NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This is PALLAVI MANCHANDA bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring to you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

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THE HEADLINES:

⦁ India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurates first cross-border energy pipeline.

⦁ India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Global Millets Conference in New Delhi.

⦁ Startup-20 engagement group meeting under India’s G-20 Presidency begins in Gangtok.

⦁ India’s share in global dairy sector set to increase up to 33 per cent in the next decade, says, Union Minister Amit Shah.

⦁ Union Minister Anurag Singh thakur cautions media against narratives that threaten India's integrity.

⦁ Imran Khan’s arrest warrants cancelled amid turbulence and chaos.

⦁ Short-term inflation in Pakistan hits record 45.64 per cent.

⦁ And in sports, Pugilist Nitu Ganghas, Preeti, and Manju Bamboriya enter pre-quarterfinals of Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi.

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INDO-B'DESH-FRIENDSHIP PIPELINE

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the over 130-kilometres long, energy pipeline, between Bangladesh and India through video conferencing on Saturday. It is the first ever cross-border energy pipeline between the two countries, built at an estimated cost of 377 crore rupees. The Bangladesh portion of the pipeline, built at a cost of approximately 285 crore rupees has been financed by the Indian government under its grant assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said, the opening of the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline, to carry High Speed Diesel from West Bengal’s Siliguri to Bangladesh’s Parbatipur, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.

Mr Modi said, the pipeline has the capacity to supply one million metric ton per annum of High Speed Diesel to 7 northern districts of Bangladesh which will immensely benefit agriculture and the local industry by providing a cheap and dependable source of energy.

इस पाइपलाइन से उत्‍तरी बांग्‍लादेश के विभिन्‍न जिलों को एक मिलियन मिट्रिक टन     हाइस्‍पीड डीजल की आपूर्ति की जा सकेगी। पाइपलाइन के द्वारा सप्‍लाई से खर्च तो घटेगा ही, इस सप्‍लाई का कार्बन फुटप्रिंट भी कम होगा। भरोसेमंद और किफायती डीजल सप्‍लाई कृषि क्षेत्र के लिए विशेष रूप से लाभदायक होती है।

The Prime Minister said, the Pipeline will enhance cooperation in energy security between India and Bangladesh. He highlighted the growing energy cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi expressed hope that the pipeline will further accelerate the growth of Bangladesh and it will be a great example of growing connectivity between the two countries.

यह पाइपाइन बांग्‍लादेश के विकास को और गति देगी और दोनों देशों के बीच बढ़ती कनेक्टिविटी का भी उत्‍कृष्‍ट उदाहरण रहेगी। यह आवश्‍यक है कि हम अपनी कनेक्टिविटी के हर  स्‍तम्‍भ को करते जाएं, चाहें वह परिवहन के क्षेत्र में हो, ऊर्जा के क्षेत्र में हो, बिजली की ग्रिड की बात हो या डिजिटल क्षेत्र में, जितनी हमारी कनेक्टिविटी बढेगी, उतने ही हमारे पीपुल्‍स टू पीपुल्‍स संबंधों को बल मिलेगा।  Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the trans-border pipeline will play a key role in ensuring energy security in Bangladesh  while many countries are facing a crisis in energy supply due to the Russia-Ukraine war. She called the pipeline a milestone of cooperation between the two countries.

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PM SHREE ANNA

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi on Saturday. The Prime Minister expressed his pride at the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets after India's proposal and efforts. Prime Minister stressed the need for developing a stable mechanism for sharing agricultural practices of millet cultivation among friendly countries. He said, with this mechanism, there is a possibility of developing a supply chain that can promote millet from field to market effectively.

Mr Modi informed that the contribution of Millet to the national food basket is a mere five to six percent and urged scientists involved in research and all stakeholders to contribute to increasing this percentage. Highlighting the benefits of millet, Mr Modi said that it guarantees the good health of humans and soil as it requires less water and no chemical fertilisers.

Our Correspondent reports that several agriculture ministers of foreign countries, scientists and other stakeholders are participating in the two-day conference to deliberate on the promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders.

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MILLETS-ROUNDTABLE

India on Saturday hosted the Ministerial Round Table of leading millets countries to chalk out strategies for enhancing production and consumption world over. Ministers from Guyana, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Zambia and high-level delegates from Gambia, Maldives and Nigeria attended the meet at Delhi. In his Opening Remarks at the Ministerial Round Table, India's Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged for greater cooperation among millets producing countries. He highlighted India's role in Shree Anna promotion, being the largest producer and second largest exporter of millets in the world. He said that in the last five years, India has produced millets in the range of 13.71 to 18.02 million tonnes.

Mr Tomar highlighted that India is poised to emerge as Global Hub for Millets to meet world requirement. He added that India has always been a pioneer in recognizing values of ancient practices, in the form of food, culture and traditions. Visiting Ministers shared experiences of millet promotion in their countries and offered to cooperate for world food and nutritional security.

