School students made a unique map of India

PM's Independence Day Address 2003 GREETINGS:

"Our frequent initiatives to normalise relations with Pakistan are not a sign of our weakness; rather, they are an indication of our commitment to peace," says PM

The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee inspecting the Guard of Honour at Red Fort on the occasion of the 57th Independence Day in Delhi on August 15, 2003 (Friday).

NEW DELHI - AUG 15, 2003 "Our frequent initiatives to normalise relations with Pakistan are not a sign of our weakness; rather, they are an indication of our commitment to peace," says PM

In his sixth Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee invited Pakistan to walk with India on the roads of peace. In his speech, he emphasized that the frequent initiatives to normalize relations with Pakistan were not a sign of weakness, and that; it showed India's commitment to peace.

"The test of our neighbour's sincerity lies in whether he is prepared to stop cross-border terrorism totally," Vajpayee said. He asked Pakistan to abjure its anti-India outlook as people of both countries wish to lead a peaceful life. The PM also expressed his pride on the completion of successful five years of NDA coalition. The speech lasted for 25-minutes during which he announced India's decision to send its own spacecraft 'Chandrayaan-I' to Moon by 2008 and also announced launch of mobile telephony in Jammu and Kashmir next week.

He also declared a few measures to boost country's economy which included credit card to artisans, weavers and fishermen on the lines of Kisan Credit Card and reduction to nine per cent a year the rate of interest on loans to farmers. The PM also called for expanding trade and economic ties with Pakistan by saying: "Let us expand our trade and economic relations. That we have to depend on third countries for bilateral trade despite sharing a 2000 km long border is beyond comprehension," Vajpayee said. "We should always care for the minorities and be attentive towards their welfare," the PM said emphasizing the need for caring for minorities.

28 killed in yet another coalmine blast in Northern China

Following a gas explosion in northern Chinese city of Yangquan, 28 miners were killed on Thursday afternoon. This adds one more blast incident to the series of mine explosions that had been taking place since the past few days in China. In yet another coalmine blast, which took place on Monday in the city of Datong in Northern China, around 28 miners had been killed and around 14 injured. An investigation into the accident was underway.

Mine accidents this month have already killed over 100 people in China. The blame for the accidents is put on the lack of proper safety standards in remote coalmines run by county governments or individuals.

 

Prime Minister's Announcement on Independence Day 2003

On the occasion of the 56th anniversary of India's Independence, Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced several new initiatives aimed at speedier eradication of poverty, generation of large-scale employment and self-employment opportunities and acceleration of India's all-round development. Here is the list of initiatives.

Rural Development

1: Respected Rashtrapatiji has placed an important thought before the Nation for bridging the rural-urban divide and achieving balanced socio-economic development. It is called PURA - Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas. It involves identification of rural clusters with growth potential and creating four types of connectivities for them - (i) road, transportation and power connectivity; (ii) electronic connectivity in the form of reliable telecom, Internet and IT services; (iii) knowledge connectivity in the form of good educational and training institutions; and (iv) market connectivity that would enable kisans and others to get the best prices for their produce. The Government has decided to implement the PURA strategy in 5,000 rural clusters across the country in the next five years. Priority will be given to North-Eastern States, other Special Category States, and backward areas identified by the Planning Commission and other agencies. The Prime Minister's Office will prepare the contours of the PURA strategy in consultation with the concerned ministries and State Governments. Its Implementation will begin through commencement of a fully Centrally funded rural connectivity programme in the KBK (Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput) districts of Orissa in November.

2: The Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) of the newly created Ministry of Agro & Rural Industries, which is being implemented by the Khadi & Village Industries Commission, has created 18 lakh employment opportunities in the past five years. Taking note of this successful experience, the Government has decided to make more funds available to REGP. Over 20 lakh new employment opportunities will be created in this sector in the next four years. A new group insurance scheme for workers in the Khadi sector will be launched.

Agriculture Development

3: Crop diversification has become an imperative of India's agri-economy. To address this need, and to give further impetus to the encouraging growth in cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, etc., a National Horticulture Mission will be launched. Its main target will be doubling India's horticulture production by 2010.

