Consulate General of India, Vancouver www.cgivancouver.gov.in
Vol. 04, Issue No. 32 August 14, 2020.
Indian handloom products are known the world over for their intricate designs, unique patterns and finesse and contribute to 95% of the world’s handwoven fabric production! #Vocal4Handmade Know more: http://bit.ly/textiles-apparel…
India Perspectives India Perspectives is the flagship publication of the Ministry of External Affairs. Richly illustrated, this magazine provides our readers with an insight into India’s culture and tradition along with elements of contemporary India. Click here to read more…. Ministry of External Affairs, India
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Vol. 04, Issue 32, August 14, 2020.
Consulate News
Vande Bharat Mission AI Flight from Vancouver to Delhi - Phase – V (August 09, 2020)
Vande Bharat Mission AI Flight from Vancouver to Delhi - Phase – V (August 12, 2020)
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Vol. 04, Issue 32, August 14, 2020.
PM Kisan is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India. It has become operational from 1.12.2018. Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments will be provided to small and marginal farmer families having combined land holding/ownership of upto 2 hectares. Definition of family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children. State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines. The fund will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The first instalment for the period 1.12.2018 to 31.03.2019 provided in the financial year itself. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released benefit to beneficiaries of ‘PM’s Kisan Samman Nidhi and announced the establishment of ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund’ on 09.08.2020. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the financing facility of Rs. 1 lakh crore under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund on 09.08.2020 via video conferencing. Prime Minister also released the sixth installment of funds of Rs. 17,000 crore to 8.5 crore farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme. The event witnessed by lakhs of farmers, cooperatives, and citizens across the country. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, was also present on the occasion. Objective and Benefits: The scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of all landholding farmers’ families in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income as well as for domestic needs. Under the Scheme an amount of Rs.6000/- per year is released by the Central Government online directly into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under Direct Benefit Transfer mode, subject to certain exclusions. There are various Exclusion Categories for the scheme. The following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible for benefit under the scheme: a) All Institutional Land holders; and b) Farmer families in which one or more of its members belong to following categories: i.
Former and present holders of constitutional posts
ii.
Former and present Ministers / State Ministers and former / present Members of Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha / State Legislative Assemblies / State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
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iii.
All serving or retired officers and employees of Central / State Government Ministries / Offices / Departments and their field units, Central or State PSEs and Attached offices / Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular 3 employees of the Local Bodies (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV / Group D employees)
iv.
All superannuated / retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs.10,000/- or more (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV / Group D employees)
v.
All Persons who paid Income Tax in last assessment year.
vi.
Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking practices.
c) In case of new beneficiaries being uploaded on the PM-KISAN Portal, all land holding farmers’ families who are Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in terms of the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 shall be excluded from any benefit under the Scheme. More details on the PM-Kisan Scheme are available on the portal: https://pmkisan.gov.in/
Cultural Heritage - Festivals of India Independence Day (August 15, 2020) On August 15, every year, India celebrates its Independence Day, which marks the event when it attained freedom from the British rule. Independence Day celebrations are centred in the national capital, Delhi, where important government landmarks are bedecked and roads are decorated with the National Flag. Moreover, the ceremonial National Flag hoisting takes place at Red Fort from where the Prime Minister delivers a speech to the entire nation. The day is observed as a National Holiday all over the country, and people across the nation fly kites to celebrate their liberation. Read more‌
Source: https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredible-india-v2/en/events/independence-day.html
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Vol. 04, Issue 32, August 14, 2020.
