1(16). NIS English February16-28 (2021).pdf

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION
Volume 1, Issue 16
A BUDGET FOR
SELF-RELIANT INDIA
The six crucial pillars outlined in the
U o B get e ea g t e ea o Aat aN a
Bharat with focus on infrastructure development
February 16-28, 2021
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BU
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
UD
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
DG
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
GE
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
ET
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
FO
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OR
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
HEALTH
AND
WELLBEING
MINIMUM
GOVERNMENT
AND
MA IMUM
GOVERNANCE
INNOVATION
AND R D
REINVIGORATING
HUMAN
CAPITAL
PHYSICAL
FINANCIAL
CAPITAL, AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
INCLUSIVE
DEVELOPMENT
FOR
ASPIRATIONAL
INDIA
BUDGETLAYSFOUNDATIONOFSELF-RELIANT
INDIAINNEWDECADE FINANCEMINISTER
BUDGETLAYSFOUNDATIONOFSELF-RELIANT
INDIAINNEWDECADE FINANCEMINISTER
NIRMALA SITHARAMAN'S
INTERVIEW ON PG 22-2

क्षमाशील हो रिपु-समक्ष
तुम हुए विनीत वितना ही,
दुष्ट कौििों ने तुमको
कायि समझा उतना ही।
सच पूछो, तो शि में ही
बसती है दीप्त विनय की,
सप्धि-िचन संपूजय उसी का
विसमें शप्त वििय की।
TWO YEARS OF
BALAKOT
AIR STRIKES
Indian Army’s Tweet after the
Balakot Air Strike
on February 26, 2019
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar

New India Samachar 1
Volume 1, Issue 16
CONTENTS
RNI No. : DELENG/2020/78811
NEW INDIA SAMACHAR
February 16-28, 2021
response-nis@pib.gov.in
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 Editors
Vinod Kumar
Santosh Kumar
Designer
Ravindra Kumar Sharma
1 EDIT Pg. 02
2 MAIL BO Pg. 03
3 NEWS BRIEFS Pg. 04-05
9 TRAINS TO KEVADIA Pg. 30-31
10 PARAKRAM DIWAS Pg. 32
11 PMKVY 0 Pg.33
12 FLAGSHIP SCHEME
SPMRM
Pg. 34-35
4 PERSONALITY Pg. 06-07
8 WAR AGAINST CORONA Pg. 28-29
7 DAVOS DIALOGUE Pg. 26-27
COVER STORY Pg. 08-21
6 INTERVIEW Pg. 22 -25
13
14
1
PADMA AWARDS
AGRICULTURE
CABINET DECISIONS
Pg. 36-39
Pg. 40-41
Pg. 42
16 POSITIVE APPROACH Pg. 43
17 MANN KI BAAT Pg. 44
UNION BUDGET 2021 22

New India Samachar
2
FROM EDITOR’S DESK
(K S DHATWALIA)
Sadar Namaskar,
The New Union Budget of the new decade is historic as it unveils
a series of far-reaching reforms aimed at stimulating the pandemic
affected economy. While the latest Economic Survey predicts a
V-shaped recovery, the Budget focuses on further intensifying the
economic growth.
Structured on the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, the Budget
rests on 6 pillars – Health and Wellbeing, Physical & Financial Capital
and Infrastructure, Inclusive Development for Aspirational India,
Reinvigorating Human Capital, Innovation and R&D and Minimum
Government and Maximum Governance.
Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is laying
a lot of importance on health and wellness. It is probably for the first
time that the healthcare sector has featured so prominently in any
Budget. It is being said that the Budget will act as a vaccine injecting
confidence in the country to be self-reliant.
Keep writing your feedback to us with the same affection and trust...
Address : Bureau of Outreach and Communication,
IInd Floor, Soochna Bhawan, New Delhi - 110003
e-mail : response-nis@pib.gov.in

MAIL BO
February 1-15, 2021
FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION
Volume 1, Issue 15
COVID
VACCINE
SELF-RELIANTINDIA’SINDELIBLEIDENTITY,THEINDIGENOUSVACCINE,
FIRSTGIVENTOAIIMS,DELHI'SFRONTLINEWORKERMANISHKUMAR
READY TO CONQUER
COVID-19
A GLIMPSE OF THE 72ND
REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS
Page17to20
Dear friend,
First of all accept my congratulations for
bringing out this fantastic magazine. As
a citizen of this country, I always stand
with every positive activity that leads the
country to the betterment.
My suggestions are as follows:
(1) Give information about any
government scheme in short which is
important for the country and citizens.
(2) Provide information about real heroes
who have contributed something positive
and done something concrete.
(3) Give information about changes in
justice and education system because
these two fields are the base of any
organization.
Thanking you
HITESH KUNVARANI
hit7sci1@gmail.com
Sir,
I have read the current issue and found
that it is a mirror of the initiative taken by
the Government of India to build a New
India. My best wishes for every step in
this regard.
Yours faithfully,
Madhusudan
academic1978cskhpkv@gmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a regular reader of NEW INDIA SAMACHAR
since its inception. The Magazine is filled up with
news, thoughts and information about social sector
scheme reflecting a milieu of hope & progress despite
an air of despair caused by some fear mongers.
nayananand164@gmail.com
Sir/Madam,
New India Samachar magazine contains very useful
information about the Government schemes. I want
to subscribe New India Samachar for my competitive
exams. Kindly inform me the procedure how to
subscribe hardcopy.
Thank you
P Shanthi
pshanthir@gmail.com
Respected Sir,
At first, I congratulate all of you for publishing New
India Samachar magazine. I read online edition of
December and I was amazed to read the informative
content. Please send Bangla and English version of
the magazine to my e-mail ID regularly. I would like to
know if there is any printed version of the magazine.
Thanking you,
Sumit Mahata
sumitmahata14@gmail.com
Sir,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s poem on inside
cover page enthralled us. Similarly reflected and
recalled the natural aesthetics which appear in
William Wordsworth’s poetry. Now PM Narendra
Modi is in the foot step of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
who penned many poems. Kindly publish more
poems like this.
Thank you.
Dr. Sathish K. Itagi
Department of Journalism and Mass
Communication
Rani Channamma University, Belagavi (Karnataka)
satishitagi10@gmail.com

New India Samachar
4
News Briefs
Landmines pose a major
threat to lives of the se-
curity forces and the public
in general. In order to mit-
igate the risk, Captain Raj
Prasad from the College
of Military Engineering,
Pune, has conceived and
developed Sapperscout
– a mine detection Un-
manned Ground Vehicle.
It detects and marks mines
enabling troops to evade
the minefields safely. It is
operated remotely. Pras-
ad has also developed a
remotely operated vehi-
cle (ROV) called Xploder.
This backpack-sized and
lightweight device helps to
destroy IEDs from a safe
distance using a remote.
ROV and mine detector
are in trial mode so far
and after a successful test,
they will be commissioned
in the Army.
ROV AND REMOTE OPERATED
MINE DETECTOR TO SAVE
SOLDIERS ON FIELD
SKILLINGSTREETVENDORSTOADOPTDIGITALTRANSACTIONS
In a bid to provide further boost to the Startup ecosystem
in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the
launching of Startup India seed fund on January 16, 2021.
He made this announcement during the ‘Prarambh: Startup
India International Summit’ event. The Rs 1,000 Crore Start-
up India seed fund will ensure
that there is no shortage of seed
money for Startups. The Govern-
ment will also help the Startups
in raising capital through guarantees. India is working for
a Startup ecosystem based on the mantra ‘Of the Youth,
By the Youth, For the Youth’. The Prime Minister said, “We
have to fix our goals for the next five years and these goals
should be that our Startups, our unicorns should emerge as
global giants and lead in the futuristic technologies.”
RS 1,000 CRORE STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND
The Government conducted a campaign under the PM
SVANidhi scheme to train the street vendors in digital
transactions. This nation-wide campaign was held from
January 4-22, 2021, wherein the vendors were told about the
benefits of digital transactions. The scheme promotes digital
transactions through cashback incentives up to an amount
of Rs 100 per month. Banks have also made it clear that if
the record for digital transactions is good, getting loans will
be easy for the vendors. Under the scheme, vendors can
avail a working capital loan of up to Rs 10,000, and the aim
is to provide benefit to more than 50 Lakh street vendors.
Under the Central Government’s scheme, interest, subsidy
and digital cashback will be made available in the account of
shopkeepers by Indian Bank. One can contact the local bank
for additional information about this scheme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is elected as the
next Chairman of Shree Somnath Trust, Guja-
rat. Trustees unanimously chose the Prime Minis-
ter to guide it in the times to come. The post of the
chairman had fallen vacant after the demise of Ke-
shubhai Patel in October 2020. The Prime Minister
expressed hope that together the Trust will be able
to further improve infrastructure, accommodation ar-
rangements, recreation facilities and help establish
stronger connection of the pilgrims with the country’s
great heritage. He became the second Prime Min-
ister after Morarji Desai to head the post of Chair-
man of Somnath Trust. The trust has eight members.
The other members include Home Minister Amit
Shah, former Dy PM LK Advani, ex-chief secretary
of Gujarat PK Laheri, Harshvardhan Neotia and
JD Parmar.
PM ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF SHREE
SOMNATH TRUST
Khadi and Village Industries Commission
(KVIC) launched “Khadi Prakritik Paint”,
India's first cow dung-based eco-friendly
paint. This is an innovative and first-of-its-
kind product. It is non-toxic and has an-
ti-fungal, antibacterial properties. The paint
is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury,
chromium, arsenic, cadmium etc. This
odourless paint is certified by the Bureau
of Indian Standards. Khadi Prakritik Paint
is available in two forms – distemper and
KVIC LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST ECO-FRIENDLY COW DUNG PAINT
The Ministry of Road Transport and High-
ways (MoRTH) has created a record by
constructing 534 km of National Highways
in the week commencing January 8, 2021. It
means construction of 76 kms highway per
day. Construction of 8,169 km of National
Highways was completed in the period from
April 2020 to January 15, 2021, in the current
financial year 2020-21. This amounts to con-
struction with a speed of around 28.16 km per
day. With such a rapid pace of construction,
the ministry is hopeful that it will be able to
cross the construction target of 11,000 km by
March 31, 2021. During the corresponding pe-
riod last year 7,573 km highway was built with
an average speed of 26.11 km per day.
RECORD HIGHWAYS CONSTRUCTION
OF 7 KM PER DAY
plastic emulsion. It is priced at only Rs 120
per litre for the distemper, and Rs 225 per
litre for the emulsion.

