Shri Nitin Gadkari Archives - Media Bulletins Today News Bulletin in English

Shri Nitin Gadkari virtually flags off fleet of Electric Vehicles as Amazon India reaffirms commitment to building a sustainable supply chain

Apr 18, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Amazon India, #leaders from Amazon India and CEOs of leading OEMs, #Shri Nitin Gadkari

Amazon India will engage with more Indian OEMs, lending strength to ‘Make in India’ and AtmaNirbhar Bharat to achieve its goal of 10,000 EVs by 2025.

National, 18 April, 2021: Amazon India today reaffirmed its commitment towards the electrification of its last mile delivery fleet to reduce its dependence on non-renewable resources at a virtual event with Shri Nitin Gadkari, leaders from Amazon India and CEOs of leading OEMs. Amazon India recently announced that it is working with Mahindra Electric to add more electric vehicles (EV) in its delivery fleet. Today, Hero Electric as well as start-ups such as EVage are engaging with Amazon India to expand the company’s fleet of EVs to enable sustainable deliveries of customer orders. Amazon India’s Delivery Service Partners are already operating EVs of multiple formats in over 20 cities in India including Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Bhopal, Indore and Coimbatore to name a few.

The collaborative effort strengthens Amazon India’s commitment to include 10,000 EVs as part of its delivery fleet by 2025. These EVs are in addition to the company’s global commitment of 100,000 electric vehicles in its delivery fleet by 2030 announced in the Climate Pledge signed by Amazon. Amazon India’s Delivery Service Partner fleet of EVs now includes 2-wheeler, 3-wheeler and 4-wheeler vehicles, which are designed and made in India and will be deployed across the company’s delivery partner network.

Virtually flagging off a fleet of EVs at Smbhav 2021, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME, Road Transport and Highways said, “As we enter the 75th year of Indian independence we need to focus on our collective efforts towards a green and sustainable India. I want to congratulate Amazon for being the first company to sign the Climate Pledge by committing to net zero carbon across the business, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. This is a remarkable and historical contribution. I am really happy to know that Amazon India has pledged to adopt 10,000 EVs in their delivery fleet by 2025. Collaboration between Amazon and Indian OEMs like Mahindra Electric, Hero Electric and EVage is a welcome step, which reaffirms India’s significant progress in the e-mobile industry.”

The Indian e-mobility industry has made significant progress over the last few years, with the Indian government’s focus to encourage the adoption of EVs. The inclusion of EVs in Amazon India’s fleet further powers India’s electric mobility progress and complements its focus on ‘Make in India’ EVs.

“We, at Amazon India, remain steadfast in our endeavour to building a supply chain that fosters energy efficiency and is environmentally responsible. These Electric Vehicles will play a central role in achieving our environmental sustainability goals and will also play an important role towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat”, said Prakash Kumar Dutta, Vice President, Fulfilment Centre & Supply Chain Operations, Amazon India.

Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019, a commitment to reach the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net-zero carbon by 2040. The pledge now has 53 signatories, including Infosys, IBM, Unilever, Verizon, Siemens, and Microsoft. To reach its goal, Amazon will continue to reduce emissions across its operations by taking real business actions and establishing a path to power its operations with 100% renewable energy, five years ahead of the company’s original target of 2030; delivering its Shipment Zero vision to make all shipments net-zero carbon, with 50% net-zero carbon by 2030; purchasing 100,000 electric delivery vehicles, the largest order ever of electric delivery vehicles, and by investing $2 billion in the development of decarbonizing services and solutions through the Climate Pledge Fund. For more information, visit https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/.

Business World, News

Tribal Affairs Ministry joins hands with KVIC for new uniforms of Tribal students and promote tribal entrepreneurship

Jan 21, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #and Medium Enterprises, #Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), #National Scheduled Tribe Finance Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), #Shri Arjun Munda, #Shri Nitin Gadkari, #Small, #The honorable Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, #Union Minister of Micro

New Delhi: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs under two of its associated agencies namely National Scheduled Tribe Finance Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) shall be entering into 2 MoUs with Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to procure school uniforms for tribal students and also to promote tribal entrepreneurship.

Under the first agreement the agency National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) will be procuring around 6 lakhs meters of Khadi fabric at an approximate cost of Rs.15 crore from KVIC. This move will benefit around 75,000 students residing in the remotest part of the country in 23 states. The next year government is planning to increase its budget to Rs 50 crores which would benefit around 360000students in 750 schools. KVIC will be able to offer fabric for the Pant & Shirt of Boys and Kurti, Salwar & Jacket for the Girls.

