[Vol. 13 – Jan – March, 2024]
NEWS FROM MALAWI
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“India-Malawi Hybrid Business Meet on Plastic Sector”
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The High Commission of India in association with Plastics Export Promotion Council of India (PLEXCONCIL) organized “India-Malawi Hybrid Business Meet on Plastic Sector” on 11th January 2024. The objective of the Webinar was to facilitate plastic product trade between India and Malawi and to explore further export opportunities to Malawi. High Commissioner of India, H.E. Shri S. Gopalakrishnan gave inaugural address and Shri Sachin Shah, Panel Chairman, PLEXCONCIL gave the welcome remarks. Over 60 companies from India and Malawi participated at the B2B meetings.
High Commission celebrated "Vishwa Hindi Diwas" (World Hindi Day) at the Chancery Premises on 13 January 2024. High Commissioner Shri S. Gopalakrishnan congratulated the Indian diaspora on the occasion and appreciated their contribution in use of Hindi Language. Member of Indian Community participated in Essay writing competition, Poetry recitation and Speech Competition with great enthusiasm.
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High Commission celebrate the 75th Republic Day of India
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In the morning of 26 January, 2024, High Commissioner Shri S. Gopalakrishnan unfurled the national flag and read out the address of the President to the nation on 75th Republic Day of India. Large number of members of the Indian community & friends of India in Malawi also participate in the celebrations.
High Commissioner Shri. S. Gopalakrishnan hosted a reception at Bingu International Convention Centre, Lilongwe to commemorate 75th Republic Day of India on 26 January 2024. Minister of Mining Honourable Ms. Monica Chang’anamuno, MP graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. A large number of guests including Ministers, Deputy Speakers, Members of Parliament and senior officials from the Government of Malawi, Heads of Missions/International Community, members of the Indian community and friends of India attended the event. In his remarks, High Commissioner highlighted the progress that India has made since its independence in various fields and underscored India’s developmental assistance to Malawi. Honourable Minister, in her remarks thanked Government of India for its continued support and for being a true partner in the development of Malawi.
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Malawian Cultural Troupe at the 37th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024.
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A 14- member troupe from Malawi participated at 37th Surajkund International Crafts Festival in New Delhi in India from February 2 to 18, 2024. The Malawi team included visual artists, dancers and musicians among them. Malawi delivered outstanding performances as well as exhibited the best of artworks during the festival. The visit of Malawian troupe was sponsored by the Government of India.
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“India-Malawi Pharmaceutical Cooperation and Regulatory Developments”
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High Commission of India in association with Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) organized the Second Hybrid Webinar on “India-Malawi Pharmaceutical Cooperation and Regulatory Developments” on 15 February 2024. High Commissioner Shri S. Gopalakrishnan, Mr. Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General, PHARMEXCIL, Mr. Charles Kombeni, Director (Procurement), Central Medical Store Trust and Mr. Godfrey Kadwere, Director, Ministry of Health, GoM made special remarks at the event. Mr. Mphatso Kawaye, Director General Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority of Malawi made a presentation on the pharma regulations in Malawi. The Indian pharmaceutical industry has emerged as a global leader and India is the largest global supplier of generic drugs accounting for 20% of its global exports. India is also the leading vaccine manufacturer globally with a market share of 60%. The total annual turnover of Pharmaceuticals in the fiscal year 2021-22 was US$42.34 Bn. Major segments of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry include generic drugs, OTC medicines, bulk drugs, vaccines, contract research & manufacturing, biosimilars and biologics. During 2022-23, India’s pharmaceutical exports have crossed US$ 25 billion. India manufactures about 60,000 different generic brands across 60 therapeutic categories and ranks 3rd globally in manufacturing generic drugs. India is a global player in all pharma segments –patented, generic and over the counter drug market. Hence, India is called as the ‘Pharmacy of the world’. India’s pharmaceutical products are globally known including in Malawi for its quality as well as cost-effectiveness. The objective of the Webinar was to facilitate and promote more pharma trade between India and Malawi. The webinar was followed by B2B meetings. Over 100 companies from both India and Malawi participated at the second Hybrid Buyer-Seller Meet on pharma sector. The first Buyer-Seller Meet was organised in February 2022.
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International Women’s Day
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High Commission of India celebrated International Woman's Day at the High Commission Chancery on 08 March 2024.
