News for 'United Nations Development Programme'

China braces for new Covid wave, may see 65 million cases weekly

China braces for new Covid wave, may see 65 million cases weekly

Rediff.com26 May 2023

The new outbreak may be the greatest wave of illnesses ever recorded since China's stringent zero-Covid programme was abandoned last winter, which resulted in up to 85 per cent of the population being sick at the time.

TCS to drive next phase of Passport Seva Program

TCS to drive next phase of Passport Seva Program

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

Tata Consultancy Services on Friday said it has been selected by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the second phase of the Passport Seva Program. In the next phase of the programme, TCS will refresh existing facilities and systems, and develop innovative solutions to enable the issuance of e-passports and further enhance the citizen experience, using technologies, such as biometrics, artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, chatbots, auto-response, natural language processing, and the cloud, a statement said. Launched in 2008, the Passport Seva Program saw TCS transforming the delivery of passport-related services, digitising the processes, and setting global benchmarks in timeliness, transparency, and reliability.

The good, bad and ugly of India's HDR rankings

The good, bad and ugly of India's HDR rankings

Rediff.com12 Apr 2017

While India's human development index has improved, absolute performance levels aren't satisfactory, says T N Ninan.

'Talent is everywhere and relevant to a nation's success'

'Talent is everywhere and relevant to a nation's success'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

'Everybody says 5G and communication is important.' 'Everybody says automation, robotics, human computing interfaces -- people and machines working together -- is the future.' 'Everybody agrees that cybersecurity is something that is here to stay.' 'Everybody agrees that synthetic biology is important.' 'Instead of outlining thinking about industries for tomorrow and the future, let the evolutionary pathway be built in a way that it promotes robust, creative, thinking.'

When India's 10,000 brightest techies unite

When India's 10,000 brightest techies unite

Rediff.com3 Apr 2017

Smart India Hackathon 2017 saw them build computer programmes or smartphone applications for 598 problems identified by different government departments.

Jet-setting Modi: 26 nations in 12 months

Jet-setting Modi: 26 nations in 12 months

Rediff.com31 Dec 2015

A list of all the foreign visits taken up by PM Narendra Modi this year and their outcomes.

UP govt develops medicines with cow urine for liver, immunity

UP govt develops medicines with cow urine for liver, immunity

Rediff.com4 Feb 2018

The UP government is also planning to free up its own land from illegal encroachment to set up these new cow- shelters in "safe locations" and with full facility for fodder and water.

Not acting on climate crisis will destroy lives: Experts

Not acting on climate crisis will destroy lives: Experts

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

At a virtual press conference to launch the report, Inger Anderson, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme, said, "Climate change is here and now. No one is safe. Despite warnings from so many years, the world did not listen. We need to act now. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not only limit climate change but also reduce air pollution."

PM, 57 ministers to mark Yoga Day events across India

PM, 57 ministers to mark Yoga Day events across India

Rediff.com19 Jun 2016

While Modi will be performing yoga along with thousands of people at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, his cabinet colleagues Singh and Jaitley have been assigned the task of leading the 2nd IYD programmes in Lucknow and Mumbai respectively.

Modi leaves for US, says hopes to strengthen ties

Modi leaves for US, says hopes to strengthen ties

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

In a statement just before leaving for the US, Modi said he will conclude his visit with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.

How India can NEUTRALISE Enemy Drones

How India can NEUTRALISE Enemy Drones

Rediff.com23 Jul 2021

'An armed helicopter equipped with counter-drone systems will provide the airborne counter-drone capability and flexibility needed to protect India's critical assets.'

PM gets respect globally because...: Gehlot in Modi's presence

PM gets respect globally because...: Gehlot in Modi's presence

Rediff.com1 Nov 2022

Speaking at a public function at Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan's Banswara, Gehlot said India has scripted history in the world as democracy in alive in the country even after more than 70 years since it achieved independence.

