Month: October 2023

Vijay Se Vijay Tak | Kargil War Memorial | Battle of Minds 2023

To commemorate the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the Kargil victory a special one-of-a-kind event titled “Vijay Se Vijay Tak” curated by the Indian Army was held at the iconic Kargil War Memorial in Dras, on 7 October 2023. The event was graced by Col Sonam Wangchuk, MVC (Retd) and Nb Sub Mehar Singh, VrC – two of the valiant warriors who had fought the Kargil war in 1999. In addition, there was a diverse audience comprising students, teachers and mentors hailing from the participating schools. A large number of serving JCOs and soldiers were also present to motivate the participants.

The Indian Army Quiz – Battle of Minds 2023, witnessed an extraordinary display of knowledge and quick thinking at the haloed portals of the Kargil War Memorial by bright, young, and enthusiastic four-member student teams from thirteen local Schools, located in the culturally, militarily, and historically significant – Kargil-Dras region. It was immensely heartening to note that 54% of the participating school teams were girls. These young minds engaged in a 30-minute-long spirited intellectual written battle-of-wits, testing their knowledge and fostering camaraderie and unity. Up for grabs were lucrative cash prizes and participation certificates for all the schools. What was of special interest was that these schools were also vying amongst themselves, for the coveted wildcard entry spot in the Quarterfinals of the Northern Command, set to take place in Srinagar on 26 October 2023.

After a rigorous evaluation of the written answer sheets, the results were finally declassified. Army Goodwill School, Dras was the undisputed champion of the day. They were felicitated with a cash award of Rs 2500/-, participation certificates and a Wildcard Entry to the Northern Command Quarterfinals by the Chief Guest – Col Sonam Wangchuk (Retd), MVC in the presence of Col MS Rawat (Retd), Director, AWES, Northern Command and Col. RK Singh, Deputy Commander, 56 Mountain Brigade.

Government High School, Kaksar and Himabass Public High School, Dras were the joint second position holders and were presented with a cash award of Rs 2000/- each and participation certificates. All the other participating schools were also honoured with certificates of participation and cash awards of Rs 1000/- each.

One of the main objectives of the event was to inspire and motivate students from the 32,000-plus schools across India registered to participate in the Indian Army Quiz – Battle of Minds 2023.

“I am thankful to all my teammates for their team spirit. We have been dedicatedly preparing for this competition, and it feels incredible to see our efforts pay off. We are excited to represent our school and our city in the upcoming Quarterfinals,” shared Ms Uma Farooq, Captain of the Army Goodwill School, Dras – the winning team. 

Speaking about the event, Col Gaurav Bhatia, PhD (Retd) asserted, “TheIndian Army Quiz – Battle of Minds 2023, unequivocally represents the promotion of knowledge and the empowerment of today's youth, underscored by the overwhelming response, with a substantial number of students enthusiastically participating in this unique event.” 

As an added incentive, enticing prizes await the participants of the 2023. The top twelve schools stand a chance to win buses, while students and their teachers can earn iPads and tablets as rewards for their excellence. Furthermore, cash prizes will not only be bestowed upon the ultimate winner but also on those who make it to the Semi-Finals and Quarterfinals, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to be recognized for their achievements. 

The online competition of the Indian Army Quiz – Battle of Minds, 2023, being hosted on www.indianarmyquiz.com  commenced on 3rd October 2023, with the grand finale slated for 5th December 2023. 

 Governments are listening and responding with new pledges and plans

The world’s largest online meeting of adolescents and young people, the Global Forum for Adolescents,closed today with a sweeping set of new commitments from governments and other stakeholders.

The Global Forum, 11-12 October 2023, was organized by PMNCH – the world’s largest alliance for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health – to galvanize attention to the needs and priorities of adolescents and young people around the world. The Forum closed today with the launch of the “Agenda for Action for Adolescents”, based on the opinions of 1.2 million young people ages 16-24, collected in more than 80 countries through the What Young People Want (WYPW) initiative, the world’s largest survey of young people.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 million adolescents and youth died in 2021, averaging 4,500 deaths every day from preventable causes. Leading causes include road traffic accidents and interpersonal violence, while mental health disorders represent a rising concern for well-being. Many young people struggle to access sexual health and family planning services, risking unplanned pregnancies. Substance use, child marriage, nutritional status (under and over nutrition) and injuries are other major concerns.

