1(11). NIS English December1-15 (2020).pdf

'We still believe in peace and patience,
but the world has to understand it'
An Exclusive Interview with
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh
Page 24-27
The Government’s firm resolve to secure country’s borders results in
transformation of defence forces into a deadliest ‘mean-machine’ which
prove their mettle to counter challenges from across the border
CAPABLE FORCES
STRONG INDIA
FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION
December 1-15, 2020
»
» Volume 1, Issue 11

Saving Energy
SAVING MONEY
Let us pledge for a bright and energetic Self-Reliant India
CRORE UNIT
ELECTRICITY GENERATED
SINCE 2014
Per Cent Village
Electrification
Houses Electrified
8,40,000
2,80,12,391
100
Every year National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated on December
14. In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ''On National Energy
Conservation Day we pledge our wholehearted commitment towards
energy conservation in our daily lives.''
n
The Central Government has
set the target of generating
175 gigawatt renewable
energy by 2022
n
This includes 60 gigawatt from
wind power,100 gigawatt from
solar power,10 gigawatt from
biomass energy and 5
gigawatt from small hydro
power projects
MORE THAN
National Energy Conservation Day

New India Samachar 1
»
» Volume 1, Issue 11
Contents
RNI No. : DELENG/2020/78811
NEW INDIA SAMACHAR
»
» December 1-15, 2020
response-nis@pib.gov.in
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» 1
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Published & Printed by
Satyendra Prakash,
Director General, BOC
on behalf of Bureau of
Outreach and
Communication
Printed at
J.K Offset Graphics Pvt Ltd.
B-278, Okhla Ind Area
Phase-I, New Delhi 20
Published from
Bureau of Outreach and
Communication, 2nd Floor,
Soochna Bhawan,
New Delhi -110003
Editor
Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia,
Principal Director General, PIB,
New Delhi
Consulting Editor
Vinod Kumar
Santosh Kumar
Assistant Consulting
Editor
Sharat Kumar Sharma
Designer
Ravindra Kumar Sharma
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EDIT »
»Pg. 02
MAIL BOX
NEWS BRIEFS
SPECIAL STORY:
Panchteerth
»
»Pg. 03
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»Pg. 04-05
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»Pg. 06-08
SECURITY:
Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue
PERSONALITY:
M S Subbulakshmi
FLAGSHIP SCHEME:
Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Project
WAR AGAINST CORONA
SOCIAL CONCERN:
Accessible India Campaign
COVER STORY:
Defence
ECONOMY:
AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package 3.0
WATERWAYS:
Ro-Pax Ferry Service
COMMUNICATION:
Community Radio
POSITIVE APPROACH:
Changing India
CABINET DECISIONS
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»Pg. 09
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»Pg. 10-12
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»Pg. 36
PM SPEAKS:
Virtual Global Investor Roundtable

New India Samachar
2
FROM EDITOR'S DESK
(K S DHATWALIA)
Sadar Namaskar,
Another issue of New India Samachar is in your hands with security,
empowerment and people-centric policies of the Government as the subject
matter to benefit readers.
Empowerment of Divyangjan on the line of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG) has figured in the magazine with various Government initiatives in this
regard. Besides this, a reportage on the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi
Programme – providing affordable medicine to all – has also been produced.
The 2+2 meeting with the US, the Prime Minister’s take on economic recovery
through his various interactions and how Community Radio is helping in
dissemination of information even during COVID-19 crisis in the remotest areas
of the country are also part of this issue.
Tributes have been offered to social reformer, scholar, economist and jurist
Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his 64th death anniversary and to musician M.S.
Subbulakshmi on her 16th death anniversary. Both these great personalities
have been awarded with the highest civilian award of the country Bharat Ratna.
Regular features including Cabinet decisions, Story of India and fortnightly
update on Coronavirus are continuing in the magazine. The cover story is about the
growing strength of our Armed Forces with the support of enhanced infrastructure,
augmented firepower, state-of-the-art missile system and sophisticated fighter
aircrafts. The exclusive interview of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh will surely help
understand India’s defence preparedness for any eventuality.
The magazine offers a gamut of other information about Government initiatives.
We are eagerly waiting for your feedback and suggestions.
Please send your response:
Address : Bureau of Outreach and Communication, IInd Floor,
Soochna Bhawan, New Delhi - 110003
e-mail : response-nis@pib.gov.in
With your blessings

Thanks for forwarding e-magazine of New India
Samachar. I am thrilled to see so much of activities
across India. The magazine is compiled in a nice and
interesting manner. Our wishes for the magazine to
reach across more miles. We wish the entire team
all the best
mathuramindia@gmail.com
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It includes all important news from top to bottom
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New India Samachar
4
Indicating a sign of economic recovery, Goods
and Services Tax (GST) collections for October
2020 grossed Rs 1.05 Lakh Crore. This is highest
in this financial year. The collection is 10 per
cent higher than in the corresponding month the
previous year which stood at
Rs 95,379 Crore. Revenue
from import of goods is 9 per
cent higher and the revenue
from domestic transaction
(including import of services)
is 11 per cent higher than the
revenue from these sources
during the corresponding
month the last fiscal. The growth in GST as
compared to that in the months of July, August
and September, 2020 has been 14 per cent,
8 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively clearly
showing the trajectory.
RS 1.05 LAKH CRORE GST
COLLECTED IN OCTOBER
News Briefs
GST collection for the first time in
last 8 months Over 1 lakh crores
`32,172
Crore
`62,151
Crore
`90,917
Crore
`
87,422
Crore
`
86,449
Crore
`
95,480
Crore
`1,05,155
Crore
GST collection over 10% in
the same month of last year
80 lakh GSTR-3B returns filed
in the month of October 2020
April May June July August September October
GST collection from April till now
The Government has come up with a new
mantra of Purvodaya to make lives of people
of West Bengal even better. It is taking several
new measures for the development of eastern
India so that West Bengal too is able to play
an important role in Purvodaya Mission. They
included completion of approximately 30 Lakh
houses for the poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojna, free gas connection to 90 Lakh poor women
under Ujjwala Scheme, opening of 4 Crore bank
accounts under Jan Dhan Yojna and tap water
to 4 Lakh houses under Jal Jeevan Mission.
Works are continuing on several road projects
worth hundreds of crores of rupees connecting
India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Rs 8,000 Crore
have been sanctioned for East-West Metro
corridor which means highways, waterways and
broadband connectivity to the rural areas to make
lives of people of West Bengal comfortable.
WEST BENGAL BECOMES FOCUS
OF GOVERNMENT’S PURVODAYA
The collection
is 10 per cent
higher than in the
corresponding
month last year
which stood at
Rs 95,379 Crore

Follow development of COVID-19 vaccine on website
To provide every information about development of COVID-19 vaccine
and information about numerous other clinical trials that CSIR is
engaged in partnership with industry, other government departments
and ministries, the Health Ministry has come up with two websites.
Called CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs (CuRED), the website provides
information about drugs, diagnostics and devices including the current
stage of the trials, partnering institutions and their role in the trials and
other details. The site can be accessed at https://www.iiim.res.in/cured/
or http://db.iiim.res.in/ct/index.php.
SUPPLYOFESSENTIALGOODS
TONORTHEASTENSURED
DURINGCOVID-19
Development of North East
has always been the
priority of the Government
whether it is during the time
of crisis or normalcy. The
Government did not allow
North East to remain isolated
geographically even during
Corona time by taking care of
supplies to the region. From
March 25 to September 30,
over 4,500 goods trains
ensured supply of essential
goods to the North Eastern
region without any hindrance.
Around 527 rakes have been
supplied to Assam only in
the month of September.
Out of that 322 rakes were
of essential commodities.
They included supply of food
grains, sugar and fertilizers.
Similarly 58 rakes were
sent to Tripura, 32 rakes
to Nagaland, two rakes of
food items and two rakes
of petroleum products were
sent to Arunachal Pradesh.
Khadi and Village Industries
Commission (KVIC) has set nearly
1,000 small and medium manufacturing
units under the flagship scheme Prime
Minister Employment Generation
Programme (PMEGP) in Kargil and Leh
areas of Ladakh by creating over 8,200
jobs for local youth in just three-and-
half years. The KVIC released margin money to the tune of Rs
32.35 Crore since 2017-18 to support these units. Cement blocks
manufacturing, steel items manufacturing, automobile repair
workshops, tailoring units, wooden furniture units, wood carving
units, cyber cafe, beauty parlours and manufacturing of gold
jewellery are a few skills that the KVIC is supporting to enable
locals to earn a respectable livelihood.
KVIC BRINGS SMILE BY CREATING
EMPLOYMENT IN KARGIL AND LEH
In an attempt to provide further relief to
taxpayers wanting to settle disputes under
Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, the Government
has extended the date for making payment
without additional amount from December
31, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The last date for
making declaration has been notified as December 31, 2020. The
declaration under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme needs to be furnished
latest by December 31, 2020. Besides that, income tax return (ITR)
filing deadline for 2019-20 has been further extended to December
31, 2020, for most individual taxpayers, from the earlier deadline
of November 30, 2020. This is the second time the deadline of tax
filing has been extended.
ITR FILING DATES EXTENDED

