15, Dec 2023
Meghalaya Garners Recognition in State Energy Efficiency Performance at National Energy Conservation Awards 2023
National, 15th December 2023: In acknowledgment of its exceptional performance in the State Energy Efficiency Index, the state of Meghalaya has been awarded the second prize in the State Energy Efficiency Performance Award (Group 4) at the esteemed National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023. This distinguished ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the esteemed presence of The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. This noteworthy achievement underscores Meghalaya’s steadfast dedication to energy conservation and efficiency. The NECA, an annual event observed on “National Energy Conservation Day,” recognizes commendable efforts in energy conservation spanning various sectors of the economy.
The National Energy Conservation Day and the Awards are being organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, which is delegated as per the Energy Conservation Act 2001, to regulate and promote energy efficiency and its conservation in India. Every year on 14th December, these Awards are given by the Government of India to various sectors of the economy, recognizing the exemplary efforts on Energy Conservation in the country by these sectors.
Expressing his jubilation, Shri Abu Taher Mondal, Hon’ble Minister of the Department of Power, Government of Meghalaya, stated, “The State Energy Efficiency Performance Award reflects our commitment to sustainable practices and energy conservation, motivating us to persist in our endeavors towards a greener and more energy-efficient future. Meghalaya has consistently spearheaded sustainable energy initiatives, recently launching a Rs 500 crore Solar Mission to ensure a sustainable power source in the state. Furthermore, in the realm of hydro energy, the commissioning of the 33/11kv, 1×2.5MVA substation at Krang village, with a total investment of Rs. 6.60 Crores has facilitated the seamless transfer of 2549 households from Krang and its adjoining villages.”
Meghalaya is heavily dependent on the hydro power for its power procurement and hence has been generating the green power. Further to harness the Solar Power, Meghalaya had planned solar parks at two locations with capacity of 20 MW each i.e., Suchen and Thamar. The Distribution losses in MePDCL has been reduced gradually recent years. Compared to the distribution losses 25% in the financial year 2021–2022, the distribution loss in the financial year 2022–2023 was 16%. Several measures has been take to improve Billing efficiency also. The draft Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) is under consideration for implementation. A Demand Side Management Cell also established in MePDCL under assistance of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, New Delhi to formulate suitable business model to adopt DSM activities. The Publicity and Awareness activities are being carried out by the SDA regularly.
Shri Sanjay Goyal, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Power Department, Govt. Of Meghalaya, remarked, “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable and resilient power infrastructure. The objective is not only to meet the energy requirements of the community but also to establish a foundation for enhanced service reliability and overall progress in the region.”
Apart from this, the Government notified the Meghalaya Energy Conservation Regulation-2017 with the objective to promote use of BEE Star level appliance in public procurement and ban uses of incandescent lamp and inefficient magnetic-wire chock of Tube lights.
Government of Meghalaya recently launch The Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 aims to have 15% of the state’s vehicles be electric by 2025. The policy offers purchase incentives for early adoption of EVs based on the energy capacity of the battery.
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- By Rabindra
15, Dec 2023
Bandhan Bank authorised by RBI for disbursing pension to Railways
December 15, 2023: Bandhan Bank, a pan-India universal bank, today announced that it has been authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the disbursement of pension through e-PPOs on behalf of Indian Railway. Indian Railways in the largest employer in the country with an employee strength of nearly 12 lakh. The Bank will soon be integrating with the Ministry of Railways to operationalize the pension disbursement process.
This authorization enables Bandhan Bank to disburse pension to nearly 15 lakh Indian Railways pensioners who have retired from the service. This mandate also provides the Bank an opportunity to serve around 50,000 average Indian Railways retirees every year across all offices including 17 zonal railways and 8 production units of Indian Railways.
This will provide the existing as well as new customers of Bandhan Bank an opportunity to avail the world-class banking services, competitive interest rates along with senior citizen privilege provided by the Bank. Pensioners also get access to more than 1640 branches and best in best-in-class digital banking platform of Bandhan Bank.
Debraj Saha, Head – Government Business, Bandhan Bank said, “Indian Railways is one of the prestigious and largest employer in the country. Authorization to disburse pension to retired employees of railways provides an opportunity to serve them with the best products and services of the bank. It also gives the retired employees an opportunity to enjoy the most competitive rates provided by Bandhan Bank. This mandate by Ministry of Finance, Railways and RBI is a testament of the confidence and trust placed by the regulators and government on our bank.