Personality
6 New India Samachar
Rabindranath Tagore
An Ode to ‘Gurudev’
Rabindranath Tagore or
‘Gurudev’ was not just a
poet and writer but also
a composer, philosopher
and painter. His poems and
hymns were so popular
that two nations - India and
Bangladesh adopted them
as their national anthems.
India’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and
Bangladesh’s ‘Amar Sonar
Bangla’ are both taken from
his compositions
B
orn on May 7, 1861, in the Jorasanko
mansion in Kolkata, Rabindranath Tagore
was the son of a religious reformer
Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. He
was a polymath whose creations still continue to
enthrall the people.
SPECIAL BONDING WITH LITERATURE
SINCE CHILDHOOD
Tagore was exposed to literature and art
since his childhood. He was brought up in an
atmosphere where literary magazines were
published, musical recitals were held, and
theatre was performed. He started writing poems
when he was around eight-year-old. By the time
he turned 16, he released his first collection of
poems under the name Bhanusimha. Around the
same time, he started writing short stories and
dramas under his own name. In 1878, Tagore
travelled to England with the intent of becoming a
barrister. However, in 1880, he returned to Bengal
without a degree and again started writing. This
time round, he was inspired to produce his own
literary works by fusing elements of Bangla and
European literature. On December 22, 1901,
he founded a school Brahmacharyasram which
later came to be known as Santiniketan. In 1921
he established the Visva-Bharati University.
BORN: May 7, 1861 DIED: August 7, 1941

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke
and saw that life was service. I acted and
behold, service was joy
-Rabindranath Tagore
‘GURUDEV’ AND HIS ‘MAHATMA’
Tagore was the first notable contemporary to
refer to M K Gandhi as Mahatma. Gandhiji called
him Gurudev. A mutual regard existed between
them even before the two actually met. But this
regard continued even as they realised that they
had ideological differences. They accepted each
other’s criticism positively.
FIRST NON-EUROPEAN TO
RECEIVE THE NOBEL PRIZE
‘Gurudev’ reshaped Bangla literature and
music. He also introduced India’s rich cultural
tradition to the West. In 1913, he became the
first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize
for Literature. One of the greatest poets of the
20th century, WB Yeats, was among those
who showered praise on Tagore’s Gitanjali.
India’s National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’
is taken from his hymn titled ‘Bharoto Bhagyo
Bidhata’ while, Bangladesh’s National Anthem
‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ is derived from the song
of the same name. He had also influenced Sri
Lankan National Anthem — ‘Sri Lanka Matha’.
The anthem was written and composed by his
disciple Ananda Samarakoon.
MULTIFACETED BARD OF INDIA
There is hardly any genre of literature and art
which remained untouched by Tagore. Songs,
poems, novels, stories, dramas, sculptures and
paintings, Tagore has world-famous creations
in all these fields. He authored several novels,
including Gora, Ghare-Baire, Shesher Kabita
and Yogayog. He even translated many books
in English. The translation helped in spreading
his name even in the West. His repute spread
manifold globally after the publication of Gitanjali
— Song Offerings. He composed about 2,230
songs, which are known as Rabindra Sangeet.
USED LITERARY WORKS AS WEAPONS
AGAINST THE BRITISH
When Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India,
announced that the Bengal would be divided into
two parts, Tagore used his literature as a weapon.
He exposed the depravity of the British rule through
poetry and literary works. He renounced his British
knighthood as “a symbolic act of protest” against
the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
INDIA CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY
OF VISVA-BHARATI UNIVERSITY
As India celebrated the 100th anniversary of
Visva-Bharati University, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi remembered Tagore and said, “The stream
of ideology of India from Veda to Vivekananda was
also manifested in Gurudev’s idea of nationalism.
And this stream was not an inward one; it was not
going to keep India separate from other countries of
the world. As per his vision, the world should benefit
from what is best in India and India should also learn
from all the good in the world.”

T e get ta
a o t e e o e t
in every sector of
t e o t , e , a
o e e o e t
I a t a , I a
happy that this
Budget has given
special attention to
development in our
tate o t e So t ,
No t Ea te a
eg o e
Le La a t e
o t T e get
a major step towards
a g I a' oa ta
tate e Ta Na ,
Ke a a, We t Be ga a
e o e o e
T get e a
great help in tapping
the unexplored
ote t a o t e No t
Ea te tate ,
a A a
P e M te
Na e a Mo
New India Samachar
8
BUDGET FOR
Union
Budget 2 21

The General Budget 2021-22 has something for every section of
the society. This Budget will give impetus to the development. It
reflects the Government’s long-term planning. It will also act as a
vaccine injecting confidence in the country to be self-reliant…
I
t is a Budget that gives hope, confidence and includes all
sections of the society. The Budget is a blueprint of making
India self-reliant and self-dependent. Budget proposals
were announced to strengthen the resolve of Nation First,
doubling farmer’s income, strong infrastructure, healthy India,
good governance, opportunities for youth, education for all,
women empowerment, and inclusive development among
others.
The first Budget of the new decade was historic as this was
the first-ever Digital Budget of the country. The Government did
not put any burden on the common man to generate revenue.
Instead,itdecidedtogoforstrategicdisinvestmentandlookfor
other sources for revenue generation. This was a challenging
task even for the Government as the Coronavirus pandemic
has put a lot of strain on the economy. The Government, with
its long-term planning and public participation, has turned
this crisis into an opportunity. With the mantra of ‘Sabka
Saath Sabka Vikas’, the Budget proposals rest on six pillars
— Health and Wellbeing; Physical and Financial Capital, and
Infrastructure; Inclusive Development for Aspirational India;
Reinvigorating Human Capital; Innovation and R&D; and
Minimum Government and Maximum Governance.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
It will not be an exaggeration to say that this Budget will
bring a health revolution along with fulfilling the needs of the
Declaration of
the largest ever
investment in health
a a t t e,
this is the way to
e e a e
Union
Budget 2 21
NEWINDIA

New India Samachar
10
common man. In Budget 2021-22, there has
been a 137 per cent increase in investment in
Health and Wellbeing sector. This amount is not
just for ensuring proper treatment but will help
in developing capacities of primary, secondary,
and tertiary care Health Systems, strengthen
existing national institutions, and create new
institutions, to cater to detection and cure of new
and emerging diseases. Centrally sponsored
‘PM AtmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana’ was
launched with an outlay of about Rs 64,180 Crore
over 6 years. In a bid to strengthen nutritional
content, delivery, outreach, and outcome, the
Government will launch Mission Poshan 2.0.
BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
DEVELOPMENT
Infrastructure is the base for any kind of
development. Realising this, the Government
has made infrastructure development a priority
since 2014 and Budget 2021-22 is no different.
The Government allocated Rs 1.18 Lakh Crore
for road infrastructure. Economic corridors are
also being planned to further augment the road
infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal
and Assam and other states. The National
Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) has been expanded
to 7,400 projects.
To make travel faster and smoother, Indian
T e ag t a e to o t e o t , o a e , o age a e t e e a o Aat aN a B a at, a
e e a t I a I t e e a t o g t e t e o at o o Aat aN a B a at e a t o g
P e M te Na e a Mo
BUDGET2021 RISEINSENSE
Opened Budget
Speech
starts
Speech
ends
Closed
46,617 46,875
47,333
48,600
D g ta B get o t e tt e F a eM te N a aS t a a a e e te t e t geto t e e a ea t attooa g ta o e, t e
a o o e e e te COVID 19 No a o a te t t e
Union
Budget 2 21

Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan for
India – 2030. The Plan is to create a ‘future ready’
Railway system by 2030. Budget also provided a
record sum of Rs 1,10,055 Crore for Railways of
which Rs 1,07,100 Crore is for capital expenditure.
Metro trains will be introduced in smaller cities.
More focus will be laid on green energy. The
aim is to ensure piped gas supply to over 100
cities in the next three years. Along with this, a
comprehensive Hydrogen Energy Mission will be
launched in 2021-22.
For India to become a $5 Trillion economy, the
country’s manufacturing sector has to grow in
double digits on a sustained basis. To achieve
this, Finance Minister announced Production
Linked Incentive schemes for 13 sectors to
create manufacturing global champions for an
AatmaNirbhar Bharat. For this, the Government
has committed nearly Rs 1.97 Lakh Crore in the
next 5 years.
INCLUSIVE GROWTH FOR VILLAGES,
FARMERS AND LABOURERS
Farmers, labourer, rural India, agriculture and
allied activities have a special mention in this
Budget. In order to ensure inclusive development
of agriculture sector, the agricultural credit target
is enhanced to Rs 16.5 Lakh Crore in FY22, with
focus on credit flow to animal husbandry, dairy,
and fisheries. There are provisions for easy
loans to farmers and strengthening the markets.
The Budget also proposed to integrate 1,000
more mandis with e-NAM to bring transparency
and competitiveness. SWAMITVA Scheme will
be extended to cover all States and Union
Territories.
For migrants and labourers, the Government
has launched the One Nation, One Ration
Card scheme through which beneficiaries can
claim their ration anywhere in the country.
Implementation of four labour codes has
also been done. To further facilitate credit
flow under the scheme of Stand Up India for
SCs, STs, and women, the Finance Minister
proposed to reduce the margin money
requirement from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.
Moreover, a number of steps were taken to
support the MSME sector. The Government
has provided Rs 15,700 Crore to this sector –
more than double of 2020-21.
PROGRESSINEDUCATIONANDRESEARCH
Quality education plays an important role in
development of a society. The Budget has
special provisions for education and research
sectors. It proposes qualitative strengthening
of 15,000 schools to include all components
of National Education Policy, opening 100
new Sainik Schools and 750 Eklavya Model
Residential schools. There is also a proposal
to set up a Higher Education Commission of
India as an umbrella body having 4 separate
vehicles for standard setting, accreditation,
regulation, and funding. The National
Education Policy speaks about setting up of
the National Research Foundation (NRF) to
strengthen overall research ecosystem with
focus on national-priority thrust areas. For
this, an outlay of Rs 50,000 Crore for 5 years
has been proposed.
Under Minimum Government and Maximum
Governance, the Budget seeks to reduce
compliance burden on senior citizens who
are 75 years of age and above. Those senior
citizens having only pension and interest
income will be exempted from filing their
incometaxreturn.Corporatetaxrateisslashed
to make it among the lowest in the world.
I a a a a ee oa t e tea o e g
ea t e t att e aga t Co o a, et e
t t e e o e ta e g t e Co o a
e o o t e e o t o o Aat aN a B a at
I o e to ta e o a t oa t e e , t e e
o ea t t to a ’ get
P e M te Na e a Mo
Union
Budget 2 21

