement in global trade and inform policy and operational investment for enhancing the integration of India’s economy into the global value chain, with a strong focus on gender-supportive trade mechanisms,” she said. 
 

Panel on Global Value Chain Trade Facilitation & IPR
 

The event held panel discussions focusing on: ‘Gender Inclusiveness in Trade’ and ‘Global Value Chains: Trade Facilitation and IPR.’ The panel discussion on ‘Gender Inclusiveness in Trade’ highlighted the importance of making trade policies gender inclusive. The panelists Mr. Aditya Mishra, Chairman, LPAI, Dr. Sanjay Kathuria, former Lead Economist, The World Bank, and Ms. Nikita Singla, Associate Director, BRIEF, and Shravani Prakash, Founder, ElleNomics, moderated the panel and discussed the role of trade policies in empowering women entrepreneurs and ensuring their access to finance, market, and technology while focusing on the importance of creating a conducive environment for women entrepreneurs to participate in international trade.

The ‘Global Value Chains: Trade Facilitation and IPR’ panel highlighted the challenges and opportunities for India’s participation in the global value chains. The panel was moderated by Mr. Afaq Hussain, Director, BRIEF. The panelists included Dr. Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead, Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore, Mr. Arpan Banerjee, Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Centre for Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Ms. Audrey Slover, Indo-Pacific Strategy Officer, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, and John Cabeca, the United States Intellectual Property Counselor for South Asia, who unpacked the role of strong intellectual property rights (IPR) regimes to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global market and also touched on the importance of efficient trade facilitation measures to help Indian firms integrate into the global value chains.
 

"As Chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India and an advocate for gender inclusiveness in trade, I am happy to release the papers on 'Opportunities for India’s Participation in Global Value Chains' at this event. These papers shed light on the potential for India to expand its footprint in the region and promote its growth and leadership goals through gender-inclusive trade. In today's discussion, I emphasized the importance of bringing about gender positivity in the full process of trade facilitation, and I look forward to continuing this conversation and taking action towards a more inclusive trade landscape," said Mr. Aditya Mishra, Chairman, Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.

Afaq Hussain, Director, BRIEF India said, "Trade facilitation is critical to enhancing India’s role in the global supply chains, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. The authors of the research papers have provided a good base to initiate the process of engagement with multiple stakeholders and mainstream India’s position in the global value chains with a more gender-inclusive approach."

About BRIEF
Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF) is a research and consulting organization with a focus on policy research, diagnostic studies, program implementation, industry, and market research as well as assessment of various schemes and interventions in the socio-economic domain. Its past engagements have spanned across areas such as international trade facilitation, infrastructure, and policy aspects among others, with special emphasis on India and other countries in South Asia and the MENA region.

About The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region is focused on good governance, women’s empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environment and climate action, and regional and international relations.
 

For more information, please visit www.asiafoundation.org.

From Left to Right: Shri Shivayogi C Kalasad, Secretary to Government of Karnataka, Agriculture Department; Mr Shekar Sivasubramanian, Chief Executive Officer, Wadhwani AI; Shri B C Patil, Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka; Dr G T Puthra, Director, Agriculture Department - Karnataka State

Today, we are proud to announce that Wadhwani AI has entered into a formal partnership with the Karnataka State Department of Agriculture (KSDA). This is an important partnership, and will go a long way towards realising our common objective of improving the welfare of farmers across the state of Karnataka. Through this partnership, the KSDA and Wadhwani AI will explore opportunities for the scaled deployment of the AI-powered early pest warning and advisory solution for cotton and other crops developed by Wadhwani AI. 

Additionally, Wadhwani AI will work towards ensuring the AI-readiness of the KSDA, and conduct capacity building initiatives for ministry personnel on the responsible use of AI and its application to boost agriculture systems in the state.

“We look forward to collaborating with Wadhwani AI and leveraging their expertise in developing cutting-edge AI-powered solutions to enhance agriculture systems in Karnataka and improve the income of farmers. We intend to unlock the value of the agriculture pest and disease data at our disposal and utilise it to create novel solutions in crops like cotton, maize, chilli, and other crops in Karnataka, with the help of emerging AI-based technologies,” Shri B. C. Patil, Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka.

“Small farmers in India depend on government programs at every step of the crop cycle. Timely, accurate, and hyperlocal AI-based early-pest warning and advisory can augment human capabilities to overcome systemic challenges in these large-scale programs. We are honoured and excited to explore the possibilities in this space in collaboration with the KSDA. I would like to extend my thanks to Mr. Ravi Trivedi from The/Nudge’s Indian Administrative Fellowship, who has facilitated the deployment of our solution in Dharwad district, and provided guidance and support towards our partnership with the KSDA and the signing of this MoU,” Mr. J. P. Tripathi, Associate Director - Agriculture, Wadhwani AI.

"We are committed towards using AI to meaningfully impact the lives of low-income populations, in India and other developing countries. Ensuring that our AI solutions reach the communities most affected by the problems we are trying to address and can create a meaningful impact at scale is only possible by working closely with the government. We are excited to formally collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to identify and address multiple challenges affecting agriculture in India through the use of timely and effective AI-based interventions," Mr. Shekar Sivasubramanian, Chief Executive Officer, Wadhwani AI.

About Wadhwani AI

Wadhwani AI is a cross-domain AI impact institute based in India, developing and deploying AI solutions with a mission to create impact at scale and improve lives and livelihoods across the global south. We work closely with governments and global partners to solve complex problems affecting developing countries, where AI could play a transformative role. 

Learn more about our work and approach at wadhwaniai.org.

Joseph D’Cruz, RSPO CEO

During his inaugural Roundtable speech, new CEO, Joseph D’Cruz, launched the 2022 Impact Report, highlighting RSPO members’ impressive progress across a broad range of sustainability indicators. “Sustainability is a journey, and together with my team and all of our members, RSPO will continue to blaze the trail for the palm sector,” said D’Cruz. “We will demonstrate how palm oil production and use can be an important contributor to net zero commitments; to highlight the role sustainable palm production plays in providing decent, dignified lives and prosperity for millions of rural families across the developing world; and to show how well-managed, regenerative oil palm plantations can be a crucial contributor to species conservation and biodiversity,” added D’Cruz.
 

The Impact Report revealed several key achievements over the last nearly two decades since RSPO’s foundation, including the increase of global certified area from 125,000 hectares in three countries in 2008 to 4.5 million hectares spread across 21 countries, of which 301,020 hectares have been conserved and protected through RSPO certification. An estimated half a million workers in estates and mills around the world are now represented under the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) through certification. Greenhouse gas emissions that have been prevented since 2015 are equivalent to nearly 400,000 cars driven annually. Additionally, a smallholder group of around 5000 farmers in Sierra Leone became the first Independent Smallholder Group to achieve certification in Africa, one of the emerging frontiers of palm oil production. Affirming the role of RSPO, D’Cruz assured, “Sustainable palm oil is undoubtedly the best way to meet the world’s vegetable oil needs today and in the future.”
 

Emphasizing India’s position in the sector, Sougata Niyogi, CEO, Oil Palm Business, Godrej Agrovet Ltd., said, “India has a unique role to play in mainstreaming sustainability in the oil palm sector, as it is an integral part of the current policies and practices adopted by the government and industry across the supply chain, in alignment with India's global net zero commitment.”
 

Anne Rosenbarger and Dato´Carl Bek-Nielsen, Co-Chairs of the RSPO Board of Governors, together called for a unified response to maximise the sector’s potential to sustainably transform the palm oil value chain, echoing D’Cruz, “At a time when the global community is demanding real and viable solutions to save our increasingly warming planet, RSPO has shown that it plays an active role in harnessing the positive impacts of sustainable palm oil production, leading to sustainable development. Our efforts and transformation drive must continue, as change is a necessity for all of us. While sustainability is a shared responsibility, it requires individual change – if we are to cross the finish line together and make an impact, we are duty bound to take on a greater level of ownership and accept that there is always room for improvement.”
 

Members also reflected that RSPO must summon greater interest from priority consumer markets such as China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia to choose sustainable palm oil and join the collective initiative for RSPO to have a transformative impact on the global supply and demand for sustainable palm oil.
 

For further information, contact media@rspo.org.
 

About RSPO

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders. RSPO is a not-for-profit, international, membership organisation that unites stakeholders from the different sectors of the palm oil industry including oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation NGOs, and social or developmental NGOs.
 