New India Samachar
6
“A
mbedkardevotedhislifetothecauseofthebackward,
depressed classes and tribals. He was determined
to provide opportunities to the deprived classes to
lead a normal life. The classes that were left behind have now
become conscious and are eager for their growth. They have
the desire to claim their rights. This became possible because
of Baba Saheb Ambedkar's contribution.” These were not just
words by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Baba Saheb but
also a resolve of New India, the India which the Ambedkar
envisioned.
The Government has kept 2022 as a deadline for realising
dreamsofAmbedkar.Itwantsmoreandmorepeople,especially
the youth, to learn about his vision and ideas. Taking a step in
this direction, the Government has developed five important
places related to Ambedkar's life as pilgrimage naming them
as 'Panchteerth'.
In the last six years, the Government has ensured that all
Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar was not just the architect of the Constitution but was also a
scholar, jurist, economist and social reformer. He campaigned against social discrimination
towards untouchables while also supporting rights of women and labourers. His life is
an inspiration to the youth. Five important places related to Ambedkar's life have been
developed by the Government as centres of pilgrimage – ‘Panchteerth’
It is a matter of fortune for the
Government that we have got
the opportunity to develop five
places associated with Baba
Saheb as Panchteerth. Baba
Saheb’s birthplace in Mhow;
Dr Ambedkar Memorial in
London – his Shiksha Bhoomi;
Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur;
Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai; his
Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi
in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
'Panchteerth'
Special Story
Panchteerth
InspiringTheNewGeneration

INSPIRATION FOR THE YOUTH
The 10, King Henry’s Road
in Camden, Ambedkar's
home in London for two
years between 1921 and
1922 has been converted
into a memorial in his honour.
It was purchased by the
Maharashtra Government
in September, 2015 and
inaugurated by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi in
November, 2015. It was
converted into a memorial at
a cost of Rs 800 Crore.
Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi in Delhi
Situated at the heart of Nagpur in Maharashtra, it was the place where
Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956. A central
memorial was built after the Buddhist architecture. On Ambedkar’s
125th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister declared it as an “A” class
tourist destination. After granting it the ''A"' class tourist destination
status, the place has been developed at a fast pace.
Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), situated at 15, Janpath
in Delhi, is a think tank for inclusive growth. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi laid the foundation stone of DAIC in April 2015 and inaugurated
it in December, 2017. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister
expressed confidence that the Centre would play a key role in the
dissemination of Ambedkar's teachings and vision.
Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur
Shiksha Bhoomi in London Chaitya Bhoomi
in Mumbai
Dr Ambedkar National Memorial (DANM) in Delhi, situated at 26,
Alipore Road, the place where he breathed his last, has been
developed as a memorial. He started residing in the house of Maharaja
of Sirohi at 26, Alipur Road, Delhi and breathed his last on December
6, 1956. The Foundation stone of DANM was laid by the Prime Minister
on March 21, 2016. The memorial was inaugurated in April 2018.
Chaitya Bhoomi,
the place where
Ambedkar’s last rites
were performed, has
also been developed
as a memorial. The
foundation stone was
laid on October 11,
2015 by the Prime
Minister. Situated at the
Indu Mill in Mumbai,
it has been granted
an “A” class tourist
destination in 2016.
JanmaBhoomi
inMhow
Ambedkar was born on April
14, 1891. To mark his 125th
birth anniversary on April
14, 2016, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visited his
birthplace in Mhow and
offered his tributes. He was
the first Prime Minister to do
so. On Ambedkar’s 100th
birth anniversary in 1991,
the then Chief Minister of
Madhya Pradesh, Sunder
Lal Patwa, inaugurated the
Janmabhoomi memorial in
Mhow. The Shivraj Singh
Chouhan Government
converted this place into a
grand memorial.

New India Samachar
8
GOVERNMENT’S
INITIATIVES
l Since 2015, November 26 is
celebrated as the Constitution
Day. The announcement was
made on Ambedkar’s 125th
birth anniversary
l On 125th birth anniversary
of Ambedkar, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi released
commemorative coins of Rs 10
and Rs 125 denomination
l Ambedkar’s birth anniversary
on April 14 is being celebrated
on a mass scale
l Ambedkar’s anniversary in 2016
was observed at the United
Nations for the first time with
focus on combating inequalities
to achieve Sustainable Devel-
opment Goals
l BHIM App for digital transactions
is Government's homage to the
economic vision of Ambedkar
The Government organised Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
between April 14 and May 5, 2018. Extended the
campaign to villages having population of more
than 1,000 in 116 aspirational districts from June 1
to August 15, 2018
Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
n
The campaign,
undertaken under
“Sabka Sath,
Sabka Gaon,
Sabka Vikas”, was
to promote social
harmony, spread
awareness about
pro-poor initiatives
of the Government
and reach out to
poor households
to enrol them as
also to obtain
their feedback on
various welfare
programmes
n
As a special endeavour during the
Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, saturation
of eligible households/persons was
envisaged under seven flagship
pro-poor programmes – Pradhan
Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya,
Ujala Scheme, Pradhan Mantri
Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan
Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima
Yojana and Mission Indradhanush.
n
During GSA, farmers' meeting was
also organized at block level in rural
areas of the country with the aim of
“Doubling the farmers’ income by
2022”
important places have to be developed and
preserved. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,
“Perhaps no other Government would have given
this kind of respect, honour and paid tributes
to Baba Saheb Ambedkar which have been
given by this Government. Instead of dragging
Baba Saheb into politics, all of us should try to
follow the path shown by him which emphasises
on brotherhood. We can never progress by
abandoning that.”
‘Panchteerth’ includes Ambedkar’s birthplace
(Janma Bhoomi) in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow; the
place where he stayed while studying in London
(Shiksha Bhoomi); the place where he embraced
Buddhism (Deeksha Bhoomi) in Nagpur; the
place where he breathed his last (Mahaparinirvan
Bhoomi) in Delhi; and the place of his final rites
(Chaitya Bhoomi) in Dadar, Mumbai.
Special Story
Panchteerth
n The special App
launched by the Central
Government to promote
digital transactions
was named 'BHIM' in
Babasaheb's honour.
'BHIM' in honor
of Babasaheb

Personality
M S Subbulakshmi
Mahatma Gandhi, who was spellbound when
he listened to her rendition of 'Vaishnava
Jana To...', once said that M S Subbulakshmi
while singing comes closer to the God and
the same happens to those who listen to
her. She was called the ‘Nightingale of
India’ by Sarojini Naidu and ‘Tapaswini’ by
Lata Mangeshkar. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali
Khan described her as ‘Suswaralakshmi
Subbulakshmi’. The country is paying its
tributes to this accomplished singer on her
16th death anniversary on December 11...
NIGHTINGALE OF
CARNATIC MUSIC
BORN:16September,1916DIED:11December,2004
B
orn on September 16, 1916, Madurai
Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi was
known to her family as Kunjamma. An
epitome of grace, she remained an unsurpassed
phenomenon in Carnatic music for several
decades. Affectionately referred to as MS
Amma, she captivated hearts of billions, not only
in Tamil Nadu, but also in India and the entire
world.
She delved deep into the soul of music and
brought forth treasures from there, not only to
pundits or the elite but also to the common man
of the country. Her many famous renditions of
bhajans include chanting of Bhaja Govindam,
Vishnu Sahasranamam (1000 names of Lord
Vishnu), Hari Tuma Haro and the Venkateswara
Suprabhatam (musical hymns to awaken Lord
Balaji early in the morning). Kishori Amonkar
used to call her eighth note of the music.
The singing genius gave her first solo
performance at the age of 8 and her first album
was released at the age of 10. As a girl of 10, at
Centre of South Indian Culture, Madurai, she
began accompanying her celebrated mother's
singing and veena playing. An enchanting
voice, hard work, exacting discipline, character,
humility and willingness to learn from everyone,
made her a soloist at the age of 17.
Not just a singer par excellence, she was also
a great actor who donned the roles of Meerabai
and Shakunthala on the silver screen. The first
musician to be awarded Bharat Ratna in 1998,
the country’s highest civilian honour. She lent her
voice to various compositions. The Government
released a commemorative coin in the memory
of Subbulakshmi on the occasion of her birth
centenary.
Music was surely her life but she contributed
for the independence of the country along with
her husband and a certain amount of her income
from music was donated to Kasturba Gandhi
Memorial Trust. She was also the first Indian
musician to have performed at the United Nations
General Assembly and the first Indian musician
to be conferred with the Ramon Magsaysay
award for public service in 1974. Apart from the
UN, she performed at the Edinburg International
Festival and for Queen Elizabeth-II at the Royal
Albert Hall, London. She mostly sang in Tamil,
Telugu, Kannada and Meera Bhajans in Hindi.