New India Samachar
12
Rupee comes in
Rupee goes out
P.
10
P.
P.
16
P.
9
P.
14
P.
20
P.
8
P.
8
P.
10
Other
expenditure
Pension
States’ Share
of Taxes and
Dutiesduties
Centrally sponsored
schemes
Central Sector
Scheme
Interest payments
Defence
Subsidies
Finance
Commission and
Other Transfers
P.
3
P.
8
P.
1
P.
6
P.
P.
36
P
13
P.
14
Customs
Union Excise
Duties
GST
Non Tax
Revenue
Non Debt
Capital
Receipts
Borrowings
and other
liabilities
Corporation tax
Income tax
Budget at a glance
Revenue Receipts
Figures in Crore
2019 20
Actuals
2019 20
Actuals
2019 20
Actuals
2019 20
Actuals
2020 21
Estimate
2020 21
Estimate
2020 21
Estimate
2020 21
Estimate
2020 21
Revised
2020 21
Revised
2020 21
Revised
2020 21
Revised
2021 22
Estimate
2021 22
Estimate
2021 22
Estimate
2021 22
Estimate
1
0
9
202092
1
1
17
2
Ca ta Re e t
Figures in Crore
1002271
1021
0
1
9
1
2
1
9
12
Revenue Expenditure
Figures in Crore
2
0
0
2
01
0111
2
2929000
Ca ta
Expenditures
Figures in Crore
72
120
439163
2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for
Aatmanirbharta, in the wake of Corona
pandemic, has not only helped to boost the
economy but has also become the most
talked about word across the globe. The same
Aatmanirbharta is reflecting in the Budget of
New India.
When the entire world is fighting a war
against Corona pandemic, the Central
Government has not only taken important
steps to strengthen infrastructure but has
also taken various measures to speed up the
economy. There is no change in the tax slab,
but citizens above the age of 75 have been
exempted from filing income tax returns.
Apart from this, several measures like ease
of filing of tax returns, reducing time limit for
reassessment from six years to three years
etc. are proposed in the Budget.
New policy for Strategic Disinvestment has
been approved. The fiscal deficit in FY 2020-
21 is pegged at 9.5 per cent. While the fiscal
deficit in FY 2021-22 is estimated to be 6.8
per cent. The Central Government is targeting
to bring it below 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2025-
2026.
Noe t ata e e te a e
The Government reduced excise on petrol and diesel to provide cushion from
Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess so its burden is not transferred on
the common man. There is no change in the tax slab
Union
Budget 2 21

Union
Budget 2 21
JAL JEEVAN MISSION (URBAN)
Under this scheme, there is a
target of universal water supply
in all 4,378 Urban Local Bodies
with 2.86 Crore household tap
connections as well as liquid
waste management in 500 AMRUT cities. This
will be achieved by spending Rs 2,87,000 Crore in
five years.
CLEAN INDIA, HEALTHY INDIA
Health Ministry Budget has been
increased by over 10 per cent.
Aim is to get better result in the
health sector by linking potable
water with cleanliness. PM
AatmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme started in
which Rs 64,180 Crore will be spent on healthcare
infrastructure over six years. Urban Swachh
Bharat Mission 2.0 will be implemented with a
total allocation of Rs 1,41,678 Crore over a period
of 5 years.
CLEAN AIR
To deal with the increasing
problem of air pollution, the
budget has made a provision
of Rs 2,217 Crore for 42 urban
centres with a population of over 10 Lakh.
SCRAPPING POLICY
New scrapping policy has
been announced to phase
out old and unfit vehicles.
Vehicles would undergo
fitness tests in automated fitness centres after
20 years in case of personal vehicles, and after
15 years in case of commercial vehicles.
MISSION POSHAN 2.0
To strengthen nutritional content, delivery,
outreach, and outcome across 112 Aspirational
Districts, the Government will merge the
Supplementary Nutrition Programme and the
Poshan Abhiyan.
Per cent of GDP
F a e t
10 00
9 00
00
7 00
00
00
00
00
201
1
201
1
201
17
2017
1
201
19
2019
20
2020
21
2021
22
Actuals
Revised
Estimate
10
90
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
gross borrowing for
the next year
allocated to promote
digital modes of payment
is expected
Government spending
for next year
`12,00,000 ` , ,000
`1, 00
RECORD GST
COLLECTIONS IN THE
LAST FEW MONTHS
INCOME TAX APPELLATE
TRIBUNAL TO BE MADE
FACELESS
Four new schemes to change
t e a e o I a
C
C C

New India Samachar
14
Union
Budget 2 21
P e a g o
Development
o a Ne I a
I a t t e
T o a C o e
To strengthen
infrastructure
in villages
E e t at o
o a e
202
T o a C o e to a g e t
t a o t
Rural India
I a Ra a
P T a o t
`40
`18
Peo e
covered under
One
Nat o , O e
Rat o Ca
86
%
100
%
R 1,10,0 C o e o
Railways of which Rs
1,07,100 C o e o a ta
expenditure
In a bid to further boost the
economy, Budget lays down plans for
expanding infrastructure and provide
impetus to public transport along
with highways, railway and metro
A
fter slowing down during the Corona
period, the economy is on a ‘V’ shape
recovery path. To give it a further boost,
the focus is on infrastructure development. New
economic corridors will be created to increase
employmentbyeasingrulesfordirectinvestmentin
infrastructure. A Development Financial Institution
(DFI) will be set up for Rs 20,000 Crore. Aim is to
create a lending portfolio of Rs 5 Lakh Crore under
the proposed DFI in 3 years.
8,500 KMS OF NEW ROADS IN A YEAR
Under Rs 5.35 Lakh Crore Bharatmala Pariyojana
project, the Government will be awarding another
8,500 kms of road by March 2022, and complete
an additional 11,000 kms of National Highway
corridors. An additional provision of Rs 1,18,101
Crore has been made for road transport so
far. Rs 34,000 Crore is allocated for Assam for
construction of more than 1,300 km of National
Highways. In Tamil Nadu, 3,500 km of National
Highway works will be undertaken at an investment
of Rs 1.03 Lakh Crore. Construction of 1,100 km of
National Highways in Kerala, including the 600 km
section of Mumbai-Kanyakumari corridor, will be
undertaken at an investment of Rs 65,000 Crore.
FUTURE READY RAILWAYS
Plan is to create a ‘future ready’ Railway system
by 2030. To enable ‘Make in India’, the logistic

Union
Budget 2 21
C o e o e o ta
connections
La C o e o a ee a
M o U a
`2,000 C o e for7projects
PPP o e o o e at o o
majorports
Water is life
T a e e o e ea
2
00
`1 1
`2 7
K oa o e t ta t
Ma 2022
La C o e o M t o Roa
Transport and Highways
cost is being reduced. Western Dedicated
Freight Corridor (DFC) and Eastern DFC will be
commissioned by June 2022.
LAUNCH OF ‘METROLITE’ AND ‘METRONEO’
A new scheme will be launched at a cost of Rs
18,000 Crore to support augmentation of public
bus transport services.
Rs 63,246 Crore allocated for construction
of 118.9 km long metro project in Chennai,
and in Kochi 11.5 km long metro project will be
built at a cost of Rs 1,957.05 Crore. Two new
technologies ‘MetroLite’ and ‘MetroNeo’ will be
deployed in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
CONSUMER CAN CHOOSE POWER
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
New scheme launched for Rs 3,05,984 Crore
to improve power distribution. Introduction of a
reforms and performance-based result-linked
power distribution sector scheme. The scheme
will provide assistance to distribution companies
for creating infrastructure like pre-paid smart
metering, upgradation of systems, etc.
JAL JEEVAN MISSION (URBAN) TO BE
LAUNCHED
Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) Scheme will be
launched to provide tap connections to 2.86
Crore households. Liquid waste management
to be done in 500 AMRUT cities. The Urban
Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 will be implemented
in cities from 2021 to 2026.
ONE CRORE NEW FAMILIES ADDED IN
UJJWALA
Ujjwala scheme will be extended to cover 1
Crore additional beneficiaries. In the next 3
years 100 more districts will be added to the
City Gas Distribution network. A gas pipeline
project will be undertaken in Jammu & Kashmir.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
To keep up the supply of affordable houses,
tax holiday for affordable housing projects has
been extended for one more year. An additional
deduction of interest, amounting to Rs 1.5 Lakh,
has been proposed for loan taken to purchase
an affordable house.

New India Samachar
16
Vaccine of Reforms
So far, this is India’s biggest Health Budget at Rs 2,23,846 Crore.
There is a steep hike of 137 per cent than last year
T
his is the first time that health sector has
got such a huge share in India’s General
Budget. According to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, health and wellbeing is the most
important pillar out of the six pillars of Self-
Reliant India. This is reflected in the fact that this
year there is an increase of 137 per cent than last
year’s outlay of Rs 94,452 Crore.
Based on the lessons learnt from the Corona
pandemic, the Government has insisted on
creating a strong framework for investigation
and treatment for detection and prevention of
infectious diseases. A network of laboratories
from block to district and national level will
be created for investigation of such diseases.
Four regional virology labs will be set up. So far,
only Pune has such a lab in the entire country.
Operationalisation of 17 new Public Health Units
and strengthening of 33 existing Public Health
Units at Points of Entry, i.e. at 32 Airports, 11
HOW HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
WILL IMPROVE
,000
C o e e t a e o COVID 19
vaccine
o ea t
units in 11 States
2
2 , 12
total Rural and
U a Hea t
We e Ce t e to
e et e PM
Aat aN a S a t
B a at Yo a a
Union
Budget 2 21 Health

Launch of PM AatmaNirbhar Swasth Bharat
Yojana
The Budget proposes a new centrally
sponsored scheme, PM AatmaNirbhar Swasth
Bharat Yojana. This will be in addition to the
existing National Health Mission. Rs 64,180
Crore will be spent on this scheme. Under this
work will be done to develop the capacities of
primary, secondary, and tertiary care Health
Systems.
Pneumococcal Vaccine to save lives of
50,000 kids
Indigenous Pneumococcal Vaccine will be
rolled out across the country. This vaccine will
help in saving lives of around 50,000 children.
At present, this vaccination programme is
underway in only five States.
Re ea e o ote
ea t e to a e
P e o o a Va e e
rolled out across the country
Provision of Rs 35,000 Crore has been made
for COVID-19 vaccine. According to the
Finance Minister, more funds will be allocated
if required. Presently, two vaccines have been
approved for use in India. Soon, two more
vaccines are likely to be approved. More than
100 countries in the world are looking towards
India for vaccine.
`
,1
0
C o e to e e t o PM Aat aN a
S a t B a at Yo a a o e ea
Nat o a I t t te o V o og e
e ta e At e e t, o 1 t t te
P e 9 B o Sa et Le e III a to e t
4
eg o a a e o
Nat o a Ce t e o
D ea e Co t o NCDC
0 20
Metropolitan Health
Surveillance units
R 2,970 C o e get o M t o
A t B get T a ea e
o R C o e o a t ea
A B get I ea e
I teg ate P Hea t
La o ato e e ta te
in all districts of 11 states
A a e o e eate
o t e e t at o a
investigation of new and
emerging diseases across
the country
RESEARCH UNDERWAY
FOR TWO MORE CORONA
VACCINES
Seaports and 7 land crossings will be done.
Fifteen Health Emergency Operation Centres and
2 mobile hospitals will be set up in the country. A
Regional Research Platform for WHO South-East
Asia Region will also be set up in the country.
Union
Budget 2 21