Trump condemns 'very hostile' North Korea nuclear test

Trump condemns 'very hostile' North Korea nuclear test

Rediff.com3 Sep 2017

Pyongyang on Sunday claimed it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb meant to be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was Pyongyang's sixth, and most powerful, nuclear test, which was set to raise tension in the region.

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Wrapping up his four-day state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.

Yoginder Alagh's Death Is A Loss To India

Yoginder Alagh's Death Is A Loss To India

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

For Yoginder, it is a release from pain. But for us, his friends, it is the loss of a warm and generous life companion, says Nitin Desai of his 50-year association with the eminent economist who passed into the ages on December 6, 2022.

Nagaland wins coveted UN award

Nagaland wins coveted UN award

Rediff.com24 Jun 2008

A government programme aimed at empowering people run by the north-east Indian state of Nagaland has won the coveted United Nations Award for Public Service from Asia and the Pacific region for 'fostering participation in policy making through innovative mechanism'.

India, fastest-growing major economy, likely to grow 6.4% in 2022: UN

India, fastest-growing major economy, likely to grow 6.4% in 2022: UN

Rediff.com19 May 2022

As the Ukraine conflict impacts the global GDP, India is projected to grow by 6.4 per cent in 2022, slower than the last year's 8.8 per cent but still the fastest-growing major economy, with higher inflationary pressures and uneven recovery of the labour market curbing private consumption and investment, according to a UN report. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in its World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report released on Wednesday that the war in Ukraine has upended the fragile economic recovery from the pandemic, triggering a devastating humanitarian crisis in Europe, increasing food and commodity prices and globally exacerbating inflationary pressures. The global economy is now projected to grow by only 3.1 per cent in 2022, down from the 4.0 per cent growth forecast released in January 2022.

Portal for info on unclaimed bank deposits to be ready in 3-4 months: RBI

Portal for info on unclaimed bank deposits to be ready in 3-4 months: RBI

Rediff.com6 Apr 2023

Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said a centralised portal would be ready in three to four months wherein depositors and beneficiaries can access details of unclaimed deposits across various banks. As of February this year, about Rs 35,000 crore of unclaimed deposits were transferred to RBI by public sector banks in respect of deposits which were not operated for 10 years or more. "In order to improve and widen the access of depositors/beneficiaries to such data, RBI has decided to develop a web portal to enable search across multiple banks for possible unclaimed deposits based on user inputs," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while announcing the first bi-monthly monetary policy for the current financial year.

FULL TEXT: President's address to nation on I Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to nation on I Day eve

Rediff.com14 Aug 2020

From India's fight against COVID-19 to China face-off, Kovind spoke on several issues during the televised address.

Govt unveils major reforms in bureaucracy under Mission Karmayogi

Govt unveils major reforms in bureaucracy under Mission Karmayogi

Rediff.com2 Sep 2020

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved 'Mission Karmayogi', dubbed as the biggest bureaucratic reform initiative, aimed at capacity building of government employees to make them more "creative, proactive, professional and technology-enabled". The core guiding principles of the competency-driven programme will be to support a transition from "rules based to roles based" HR management to prepare the Indian civil servant for the future, according to a government statement.

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Full Text: PM Modi's address to US Congress

Rediff.com23 Jun 2023

Here's the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint session of the United States Congress, delivered on Thursday.

US wanted India's help to isolate Iran: Govt

US wanted India's help to isolate Iran: Govt

Rediff.com30 Aug 2007

New Delhi made it clear to the US that only its own national interests will guide its policy.

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

US mulls action against Chinese entities linked to balloon incursion

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official asserted that it is known that China used these balloons for surveillance.

World leaders thank India for Covid vaccine shipments to combat pandemic

World leaders thank India for Covid vaccine shipments to combat pandemic

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

World leaders thanked India for its help and support in combating the coronavirus pandemic through "early and meaningful" shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as they addressed the high-level UN General Assembly session this year.

Vajpayee, the 1st Indian leader to address UNGA in Hindi

Vajpayee, the 1st Indian leader to address UNGA in Hindi

Rediff.com16 Aug 2018

It is said that Vajpayee, who was also fluent in English, was the force behind uplifting Hindi to the international platform by using the language at the UN each time he delivered a speech.

