Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today launched the Online Portal https://afd.csdindia.gov.in/ for purchase of items Against Firm Demand (AFD) from CSD Canteens.

The objective of the launch of this Online Portal is to enable about 45 Lakh CSD beneficiaries including Serving & Retired persons from Armed Forces and Serving Civilian Defence employees to purchase AFD-I items (like Cars, Motorcycles, Washing machines, TVs, Fridges etc) from the comfort of their home.

Appreciating the launch of this portal, Defence Minister conveyed the commitment of the Govt towards the welfare of all Jawans and Officers of Armed Forces and the Veterans.

He complimented the entire team for the successful completion of this project.

Rajnath Singh said that the project was in line with the vision of Digital India, enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju today inaugurated a residential hostel in the premises of the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. It will be a 162 bed air conditioned hostel with an attached washroom facility. There will also be an air conditioned dining area and facilities for sports specific diet and a separate recreation area for boys and girls. The facility has been created at a cost of Rs 12.26 crore.
 
On the occasion, Mr Rijiju also announced that all the hostels must be of at least three star standard in terms of food, hospitality and cleanliness with the facility management being done by an expert agency. He added that there should be a separate girls hostel and separate boys hostel.

He said, with the creation of this hostel facility, it will be a major boost for the Indian shooters training at the facility who have previously been staying at accommodation outside the shooting range.

Opening savings account in IDBI Bank has become easier as the lender has launched video KYC account opening (VAO) facility for savings bank accounts. Customers can now open a savings account with the bank through the facility from the convenience of his/her home or office as there are no physical forms to be filled or visits to be made to the branch, it said in a release.

“VAO – Video KYC Account Opening is yet another step in creating more digital journeys benefiting the customers. This comes close on the heels of the “I Quick" mobile app-based account opening and “WhatsApp Banking" facilities the Bank had launched recently. The Bank is endeavouring to make more such customer friendly digital conveniences available for customer delight", said Suresh Khatanhar, Deputy Managing Director, IDBI Bank after inaugurating a centralized Video-KYC hub at Mumbai.

It is worth noting that IDBI Bank holds 23 percent stake in life insurance venture to foreign partner Ageas for Rs 507 crore. In October 2020, the bank implemented the new feature of document embedding facility with Letter of Credit/Bank Guarantee messages over SFMS platform of IFTAS through its middleware application i@Connect-SFMS.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju launched the Assam Rifles Public School in Shillong as a Khelo India Sports School today. At present, nine Sports Schools have been approved across the country, out of which five are managed by Defence and Paramilitary forces. In the North-East Region, Assam Rifles Public School is the first Sports School announced under Khelo India scheme.

Union Government shall now bear the expenses for Talented Sports Students of the school in terms of lodging, boarding, education expenses, competition exposure and more. The objective of a Khelo India Sports School is to integrate sports with education and in the process, develop sports in the country and improve the overall profile and outlook of athletes. This will also help in the identification and upliftment of talent from North-eastern, rural or tribal areas.

Prime Minister inaugurates National Metrology Conclave 2021 today through video conferencing. Delivering the inaugural address of the National Metrology Conclave 2021 through video conferencing today, Mr. Modi lauded the feats achieved by Indian scientists and technicians. Speaking about Metrology, he said that it is the foundation of methodology. He said it increases credibility of our products in the world. The Prime Minister said, emphasis should be made not only to boost demand of made in India goods but also to increase its acceptance. He added that the Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya will help manufacture quality products in the country.
 
The Prime Minister said that the country is moving from Industry oriented approach to Consumer based approach. He added that worldwide acceptance of Indian brands will boost the MSME sector in the country and will add to the exports and imports as well. Mr. Modi said that the value chain cycle of Science, Technology and Industry is key for the growth of any country.
 
The Prime Minister dedicated the National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya to the nation and laid the foundation stone of the National Environmental Standards Laboratory. The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond. Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya aims at supporting testing and calibration of laboratories for quality assurance, at par with international standards. The National Environmental Standards Laboratory will aid self-reliance in the certification of ambient air and industrial emission monitoring equipment.

Night curfew will be imposed in prominent places across the country in view of New Year celebrations amid COVID pandemic.

In national capital Delhi, night curfew will be imposed for today and tomorrow to check the gatherings, congregations and public celebrations of New Year. The assembling of more than five persons at public places as well as New Year celebratory events and congregations at public places will not be permitted from 11 P.M. tonight to 6 A.M. tomorrow and also from 11 P.M. tomorrow to 6 A.M. on the next day. 
 
However, there will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the curfew period. The decision has been taken in view of threat posed by the mutant UK strain of COVID-19 virus and after observing the local incidents of the pandemic in the national capital. 
 
In his order, Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of City Disaster Management Authority, Vijay Dev said, all District Magistrates of Delhi and  their counterpart District Deputy Commissioners of Police and all authorities concerned will ensure strict compliance of this order and will adequately inform and sensitize the field functionaries about these instructions for strict compliance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and the Operation Control Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor today through video conference.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed happiness on seeing the modern rail infrastructure project getting implemented on the ground.

He said today when the first goods train runs in the Khurja Bhaupur freight corridor we can hear the roar of the Self reliant india. He said Prayagraj Operation Control center is one of the modern control centers and a symbol of the new strength of the new India.

Registrations have commenced for media delegates desirous of attending the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, being held in Goa during January 16 – 24, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 51st IFFI will be held in a hybrid fashion. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Press release said that the number of media persons being accredited for physically covering the festival in Goa will be much less than usual due to COVID-19 related protocols.

Interested media persons who need to attend the festival in person may register themselves at https://my.iffigoa.org/extranet/media/.

Applicants should be above 21 years of age as on 1st January 2020 and should have professional experience of covering major International Film Festivals such as IFFI for a minimum of three years. Registrations will close by midnight of 10th January, 2021.

ndia, which has become the first country in the world to receive the Blue Flag Certification for 8 beaches in a single attempt, hosted the Blue flags in all its beaches on Monday.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the outstanding efforts while virtually hoisting the flags in all 8 beaches. Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by "Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark" based on 33 stringent criteria.

National level campaign integrated with the BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) program for continuous awareness and education of people for “Blue Flag” certification journey.

The objective of BEAMS program is to abate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources, and seriously challenge local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations. This program promotes beach recreation in absolute harmony with nature and is unique in that sense.

rime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that rapid urbanisation must be seen as an opportunity rather than as a challenge.
 
He said, this opportunity can provide the platform to build better infrastructure in the country and improving the ease of living.
 
Mr. Modi today flagged off India’s first ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line which will connect Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden metro stations.
 
He also inaugurated the fully operational National Common Mobility Card service on the Airport Express Line.
 
The National Common Mobility Card will enable the passengers to travel on the Airport Express Line using the RuPay-Debit Card issued from any part of the country.
 
While addressing, the Prime Minister said, this government is committed to convert the challenges into opportunity by developing the urban landscape according to the future requirement.