4: The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Prasar Bharati and other institutions, will launch dedicated Krishi Darshan TV channels and Krishi Vani radio channels. This will be done in a phased manner beginning from Gandhi Jayanti.

5: Nearly 300 mid-size irrigation schemes in the country are at various stages of non-completion. The Centre will help State Governments to complete them over the next 3-4 years.

6: Two National Action Plans - for the development of Bio-fuels and Bamboo - will be launched. Development of wasteland will be an integral part of these missions. In addition to achieving significant import substitution (in the case of Bio-fuels) and export earnings (in the case of Bamboo products), both will also help enhance farmers' incomes. The Prime Minister has appealed to the people, and urged all government offices and PSUs, to buy more products from the KVIC sector, as this will promote creation of large-scale employment opportunities in rural areas.

Infrastructure Development

7: The Task Force for Linking of Rivers has identified two projects whose implementation will begin before the end of this year. These are (a) To link Ken and Betua rivers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh; and (b) To link Parvati, Kalisindh and Chambal rivers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
8: Implementation of the Golden Quadrilateral part of the National Highways Development Project is progressing rapidly. Work on the North-South and East-West corridors of NHDP has also begun with the commencement of construction of a four-lane highway in Srinagar. Before the end of this year, work on these corridors will also start at Kanyakumari, Silchar and Porbandar. Four-laning and upgradation of additional 10,000 km of highways, outside the ambit of NHDP, will begin before March 2004. Under this, all State capitals, which are away from NHDP, will be linked to NHDP by four-lane highways. This will especially benefit North-Eastern States.

9: Modernisation and expansion of Delhi and Mumbai airports through Public Private partnerships will be taken up within the next six months. All bottlenecks in the construction of the greenfield Bangalore airport project, pending for long, have been cleared and implementation can now commence immediately.
10: After the launch of ambitious projects for the development of highways, rural roads (through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana), railways (through the National Rail Vikas Yojana) and airports, the Government has decided to launch an equally ambitious "Sagar Mala" project for rapid capacity expansion and modernization of ports along India's west and east coasts. Development of Inland Navigation will also be a part of this project. As a first step, integrated development of Nhava Sheva and Kochi ports, at a cost of Rs.7500 crore, will begin by March 2004.

11: A Technology Mission for Railway Safety will be set up to comprehensively address safety-related issues in Indian Railways. This will be done in collaboration with the Department of Science & Technology, IIT Kanpur and a consortium of private sector companies.

To obtain electric power at reduced costs, a 1,000-MW captive thermal power plant will be set up at Nabinagar in Bihar by Rail Bijlee Company, a joint venture between Indian Railways and NTPC, at a cost of about Rs. 4,000 crore. Indian Railways will use the electricity produced by this plant for electric traction.

12: The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources will jointly implement a programme to provide electricity to one lakh uncovered villages and one crore households over the next two years through the Rural Electricity Supply Technology Mission.

Social Justice and Social Security

13: Two new Commissions - for the rehabilitation and development of Disabled People and Nomadic Tribes - will be set up. 100 Social Justice Centres will be established for the welfare and empowerment of disabled and weaker sections of society.

14: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will launch new developmental and welfare initiatives for the Scheduled Tribes. These will include construction of hostels for boys and girls in all districts, which have a significant tribal population; measures to promote tribal culture; steps to honour legendary tribal leaders; construction of an Adivasi Bhavan in New Delhi; etc.
15: New social security schemes will be unveiled for destitute children; poor families that have women as the sole breadwinner; and families that suffer untimely death of the breadwinner.

Small Scale Industries
16: The Government will soon announce a new financial package for revitalization of Small Scale Industries through modernization, technological upgradation, market development, and international promotion. The package will also involve debt restructuring of SSI units.

Slum Rehabilitation and Urban Renewal

17: India is rapidly urbanizing. However, the growth of slums and gross inadequacy of basic amenities have severely affected the quality of life for a majority of our urban population. In consultation with State Governments, a new policy for slum rehabilitation and urban infrastructure development will be formulated. To demonstrate the Government's resolve to show visible change in this regard, a plan will be drawn up, together with the State Government, for making Mumbai slum-free in the next ten years. In the first phase, over 100,000 slum-dwelling families will be rehabilitated in good housing complexes over the next 2-3 years.

