e-Newsletter

October - December 2022 Vol-08


Posted on: January 14, 2023 | Back | Print

NEWS FROM MALAWI


Google CEO Sundar Pichai meets PM Narendra Modi
Google CEO Sundar Pichai meets PM Narendra Modi
Google and Alphabet Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in December 2022, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on December 19, 2022. Terming his meeting with the Prime Minister a great one, Pichai, who was visiting India, tweeted: “Inspiring to see the rapid pace of technological change under your leadership. Look forward to continuing our strong partnership and supporting India’s G20 presidency to advance an open, connected internet that works for all.” Responding to Pichai’s tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted: “Was a delight to meet you @sundarpichai and discuss innovation, technology and more. It is important the world continues to work together to leverage tech for human prosperity and sustainable development". Read more.


Manika Batra wins bronze at Asian Cup, first Indian woman to clinch medal at event
Manika Batra wins bronze at Asian Cup, first Indian woman to clinch medal at event
Manika Batra became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup after shocking world number six Hina Hayata of Japan in the bronze playoff on 19 November 2022. Besides the historic bronze, Manika won $10,000 as prize money for her efforts. Read more.

India Cricket team Lifts The Women's Asia Cup 2022
India Cricket team Lifts The Women's Asia Cup 2022
Indian Women Cricket Team maintained their dominance in the Women's Asia Cup with an eight-wicket demolition of Sri Lanka in the final on 15 October 2022 for their seventh title in eight editions. Sri Lanka, who were playing their first tournament final in 14 years, imploded after opting to bat on a slow and turning pitch. Read more    

PM Narendra Modi dedicates 75 Digital Banking Units across 75 districts
PM Narendra Modi dedicates 75 Digital Banking Units across 75 districts
With an aim to promote financial inclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) to the nation. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das also attended the launching ceremony via virtual mode. The setting up of 75 DBUs in 75 districts of the country was done to commemorate the 75 years of independence of the country. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), DBUs will be brick-and-mortar outlets which will provide a variety of digital banking facilities to people such as the opening of savings accounts, balance-check, printing passbooks, transfer of funds, investment in fixed deposits, loan applications, stop-payment instructions for cheques issued, applications for credit and debit cards, tax and bill payment and nominations. The PMO statement said DBUs will enable customers to have cost-effective, convenient access and enhanced digital experience of banking products and services all through the year. Read more

PM addresses 90th Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi
PM addresses 90th Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi
On October 18, 2022, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 90th  Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries. The Prime Minister highlighted that India is celebrating 75 years of its independence which is a celebration of people and cultures. The Prime Minister also informed that Interpol will be celebrating 100 years of its inception in the year 2023. He remarked that it is a time for retrospection as well as a time to decide the future. Shri Modi further added that it is a great time to rejoice and reflect, learn from setbacks and look to the future with hope. The Prime Minister highlighted the connection of Interpol philosophy with Indian culture and underlined the similarity between the INTERPOL’s motto of ‘Connecting Police with a Safer World’ with quote from the Vedas stating “Aano Bhadra Krtavo Yantu Vishwatah” Readâ  more

India to become a major manufacturing hub for large aircraft
India to become a major manufacturing hub for large aircraft
On October 30, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the plant to manufacture C-295 aircraft in Vadodara in Gujarat. The joint venture of Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited will manufacture 40 C-295 military transport planes at the facility as part of a Rs 22,000 crore deal to supply 56 such aircraft. The rest 16 planes will be supplied directly from Spain by Airbus. Laying the foundation stone for the assembly plant, Narendra Modi said that the aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara is India’s giant leap towards becoming self-reliant in the aviation sector. He said that India is going to be a major hub for manufacturing large aircraft, both passenger and cargo planes. Read more  



PM launches 5G Services
PM launches 5G Services
Ushering in a new technological era, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched 5G services in New Delhi on October 1, 2022. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the sixth edition of the India Mobile Congress and also witnessed the IMC Exhibition that was put on the occasion. Industry leaders expressed their views on this historic occasion. Addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said that the Summit might be global but its repercussions and directions are local. He said the day was a special day for the fast-developing India of the 21st century. The Prime Minister pointed out that India was dependent on other countries for 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. But with 5G, India has created a new history. Read more

India’s first private rocket Vikram-S launched successfully
 India’s first private rocket Vikram-S launched successfully
Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian Space-Tech startup,  launched its first rocket into space at 11:30 am on December 22, 2022. The Vikram-S rocket, the first of the Vikram-series took off from the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launchpad in Sriharikota. This was the first private rocket launch taking place in India. Vikram-S was a single stage fuel rocket meant to test most systems and processes in Skyroot Aerospace’s project ahead of the launch of Vikram-1 scheduled for 2023. The launch was also a sub-orbital one, meaning the vehicle would reach outer space, it would not remain in orbit around the Earth, with the flight time being less than five minutes. Read more