New India Samachar
10
“S
o I thought, why not use the term
‘Divyang’ instead of ‘viklang’ for them.
They are those people who have one
or more such organs with a flow of divinity than
the normal human beings. I like this term. My
dear countrymen, can we make it a habit to use
the word ‘Divyang’ and make it popular? I hope
you will take my word ahead. ”
These remarks of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi five years ago, is the new mantra for New
India. The example is Salman. Born in Hamirpur
village in Uttar Pradeh’s Moradabad district,
Salman is a Divyang by birth. Though, it was
difficult for him to walk, but this never came in his
way towards an ardent desire to become self-
reliant. He even encouraged others. Salman
started making slippers and detergent in his
village. Efforts yielded handsome results. His
endeavour inspired thirty Divyangjan to join him.
Now, Salman’s company is a profitable venture.
It aims for training 100 more Divyangjan.
Now, Salman is not alone. Courtesy, Central
Government's Accessible India Campaign
which has numerous options for Divyangjan to
become self-reliant. A nation-wide campaign
named Accessible India Campaign, launched
on December 3, 2015 by Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
is working towards achieving universal
accessibility for persons with disabilities.
EMPOWERING DIVYANGS
Persons with disabilities or Divyangs
were so far considered as someone
dependent on others for their survival.
However, in the last six years, the
Central Government ensured that
country is accessible to the specially
abled so that the 2.68 Crore Divyangjan
in the country can continue to excel
The campaign has changed the old mindset of
society towards Divyangjan. According to Robert
Michael Hensel, a disability activist and American
poet: “I have a disability. Yes that's true, but all that
really means is I may have to take a slightly different
path than you.” The campaign is a part of United
Nation’s programme Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG)
The objective is to make Government buildings,
schools, roads, airports, tourist destinations
and websites accessible and easy for people
with disabilities. It also aims for creating all
Social concern Accessible India Campaign

3 IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE
ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN
ENHANCING THE PROPORTION OF
ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
OBJECTIVE: Ensuring that 50 per cent of
Government- owned public transport carriers
are converted into fully accessible carriers
ACHIEVEMENT: Currently, out of 1,13,397
buses, at least 7,131 buses can carry
wheelchairs. A total of 24,754 buses are
partially accessible
ENVIRONMENT ACCESSIBILITY
Conducting audit of
25-30 most important
Government buildings
in 50 cities and
converting them
into fully accessible
buildings
Conducting accessibility audit of all the international and
domestic airports and converting them into fully accessible
international airports
ACHIEVEMENTS
l Audit of 16,662 identified
buildings has been completed
andreportshavebeensubmitted
l Rs 443.63 Crore have been
sanctioned for 1,152 buildings
l Auditors given Rs 28.31 Lakh
for Sugamya Audit
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
INCREASING THE PROPORTION OF ACCESSIBLE RAILWAY STATIONS
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ACCESSIBILITY
l Enhancing proportion of accessible airports
l All 35 international airports and 69 domestic
airports in the country to be accessible to all
l The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has
released a handbook for barrier-free space for
ACHIEVEMENTS
A1, A and B categories of railway stations in the country are converted into
fully accessible railway stations. Around 50 per cent railway stations have
been converted into fully accessible railway stations
persons with reduced mobility
l Based on the guidelines, model airports were
being designed so that they can be replicated
across the country
ACHIEVEMENTS
l Short-term facilities have been made available at
709 stations while long-term facilities have been
planned at 603 railway stations
l Railways have over 3,400 disabled-friendly Integral
Coach Factory-designed coaches in its fleet to
make trains disabled friendly. Around 498 new
coaches will be ready in the next three years
l 521 lifts installed at 250 stations. 705 escalators
have been installed at 226 stations

New India Samachar
12
inclusive opportunities for them. It has achieved
phenomenal success in its plan and objective
towards empowering them.
WHO ARE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?
People with visual, hearing, speech and
locomotive disability, mental retardation, mental
illness, multiple disability or any other disabilities.
As per Census 2011, there are 2.68 Crore people
with disability in India constituting 2.21 per cent
of the total population.
NEED FOR ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN
Even as there were laws ensuring equal
rights to persons with disabilities but the ground
reality was different. For achieving universal
accessibility for persons with disabilities,
Accessible India Campaign was launched. This
included improvement in the physical and virtual
infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 said,
"When we interact with such people, we realise
that we see only the physical deficits with our
eyes but the God has certainly bestowed them
with some extra powers." Persons with disability
are excelling in almost all the fields and this can
be gauged fom the success of the Campaign.
While, the Government is doing its bit, the onus
is on the society and people to improve upon
their approach towards Divyangs.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.accessibileindi.
gov.in and www.disabilityaffairs.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ECO-SYSTEM ACCESSIBILITY
OBJECTIVE: Converting 50 per cent of Central and State Governments
websites into fully accessible websites
ACHIEVEMENTS
l Rs 26 Crore have been approved for making
917 websites accessible and Rs 15.52 Crore
have been released
l By September 2020, 591 websites have been
made accessible. Of these, 419 have been
displayed
l At least 95 websites of Central Ministries and
Departments have been made accessible out of
the total 100
OTHERCRUCIALSTEPSTAKENBYTHEGOVERNMENT
l Between 1992
and 2014, there
were only 56
programmes. In
the last six years,
more than 9,000
p r o g r a m m e s
have directly helped lakhs of people with
disability
l Ten programmes organised by the Government
for the people with disability have made it to the
Guinness Book of World Records
l When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the
charge, out of 1,65,000 reserved posts for the
people with disability, 14,500 posts were filled in
a year
l Special campaign was launched to recruit
disabled people. The reservation quota was
increased from three to four per cent
l In higher educational institutes, the reservation
for disabled people has been increased from
three to five per cent
l Legal provision for free education for children
between the age of 6 and 18 years
l To make them independent, so far two
Lakh disabled people have been given skill
development training. The target is to reach 25
Lakh by 2022
l Establishment of Indian Sign Language
Research and Training Centre. For the first time
in 70 years, a dictionary of 6,000 words has
been prepared
l National Accessible Library allows disabled
people to read newspapers, magazines and
books
Social concern Accessible India Campaign

Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue
With the signing of Basic Exchange and
Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial
Cooperation (BECA) during the recent 2+2
dialogue in New Delhi, India and the US
have entered into a landmark defence pact
enabling armed forces of both the countries
to share geospatial information. In the
changing global order, the growing wallop of
India makes such deals important.
It was signed on October 27, 2020 during
the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue signalling
boosting of bilateral defence ties between
the two countries. It becomes all the more
relevant in the changing global scenario post
COVID-19withamajorshiftintheworldorder.
BECA followed signing of Logistics Exchange
Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in
2016 and Communications Compatibility
and Security Agreement COMCASA in 2018.
GSOMIA, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA
are the four foundational agreements that
the US signs with close partners to facilitate
interoperability between militaries and sale of
high-end technology.
BECA FOR SHARING SENSITIVE INFORMATION
The signing of the
BECA during 2+2
meet between India
and the US completes
finalisation of the four
key pacts which are
crucial for expanding
strategic ties
Defence and External Affairs Ministers of India and US Secretaries commended comprehensive,
resilient and multi-faceted Major Defence Partnership (MDP) between India and the US welcoming
enhanced maritime information sharing and maritime domain awareness. Both the countries will
build upon existing defence information-sharing at the joint-service and service-to-service levels.
WHAT IS 2+2 DIALOGUE, BECA?
l Talks among US Secretaries of State and
Defence with Indian External Affairs Minister
and Defence Minister are called 2+2 dialogue
l BECA would allow India and the US mutual
access to geospatial data such as detailed
maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, as well
as imagery of the two countries
l This data will give India’s long-range missiles or
Drones, the ability to strike targets thousands of
kilometres away with a great accuracy
THE THREE OTHER PACTS
l General Security of Military Information
Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed in 2002.
GSOMIA paved the way for greater technology
cooperation in the military sector
l Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
(LEMOA) was signed in 2016. It gives mutual
access to the military facilities of the two countries
l Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement (COMCASA) was signed in 2018 to
facilitate access to advanced defense systems
enabling India to utilise its existing US-origin
platforms
Security
DEFENCE AND SECURITY PARTNERSHIP

New India Samachar
14
AFFORDABLE
MEDICINE FOR ALL
The market price
of cancer drug
Gemcitabine is
Rs 6,412. But
at the Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya
Janaushadhi Kendra,
one could get the
same medicine
for just Rs 631!
Generic medicines
are available at a
much affordable rate
than other branded
medicines available
in the market at these
6,634 Janaushadhi
centres.
A
ccordingtoaWorldBankreport,6.3million
people of India used to slip below poverty
line every year due to huge expenditure
incurred in the treatment of serious ailments.
To reduce this burden of costly medicine, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi launched Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Project (PMBJP)
on July 1, 2015 and then on September 23, 2015
the Ayushman Bharat Yojana was launched to
meet its objective. Today, 6,634 of these kendras
are providing affordable medicines to the people
all over the country. One can buy 1,250 types of
medicines and 204 kinds of surgery equipment
at an affordable rate which is 50 to 90 per cent
lesser than their market price.
Policies and initiatives taken by the
Government aim for ‘Swasthya Se Samridhi’.
The Prime Minister always stressed upon getting
an affordable healthcare for all. Thus, this desire
paved the way for an all India campaign for setting
The basis of success and
prosperity in life is health,
whether that progress is related
to an individual, family or society
or a nation, its foundation rests
on health.
This statement of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi is very important in
the context of a report of the World
Bank released in 2014.
Flagship Scheme Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Project