The honorable Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda on the occasion stated that the Ministry has laid a lot of emphasis on the development of tribal education through one of its flagship interventions of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to impart quality education to ST students.

“As part of the revamping of the program, it was felt to have a standard school uniform design for the students keeping in view the various climatic factors. The focus of the government and the clarion call of Hon’ble Prime Minister to embrace Khadi as a philosophy and recently as a critical component of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat strategy, the Ministry felt it appropriate to source the fabric for uniforms of EMRS Students from KVIC,” The minister added.

The minister informed that in the year 2018-19, the Eklavya Model Residential School scheme was revamped to substantially increase the geographical outreach and introduce various qualitative changes to improve the learning outcomes of the students. “452 new EMRSs will be coming up in the remote tribal blocks of the country. This is a giant leap in the arena of tribal education as by the year 2022 there will be 740 EMRS across the country,” He said.

The second MoU will be signed between NSTFDC and KVIC. NSTFDC is a Section 25 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs responsible for implementing concessional loan schemes for the economic development of tribals in India for funding entrepreneurial ventures of aspiring scheduled tribes in all sectors of the economy. NSTFDC has been enrolled as an implementing agency under PM Employment Generation Program (PMEGP scheme) in order to increase the coverage of PMEGP amongst STs. Therefore the proposed MoU between NSTFDC and KVIC will formalize this arrangement and will be a landmark initiative to bring synergy between NSTFDC and KVIC in reaching out to tribal entrepreneurs under the larger ambit of the PMEGP scheme.

The Tribal Affairs Ministry has also partnered with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi as a part of the revamping exercise. The MOU is been signed in the presence of Honorable Minister of Tribal Affairs and Honorable Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Union Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Shri Nitin Gadkari explained that Children, who are the future of this country, have always been a focus of various schemes and programmatic attention of Government of India.

“Be it schemes of education, sports, skill development, nutrition or all-round development taking the concept of ‘SabkaSaathSabka Vikas’, Government of India has taken a number of landmark steps. There could not be a more befitting way than this to take the message of Mahatma Gandhi to the tribal villages as the country is in the midst of “150 years of Celebrating the Mahatma,” Shri Gadkari mentioned.

The dignitaries who were present at the event included honorable Minister of State, MSME- Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Honorable Minister of State, Tribal Affairs- Smt Renuka Singh Saruta, Chairman KVIC- ShriVinai Kumar Saxena and Shri Deepak Khandekar, Secretary- Tribal Affairs.

In the welcome remarks, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chairman KVIC welcomed the honorable Minister of MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari to the event, Shri Satya Narayan, Dy Chief Executive officer, North Zone welcomed the honorable Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, Dr.Navaljit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs welcomed the honorable Minister of State, MSME- Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi to the event, Smt Sarita, Dy Director- MDTC, Delhi welcomed honorable Minister of State Tribal Affairs- Smt Renuka Singh Saruta, Shri Asit Gopal, Commissioner, NEST welcomed Chairman KVIC- Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and Dr. V K Nagar, Dy CEO (KGB N. Delhi/ S.O Delhi) welcomed Shri Deepak Khandekar, Secretary- Tribal Affairs to the event.

News

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari e-launches Prabha Khaitan Foundation website

Dec 18, 2020 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Communication and Branding Chief, #Manisha Jain, #Prabha Khaitan Foundation, #Shri Nitin Gadkari, #Union Minister

Union Minister, Shri Nitin Gadkari, today formally launched Prabha Khaitan Foundation’s website (https://pkfoundation.org) in a virtual function attended by which guests across India and abroad. Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF), a Kolkata-based registered public charitable trust, was set up by Late Dr Prabha Khaitan – a litterateur, entrepreneur and social worker – who worked relentlessly for the emancipation of women.

Commending the legacy of Late Dr Prabha Khaitan, Mr Gadkari said, “Karm hi jeevan (work is life) was the mission of Late Dr Prabha Khaitan who showed social sensitivity and responsibility towards the poor and disadvantaged and espoused the cause of women empowerment in the spheres of art, literature, culture, education and social work by helping them hone up their hidden talents. She instilled in them confidence and self reliance. I am glad that Prabha Khaitan Foundation is carrying forward the good work and legacy of Late Dr Prabha Khaitan.”

