Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh today gave away Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2021 on the occasion of 96th Raising Day of Directorate General Defence Estates in New Delhi. The recipients were awarded for innovation and digital achievements in the fields of health, education, and sanitation along with public service and land management. Since classes were being run online due to COVID-19 pandemic, the awards in the field of education were not considered. This year, a new award has been instituted by the Defence Minister for achievement in the implementation of 'e-Chhawani' project. These categories are Swachh Chhawani Swasth Chhawani, Digital Accomplishments, Innovation in Public Services,  Land and Record management,  Improvement in Cantonment General Hospital, and Implementation of 'e-Chhawani' Project.

Congratulating the award winners, Mr Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that the awards will encourage all the winning organizations to work for the betterment of Cantonment Boards. He said these awards are testimony to the perseverance and commitment of DGDE towards nation-building. The Minister lauded the efforts of the DGDE towards management of 17.98 lakh acres of land and the civil administration of 62 cantonments across the country. He appreciated the fact that the DGDE is constantly striving to provide modern facilities to Cantonment areas and meet the growing aspirations of the military officers, soldiers, their families as well as the civilian population of more than 20 lakh people. 

On the occasion of 50th Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today participated in the Homage and Reception Ceremony of Swarnim Vijay Mashaals at National War Memorial in New Delhi. As a part of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh Celebrations to commemorate 50 years of India’s victory in 1971 war and formation of Bangladesh, on 16 December last year, Prime Minister had lit the Swarnim Vijay Mashaal from the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial. He had also lit four flames that were to traverse along different directions. During the Homage Ceremony today, these four flames were merged by the Prime Minister with the Eternal Flame at the National War Memorial. These four flames which were merged today,  have traversed across the length and breadth of the country, including to Siachen, Kanyakumari, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Longewala, Rann of Kutch and Agartala. The flames were taken to key battle areas and also to the houses of gallantry award winners and veterans of 1971 war.

 On the occasion. Mr Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid  wreath at the National War Memorial. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released commemorative stamp on the occasion at the National War Memorial.

Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the fourth tranche of auction of 99 coal mines including 24 new mines at a function in Delhi today. Launching the latest tranche, the Minister called upon the investors who have already completed successful bidding of coal mines to start production at the earliest for greater self-reliance in this sector. Mr. Joshi also urged the officials to identify more coal blocks for auction. He further pointed out that at least for next 30 to 40 years coal will continue to be crucial in India’s energy sector. He urged investors to step up participation in the fully transparent auction process evolved by the Coal Ministry.

Of these 99 mines on offer, 59 are fully explored mines and 40 are partially explored. These mines are spread across eight coal-bearing states. These are Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Ministry of Law and Justice has said that to provide free and competent legal aid to the weaker sections of the society a Citizens Tele law Mobile App has been launched in November this year.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju informed that this Mobile Application enables the beneficiary to access pre-litigation advice and consultation directly from the empanelled lawyers free of cost.

The Minister further added that the app is available in six languages like Hindi, English, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi.

He said that the Android version of the mobile app is available on Google App store.

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh launched Management Information System (MIS) portal for rankings of States and Union Territories in Land Acquisition Projects. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said, as per the ranking and performance, the top three States and top three districts will be awarded. He said, the MIS portal will not only show the data and figures but it will also show the speed of the development in the country.

He said that this portal is a result of the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give impetus to the government's Gati Shakti Mission.

Expressing concern over the delayed implementation of the projects in the country, the Minister said that delay in completion of projects increases the project cost and hampers the speed of development.

The 3rd Annual Defence Dialogue between India and France will be held in New Delhi today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the meeting with his French counterpart Ms Florence Parly.

Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed six agreements with four countries for launching foreign satellites during 2021-2023.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Singh said that about 132 Million Euros will be earned through launching of these foreign satellites on a commercial basis.

The Minister said, starting from 1999, a total of 342 foreign satellites belonging to 34 countries have been successfully launched on a commercial basis. 

India has registered the highest ever annual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow of 81.97 billion dollar in 2020-21. Commerce and Industry Ministry said, FDI inflows in the last seven financial years is over 440 billion dollar, which is nearly 58 percent of the total FDI inflow in last 21 financial years.

The Ministry said, top five countries from where FDI Equity Inflows were received during 2014 to 2021 are Singapore, Mauritius, USA, Netherlands and Japan.

Computer Software and Hardware sector attracted the largest share of FDI inflows, followed by Service, Trading and Telecommunications. The Ministry said, government has taken various steps to boost domestic and foreign investments in India. 

President Ram Nath Kovind will meet the liberation war fighters of Bangladesh called Muktijoddha as well as Indian veterans this morning in Dhaka. Before concluding his three-day state visit to Bangladesh today, will inaugurate the renovated Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka which was destroyed by the Pakistani army during the 1971 liberation war. Mr Kovind will also interact with a cross-section of Bangladeshi society and people of the Indian community.

Last evening, delivering his address as the guest of honour in Parliament of Bangladesh, Jatiya Sangsad, the President said that India has always attached the highest priority to its friendship with Bangladesh. He was participating in the golden jubilee celebrations of independence of Bangladesh and concluding ceremony of birth centenary celebrations of Bangandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Recalling the 50-year-old friendship between both countries, Mr Kovind said, the partnership began by surmounting extraordinary challenges and time has come to raise the bar even higher.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and address the All India Mayors’ Conference in Varanasi at 10:30 AM today via video conferencing. Mayors from various states across the country will participate in the conference, being organised by the Department of Urban Development, Uttar Pradesh. The theme of the Conference is “New Urban India”. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to ensure ease of living in urban areas.

The government has launched multiple schemes and initiatives to address the issues of dilapidated urban infrastructure and lack of amenities. A special focus of these efforts has been the state of Uttar Pradesh, which has witnessed tremendous progress and transformation of the urban landscape, especially in the last five years.

A 3-day exhibition is also being organized from today to showcase the key achievements of the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government in the sphere of urban development. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri will also be present on the occasion.