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Increase in the number of PMBJP centres
99 269
1080
3322
5140
6200
100
1000
5000
up Janaushadhi Centres all across the country.
The Central Government rechristened the
Janaushadhi Scheme of 2008 to Pradhan Mantri
Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in 2015. It also
made the Bureau of Pharma PSU of India (BPPI)
asthenodalagencytoensuretheproject’ssmooth
run across the country. It has also been decided
to celebrate Janaushadhi Divas on March 7
every year for its awareness.
The scheme achieved stupendous success
which is evident from the fact that before 2014,
there were only 99 centres operating with a sale
of medicines of Rs 7 Crore of medicines. But
in 2020, there are 6,634 centres in operation
across 732 districts of the country. Medicines for
all kind of ailments like diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, cancer and gastro disorders are
available at an affordable price.
MEDICINES OF GLOBAL STANDARD
In an interaction with the beneficiaries of
Any unemployed pharmacist, doctor, registered medical practitioner, trust, NGO, private hospital,
society, self help group or State accredited agencies are eligible for allotment of a centre. To open
centre, one has to procure retail drug sale licence in the name of Janaushadhi centre. The size of
the shop should be 120 square feet. The Government has set the target of opening 10,000 centres
by March 2024. For online registration click on http://janaushadhi.gov.in/online_registration.aspx
ELIGIBILITY FOR ALLOTMENT OF PMBJP CENTRE
Everyday around 2.5 to 3
Lakh people reach these
centres across the country.
There are at least four
people working at each
centre which is providing
direct employment to 25-30 thousand
people. If we add their families too, than
the connect will be of around 1.25 Lakh
people who are beneficiaries now
Mansukh L Mandaviya, Union Minister
of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers
BENEFICIARY 1: ASHOK KUMAR BETLA FROM
GUWAHATI, ASSAM
I am 60-year-old with diabetes, blood pressure
and heart ailments. I had undergone a surgery
five years ago. Since then I have to take medicines
regularly. For the past 10 months, I am buying
medicines continuously from Janaushadhi centre.
I am saving Rs 2,500 every month ever since
I started buying medicines from Janaushadhi
centres. I am depositing the saved money into
my granddaughter's Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
account.
BENEFICIARY 2: DEEPA SHAH FROM
DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND
I am 65-year-old with paralysis from 2011
and taking medicines since then. I am
buying medicines from Janaushadhi centres
since 2015. My husband is also a Divyang...
Sir, as compared to before, our expenditure
is reduced by Rs 3,000 per month. My
experience says that these drugs are not
only affordable but are of good quality.
BENEFICIARIES INTERACT WITH THE PM ON MARCH 7, 2020

New India Samachar
16
Janaushadhi Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi said, "Let me tell you that the quality of
these medicines is of global standard.” These
drugs from the pharmaceutical companies are
certified by the best labs after all kinds of stern
quality checks. If there is any complaint against
drug manufacturers, competent agencies ensure
strict action amounting to penal punishment.
The Government’s emphasis on ‘Make in
India’ ensures that these drugs should be cost-
effective. Now, these medicines are in demand
from across the world. The Government has
made it mandatory for the registered medical
practitioners to prescribe generic medicine
except under some special circumstances.
Opening of new centres across the country
has enhanced the self-employment opportunities
for the youth. The target is to provide direct
employment to more than 11,000 people under
this project. The Government has envisaged
an action plan for the Bureau of Pharma PSUs
of India (BPPI) to enhance the impact, quality
and access to rural areas of the medicines with
Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister DV
Sadananda Gowda reviewing the progress of
PMBJP from the first week of November 2020.
Instructions for preparation have already been
given in this regard.
APP TO LOCATE NEAREST CENTRE AND
AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINES
One can find Janaushadhi centres across the
country with universal feature, but with the
launch of Janaushadhi Sugam App things are
getting much easier. One could find the nearest
centre through Google map link.
PMBJP CENTRES SAVED RS 2,200 CRORE
As per a Government estimate, families of
patients save nearly Rs 2,200 Crore in treatment.
Around 6,200 centres were opened in 700
districts till March, 2020. Medicines worth Rs
433 Crore were sold in the financial year 2019-
20 from these centres.
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT’S TARGET
The Government has set a target of opening
10,000 centres with availability of 2,000
medicines and about 300 surgical equipments at
these centres by March 31, 2024. The current
fiscal has already touched Rs 358 Crore till
October 31, 2020. It is likely to cross the figure
of Rs 433 Crore of the last fiscal with a target of
Rs 600 Crore for this year.
OXO-BIODEGRADABLE
SANITARY PADS AT RE
1 PER PAD
Environment-friendly
Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxo-
Biodegradable sanitary pads are
available at Janaushadhi centres.
Sale of these sanitary pads,
which commenced from June 4,
2018, has crossed Rs 7 Crore till
September 30, 2020. These pads
are being sold at Re 1 per pad,
whereas sanitary pads of other
companies are sold between Rs
3 and 5 per pad.
Flagship Scheme Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Project

War Against Corona
F
ollowing the mantra of Mera
Apka Suraksha Kawach
(MASK) given by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on various
occasions besides adhering to
other safety norms like maintaining
safe distance and regular hand
wash, India has crossed several
milestones in its fight against
COVID-19 pandemic. Active
caseload has gone down below
4.5 Lakh mark. With this, the active
caseload stands at 4.86 per cent
of the total positive cases. The
recovery rate has increased to
93.67 per cent. This indicates a
sustained trend of declining active
cases in the country. It assumes
higher significance in the context of
several countries across the globe
reporting a surge in the number of
new cases.
AYURVEDA IN THE TIME OF
CORONA
dedicated future-ready Ayurveda
institutions – Institute of Teaching
& Research in Ayurveda (ITRA),
Jamnagar and the National Institute
of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur – to the
nation on the fifth Ayurveda Day on
November 13. Meanwhile, exports
of Ayurvedic products increased by
about 45 per cent in September.
SUSTAINED EFFORTS REDUCE
ACTIVE CASELOAD
93.67 %
1.47%
RECOVERY
RATE
DEATH RATE
Total test so far
13,06,57,808
Recovered Patients- 84,78,124
Laboratory-Government-1157|Private-956
Active cases
4,39,747
Total patients
90,52,481
Two yards
Distance
Jab Tak Dawai Nahi, Tab Tak Dhilai Nahi
Mera Apka Suraksha Kawach (MASK) helps reducing active cases of
COVID-19 in India which has gone down below 4.5 Lakh
ANEWMACHINETOTESTCOVID-19
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has
approved a new Coronavirus diagnostic method
using a low-cost portable unit 'COVIRAP' developed
by IIT (Kharagpur). The machine costs less than
Rs 5,000 to make and the test kits would cost
about Rs 500 each. The ICMR granted certification
for 'COVIRAP COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kit' after
rigorous testing with samples of patients in one of
their authorised laboratories and following strict
guidelines. It is affordable, easy to use and can
give result in a custom-developed mobile phone
application in an hour.
Figures as on
November 20, 2020

New India Samachar
18
STRONG ARMED
SECURE NATION
Cover Story
Defence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government’s relentless efforts in
securing the 15,000-kilometre-long land border that India shares
with seven countries and 7500-kilometre-long coastal border
by building strong infrastructure during the last six years and
strengthening all three wings of defence forces by inducting
state-of-the-art fighter aircrafts, deadly missiles and other
latest weapons have outlined his regime’s philosophy in
one word – Nation First.
Protecting land-water-air...
FORCES

I
ndian Army, which is one of the
most powerful armies in the world,
has made a strong statement in
the last couple of years. Whether
it is the excursion at Line of Actual
Control (LAC) in Galwan Valley in
Ladakh or enemy’s encroachment on
other borders, or conducting air and
surgical strike at terror launchpads
inside Pakistan, it has been giving
a befitting reply through its valour.
When the entire nation is celebrating
Navy Day on December 4 and Armed
Forces Flag Day on December 7, it is
imperative that one should assess the
future challenges faced by them, their
preparations and the Government’s
commitment towards completing those
targets.
The Army has proved time and
again that it has come out of 1962
mindset and its commitment for peace
must not be taken as its weakness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
July 3, 2020 asserted that world is
moving towards development and the
era of expansionism is over. Praising
the valour of the brave soldiers, he
said, “You are the heroes of the same
land that has repulsed the attacks
and atrocities of many invaders for

New India Samachar
20
Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam
l To ensure a better coordination among the three
wings of defence, Army, Air Force and Navy, the
Government appointed Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS) which was pending for long. General Bipin
Rawat has been appointed as the first CDS of the
country. It is a 4-star rank
l The Government took the initiative in honour of
serving as well as retired soldiers by dedicating
National War Memorial to the nation on February
25, 2019. The memorial inaugurated by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has names of 26,000
soldiers on its 16 walls
l Women soldiers get representation in all three
wings of defence forces
l Country developed a capacity to shot down any
satellite in the space
thousands of years. This is our identity. We
are the people who worship Lord Krishna
who plays flute. We are also the same people
who follow Sudarshan Chakradhari Krishna
as an ideal.”
This transformation of India’s security
establishment in the last six years has not
been easy. Coupled with this, makeover of
Indian forces as a mean fighting machine with
unity in purpose is palpable. Defence forces’
morale has been high. Under leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the forces
have been given the required nod to make
right strategy and go out achieving that at a
time and place of their choosing.
Fromcuttingedgetechnologies,know-how
to defence equipment acquisitions, there is
a renewed vigour in approaching an issue,
as also in putting key defence infrastructure
projects on the ground. Building fighter jets
to warships has been put on top gear.
The Government’s announcement
to completely phase out import of 101
key defence equipment while domestic
capacities are built speaks volumes. From
guns to missiles, a whole range of items'
imports are being phased out.
Evolving an integrated war-room, new
war theatres and doctrines to deal new age
conflicts based on technological innovations
seems to be put on fast lane. India’s shift in
strategy got adequately reflected when her
nasty western neighbour made repeated
moves to export terror modules repeatedly.
Expànsionist designs of an aggressive
neighbour was foiled by our forces. Political
leadership fully backed defence forces.
Prime Minister and Defence Minister visited
forward areas in Ladakh, which not only kept
morale of officers and men high but also sent
a message across. From Jammu & Kashmir,
Eastern Ladakh to North Eastern states,
zero tolerance towards adversaries was on
full display on more than one occasion. Dare
not to provoke India.
MODERNISATION OF DEFENCE FORCES
POST 2014 WITH THE THOUGHT OF
Cover Story
Defence
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
CELEBRATES FESTIVAL WITH SOLDIERS AT
LONGEWALA BORDER POST IN RAJASTHAN
Diwali
2020