“This is the time for political commitment to new policies, more resources and increased funding overall. We need more data to drive those commitments and clear indicators on adolescent well-being to track progress,” said the Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Board Chair of PMNCH. “All young people everywhere must have a fair chance to contribute to their own countries and to the world and, above all, to pursue their dreams.”

The Agenda for Action for Adolescents seeks to highlight the need for far-greater action. It is based on seven main advocacy asks, including more and higher quality education and skills training; more adolescent-friendly health services; greater support for mental well-being; and more prevention of stigma and discrimination, including greater provision of comprehensive sexuality education.

“Adolescents and young people have specific health and well-being challenges often overlooked in policy and investment,” said Sahil Tandon of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, co-lead of the drafting team for the Agenda for Action for Adolescents, and a member of the PMNCH Adolescent and Youth Constituency. “In fact, less than 1.6% of development assistance for health was dedicated to adolescent health between 2003 and 2015, even though there are 1.8 billion people between 10 and 24 in the world today,” said Mr. Tandon. “The Agenda for Action is intended to galvanize attention to where it is needed most, and to align all partners in addressing these needs.”

The Global Forum also served as a launching pad for a new health and education strategy developed by the African Union, recognizing the key role that young people play in shaping the economic and social future of the continent. More than 1 billion (1.46b) people live in Africa, half (735 million)of whom are under the age of 20 (source). More than half of these commitments address the call for more vocational training and secondary/third-level education, mirroring the main priority identified by 1.2m adolescents and youth worldwide through the What Young People Want effort, launched by PMNCH earlier this year. Other pledges focus on providing affordable, high-quality adolescent health and well-being services and strengthening the agency of adolescents and youth.

“As a young person, I want my leader to prioritize the health and well-being of youth. I wish for them to actively listen to our voices and concerns, ensuring that our opinions are considered in policies and programs that affect us,” said Saksham Parimal, a young mobilizer for the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign and a policy engagement Fellow at the YP Foundation in Bihar, India. “I seek opportunities to have a say in decisions that shape our lives and those of our fellow youth. It's essential that our leader/government fulfils the promises they have made to young people, creating a supportive environment that enables us to thrive and reach our full potential. I believe that by investing in the health and well-being of young people, we can build a stronger and brighter future for our nation,” he said.

The Global Forum for Adolescents attracted more than 8,000 registrants over two days. Participants, including policymakers and young people, shared evidence, lived experience, and proven examples of effective policy and programming solutions. Forum sessions covered the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities experienced by young people growing up in today’s world, including the need for greater attention to adolescent well-being in schools, combating violence to foster safe spaces, and creating safety for digital natives. The Forum also saw the launch of advocacy tools, research products, innovation materials and key data to support advocacy for greater investment and commitment.

“Listening to young people helps governments to learn from our experiences and identify new ways to help us,” said Alims Blessing Iripa, 22, a youth activist from Nigeria who mobilized responses for the What Young People Want initiative. “Investing in young people's health and well-being today will pay off in the future,” she said.

Produced under the umbrella of the “1.8 Billion Young People for Change” campaign, the Global Forum for Adolescents is a key milestone in a multi-year advocacy drive led by the 1,400 partner-organizations of PMNCH and others. PMNCH has been working with young people over several years, exploring what they most want and need for their well-being, and putting their top concerns in front of decision-makers with power to ignite change.

In addition to governments, many private sector and non-state organizations have also made pledges to Adolescent Well-Being. During the Clinton Global Initiative forum in September 2023, FondationBotnar of Switzerland pledged USD$45 million to create safe online environments for young people, enhance civic engagement and make cities safe. Surgo Health, Pivotal Ventures, and MTV Entertainment Studios announced the creation of a Youth Mental Health Tracker. Ferring International pledged to prevent maternal deaths from postpartum hemorrhage and protect the lives of 20 million women and their families by 2030. Other organizations that made commitments include the Born This Way Foundation, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, the FIA Foundation, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Goleadoras Foundation, One Earth and Mariwala Health Initiative.