This multi-stakeholder representation is mirrored in the governance structure of RSPO such that seats in the Board of Governors, Steering Committees and Working Groups are fairly allocated to each sector. In this way, RSPO lives out the philosophy of the "roundtable" by giving equal rights to each stakeholder group, facilitating traditionally adversarial stakeholders in working together to reach decisions by consensus, and achieving RSPO’s shared vision of making sustainable palm oil the norm.
 

The seat of the association is in Zurich, Switzerland, while the secretariat is currently based in Kuala Lumpur with satellite offices in Jakarta, London, Zoetermeer, Beijing, Bogotá and New York.

The Digital Prosperity for Asia Coalition (DPA) launched in September 2022. The coalition is the first pan-Asia Pacific (APAC) focused alliance, built by homegrown APAC companies for the prosperity of APAC economies.
 

Digital Prosperity for Asia (DPA) launched its India chapter in Bengaluru on Nov 22, 2022

Currently, India has 825.3 million Internet subscribers, and 99% of urban India is online, which indicates the immense potential of the Indian market (urban + rural) in terms of growing its digital prosperity.

The Digital Prosperity for Asia Coalition (DPA) India chapter, launched on 22 November 2022, is positioned to drive a huge wave of digital transformation in India by aligning with the Indian government’s core initiatives such as Digital India; Skill India; Make in India; and Startup India.

"The initiation of DPA’s India chapter will help provide support to India’s policymakers and the overall industry to maximize the utilization of digital technologies. This new approach will also play a key role in contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of creating a US$5 trillion economy,” said Berges Y Malu, Senior Director of Public Policy at ShareChat.

The DPA adopts a ‘Asia centric, local approach’ that aims to facilitate engagements and access to local governments, local partners, and local connections, while promoting the growth of home-grown digital brands in order to create local impact for good.

“Alignment between India’s population and growing digital economy could cascade impact for the country manifold. The programme would rest on 3 pillars primarily: Backing Digital Products & Services for Social Impact; Regional support to enable digital talents and skills among the youth is in line with the government of India’s vision as well as industry requirements and third would be fostering innovation in the start-ups digital economy space,” said Aditya Batura, CEO of Codomo.

Furthermore, the DPA will promote business-friendly digital policies as government allies to enable a conducive culture of innovation. Being part of the DPA’s India chapter will allow members exclusive access to Policy Advocacy Support and Insights; Exposure to VC’s and Investors; Assistance for Market Expansion; and the opportunity to shape Thought Leadership.

As part of the inaugural launch, the DPA commissioned and released a report by strategic consultancy AlphaBeta entitled Prosperous APAC: Digital Economy Enablers. The report was developed to quantify the untapped economic potential of APAC’s digital and suggest approaches for governments and industry to fully capture the benefits of the digital economy.

The report found that APAC’s digital economy has emerged stronger after the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the APAC-11’s total digital economy (representing 11 of APAC’s largest economies Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) is currently valued at US$586 billion. However, this is only 30% of the full potential of the digital economy today. Looking forward to 2030, the size of the prize grows further - and APAC economies could capture more than US$2.2 trillion for their digital economies.

The report identifies a new approach: ‘Digital Prosperity’ as a key strategy for APAC economies to adopt in order to fully capture the US$2.2 trillion by 2030. The ‘Digital Prosperity’ approach combines the benefits of flexible regulations, widespread access to global digital technologies, and domestic capabilities and skills. The DPA seeks to promote this approach, and seeks like-minded partners in achieving shared prosperity across the region.

The current 17 members of the DPA are Accredify, AppMedia, Codomo, CyberLitmus, Doctor2U, Founders Doc, Innovobloc, Kinobi, Madeit?dao, Opn, Peoples Health, People’s Inc., Ringkas, ShareChat, Slab, Quickwork, and 3D Makers.
 

About Digital Prosperity for Asia (DPA)
Digital Prosperity for Asia is an organization consisting of a growing group of innovative home-grown Asian digital companies promoting the democratization of access to digital technologies across all sectors. Its mission is to support national governments and policymakers in APAC to grow their digital economies and reap the benefit of digital technologies. The coalition is looking for more like-minded APAC companies in the digital space that recognise the importance of growing the digital economy for local value creation and for shared prosperity across Asia.

Interested companies can get in touch with them via any of their digital touchpoints. Visit their website at www.digitalprosperity.asia, email them at secretariat@digitalprosperity.asia, or reach out to them via LinkedIn.

Dignitaries at the 6th session on “Electrical Safety at Residential, Commercial and Public Buildings”, organized by International Copper Association (India) in Delhi on Wednesday

The topics addressed during the session ranged from role of standardization and periodic inspections to role of wires & cables and transformers in mitigating the incidences of electrical accidents in buildings, earthing and lightening protection were also discussed. The objective of the session was to accelerate electrical safety amongst key constituents of building industry and industry stakeholders with compliance of the Indian Standards, Regulations & Codes.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Rajput, Member (Power System), CEA, Ministry of Power, Ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India said, “Electrical installations and safety is a neglected area. With the compromise on quality, the sustenance of buildings and their long-term performance is also compromised. Additionally, maintenance and workmanship should also go hand in hand along with the use of quality products. Only licensed electrical contractors should be allocated on building projects. There should be accountability for all electrical installation, in the absence of which, CEA should be notified.”

Adding to the discussion, Ms. Priti Bhatnagar, Head - Electro Technical Division, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said, “To address electrical safety related challenges, it is necessary to follow the codes & standards laid out by BIS including National Electrical Code of India (NEC), IS 732, etc. We also need to ensure improved root cause analysis of electrical hazards and apply those learnings at the planning stage of electrical installations in buildings. These measures will restrict electrical fire incidents in future.”

Elaborating on the subject Mr. Amol C. Kalsekar, Chief Manager, International Copper Association India (ICA India) said, “Electrical mishaps in most of the buildings are caused by the wrong selection of wire and cables. According to cable performance study conducted on 5-to-30-year-old commercial buildings, aluminum cables in comparison (vis-a-vis copper cables) were found to have issues such as overheating, oxidization, hot spots, termination clearance, expansion and contraction cycle, etc. highlighting a risk associated with short circuits and thereby, electrical accidents.”

Some of the major causes of fatal electrical accidents are inefficient circuit planning in residential as well as commercial buildings, under sizing and inferior quality of wires and lack of periodic electrical inspection. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of India has introduced various electrical standards, codes and regulations but lack of adherence to the code by relevant stakeholders, as well as lack of understanding among the end users has led us to this inopportune state.

To address this impending issue ICA India, in association with BIS and with the support of its product council members i.e., Anchor by Panasonic, Finolex, KEI, RR Kabel and V Guard laid the foundation of ‘Zero Tolerance’ initiative in 2018. The key idea is to drive better cognizance among the larger community about the key shortcomings in electrical safety and ways to transition to a safer nation by accelerating adoption of electrical safety standards and compliances for a safer future.

ICA India is a leading advocate for electrical safety on behalf of the copper industry in India, aligned to the government’s goal of transforming into a developed nation by 2047 and electrical safety in commercial and residential buildings is a very important element for the fulfilment of this vision. In line with its commitment to this development goal, ICA India trains around 10,000 electricians and electrical contractors by conducting nearly 200 seminars and workshops annually on ‘Safe Electrical Installation Practices’ with the support of its product council members.

The results of a validation study analysing the impact on total construction cost by using quality cables in residential and commercial buildings along with the risk related to safety & reliability indicated that wires & cables represent on an average only 1.1% of the total construction cost for commercial buildings and 1.6% for most residential buildings. Using good quality copper cables with higher conductivity will add an additional average cost of only 0.5% for commercial buildings & 0.6% for residential buildings but gives a significant perceived benefit of safety & reliability in the longer run.

The technical session garnered interest and saw participation from over 60+ professionals, an eclectic mix of Electrical Consultants, A Grade Electrical Contractors, Developers & Builders Electrical Engineers, Architects, representatives from CEA, CPWD, Metro Rail Authority, Electrical Inspectorate, Electric supply companies and various Industry Stakeholders under one roof. The interactive sessions between various stakeholders established the platform for discussion on the need for adoption of ‘zero tolerance’ towards electrical accidents.

About ICA India (International Copper Association)

The International Copper Association India (ICA India) is a member of Copper Alliance and the Indian arm of the International Copper Association Limited (ICA), the leading not for profit organization for the promotion of copper worldwide set up in 1959. ICA has been operating since 1998 in India and has built an active association with the growing number of copper users through its programs. ICA India Programs are committed to improving the quality of life through better Electrical Safety, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy and Sustainability. ICA India’s efforts have been pivotal to advancing better standards, across various products, applications and industries, by leveraging upon the superior technical performance of Copper.