DefenceProduction: EffortstoPromote‘MakeinIndia’
l For the first time, weapons par excellence
and essentials like bullet proof jackets for
soldiers are being produced in India
l Approval of 100 per cent FDI in defence
production is a step towards making all
wings of defence powerful
l Approval of separate Capital budget of
Rs 52,000 Crore to promote AatmaNirbhar
Bharat in defence manufacturing and to
encourage domestic sellers
l Announcement of defence corridor
in February, 2018 enhances defence
production. The two corridors are in Uttar
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. A target of exports
worth $5 Billion (about Rs 35,000 Crore) up
to 2025 has been set
l Notification issued for the list of defense
products for industrial licensing. Interaction
with private industries and startups was
promoted through DRDO and Department
of Defence Production. Expression of
Interest was released for the 'Future Infantry
Combat Vehicle' (FICV) project
l Launch of Idex App to encourage small
and medium enterprises to join defence
production sector. As per this App more than
50 startups have developed technology and
equipments
l Due to the Government’s efforts India is
now ranked among top 25 countries in the
exports of defence equipments
45-year-old mistake corrected, now One Rank One Pension!
Dhanush is the first
indigenous cannon of India
l Under this scheme, officers of equal rank get
equal pension irrespective of their retirement
time. It means giving same pension to the
Colonel who retired in 1980 and the Colonel
who is retiring today.
l In 1973, the Government terminated ‘One
Rank One Pension’. In addition, the then
Government increased the pension of
civilians, who retired at 58, from 30 to 50 per
cent and reduced the pension of soldier. In
September 2009, the Supreme Court gave
a nod for 'One Rank One Pension'. But
despite all efforts, this 45-year-old demand
of ex-servicemen was not met with
l Finally, on November 7, 2015, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi fulfilled his promise by
implementing it with effect from July 1, 2014.
So far, around Rs 42,700 Crore have been
paid as outstanding pension and allowances
to around 20,60,700 ex-servicemen or their
families.
l Stay of family of martyred soldiers in the
Government accommodation has been
extended to one year from three months.
Pensioner ex-servicemen and their
dependents can avail benefits of treatment
in the empanelled private hospitals under
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme

New India Samachar
22
Border Roads Organisation
BUILDING BRIDGES OF
SECURITY
Army: Always ready to
deal with terrorism or
border challenges
l According to a recent report, Out of 138
countries, India ranked fourth among the
nations with strongest army with a budget
of Rs 3.37 Lakh Crore.
l One of the most deadly rifles AK-203 is
proposed to be manufactured in Amethi,
Uttar Pradesh. According to ‘Make in
India’ scheme Dhanush, K 9 Vajra,
Shaarang, and M 777A 2 ultra light
Howitzer canons are being inducted into
the Army
l The Army was facing acute shortage of
bullet proof jackets. The Government
gave its nod to purchase 1.86 Lakh
jackets from the domestic sector. Arms
and ammunition worth Rs 25,000 Crore
was procured on urgent basis
l A special focus on the security of soldiers
posted in sensitive region of Jammu &
Kashmir. Provisions are being made for
the movement of soldiers in armoured
vehicles with a special escort of mine
protection vehicles
Defence Research and
Development Organisation
The motto of the DRDO is "Balasya Mulam
Vigyanam" – a Sanskrit proverb meaning the
base of strength is science. This strength
empowers the nation during critical times. With
this motto, the DRDO is constantly working to
empower the Indian Armed Forces.
Its achievements are:
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a crucial factor
in building country’s strategic border roads. The
organisation has an impeccable record of building
roads, bridges all across border states and Union
Territories like J&K, Ladakh, HP, Uttarakhand, Panjab,
Assam, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim,
Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Andaman & Nicobar
Islands
l The organisation, set up on May 7, 1960, has
constructed more than 60,000 kilometre of roads,
around 59, 500 metres of bridges, 19 air fields and
three tunnels
l BRO is also involved in the maintenance work of
more than 22,000 kilometre roads, 24,000 meters
of permanent bridges, 5 air fields and 3 tunnels.
Currently, 6,000 kilometre of roads, 2 air fields, 2
tunnels with 16,000 meters of permanent bridge
are in progress
l BRO has developed 30 per cent of more roads and
bridges in 2019-20 than in 2018-19
l Between 2008 and 2014, the BRO developed
3,600 kilometre long roads of strategic importance.
But from 2014 to 2020, the organisation has
constructed 4,700 kilometre long roads of strategic
importance
l Between 2008 and 2014, the BRO constructed
7,270 bridges whereas from 2014 to 2020, it has
built 14,953 bridges
l Nine-kilometre-long Atal Tunnel under Rohtang
Pass is now complete. The decision was taken
long back in 2002. It was expedited after 2014 and
now the tunnel is open for public
l Opening of Darbuk-Shyok-Daulatbeg Oldie road
near strategically important LAC
l From 2009 to 2015, the BRO had a budget of Rs
4,000 Crore, which increased to Rs 5,400 Crore in
2017-2018, Rs 7,000 Crore in 2018-19. Now in
2019-20, it has been increased to Rs 8,000. For
2020-21 a Budget of Rs 11,000 has already been
approved
Cover Story Defence

Air Force: Glory in the sky Navy: Securing 7,500 km
long coastal border
l The Government has ordered the purchase
of 4.5 generation 36 Rafale fighters. Air
Force has got eight fighters till date
l BrahMos made with India-Russia
cooperation, is among the most dangerous
missile in its category. The missile, after
its successful trial in February, 2017, has
been fitted with Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters
l Squadron of Tejas, the ‘Make in India’
fighter has been inducted in the Air Force
l Apache H-64 E helicopter has been
inducted in 2019. Now, heavy lifter Chinuk
helicopter is also a part of the fleet. Now,
world’s largest cargo plane Globemaster is
also a part of Indian Air Force
l Approval for purchase of 12 new
Sukhoi-30 and 21 new Mig-29 from Russia.
Upgradation is in process of already
existing Mig-29 fighters
l S-400, the world’s strongest and the
most modern air defence system is being
purchased from Russia. It will be delivered
next year
l The Government has set a target to enhance
the strength of its Navy by four times within
a span of 8-10 years. The objective is to
increase the number of battleships and
submarines
l Manufacturing of deadliest Six Scorpene
submarines is in process at Mazagon
Dockyard
l INS Kalvari, INS Karanj, INS Khanderi and
INS Vagir have been inducted into the Navy
l Manufacturing of Shivalik category’s
warship under Project A is in process.
l Navy has a plan to acquire six nuclear
submarines along with 24 more under
Project 75
l First Indian flight carrier INS Vikrant,
manufactured at Cochin Shipyard will be
inducted next year. A squadron of MIG-
29 would be stationed at INS Vikrant.
Maritime patrolling aircraft P-8I, BrahMos
and Harpoon would also be stationed at the
flight carrier
SEPTEMBER7:HypersonicTechnologyDemonstration
Vehicle (HSTDV) was tested.
SEPTEMBER 22: Successful flight test of ABHYAS
- High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was
conducted.
SEPTEMBER 23: Laser Guided Anti-Tank Guided
Missile (ATGM) was successfully test fired.
SEPTEMBER 23: Prithvi missile capable of hitting up to
500 kilometre was tested.
SEPTEMBER 30: BrahMos surface-to-surface
supersonic cruise missile featuring indigenous Booster
and Airframe Section was successfully flight tested.
OCTOBER 1: Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile
(ATGM) was successfully test fired.
OCTOBER 3: Advanced version of Shaurya missile
which is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon was
successfully tested.
OCTOBER 5: Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of
Torpedo (SMART) was successfully flight tested.
OCTOBER 9: New generation Anti Radiation Missile
(RUDRAM) was successfully Flight tested and was
launched from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. It is the
first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country for
the Indian Air Force.

New India Samachar
24
We believe in peace and
patience, but this is New India.
The world has to understand it
Indian Army is one of the most powerful and capable armies in the world today. The
reason for this is that the Government has pushed the defence sector out of isolation in
the last six years, removing bottlenecks and securing borders with strong infrastructure
with innovation and use of technology. India was known to be a major importer in the
defence sector, but it is now ranked among the top 25 countries of the world in defence
exports. The Government has been adopting a holistic approach towards developing
border areas and making residents living there self-reliant. In a candid conversation
with Consulting Editor of New India Samachar Santosh Kumar, Raksha Mantri
Rajnath Singh shared his thoughts.
Cover Story
Interview of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh

