HIGH COMMISSION CELEBRATES 152ND BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF MAHATMA GANDHI On 2 October, 2021, the High Commission of India organized an event commemorating the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the High Commission premises. Members of Indian Community and friends of India in Malawi participated at the event. A panel discussion on relevance of Gandhi’s thoughts and philosophy was organized. Dr. Nandini Patel, a Gandhian and academic, delivered the speech on ‘Reflections on Gandhi and Black Liberation Struggle” and Dr. Daniel Sikawa, Dean, LUANAR University spoke on “The influence of Gandhi on Sustaining the Environment”. High Commissioner, in his remarks, highlighted the relevance of Gandhiji’s philosophy and thoughts to the contemporary society.

PRESIDENT LAZARUS CHAKWERA CONGRATES PM NARENDRA MODI FOR ACHIEVING THE MILESTONE OF 1 BILLION DOSES OF COVID VACCINES H.E. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi, on 21 October 2021, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s achievement on administering 1 Bn doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged President Chakwera’s warm wishes and affirmed that vaccine accessibility was a key to fighting the pandemic and India & Malawi were both in it.

HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS SPEAKER OF MALAWI PARLIAMENT Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, High Commissioner met Ms. Catherine Gotani Hara,  Hon’ble Speaker of National Parliament of Malawi on 27 October 2021 and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest and possible cooperation between the legislatures of the two countries.

HARYANA - AFRICA CONCLAVE The Government of Haryana organized the first “Haryana-Africa Conclave” on 28-29 October, 2021 in Chandigarh. Aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties, the two-day Conclave was participated by Ambassadors/High Commissioners from 12 African nations including Malawi. High Commissioner  Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan also participated in the event virtually. Brainstorming sessions on potential for collaboration in the areas of agriculture, skill development, education, information technology, agro-based food processing, dairy, sports, cultural exchange, and mutual interests were also held during the Conclave.

CELEBRATION OF STATES’ DAY AND DIWALI High Commission celebrated States’ Day and Diwali on 6 November 2021 at India House. Traditional attires, cultural products, etc. of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh were displayed at the event. The event was attended by the Speaker of National Assembly, Malawi; Minister of Lands, Mayor of Lilongwe, senior officials of Government of Malawi, diplomats, members of Indian diaspora, friends of India and media among others. The cultural performances showcasing cultures of above Indian States were also organized.

HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS MINISTER OF FINANCE High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan met Mr. Felix Mlusu, Minister of Finance, Government of Malawi on 22 November 2021. Both discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest and discussed on various ongoing projects in Malawi funded by Government of India. The Finance Minister appreciated India’s continued assistance and continuous support to Malawi’s socio-economic development efforts.

HIGH COMMISSIONER PARTICIPATED IN THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF MALAWI-MOZAMBIQUE POWER INTERCONNECTION PROJECT High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan participated at the launching ceremony of a 218 km long 400KV high voltage Malawi-Mozambique Power Interconnection Project on 23 November 2021 at Phombeya. The Power Interconnection Project was jointly inaugurated by the Presidents of Malawi and Mozambique. L&T, an Indian infrastructure developer, is the implementing agency for construction of transmission lines on Malawi side.

CELEBRATION OF CONSTITUTION DAY On the occasion of the Constitution Day of India, High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan administered the Preamble of the Indian Constitution to all the officials of the High Commission on 26 November 2021.

SEMINAR ON INDIA AND DIASPORA As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, High Commission organized a “Discussion on India and Diaspora in Malawi” on 3 December 2021 in Blantyre. Mr. Krishna Savjani and Mr. Abbas Panjwani, two prominent members of the Indian diaspora were the key speakers at the event. The speakers spoke on the history and contribution of Indian diaspora to Malawi’s economic development. High Commissioner highlighted on the contribution of diaspora, schemes/facilities announced by the Government of India for diaspora and Government of India’s expectations from the diaspora. Large number of members of Indian diaspora participated at the event.

HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS MAYOR OF BLANTYRE CITY On 3 December 2021, High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan met Mr. Wild Ndipo, Mayor of Blantyre City Council and discussed issues of mutual interest and possible cooperation between the local governance institutions of India and Malawi.

MAHAPARINIRVAN DIWAS As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration, the High Commission organized an event to observe Mahaparinirvan Diwas to mark the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Father of Indian Constitution on 6 December 2021. Members of Indian community and officials of the High Commission participated at the event. A film on Dr. Ambedkar was also screened at the event.

HIGH COMMISSIONER MET BOARD CHAIRMAN OF MITC On 9 December 2021, High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan met Mr. Karl Chokotho, the Board Chairman of the Malawi Investment & Trade Centre (MITC) and Board of Directors in Lilongwe. Mr. Chokotho thanked Government of India for assisting Malawi in its socio-economic development and discussed the possibility for Indian investments in Malawi by vibrant Indian industries particularly in the field of health, mining, energy, road and infrastructure.