Speakers at the 5th session on “Electrical Safety at Residential, Commercial & Public Buildings”, organized by International Copper Association (India) in Kolkata on Saturday

The topics addressed during the session ranged from role of standardization and periodic inspections to role of wires & cables and transformers in mitigating the incidences of electrical accidents in buildings, earthing and lightening protection.
 

Contributing his thoughts towards the issue, Dr. Prabir Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Chairman, Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) said, “Lack of adherence to electrical safety leads to accidents and fatalities. Due to occupational hazards, engineers, electricians, and overhead line workers are the most vulnerable groups exposed to electrical accidents. To safeguard their welfare, regular electrical inspections and strict adherence to safety standards are crucial. We believe, ICA’s national campaign will serve as a powerful platform to discuss the issues related to electrical safety and ensure a robust safety mechanism to save lives and property.”
 

Elaborating on the subject, Mr. Amol Kalsekar, Chief Manager, International Copper Association India (ICA India) said, “Because of cost pressure, stakeholders always observe provision of bare minimum circuits planned in residential as well as commercial buildings. Over and above this, under sizing of wires & cables further adds to this miserable situation, which often gets converted to electrical hazards like slow poison. We firmly believe that this campaign and the technical sessions will provide industry stakeholders the platform to exchange information and ideas that can act as impetus in the adoption of electrical safety codes and regulations laid out by the Government of India.”
 

Shri. Nihar Ranjan Roy, Divisional Fire officer for West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services, added, “Mostly 50% of fires are initiated due to electrical faults. Electrical accidents are dangerous, but they can be prevented. Electrical safety is the responsibility of everyone including the builders and the residents. It is crucial to ensure the safety standards are followed in order to minimize the occurrence of such accidents.”
 

The technical session garnered interest and saw participation from over 70 professionals, an eclectic mix of Electrical Consultants, A Grade Electrical Contractors, Developers & Builders Electrical Engineers, Architects, and various Industry Stakeholders under one roof. The interactive sessions between various stakeholders established the platform for discussion on the need for adoption of ‘zero tolerance’ towards electrical accidents.
 

Every day in India 11 people die due to fatal electrical accidents. As per the CEA data, a total of 10,022 electrical accidents were reported in India between 2019 - 2020 and 55% of these electrical accidents can be attributed to low voltage electrical installations. On one hand India is one of the fastest growing nations, but on the other hand statistics like these showcase a grim reality about the apparent negligence towards electrical safety.
 

Some of the major causes of fatal electrical accidents are - inefficient circuit planning in residential as well as commercial buildings, under sizing and inferior quality of wires and lack of periodic electrical inspection. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of India has introduced various electrical standards, codes and regulations, but lack of adherence to the code by relevant stakeholders, as well as lack of understanding among the end users has led us to this inopportune state.

ICA India is a leading advocate for electrical safety on behalf of the copper industry in India, aligned to the government’s goal of transforming into a developed nation by 2047 and electrical safety in commercial and residential buildings is a very important element for the fulfilment of this vision. In line with its commitment to this development goal, ICA India trains around 10,000 electricians and electrical contractors by conducting nearly 200 seminars and workshops annually on "Safe Electrical Installation Practices" with the support of its product council members.

About ICA India (International Copper Association)

The International Copper Association India (ICA India) is a member of Copper Alliance and the Indian arm of the International Copper Association Limited (ICA), the leading not for profit organization for the promotion of copper worldwide set up in 1959. ICA has been operating since 1998 in India and has built an active association with the growing number of copper users through its programs. ICA India Programs are committed to improving the quality of life through better Electrical Safety, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy and Sustainability. ICA India’s efforts have been pivotal to advancing better standards, across various products, applications and industries, by leveraging upon the superior technical performance of Copper.
 

About - BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods. BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways - providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and testing.

In order to help understand these trends better and the manner in which they impact the Indian Financial Sector, PRMIA Mumbai organized a Webinar, Where Thought Leaders from across the Risk Management Spectrum threw light into the cascading impacts of COVID-19, USSR-Ukraine war, emerging risks including strengthening climate action, enhancing digital safety, restoring livelihoods, societal cohesion and enterprise resilience. The event was actively participated and drew more than 150 participants.

Shri Biswa Ketan Das, CEO, Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) graced the event as the Chief Guest. He highlighted how the collapse of large AAA rated Corporates in India during last five years demonstrates the need to strengthen risk management ecosystem.

Citing the latest World Risk Report, he emphasized how 80% of Cyber frauds Are financial. “Cybersecurity threats are growing-in 2020, malware and ransomware attacks increased by 358% and 435% respectively. 80% of Cyber frauds Are financial. Any well-developed policy is bound to fail in the absence of qualified people to understand, assess and mitigate the risks,” he said. The need of hour is education, training and up-skilling of employees to effectively mitigate the risks from the growing digitalization.

Mr. Justin McCarthy, CEO PRMIA articulated the growing role of risk managers with the ever increasing global risks. He added the climate risk could be the weapon of mass destruction. “More the world changes, more it remains the same.” He emphasized highlighting the growing strategic role being played by qualified and competent risk professionals in protecting lives and ensuring business resilience.

Mr. Shailesh Dhuri, CEO, Decimal Point Analytics added how the next financial crisis could arise by repricing of financial risks emanating from developed economies.

On this occasion, Prof. P C Biswal, Dean, Management Development Institute, brilliantly moderated the panel discussion titled “What Risks keep CROs awake?” Top Industry leaders discussed at lengths and shared insights and experience relating to the challenges from the Climate Risk, IT, Cyber, Peoples risks, geo-political risks among others. The speakers comprised Mr. Venugopal K Patnaik (CGM, Risk Management Department, State Bank of India), Mr. B S Venkatesha (CRO, Union Bank of India) , Ramaswamy Meyappan (CRO, Indusind Bank) Mr. Damofdaran C, (CRO, Federal Bank) and Mr. Saurav Saha (Head of Credit Reviews, Arab British Bank). The event was sponsored by Decimal Point Analytics, a leading Technology Solution firm.

Mr. Shantanu Srivastava - Regional Director, PRMIA Mumbai Chapter, welcomed participants in the Webinar and shared the host of opportunities PRMIA offers for Indian members including PRMIA credentials recognized and respected globally as well as the government of india nad leading croporates.

Dr. Nirakar Pradhan, PRMIA India's CEO, highlighted the transformative role PRMIA India plays in capacity building through 100 plus volunteers in India spread across six Chapters.

About PRMIA

With over 50 chapters in major cities across the world and 6 in India, PRMIA (www.prmia.org) is a globally respected, non-profit, professional association, owned and led by its members, devoted to promoting best practices in risk management. Established in 2002, PRMIA’s mission is to provide an open forum for the development and promotion of the risk profession. Towards this end, PRMIA provides continuous learning for risk professionals throughout their career via a wide range of learning solutions and online resources, including accreditation and certification programs. In addition, through our seminars and conferences, PRMIA also provides a platform for bringing together risk professionals, practitioners, academicians, media and regulators, for sharing thought leadership and global best practices, so that they may exchange ideas and enhance their skills and knowledge, in order to cope with the emerging challenges facing the financial services sector. PRMIA has recently set up six chapters in India and aims to play a vital role in helping the Indian Financial Services Sector build capacity in the area of Risk Management.

Rakesh Asthana, Commissioner of Police, Delhi at the CallItOut wall

Unveiling the #CallItOut wall at the Civil Lines Police Station, Rakesh Asthana, Commissioner of Delhi Police lauded the efforts and impact of the #ItsNotOk campaign and cited the law enforcement’s commitment to creating a sense of safety to empower women to call out harassment. Developed by the Delhi Street Art, the mural art signifies stories of brave women who have taken action against harassment and the support of law enforcement towards ensuring safety in both the physical and the more complex world of digital communications. The artwork will further engage citizens across the city as it will be carried and displayed on the rear windscreens of the Delhi Police Emergency Helpline Vehicles.

Following this, the Run to EmpowHER saw elaborate participation from citizens, policymakers, law enforcement and influencers who came together to express their support for the cause and run on a route designed in the shape of ‘ITS NOT OK’. The run was symbolic of women reclaiming their right to safety in everyday life with the support of Delhi Police personnel and fellow men running by their side highlighting the need for collective action and responsibility towards putting an end to harassment. The energy and enthusiasm of the run continued as runners shared updates from the event, their personal stories and their commitment to safety for women across social media platforms spreading more awareness and enlightening the masses.