The Government has been consistently
improving upon the defence infrastructure to deal
with new challenges. What are the other targets set
by the Government?
Our Armed Forces, along with other uniformed
forces are backbone of security architecture of the
Nation – both internal security as well as security
on borders. There is a constant effort to equip them
with the latest weapons on land, in air and in the
sea; by bringing about jointness and modernisation
through reforms such as appointment of Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS), and other necessary reforms.
Strengthening border infrastructure not only
improves logistics but also contributes to the
local economy. Under the decisive leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government is
fully geared up to face any challenge. On October
3, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated
the World’s longest highway tunnel – Atal Tunnel
– to the nation at its south portal in Manali. The
9.02-kilometre-long tunnel connecting Manali
to Lahaul-Spiti Valley would not only reduce the
travel time between Manali and Keylong by 3-4
hours but also provides all weather connectivity
to the region. In addition, we have also completed
several bridges and roads in the border regions.
Let me emphasise here that infrastructure
development in the far-flung areas not only
contribute to defence preparedness but fosters
socio-economic development of the region.
India has shown its strength through
surgical strike and Balakot air strikes. What
was Government’s thought behind such bold
decisions?
Our approach to tackle cross-border terrorism
was guided by the fact that one has to seek peace
from the position of strength. Valiant jawans of our
Army are constantly thwarting nefarious designs
of the western neighbour to push terrorists across
the border into our territory. It is a long standing
problem and unfortunately, Pakistan continues
to remain adamant in the use of terrorism as
state policy. We were not prepared to remain
just a mute spectator. We have developed some
alternative responses to counter the evil designs
of our western neighbour and exercised them
after the attack on our CRPF Jawans in Pulwama.
It is hoped that Pakistan realised the futility of
practising such policies. Besides we have time
and again reiterated India is determined to protect
India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Research and innovation have played an
important role in India's current military prowess.
What are the new experiments being planned in
this regard?
DRDO's pursuit of self-reliance and successful
indigenous development and production of
Our defence preparedness will be
strengthened by a substantial decrease
in our imports. We also have to
understand that no country aspiring to
become a great power can depend on
purchasing defence equipment from
abroad for a long time. The Government
is constantly working in this direction, the
result of which is also visible

New India Samachar
26
strategic systems and platforms such as Agni and
Prithvi series of missiles; light combat aircraft,
Tejas; multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pinaka; air
defence system, Akash; a wide range of radars
and electronic warfare systems; etc., have given
a certain edge to India's military might. Recently,
DRDO scientists have conducted successful flight
tests of enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket; the
new generation Anti Radiation Missile (RUDRAM);
BrahMos, High-speed Expendable Aerial Target
(HEAT)- ABHYAS , Supersonic Missile Assisted
Release of Torpedo (SMART), Laser Guided Anti
Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), final user trial of
3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM),
NAG etc.
Border areas are under continuous tension.
Till date, Indian Army has given a befitting reply
to any misadventure. What are our preparations?
On September 15, I gave a statement in the Lok
Sabha regarding situation on the eastern border
in Ladakh, on the factual position leading to the
standoff between Indian Forces and PLA troops
in the Galwan Valley area on June 15 this year.
The conduct of our armed forces shows that while
they maintained ‘Sayyam’ (patience) in the face of
provocative actions, they also equally displayed
Shaurya (Gallantry) when required to protect the
territorial integrity of India.
As we want to resolve the current situation through
dialogue, we have maintained diplomatic and
military engagement with China. On November 6,
the 8th round of India-China Corps Commander
Level meeting was held in Chushul. Both sides
agreed to earnestly implement the consensus
reached by the leaders of the two countries, to
ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint
and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation.
They also agreed to have another round of meeting
soon.
What were shortcomings of previous
Governments in tackling border disputes? What is
your idea for the solution?
We have outlined four broad principles that are
likely to guide India’s quest for national security
in the future. The first is the ability to secure
India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from
external threats and internal challenges. Second,
the ability to create secure and stable conditions
that can facilitate India’s economic growth, Third,
we remain steadfast in the desire to protect our
interests beyond the borders in areas where our
people reside and our security interests converge.
And finally, we also believe that in a globalised and
interconnected world, a country’s security interests
You visited Siachen immediately after
becoming the Defence Minister. You started the
exercise of writing letters to family of Jawans.
What was your experience?
Soon, after taking over as Defence Minister, I
visitedSiacheninJune2019.Itwasanopportunity
for me to see from close quarters how our jawans
were bravely facing the extreme weather and
other difficulties in safeguarding the country’s
frontiers. They were performing their patriotic
duties against all odds and I salute them.
Cover Story Interview of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh

are interlinked by shared and secure commons.
One of the most important elements of India’s
foreign and security policy is characterised by
the ‘Neighbourhood First’. Right from 2014, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi invested substantial
personal capital to ensure that this relationship
was built and reinforced to create a positive and
progressive partnership. With the exception of
Pakistan, given its agenda of fuelling terrorism,
Indiahasimproveditsrelationswithallneighbours.
What is the Government’s roadmap towards
Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign in indigenous
defence production?
The Defence sector has already been identified
as one of the core areas to boost ‘Make in India’.
The Prime Minister also spelt out his vision of
achieving $5 Billion (Rs 35,000 crore) defence
related exports target to become net exporter of
defence equipments in the next five years.
TOWARDS THIS END:
l Draft Production and Export Promotion policy
has been formulated. It aims at providing
greater visibility of Armed Forces requirements
to the defence manufacturing industry. By
2025, this policy aims at achieving Rs 1.75
Lakh Crore in annual turnover.
l The MoD has bifurcated capital procurement
Budget for 2020-21 between domestic and
foreign capital procurement routes. A separate
budget head has been created with an outlay
of nearly Rs 52,000 Crore for domestic capital
procurement in the current financial year to
promote Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence
manufacturing.
l With an embargo on import of 101 items, it is
estimated that contracts worth almost Rs 4
Lakh Crore will be placed upon the domestic
industry within the next five to seven years.
l Several bold policy reforms include increasing
the limit to 74 per cent for Foreign Direct
Investment through automatic route in the
Defence sector and setting up of Defence
corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
What impact will it have on our future
preparations?
It will eventually result in lesser dependence
on defence imports. No country aspiring to
be a significant power can depend for long on
purchasing defence equipment from abroad.
What is the status of defence corridor
announced in the Budget of 2018-19?
Ithasbeendecidedtodeveloponesuchcorridor
in Uttar Pradesh and the other one in Tamil Nadu.
The Government has identified Six nodes in Uttar
Pradesh and five nodes in Tamil Nadu for setting
up these corridors.
During the launch of UP Defence Corridor,
investments of over Rs 3,700 Crore were
announced, against which investments of Rs 883
Crore have been reported up to August 2020. Also,
the Government of UP has signed 23 MoUs during
Defexpo 2020 and anticipates an investment of Rs
50,000 Crore in UP Defence Industrial Corridor.
Similarly, for TN Defence Industrial Corridor an
investment of over Rs 3,100 Crore were announced
against which investments of about Rs 808 Crore
have been reported up to the March 2020.

New India Samachar
28
T
o provide stimulus to the economy, Union
Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman
announced yet another package of Rs
2.65 Lakh Crore as AatmaNirbhar Bharat
3.0. Announcing this on November 12, 2020,
the Finance Minister said that growth chart of
economy after AatmaNirbhar Bharat 1.0 and
2.0 is on the rise. With stock market showing a
steady rise, credit growth of banks has shown
an upward trend of 5.1 per cent. The Reserve
Bank of India's estimate of the economy is also
positive for the third quarter.
Total stimulus given in all the three tranche
worth Rs 29.87 Lakh Crore is 15 per cent of
the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the
country. Emphasis has been laid on creating
jobs in the new package with special initiatives
for agriculture, rural employment and real
estate.
THE NEW PACKAGE
AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ROZGAR
YOJANA
Employees, who were not previously registered
for PF and whose salary is less than Rs
15,000, will get benefit of this scheme. For this,
the company has to be registered with EPFO.
Those who did not have a job from August to
September but later joined the PF will also get
the benefit of this scheme. The scheme will
remain in force till June 30, 2021.
EMERGENCY CREDIT LINE GUARANTEE
SCHEME
The Scheme for MSMEs, businesses, MUDRA
borrowers and individuals (loans for business
purposes), has been extended till March
31, 2021.
Due to COVID-19, Credit Guarantee
Assistance Scheme is being launched for the
healthcare sector and 26 distressed sectors
whose credit outstanding was recorded from
Rs 50 to 500 Crore on February 29, 2020.
These entities will be given additional credit up
to 20 per cent of the outstanding. The period for
repaying this additional credit will be 5 years,
which includes a one-year moratorium on
principal repair. The scheme is in force till March
31, 2021. Institutions will get an additional loan
of up to 20 per cent of the outstanding loan,
whose repayment can be made in five years
time.
RS 1.46 LAKH CRORE PLI TO 10 SECTORS
Ten more Champion Sectors will be covered
under Production Linked Incentives (PLI)
Scheme to help boost competitiveness of
domestic manufacturing. A total amount of Rs
1.46 Lakh Crore has been earmarked across
sectors for next five years. The ten sectors
included - Advance Cell Chemistry Battery,
Electronic/Technology Products, Automobiles
& Auto Components, Pharmaceuticals Drugs,
ANOTHER GROWTH STIMULUS
With the announcement of AatmaNirbhar Bharat package 3.0, the
Government comes up with another schemes of more than Rs 2.65 Lakh
Crore to give boost to the economy during pandemic
Economy
AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package 3.0