“We want to make such an Atmanirbhar Bharat where there should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, ideology, religion, language and sex. Organisations like Prabha Khaitan Foundation will bring about changes in the society. I believe we will achieve the goal one day,”Mr Gadkari said.

Currently, PKF is one of India’s leading social welfare organisations engaged in various social welfare causes for women, children and the elderly. PKF is also one of the leading private organisations to promote Indian art, culture, literature, and folk heritage within and outside the country, often in collaboration with like-minded Indian and foreign organisations.

Prabha Khaitan Foundation is inspired and guided by the life and works of Late Prabha Khaitan – a Over the past few decades, PKF has created a lot of cultural capital by building up a strong network of conscientious talented individuals and organisations across the globe for socio-cultural causes

“Prabha Khaitan Foundation is an innovator of various boutique literary events to promote literature, writings, art, wildlife conservation and culture. We undertake collaborative literature and cultural activity and projects with many Universities and like-minded people across the globe. The Foundation’s women initiative Ehsaas Women is a conglomeration of women from all walks of life who act as galvanising agents. We feel that culture is at the heart of development policy and it constitutes an essential investment in the world’s future. Late Dr Prabha Khaitan’s vision for a better tomorrow guides us,”said Ms Apra Kuchhal, Ehsaas Woman and honorary convener, Rajasthan and central India affairs of Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

“The Prabha Khaitan Foundation website highlights our effort to uphold the cultural capital of the country and promote Indian culture and literature in India and overseas. Literature, culture and heritage, basic education, women empowerment and social welfare are the five pillars of inspiration for the Foundation. Nearly 1000 initiatives spanning 35 cities in the world are listed on the website. It also hosts the monthly newsletters which are interactive and gives the visitor access to our events and articles by noteworthy names,” Manisha Jain, Communication and Branding Chief, Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

Recounting his life’s experience, Mr Gadkari said, “Those who do good work for the poor get their gratitude and blessings. I had an accident in 2004 near Nagpur and the vehicle with a red beacon was crushed. All who saw it felt no one could survive the accident. However, I, my wife, daughter, son, personal assistant and the driver survived. I tell people that I have helped thousands of heart patients in getting medical support and others get artificial limbs. I feel it was the force of their collective blessings that we survived.”

PKF also has branded boutique literary and social events like An Author’s Afternoon, Kitab, The Write Circle, EkMulakat, Lafz, Tete-a-Tea, Kalam etc., in over 35 cities, including London, New York and Dubai, thus providing a platform to the eminent and aspiring writers, artists and performers.

Business World

Supporting India to tide over the Pandemic

Nov 9, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Mr. B R Mehta, #Mr. Paul Abraham, #Mr. Sanjay Asher, #Mr. Subash Desai, #Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, #Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF), #Shiv Sena, #Shri Nitin Gadkari, #Shri Uddhavji Thackrey

A global pandemic. A nation-wide lockdown. A humanitarian crisis. Natural Calamities. All in a steep span of 7 months. Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF), a Pune based NGO: working in the areas of healthcare, education, social welfare and water & environment conservation, stepped up to help the country get through this crisis by ensuring that nobody was forgotten and left behind.

Quick in their efforts, team MMF was at the forefront to mobilize support. Immediate steps were taken to ensure that the frontline warriors across multiple hospitals of urban Pune and rural Maharashtra had an adequate supply of PPE kits, facemasks, equipment and other medical necessities. Within the first 2 months of the pandemic, MMF had supported nearly 80k daily wage earners with grocery essentials and cooked meals. Reaching out to the many displaced families across West Bengal, Assam and Maharashtra, Mukul Madhav Foundation assisted to rescue and rehabilitate those affected by Cyclone Amphan, Cyclone Nisarga and floods across Assam.

To support India get back on its feet – with sheer grit and resilience Mukul Madhav Foundation launched its initiative #GiveWithDignityTM which is serving grocery and hygiene essential kits to more than 70,000 households across 24 states with a hope to spread joy and happiness, this festive season.

20,000 kits are being distributed between October 25th and November 13th across 20 districts of Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, Amravati, Beed, Osmanabad, Vidharb, Marathwada, Gadchiroli, Washim, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Buldhana, Parbhani, Nashik, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Jalgoan). These 20k kits for Maharashtra have been sponsored by IndusInd Bank, Finolex Industries and Mukul Madhav Foundation.