Speaking at the flag-off of #ItsNotOK Run to EmpowHER, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change said, “India is rising as a global power, however the realisation of this power would not be truly complete if women continue to be discriminated against or be subjected to harassment. It is important to realise that we just can’t leave the burden of speaking out and fighting harassment and discrimination in all spheres of life purely on women. Men have to engage as allies in fighting harassment as a basic responsibility of a human being. There has to be an enabling environment for women to be able to freely live, work and just be themselves as humans. The realisation of that enabling environment is everyone’s responsibility. The onus of fighting this battle is on each one of us as responsible citizens and not just women facing harassment alone.”

Mandira Bedi, Bollywood Actress who also joined the Run to EmpowHER on Sunday, said, “Every woman has faced harassment of some form in their life. While we have been told to silently endure, ignore or block such incidents, it is important to call it out. There are many ways to call out harassment. There are apps like Truecaller that tell you the number of the person who is calling. My message to women is that they should call out harassment because it's not okay.”

Commenting on the culmination, Ms. Pragya Misra, Director of Public Affairs, Truecaller, India said, “We are emboldened with the massive support of citizens through their participation in the #ItsNotOk campaign and helping us strengthen our fight against harassment of women. Our goal has always been to bolster the conversation to #CallItOut and create awareness by driving action on the ground. We are confident that the efforts of the initiative will be amplified with these events and will continue to encourage every citizen who will come in contact and engage with the artwork on the #CallItOutWall or the Delhi Police Vehicles. We are grateful to the Delhi Police for championing this fight and partnering with us to ensure that the culmination is a continuation of our resolve for the safety of women in physical and digital communications.”

Sidharth Saini, SVP & Head - Marketing, Content & Operations at Network18 Studio said, “We are really happy and encouraged by the support that this campaign has received from stakeholders in the society, be it policy makers, police, legal authorities, academicians or celebrities. Delighted to have been partners with Truecaller on a purpose-driven campaign that is making conversations happen on real issues.”

Sagar Preet Hooda, IPS and Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Delhi Police, who also joined the Run to EmpowHER said, “This fight against harassment of women is of all of us as a society. The mural art on the wall of the civil lines police station is a testament to the Delhi Police's dedication and spirit to fight against this menace. It’s not okay to be silent. In India, our women also face harassment within domestic spaces, not only in public areas. We encourage women to report such cases of harassment. We have created helplines 112 and 181 that help women in immediate emergency situations.”

A woman runner who was on a holiday in Mumbai decided to participate in the EmpowHER run in her own city, said that she ran to instill the right values in her son, and not get self defence classes for her daughter in future. Her support for the campaign shows how the initiative has turned into a people’s movement over its journey.

The campaign has seen an overall digital reach of 1.65 billion and received support from policymakers such as Smriti Irani, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, K Chandrashekhar Rao, Bhupender Yadav, Naveen Patnaik, K.T. Rama Rao, K. Kavitha; law enforcement authorities like KPS Malhotra, Usha Rangnani, and Shalini Singh; social activists like Ranjana Kumari, Rajni Abbi; actresses Raveena Tandon, Aditi Rao Hydari, Mandira Bedi and Huma Qureshi; as well as Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu, and Jwala Gutta; Social media influencers Anupriya Kapur and Satshya Tharein, through its journey.

Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog with Mr. Virat Bhatia, MD, Apple India and Ms. Vinita Sethi, SVP and Chief Public Affairs, Apollo Hospitals at an interactive session organized by PAFI

“India needs to fire a lot of cylinders, including manufacturing, to get to its real growth potential,” Mr. Kant added.

The session was moderated by Mr. Virat Bhatia, Managing Director, Apple India and Ms. Vinita Sethi, SVP & Chief Public Affairs, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd.

Talking about climate change and India’s role in ensuring rapid industrial growth without carbonizing the world, Mr. Kant said, “India is the only country in the world that has achieved its NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) targets which were finalized during 2021. India has also brought down the cost of renewable power 2.7 cents per kilowatt hours. That gives India an opportunity to crack water and produce green hydrogen and become a center of the world to become a global green hydrogen in its liquid form and more ammonia.”

Mr. Kant also said that India has dismantled around 1500 rules & regulations to promote the ease-of-doing-business in the country and states need to follow the same. “States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat have grown at a rapid rate and are on the way of becoming the key drivers of the Indian economy due their ease of doing business policies,” he added.

“India needs a paradigm shift to move towards technology and innovation and leapfrog across the sunrise sectors, where the real growth is. Government’s role should be in public policy in areas like health, education and nutrition, and the public policy should help create wealth through the private sector. We should push for more and more private public partnerships to get the kind of growth we are aiming for,” added Mr. Kant.

About PAFI

Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI) aims at aligning business, society and government on long term priorities; fostering trust across all stake holders; collaboratively developing smart and relevant policies, proposals and processes that foster innovation and rely on evidence-based research and promote capacity building to navigate change within the context and complexity of India.

More about PAFI at pafi.in.

Haqdarshak, a social enterprise working on delivery of social protection at the last-mile using tech and an agent-based network, has announced the launch of the Yojana Card, amidst International Labour Day.
 

Haqdarshak's field support agents for doorstep delivery of welfare entitlements
 

This is a first-of-a-kind physical card that will enable discovery and access for citizens via a QR code for government and private welfare services. The Yojana Card platform is built with capabilities for back-end integrations with financial institutions, government systems, and other private welfare service providers. The card onboarding process includes a first-time free screening for government welfare schemes.

With an assisted-tech model, the company is aiming to tap feature phone users along with smartphone users through a well-defined distribution strategy which leverages its network of over 20,000 field agents, predominantly women, who earn an income for the service delivery.

The card will create a unique identification code for the user to help solve issues including unintended exclusion, grievance redressal, and documentation gaps while applying for schemes. The Yojana Card will primarily target low-income families, who earn less than INR 1000 per day, especially construction workers, factory workers, sanitation workers, gig economy workers, street vendors, and micro-businesses with a turnover of less than INR 10 lakh annually.

Speaking on the launch, Aniket Doegar, CEO & Co-founder of Haqdarshak, said, “The Yojana Card is a single channel for welfare-schemes eligibility and will eventually be linked to a bank. It will be a game-changing product in solving access problems for social protection. With this launch we aim to target the 500 million informal workers and micro businesses under an active social protection net. The launch is also a new phase of growth for Haqdarshak after six years of proving the concept and reaching over 20 lakh families across 24 states in the country.”

The company is in talks with leading banks and financial institutions to launch customized and advanced versions of the card. Further, it will soon announce exciting partnerships with corporates for launching co-branded cards for critical stakeholders in their value chain.

Over the next two months, the card will be available at select Haqdarshak Yojana Kendras - the company’s brick and mortar set ups for walk-in services for accessing welfare. The company’s cadre of women Haqdarshaks will also be leveraged for customer acquisition.

“The Yojana Card is a platform which encourages collaboration among multiple stakeholders - governments, banks, corporates and CSRs, fintechs, last-mile distribution networks - all of whom are focusing on serving the end beneficiaries but in their own different way,” said Savita Muley, Chief Product Officer, Haqdarshak.

Only 40 percent of Indians are able to apply for govt. services and goods that they need, studies have shown. Unawareness about eligibility, long, confusing application processes and gaps in basic documentation and KYC keep most eligible beneficiaries away from social protection. The Yojana Card will primarily solve this problem and help scale the company’s impact and reach.

Haqdarshak has impacted more than 2.04 million Indians by unlocking welfare benefits worth INR 4000 crore with a team of 450+ members spread across 24 states and 10 Yojana Kendras. Haqdarshak is backed by marquee investors like Deepak Mehta’s Family Office, 3i Partners, Beyond Capital Fund, Upaya Social Ventures, and Acumen.

About Haqdarshak

HQ is a for-profit social enterprise providing assisted-tech services for doorstep delivery of welfare entitlements for individuals and businesses. They leverage a network of field support agents who use their tech platform for welfare services linkages. They are building the systems to support a next-gen welfare delivery service at the last mile. With technology being leveraged by a trained support agent, their model is designed to scale and empower.
 

For more information, please visit haqdarshak.com.

The major global industrial conglomerate, Toray Industries India Private Limited held the 2^nd edition of its flagship and prestigious convention, the Toray Forum India 2022, in Delhi, today. This was the second Toray Forum India, which is a continuation of the first Toray Forum India, held in February 2019, in New Delhi. 
 