Tourism & Culture

18: A Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund will be created to speedily improve, through a strategy of Public-Private Partnership, roads, water and power supply, sanitation, sewerage, solid waste management, and overall ambience in all the high-potential tourist destinations across the country. The highly successful "Incredible India" campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism will be further broadened and intensified in key markets.
19: With the successful commencement of the National Mission for Manuscripts, which was announced on Independence Day last year, the Ministry of Culture will launch three more missions - a National Mission for Preservation of Monuments; a National Mission for Preservation of Antiquities; and a National Mission for Preservation of Intangible Heritage. These four missions will result in a major initiative for preservation of our precious national heritage.

Education, Science & Technology

20: Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have earned an international reputation as centers of excellence in technology education. There is a growing demand among meritorious students for admission into IITs. Hence, five new IITs will be set up by upgrading promising academic institutions. Participation of the private sector and contributions from the alumni of IITs and other institutions will be sought for this purpose. Two new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will be set up in Jabalpur and Kanchipuram.

PM's Independence Day Address 2003 GREETINGS:

· Homage to leaders, fighters and martyrs of freedom struggle.
· Greetings to jawans of armed forces. Grateful remembrance of brave soldiers who laid down their lives.
· Felicitations to farmers, industrious workers, skilled managers and farsighted businessmen.
· Greetings to scientists, teachers, litterateurs, artistes and children.
· Felicitations to people of Indian origin abroad.
· Salutations to Mother India.
Economy and Infrastructure:
· Objective of economic reforms is to create a dynamic globally competitive economy, with care and compassion towards the poor and neglected.
· India no longer a borrower. Foreign exchange reserves stand at nearly US $ 100 billion.
· No shortage of essential commodities. Poverty on the decline.
· Stringent steps being taken against economic offenders.
· No more waiting lists for telephones or gas connections.
· Mobile phone users to go upto 3 crore by the coming year.
· 11 kilometres of four-lane highways to be built everyday as against 11 kilometres per year during the previous 50 years. It will give employment to 6 lakh people.
· Software exports zoom from Rs. 8, 000 crore to nearly Rs. 50, 000 crore.
· Chandrayaan I - India's own spacecraft to be sent to moon by 2008.
· National Kisan Commission to be constituted.
· Amount of lending to agriculture increased, interest rates reduced.
· Food chain revolution to achieve doubling of average income of a farmer by 2010.
· Credit cards to be extended to all eligible artisans, weavers and fishermen. Reduced interest rate and a contributory insurance scheme to be started.
· Wheat and rice being provided at unprecedented cheap rates to the poorest families under Antyoday Ann Yojana.
· 2.5 lakh new primary teachers to be appointed under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan
· Mid Day meal scheme for children upto class V to be run in the entire country. To be extended up to class X under a national programme - 'Akshaypatra'.
· Six new AIIMS like hospitals to be established in backward states under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana in the next three years.
· Work on two river linking projects to be taken up before the end of the year.
· Unprecedented growth in housing sector.
Normalisation of relations with Pakistan:
· Invitation to Pakistan to walk together with India on the road to peace.
· Initiatives to normalise relations - an indication of our commitment to peace.
· Terrorist activities still continuing. The test of neighbours' sincerity lies in stopping cross-border terrorism totally. People of both countries want to live in peace. Both need to fight against poverty, unemployment and backwardness.
· Trade and economic links should increase.
· Expand bilateral cultural relations. Encourage people-to-people contact.
· Promise of free and fair elections in J&K fulfilled. People of J&K have rebuffed terrorism from across the border.
· Those advocating the right to self-determination wish to divide India on communal lines. They will not be allowed to succeed.
· More than one lakh tourists visited Kashmir. Large turnout of Amarnath pilgrims. Outside students in Kashmir.
· Mobile telephones to be launched in J&K next week.
Democracy and political reforms:
· Decision to enact Lok Pal Bill, Prime Minister too within its ambit.
· Peace talks in North East yielding positive results.
· Successful coalition Government at the Centre completes five years.
· Cooperative relations with states; political discrimination due to ideological differences unacceptable.
· Thirty three percent reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures a national resolve. New proposal to create 33% double member seats for enacting Women's Reservation Bill sounds practical and should be considered with a positive outlook.
Emerging India:
· World recognises India as world's largest democracy, an emerging global economic power, the confluence of a modern nation and an ancient civilisation, a powerful country dedicated to ideal of peace.
· Dream of making India a Developed nation by 2020 gaining strength.
· National unity and integrity needs to be kept intact at any cost.
· India emerging as a young nation. 60 crore people are below 30 years of age and scripting India's bright future.
· Appeal to understand their dreams, encourage them in every possible way and give them proper guidance. They need to be educated in science, technology and other new disciplines.
· India - a multi-religious nation. Paramount need for maintaining peace and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood emphasised. We should always care for the minorities and be attentive towards their welfare.
· Peace in society and bonds of brotherhood should be strengthened.
Prime Minister separately announced several new initiatives in the fields of rural development, agriculture development, infrastructure development, social justice and social security, small-scale industries, slums rehabilitation and urban renewal, tourism and culture, education, science and technology.
PM's Independence Day address to the Nation