The beneficiaries belong to marginalized communities who have been identified with the help of NGOs, like-minded friends, well-wishers of the Foundation along with the support of local District Administration. Majority of the kit’s contents have been procured from SHGs, MSMEs and other NGO’s. The ration supplies have been sourced from Purti Group, Maandeshi Foundation and Star Foods. Masks have been made by CYDA (Centre for Youth Development and Activities) and SOBATI, Baramati has supported us with sanitary napkins.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Uddhavji Thackrey, inaugurated and flagged off the drive on Saturday 7th November 2020 in Mumbai in a small ceremony at the Matoshree Sports Club. Others present at the drive were Adv. Gauri Chhabria, Mr. Paul Abraham, CEO, Hinduja Foundation, Mr. B R Mehta, Vice President, Finolex Industries, and Mr. Sanjay Asher, Director, Orbit and Mr. Subash Desai, Sr. Leader of Shiv Sena and Minister of Industries Maharashtra.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Minister of Shipping and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Government of India applauded and blessed the Foundation for this initiative and its effort of empowering small local businesses.

Collaboration has ensured we could upscale this initiative and the generous donations from institutional and individual donors have allowed us to reach many more beneficiaries. Finolex Industries Ltd, CavinKare, Marico, Hinduja Foundation, Nestle, Indorama, IndusInd Bank, Ashok Leyland, Gulf Oil and other corporates have willingly come forward this Diwali to #GiveWithDignity

Speaking about the activity, Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee, Mukul Madhav Foundation said, “The pandemic has been a true test of strength, determination and grit. At MMF we are committed to serving the society – irrespective of the challenges thrown at us as we strive to rise to the occasion and ensure we are there to assist the most vulnerable in any situation. What was a dream 9 weeks ago has transformed into reality and will culminate on Diwali.

#GiveWithDignityTM is an emotion that has strived to empower SHG’s & MSME’s while in turn ensuring those who have lost their livelihood are provided with basic grocery and hygiene essentials. The power of collaboration has brought some of the leading brands to join hands with us and support us in our mission to spread hope and happiness this festive season. I am indebted to all those who have had faith in the work we do and lent us their support thereby rippling the benefit to many more.”

The pandemic has been harsh and taken a toll on financial stability, mental and physical wellbeing. The Foundation is committed to serve the society and help the severely affected bounce back.

News

ARAI & Swedish Transport Administration kicks of the ‘Road to Vision Zero’ in India, under the Sweden-India Transport Innovation & Safety Platform (SITIS)

Nov 7, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr Matts-Åke Belin, #H.E. Klas Molin, #Mr. N V Marathe, #Mr. NV Marathe, #Road to Vision Zero, #Shri Nitin Gadkari, #Vision Zero Academy Training Program

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India & H.E. Klas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to India in the presence of Kamal Bali, Chairman, SITIS & CEO, Volvo Group India and Mr. NV Marathe, Director, ARAI inaugurated the 3 -day training program – ‘Road to Vision Zero’.

The program addresses senior transport & highway officials from across India – the key stakeholders who are responsible for setting policies and carry out the implementation in the Road safety arena, helping India meet its national objective of significantly reducing the yearly fatalities.

The Vision Zero 3-day training program involves 17 different Swedish & Indian stakeholders who will provide insights into how Sweden has managed using the Vision Zero approach to bring down fatalities dramatically despite the increase in vehicular population. This program is a SITIS initiative, fronted by ARAI & Swedish Transport Administration/Vision Zero Academy. This is one of the first among the various future projects in order to promote the Vision Zero approach among the Indian stakeholders engaged in the road safety arena.

Addressing the audience at the event, Shri Nitin Gadkari commented, “The vision for Future India, we must eliminate the 3. 14 per cent of GDP, that is lost due to road accidents and death…I am confident that, with the support of people, we will reach our goal in 2 years”.

And further said, he was convinced that every sincere effort we make to improve road safety will payback and it’s important that all stakeholders come together and walk hand in hand in our vision forward. Its’ not only the authorities, but I call upon the Auto Industry, Corporates, the IT industry, NGOs &, in today’s case, all the Swedish stakeholders to join hands in our national ambition to make our roads safer.

H.E. Klas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to India, commented: “We are guided by the belief that sustainable transport is possible and we must work to make injuries and fatalities not a part of our future but a part of today and eventually a part of history…Vision Zero is more clearly identified than ever before. We are very happy to see this partnership bearing fruit with this online training programme, On the Road to Vision Zero.”