Group photo of team at Toray Forum India 2022 Sustainability and Clear air

The Forum drew leadership from corporate India, Toray’s customers and suppliers, Central and State Governments officials, diplomats, think-tanks, service providers like consulting, engineering, legal and audit firms, academia and subject experts in an intimate setting to share best-of-breed ideas to deliberate upon the theme “Sustainability - Clean Air”. 
 

The convention opened with Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku, President and CEO, Toray Industries, Inc., welcoming the invitees. Elaborating upon the businesses of Toray Group and stating its vision for contributing to the sustainable growth of India, Mr. Nikkaku, said, “Toray Group aims to realize a carbon neutral society by increasing the contribution to GHG reduction through Green Innovation (GR) businesses. Toray’s history in India starts in the 1960s. Besides trading activities, we have established our plants in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with the motto of contributing to the sustainable development of these regions with innovative technologies and advance materials. The development of our green innovation businesses will contribute to the sustainability goals of the Indian society.”
 

Speaking on this occasion with his special address, Minister Mr. Kunihiko Kawazu, Deputy Chief of Mission, Japan’s Embassy to India, said, “PM Fumio Kishida visited India last month to hold the 14th India Japan Annual Summit with PM Modi to further forge our economic partnerships by announcing Japan’s intent to invest Rs. 3 lakh crore in India over the next 5 years. Additionally, both leaders made important announcements with respect to Paris Agreement.”
 

To achieve India’s decarbonization goal by 2070, Minister Kawazu suggested that India would need deep partnerships between private and public institutions. Japanese companies, like Toray, have much to offer Indian society with technology, advanced raw materials and environmental solutions. 
 

Sharing an overview on the importance of air filters, Mr. Shin Ito, General Manager, Environment & Amenity Products Division, Toray, added, “Air pollution is a big problem in India and other emerging countries in the world. During the COVID pandemic, the demand for air filters recorded a new high in India. Due to extensive awareness around air pollution, customers in India require high efficiency filtration system for PM2.5 particles and less. In 2021, Toray launched air filter business in India to address this challenge. Toray is now offering customized air filter solutions in India.”
 

Offering an expert perspective in her keynote address, Ms. Tanushree Ganguly, Lead - Air Quality Program, Council for Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), said, “There is a need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to address sustainability challenges like air pollution. India needs a mission mode approach which will only work when there is a collaboration between the political class, citizens, and private players. The first step for political leadership is to devise aggressive targets, build effective and accountable institutions for air pollution, and set clear metrics for performance. Only with metrics can you manage the problem. There needs to be a people centric agenda for clean air, so that citizens can act on available information, protect the vulnerable, State and corporate action need to go hand in hand. It is important for the business sector to understand climate risks, report transparently on its emissions and environmental impact, and leverage innovation and new technologies to mitigate emissions.”
 

Ms. Ganguly hopes that in the near future clean air becomes an electoral issue on which citizens’ vote.
 

Other distinguished speakers at the forum Industry experts included Mr. Barun Agarwal, Founder and CEO, Breathe Easy Consultants Pvt. Ltd., which offers zero PM2.5 clean air solutions; and Dr. Pratima Singh, Research Scientist, Air Pollution Lead, Center for Study of Services, Technology & Policy (CSTEP). The interactive forum saw spirited questions and answers between the speakers and the audience. Mr. Shigekazu Suenaga, Chairman and Chief Representative of Toray in India thanked all guests and speakers and closed the Toray Forum India 2022.
 

Well-known all around the globe for its superlative technologies addressing the challenge of air pollution, Toray’s air filter solutions for HVAC units, new split level air conditioners, air purifiers and automotive cabin filters provide clean air with cutting edge, durable and cost-effective technology. They are a much needed solution for Indian Society as Clean Air is an issue across India, especially in winter months.

About Toray Group India

Toray Industries, Inc., established in 1926, is a maker of premium, advanced materials. Its approximately 46,000 employees work in 29 countries generate $18 B in global revenue. Toray’s corporate philosophy is “contribution to the society through the creation of new values” and its employees are dedicated to “Innovation by Chemistry”. Toray researches, manufactures and sells Fibers & Textiles, Resins & Chemicals, Films, Carbon Fiber Composite Materials, Electronic & Information Materials, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products, Water Treatment & Environment and new innovative Materials and Products.
 

Based upon Toray’s corporate philosophy, Toray formulated “Toray Group Sustainability Vision” in 2018 balancing greenhouse gas emissions with absorption resulting in carbon neutrality by 2050. Green Innovation and Life Innovation are key pillars of the Sustainability Vision which target significant reduction in Toray’s carbon and waste emissions, water and power consumption. This would be accomplished by new, innovative products and processes driven by Green Innovation, including but not limited to Clean Air and Clean Water, and Life Innovation, including but not limited to increase comfort for society.
 

Domestically in India, and in concert with Government of India’s Make in India policy, Toray has established factories in Vapi, Gujarat and SriCity, Andhra Pradesh for sustainable development in the Indian Sub-continent focused on cutting-edge materials of Toray. Toray manufactures polypropylene spun-bond which is the raw-material for baby and adult diaper to promote Life Innovation; compounds engineered resins for automotive, electrical and consumer goods industries for product robustness and light weighting to promote Green Innovation; and fabric for automotive airbags for Society’s Safety. Toray’s footprint in the Indian sub-continent has expanded considerably in last decade; it is committed to strategic expansion in the present decade.

PRADAN organized the third annual event Samagam for 2022. The event also marked the completion of 40 years of existence of PRADAN. This year's event had eminent speakers like Shoka Nodo UNDP Resident Representative, India, Anoop Nautiyal Founder, Social Development for Communities Foundation, Ms. Reshma Anand, CEO, Hindustan Unilever Foundation, Ms. Sonali Srivastava, Head, Anode Governance Lab, and Foundation, Dr. Saurabh Garg, IAS, CEO, UIDAI, and, Mr. Bhim Singh, IAS, Collector, District of Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, to name a few.

The focus for this year has been partnerships and winning coalitions for achieving our Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers from UNDP, Government sector, and private organizations came together to discuss the changing environment in coalitions and funding. Today's donors are seeking co-funds and government partnerships and helping deliver a greater impact on the economy.

Ms. Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative, India said, “Achieving SDGs require a truly joint approach. Different sectors, especially the civil society organizations, private sectors, academia, communities and media; we all must work together in an integrated manner by pulling resources, ideas, knowledge, expertise, listening, understanding of what's happening at the community level. Building these coalitions are integral part to SDGs and this is why we have specific goal SPG 17 for partnership. UNDP globally and in India has encouraged and promoted effective public private sector partnership, civil society partnerships to push for social goals collectively and at our end we are making our efforts to be an integrator of SDGs.”

Mr. Saroj Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN said, “There must be coalition with community institutions directly, rather than few ones who indirectly engage. Rational leadership is important and there should be honest conversations on intention, motivation, and competencies. Post pandemic, there has been an enormous increase in number of collaborations over the past two years, wherein, the funding has also scaled up. Partnerships and coalitions are significant to make the funding scenario favorable for social development projects.”

The first session focused on CSO Coalitions at work: Rationale, Experiences and Challenges talked about major factors that make coalition successful. There should be focus on the larger picture (systems thinking) instead of the symptomatic interventions. According to few speakers, identity crisis is a major factor where, discarding of ideas or thoughts can lead to imbalance in the coalition.

The second session focused on Donors seeking co-funding opportunities and challenges. Speakers talked about the need for philanthropic collaborations. Multi-stakeholder and multidimensional collaborations bring in diverse skill sets, but it requires robust alignments and course corrections. 80% of collaborations take place to leverage diverse skills, 77% collaborate to expand the circle of influence and impact, and 60% collaborate to mitigate risk. The three primary goals of collaborators include - scaling solutions, helping build field, building a case for promising innovations, spanning a range of key roles to achieve impact. 90-95% of total funding comes from govt. the rest of the 5% coming from philanthropies and CSOs make the 95% complete in terms of bringing in know-how. There is appetite amongst funders to bring a large-scale impact - US$500 million has already been mobilized and gender fund has been initiated.

Third sessions focused on Convergence of government departments is helping deliver greater impact for the development rupee. In many cases, there are convergence between programs such as MNREGA and NRLM and skill development. Partnership with academic and research institutions, person power is different forms of convergence.

Stakeholders from across sectors gathered to discuss perspectives of Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar and develop a shared vision on how to improve public services for vulnerable citizens
 

This is Indus Action's first initiative to build the congregation of an active Samaaj and to create a platform for various stakeholders to work together towards shared development goals such as agency, voice, democracy, liberty, dignity, equality, fraternity, justice, etc., and their ensuing process pathways. The purpose is to see each other as active citizens and to understand how welfare works together as a whole system.

