INDIA’s PRESENCE OVERSEAS : In Post-Brexit UK, Indians got 43 per cent of all Skilled Work Visas in 2021

Indians nationals are the top nationality in the skilled work category in the United Kingdom, accounting for two-fifth’s of visas granted.

“In the last year alone, over 65,500 Skilled Worker visas were issued to Indian nationals,” a British High Commission spokesperson told this newspaper (new indian express)

Indians have accounted for 43% of the total skilled worker visas in 2021, which is a 14% increase from 2019.  Experts attribute this to point-based UK immigration system that was launched post Brexit.

In May 2021, the UK signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership with India, increasing cooperation on migration and opening access for youth mobility.

A number of legal routes are being offered to work in the UK.

These include the Skilled Worker route, Graduate Route and Health and Care Worker visa.

source: newindianexpress.com

INDIA’s PRESENCE OVERSEAS : ‘Green Triangle’ Named after Mahatma Gandhi Inaugurated in Madagascar’s Capital

As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate India’s 75th year of independence, a “Green Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo.

Indian Ambassador Abhay Kumar said Gandh was the “greatest Pravasi’ who returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed lives of indians.

Mayor of Antananarivo Naina Andriantsitohaina and India’s Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar inaugurated the green space on Wednesday March 17th, at a special ceremony in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo

source: thehindu.com

WORLD RECORDS : SOLAR ENERGY : India 5th in Global Position in Solar Power Deployment Surpassing Italy

India achieved 5th global position in solar power deployment by surpassing Italy.

Solar power capacity has increased by more than 11 times in the last five years from 2.6 GW in March,2014 to 30 GW in July, 2019.  Presently, solar tariff in India is very competitive and has achieved grid parity.

India added a record 10 Gigawatt (GW) of solar energy to its cumulative installed capacity in 2021. This has been the highest 12-month capacity addition, recording nearly a 200% year-on-year growth. India has now surpassed 50 GW of cumulative installed solar capacity, as on 28 February 2022.

This is a milestone in India’s journey towards generating 500 GW from renewable energy by 2030, of which 300 GW is expected to come from solar power.

India’s capacity additions rank the country fifth in solar power deployment, contributing nearly 6.5% to the global cumulative capacity of 709.68 GW.

source: mnre.gov.in / Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – Solar Energy /and /  thehindu.com

DEFENCE SERVICES : Indian Army Institutes Chair of Excellence at USI in CDS General Bipin Rawat’s Memory

On the eve of General Bipin Rawat’s birthday, the army dedicated a chair of excellence in the late chief of defence staff (CDS)’s memory at the United Service Institution of India (USI), the country’s oldest think tank founded in 1870.

Rawat, who was killed in a helicopter crash last December, would have turned 64 on Wednesday, March 16th,

The aim of the Chair will be to conduct research on strategic issues pertaining to the armed forces, officials said

WORLD RECORDS : SPORTS : India Bag a Whopping 21 Medals at Spanish Para Badminton International, Cartagena

Manshi Joshi and Nithya Sre claimed a gold each, while Tokyo Paralympics champion Pramod Bhagat secured two silver and a bronze as India bagged as many as 21 medals at the Spanish Para Badminton International in Cartagena, Spain.

 
World no 1 Joshi (SL3) and Sre (SH6) were among the six gold medallists, while India also secured seven silvers and eight bronze medals in the level I tournament, which concluded on Sunday.

 
Raja/Krishna (men’s doubles SH6), Raj/Parul (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Chirag/Raj (men’s doubles SU5) and Nitesh/Tarun (men’s doubles SL3-SL4) also bagged the yellow metal.
World no 1 Bhagat (SL3) secured two silver and a bronze, while world no 2 Sukant Kadam (SL 4) ended up with a bronze medal at the event.

 

Tarun Dhillon (men’s singles SL4), Krishna Nagar (men’s singles SH6), Mandeep Kaur (women’s singles SL3), Manasi/Ruthick (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Hardik/Ruthik (men’s doubles SU5) and Manoj/Bhagat (men’s doubles SL3-SL4) also won silver medals.

 
The bronze medal winners were Nitesh Kumar (men’s singles SL3), Manoj (men’s singles SL3), Nilesh Gaikwad (men’s singles SL4), Parul Parmar (women’s singles SL3), Bhagat/Kohli (mixed doubles SL3-SU5), Arwaz/Deep (men’s doubles SL3-SL4), and Prem Ale/Abu Hubaida (men’s doubles WH1-WH2).

 
“It was a tough week and I couldn’t execute what I had planned for. I have identified my mistakes and will start working on them immediately. I am going to head straight back in to training and focus on my upcoming tournaments,” Bhagat said.

 
Kadam lost to world no 1 Lucas Mazur from France 21-19 19-21 12-21 in the semifinal to settle for a bronze.

 
Mazur went ahead to secure gold medal defeating India’s Tarun 21-7 21-9 in the summit clash.
“I had a decent run in the tournament and pushed Mazur to his limits, but came short. I am sure I will work on the mistakes from this game and be ready for the next tournament,” Kadam said.
IPTI ATK SSC

source: theweek.in / PTI

iNFRASTRUCTURE – AIRPORTS : RGIA declared Best Airport by Size and Region in Asia-Pacific

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, (RGIA) Hyderabad, has been declared the best airport by size and region in the Asia-Pacific region for 2021.

This is in the category of 15 million to 25 million passengers per annum.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general, ACI World, congratulated GMR Hyderabad International Airport and said that the award reflects their commitment to improving passenger experience.

source: thehindu.com

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY : IIT Madras researchers develop new technique to provide high resolution ultrasound images

The research could facilitate better diagnosis of diseases, detection of minute abnormalities and better real-time image-guided biopsy procedures and treatment monitoring applications.

“This research could potentially facilitate several applications like early detection and better diagnosis of diseases, detection of minute abnormalities within human body like renal stones, better real-time image-guided biopsy procedures and treatment monitoring applications,” Arun K Thittai, Professor, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, told PTI.

source: newindianexpress.com

WORLD RECORD – SPORTS : Jhulan Goswami becomes Joint-Highest Wicket Taker in Women’s ODI World Cup

Veteran Indian fast bowler  Jhulan Goswami playing in her 5th ODI World Cup equalled former Australia spinner Lyn Fullston’s tally of 39 scalps to become the joint-highest wicket taker in Women’s World Cup.

The 39-year-old, achieved the feat against New Zealand in the ongoing tournament when she dismissed wicketkeeper Katey Martin in the 50th over.

source: theprint.in

INT’L PARTICIPATION & RECORD : Agreement signed for setting up ‘ WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine’ (WHO GCTM) in India

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday,March 09th,  approved the establishment of a WHO (World Health Organization) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

An agreement was signed by the Government of India with the world body in this regard.

The WHO GCTM, to be established under the Ministry of AYUSH ( Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy), will be the first and only global outposted centre (office) for traditional medicines.

source: thehindu.com