●        Agenda for Action for Adolescents :

https://pmnch.who.int/news-and-events/campaigns/agenda-for-action-for-adolescents/

●        What Young People Want interim report

https://pmnch.who.int/resources/publications/m/item/what-young-people-want-interim-analysis-of-the-world-s-largest-survey-on-adolescent-and-youth-well-being#:~:text=What%20Young%20People%20Want%20is,people%20aged%2010%2D24%20years

Blackberrys, an aspirational Indian menswear brand that caters to the fashion needs of the global Indian, has joined hands with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as the “Official Ceremonial Partner” for the upcoming fourth Asian Para Games to be held in Hangzhou, China later this month.

As part of this collaboration, the iconic Indian clothing brand known for the impeccable quality of its innovative, stylish, and sharp-fitting range, will dress Paralympic athletes and representatives of India travelling to China for the championship scheduled between Oct 22 and Oct 28, 2023.

In a glorious press meet on the sendoff ceremony held in the capital city today, Blackberrys unveiled and handed over the Official Ceremonial Suit to the attending athletes Parul D Parmar (Para Badminton) and Amit Saroha (Para Discus and Club throw) and PCI delegates. Among the dignitaries who graced the event were Mr. Gursharan Singh, Chef de Mission, Mr. Satyanarayana, Chairperson – Para Athletics, Mr. Nikhil Mohan- Co-Founder and Director of Blackberrys; Mr. Rajesh Sethuraman Vice President- Brand Experience at Blackberrys; Mr. Praveen Gupta General Manager – Supply Chain at Blackberrys and para-athletes Parul D Parmar (Para Badminton) and Amit Saroha (Para Discus and Club throw).

“Embracing the inspirational ethos of 'Keep Rising,' Blackberrys takes immense pride in its partnership with the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as the 'Official Ceremonial Partner' for the 4th Asian Para Games. Our brand's essence mirrors the unwavering spirit of para-athletes who consistently shatter boundaries and overcome the odds. Crafting the ceremonial suit for the Indian contingent is a moment of profound aspiration. We are fervently committed to celebrating the extraordinary journey of these athletes, who epitomize the triumph of determination and resilience. With every stitch, we weave a symbol of strength, style, and achievement, inspiring Team India's path to glory”, says Nikhil Mohan Co-Founder & Director of Blackberrys

The ceremonial suit designed and meticulously constructed by Blackberrys showcases India’s monogram blending fashion and functionality.

Mr. Gursharan Singh, Secretary-General of the Paralympic Committee of India, stated, ”Our primary mission at the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is to foster inclusivity and excellence in para-sports. Aligned with Blackberrys' ethos of 'Keep Rising,' this partnership exemplifies our shared commitment to determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It encapsulates our unwavering belief in the potential of our para-athletes and mirrors Blackberrys' inspiration for individuals to 'Keep Rising' through their product innovation and fit.  This successful collaboration symbolizes our collective dedication to the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement, inspiring Team India to triumph at the Asian Para Games”

Team India will be participating in 17 sports of the 4th Asian Para Games. The Indian contingent will compete in a range of categories, including Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Blind Football, Boccia, Canoe, Chess, Cycling, Judo, Lawn Ball, Powerlifting, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo and Wheelchair Fencing.

ICICI Bank announces the launch of ‘iFinance’, enabling crores of customers-retail and sole proprietors, to get a consolidated view of their savings and current accounts in one place. Customers of other banks can also get the benefit from this facility, which ICICI Bank has introduced by leveraging the Account Aggregator ecosystem, on the Bank’s digital platforms, namely iMobile Pay app, Retail Internet Banking (RIB), Corporate Internet Banking (CIB) and InstaBIZ, the Bank’s mobile app for businesses.