“To me, empathy and creativity are the two most important words when it comes to making change through Samaaj organizations. The shrinking of identities to narrow communities can benefit the Bazaar and Sarkaar components, but one must take a step back and co-create the good governance that we want for a better Samaaj. This may seem idealistic, but this human project can be executed through small actions towards a larger social goal with a feeling of hope and belief,” added Ms. Rohini Nilekani, Head of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP).

Participants were immersed in an informative and engaging session
 

While Ms. Mahua Moitra, Member of the Lok Sabha, agreed, she said, “While empathy is an important part of Sarkaar, it does not replace good governance in terms of creating and implementing policies. The Sarkaar and Bazaar must relate and listen to beneficiaries and devise policy accordingly. Also, given that half of the population consists of women, welfare systems must create a more female-focused delivery policy.” She spoke at length about the Duare Sarkar initiative of the West Bengal state government as an example, as it aims to deliver specific schemes at the doorsteps of the people through outreach camps organized at the level of gram panchayat and municipal ward level. “Improving data collection system is the need of the hour to help the future generations,” she added.

Building on this, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P Thiaga Rajan said that, “To track the progress of welfare measures, we will leverage a lot of data, but chances are it will intrude on citizens' privacy. We are trying to create a fine balance between ensuring privacy is not breached and getting the necessary information for the efficient delivery of welfare schemes.” He also shared thoughts on how governments must make larger institutional changes to ensure that schemes reach the bottom of the pyramid, such as the TN government’s recent budget, which allocated Rs. 4,816 crores for various social security pension schemes; and proposed direct cash transfer of Rs. 1,000/month for girl students pursuing higher education, by moving away from the “Thalikku Thangam Thittam” marriage assistance scheme. Through these examples, he emphasised that the mark of a good government is how it overcomes structural flaws in the policy and moves to a beneficiary-based ecosystem instead of a department-based ecosystem.

“Currently, one billion Indians are vulnerable to poverty traps for at least 15 generations if current inequalities persist. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 of zero poverty before 2047, Samaaj-Sarkaar-Bazaar must come together,” says Tarun Cherukuri, CEO, Indus Action.

Indus Action recognises that citizens have a fundamental desire to be seen and heard. It also strives every day to achieve a good society, an active Samaaj, that actualizes the value promises enshrined in constitutions, policies, and social contracts. Through this collaborative initiative, Indus Action hoped to introduce the concept of building communities that foster solidarity, create a sense of belonging, and prioritise that which unites us as Indians.

About Indus Action

Indus Action is a New Delhi-based public policy ‘do-tank’ that builds civic-tech solutions and mobilizes communities to enable policy implementation. Its mission is to help vulnerable families in India get sustainable access to legislated rights, including education, healthcare, and social security. Their vision is to lift 1 million vulnerable families out of poverty by 2025.

For more information, please visit www.indusaction.org.

Goldcrest - Ketto
 

The young minds of Goldcrest High School, Navi Mumbai, understand that access to clean water is a primary necessity for an individual to lead a healthy life. The students under the aegis The Alpha Urbane Project came forth and took it upon themselves to raise funds on Ketto.org to enable and empower rural communities to get access to water. 

In the rural parts of India, people walk an average of 7 to 20 km every day to fetch water. They carry an average of 9 liters of headload multiple times a day. With the onset of summer, as drought sets in, many of the families in the village will struggle for access to clean drinking water. The crowdfunding campaign will support marginalized families with access to water through waterwheels and reduce the burden of head loading. The beneficiaries will be selected based on selection criteria to reach out to the most marginalized.

Commenting on the student’s effort to empower the rural communities by getting access to water Ms. Kavita Malhotra, Principal, Goldcrest High School Mumbai, said, “We are proud of our students who are growing up as concerned individuals and most importantly as responsible citizens. Our students intend to alleviate the strain of water collection of these families. The deployment of taps seems to be a logical solution but it will be a lengthy process. Hence we decided to partner with Habitat for Humanity as they have introduced water wheels, which is a simple water carrying device. With the help of a water wheel even young children can push around 45 liters of water with ease and in a short duration of time.” 

Habitat for Humanity India has addressed this dire need of families by providing a waterwheel. This activity has not only brought relief to the women’s lives but also has achieved a paradigm shift in the villager’s mindset in fetching water. It is observed that in rural villages the fetching of water is the primary responsibility of women folks, they start fetching water early in the morning along with their other routine day-to-day work. But now there is a change as men and young boys are willing to carry water with the help of a water wheel from long distances.
 

The students of Goldcrest High School have proved that through persistence and determination, anything can be achieved. Ria Deshpande (Deputy Sports Captain Grade 11), Rishika Chattopadhyay (Deputy Head Girl Grade 11) and Rushikesh Sude (Head boy Grade 12) started a crowdfunding campaign on Ketto.org and raised INR 5.84 lakh from over 451 donors. The amount raised from the public will be used by the renowned NGO Habitat for Humanity to ensure the transparent distribution of water wheels in rural areas. 
 

Commenting on the initiative, Ria Deshpande (Deputy Sports Captain Grade 11), Rishika Chattopadhyay (Deputy Head Girl Grade 11) and Rushikesh Sude (Head boy Grade 12) Goldcrest High School said, “We can’t begin to comprehend the challenges these people undergoes on a daily basis. As concerned individuals it is our moral responsibility to help such families who need our assistance. That is when TAUP reached out to us and introduced us to crowdfunding. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to create an impact of this magnitude, as students.”
 

The funds collected on Ketto.org will enable Habitat for Humanity to distribute water wheels in selected villages of Karjat Block in Raigad District, Maharashtra, Nandgaon, Khandeswar block of Amravati district in Maharashtra. Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. Sindhoni, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, supporting over 900 families. 

IOM-NITI Aayog National Conclave
 

The Conclave broadly focused on

1. Identifying and sharing of good practices and lessons learned by different states during the critical stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

2. Developing an understanding of the invaluable nature of a multi-stakeholder participatory approach like partnerships with the private sector for responsible recruitment of migrant workers

3. Working towards combined action by states of origin and states of destination for the safety of migrant workers buoyed by the context provided by NITI Aayog’s draft ‘National Policy Framework on Migrant Labour’; and,

4. Promotion of better understanding of, and response to, needs and challenges of female migrants in the supply chain of the garment industry.

The inaugural ceremony of the Conclave commenced with a welcome note by Shri Sanjay Awasthi, Head of Office, IOM’s Mission in India. This was followed by a special address by Shri Sarat Dash, Chief of Mission of Sri Lanka and Maldives and IOM DG’s Special Envoy to India and Bhutan. The Deputy Advisor from NITI Aayog, Dr. Muniraju. S. B. talked about the need for “evidence-based policy formulation along with design and delivery of compensation packages, through a need-based and in a gender sensitive manner.” The inaugural speeches echoed the intent of the Conclave, where diverse and seemingly disparate groups, had gathered as primary stakeholders to engage in dialogue, deliberation and decision-making, that has become symbolic of migration management efforts. Besides this being the hallmark of a whole-of-society approach, Mr. Sanjay Awasthi elucidated the rigor of the Government of India, in migration data management, within and outside India. Reflecting on the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic, which resulted in a 2.2% decline in global remittances in 2020, Mr. Sarat Das, “proud of their contribution” talked about migrant workers’ resilience. Despite compounding of “vulnerabilities due to their socio economic status, suboptimal living environments, eligibility or access to services including health services, cultural or linguistic barriers at their destinations, migrant workers still contributed 702 billion USD compared to 718billion USD in 2019”. Dr. Muniraju., shed light on the numerous initiatives of the government, like constitution of several committees under Disaster management Act, 2005, collaborative efforts with UN Agencies and NGOs, and launching of almost Rs. 1.7 lakh crores to help the committees of the economically disadvantaged states.

Three sessions spread out over one day, brought together stakeholders from multiple sectors. Session 1, comprised of detailed presentations by representatives from the state labor departments of Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Haryana. Each state acknowledged the stiff challenges when the ‘lockdown’ was enforced and the innovative ways that their resources were mobilized to maximize protective cover to migrant workers, amidst uncertainties. Some of the outstanding efforts was joint action between states of origin and states of destination to ply special trains and buses, provisions for temporary shelter and food, coordination between labor and law enforcement control rooms, appointment of nodal officers from different departments and monetary help, among many other novel initiatives. Dr. Muniraju, spoke about the importance of distinguishing between “inter-state and intra-state due to different needs” and “information management and communication control to mitigate harm through the spread of fake news”.