PM ANNOUNCES INSURANCE SCHEME FOR KHADI ARTISANS
A&RI MINISTER PRESENTS LIC POLICIES TO ARTISANS

The Minister of State for Agro and Rural Industries, Shri Sangh Priya Gautam presented LIC Policies to a group of 20 Khadi artisans who represent various parts of the country, soon after the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the launching of Group Insurance Scheme (Janashree Bima Yojana) for Khadi artisans, on the occasion of 57th Independence Day, here today. The Group Insurance Scheme will be operated by the LIC and provide insurance to Khadi artisans in the case of death/disability. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Shri Gautam appealed the people to buy Khadi products so that more rural industries are set up and generate employment opportunities. He appreciated the Khadi artisans for their hardship and dedication to preserve the art and cultural heritage of our country.

Under the scheme, risk cover for Khadi workers in case of death due to accident, an amount of Rs. 50.000/- will be payable. In case of permanent disability (loss of two eyes/limbs of use) due to accident, Rs. 50,000/- is payable, in the case of partial disability Rs. 25,000/- will be paid and in case of natural death, Rs. 20,000/- would be paid to the beneficiary. The scheme comes into force from 15th August, 2003, for four successive years of the 10th Plan period i.e. 2003-04 to 2006-07.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of KVIC, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that KVIC, under its Rural Employment Generation Scheme (REGP), has provided 18 lakh employment during the last five years. He said the Khadi workers are playing an important role in the development of national economy and there is an urgent need to recognize their skills.

The financial cost of the insurance cover would be Rs. 200/- per Khadi worker per annum. Out of which Social Security Fund will be Rs. 100/-, contribution from Khadi Institution will be Rs. 50/- and Rs. 25/- each from Khadi Artisan and KVIC/Govt. of India. Besides this, LIC's Shiksha Sahyog Yojna would be added benefit to the insurer without extra premium under the scheme. This benefit would provide Rs. 1200/- per annum for the education of two children of the Khadi workers from class IX to XII.
Shri S.K.Tuteja, Secretary, Ministries of Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industries, who was also present on the occasion said that the KVIC has a unique capacity to generate large employment opportunities and the backbone of this sector is provided by a strong work force of local artisans/spinners, mostly from the weaker sections of the society. He congratulated KVIC and LIC for their endavours to implement the scheme.

Shri Chinmaya Vasu, CEO of KVIC, presented a cheque of Rs.1, 16,35,000 to Shri R.K.Vasisht, the Managing Director of LIC for the successful implementation of the Group Insurance Scheme for Khadi artisans which will benefit 1,16,000 artisans in the first phase.

Fresh curbs on Indian TV channels in Pakistan

According to the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP), the official regulatory body Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the showing of Indian channels throughout the country despite its recent promises to remove curbs on them. The fresh directive by PEMRA has come a surprise to COAP as the official body had earlier agreed to the pleas of COAP to allow them to show Indian entertainment channels, while continuing the ban on Indian news channels. Vice President of COAP, Tahir Khan said as a result of the fresh ban, their business was hit badly. "We were expecting the ban would be officially lifted because of the positive developments. Instead, the opposite has happened," he said.