Mr. N V Marathe, Director ARAI commented: “ARAI is committed to working to develop indigenous technologies and reducing gaps. With state-of-the-art facilities, competent manpower and dedication, ARAI is always on the move to provide strong and reliable support to the Ministry in the area of emission norms and safety. Through this programme; the sibling has started growing and we need to water it, nourish it now, to bloom it further.

Dr Matts-Åke Belin, Senior Advisor Swedish Transport Administration & Head – Vision Zero Academy, commented: “In February 2020 Sweden organized the third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety and in this conference, the relation between sustainable transport and Vision Zero was emphasis which was also mirrored in a UN resolution adopted by UN general assembly later this year.

Mr. Kamal Bali, Chairman SITIS concluded: “SITIS is a direct outcome of the Joint Declaration on Sweden-India Innovation Partnership agreement signed between the two Prime Ministers. And the SITIS Vision is “To leverage the know-how of India and Sweden to accelerate progress and deployment of safe & sustainable transport solutions and actionable policies, contributing to the significant progress of Indian transport system”.

This ‘Vision Zero Academy Training Program’ is the first step under our Education & Exchange workstream.

Business World

Priyadarshni Academy 36th Anniversary Global Awards 2020 honoured stalwarts including Mr. Borge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, Bollywood Actor Ms. Taapsee Pannu,

Sep 21, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #36th Anniversary Global Awards 2020, #Niranjan Hiranandani, #Priyadarshni Academy, #Shri Nitin Gadkari, #Shri Piyush Goyal

Mumbai, September 19, 2020: Priyadarshni Academy’s 36th Anniversary Global Awards 2020 – a web event hosted on September 19, 2020, in the presence of eminent personalities and winners. The global Awards Advisory committee of the Priyadarshni Academy honours the real achievers for their incredible contribution to society through their meritorious efforts and services.

Staying true to its age-old rich tradition, the Academy awarded winners elected from the diverse walks of life for their distinguished services rendered towards the upliftment of mankind in multiple ways. The six prominent awardees were felicitated this evening by guests of honour – Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, MSMEs, Government of India, and Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Railways, Government of India; and Shri Suresh Prabhu, India’s Sherpa to the G20 and Former Union Minister, Government of India in gracious presence of Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy and Mr. Nanik Rupani, Chairman Emeritus, Businessman and Humanitarian.

The famous Bollywood actor Ms.Taapsee Pannu expressed her gratitude on the receipt of the dignified Smita Patil Memorial Award. Overwhelmingly, she thanked saying that “It is a sheer moment of pride to be bestowed with such an honourable award and felt indebted towards the academy for this distinguished recognition. Further stating that she shall continue to be the torchbearer of the rich legacy set by her predecessor in the film fraternity and persistently work towards the upliftment of the parallel cinema movement in India that stands out as a beacon of hope to the future generation.”

Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy while congratulating the winners at Priyadarshni 36th Anniversary Global Awards 2020 that celebrates India’s vast social, cultural and spiritual diversity said that,” It is a great honour to felicitate the stalwarts from all walks of life for their selfless efforts and laudable contribution in their respective fields. He also appreciated the accomplishments of Priyadarshni Academy who relentlessly work towards honouring such awardees for their glorious contributions that benefit the society at large.” He thanked guests of honour, eminent national and international dignitaries for gracing the occasion in the unprecedented COVID crisis globally and wished to stay safe.

Mr. Nanik Rupani quoted “Priyadarshni Academy has steadily grown during the last 36 years and has been doing yeoman service to society. It also awards scholarships to the deserving and needy students to fulfil their ambitions for pursuing higher studies in India. The global awards program of the Academy is a prestigious event which brings goodwill with other nations and makes them closer and strengthens bilateral relations”

The winners expressed their gratitude on receiving this award as follow –

Mr. Borge Brende, President, World Economic Forum, Switzerland on receiving Harish Mahindra Memorial Global Award for outstanding contribution to Economic Welfare and Sustainable Growth.

Mr. José Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France on receiving Priyadarshni Academy Global Award for outstanding contribution to Global Economic Co-operation

Ms. Graça Machel, Founder and Chairperson, The Graça Machel Trust, Johannesburg, South Africa on receiving Priyadarshni Academy Global Award for outstanding contribution to the welfare of Women and Children

Mr. Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, India on receiving Pralhad P. Chhabria Memorial Global Award for outstanding contribution to the FMCG Industry

Mr. Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), President, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, India on receiving Ramkrishna Bajaj Memorial Global Award for outstanding contribution to the promotion of Holistic Healing through Spirituality and Yoga

Tag: Shri Nitin Gadkari