High Commission of India organised broadcast of the launch of Chalo India Campaign by PM Narendra Modi on 7th March 2024. High Commissioner Shri S. Gopalakrishnan addressed the diaspora members and requested them to actively participate in the campaign. He also highlighted the initiatives and programmes announced by GoI for the diaspora community. The event was attended by members of the Indian community in large numbers.
The High Commission of India organised a panel discussion on “Indian Diaspora in Malawi: Remembering Roots and Routes” in Lilongwe on 07 March 2024. Panelists at the event- Mr. Pramod Kalaria, Mr. J.B. Kotecha, Mr. Manzoor Beda, whose forefathers came to Malawi between 1905-1910 recalled their early days and shared their journey in Malawi. They also discussed about the way Indian Community has evolved in Malawi. Mr. Dhiren Thakarar, who is also one of the senior members of Indian community in Malawi moderated the discussion. Over 75 members of the Indian diaspora attended the event. So far mission has organised three such events since 2021.
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Consular Camp in Blantyre
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As part of its public outreach programme- High Commission@Your Doorstep, the High Commission of India, Lilongwe organized a Consular Camp in Blantyre on 16th March, 2024. Mission provided Passport and other Consular Services to the members of Indian diaspora living in the southern region of Malawi.
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“State Day-cum-Holi, Festival of Colour”
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High Commission of India, Lilongwe celebrated "States Day-cum- Holi, Festival of Colours" on 23 March 2024 at the India House. Focus States of this year were Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Culture, arts, handicrafts, cuisines etc of the respective states were displayed. To promote tourism in India, a tourism fair was also organised in which videos and information on Incredible India were also shown/displayed. Number of travel agencies also participated at the event. Hon. Minister of Tourism Ms. Vera Kamtukule inaugurated the Tourism Fair. A cultural program was also organised. Over 200 persons including members of the diplomatic community, senior officials from Govt. of Malawi, members of Indian diaspora, Friends of India and High Commission officials and their families enthusiastically participated at the celebrations.
INDIAN COMMUNITY CORNER
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Hindu community reforests Malingunde Dam
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The Hindu Association in Lilongwe joined the Malingunde Dam One Catchment area reforestation campaign.Over 500 trees were planted to protect the Capital City’s key water source. Lilongwe Water Board owns Malingunde Dam and its environmental officer Andrew Nsondole hailed the community for its efforts.
NEWS FROM INDIA
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Atal Setu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi opens country's longest sea bridge "
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024 officially opened India’s longest sea bridge in Mumbai, the latest project completed in a vast government infrastructure programme. The 21.8-kilometre bridge will connect the wealthy South Mumbai area of the financial hub with Navi Mumbai, a satellite city. It will reduce the two-hour journey between the two urban centres to 20 minutes. “The inauguration of Atal Setu exemplifies India's infrastructural prowess and underscores the country's trajectory towards a Viksit Bharat [developed India],” Priem Minister Modi said after the inauguration. “The project not only provides services but also generates employment. More than 17,000 labourers and 1,500 engineers got jobs during the construction of this bridge.” The bridge, which cost 178 billion rupees ($2.14bn) to build, is 17 times heavier than the weight of the steel used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Construction began in 2018 and the six-lane structure is the 12th longest sea bridge in the world. It stretches about 16.5km over the sea and 5.5km on land. About 70,000 vehicles are expected to cross the bridge daily. Read more
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India Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Ram Temple
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The Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya took place amid much grandeur on January 22. The event was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and scores of other dignitaries from all over the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the consecration of the idol of Ram Lalla marks the advent of a new era and gave a call to people to go beyond the Ram temple's construction to build the foundation of a strong, grand and divine India of the next 1,000 years.
