PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIWAS 2021 The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was organized on 9 January 2021 in the High Commission. The Persons of Indian Origin along with Indian diaspora in Malawi participated in the event and spoke about how to bring Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora together.

VISHWA HINDI DIWAS The World Hindi Day was organized at the High Commission premises on 9 January 2021. Indian community and diaspora participated enthusiastically in the event by reciting poems, giving short speech, etc. The High Commissioner stressed the importance of Hindi language and propagation of Hindi among International community.

CELEBRATION OF REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA A flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day was held at the High Commission on 26 January 2021. During the ceremony, High Commissioner unfurled the national flag and read out the message from the Hon’ble President of India. The ceremony was joined virtually by Indian nationals, number of diaspora and friends of India at Facebook.

AERO INDIA 2021 Aero India 2021 was held from 3-5 February 2021 in Bengaluru. Aero India is the biennial air show-cum-defence exhibition. It attracts a large number of exhibitors from the world’s leading industries in the field of Military and Civil Aviation, Aerospace, Airport Infrastructure and Defence Engineering. The show includes both air displays and static exhibitions of a large array of Military platforms from the Aerospace sector. Aero India has carved a niche for itself globally as a premier aerospace exhibition with 12 successful editions organized since 1996. In the backdrop of major policy reforms in India, the 13th edition showcased the tremendous capabilities that exists within the Indian domestic industry and the strides taken by the industry under the “Make in India’ programme. A 2-member delegation from Malawi participated at the Aero India 2021.

INDIA & MALAWI SIGNS EXTRADITIION TREATY India and Malawi signed an extradition treaty on 26 February 2021 in New Delhi. The treaty mandates India and Malawi to transfer convicted persons and any person accused of committing a crime in their respective countries and will also cover offenses committed outside the territory of requesting State but in respect of which it has jurisdiction and allow extradition of convicts regardless of whether the offense was committed before or after the treaty entered into force.

GIFTING OF MADE IN INDIA COVISHIELD VACCINES High Commission of India gifted 50,000 doses of Made in India “Covishield” vaccines to the Government of Malawi on 12 March 2021. The gift of vaccines was received by the Deputy Minister of Health Chrissie Kamanga KalamulaKanyasho, M.P at a presentation ceremony at Kamuzu International Airport. The Deputy Minister, on the occasion, hailed Government of India for the donation of the vaccine at the time of need. The consignment of vaccines as part of India’s mission ‘Vaccine Maitri’, was handed over to Malawi on humanitarian grounds is a gesture of friendship and solidarity between India and Malawi. The arrival of the vaccines in Malawi, marked another milestone in bilateral relations between both the countries. Government of Malawi also received 350,000 doses of Made-in-India Covishield vaccines under COVAX facility in March 2021.

HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS On 25 March 2021, High Commissioner, Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon’ble Eisenhower Mkaka, M.P. and discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen the ongoing partnership between India and Malawi.

PRESENTATION OF LETTER OF CREDENCE BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, High Commissioner of India to Malawi presented his Letter of Credence to His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi on 30 March 2021 in a ceremony organised at Mtunthama State House in Lilongwe.

INDIA STARTS LARGEST COVID 19 VACCINATION DRIVE Prime Minister Launched pan India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing on 16 January 2021. PM said that Indian response to corona is one of self-confidence and self-reliance. This is the world’s largest vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country. A total of 3006 session sites across all States and UTs were virtually connected during the launch. READ MORE

VACCINE COLLOSSUS OF INDIA IS A MODEL FOR THE WORLD TO FOLLOW India has authorized two Covid-19 vaccines for use, putting its enormous vaccine-manufacturing capacity in the spotlight. Large parts of the rich world may have something valuable to learn. Countries could take a leaf from India’s book when it comes to manufacturing crucial items that might encounter massive demand surges, and where national priorities come to the fore. READ MORE

5TH NATIONAL SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY POSITIONS INDIA AMONG THREE SCIENTIFIC SUPERPOWERS The 5th National Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy has been finalized with the broad vision of achieving technological self-reliance and positioning India among the top three scientific superpowers in the decade to come. It aims to attract, nurture, strengthen and retain critical human capital through a ‘people-centric’ science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. The objective of the draft policy is to identify and address the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian STI ecosystem to catalyse the socio-economic development of the country and also to make the Indian STI ecosystem globally competitive. It aims to foster, develop, and nurture a robust system for evidence and stakeholder-driven STI planning, information, evaluation, and policy research in India. READ MORE