Session 2 delved deep into partnerships and collaborations with the private sector, including export houses, global brands, supply chains, labor recruitment agents and agencies, NGOs and CSOs. Dr. Surabhi Singh, India Centre for Migration, MEA, as the Chair of the session, commending the practices of the public and private organizations, said that “the need is to coordinate strategies and not have fragmented practices”.

Session 3, a panel discussion on ‘A National Policy for protection and welfare of Migrant Workers’ demonstrated the solution-seeking and sustaining capacity of stakeholders through appropriate and timely mobilization of resources for the benefit of migrant workers. One of the key takeaways was that a crisis can be converted into an opportunity and migration is synonymous with opportunity. Panelists talked about specific policies at the states of origin and destination respectively, by recognizing the multisectoral nature of labor migration, understanding the demographic makeup of regions to devise adequate solutions caused by changes related to migration. It is thus crucial to be clear about migration and ‘migrant workers’ without getting mired in misguiding terminologies, which can have a deleterious effect on migrant communities. Lastly, recommendations for robust policies through programs and partnerships for the protection of children were made, especially in light of COVID-19 that disrupted child protection networks.
 

Concluding the event, Shri Sanjay Awasthi, said, “Migration is an international issue and with pandemic the crisis only accelerated manifold. Through this conclave, IOM aims to create awareness about the challenges faced by migrant workers and develop best practices with the help of stakeholders, to be adopted for their safety and welfare.”

The Conclave's main aim was to aid in achieving inclusive, broad-based, and effective governance of migration through sharing of experiences, expertise, and best practices. Against this backdrop, IOM is poised to support and build capacities of public and private entities in developing a comprehensive approach for increasing coordination between all stakeholders involved in human migration and mobility. The need of the hour is to build back better migration management frameworks with multilateral cooperation and collaboration to encourage safe migration. Additionally, as markets across the country and the world reel under the impact of COVID-19, it is more important than ever to explore good practices and formulate evidence-based practices.

To continue the discussion on migration, IOM is also organizing a media roundtable on March 30, 2022 to discuss and debate on the migration issue, reporting on the issue by media and their perspective on the subject and the role played by IOM in managing the migrant crisis efficiently.

About IOM

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental partners. 

With 174 member states, a further eight states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. 

About NITI Aayog

The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, and the nodal agency tasked with catalyzing economic development, and fostering cooperative federalism through the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.⁽¹⁾
 

(1) NITI Aayog - Wikipedia

The six partners who would be working across 10 different states in India includes are:

• Centre for Development Orientation and Training (CDOT)

• Drishtee Development and Communication Limited

• Fincare Small Finance Bank Limited

• I25 Outreach Private Limited

• Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank Limited

• Sub-K Impact Solutions Limited
   

The 10 states covered under the project are: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
 

The project supports informed pilots with established BC Network Managers (BCNMs) to test cost-effective and agile ways of establishing, on-boarding and training new BC Agents and to improve viability of individual agents by diversifying and increasing revenue as well as working on customer empowerment.
 

Talking about the program, Prabhat Labh, Chief Executive Officer, Grameen Foundation India said, “Business Correspondent model enabled by India’s robust digital ecosystem holds immense potential to drive financial inclusion and economic growth in India’s hinterland, and effectively serve the under-served populations, particularly women. We are truly excited about partnering with leading organizations in this space which are keen to innovate, learn and scale their impact.”
 

This action research project will test and scale effective BC models and approaches and engage interested stakeholders in order to drive sectoral learning, replication and transformation.
 

Gaurav Chakraverty, Chief Operating Officer, Grameen Foundation India spoke about the utilization of cutting-edge solutions for the communities. He said, “We are looking to enrich the BC agent and customer experience and engagement by adopting Human Centric Designs in product baskets, training and communication strategies using innovative technology solutions for scale.”
 

Through its collaborations with the six partners, Grameen Foundation India aims to develop a micro savings product and come up with a comprehensive package of financial and digital services to be offered through BC points to deliver compelling customer value proposition. BC partners will improve their agent selection and enhance the skills and gender sensitivity of BC agents and staffs. Through the project, GFI will also implement a customer education and marketing initiative that will facilitate the BC Networks to expand their customer base to new customer segments and drive uptake and usage of products.
 

About Grameen Foundation India

Grameen Foundation India is a leading social impact organization, working on financial inclusion, agriculture-based livelihoods and health and nutrition initiatives with the mission to enable the poor, especially women to overcome poverty and hunger. Inspired by the work of Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, Grameen provides works in partnership with leading development organizations in India to ideate, innovate and scale breakthrough solutions that reach underserved populations, particularly women. Over the last 11 years, Grameen has directly impacted over 1.5 million people, primarily low income women in rural areas through its programs.

Follow Grameen Foundation on: Twitter| Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | GFI Website

Dr. Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity India
 

Themed around ‘Reshaping Inclusive Growth Through Housing’ the two-day virtual conference will focus on building collaborations to impact affordable housing sector in India and contribute to the Government of India’s vision of ‘Housing for All’. It also aims to recognize and act on the importance of housing as a driver of inclusion, resilience and sustainability in human settlements, and promote leaders and sector players in innovative and high impact housing initiatives through the sharing of best practices.

Some of the main speakers of the India Housing Forum include Shri. Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Dr. Shailesh Agrawal, Executive Director, Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council and Dr. Rajan Samuel, Managing Director of Habitat for Humanity India.

“Since its inception, the India Housing Forum has facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogues and partnerships on a common platform to address the challenges of affordable housing. This year the focus is on how affordable and sustainable housing solutions can bring an inclusive future for vulnerable and low-income families through greener, safer, and more resilient approaches. Housing has the potential to create economic growth and recovery especially in a post pandemic world. Our goal is to continue to make a significant contribution to honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Housing for All vision to address India’s housing deficit,” said Dr. Rajan Samuel, Managing Director, Habitat for Humanity India.

The health and economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic has exacerbated the housing crisis and made clear how crucial having safe, secure, and adequate housing is to one’s health, wellbeing, and even survival. India Housing Forum brings together industry leaders, innovators, policy experts, and various stakeholders to inspire a new vision for more inclusive, healthy, and resilient communities through sessions on topics such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, health and housing, role of housing in mitigating the impact of climate change, innovative housing technology, financing affordable housing and the role of CSR (corporate social responsibility) in creating a socio-economic revival post the pandemic.

The role of housing and the construction sector is pivotal for the fast-paced recovery of India’s economy. Better housing conditions improve the coping mechanism of marginalised populations in dealing with socioeconomic shocks and reduce inequalities among them. The importance of housing as a driver of economic growth and sustainability will be one of the central discussions during the Forum.
 

The India Housing Forum which has been attended by over 1200 participants since its inaugural edition in 2015 is supported by ESAF Small Finance Bank and Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter.

The forum will adopt a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Register on housingforumindia.org and find out more about the forum.

About Habitat for Humanity India

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global non-profit working in more than 70 countries. In India since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 37 million people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.
 

To learn more about us, visit www.habitatindia.org.

(L-R) Mr. Sumeet Anand, H. E. Mr. Emmanuel Lenain, Shri. Subhash Desai, Shri Baldev Singh, Dr. P. Anbalagan and Ms. Payal Kanwar

Mr. Sumeet Anand, Founder of IndSight Growth Partners was re-elected as President for a second term to represent one of India’s most active bilateral trade Chamber, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI). His election coincides with a favorable economic context between both countries, with close to 1000 French establishments in India, France is one of India’s top economic partners with over 1000 French firms established in the country generating 350,000 jobs.

On this occasion, Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI said, “We are extremely delighted with Sumeet Anand’s re-election, he has played an important role in IFCCI’s ongoing development. Today’s MoU signing with MIDC is a testimony of the growing interest and expansion of French companies in the state of Maharashtra and we look forward to building a strong partnership.”

"French companies have a major presence in Maharashtra. Partnership with IFCCI will further strengthen our relationship with France," Dr. P. Anbalagan, CEO, MIDC.

The announcement was made in the presence of than 80 French and Indian business leaders in who were physically present for the event. The Chamber promotes trade between India and France represents a network of 650 member companies in both countries. It was also awarded two years in a row as Best Performing Chamber by the CCI France International.