This new authorization allows us to play a pivotal role in the efficient disbursement of pensions to Indian Railways retirees, contributing to their financial well-being during their golden years. We are now better equipped to serve retirees in a more streamlined, secure, and prompt manner.”
15, Dec 2023
Unprecedented Surge: ABP News Emerges as Viewers’ Choice During State Assembly Election Counting Hours
New Delhi, December 15, 2023: ABP News, a leading Hindi news channel of India, has achieved an astounding milestone in viewership during the recent state assembly elections held in November 2023. According to the data released by BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council), ABP News experienced an exceptional surge in viewership during the crucial counting hours on Sunday, 3rd December 2023.
The comparative analysis conducted by BARC, comparing the peak hours from 08:00 to 12:00 on Sun 03 Dec 2023 with the preceding four Sundays, revealed an outstanding growth trajectory for ABP News. In the rolled data comparison, ABP News witnessed a staggering 189% increase in viewership during the crucial counting period, highlighting the channel’s dominance in delivering comprehensive and engaging coverage of the state assembly elections results.
Source: BARC, 15+ Individuals, HSM, Sun 03 Dec 2023 vs pre 4 Sundays, 08:00 – 12:00, Rolled data.
Unrolled Data Viewership Trend
Delving deeper into the unrolled data trend, the statistics unveiled an even more remarkable surge. ABP News saw an unprecedented spike, surpassing a tenfold increase in viewership during the peak counting hours of 08:00 – 12:00 on the decisive Sunday of 03 Dec 2023, as compared to the average viewership of the same time frame on the previous four Sundays. (Source: BARC, 15+ Individuals, HSM, 03 Dec 2023, 08:00 – 12:00)
This remarkable surge in viewership not only reflects the audience’s confidence in ABP News but also signifies the channel’s credibility and appeal in delivering timely and informative coverage during critical events. The channel’s dedication to presenting unbiased and credible information ensures that every piece of news contributes to an informed society, influencing opinions with a sense of reliability and trust.
ABP News continues to be at the forefront of responsible journalism, maintaining a strong connection with its audience by providing them with news that matters and empowers them to make informed decisions.
14, Dec 2023
More than 1000 Retail Associates celebrated the Retail Employees’ Day at Growel’s 101 Mall
Mumbai, December 14, 2023: It was an enjoyable day at Growel’s 101 Mall as the Mall management arranged a lunch with engaging activities for retail associates to mark Retail Employees’ Day on December 12, 2023. The festive celebration was extended to encompass all the Retailers, Brands, and F&B partners, and outsourced staff operating in the mall.
On December 12, 2023, each retail employee/associate received a warm welcome at the decorated mall entry upon reporting to work. Mall leadership addressed all associates with words of encouragement and motivation, recognizing their hard work in delivering customer delight. Team-building activities infused with fun were organized for all retail associates to foster camaraderie and celebrate this special day.
The ‘Retail Employees’ Day’ is an annual movement initiated in 2011 by TRRAIN & RAI, observed on the 12th of December. This day is dedicated to spreading joy to retail employees who tirelessly serve and delight customers every other day.
Speaking about employee well-being, Gerald Mathew, General Manager, Growel’s 101 Mall, said, “Our commitment to fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment is reflected in today’s festivities, where we come together as a family to appreciate the efforts of those who tirelessly serve our customers. At Growel’s 101 Mall, we not only value our associates’ dedication on Retail Employees’ Day but also strive to prioritise their well-being year-round. We believe that happy employees contribute to the success and vibrancy of our mall. Here’s to a day of celebration, gratitude, and a shared commitment to making Growel’s 101 Mall an even more delightful place to work and shop.”
A recreational zone has been established for retail associates to use their break time for relaxation and socializing with co-workers. The recreation zone offers indoor activities such as foosball, carrom, chess, and various board games, providing associates with an enjoyable time with their colleagues. Additionally, festivities like Diwali, Christmas, and Mall Anniversary are celebrated with retail associates, and special events like cricket tournaments and talent hunts are regularly conducted throughout the year to uplift the spirits of retail associates.