INDIA REITERATES ITS COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AT WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2021 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 on 10th February. The theme of the Summit was 'Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all’. While inaugurating the event, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the aspects of Togetherness and Innovation. He said that sustainable development will only be achieved by collective efforts across the globe. READ MORE

INDIA EASES ACCESS FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS India is making it easier for foreign investors to invest in India. The Government of India has proposed amendments to the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 with consequential amendments in the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 and The Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 to confer the power to Pooled Investment Vehicles (defined to include AIFs, REITs, InvITs etc.) to borrow and issue debt securities. READ MORE

PLI SCHEME FOR TELECOM, IT HARDWARE, PHARMACEUTICALS AND MEDICAL DEVICES SECTORS ANNOUNCED On 18 February 2021, The Union Cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products, Pharmaceuticals and IT Hardware. The extension of the PLI Scheme will enable enhanced domestic manufacturing by attracting large investments. The Target Segments under the proposed Scheme include Laptops, Tablets, All-in-One PCs and Servers. The PLI scheme for Pharmaceuticals will benefit domestic manufacturers, help in creating employment, enhance exports and contribute to the availability of a wider range of affordable medicines for consumers. READ MORE

VL SRSAM MISSILE SYSTEM LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful launches of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 22 February 2021. The domestically designed missile system is designed to tackle various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. The recent launches were intended to demonstrate vertical launch capability, and the missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy on both occasions. The present trials have proved the effectiveness of the weapon system and few more trials will be conducted before the Navy will deploy the missile system to serve as a force multiplier.

INDIA HAILED GLOBALLY FOR PROVIDING COVID 19 VACCINATION ASSISTANCE India has been lauded by the global leaders as it continues to lead in assisting the countries under its 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative amid the coronavirus pandemic. 50 countries across the world have already received a total of 48 million Made in India vaccines including countries in Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands. India will extend vaccine supply to more countries in the coming days.READ MORE

OPPORTUNITIES IN FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR IN INDIA Food processing has an important role to play in linking Indian farmers to consumers in the domestic and international markets. The industry engages approx. 1.93 mn people in around 39,748 registered units with fixed capital of $32.75 bn and aggregate output of around $158.69 bn. Major industries constituting the food processing industry are grains, sugar, oils, beverages, and dairy products. India's food ecosystem offers significant opportunities for investments with stimulating growth in the food retail sector, favorable economic policies, and attractive fiscal incentives. The Food & Grocery market in India is the 6th largest in the world. The retail market constitutes almost 65% of the total retail market in India. India is the world’s largest producer, consumer & exporter of spices; largest processor, producer, and consumer of cashew nuts, and 2nd largest producer of food grains, fruits, and vegetables. The key sub-segments of the Food Processing industry in India are Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables,Poultry & Meat processing, Fisheries, Food retail, etc. By 2024, the Food Processing industry will potentially attract $33 bn investments and generate employment for 9 mn people. By 2025, India’s food processing sector is expected to be worth over half a trillion dollars. By 2030, Indian annual household consumption to treble, making India the 5th largest consumer.

INDIA THE SPACE BOWL OF THE WORLD Flavourful and aromatic with a host of health benefits - Indian spices are one of a kind. While some seasonings are popular, there are a few indigenous ones that are rarely used. Celebrity chef and Padma Shri awardee Sanjeev Kapoor explores a few of India’s lesser- known spices India is popular for myriad aspects, including its traditions, rich heritage and diverse culinary styles. People from outside the country are extremely curious about the “secret” ingredients used in Indian dishes that make them so uniquely flavourful. But what they o?en tend to overlook is that it is the indigenous spices, which make Indian food so irresistible. When we talk about spices, the one thing that is common in every Indian household is a masala dabba (spice box). A quintessential part of every desi Indian kitchen, masala dabbas are fascinating. And even though these spices are added in chutkis (pinches), they play a very big part in turning a dish from just palatable to simply delectable. READ MORE