‘iFinance’ provides a single-view dashboard of all accounts. Users can check account balances, get valuable insights on spending patterns, download statements and more. The dashboard offers significant convenience to users and assists them to exercise better control over expenses and monitor their finances in a seamless manner.  

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Sidharatha Mishra, Head- Digital Channels, ICICI Bank, said, “We, at ICICI Bank, remain committed to offer futuristic and innovative digital solutions to our customers. With the launch of ‘iFinance’, we are enabling our customers as well as customers of other banks to view their account data in one place and provide them a better control over their finances. This is the Bank’s initiative to introduce the convenience of open banking for customers by leveraging the Account Aggregator ecosystem. This unique feature also provides users with the facility to manage their expenses by analysing their spending patterns in a safe and secured place. The ‘iFinance’ facility is available across our mobile banking and internet banking platforms which provide ease of access to account information to the customers. We believe this new feature will help the users to conveniently monitor and manage their finances.”

The key features of ‘iFinance’ facility are:

·         Linking and viewing of all accounts: Users can securely link their savings and current accounts with all banks and view account balances at one place

·         Summary of income and expenditure: The facility allows users to get insightful summary of their income and expenditure which helps them monitor their finances properly

·         Track spending / payments: Users can track their spends and get category wise information of their expenses. This helps them in managing their expenses and overall financial health

·         Complete user control: The facility also provides increased convenience as the users can link and de-link accounts on real-time basis

·         Detailed statement(s): With this facility, users can also download consolidated account statement(s) of all linked Bank accounts

·   Widens product portfolio with new introductions and editions

·   Kushaq and Slavia start at an all-new ₹10.89 lakh special pricing for the festive season

·   Footwell illumination, and segment-first front electric seats among new features

·   All-new Slavia Matte Edition also part of the company’s festive introductions

·   Special festive pricing and Matte Edition to be available for a limited period

As Škoda Auto India continues its reign as the producer of the safest cars in India and of having a fleet full of 5-star-rated cars for both adults and children, its product actions continue through 2023. This time in the form of a widened portfolio for the festive season, attractive festive period pricing, a host of new features in the cars, and an all-new Slavia Matte Edition.

Speaking on the enhanced portfolio, Petr Šolc, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said: “Our product offensive is aimed at welcoming more customers into the Škoda family and coincides with the festive spirit in the country. It has always been our endeavour to provide to our customers the safest family cars and ensure high level of customer satisfaction with our products and services. These festive offerings and enhancements in our products deliver on these fronts and offer fantastic value to our customers.”

Festive offers and features

The Kushaq and the Slavia – get an attractive₹10.89 lakh base pricing, which will be limited to the festive season.

The top-of-the-line Style variants of the Kushaq and Slavia get all-new features like electric seats for the driver and co-driver, which is a segment-first, and an illuminated footwell area. The centre of the dash is dominated by a 25.4 cm infotainment screen with Škoda Play Apps. The system links wirelessly with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Also standard in the Style is a subwoofer in the boot of the Kushaq and Slavia.

The Kushaq Monte Carlo will also get the electric seats and footwell illumination.

Slavia Matte Edition

These features are also provided in the all-new Slavia Matte Edition. This limited-edition sedan adorns the Carbon Steel Paint in a matte finish. The stark matte Carbon Steel is offset with subtle design flourishes like door handles and ORVMs in Deep Glossy Black.Customers of the Slavia Matte Edition can select between the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI turbo petrol engines. The cars also offer a choice between a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic and a 7-speed DSG.

Made in India, for the World

The Kushaq — introduced in July 2021 – and the Slavia – introduced in March 2022 – are based on the made-for-India, ready-for-the-world MQB-A0-IN platform and are being exported to other right-hand drive and GCC countries. Moreover, they have both earned a full 5-stars in the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) for adults and children. It is the only made-in-India platform to have achieved dual 5-stars, that too under Global NCAP’s newer and more stringent test protocols.  With the full 5-stars under Global NCAP for the Kushaq and Slavia, and the same score under Euro NCAP for the Kodiaq 4×4, Škoda Auto India has a 100% fleet of crash-tested cars rated 5-stars for adults and children.