CELEBRATION OF AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV High Commission organized various activities i.e. promotion of Indian cultural, commercial, linguistic and the like, activities in Malawi under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebration. These activities included celebration of  Gandhi Jayanti, States’ Day & Diwali, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Constitution Day, Discussion on India and Diaspora, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Mahaparinirwan Diwas and various online activities like Ayurveda Day, Online Quiz on ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ for Children of Indian Diaspora, Kashi Utsav and Janjatiya Diwas, etc. “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements.

ONLINE QUIZ ON AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV To commemorate the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - India@75, Ministry of External Affairs, India is organising “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” online Quiz for the overseas Indian/Foreign youth to awaken the curiosity of the new generation to know more about India so that they develop an all-round understanding of India. The quiz will be open til 31 January 2022. Read More

PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI LAUNCHES PM GATI SHAKTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 October 2021 launched PM Gati Shakti - a national master plan for multi-modal connectivity that aims to develop infrastructure. The Prime Minister stressed that the people of India, Indian industry, Indian business, Indian manufacturers and Indian farmers are at the core of Gati Shakti. Read More

INDIA ACHIEVES THE MAJOR MILESTONE OF 1 BILLION COVID-19 VACCINATIONS In a historic achievement, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India, surpassed the 100-crore milestone on 21 October 2021. In a tweet, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated the countrymen and expressed gratitude to the country’s scientific community and health professionals for working towards achieving this stupendous feat. Read More

INDIA TO ALLOW TOURISTS AFTER 18 MONTHS India began granting tourist visas for foreign visitors after an 18-month pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourists arriving by chartered flight are able to do so from 15 October 2021. Other arrivals were also permitted from November 15, 2021. Government of India began granting fresh Tourist Visas to foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15. Read More

GOVERNMENT APPROVES EXTENSION OF PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANN YOJANA (PMGKAY) FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS [DECEMBER 2021-MARCH 2022] In pursuance of the pro-people announcement made by  Prime Minister in his address to nation on 7 June 2021 and as part of the Economic Response to COVID -19, the Union  Cabinet has approved the extension for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY - Phase V) for a  period of  another 4 months i.e. December 2021 till March 2022 @ 5 kg per person per month, free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) [Antodaya Anna Yojana & Priority Households] including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The food grain under Phase-V would entail an estimated food subsidy of Rs. 53,344.52 Crore and the total outgo of foodgrains in Phase-V is expected to 163 LMT. Read More

INDIA HAS 4TH LARGEST FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES IN WORLD Mr. Pankaj Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Finance told the Parliament, that India currently has the fourth largest foreign exchange reserves in the world worth US$ 640 billion on November 19, 2021.  Read More

PM MODI INAUGURATES THE NOIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – 3RD LARGEST AIRPORT IN ASIA Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 November 2021 laid the foundation stone and inaugurated the NOIDA International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. The airport, the second international aerodrome in Delhi-National Capital Region, is expected to be operational by September 2024 with an initial capacity to handle 1.2 crore passengers per year. There will be express-ways, high-speed rail network, metro rail connectivity, a logistics gateway and India's biggest aircraft maintenance and repair hub. This airport will prove to be a hub for exports not just for NOIDA and Greater NOIDA, but also nearby regions like Meerut, Mathura, Agra, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor and many more. The airport is being made in line with PM’s vision towards boosting connectivity and creating a future-ready aviation sector and help establish Uttar Pradesh on the global map. Read More

INDIA APPROVES CORBEVAX AND COVOVAX VACCINES FOR EMERGENCY USE On 28 December 2021, the Government of India approved two more vaccines – Corbevax and Covovax, and one anti-viral drug to boost the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Corbevax is India's first homegrown "RBD protein sub-unit vaccine" developed by Biological-E company and while Covovax is developed by Serum Institute of India. These vaccines will initially be for restricted use in emergency situaion. With the latest approvals, a total of eight COVID-19 vaccines have got emergency use authorisation from India's drug regulator - Covishield, Covaxin, ZyCoV-D, Sputnik V, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Corbevax and Covovax. Read More

DRDO CONDUCTS MAIDEN LAUNCH OF INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED NEW GENERATION SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILE ‘PRALAY’   Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted maiden flight test of indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’ from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on 22 December, 2021. The mission has met all its objectives. The new missile followed the desired quasi ballistic trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms. All the sub-systems performed satisfactorily. All the sensors deployed near the impact point across the eastern coast, including the down range ships, tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events. The Missile is powered with solid propellant rocket motor and many new technologies. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometre and can be launched from a mobile launcher. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics. Read More

INDIA PERSPECTIVE - A MAN AHEAD OF HIS TIME – DR. VIKRAM SARABHAI Widely known as the ‘father of the Indian space programme’ Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an award-winning scientist, industrialist and innovator, who helped establish the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and led it as chairman. A ‘creative scientist’, as he is popularly referred to, Dr Sarabhai encouraged the advancement of science education in India and changed the face of nuclear technology in the nation. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumous), the country’s third and second-highest civilian award, respectively. Read More