India marked the 75th Republic Day with great fervour and enthusiasm. The country's diverse culture, prowess of the Armed Forces were displayed at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Emmanuel Macron of France, who was this year's Chief Guest, graced the occasion. This year's Republic Day was even more special as the theme was 'Nari Shakti'. All-women marching contingents, all-women bikers and performers enthralled the audience. Read more
Prime Minister Modi at World Governments Summit 2024 in Dubai |
At the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of Dubai, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the World Governments Summit in Dubai as Guest of Honour, on 14 February 2024. He delivered the special keynote address on the theme of the Summit - "Shaping the Future Governments”. The Summit this time saw participation of 20 world leaders, including 10 Presidents and 10 Prime Ministers. Governments and delegates from over 120 countries were represented at the global gathering. In his address, Prime Minister shared his thoughts on the changing nature of governance. He highlighted India’s transformative reforms based on the mantra of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”. In his speech, the Indian Prime Minister praised the UAE leadership’s vision for development. Prime Minister had attended the World Governments Summit in 2018, also as Guest of Honour. Read more
Government of India Announces IndiaAI Mission, outlays Rs. 10,000 crore |
The Government of Indian announced the approval of IndiaAI Mission, intended to promote research and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India, with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 10,371.92 crore. The budget will be invested in building “programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors” under the mission. The announcement was made on March 7 by the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal at the National Media Centre in Delhi. Read more
India’s first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the beginning of a new era in India’s nuclear energy sector by witnessing the “Core Loading” at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. This event signifies the near completion of India’s first indigenous PFBR, a landmark project fully designed and constructed within the country by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), in collaboration with over 200 Indian industries, including numerous MSMEs. India Joins an Elite Club. With the commissioning of the 500 MWe PFBR, India is set to become only the second country after Russia to operate a commercial Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR). This achievement not only places India at the forefront of nuclear technology but also underlines its commitment to developing clean and efficient energy sources. Read more
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PM Modi Addresses IEA Ministerial MeetingCalls for Sustainable Energy Future
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On 14 February 2024, The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the International Energy Agency’s Ministerial Meeting. Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister congratulated the International Energy Agency for the 50th anniversary of its establishment and also extended his gratitude towards Ireland and France for co-chairing this meeting. In his speech, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of energy security and sustainability in driving continued economic growth. He highlighted India’s remarkable progress, transitioning from the 11th largest economy to the 5th largest within a decade, and achieving significant growth in solar and renewable energy capacities. PM Modi noted India’s overachievement of its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule. Addressing India’s substantial population and its ambitious energy access initiatives, the Prime Minister underscored the country’s relatively low carbon emissions compared to its population size. He reiterated India’s commitment to combatting climate change through collective efforts, citing initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE, which promotes eco-friendly lifestyles. Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the IEA for its support of India’s initiatives, including the recent launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance during India’s G20 Presidency. Read more
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India Q3 GDP growth surges to 8.4%, exceeding expectations
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India reported gross domestic product in the October to December quarter at 8.4%. The government also revised up its GDP growth forecast for the year ending in March 2024 to 7.6%, from its January projection of 7.3%. The figure for the quarter ended December, India's third fiscal term, easily surpassed an average forecast of 6.6% in a poll of economists by Reuters. Credit rating agency ICRA had projected an even slower Q3 growth rate of 6%. The third-quarter GDP number was the highest in six quarters, on the back of an 11.6% rise in manufacturing activity and a 9.5% expansion of the construction sector, the government said in a statement.
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PM inaugurates new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka on January 19, 2024. Built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crores, the 43-acre campus is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the USA. The Prime Minister also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program which aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector. The Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the Experience Center and interacted with Sukanya beneficiaries. COO of Boeing Company, Ms Stephanie Pope lauded the Prime Minister’s focus on the growth of the aviation sector in India and his instrumental role in making the Boeing Sukanya Program a reality. Read more
Inauguration of BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi |
The iconic new BAPS Temple was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi on 14 February 2024 by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj along with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the eminent Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence for the UAE, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan. The new Temple, constructed on land generously gifted by the UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was guided and inspired by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu fellowship. The BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, and stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and the UAE, embodying the spirit of cultural inclusivity, interfaith harmony, and community collaboration. Read more
Indian women clinch historic gold in Badminton Asia Team Championships |
Indian women won historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title with a tight 3-2 victory over a depleted Thailand. Anmol Kharb yet again performed when it mattered, winning the decisive fifth rubber to lead Indian women to a historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title with a tight 3-2 victory over a depleted Thailand, here Sunday. The young sprightly group of Indian women’s team, led by seasoned PV Sindhu, defied all expectations to come up trumps against two-time bronze medallists Thailand. It is the first-ever major title for Indian women in Team championships and provides a big boost to the team. India had won two medals in the past with the men’s team claiming bronze medals in the 2016 and 2020 editions.