14, Dec 2023
Pahle India Foundation (PIF) appeals to GOM on Online Gaming’ ahead of its 1st meeting, to review existing Lottery Regulations
New Delhi, 14 December: Pahle India Foundation (PIF) appeals to the ‘GOM on Online Gaming’ ahead of its 1st meeting, to review existing Lottery Regulations as well. Pahle India Foundation (PIF) welcomes the Government of India’s decision to constitute a Group of Ministers (GOM) to review the regulatory framework for the Online Gaming Industry.
As the GoM meets for its first meeting on the 15th Dec under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, PIF would like to appeal to the members of the GoM to also review the existing regulations on ‘Lottery’ and bring necessary reforms.
PIF has recently concluded a study titled ‘Lottery in India – A Study on Regulatory Framework and Potential for Social Funding’ where it has reviewed the existing regulations on Lottery in the country and has identified major gaps. PIF recommends an urgent review of the 25-year-old regulation in light of the increased internet penetration in India in the last few decades, and the absence of player protection and minimum age criterion in the existing rules. The offshore online lotteries operating outside the jurisdiction of the Indian regulatory apparatus pose significant challenges and demand urgent attention.
PIF has also done a comprehensive review of the operational processes and the financial models followed by the Indian States where a lottery is currently allowed and operational. In such states also, there is an urgent need for reforms to bring transparency using technology, and adopt best practices to ensure child safety and player protection.
PIF has also reviewed lottery ecosystems in countries like the UK and explored the sector’s potential for social funding in India. Pahle India Foundation is a New Delhi-based economic think tank founded by Dr Rajiv Kumar in 2013. Its motto is ‘Putting India First to Make India First’. PIF has done in-depth research on ‘Online Gaming’ as well as ‘Lottery’. Its reports ‘A Regulatory Framework for the Online Gaming Sector’ and ‘Lottery in India.
14, Dec 2023
F2F Corporate Consultants Private Limited Leader, Dr. Umesh Kamble, Honoured with Prestigious FSSAI Award
December 14, 2023; Mumbai; India: In a significant recognition of excellence in the field of food safety, Dr. Umesh Kamble, the visionary leader at F2F Corporate Consultants Private Limited, has been awarded the esteemed AFSTI-FSSAI Award 2023. The award, presented at the 9th International Food Congress (IFCoN) in Mysuru, acknowledges Dr. Kamble’s exemplary contributions to advancing food safety standards in India.
During the prestigious ceremony held on December 7, 2023, Dr. Kamble was felicitated by Dr. S Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, in the presence of notable personalities including Her Highness Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of Mysore and other distinguished guests.
As an Advanced Manufacturing Trainer and FSSAI-FOSTAC’s nationwide training partner since 2018, Dr. Kamble has been a driving force behind impactful food safety initiatives. He has led F2F Corporate Consultants Private Limited, in conducting over 150 dynamic training sessions, both on-site and online, successfully certifying more than 8000 Food Safety Supervisors across diverse sectors. These sessions have been pivotal in enhancing food safety knowledge and practices, contributing significantly to national food safety standards.
Dr. Kamble’s influence extends to active participation in critical FSSAI initiatives like Eat Right India, BHOG, AAHAR, and Safe & Nutritious Food at School. Collaborating with FDA Maharashtra, his reach has impacted regions such as Mumbai, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and more. Under his guidance, F2F Corporate Consultants Private Limited has also established strategic MOUs with several colleges, furthering their mission of widespread food safety education.
Reflecting on the award, Dr. Kamble stated, “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to our collective effort at F2F Corporate Consultants Private Limited to uplift food safety standards. Our mission is to empower individuals and businesses with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure food safety, and this award strengthens our resolve to continue making a difference.”
In April 2023, Dr. Kamble’s contributions were further acknowledged by the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra, Shri. Ramesh Bais ji, for his role in the “Eat Right Mella” campaigns. Additionally, his initiatives for World Food Safety Day 2022, where he led campaigns for street food vendors in Pune, underscore his commitment to making food safety a public priority.
14, Dec 2023
Erisha E-Mobility and Uttarakahand Government sign MOU worth INR 1900 Crore for establishment of EV Park
Dehradun, 14th December 2023 – In a significant stride towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, the Uttarakhand Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Erisha E Mobility Private Limited, a pioneering player in the electric mobility sector. The MOU, signed on 8 December 2023, outlines a collaborative effort to establish an Electric Vehicle (EV) Park and deploy 100 state-of-the-art EV charging hubs across Uttarakhand.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was formalized in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Dr. Darshan Rana, Chairman and Managing Director, Erisha E Mobility Private Limited.