New India Samachar
18
³ izkS|ksfxdh mUUk;u rFkk
izfrLi/kkZRedrk
M
SME sector, considered to be the
backbone of the economy, has
been the worst affected in the
Corona period. This is probably the reason
that this time round Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman has
given maximum relief to
this sector in the Budget.
The Government has
once again revised the
definition of MSMEs
based on investment limit
and turnover size. This
definition was once revised
earlier in June 2020 as well.
As per the current definition, the capital
base for small companies is increased
from Rs 50 Lakh to Rs 2 Crore. This will
benefit more than 2 Lakh companies.
The Government will be launching data
analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine
Learning driven MCA21 Version 3.0 in
2021-22. This will have additional modules
for e-Scrutiny, e-Adjudication, e-Consultation
and Compliance Management. The Centre
aims to increase MSME’s
contribution to economic growth
from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
Target is to increase MSME’s
share in exports from 48 per cent
to60percent.Thereisalsoaplan
to bring an Investor Charter for
the first time to protect investors.
Eligibility for tax holiday claim for
Startups extended by one more
year. Customs duty reduced on iron and raw
material related to it. Capital infusion of Rs
1,000 Crore to Solar Energy Corporation of
India and Rs 1,500 Crore to Indian Renewable
Energy Development Agency.
Exemption on import of
t ee te at o a e
to incentivise export of
ga e t , eat e a
handicraft items
0
74%
C o e e o to
e eate
7 e te t e ega a
to e o t te to
strengthen the textile
industry
R 1 97 La C o e
e t ea o PLI
schemes in 13 Sectors
I ea e e e FDI
t I a e Se to
G g oo t to
MSME Sector
I o e to e e t e e o o ,
R 1 ,700 C o e B get a o at o to
MSME e to o e t a e o
ea ’ B get a o at o
Union
Budget 2 21

T
here is a special emphasis on the
implementation of National Education
Policy (NEP). As per the NEP, school
infrastructure will be improved along with
emphasis on quality education. The focus of
the Government will be on
skill-based education. An
announcement has been
made for the opening of a
new Central university in
Leh. Budget also proposes
introducing a Legislation
for setting up a Higher
Education Commission
to make higher education
better. A National Digital
Educational Architecture (NDEAR) will be
set up to support teaching and learning
activities along with extending support to
educational planning, governance and
administrative activities of the Centre,
States and Union Territories. A National
Language Translation Mission will also be
started to make governance-and-policy
related knowledge available
in all major Indian languages.
Post-matric scholarship
scheme for Scheduled Caste
students will continue.
The Government is
undertaking initiatives for
skill enhancement among
the youth. Special training
programmesincollaboration
with UAE and Japan will
be conducted to facilitate transfer of
industrial and vocational skills, technique,
and knowledge.
U t o t o E a a Mo e
Re e t a S oo a ee
a e to R C o e t a
a ea , a to R C o e
and t a ea
` 0,000
7 0
C o e outlay for
Nat o a Re ea
Foundation
Emphasis on the implementation of
Nat o a E at o Po e e a e
og a e e o ga e o g
o a e e at o
I e t g e ea
a e e o e t
E a a Mo e
Residential Schools
e et
t a a ea
oo e
strengthened
e t e Nat o a
E at o Po
Union
Budget 2 21

New India Samachar
20
sector in 2021-22 Budget. Income of small
farmers will be augmented by encouraging
FPOs. Twenty-two new perishable products
have been added under Operation Green
scheme to boost value
addition in agriculture and
allied products. Proposal
to build a multipurpose
Seaweed Park in Tamil
Nadu to promote
seaweed cultivation.
Rs 40,000 Crore to be
spent on building rural
infrastructureandRs1,000
Crore will be given for the development of tea
garden labourers. Over 1,000 new mandis will
be added to online trading platform e-NAM.
I
ndia is predominantly an agrarian economy.
Laying emphasis on this sector, Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made
number of provisions in this year’s General
Budget with an aim of
doubling the farmers’
income. Various
measures have been
proposed in the Budget
to improve agriculture
infrastructure like
storage, processing
units and carriage
facility. APMC
mandis will be developed from Agriculture
Infrastructure Fund for better facilities. Rs 1.48
Lakh Crore have been allocated for agriculture
Fo a o tag t e
infrastructure
MSP to o e a a t e o
the cost of production provided to
a e e o ta e to o e
t e o e o a e 2022
Agriculture
Duty
increased on
cotton import
10
%
Focus on Fisheries and
Horticulture with development
a a ea
SWAMITVA S e e to e
implemented in all States
and UTs
Agricultural credit target enhanced to
R 1 La C o e
M o I gat o F o e to R
10,000 C o e
F e a o g a o Ko ,
C e a , V a a at a , Pa a a
Pet ag at e e e o e a a
e o o a t t
Union
Budget 2 21

Ca ta o t a o e e e ea e
ea 19 to g e o e at o a
g
Defence
C-17 Globemaster being escorted by Su-30 MKI F
Front Cover :
(Clockwise)
1) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) : Dominating
2) Successful Trials of Sub-sonic Cruise Missile 'N
3) Growth of Private Defence Industry
4) Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief O
5) Missile Firing- INS Kochi
6) Dropping Soldiers by helicopter.
T
he Union Budget has given a historic
push towards Defence modernisation,
by increasing the Defence capital
outlay by 18.75 per cent. This is the highest
ever increase in capital
outlay of Defence in the
last 15 years. Defence
allocation in the Budget
has been increased to Rs
4,78,195.62 Crore for the
Financial Year 2021-22.
lThe allocation under
capital expenditure,
which relates to modernisation and
infrastructure development, is increased
to Rs 1,35,060.72 Crore for FY 2021-22. It
represents an increase of 18.75 per cent
over FY 2020-21 and 30.62 per cent over
FY 2019-20
l The total allocations for Defence services
and other departments under Ministry of
Defence, excluding Defence Pension, for
the FY 2021-22 is Rs 3,62,345.62
Crore. This is an increase of Rs
24,792.62 Crore over FY 2020-21
lAllocation under Non-Salary
Revenue to meet operational
requirement has been increased
to Rs 54,624.67 Crore. This is 6
per cent growth over FY 2020-21
lThe Capital allocation for DRDO
has been increased to Rs 11,375.50 Crore
l TheallocationforBorderRoadsOrganisation
(BRO) has been increased to Rs 6004.08
crore which is 7.48 per cent increase over
FY 2021-22
Ca ta a o at o o DRDO
increased to encourage
e ea De e e
Ste ta e to t e gt e
o e a t t e
` 7
100
1 7 %
La C o e B get a o at o
o De e e, t a R 2 29
La C o e 201
increase in Budget for
modernisation of armed
forces
Ne Sa S oo to e
opened
DefenceBudgetincreased
toR 7 La C o e
Union
Budget 2 21

New India Samachar
22
B get a o at o o Se Re a t
I a e e a e F a e M te
Interview
N a a S t a a a
ThisisthefirstBudgetaftertheAatmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan
was announced. How will this Budget take us forward on the
path of self-reliance?
Self-reliance is not a new concept. Ancient India was largely
self-reliant, and equally a business epicentre of the world.
‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ is an expression of 130 Crore Indians
who believe in their capabilities and skills. In May 2020, the
Government announced the AatmaNirbhar Bharat (ANB)
package 1.0. Later two more packages (ANB 2.0 and ANB 3.0)
were announced. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister,
we made arrangements for the neglected sections of the
society. Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana, three ANB
packages and announcements made at the later stages were
equivalent to five mini Budgets. The AatmaNirbhar packages
gave push to structural reforms.
‘Aatmanirbharta’, implying self-reliance, is not just an expression of 130 Crore
Indians but has also become Oxford Hindi Word of 2020. This is possibly the
first time in the history of India that a Budget was proposed with a vision to
make the country self-reliant. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman answered
questions put by Santosh Kumar, Consulting Editor, New India Samachar, on why
this Budget is different
It a t at a a t t e
o e t a ta e e ea
o et o Ho e e , o e
ge e ate e ate T
g e a e ate oo t to t e
e o o

What were your priorities
while drafting the Budget?
The Budget proposals rest on 6 pillars:
l Health and Wellbeing
l Physical and Financial Capital, and
Infrastructure
l Inclusive Development for Aspira-
tional India
l Reinvigorating Human Capital
l Innovation and R&D
l Minimum Government and Maximum
Governance
Welfare of farmers and economically
weakers sections has been the priority of this
Government. What can they expect from this
Budget?
The Government is dedicated to the welfare
of farmers. The Prime Minister has introduced
SVAMITVA scheme. Under this, the ‘records
of rights’ are being given to property owners
in villages. So far, over 1.80 Lakh property
owners in 1,241 villages have been provided
with the document. I have now proposed to
extend this scheme to all states and UTs. For
Financial year 2021-22, I have enhanced the
agriculturalcredittargettoRs16.5LakhCrore.
Ourfocusisonensuringincreasedcreditflows
to animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.
We are also enhancing the allocation to the
Rural Infrastructure Development Fund from
Rs 30,000 Crore to Rs 40,000 Crore. A Micro
IrrigationFund,withacorpusofRs5,000Crore
has been created. I have proposed to double
it by augmenting it by another Rs 5,000 Crore.
To boost value addition in agriculture and
allied products and their exports, the scope
of ‘Operation Green Scheme’ that is presently
applicable to tomatoes, onions and potatoes,
will be extended to include 22 perishable
products. Keeping in view the transparency
and competitiveness that e-NAM has brought
intotheagriculturalmarket,1,000moremandis
will be integrated with e-NAM. The Agriculture
Infrastructure Fund would be made available
to APMCs for augmenting their infrastructure
facilities.
To further extend our efforts towards the
unorganised labour force, migrant workers
particularly, I have proposed to launch a
portal that will collect relevant information
on gig, building, and construction-workers
among others. Minimum wages will apply to
all categories of workers, and they will all be
covered by the Employees State Insurance
Corporation. Women will be allowed to work in
all categories and also in the night-shifts with
adequate protection.
The Prime Minister always talks about youth
power and feels that they play an important
role in AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. How
crucial is the Budget in this light?
The Government proposes to amend the
Apprenticeship Act with a view to further
enhancing apprenticeship opportunities
for our youth. We will realign the existing
scheme of National Apprenticeship Training
Scheme (NATS) for providing post-education
apprenticeship, training of graduates and
diploma holders in Engineering. Over Rs 3,000
Crore will be provided for this. In partnership
with the United Arab Emirates, an initiative is
WehaveallocatedRs35,000CrorefortheCOVIDvaccine.This
isforthisyearaloneandifmoremoneyisneededtobespent
onit,Iamcommittedtogiveit.