Towards a new horizon
DECISION: Approval of Rs 1,810 Crore
investment proposal of 210 MW Luhri Stage-I
Hydro Power Project in HP
BENEFITS:
lThis project will generate 758.20 million
units of electricity annually
lPower generated will help in providing grid
stability and will improve power supply
lConstruction activities of the project will
result in direct and indirect employment to
around 2000 persons
l Himachal Pradesh will benefit with free
power worth around Rs 1,140 Crore from
this project during its Life Cycle of 40 years
DECISION: Production-Linked Incentive
(PLI) scheme for 10 key sectors for
enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities
with a total outlay of Rs 8,100 Crore
BENEFITS:
l It will enhance exports. It will make Indian
manufacturers globally competitive, attract
investment and enhance exports. It will
promote PPPs in social and economic
infrastructure leading to efficient creation
of assets and ensuring their proper
operation and maintenance and make
the economically and socially essential
projects commercially viable.
lThe PLI scheme across these 10 key
specific sectors will make Indian
manufacturers globally competitive,
attract investment in the areas of core
competency and cutting-edge technology
l It will ensure efficiencies; create economies
of scale; enhance exports and make India an
integral part of the global supply chain.
Telecom & Networking Products, Textile
Products, Food Products, High Efficiency
Solar PV Modules, White Goods (ACs &
LED), and Specialty Steel.
RS 18,000 CRORE FOR PMAY-U
Rs 18,000 Crore is being provided for
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). This
amount will be in addition to Rs 8,000 Crore
given this year. This decision will help to
ground 1.2 million houses and complete 1.8
million houses. This will create 78 Lakh new
employment opportunities.
CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE
To provide ease of doing business and
relief to contractors whose money otherwise
remains locked up, performance security
on contracts has been reduced from 5-10
per cent to 3 per cent. It will also extend
to ongoing contracts and Public Sector
Enterprises. The relaxations in the General
Financial Rules will be in force till December
31, 2021.
RELIEF FOR DEVELOPERS & HOME
BUYERS
To provide tax relief to developers and
buyers, difference between circle rate and
agreement value in real estate for tax relief
has been increased from 10 per cent to 20
per cent. A relief up to 20 per cent will also
be allowed to buyers of these units till June
30, 2021.
RS 65,000 CRORE FOR SUBSIDIZED
FERTILIZERS
Rs 65,000 Crore is being provided to ensure
increased supply of fertilizers to farmers to
enable timely availability of fertilisers in the
upcoming crop season.
BOOST FOR RURAL EMPLOYMENT
An additional Rs 10,000 Crore is being
provided for PM Garib Kalyan Rozgar
Yojana to provide rural employment. This
will help accelerate rural economy.
R&D GRANT FOR COVID-19 VACCINE
Rs 900 Crore is being provided to Department
of Biotechnology for Research and
Development of Indian COVID Vaccine.
Cabinet Decisions

New India Samachar
30
PM Speaks
Virtual Global Investor Roundtable
I
n its efforts to make India a $5 Trillion
economyby2024,thecountrykick-started
a major drive to attract global investors.
It presented the roadmap before the world
in the Virtual Global Investor Roundtable
(VGIR) -- an exclusive dialogue between
leading global institutional investors, Indian
business leaders, the highest decision
makers from the Government and Financial
Market Regulators.
Speaking at the VGIR, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said that India is changing
for the better and the country believes in
the path of growth with equal focus on high
Environmental, Social and Governance
(ESG) score. India also offers investors
Democracy, Demography, Demand as well
as Diversity. With these words, the Prime
Minister not just put forward his vision and
roadmap for New India but also invited the
world for investment in India.
VGIR 2020 focused on discussions
around India’s economic and investment
outlook, structural reforms and the
Government’s vision for a $5 Trillion
economy. It witnessed participation from
twenty of the world’s largest pension and
sovereign wealth funds investors with
a total asset management of about $6
Trillion. Some of these investors would
also be engaging for the first time with the
Government.
ECONOMY
TOWARDS A $5 TRILLION
India offers global investors to invest as the country not only believes
in the path of growth with equal focus on high ESG score but provides
democracy, demography, demand as well as diversity
PRIMEMINISTERSPEAKS
l We are building a New India free from the
problematic old practices. India’s approach is to
find long-term and sustainable solutions for issues
l If you want returns with reliability; demand with
democracy; stability with sustainability; and growth
with a green approach, India is the place to be
l It is because of the stability of our policies that
India has emerged as one of the world’s preferred
investment destinations

l Growth of 55 per cent in Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) inflows from $231.37 Billion
in 2008-14 to $358.29 Billion in 2014-20
l As per UN report, South Asia recorded a 10
per cent increase in FDI to $60 Billion and
this growth was driven by India
l In the Ease of Doing Business ranking, India
is currently at 63rd position. This was 142 in
2014
l From April to August 2020, the FDI inflow
has been $35.73 Billion. This is the highest
ever for the first five months of the financial
year
l The last 5 months have seen a 13 per cent rise in
FDI inflows compared to the last year
l It is because of the strength of our systems that
we could provide foodgrains to around 800 million
people, money to 420 million people, and free
cooking gas to around 80 million families
l We have an ambitious plan to invest $1.5 Trillion
under the National Infrastructure Pipeline. A
pioneering multi-modal connectivity infrastructure
master plan is being finalised. India has embarked
on a massive infrastructure building spree of
highways, railways, metros, waterways and
airports across the country
l Recent reforms in agriculture opened up new
possibilities to partner with farmers of India. With
the help of technology and modern processing
solutions, India will soon emerge as an agriculture
export hub
l National Education Policy allows setting up of
campuses of foreign universities. National Digital
Health Mission provides scope for fin-techs.
FAITH ON PRIME MINISTER GIVES
CONFIDENCE TO INVESTORS
India is constantly performing better in terms of
foreign investments. To increase the production,
the Government is promoting the idea of Industrial
Corridor and Special Economic Zone along with a
Project Development Cell.
GOVERNMENT
INITIATIVES
PRIME MINISTER SAYS INDIA CAN BECOME
A $5 TRILLION ECONOMY BY 2024
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected
the economy and its growth, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi is confident that India can
still be a $5 Trillion economy by 2024. During
an interview to an English daily, the Prime
Minister said while this year the growth was
not at a desired pace due to the pandemic, the
country will try and run faster in the next year to
make up for the loss. India is the third-largest
economy in terms of purchasing power parity.
“We want India to become the third-largest in
terms of current US dollar prices as well. The $5
Trillion target will help us achieve that,” said the
Prime Minister. He also said the Government
has a track record of meeting targets. “We met
the rural sanitation target before the deadline,
we met the village electrification target before
the deadline, we met the 8 Crore Ujjwala
connections target too well before the deadline.
So, going by our track record and continuing
reforms, people also have confidence in our
abilities to reach the target,” he added.
AHEAD OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN
GREENFIELD PROJECTS
The Prime Minister in the interview said 154
Greenfield projects from the US have come
to India in 2020, compared to 86 in China, 12
in Vietnam and 15 in Malaysia. This is a clear
indication of global confidence in India’s growth
story going forward.
SCIENCE-DRIVEN APPROACH IN
RESPONSE TO COVID-19
The Prime Minister said that the pro-active
measures taken in the early stages of COVID-19
pandemic have helped the Government to
prepare the defence against it and India has
the lowest COVID-19 mortality rate in the world.
Positive learning in the past few months has
been the significance of delivery mechanisms
that reach the last mile. Much of this delivery
mechanism was built in the first term of the
Government and it helped immensely in facing
this once-in-a-century pandemic

New India Samachar
32
Waterways
Ro-Pax Ferry Service
CHANGING THE COASTAL MAP
With inauguration of the project to connect Hazira port of Surat and Ghogha
of Saurashtra with Ro-Pax Ferry service, the Central Government’s efforts
towards providing multi-model connectivity to the country's 21,000 kilometers
of coastline pave the way for making a strong AatmaNirbhar Bharat
D
eveloping better infrastructure
has been key to the Government
whether highways, railways, airways
or waterways. Moreover, waterways have
always been an important component of the
growth and development of any society. The
Government, consistently working towards
realising this idea of developing logistics for
transportation in sea has started a waterway
connecting Saurashtra and Surat in Gujarat.
The Ro-Pax Ferry service between Ghogha
and Hazira launched on November 8, 2020, by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will prove to be
a boon for around 20 Lakh people of the region
who have flourished in Surat but by staying
away from their homes, land and family. This
willprovideaboosttobusinessasconnectivity
will become faster. Opening of the sea route
will shortened the journey from 10-12 hours
to 3-4 hours. It is because the journey of 375
kilometers which was taking 10-12 hours, will
be reduced to just 90 kilometers through this
ferry service. People of this region in Gujarat
have had their dreams for years, but Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's vision to connect
the coastal areas to strengthen the logistics
Inaugurating the Ro-Pax Ferry service in Gujarat, the Prime Minister renamed the
Ministry of Shipping as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. He said
in most of the developed countries, the Ministry of Shipping handles Ports and
Waterways. Now, with more clarity in name, there will be more clarity in the work.
CHANGED
SHIPPING
MINISTRY
NAME