India commences G20 Presidency
India commences G20 Presidency
December 1, 2022 was a monumental day for India. It was the day India commences its G20 presidency. Earlier, in November, Indonesia handed over the G20 presidency to India at the Bali summit. Over the course of the year and in the run-up to the two-day leaders’ summit in September 2023, India is reportedly going to hold over 200 meetings across 55 locations and showcase how New Delhi can play leading role in global affairs, particularly at a time when the world is confronting multiple geopolitical and economic crises. Read more.

PM Modi launches Mission LiFE
PM Modi launches Mission LiFE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) at the Statue of Unity in  Kevadia, Gujarat in the presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 10, 2022. First proposed by the Prime Minister at COP 26, Mission LiFE is envisioned as an India-led global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment.


The Prime Minister and the UN Secretary-General also paid floral tributes at the Statue of Unity. The leaders of 11 countries representing all of the United Nations' regions offered congratulatory video greetings on the opening of Mission LiFE. Speaking to the gathering, the Prime Minister said that Secretary-General Guterres views "India as a second home" and that he frequently visited the country when he was younger. He also emphasised Guterres' ancestral ties to the Indian state of Goa and praised him for choosing to go to India. Read more.




ISRO launches EOS-06 satellite and shares images taken by the satellite
ISRO launches EOS-06 satellite and shares images taken by the satellite
26th November 2022, ISRO successfully launched the EOS-06 satellite along with Eight Nano-satellites by its work horse PSLV-C54 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR. The first images received from EOS-06 cover the Himalayan region, Gujarat Kutch region & the Arabian Sea. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also shared the images of his home state Gujarat as seen by the satellite and described them as ‘breathtaking

LVM3 M2 successfully places 36 satellites
LVM3 M2 successfully places  36 satellites
On October 23, 2022, LVM3 launch vehicle in its second operational flight, placed 36 satellites of OneWeb, a London based firm, on its low earth orbit. This was a dedicated commercial mission for a foreign customer through (New Space Indian Limited) NSIL. A total of 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites of about 150 kg each totalling about 5,796 kg were launched to a circular low-earth orbit of about 601 km with a 87.4 degree inclination. This was the first Indian rocket with six ton payload. Read more.

153rd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
153rd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
On October 2, 2022, the High Commission celebrated 153rd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the International Day of Non-Violence at the Chancery premises. High Commissioner Shri S. Gopalakrishnan and members of Indian Community and Friends of India in Malawi paid floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Chancery.

In his remarks, High Commissioner while highlighting the relevance of Gandhiji’s thoughts and his philosophy in the contemporary world mentioned that Gandhi ji was born in India but belonged to the entire world. He also in his remarks remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Second Prime Minister of India on his 118th Birth Anniversary and mentioned that Shastri ji’s iconic slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” continues to inspire the Indians.


Celebration of Golden Jubilee of Radha Krishna Temple
Celebration of Golden Jubilee of Radha Krishna Temple
Indian Community in Lilongwe celebrated 50 years of establishment of Radha Krishan Temple in Lilongwe. The temple was officialy opened on 03 December 1972. High Commissioner participated at the celebrations. Later in the evening a cultural programme took place in  which glimpses of Indian culture were displayed by the community.


NEWS FROM INDIA


Consular camp in Blantyre
Consular camp in Blantyre
As part of its public outreach programme, the High Commission organized Consular Camp in Blantyre on 17th December, 2022. Mission provided Passport and other Consular Services to the members of Indian diaspora living in the southern region of Malawi. The last consular camp in Blantyre was held in February 2022.

553rd Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (Guru Purab) celebrations
553rd Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (Guru Purab) celebrations
High Commissioner Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan participated at the 553rd Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (Guru Purab) celebrations organized by the Sikh Community Association at the Gurudwara in Blantyre on 13th November 2022. In his remarks, he highlighted the life and preachings of Guru Nanak ji. He also recalled the initiatives taken by Government of India during 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Over 200 members of the diaspora participated at the celebrations.

Kerala Piravi Day celebrations
Kerala Piravi Day celebrations
High Commissioner Mr. S.Gopalakrishnan participated at the Kerala Piravi Day celebrations organized by the Malayali Association, Blantyre Chapter on 12th  November 2022. In his remarks, High Commissioner emphasized on the importance of State Formation day and highlighted the hard-working and entrepreneurship of Malayali community around the world.