Expressing a robust future outlook with enthusiasm, Dr. Darshan Rana, Chairman and Managing Director, of Erisha E Mobility Private Limited commented, “We are excited to partner with the Uttarakhand Government in their mission to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Our expertise in electric mobility solutions, combined with the government’s commitment to sustainability, will undoubtedly create a positive impact on the environment and drive economic growth.”
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Park proposed on 320 acres with the investment of INR 1500 crores, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, is poised to become a hub for innovation, research, and development in the field of electric mobility. It will provide a platform for Electric Vehicles manufacturing, ancillary units set up, technology providers, and researchers to collaborate, fostering the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem in Uttarakhand. The company is also committed to generating the employment of 5000 persons (Direct+Indirect).
Additionally, the project aims to establish a robust charging infrastructure with the installation of 100 Electric Vehicle charging hubs with the proposed investment of INR 400 crore, strategically located across the state. This network will ensure convenient access to charging facilities, facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing the carbon footprint of transportation in Uttarakhand. The total investment of INR 1900 crore will be over a period of 10 years’ time.
14, Dec 2023
MAHE celebrates the first light image from SUIT onboard Aditya-L1
National, 14 December 2023: The first light image from the Solar ultraviolet imaging telescope (SUIT) onboard India’s first dedicated space observatory Aditya –L1 brought cheers from the members of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched Aditya –L1 to study the Sun on 2nd September 2023.
Dr Sreekumar, Director, Manipal Centre for Natural Sciences (MCNS), MAHE, and the former director of Space Science Program Office, ISRO, explains “Aditya-L1 will be positioned in a unique location, Lagrange point 1, where the gravitational attraction by Sun and Earth on the spacecraft, is nearly balanced, providing a low-maintenance orbit. It facilitates almost continuous visibility of the Sun.”
One of the prime onboard telescopes SUIT was developed jointly across multiple institutions, with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune as the PI institute and major contributions from ISRO and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), along with other institutes.
Dr. Sreejith Padinhatteeri, Assistant Professor, MCNS, MAHE, who is also the Project Scientist and Operational Manager of SUIT, elaborated SUIT is unique, as globally it is for the first time, we observe the full Sun in the near ultraviolet spectral range of 200nm – 400 nm. The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes in the solar plasma create features on the Sun like Sunspots, Plages, Filaments, etc. They also cause the sudden release of huge amounts of energy (equal to millions of atomic bombs going off together), known as Solar Flares, and the eruption of Plasma, called Coronal Mass Ejections. SUIT will study these processes and in near ultraviolet regime to explore it’s underlying physics. We know that ultraviolet radiation coming from the Sun has a direct impact on Earth’s atmosphere, especially the upper stratosphere. SUIT will investigate how much ultraviolet radiations are emitted from the Sun regularly and during magnetic activities.”
Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd) expressed his happiness and said “It is a proud moment for all of us at MAHE, we will continue to support and contribute to such missions of national importance.”
Two first light images from SUIT onboard Aditya-L1. The left image is taken in a spectral bandwidth peak transmission at 388nm and 1 nm bandwidth. The right image is taken in Mg II h (280.3 nm with 0.4 nm bandwidth). The dark spots seen are known as Sunspots, where the magnetic field strength is extremely high to the quiet Sun region. The region around the n around the sunspot emits lots of UV radiations especially in certain spectral bands like MgII h (as seen in the right-side image), and they are called Plages. More such images can be seen at ISRO page https://www.isro.gov.in/Aditya_L1_SUIT.htmll
14, Dec 2023
3rd Edition of Bio-Agri 2023 organised by Hyderabad BIPA, world’s oldest trade body Bio Agri industry begins at HICC in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, December 14, 2023….We live in a country where touching the earth is considered a good omen. Be it a sport like Kabaddi, an artist performing on a stage, a farmer who cultivates the land, touching the earth is practiced from ages. It is an age-old practice in our country. But, we don’t pay much attention to soil health. Instead, a lot of attention is given to producers and production said Dr Sagar Hanuman Singh, DG, NIPHM (National Institute of Plant Health Management, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India while addressing a gathering at the opening of Bio-Agri conference at HICC, Madhapur on Wednesday.
He was the Chief Guest at the Bio-Agri 2023, a two-day conference on Bio-Agri Industry. 300 delegates from across India and the world are participating in the conference.
