23-Feb-2019: 14th Agricultural Science Congress - 2019 concludes
The four-day long "14th Edition of Agricultural Science Congress - 2019" jointly organized by the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) and ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute at National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi concluded today.
In his valedictory address, Prof. K. Vijayraghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India expressed concern about the changing climate and the vulnerabilities of agriculture and human to the changes. He also called for a co-operative effort to mitigate the challenges in a holistic way by addressing not only the effects, but causes also.
Dr. R.B. Singh, Chairman, Scientific Programme Committee, 14th ASC - 2019 & Former President, NAAS opined for the need to harmonize a regulatory framework to create win-win environment for all the co-operative countries that need to take advantage of this changed scenario of the globalized world.
The Congress with its theme "Innovations for Agricultural Transformation" provided the visitors with an opportunity to learn and know about the various schemes being announced by the Government for lessening the agrarian crisis and improving the farmer's welfare by doubling up their income.
The Congress registered a total participation by 1,736 Delegates including 506 students. Around 43 Delegates from 17 countries also registered their participation in the Congress.
Dr. W.H. Pfeiffer, Dr. Lee Hickey, Prof. John Dixon, Dr. Danielle Carrier, Dr. Rajeev Varshney along with other stalwarts of Indian Agriculture also marked their presence during the Congress and discussed about the various latest agricultural technologies that are being developed and are deemed to be a landmark in bringing substantial change in the agricultural arena of the country.
A total of 123 exhibitors from ICAR, SAUs, state governments and national, state and private sector organizations also marked their active participation in the ASC-India Expo - 2019, an exhibition organized as a part of the Congress. The various stalls put up during the exhibition depicted a plethora of varied varieties of different agricultural technologies and products that proved to provide the visitors with a real aroma of agricultural world.
The scientific and technical sessions held during the Congress discussed about the various techniques and technologies developed by the various scientists of agricultural fields in the direction of transforming the agricultural arena.
The occasion also felicitated around 22 candidates from a total of around 1,100 for their Best Posters.
5-Feb-2019: WLPGA 2019 Asia LPG Summit
The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has said that India has emerged as a bright spot in the global economy in the recent years. Inaugurating the WLPGA 2019 Asia LPG Summit, he said that with strong economy and supportive policy environment, Our Government remains committed to inclusive, holistic and sustainable high economic growth. As a welfare state, we are committed to provide basic necessities of life to the last person standing. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a programme to provide affordable house to all by 2022, each of which will have toilet, electricity connection, LPG, drinking water, and bank account under the Jan Dhan Yojana.
The Minister said that Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which was launched in May 2016 with a target of 5 crore of deposit free LPG connections, has already covered over 6 crore vulnerable, disadvantaged sections of the society, and it will cover 8 crore by next financial year. He said that PMUY is now a universal scheme, covering all poor households.
Appreciating the collective efforts of all the stakeholders, Shri Pradhan said that LPG connections are now available to 90% population which was just about 55% in 2014. He said that traditional fuel causes pollution and has health implications. Switching over to LPG has not only empowered women, but has also protected their families from indoor pollution. The Minister said that India has become the second largest importer of LPG. The successful implementation of PMUY has been hailed by various multilateral agencies and developed nations, and has set an example for the developing countries. The scheme has brought Swasthya and Samman, important for Swaraj. The scheme has catered to the Bottom of the Pyramid. The Minister talked of Ujjwala Panchayats in which 10 million beneficiaries have participated so far, and which focusses on safety, sharing of experiences and provides valuable feedback. He said that the Government has implemented PAHAL, the largest DBT scheme through which one lakh crore rupees have been transferred. Sh Pradhan said that the Prime Minister launched Giveitup, which inspired people to take part wholeheartedly in giving up subsidies, and the savings were used for developmental activities. The Minister talked about extending regional cooperation with neighbouring countries and stressed on collaborative efforts.
The Asia LPG summit is being organized by the World LPG Association (WLPGA), which is the voice of the global LPG Industry representing the full LPG value chain. The primary goal of the Association is to add value to the sector by driving premium demand for LPG, while also promoting compliance to good business and safety practices. The WLPGA brings together over 200 private and public companies operating in more than 125 countries involved in one, several or all activities of the industry; develops long-term partnerships with international organisations; and implements projects on local and global scales. The Association was established in 1987 and granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1989.
18-Feb-2019: 'International Vision Zero Conference’ to Promote Occupational Safety and Health Inaugurated in Mumbai
Shri Heeralal Samariya, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment inaugurated the three days Conference on the VISION ZERO and its relevance to Occupational Safety and Health being held from 18th to 20th, February, 2019 in Mumbai. The Conference has been organized by Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Ministry of Labour and Employment, German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Germany in association with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and International Social Security Association - Manufacturing, Construction and Mining.
The concept of ‘Vision Zero’ is fast gaining international acceptance and is expected to leverage the efforts of the Government of India to raise the occupational safety and health standards in the country so as to improve the occupational safety and health situation. The concept of Vision Zero is based on four fundamental principles viz. life is non-negotiable, humans are fallible, tolerable limits are defined by human physical resistance, and people are entitled to safe transport and safe workplaces. The Vision is based on principles of Controlling Risks, Ensuring Safety and Health in Machines, Equipment and Workplaces and Skill Upgradation of Workforce.
The participants attending the conference from various sectors across a wide variety of industries are expected to be benefitted by the common platform provided by the conference through sharing of best practices both nationally and internationally. On the other hand, the international community will get an appraisal of the occupational safety and health status in India thereby exposing the Indian industrial occupational safety and health scenario to the international community.
The conference provides a forum for promoting safety and health at work by exchanging knowledge, practices and experience. Experts in the field of Occupational Safety and Health reinforce and build networks and alliances while laying the groundwork for cooperation and strengthening relationships. More than 1200 national and international delegates comprising of occupational safety and health professionals from the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors had participated in the conference. The speakers segment comprised of both international speakers from Germany, France, Chile and many more European countries. The speakers from India comprised of top OSH executives and professionals, government officials expert in the field of OSH.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has ventured into making international collaborations to further strengthen the labour standards in the country. One of such action was an Memorandum of Understanding entered between (DGFASLI), an attached office of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) that seeks to enhance safety and health at work, to reduce the occurrence of work related accidents and diseases and to promote social protection.
Keeping in tune with the changing industrial scenario, the recommendations of the conference was very vital in achieving sustainable economic progress, in consonance with the changing requirements of safety, health and environment aspects in the country.
An exhibition showcasing personal protective equipments (PPEs) which are manufactured in India under “Make In India” movement, Occupational Health, High Risk Prevention, Work Environmental Protection etc., has also been organised on the sidelines of the conference by Safety Appliances Manufacture Association (SAMA), all under one roof. The exhibition will provide the most efficient platform to support technological communication and business trade. About 100 leading manufacturers /suppliers from India have participated in the Exhibition.