Poverty continues to plague LDCs

Poverty continues to plague LDCs

Rediff.com20 Jun 2006

An increase in development aid since 2002 has raised health and education standards and hastened gender equality among the world's poorest nations but overall poverty rates are not improving, says a new United Nations report.

Budget: Yoga gets a special status

Budget: Yoga gets a special status

Rediff.com28 Feb 2015

Special status to Yoga by categorising its promotion as charitable.

'Subsidised LPG sales under direct benefit scheme down by 25%'

'Subsidised LPG sales under direct benefit scheme down by 25%'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2015

Pahal looks to cut down diversion and eliminate duplicate.

Iran nuclear deal deadline may be extended to bridge 'serious gaps' in dialogue

Iran nuclear deal deadline may be extended to bridge 'serious gaps' in dialogue

Rediff.com24 Nov 2014

Foreign ministers trying to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme in Vienna are considering extending the negotiations as the Monday deadline looms large with "serious gaps" in the dialogue.

Will INDIA's Caste Card Work Against Modi?

Will INDIA's Caste Card Work Against Modi?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

'Bihar's caste survey has bolstered the Opposition parties, but one shouldn't forget that the BJP is also trying to present itself as a party that cares for the OBCs more than other parties,' points out Sanjay Kumar.

Here's what to expect from Modi's visit to Egypt

Here's what to expect from Modi's visit to Egypt

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Modi will be arriving in Cairo on Saturday evening at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997.

'Biden has thrown out the rule book for India'

'Biden has thrown out the rule book for India'

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

'In the long run, I don't foresee major ramifications [about Trudeau's allegations].' 'There's just enough hypocrisy among Western nations for India to douse the outrage.'

'It's INDIA vs Modi', says Rahul as Opposition renames alliance

'It's INDIA vs Modi', says Rahul as Opposition renames alliance

Rediff.com18 Jul 2023

Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, Kharge said, "This was a very important meeting to save democracy and the Constitution in the interest of the people of the country."

Sitharaman walks the tech talk with AI, data governance, digilocker in Budget

Sitharaman walks the tech talk with AI, data governance, digilocker in Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The Union Budget on Wednesday outlined several initiatives to drive India's technology agenda and boost digital infrastructure, including new centres of excellence for artificial intelligence, National Data Governance Policy, and Entity DigiLocker.

What Googly Will Modi Bowl in 2024?

What Googly Will Modi Bowl in 2024?

Rediff.com6 Apr 2023

It is not unlikely that ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government comes up with more imaginative schemes aimed at constituency-building. The party under Modi's leadership has a more modern thinking in such matters unlike its rivals, which are still steeped only in ideology, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

India lags behind in meeting UN goals

India lags behind in meeting UN goals

Rediff.com10 Mar 2008

India is lagging behind in meeting the United Nation's Millenium Development Goals for bringing down infant and maternal mortality rates, but is on course to achieve all other targets, the government said on Monday. Minister of Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhary also informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is planning to merge two schemes for adolescent girls to universalise the programme.

Unease in MVA as ally Cong writes to Uddhav, demands to implement CMP

Unease in MVA as ally Cong writes to Uddhav, demands to implement CMP

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

The CMP could not be implemented properly in the last two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, said state Congress chief Nana Patole in the letter.

Karnataka BJP banks on central leadership to retain power

Karnataka BJP banks on central leadership to retain power

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

The BJP state unit is banking on the party's central leadership to shore up its prospects in the May 10 assembly polls as it fights anti-incumbency.

Starving One Ukraine to Defeat Another

Starving One Ukraine to Defeat Another

Rediff.com2 Aug 2022

If they can sit together and hammer out 'Black Sea Initiative' deal for much needed food shipments, surely, they should be able to address the madness of the larger military conflict?

30 crore people still live in extreme poverty in India

30 crore people still live in extreme poverty in India

Rediff.com4 Feb 2015

India has halved incidence of poverty from 1990s