The theme for Bio Agri 2023 is “BioAg by 2030 – Miles To Go– Billions to Reach”. BIPA International Journal of Biological Agriculture was launched during the conference. An exhibition was also inaugurated along with the conference and several companies exhibited their products.
Soil gives us so much. In the food pyramid, we must start with soil. We have been abusing soil for the past 70 years with chemical fertilizers due to pressure to feed the rising population. As a result, the soil is now contaminated. It has lost its vigor, vitality, and fertility. This is where soil regeneration has arisen. So keep an eye on deteriorating soil health. Government of India schemes emphasize on soil health, in turn, plant health and human health, he added. Help soil regain its original blissful state, emphasised, Dr Sagar Hanuman Singh, DG, NIPHM
We at NIPHM train farmers how to produce Bio-fertilisers using local resources without using chemicals and technology. Associations like BIPA must discourage fly-by-night operators. More emphasis must be on quality rather than on cheap cost which these fly-by-night operators offer.
In our testing, we found that quite a significant number of Biological products and bio-pesticides do not meet standards. Quite a lot of products contain chemical pesticides, said Dr Hanuman Singh.
Dr. SK Malhotra, Project Director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA-ICAR) delivered the Bio Agri Conference address. He said the Observers Research Foundation put India in first place compared to G-20 countries in climate-smart agriculture.
He maintained that our production levels rose despite hiccups due to climate change-related problems. The country has adopted climate-resilient agriculture. India now needs to bring back nature-positive agriculture. The Pandemic taught us many lessons. We should now scale up natural-positive food systems that would simultaneously promote crop, soil, and human health, he said.
The good news is that Microbial Bio Stimulants can be registered now. Biostimulant products which are now being regulated under new Gazette Notification guidelines in India he announced
Further, he said by 2047, when India becomes 100 years of being Independent, the government of India will set an agenda to become a global powerhouse for the Food System.
Dr Praveen Rao, Former Vice Chancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) spoke about soil health and its importance. We have forgotten 5 Cs. One C is Capability. Without knowing what the soil is capable of producing we are cultivating he said. The second C is the condition of Soil, we should know what best management practices to be adopted. Third C is Capital, the natural capital of soil.
The fourth C is Connectivity and the fifth C is Codification, which talks about the favourable policies, education, governance, etc. Soil health will decide plant health which in turn decides animal health, which subsequently decides ecology health that will have an impact on planet health. In the 1960s fertilizers and water were key areas and now it is soil health he was served.
Dr. KRK Reddy, President of Bio Agri Input Producers Association (BIPA), a 20 years old, non profit body said 90 companies are supporting BIPA
Dr D. R. Venkatesh, Secretary of BIPA gave a report of activities undertaken during the last year. He mentioned that BIPA is the oldest Bio-Agri industry body in the world. He shared that BIPA would be moving into their own office premises next year which was acquired at an investment of Rs 40 lakhs. Govt of Telangana has allocated space on 35 years lease it was informed.
Some of the topics to be addressed during the two-day conference include Bio-abling the future –India opportunity; Global business opportunities in Biologicals, bio-nutrition; Ag-biologicals: opportunities beyond agriculture, emerging technologies and business opportunities, investment opportunities in India, and many others.
14, Dec 2023
Exclusive Live Performance by Grammy Award Winner D’Angelo at Juliet
We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary musical evening at Juliet, featuring the legendary Grammy Award winner, D’Angelo! Join us for an unforgettable experience as he takes the stage on Sunday, December 17, starting at 6 PM for a mesmerizing Sundowner.
Date: Sunday, December 17
Time: 6:00 PM Onwards
Venue: Juliet, 5th Floor, 1MG Mall, Bangalore
D’Angelo, a two-time Grammy winner, has left an indelible mark on the music industry with his soulful and groundbreaking work. At the 43rd GRAMMY Awards, he clinched the prestigious awards for Best R&B Album (‘Voodoo’) and Best Male R&B Performance (‘Untitled [How Does It Feel]’), showcasing his unparalleled talent and musical prowess. D’Angelo’s debut on the GRAMMY stage at the 38th Awards in a tribute to Stevie Wonder marked the beginning of a stellar career that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a living legend in action, as D’Angelo graces the stage at Juliet for an evening filled with soulful melodies and timeless classics.
See you at Juliet!