About IFCCI

Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry belongs to a worldwide network of 123 French Chambers (CCIFI) in 120 countries with over 35,000 companies. One of the most active bilateral chambers in India, the Indo-French Chamber is a private association that promotes mutually beneficial trade relations between India & France. IFCCI represents a dynamic business platform of over 600 company members and a total network of more than 10,000 individual members. Headquartered in Mumbai, IFCCI has four other offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune.

Lamp Lighting at Empowerment Conclave by Y4D Foundation
 

“Y4D Foundation envisions the nation where each of its citizens lives a happy and content life. This can be attained easily by empowering the underprivileged sections. Their full potential can be harnessed through encouragement, education and employment. We are working towards shaping up a society which is sustainable for future generations and we humbly request all the stakeholders to join hands together in achieving this mission and pave the way for better India,” said Mr. Praful Nikam, President, Y4D Foundation. The event is a substantial extension of the ideology of building a nation where every citizen lives with dignity and equal opportunities.
 

The stepping stones to accomplishing the grand vision for a better India in the next 25 years were unveiled at the conclave. The grand revelation includes a declaration of MoU signed between Y4D Foundation and Policy Bazaar for a large scale Financial Literacy Program in collaboration, to educate the youth about financial skills and knowledge at an early stage to help them to make informed financial decisions. A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business. 
 

An Employability and Soft Skill Training Program in collaboration with Ishanya Foundation and Tata Motors was also announced during the conclave. A special Skill Training Centre has been set up by the Y4D Foundation, for marginalized communities to impart knowledge, hands-on training and market-oriented learning modules, which will enable them to take new economy jobs.
 

A pan India program to enhance medical infrastructure by establishing mobile health care centres, called Ayushmaan Adhaar Health program in partnership with Adhaar Housing Finance Limited was announced during the event. In past, they have organised 100 Health Camps across 7 States, donated 6 ambulances in 6 states and set up a water boat ambulance in Dal Lake, Kashmir under their previous project. Y4D Foundation is also upgrading the Rural Health care centre in Satara District of Maharashtra in collaboration with Alfa Laval India Private Limited. The full spectrum of high-quality, needs-based essential healthcare services will be made available to the entire population. It will not only protect them in distress but also from financial hardship due to out-of-pocket payments for health services. 
 

Honorable Finance Minister of State, Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, graced the event with his presence and appreciated the initiatives. Commenting on the digital and financial education program, he said, “The streamlined financial literacy program designed by Y4D Foundation falls in line with several schemes initiated by Government of India, under the able guidance of our honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, to spread awareness about financial instruments and money management skills. Promoting and imparting digital literacy would help bridge the wealth gap and facilitate economic mobility to each and every section of society. I believe it's crucial for organisations like Y4D Foundation in order to foster efficiency and self-reliance amongst the youth of the country.”
 

Dr. Abhay Jere (CIO, Ministry of Education), Mr. Gaurav Dalmia (Chairmain, Dalmia Group), Mr. Sumit Antil (Gold Medalist, Paralympics), Mr. Yogeshwar Dutt (Medalist, Olympics), Mr. Singhraj Adahana (Medalist, Paralympics) and Mr. Radhakrishnan Pillai (Author) were the guests of honour. A discerning panel of eminent personalities from their respective fields shared their insights on youth empowerment through education, rural development, national integrity, social upliftment, nutrition and economic sustainability.
 

With an aim to set an example and to inspire others to work towards bringing positive transformations, a felicitation ceremony was convened during the event to recognise people/organizations, such as Policy Bazaar, Tata Motors, Ishanya Foundation etc., that have done exemplary work in the area of “Empowering the Underprivileged”. 

About Y4D Foundation

Y4D Foundation is a youth led organization working on empowering the underprivileged section of our society. Y4D has a pan India presence through its wide network of Volunteer Chapters across the country. Y4D Foundation focused its interventions on issues concerning youth and children which brought about significant changes in their lives in terms of education, health, skill, career and sustainable livelihood. Y4D also works on Environment conservation, women empowerment, Food safety and security. Being an organisation who cares for society, Y4D gets engaged in projects as the situation demands under natural or manmade disasters, like COVID-19 Pandemic, Flood, Drought Relief etc. Y4D is committed to empower the underprivileged section of our society by creating an enabling environment through Encouragement, Education and Employment so that citizens can harness their full potential and live happy and healthy lives with dignity and contribute positively to society. Y4D is working towards shaping up a society which is sustainable for future generations by working on environment conservation and introducing values in society.

Employer Dashboard for Saksham

The statement from Saksham says that there is no fee for the recruiters to get such access. Rather, all companies registering with Saksham to get access to blue-collared workforce in different parts of India, are also offered low interest overdraft facilities and business automation software, along with various other incentives if they choose to get the same.

“We are currently in touch with various public sector units, and we invite all large employers as well as the MSMEs, to get associated with Saksham, and find the right set of blue-collared and unskilled workers in any location of their choice. Through almost half a million workers currently registered, and an objective of covering 10 million in the next few months, we can provide workforce that is deeply engaged with our artificially intelligent empathetic career guide,” says Hardik Somani, Director of Sapio Analytics, responsible for effective execution of this initiative.

Workers can say Hi on Whatsapp number +91 72086 35370 to register themselves to an empathetic bot, that takes them through the right process of skill evaluation and career guidance. It helps them get job of their choice and ability.

Saksham is building its deep and influential reach with the workers of India, through its Sahyog Committee, that includes members from different corners of India. Vishwadharam Jan Kalyan Seva Samiti from Chattisgarh, PASDO and ISRD from the North Eastern States, URF and Ulgulan for Social Change Foundation from Maharashtra, and various other bodies from northern and southern states of India, have come together to support Saksham.

“TIFAC is also planning for a state level launch of Saksham and has made a formal request to all the Chief Secretaries of the State and UTs, across the nation. Sapio Analytics, nominated as a nodal agency by TIFAC for this pan India movement, is also driving state-level outreach. We hope to ensure that none of the 300 million workforce is missed out of this movement, and that we form a deep relationship with each of these workers, building trust of lifetime with them,” adds Somani.

Presented as the largest such economic movement driven by the empowerment of the blue collared workers, Saksham is also helping revive companies that are in need of the workforce as well as any form of transformation for growth. Indian start-up ecosystem has seen an influx of venture capital investment in the blue-collar workforce industry, in form of start-ups such as Apna and Betterplace among others.

Sri Madhusudan Agarwal, Co-founder, Ajanta Pharma Ltd., Mrs. H.E. Grace Akello, High Commissioner of Uganda, New Delhi, Sri Vinod Saraogi, Chairman, Meridian Group of Companies & Go Colors
 

Uganda is politically very stable. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveri, Uganda has progressed multi-fold and has not seen any public unrest for the last 34 years.
 

• Uganda offers Red Carpet to Foreign Investment and has a highly liberalized economy.

• Uganda offers free movement of capital to & from the Country for potential investor

• Uganda offers full repatriation of profits after the mandatory taxes have been paid

• Uganda allows 100% foreign ownership of private investment

• All Government incentive and Tax holidays are available from time to time are also applicable for foreign investment.

• Incentives for Industrial Zone. There is 10 years Corporation Tax Holiday. Duty Exemption on raw materials, plant and machinery. No export tax on goods exported
   

Agricultural Opportunities

Uganda offers 19 million hectares of land suitable for agricultural and presently less than 1% of this land is utilized for fruits and vegetable cultivation, thereby huge scope for agriculture.
 

Major Products of Agriculture

Uganda has the unrivalled potential to be the food basket of the East African Community. The Soil is very fertile and there is abandon water available - rice and maize can be grown abundantly both for domestic consumption and exports. Soya Bean, Sun Flower, Cotton, Sugarcane are other products which can be abundantly grown.
 

Coffee and Tea are other major products produced Uganda is the major producer of fruits - all varieties of Banana are grown in Uganda, Mango cultivation is very big, Pineapple, Jackfruit, Oranges, Papaya, Guava are freely grown throughout Uganda. Avocado is also widely grown and has potential for exports. Agriculture 4 Crops is possible per Annam.
 

• Uganda is most suited for Floriculture and all varieties of flowers can be grown for exports to Europe and USA.

• Coffee and Tea have huge potential for processing, packaging and exports. For all above agriculture Products, we require agriculture machinery and proper packaging to preserve and export.

• Milk - Uganda is surplus in Milk, so Milk products and Milk powder can be produced for domestic consumption and export.
   

Shri. Madhusudan Agrawal, Co-founder, Ajanta Pharma Ltd., Shri. Vinod Saraogi, Chairman, Meridian Group of Companies & Go Colors, Shri. Paras Jain, Chief Coordinator was also present for the Press meet.