of the sea will provide the necessary
boost to strengthen the Blue Economy.
This will be a boost to the grand vision
of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
WATER TRANSPORT
Capacity of ports across the maritime
borders of country is being enhanced
and new ports are also being developed.
The country has 21,000 kilometers
of waterways. For this, more than
500 projects are underway under the
Sagarmala project.
said, "Transport by waterway is many
times cheaper than road and rail. It is
also environment-friendly. However,
it was only after 2014, that the work
has been commenced with a holistic
approach. These rivers and the sea
were there before Modi became the
PM, but what was lacking is the vision
which the country is having after 2014.
The Government is efficiently working
towards developing inland waterways
so that land locked states should be
connected to the sea.” The Government
is continuously developing its
capabilities in the Indian Ocean and in
the Bay of Bengal so that the maritime
part emerges as an important part of
AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
l This will open new avenues for utilisation of
waterways and will promote socio-economic
development in the surrounding areas
l This facility also serves to transport unmanned
vehicles. With this, the journey of 370
kilometers which used to take 10-12 hours will
now be covered within four hours.
l This will reduce the logistics cost of the sea-
borne trade, industry, re-rolling mills, cement,
iron, food processing and trade of raw and
WHENEVER YOU BUY, BUY LOCAL
ONLY: PRIME MINISTER
While inaugurating and laying the foundation
stone of the development projects worth
Rs 620 Crore in his parliamentary constituency
Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
reiterated ‘Vocal for Local’ mantra. He urged that
don’t limit it to clay lamps. As an Indian, help
those who innovate in their work to become self-
sufficient. He said, "This is our responsibility to
help those who are sweating through their hard
work and youth of my country who are trying to do
something new with their intelligence, capabilities
and strength. It becomes the responsibility for all
of us to hold their hand." He further said that Kashi
has a resolve towards holy Ganga. Gradually, the
picture of Ghats is changing. It will attract tourists
to take beautiful pictures of the Ghats of Varanasi.
Kashi is now freed from the trap of electric wires.
The number of flights per day has been increased
to 48 from 12. Road infrastructure has improved
the connectivity. Kashi is now becoming a hub of
health facilities for the entire Purvanchal. In fact,
the entire eastern India is getting its benefits.
The Prime Minister said that poor and farmers of
the villages are the biggest pillars of strength for
Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign and they have
become the biggest beneficiaries.
MAJOR INITIATIVES
finished goods. The business will grow
with the decrease in distance between
both the regions
l Saurashtra's beach trade will benefit
from Surat and metros like Mumbai. It will
generate new employment opportunities
l More than 5,000 vehicles ply between
South Gujarat and Saurashtra every
day to connect these two regions. This
connectivity will now be via sea rather than
roads

New India Samachar
34
Community Radio
TRACKING THE REMOTEST REGION
Community Radio
Persistent efforts of the Government toward promoting community
radio stations across the country immensely helped in reaching out to
the people living in the remotest areas thereby helping them through
development schemes and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic
W
hile there is no dearth of mediums of
communication for people living in
the urban areas, but there are many
pockets in tribal and rural areas of the country
which are still struggling for a reliable medium of
communication. In such a situation, community
radio serves as an important tool with the
country now having around 310 community radio
stations.
Even in the time of Coronavirus pandemic,
these stations of regional languages helped a lot
disseminating information and awareness about
it. Realising the power of these stations, serving
nearly 10 Crore people, the Government has
decided to increase their numbers. Soon, 276
new community radio stations will be started.
There is a proposal for additional 500 community
radio stations across the country by 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes
that radio is a strong and powerful medium
connected to the common man. He believes that
there is no comparison of radio with any other
mode of communication. The Prime Minister,
in his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat
in November, 2018 recalled an incident from
1998 when he was a BJP worker in Himachal
Pradesh. He found a tea seller celebrating
India’s nuclear test alone there. The tea seller
got to know about the news from radio and he
shared the same with the Prime Minister. He said
it was a matter of great intrigue to see a lone tea
seller in a remote, snow-clad hilly place listening
to the radio for the entire day. The Prime
Minister said the incident made him realise the
power of radio as a medium to connect with
the masses.
At least, 310 community radios are serving in
the remote areas which do not have the reach
of All India Radio and DD. During Coronavirus
pandemic, community radios also used to
broadcast content for students as schools were
closed. Union Information and Broadcasting
Minister Prakash Javadekar emphasised on the
platform so that the Government can reach to
Communication

the remotest areas and can have a dialogue with
the people there. He said that community radio is
a community in itself and it is an agent of change.
In the first week of November, Letter of
Intent (LOI) was issued to 738 community radio
stations to empower communities. Grant of
Permission Agreements (GOPA) were issued
to 373 community radio stations. Even though
the Government had issued guidelines for
community radios in 2004-05, not much progress
was made till 2014. Country’s first community
radio was established in Annamalai University.
According to Sanjay Dwivedi, Director General
of Indian Institute of Mass Communication
(IIMC), the community radios are unifying India.
Saurabh Mishra, Deputy Director in Education
Ministry who has also done PhD on the impact
of community radios, said in tribal areas of
Madhya Pradesh, eight community radios were
established in 2011.
Community Radio Stations (CRS)
are small (low power) FM radio
stations with a coverage area of
around 10-15 kilometer radius,
depending on the geography of
the area. CRS play a significant
role in dissemination of
agriculture-related information,
Government schemes for
people’s welfare and weather
forecast etc. They are expected
to produce at least 50 per cent of
their programmes locally in the
local languages or dialects. The
functional CRS are broadcasting
in various languages including
local dialects giving marginalised
communities, a platform to
make their voice heard and an
opportunity to express their views.
Any non-profit organisation or a
community-based organisation
functional for three or more years is
eligible to apply for a Community Radio
Station. Educational institutes, krishi
vigyan kendras, civil society, voluntary
organisations, registered societies,
autonomous bodies and public trusts registered under Societies
Registration Act or any such relevant act are eligible for having a
community radio. They need to have a transmitter, feeder cable
and antenna, instruments for recording and playback and other
studio needs, studio mixer and monitor. This can cost somewhere
between Rs 6 Lakh to Rs 27 Lakh or more.
WHAT ARE COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS?
NEED FOR COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS
Even as All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan were
serving rural areas, there were still several remote
quarters where there was no medium for the Government
to reach out to people through dialogue. To ensure that
the Government schemes are reaching the masses,
awareness is important and in that case role of Community
Radio stations become crucial. Use of the local dialect
makes it even more popular among the community.
COMMUNITY RADIOS DURING COVID-19
From creating awareness about Coronavirus infection to
precautions to be taken, community radios have been
of immense help. They also disseminate information
about availability of masks, sanitisers or other important
items in the local market. The medium also helped in
busting several myths regarding the pandemic. In a
nutshell, community radio helped the Government in
reaching out to even more people during pandemic.
Eligibilitytosetupcommunityradiostations
HOW TO APPLY: The Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting (MoIB)
is the nodal agency for dealing with the
community radio licensing process,
which is a 12-step procedure. The
first step of procedure involves
submission of the application. The
application form is available free of
cost on the website www.mib.nic.
in. Applicants are encouraged to
submit the application online on www.
cronlineindia.net. The applicants can
also obtain the CR Application Form
from the CRFC website www.crfc.in.

TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY
This time round, the Story of India has two inspiring tales. If Sharda Singh
has made several women self-reliant by helping them to produce jute
bags, then five students of Gujarat Technical University have turned crisis
into opportunity by developing ‘Hand Sanitiser Band’
New India Samachar
36
Changing India
Positive Approach
Dr Sharada Singh is a testimony to the fact
that Aatmanirbhar Bharat Campaign is
taking shape in the country with her organisation
Abhyudaya. With the help of women from her
neighbourhood, she is producing jute bags and
small purses. They are not only producing eco-
friendly items but helping realise plastic-free
India dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They get raw material from Gujarat and West
Bengal. Sharada Singh said that these women
joined hands with her in past three-four months
and they are showcasing their skills of being
artists. Two women – Lakshmi and Poonam –
are backbone of this venture who make people
aware not to use plastic besides producing jute
bags. Locally produced jute bags are not only
available at a reasonable rate but are helping
women and girl students to earn some money
from it. Recently, the Government has made
it mandatory that 100 per cent packing of food
grains and 20 per cent packing of Suger will be
done in jute bags.
Vocal for local call has not merely remained
a slogan but it has become a campaign
now. There are several examples how a crisis
provides an opportunity. In this challenging
time of Corona, five friends from Gujarat
Technical University – Sarthak Bakshi, Kartik,
Sagar, Karan Patel and Jagrut Dave – have
realised this mantra by inventing a Hand
Sanitiser Band. This is providing freedom
from the compulsion of carrying a hand
sanitiser. The speciality of this indigenously
made instrument is that if you touch anything
then you will have to touch the object from the
upper side of the wrist. And while doing so,
spray will be activated automatically and your
hand will be sanitised. This can sanitise your
hand 30 times in a day. These youths took two
months to develop this Hand Sanitiser Band.
This band is user-friendly and very reasonable
which can be freely used. It proves that youth
of the country have immense talent and they
just need opportunity.
STUDENTS INVENT A HAND
SANITISER BAND
JUTE BAGS SHOW NEW
PATH TO WOMEN

Media Corner

Published & Printed by: Satyendra
Prakash, Director General, BOC on
behalf of Bureau of Outreach
and Communication
Printed at J.K offset
Graphics Pvt Ltd. B-278,
Okhla Ind Area Phase-I,
New Delhi 20
Published from Bureau of
Outreach and Communication,
2nd Floor, Soochna
Bhawan, New Delhi -110003
Editor:
Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia,
Principal Director General,
PIB, New Delhi
Fortnightly
RNI No. :
DELENG/2020/78811
December: 1-15, 2020
Baba Saheb Ambedkar is an inspiration for millions of people like me, who belong to
backward classes. He showed us that to succeed it is not necessary for the person to be
born in an illustrious or rich family, but even those who are born to poor families in India
can also dare to dream their dreams and realize those dreams by achieving success
RNI Registered No DELENG/2020/78811, Delhi Postal License
No DL(S)-1/3545/2020-22, WPP NO U (S)-93/2020-22, posting at
BPC, Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 001 on 26-30 advance
Fortnightly (Publishing Date November 20, 2020, Pages - 40)

1(11). NIS English December1-15 (2020).pdf

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1(11). NIS English December1-15 (2020).pdf