New India Samachar
24
underway to benchmark skill qualifications,
assessment, and certification, accompanied
by the deployment of certified workforce.
We also have a collaborative Training Inter
Training Programme (TITP) with Japan to
facilitate transfer of Japanese industrial and
vocational skills, technique and knowledge.
We will take forward this initiative with many
more countries.
We would be introducing a Legislation this
year to implement the Higher Education
CommissionofIndia.Itwillbeanumbrellabody
having4separatevehiclesforstandard-setting,
accreditation, regulation, and funding. Many of
our cities have various research institutions,
universities and colleges supported by the
Government. In nine such cities, we will create
formal umbrella structures so that these
institutions can have better synergy, while
also retaining their internal autonomy. A Glue
Grant will be set aside for this purpose. For
accessible higher education in Ladakh, the
Government has proposed to set up a Central
University in Leh.
The MSME sector was badly hit during the
Coronavirus pandemic after which help was
provided to the sector. What is special for the
sector in this Budget?
Wehavetakenanumberofstepstosupportthe
MSME sector. In this Budget, I have provided
Rs 15,700 Crore to this sector, more than
double of this year’s BE. We have announced
rationalisation of custom duty on a number of
items.
Youarethefirstwoman tobeappointed
as first the Defence Minister and now
the Finance Minister of the country.
What is there for women of New India
in the Budget?
Ujjwala Scheme, which has benefitted
eight Crore households, will now be
extended to cover one Crore additional
beneficiaries. Women will be allowed
to work in all categories with adequate
protection even in the night-shifts.
We have proposed to provide Rs
1,000 Crore for the welfare of tea
workers, especially women and their
children in Assam and West Bengal.
Also, to further facilitate credit flow
under the Stand Up India scheme, we
have proposed to reduce the margin
money requirement from 25 per cent
to 15 per cent.
‘Ease of living’ through policy reforms
has been the Government’s mantra. What
reforms have been introduced in the Budget
and what will be their impact?
The Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) will be
launched. It aims for universal water supply in
all 4,378 Urban Local Bodies with 2.86 Crore
household tap connections, as well as liquid
waste management in 500 AMRUT cities. It
will be implemented over five years, with an
outlay of Rs 2,87,000 Crore.
The Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 will be
implemented with a total financial allocation
ofRs1,41,678Croreoveraperiodoffiveyears
from 2021-2026. To tackle the intensifying
problem of air pollution, the Budget has
proposed to provide an amount of Rs 2,217
Crore for 42 urban centres with a Million-plus
population in this Budget.
In addition to all this, we will also add 100 more
districts to the City Gas Distribution network in
This Government is
making long term
policies. It is working for
betterment and is going ahead.
This has to be ensured.
Interview
Nirmala Sitharaman

next three years. A gas pipeline project will
be taken up in Union Territory of Jammu &
Kashmir. The Budget also talks about big
schemes related to road, railway and metro
transport. Developing infrastructure has a
special focus in this Budget.
The health sector was never an important
issue in politics, but for the first time the
Government has taken steps towards
universal health care, an example of
which is PMJAY Ayushman Bharat
Yojana. How effective will be the Budget
in the direction of making India healthy
and empowered?
The investment on health infrastructure
has increased considerably in this Budget.
We are focusing on further strengthening
the three areas of prevention, cure and
wellbeing. A new centrally sponsored
scheme, PM AatmaNirbhar Swasth
Bharat Yojana, has been launched with
an outlay of around Rs 64,180 Crore
over 6 years. This will strengthen the
W e e ta a o t t e ea t e to , t e t
o ta t to e t t o a ea e
We e a e to a e e t e ta get o
a g a o t a oa
Minimum wages will apply to all categories of
o e , a t e a e o e e t e
E o ee State I a e Co o at o Wo e
e a o e to o a atego e a a o t e
g t t t a e ate ote t o
N a a S t a a a
primary, secondary and tertiary care Health
Systems and strengthen existing national
institutions, and create new institutions,
to cater to detection and cure of new and
emerging diseases. The Pneumococcal
vaccine, which is currently limited to only 5
states, will be rolled out across the country.
In BE 2021-22, there is a provision of Rs
35, 000 Crore for COVID-19 vaccine. The
Budget outlay for Health and Wellbeing is
Rs 2,23,846 Crore in BE 2021-22 as against
this year’s BE of Rs 94,452 Crore. This is an
increase of 137 per cent.
What is the roadmap of the Government
behind digital economy and what steps will
be taken to promote it further?
There has been a manifold increase in
digital payments in the recent past. To give
a further boost to digital transactions, the
Budget has proposed Rs 1,500 Crore. The
proposed scheme will provide financial
incentive to promote digital modes of
payment.

New India Samachar
26
Indiareadytousetechnology
to benefit humanity
Digitisation is the base
of the fourth industrial
revolution for which India
has built a strong structure
in the last six years. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi,
while addressing the World
Economic Forum’s Davos
Dialogue, said this can be
used for ensuring economic
independence and for
improving the lives of the
poor and deprived sections
of the society
A
t a time when India is going ahead with the
resolve of New India, the fourth industrial
revolution has turned out to be a boon for not
just the country but its people as well. In the last six
years, the Government has prepared the country for
the fourth industrial revolution.
The success of this revolution
is dependent on the fact that
country is ready with basic
infrastructure. This is because of
the hard work that today India is
investors’ favourite destination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the World
Economic Forum’s Davos Dialogue on January 28,
2021, and said that India is offering a “predictable
and friendly environment” for doing business and
India’s self-reliance will strengthen globalism.
FOURTHINDUSTRIALREVOLUTION:
The Prime Minister
pledges New India in
front of representatives
of 400 top companies of
the world
Industrial Revolution
Davos Dialogue
Scan the QR code
to listen to Prime
Minister's full
address

Joe Kaeser, President and
CEO, Siemens, ask questions
on AatmaNirbhar Bharat
During the question answer
session, the Prime Minister
explainedtoKaeserthecontours
of AatmaNirbhar Bharat
campaign. He said that making
India a manufacturing and
export hub is part of the vision.
For the same, the Government
reduced Cooperate Tax and
GST. It has also simplified the
tax process. Labour laws were
also simplified and this too
will give more freedom to the
businesses. Also, for ensuring
greater ease of doing business,
the Government decriminalised
Companies Act. The Prime
Minister invited global players
to take advantage of $26 Billion
Production Linked Incentive
(PLI) scheme.
Bjorn Rosengren, CEO, ABB,
ask questions on infrastructure
related projects
Infrastructureisthebaseforany
kind of development. Realising
this, the Government has made
infrastructure development a
priority. In the last six years,
India has developed 57,000
kms of highways. Over 58
per cent of railway lines were
electrified and India enhanced
the power sector with additional
36 Gigawatt power. In reply to
Rosengren, the Prime Minister
listed out a number of ongoing
infrastructure projects in the
country and informed that
under National Infrastructure
pipeline, projects worth $1.5
Trillion will be implemented
in the country in the next five
years. In addition, to enhance
connectivity in the economic
zones, India is also working
on a multi-model connectivity
masterplan. Even after the
Coronavirus pandemic, the FDI
in India witnessed a 13 per cent
jump.
Ajay S Banga, CEO, Mastercard,
ask questions on financial
inclusion in India
Speaking to Banga, the Prime
Minister explained the massive
financial inclusion that has
taken place in the country in the
recent times and steps taken to
strengthen the MSME sector.
He said that crores of citizens
were given the benefit of direct
transfer of funds and they
were able to utilise that fund
without going to banks. He also
said that close to 1.3 Million
street vendors were made a
part of the official system and
digital economy with the help
of loan guarantee scheme for
street vendors. Changing the
definition of MSME has proved
effective for strengthening
the sector. Technology
is being used to provide
better opportunity and help.
Government e-Marketplace
(GeM) is an example of this.
Morethan450,000MSMEshave
taken part in the Government
procurement process.
Arvind Krishna of IBM
ask questions on digital
requirements
In a reply to Krishna, the
Prime Minister emphasised
the depth of digital India. The
Prime Minister said that the
country’s digital profile has
been completely transformed.
The Government’s vision
is to transform the country
through access, inclusion and
empowerment while ensuring
the privacy of the user. He also
recalled his last interaction with
Krishna, saying that at that time
the world was hit by Coronavirus
and several countries were
under lockdown. Even at
that time, the digital economy
helped the citizens in India
a lot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held Q&A session with
industry leaders:
The Prime Minister said: India is
full of confidence, new energy
along with possibilities
In2018,atDavos,thePrime
MinisterhadsaidthatIndia
willplayacrucialroleinthe
21stCenturyandtheworldis
witnessingthatstatementcoming
trueinCoronaviruscrisis
‘Self-reliantIndia’willrevivethe
globaleconomy.TheGovernment
aimstobringtransformation
throughinclusionand
empowerment

New India Samachar
28
P a a B a at a D a
COVID-19 Vaccine Wa Aga t Co o a
Vaccine Maitri
No , Wo get Ma e
I a’ Co o a Va e
At a time when the world faces
Coronavirus pandemic, India is
not just catering to its domestic
needs but is also helping out other
countries in dealing with the once-
in-a-century crisis. India has started
the world’s largest vaccination drive
against Coronavirus and has also
started helping its neighbours with
the ‘Made in India’ vaccines
I a’ Co o a Va e
in-a-century crisis. India has started
the world’s largest vaccination drive
T
here is a phrase in Sanskrit — ‘Sarve Santu
Nirāmayā’, wishing all to be free from disease.
Takinginspirationfromthis,Indiatookthelead
andshowedtheworldhowtodealwiththeCOVID-19
crisis. It managed to contain the Coronavirus
infection successfully, and again proved its mettle
by developing not one but two indigenous vaccines
and launching the biggest vaccination drive in the
world. Now, it has emerged as a beacon of hope for
the global community through its Vaccine Maitri
(Vaccine Diplomacy) initiative.
NEIGHBOURS FIRST POLICY
Based on the requests from neighbouring and
partner countries, India has started supplying its
indigenous vaccines to them from January 20.
Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar
and Seychelles are some of the countries which
have received the vaccine. The supply of vaccines
is being done after ensuring that India has enough
vaccines for its own people.
It would not be advisable to judge India’s
success with that of another country. In a
country which is home to 18 per cent of the
world population, that country has saved
humanity from a big disaster by containing
Corona effectively. In the initial period of
Corona, we were importing masks, PPE kits
and test kits. Today, we are not only taking care
of our domestic needs, but also serving the
citizens of other countries by exporting these
items. And today it is India which has also
launched the world’s largest Corona vaccination
program…Today, India is saving the lives of
citizens of many countries by sending COVID-19
vaccines and helping set up vaccination
infrastructure there
-Prime Minister Narendra Modi