India News Section 1. Gaganyaan: Indian astronauts complete training on crew actions in Russia Four Indian Air Force officers selected to be part of the Gaganyaan mission have completed training in Russia on crew actions in the event of an abnormal descent module landing. In a statement, Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russian space organisation Roscosmos, said that the officers were in good health and determined to continue with the rest of the module. Read more… (Shibu Tripathi , Business Standard, , Saturday, 8th August 2020, 4:21 am)
2. India opens to and fro travel with 4 countries India on Friday opened international travel to and from the USA, the UK, Germany and France. The Union Home Ministry said that Indians can also go to these countries and foreigners including OCIs with valid visa can now travel to these nations and come to India. India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has entered into an “air bubble agreement” with the USA, the UK, Germany and France. The Ministry said that soon more countries will be in this bilateral agreement of air travel known as ‘air bubble agreement’ in the wake of Covid-19 situation. Read more… (PNS, The Pioneer, , Saturday, 8th August 2020, 3:37 am)
3. Vande Bharat Mission will continue: Civil aviation ministry Vande Bharat Mission, under which Indians stranded abroad due to conditions created by Covid-19 are brought back home, will continue, cvil aviation ministry said on Saturday, a day after an Air India Express flight from Dubai crash-landed at Kozhikode airport resulting in the death of 18 persons. Read more… (ANI, Times of India, , Sunday, 9th August 2020, 2:01 am)
4. India attracts $22 billion FDI during COVID-19: Amitabh Kant India's FDI regime is the most liberal in the world, and even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has attracted over $22 billion worth of direct investments, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on August 8. Read more… (PTI, Money Control, , Sunday, 9th August 2020, 3:19 am)
5. Modi announces Rs1L cr support for agriculture sector Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a 11 lakh crore agriculture infra-structure fund to boost investment in the farm sector, especially in cold storages, warehousing and markets for farmers. The scheme was first announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of a 120 lakh crore economic stimulus and relief package in the wake of the coronavirus disease pandemic. Read more… (Hindustan Times, Delhi, Monday, 10th August 2020)
6. PM launches 2,300-km undersea cable project to boost Andamans internet connectivity Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the first ever undersea optical fibre cable project for Andaman and Nicobar Islands which will provide high speed broadband connections in the union territory at par with services in the mainland. Modi said that the role of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is very crucial and it is going to be enhanced further under India's ActEast policy. Read more… (Asian Age, Tuesday, 11th August 2020, 3:22 am)
7. India sending more relief, humanitarian materials to explosion-hit Lebanon India is sending more relief and humanitarian materials, including medicines and foodstuff, to Lebanon after a massive explosion last week devastated parts of Beirut, killing more than 160 people and injuring 6,000 others. Read more… (PTI, Business Standard, , Wednesday, 12th August 2020, 3:00 am)
Important Trade Fairs in India – To know more, click on 4|P a g e
Vol. 04, Issue 32, August 14, 2020. 8. Israel shares AI-based technology, high-end equipment with AIIMS to help combat COVID-19 Israel has shared "state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-based technologies and high-end equipment" with AIIMS, Delhi as part of Israel-India cooperation to fight ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more… (ANI, Zee News, , Wednesday, 12th August 2020, 1:36 am)
9. Over 10 lakh Indians have returned from abroad under Vande Bharat Mission: MEA Over 10 lakh Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the "Vande Bharat" evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. Read more… (PTI, Outlook India, , Wednesday, 12th August 2020, 2:41 am)
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PM Modi Launches Financing Facility under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
PM Narendra Modi launches submarine cable connectivity between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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Vol. 04, Issue 32, August 14, 2020.
COVID-19 - Travel Advisories and Updates (Click on the headline to see the information...)
1. Press Release - Discontinuation of walk-in consular services, including passport, at Consulate (March 16, 2020) 2. New Guidelines for Traveler’s to India (02 August, 2020) 3. List of Quarantine Facilities 3. FAQs - Vande Bharat Mission Phase - 3 (June 10, 2020) 4. VandeBharatMission phase 3 further simplifies the booking process for Indian citizens and OCI Card holders with compelling reasons to travel. Register with High Commission/Consulates and book directly with http://airindia.in for flights scheduled after 11 June
Click here for more updates…
India – A tourism destination
Mizoram is a Northeastern state of India, and has a lot to offer. Vantwang Falls in Thenzawl is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in Mizoram. www.incredibleindia.org
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