India donates laptops to Malawi Parliament
India donates laptops to Malawi Parliament
On November, 25, 2022, High Commissioner, Shri S. Gopalakrishnan handed over 200 laptops on behalf of Government and People of India to Parliament of Malawi to support it’s digitalisation efforts. Speaking at the handing over ceremony, High Commissioner highlighted India’s various developmental assistance to Malawi through Line of Credit/Grants. Thanking the Government of India, Hon. Ms. Catherine Gotani Hara, Speaker of the Parliament stated that the donation of 200 laptops was timely and very important considering the changes taking place at Parliament in terms of digitalisation. The gifting of 200 laptops was announced during the visit of Hon’ble Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs to Malawi in June 2022.

INDIAN COMMUNITY CORNER


Malawi at DefExpo 2022
Malawi at DefExpo 2022

The 12th and largest-ever defence exhibition - DefExpo 2022 - has marked the emergence of India’s defence industry as a sunrise sector for investment on the global scale in line with the theme of the expo – ‘Path to Pride’. The five-day event was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, which commenced on October 18, 2022, witnessed unparalleled participation of over 1,340 exhibitors, businesses, investors, start-ups, MSMEs, Armed Forces and delegates from several countries. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the inaugural ceremony of the expo.


On the sidelines of the expo, India’s growing global influence was visible as African nations including Malawi took part in the India Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD). Fifty African countries, including 20 Defence Ministers, seven CDS/Service Chiefs and eight Permanent Secretaries participated in the Dialogue attesting. Malawi delegation was led by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Harry Mkandawire accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Defence and Deputy Commander of Malawi Defence Force. Read more.




Malawi at India-Africa Hackathon
Malawi at India-Africa Hackathon
Twenty Malawian students participated at 2022 UNESCO-India-Africa (UIA) Hackathon which was held at Gautam Buddha University in Uttar Pradesh, India from November 20 to 26, 2022. Four students from Malawi were among the winners with their respective groups. The twenty winning teams were awarded INR 300,000 each which four Malawian students successfully contributed to the fair. 

On the sidelines of Hackathon, Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Monica Chayang’anamuno who led the Malawian delegation had a bilateral meeting with Shri Dharmendra Pradham, Hon’ble Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (India). Both Ministers agreed to institute more formal mechanisms to deepen academic engagements, especially in setting up of digital learning infrastructure, student exchanges and on other mutual priorities.



Constitution Day 2022
Constitution Day 2022
The High Commission celebrated Constitution Day 2022 at the chancery on 26th November 2022. On the occasion, the Preamble of the Constitution of India was read by the community members and High Commission officials. A short video "Samvidhan - The Making of the Constitution of India" was also shown.

In the run-up to the Constitution Day, 10 episodes of Making of the Constitution of India was streamed on the Mission's social media handles.



States’ Day & Diwali
States’ Day & Diwali

The High Commission of India, organised States’ Day and celebrated Diwali on 5th November 2022 at India House. This year  focus States were Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Telangana. State booths displayed respective culture, traditions, food etc., Large number of guests including Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations, members of the diplomatic community, prominent members of the Indian Community, senior officials from the Government of Malawi and Friends of India attended the event.


High Commissioner S. Gopalakrishnan stated that Malawi has a large Indian community having link with various States in India and the celebration of Indian States Day in Malawi is an initiative to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Indian states.


The cultural performances showcasing cultures of various Indian States were also organized.




Rashtriya Ekta Divas 2022
Rashtriya Ekta Divas 2022
On October 31, 2022, on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Divas 2022, the High Commission organised an event to pay homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Iron man of India. The High Commission also organised Unity Run and Unity Chain on this occassion. Members of Indian diaspora and friends of India participated at the event.

India Pavilion at Lilongwe Motor Show
India Pavilion at Lilongwe Motor Show

The High Commission participated at the Lilongwe Motor Show held on 22nd October 2022 in Lilongwe.


At the ‘India Pavilion’, Made-in-India automobiles including two wheelers, heavy trucks, tippers and passenger buses and also auto components were displayed. Indian companies including Tata, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra, TVS, Apollo Tyres participated and displayed India made products at the India Pavilion. His Worship Richard Banda, Mayor of Lilongwe City, who inaugurated the Lilongwe Motor show also visited the India Pavilion. He appreciated India made vehicles displayed at the India Pavilion.


The ‘India Pavilion’ was the spotlight of the show. A large number of visitors, including potential buyers, visited the ‘India Pavilion’.




High Commission of India, Lilongwe (Malawi)
P.O. Box No. 1482, Plot No.55, Area-9, Lilongwe
Telephone No.: +265 1 759 337 (Reception), +265 1 755 348 (Consular)