I a Be o g Pa a ea o t e Wo
India had earlier supplied Hydroxychloroquine,
Remdesivir and Paracetamol tablets along with
diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other
medical supplies to a large number of countries
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brazil’s President
Jair Bolsonaro Tweeted a picture of Lord Hanuman
carryingthe‘SanjivaniBooti’andexpressedgratitude
towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He
also thanked India by writing ‘Dhanyavaad’ (Thank
You in Hindi) in his Tweet.
Leaders from neighbouring countries greeted
Prime Minister and the Government for successful
launch of vaccination drive against COVID-19. Sri
Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa thanked
Indiaforitsgenerositytowardsfriendlyneighbouring
countries. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda
Rajapaksa, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed
Solih and Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering
said the vaccine development will be a step towards
ending the Coronavirus pandemic.
As per the reports, till January 31, India has gifted
over 64 Lakh doses of Coronavirus vaccines to
various countries.
Do to , o t e o e o
o a et o COVID 19 a e
India has now reached a decisive stage in the
fight against Coronavirus. The demand for
India’s indigenous vaccine is coming from a
number of countries. This has enhanced the
credibility of the vaccine. Not just this, but
the frontline workers and doctors who have
been vaccinated also vouched for its safety. A
sanitation staff at Chhattisgarh’s Raipur Medical
College, Tulsa Tandi, says that after getting the
first dose of Coronavirus vaccine, he is feeling
good and healthy. Kesha Devi, a sanitation
worker at the District Hospital, Azamgarh, said
that she took the first dose of the vaccine and
she is totally healthy. “Everyone should get
vaccinated,” she says.
Not just the frontline workers but the
doctors too have similar belief. Dr Rajnish
Patel, Additional Superintendent, Civil Hospital,
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, also shared his confidence
in the COVID-19 vaccine, “I took the first dose of
the vaccine. Our vaccine is effective and safe in
the fight against Coronavirus.”
I a e o e a te t o t to ea 0 La COVID 19 a at o a 1 a
1, ,91
Peo e a ate
18 days
So far 64 Lakh doses of
Corona vaccines have been
sent to 17 countries
60 more countries have sought
Corona vaccines from India
Va at o I a Tota Pat e t A t e Ca e
I e t o Rate
Recovery Rate
Death Rate
Data t Fe a 2, 2021 So e M t o Hea t
* Figures till 31 January
1,07,77,2 1, 0,0 7 97 0
1 9 1

New India Samachar
30
Infrastructure
Trains to Kevadia
TOURISTDESTINATIONKEVADIA
Trains ensure better
connectivity and save time.
Under the leadership of
the Prime Minister, eight
trains connecting different
regions of the country
to Kevadia in Gujarat
were started. This has
helped in ensuring railway
connectivity to Kevadia,
having the statue of Sardar
Patel, from all directions.
Kevadia is no longer a
small block in some remote
area, but has come up as
one of the biggest tourist
destinations of the world
Connecting Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity to rest of India with 8 new trains
S
tatue of Unity, the colossal statue of Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel, is now connected to
different regions of the country. On January
17, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off
eight trains facilitating seamless rail connectivity to
the Statue of Unity. The trains connect Kevadia in
Gujarat directly to Delhi, Varanasi, Rewa, Mumbai,
Chennai, Pratapnagar and Ahmedabad. This will
not just add a new chapter in the development
of Kevadia, but will also enhance tourism in the
region. What better tribute can be for Sardar
Patel—the unifier of India.
Not just this, Kevadia Station is also India’s
first railway station to start with green building
certification.
Scripting a new chapter in Kevadia's
development
More than 50 Lakh visitors have come to see
the Statue of Unity after it was dedicated to the
nation. The number is steadily picking up once the
monument was opened to public after remaining
closed due to Corona lockdown. Keeping its

Kevadia to Varanasi Mahamana Express (Weekly)
Dadar to Kevadia Dadar-Kevadia Express (Daily)
Ahmedabad to Kevadia Janshatabdi Express (Daily)
Kevadia to H Nizamuddin Nizamuddin-Kevadia Sampark
Kranti Express (Bi-Weekly)
Kevadia to Rewa Kevadia-Rewa Express
(Weekly)
Chennai to Kevadia Chennai-Kevadia Express
(Weekly)
Pratapnagar to Kevadia MEMU train (Daily)
Kevadia to Pratapnagar MEMU train (Daily)
It a o t e t t e t e to o Ra a t at e g t t a a g a e
e t at o e e agge o o e e t a t o t e o t
C a g g t e t e o t e eg o t a o e t t
Hazrat
Nizamuddin
Varanasi
Ahmedabad
Rewa
Chennai
Dadar
Apart from these
t a , t o o e
t a e ta te
A e a a Ke a a
a ata a e
att a t e V ta Do e
Coa e ’
Ke a a tat o
I a' t a a
station with a
Green Building
Ce t at o
l Railways are building new Kevadia
railway station just 5 kms away from
the Statue of Unity
l New station buildings of Dabhoi,
Chandod and Kevadia were designed
aesthetically and incorporated local
features and modern passenger
amenities. The 80-km stretch is fully
electrified, protecting the environment
l The sectional speed between
Pratapnagar-Dabhoi has been raised
from 75 kmph to 110 kmph and the
Dabhoi–Kevadia section has been built
with 110 kmph. The speed of the entire
section from Pratapnagar–Kevadia
will be further enhanced to 130 kmph
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS FROM PM’S SPEECH
l Due to growing tourism, tribal youth are getting
employment and modern facilities are easily available to
them
l One of the major reasons for rapid modernisation of
the railways is our focus on self-sufficiency in railway
manufacturing and railway technology
l Hundreds of meritorious youth from 20 states are getting
trained to improve the present and future of the Railways
l The event truly signifies India as one and defines both
the vision of Indian Railways and the mission of Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel
l A Tribal Art Gallery and a Viewing Gallery are also being
developed in Kevadia. Tourists will be able to see the
Statue of Unity from this Viewing Gallery
l The number of tourists arriving to see the Statue of Unity
is more than tourists visiting the Statue of Liberty
l Kevadiya station is India's first railway station
with a Green Building Certification
l The first two levels of the station have
passenger facilities such as air-conditioned
(AC) waiting rooms and a VVIP lounge
popularity in mind, the Government has
started trains to Kevadia from different parts
of the country.The new connectivity will
open up a lot of scope for the region. It is
estimated, as the connectivity improves,
about one Lakh visitors will visit Kevadia in
a day. It is a good example of how both the
economy and ecology can be developed
rapidly while protecting the environment in a
planned way.
Scan the QR code to
listen to
Prime Minister's
full speech

New India Samachar
32
B t A e a o Neta
Parakram Diwas
Neta gge t
inspiration for
Aat aN a
B a at, So a
Bangla”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
visited Netaji Bhavan (home
of Subhas Chandra Bose) in
Kolkata, to pay his respects
The country has decided that we will
celebrate Netaji's birth anniversary on
January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’ (Bravery
Day) every year. Today, when the country is
heralding the 75th year of its independence,
when the country is moving ahead with the
resolution of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, Netaji’s
life, his every work, his every decision is a
great inspiration for all of us
Paying tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose for
his selfless service and indomitable spirit, the
Government has decided to celebrate his birth
anniversary on January 23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’.
This decision was taken on Bose’s 125th birth
anniversary. In his address, the Prime Minister said
that from LAC to LOC, the world is watching the
strong India that Bose had imagined
l A Gazette Notification was published declaring
January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji, as
‘Parakram Diwas’
l The Ministry of Railways has rechristened the name
of Howrah-Kalka Mail as ‘Netaji Express’
l Prime Minister released a commemorative coin and
postage stamp to mark the occasion
l A public event was organised in 2018 to mark the
75th anniversary of the hoisting of Tricolour on
Indian soil by Netaji. Also, Ross Island was renamed
as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep; Neil Island
was renamed as Shaheed Dweep; and Havelock
Island was renamed as Swaraj Dweep
S
tarting this year, India is
celebrating the birth anniversary
of great freedom fighter Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose on January
23 as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to honour
his boundless courage and valour.
The aim behind this is to encourage
citizens, particularly youth, so that
they learn patience and patriotism.
The Government celebrated the 125th
birth anniversary of Netaji nationally
and internationally. On January 23,
2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
presided over the inaugural function
of the year-long celebration at Victoria
Memorial in Kolkata. A permanent
exhibition and a Projection Mapping
Show on Netaji was also inaugurated.
The‘interactiveexhibition’depicted125
most important events of Netaji’s life.
During his visit, the Prime Minister said
that Netaji is the biggest inspiration for
‘Sonar Bangla’ along with the dream of
‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
Scan the QR
code to listen
to
Prime
Minister's
full speech

PMKVY IN NEW AVATAR
Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0 to impart new-age
skills, help India become global skill capital
C
oronavirus has changed the way of life for people across the
world and has also affected the skill requirements. Aimed at
supporting the local economy and serving the global needs,
the Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
Yojana 3.0 (PMKVY 3.0). This was designed to keep pace with the
changing demands, both at the global and local levels. Around eight
Lakh youths will be trained for skills in the post-COVID world with an
outlay of Rs 949 Crore.
Even as Jammu & Kashmir has struggled for years, its resident
Samir Ahmed Nazar is now a professional hair stylist. He is not just
financially independent but also self-reliant. For this, he is thankful
to the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Pritam and
his friend also have a similar story. They were unable to make ends
meet even after working day and night. However, after getting trained
in industrial welding under the PMKVY, they are now working with
big firms. Pritam says that he was earning only Rs 8,000 due to
lack of skill training. “After getting training under the Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana, I got a job in a big company at a much higher
salary. The training also opened up multiple opportunities for me as
industrial welding is required in a number of sectors,” he said.
These are a few examples of how skill enhancement can make
people’s life easier and better.
But the Coronavirus pandemic has created a demand for new skill
sets. With a long-term vision, the Government launched the third
edition of PMKVY. It aims to make over 300 skill courses available
to the youth. PMKVY 3.0 will focus on new-age and demand-driven
skill development, digital technology and Industry 4.0 skills.
PMKVY 3.0 to address the
ambitions of aspirational
Bharat
l PMKVY 3.0 has been
launched in nearly 600
districts
l Launched for 37 sectors
having over 300 courses,
the scheme is in 28
states and 8 UTs and is
yet another step towards
‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’
l Theschemeaimstore-skill
and up-skill unemployed/
drop-out youth between
the ages of 15 and 45
l At least 729 Pradhan
Mantri Kaushal Kendras
(PMKKs), empanelled
non-PMKK training
centres and more than
200 ITIs under Skill India
will be rolling out PMKVY
3.0 training
l Along with training, the
candidates will also get
help in placement
l Focus on strengthening
District Skill Committees
for demand-driven skill
training
Nation
PMKVY 3.0

New India Samachar
34
RURBAN MISSION
URBAN PLANNING FOR
RURAL INDIA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken
about ‘ease of living’ at length in his various
speeches. But ensuring basic amenities are
not just limited to the urban areas. This also
includes the villages of India where about
68 per cent of the population resides. To
ensure that this population also gets every
facility that are provided in urban settings, the
Government launched the Shyama Prasad
Mukherji Rurban Mission scheme in 2016
S a a P a a M e R a M o SPMRM
S a a P a a M e R a M o
Flagship Scheme
T
he rural population of India also
desires education, good hospitals,
potable water and other facilities
like Internet and better employment
opportunities. All these things attract
them to the cities. While they migrate, the
question of why they cannot get these
services in villages constantly haunts
them. To mitigate the problems of the
common man, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi launched Shyama Prasad Mukherji

HOW ‘RURBAN’ WAS PROPOSED
l Around 300 Rurban clusters in 5 years; the Government is aiming for
1,000 more in the next 3 years
l The idea behind Rurban is to develop a village which offers facilities
like a city. While doing so, it is ensured to preserve and nurture the
essence of rural community life
l Aim was to develop 300 Rurban clusters in initial 5 years. By Febru-
ary 2020, the Government gave approval for developing 296 clusters
l Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having a popula-
tion of 30-40 Lakh. Clusters will be geographically contiguous Gram
Panchayats with a population of about 25,000 to 50,000 in plain and
coastal areas and a population of 5,000 to 15,000 in desert, hilly or
tribal areas
l These clusters are identified by the Ministry of Rural Development
by adopting a scientific process to analyse various aspects such as
population, economic potential, capacities, tourism, etc., at the district,
sub-district and village level
l These clusters would be developed by provisioning of economic
activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship and
providing infrastructure amenities
T a e e t at e e t eo e e e o e o I a
Soo t e oa o t e o ea e o t A goo a e o t o e o g
o t o t e age e a a a e, e t e e t T e e
e t e e o ga e a o e te t e o o a t t e
W t t ag at o e a e ta t g t R a og a e to a
I e e e e t a toget e t e o t , o o
eo e a e go g to e e t o t
P e M te Na e a Mo
Rurban Mission scheme in Chhattisgarh on
February 21, 2016. In his address, he said:
“People say if there is Smart City why not
Smart Village?”
The scheme was named after Dr Shyama
Prasad Mukherji. Rurban is a word made by
joining ‘rur’ from rural and ‘ban’ from the word
urban. The scheme is aimed at developing
rural areas by provisioning of economic, social
and physical infrastructure facilities.
For the development of the country in a
true sense, it is important that villages are
also developed. If we have to make economic
progress, provide employment to people then
we need to take the development to grass
root levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said: “The idea of Rurban mission has been
conceived to make them the centres of growth.
It will make them the nerve centre of economic
growth. There will be small markets, trade will
run for 5-10 nearby villages and slowly they
will become Rurban.”
Former President late APJ
Abdul Kalam highlighted a
vision of transformation of
rural India by launching a
large scale mission for Pro-
vision of Urban Amenities
in Rural Areas (PURA). He
visualised providing four
elements of connectivi-
ty: Physical connectivity,
electronic connectivity,
knowledge connectivity
and economic connectivity.
The pilot project of PURA
failed. Rurban was formed
after this.

New India Samachar
36
Padma Shri Award winners of the New India are the new-age heroes.
Despite dedicating their lives to a substantial cause they remain largely
unknown and lead an anonymous life. But, after getting recognition in
the form of Padma Shri, they have now become a source of inspiration
for the entire country
Pa a A a o e e
o I a
UNSUNG HEROES
A
hero can come from anywhere. It is
often the ordinary people who leave a
mark with their extraordinary actions.
Sadly though, recognition hardly comes their
way despite dedicating their lives to a worthy
cause. Recognising this disparity, the Central
Government decided to honour and reward such
unsung heroes. Since 2014, the Government has
been conferring Padma Shri awards upon such
personalities.
The Government that took initiative to
end the VIP culture by banning red beacon
has the common man as its priority. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi considers everyone’s
contribution important, and emphasises that
even a small effort can bring about a big change
in the country. The Government has changed the
entire selection procedure for Padma Awards to
We are proud of all those who have
been conferred the Padma Awards.
India cherishes their contribution
to the nation and humanity at large.
These exceptional individuals from
different walks of life have brought
qualitative changes in the lives of
others.
Pa a A a
Special Report

Among the Padma Awardees, there were several unsung heroes.
They were honoured for their selfless service to society.
The Struggle that became an Inspiration
recognise and honour the contribution of every
citizen for building a New India. Now, the work
of an individual counts and not his/her identity.
It is only under this Government that even the
common man of the country is considered for
the highest civilian award.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned
this in his Mann Ki Baat, “There was a certain
methodology of awarding Padma Awards
every year, but this entire process has been
changed for the past three years. Now, any
citizen can nominate any person in our country.
Transparency has been brought about in the
entire process by making it operable online.”
Padma Awards are announced every year on
the occasion of Republic Day. For the year 2021,
B a a Ra a A a Pa a a Ta Na
Instrumental in getting Prevention of and
Protection from Witch Hunting Act, 2015, passed
105-year-old woman organic farmer
Assam’s Birubala Rabha started her crusade
against witch-hunting when she herself faced
an unpleasant situation. It was a common
practise in her village to label women as
witches and carry out atrocities against them.
Birubala decided to raise voice against this evil
practise. She formed a group of women and
began fighting. The Government had to relent as
she saved as many as 42 women so far. It was
due to her efforts that the Assam Government
passed Prevention of and Protection from Witch
Hunting Act, 2015.
People go in retirement mode after reaching
the age of 60 but Pappammal of Tamil Nadu
is inspiring people for organic farming at
the age of 105! She herself does organic
farming in her 2.5 acres of land. Taking
inspiration from her, several farmers in
the area have resorted to organic farming.
Pappammal also actively participates in
programmes related to agriculture. She is
a member of the advisory board of Tamil
Nadu Agriculture University.
Pa a V a
S A e
Pa a V a
SPBa a a a a
Pa a B a
Tarun Gogoi
Check the entire list of
Padma awardees by
clicking on the link- https://
padmaawards.gov.in/
PDFS/2021AwardeesList.pdf

New India Samachar
38
7 personalities have been conferred Padma
Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma
Shri. A few renowned personalities conferred
with the Padma awards included Shinzō Abe,
former Prime Minister of Japan, who was
given Padma Vibhushan for providing a new
dimension to Indo-Japanese friendship. Great
singer from Tamil Nadu S P Balasubrahmanyam
was given Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
Ex-Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, was
Dr Thiruvengadam Veeraraghavan Ta Na
Po t o
T t C o o La a S t C atto a a We t Be ga
Na a a De at We t Be ga
A doctor with Rs 2 consultation fee
Built 38-km-long road by selling his property Teacher charging Re 1 as tuition fee for entire year
Creator of world’s longest-running comic strip
Dr Thiruvengadam Veeraraghavan from North
Chennai was famous for treating patients
for just Rs 2. Dr Veeraraghavan started this
in 1973 to ease financial hardship of his
patients. He increased his consultation fee to
Rs 5 later. Other doctors in the area objected
to this, asking him to charge at least Rs 100.
But opposing this he decided to diagnose the
patients for free.
Saddened by the struggles faced by locals due
to lack of proper roads, 79-year-old Tsultrim
Chonjor of Zanskar area of Kargil District sold
his property to buy a machine costing Rs 57
Lakh and built a 38-km-long road. Earlier locals
had to walk for several days and had to pay
huge amount for commutation but with this
road, challenges are reduced.
Sujit Chattopadhyay of Bardhman District of
West Bengal, is a shining example of altruism.
He is charging Re 1 per annum as fee for
his classes. There are over 300 students
in Chattopadhyay’s coaching institute.
Chattopadhyay says, “How can children
from the poor families afford huge fees of
coaching? Considering this, I decided to start
this coaching. I was not expecting such a
great honour for his work.”
If it is asked who holds the record of running
the longest comic strip in the world, even well
informed people might be caught unaware. But
this extraordinary feat is achieved by Narayan
Debnath. Born in Howrah, the 97-year-old
Debnath has been making Bangla comic strips
for over 70 years and is the only comic artist
who has been awarded a D.Lit. His comic
character Bantul is a household name in entire
West Bengal.
Pa a A a
Special Report

awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously and
former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan
was also conferred with Padma Bhushan.
While, there were many recognisable names
in the list of Padma Awards, there were also
several names that were unknown. But they got
recognition because of their exemplary work
and their tireless and selfless efforts.
A a a Ra Yat a S a Utta P a e Bhuri Bai Ma a P a e
A a e a A a a P a e La a K a Ra a t a
Imparting free Sanskrit education at 89 Her paintings brings her global recognition
Scaled Mt Everest twice in five days The lone Sindhi Sarangi player
India is one of the oldest civilisations in the
world where Sanskrit is considered as the
language coming through revelations. The
89-year-old Acharya Ram Yatna Shukla of
Varanasi is trying to bring this language
closer to the new generation by imparting
them free education in Sanskrit and Vedic
Science. He is the president of Kashi Vidvat
Parishad.
Bhuri Bai is the first tribal woman artist who
took Pithora Painting beyond the boundaries
of her village. Her canvas changed from
walls of the huts to paper, bringing her
laurels and recognition. Her works have
been displayed in galleries and museums
of Europe, Australia and the US. One of her
painting has also sold at the
Sotheby’s auction.
It is the dream of every mountaineer to scale
the highest mountain in the world– Mount
Everest. The 41-year-old, mother of two, Anshu
Jamsenpa is the only woman who scaled
Mount Everest twice in five days — first on
May 16, and then again on May 21, 2017. So
far, she has scaled Everest for a total of five
times.
Lakha Khan is the lone maestro of Sindhi
Sarangi in the country. Hailing from Jodhpur
district of Rajasthan, Khan belongs to Manganiar
community. He is a trained singer and can
sing in various languages like Hindi, Marwadi,
Sindhi, Punjabi and Multani. He was awarded
the Sahitya Academy Award and various other
international awards. Lakha has enthralled
people with his performance across the globe.

New India Samachar
40
Samman Nidhi fund is deposited
directly into the farmers’ bank
accounts. No commission, no
cut, no rigging. It is reaching
farmers directly. The goal of this
scheme is being achieved. This
scheme has been successful
in reaching out to the family of
every farmer and that too in a
timely manner
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Agriculture PM-KISAN and Soil Health Card
2 years of PM Kisan
Samman Nidhi
and 6 years of Soil
Health Card
FARMERS GAIN NEW TRUST,
BECOME SELF-RELIANT
Government schemes are taking care of the interests of farmers who were
neglected and deprived for decades. More than Rs 1,13,000 Crore have been
transferred to the farmers’ account under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme,
the world’s largest direct cash transfer scheme, launched two years ago. While
the Soil Health Card scheme launched 6 years ago is helping to
increase the agricultural production and income of farmers
O
n February 19, 2015, Soil Health
Card scheme was launched from
Sriganganagar district in Rajasthan.
This is not only helping to increase farmers’
agricultural productivity but is also helping
to augment their income. The Government
took another similar decision on February 24,
2019, and launched Kisan Samman Nidhi from
Uttar Pradesh for all farmers in the country. Its
objective was to take care of farmers’ expenses
related to agriculture and allied activities
through four-monthly instalments of Rs 2,000
credited directly into their bank accounts.
On one hand, Soil Health Card scheme
is giving positive results in improving soil
productivity by judicious application of nutrients

Sa a N B g g C ee to Fa e
Hea t So , G ee F e
while on the other, Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme
is becoming a boon especially for small farmers.
In the last two years, more than Rs 1,13,000
Crore have been deposited in the accounts of
10.60 Crore farmers under the Kisan Samman
Nidhi scheme.
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has
been a great support for farmers like Sardar
Singh and Sundar Singh from Haryana,
Ghanshyam Patel and Dhiru Patel from Gujarat,
Moolchand Mehwara from Madhya Pradesh and
M Sudhakar Reddy from Telangana. According
to these farmers, the scheme has immensely
benefitted both the small and big landowners.
The instalment comes on time in every four
months. At the same time, there is no need to
go to moneylenders for Rs 2,000 because their
needs are met by Kisan Samman Nidhi.
F o at o a o t PM K a Sa a N a e
o at t e e te tt a go
Fa e a eg te o t e te
T o 11 2 C o e e e a e a e ee eg te e
l International Soil Day was celebrated in 2015,
and the same year the Central Government
launched the Soil Health Card scheme to
assess the nutrient status of every farm holding
in the country
l Objective is to issue soil health cards to farmers
in every two years so as to provide a basis to
address nutritional deficiencies in fertilization
practices
l In Phase-I (2015-17), 10.74 Crore cards were
distributed, while under Phase-II (2017-19)
11.69 Crore cards were given away
l The Central Government spent more than
Rs 700 Crore for this scheme
l So far 429 New Static Soil Testing Labs (STLs),
102 New Mobile STLs, 8752 Mini STLs have
been provided
l Farmers can track their soil samples and also
obtain their Soil Health Card report
l A study conducted by the National Productivity
Council (NPC) says the application of Soil
Health Card recommendations has led to a
decline of 8-10% in use of chemical fertilizers
and also raised productivity by 5-6%
l During 2019-20, a pilot project ‘Development
of Model Villages’ was undertaken where soil
samples collection was done at individual
farm holding with farmer’s participation
instead of sample collection at grids
lThis scheme is also creating jobs for the
agrarian youth. Under this scheme, village
youth and farmers up to 40 years of age are
eligible to set up Soil Health Laboratories
and undertake testing
HOW TO AVAIL BENEFITS
Soil Health Card provides two sets of fertilizer
recommendations for six crops including
recommendations of organic manures.
Farmers can also get recommendations for
additional crops on demand. SHC portal has
farmer’s database of both the cycles and
is available in 21 languages for the benefit
of farmers. They can track their samples,
print their cards etc. at Common Service
Centres and also at the Farmers Corner of
www.soilhealth.gov.in and fulfil the mantra of
‘Swastha Dhara to Khet Hara’ (if the soil is
healthy, the fields will be green).

New India Samachar
42
DECISION: Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs increases Minimum Support Price of Copra
for 2021 season
BENEFITS:
l India is the largest producer of copra and
produces 15 Million tonnes in the 2 Million
hectare area. The decision is going to benefit 3
Million farmers in the 12 coastal states.
l The MSP for milling copra has been increased
by Rs 375 to Rs 10,335 per Quintal for 2021
season from Rs 9,960 per Quintal in 2020.
l The MSP for ball copra has been increased
by Rs 300 to Rs 10,600 per Quintal for 2021
season from Rs 10,300 per Quintal in 2020.
l The declared MSP ensures a return of 51.87
per cent for milling copra and 55.76 per cent for
ball copra over the all-India weighted average
cost of production.
l The increase in MSP for copra for 2021 season
is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP
at a level of at least 1.5 times of the all India
weighted average cost of production which
was announced by the Government in the
Budget 2018-19.
l It assures a minimum of 50 per cent as margin
of profit.
l NAFED and NCCF will continue to act as Central
Nodal Agencies to undertake price support
operations at the MSP in the coconut growing
States.
DEVELOPMENT FOR J&K; ENSURING
BETTER INCOME FOR FARMERS
The Government’s commitment towards
development and providing better income to the
farmers is reflected in the two recent Cabinet
decisions. It approved an increase in the MSP on
ball copra and milling copra benefitting over 3 Million
farmers from 12 states, and a hydel power project for
Jammu & Kashmir for faster development of the UT
DECISION:InvestmentProposalofRs5,281.94
Crore for 850 MW Ratle Hydro Power Project
on river Chenab, in Kishtwar District of Union
Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. A Joint Venture
Company (JVC) to be incorporated between
NHPC and JKSPDC with equity contribution of
51 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively.
BENEFITS:
l The Government is supporting J&K by
providing grant of Rs 776.44 Crore for Equity
contribution of JKSPDC in the JVC to be set
up for construction of Ratle HE Project. NHPC
shall invest its equity of Rs 808.14 Crore.
l The Ratle Hydro Electric Project shall be
commissioned within a span of 60 months.
l The Power generated from this project will
help in providing balancing of Grid and will
improve the power supply position.
l The construction activities of the project will
result in direct and indirect employment to
around 4,000 persons and will contribute in
overall socio-economic development of J&K.
Cabinet Decisions

Positive Approach
TURNING WASTE INTO FABRIC
Ramgulab, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh,
came to limelight when he got appreciation
from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a
programme in December last year. Ramgulab
has formed a Farmer Producer Organisation
(FPO) with a group of 300 farmers. They are
now selling their produce for one and a half
times more compared to earlier. A Government
campaign is underway in the country to create
more than 10,000 FPOs and they are being
provided financial assistance. Ramgulab’s FPO
is selling their V-43 golden sweet potato crop to
an Ahmedabad-based farming company. After
beinghailedbythePrimeMinister,Ramgulabwas
approached by the Indian Railways to help them
in transporting the produce to Gujarat, saving
time and money. The company will purchase 400
tons sweet potato and give them Rs 25/kg. The
same crop would fetch them only Rs 15-20/per
kg in local market. The first consignment of 10
tons will be sent in February while 200 tons of
sweet potato will be supplied by June 2021. Now,
Ramgulab’s sweet potato will reach markets in
Gujarat at less cost and in just around 35 hours.
The Government’s new farming initiatives have changed the life of sweet potato cultivator
Ramgulab who was appreciated by the Prime Minister during a programme in December
2020; initiative taken by a group of women is not only helping to keep Kaziranga National
Park clean but generating employment
WHERE THERE IS A WILL
THERE IS A WAY!
NEW AVENUES FOR FARMERS
Rupjyoti Saikia Gogoi has found an innovative
way to deal with the plastic trash thrown in
and around Kaziranga National Park— a world
heritage site and home to the endangered one-
horned rhino. Gogoi collects this trash and turns
it into traditional handloom fabric through her
venture – Village Weaves. She along with other
women from the area go around collecting all the
litter that they can find. Once they collect enough,
the entire trash is washed and dried. Long strips
are cut out of the collected material and tied by
hand to make a long thread out of it. This thread
is then woven along with a cotton thread on the
traditional loom. Afterwards this fabric is used
to make various items like traditional dresses,
stoles, table runners etc. So far she has trained
over 2,000 women across 35 villages in Assam
making them self-reliant. In 2012, the group set
up a sales outlet named Kaziranga Haat, where
they sell their products directly to the foreigners
and other customers. Her initiative is not only
helping in environment conservation but is also
making women financially independent.
C a g g I a

Tune in to Mann Ki Baat by scanning QR Code
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hails local heroes and their path breaking initiatives in his Mann
Ki Baat programme, and elaborates on how India’s self reliance and capabilities helped it to
serve the world in time of ongoing Corona crisis
INDIA EMERGES STRONGER
AND CAPABLE
PADMA AWARDS: Tradition of conferring
Padma Awards on unsung heroes is maintained
this time too. I urge all of you to know more about
these people and their contribution.
FASTEST VACCINATION: India is undertaking
world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccination
programme. In just 15 days, India has vaccinated
over 30 Lakh Corona Warriors, whereas country
such as America took 18 days to get the same
done; Britain took 36 days!
TOURIST DESTINATIONS: Inspired by my
suggestion of visiting 15 domestic tourist
places in the country, on January 1, Priyanka
Pandey visited ancestral residence of India’s first
President Dr Rajendra Prasad. This was her first
step in the realm of acquainting herself with the
country’s great luminaries.
DISCOVER INDIA: As India will celebrate 75
years of her freedom, an initiative has been
taken for Young Writers for the purpose of India
Seventy-Five. This will encourage young writers
who write on subject of freedom struggle and
freedom fighters, who have studied deeply about
Indian heritage and culture.
POWER OF INNOVATION:Thevegetablemarket
of Boinpalli in Hyderabad is generating electricity
from vegetable waste. Around 500-units of
electricity is generated every day from 10 ton
of waste, and about 30 kgs of bio fuel too is
generated.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Four women pilots
from India took command of a non-stop flight
from San Francisco to Bangalore. On January
26 parade, two women officers of the Indian Air
Force created history. The participation of the
women of the country is continuously on the rise.
AGRICULTURE: Recently, a month long
‘Strawberry Festival’ began in Jhansi. Now, there
is growing enthusiasm about the cultivation of
Strawberry in Bundelkhand, and one of Jhansi's
daughters - Gurleen Chawla has played a huge
role in it! Jhansi’s Strawberry festival emphasises
the ‘Stay at Home’ concept.
YOGA TRANSCENDS BORDER: In Chile,
November 4 was declared as National Yoga
Day. There is another aspect about the Chilean
Parliament, which will interest you. The name
of the Vice President of the Chilean Senate is
Rabindranath Quinteros. He has been so named,
inspired by Vishwa Kavi Gurudev Rabindranath
Tagore.
ROAD SAFETY: From January 18 to February
17, the country is observing Road Safety month.
Road accidents are a matter of concern not just
in the country but also the world over. Today,
in India, many efforts are being made for road
safety at the individual and collective level along
with the Government.
RECOGNISING CREATIVITY: Passing through
the roads that the Border Road Organisation
builds, one gets to see many innovative slogans.
Now you can also send such innovative slogans
or catch phrases on MyGov. Good slogans will be
used in this campaign.
सससससस-ससस
Episode 20: January 31, 2021
Mann Ki Baat 2.0
New India Samachar
44

Media Corner

RNI No. :
DELENG/2020/78811
February: 16-28, 2021
Fortnightly
T e o t e e e C at a at
Shivaji on his 391st Birth Anniversary
o Fe a 19
Shivaji Maharaj shone on the
att e e e t a a
a t at o He to e
several lives through his
goo go e a e
सर्वप्रथम राष्ट्र, फिर गुरु, फिर
माता-फिता, फिर िरमेश्वर।
अतः िहले खुद को नही राष्ट्र
को देखना चाफहए।
-छत्रितत शिराजी महाराज
P e M te Na e a Mo
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
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 13-17 advance
Fortnightly (Publishing Date February 4, 2021, Pages - 48)

1(16). NIS English February16-28 (2021).pdf

More Related Content

1(16). NIS English February16-28 (2021).pdf