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BANGLADESH- MILLETS CONFERENCE

India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma along with the Indian community members based in Bangladesh on Saturday virtually attended the Global Millets Conference. Special Millet meals were served on the occasion to promote awareness about the nutritional benefits of Millets and to highlight their resilience to climate change. Addressing the Indian Community members on the occasion, High Commissioner Pranay Verma highlighted the multi-faceted advantages of the millet. Quoting Prime Minister Modi’s speech during the conference, High Commissioner Pranay Verma said that millets can play a significant role in ensuring food security as they are easy to grow in a cost-effective manner. He said the climate-resilient millets are also full of nutrition and financially beneficial to small farmers. He urged people to include millets in their dietary habits.      

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KATHMANDU-MILLETS

The Embassy of India, in Kathmandu celebrated the International Year of Millets 2023 on Saturday.   The event held at the Indian Embassy was attended by distinguished guests, including members from the Indian community, friends of India, Agriculture secretary of Nepal Madhu Marasini and FAO Representative Ken Shimizu as well as people from the agricultural sector industry. A millets-based lunch was served to the attendees, showcasing the versatility and nutritional benefits of millets in various culinary preparations.

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SIKKIM-STARTUP 20

The second meeting of the Startup-20 engagement group, newly formed under India’s G-20 Presidency, began at Gangtok in Sikkim on Saturday. The two-day meeting aims at bringing together global startup systems while ensuring that every nation has the freedom to grow its unique ecosystem. Addressing the inaugural session, Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang said, Startup-20 is the perfect opportunity for bringing together and synergising key stakeholders in a world that needs innovation, digitisation, dynamic energy and technology breakthroughs.

More from our correspondent:

Addressing the inaugural session of Startup20 Sikkim Sabha, officials from Niti Ayog, the External Affairs Ministry and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade showcased the Indian startup ecosystem’s phenomenal growth story and its role during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bigger goal of converging big businesses under B20, which is the oldest engagement group under G20, with smaller entrepreneurs of Startup20, which is G20’s youngest engagement group was highlighted. The two-day event also offers startups’ showcase, informal meetings between entities and Startup20x as engagement platforms. With Dilli Ram Dulal, Saikat Sarkar from Gangtok for AIR."

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U'TTARAKHAND-G20 SUMMIT

In Uttarakhand, G20 summit to be organised at Ramnagar from the 28th to 30th of March in which delegates from 100 countries including America and Japan will participate. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the preparations for the Summit on Friday at his camp office. He said, the G20 summit is an opportunity to make the world familiar with rich cultural heritage, tourism and  bio diversity of the State. The Chief Minister directed the concerned officers to complete all the arrangements well in time.  Chief Secretary S S Sandhu , senior administrative officers, commissioner of Kumaon region, District Magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital participated in the meeting through video conferencing.

Meanwhile the officers have intensified the preparations for the Summit. The encroachments are being cleared while roads are being beautified. The district Magistrate of Udham Singh Nagar Yugal Kishore Pant told that the delegates will reach Pantnagar by air and then be taken to Ramnagar by road.

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AMIT SHAH-DAIRY CONFERENCE

India's Home Minister Amit Shah said by the year 2033, India’s share in the global dairy sector is all set to increase up to 33 percent. Mr Shah was addressing the concluding session of the 49th Dairy Industries Conference at Gandhinagar on Saturday. Mr Shah said the Government is planning to establish two lakh Rural dairies at the Panchayat level across the country which will help increase the annual growth rate of the Indian dairy Sector from the current 6.6 percent to 13.80 percent.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the State government is encouraging value addition in the dairy sector. A large number of Dairy industrialists, cattle-rearing farmers, and cooperative leaders participated in the three-day conference.

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HOTSPOT

In today's hotspot section we bring you a news commentary on                                               "SCO Tourism Ministers Meeting".

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KOCHI - ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

India's Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Saturday called upon the media to create an effective mechanism to counter fake narratives and anti-India bias. Noting that the fourth pillar of India's democracy is strong and vibrant, he said the media is working shoulder to shoulder for making the country a Vishwa Guru.

He was addressing a function to mark the valedictory of the centenary celebrations of Malayalam daily in Kochi. He cautioned against foreign publications and organisations with inherent anti-India bias peddling distorted facts. Indian media which understands the ground reality will have to play a crucial role in such situations. He urged the media to remain cautious and desist from giving space to such narratives that have the potential to threaten the integrity of the country. Noting that democracy is not an artificial implant in India, the Minister observed that it is an integral and indestructible part of the country. The Minister said the assault on the media weakens democracy and attempts to silence it has met with failure.  He urged journalists to continue their work without fear or favour.

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MUMBAI-RBI

Amid the ongoing crises in the US banking system after the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has assured that India’s financial sector remains stable. Delivering the annual KP Hormis lecture at Kochi on Friday, Mr. Das said the crisis however, reinforces the importance of robust regulations and supervision. Mr. Das said it is important for banks to ensure prudent asset liability management, robust risk management and sustainable growth in liabilities and assets. He added that the ongoing crisis also clearly shows the risks of private cryptocurrencies to the financial system.

Meanwhile, talking about volatility in exchange rates, Mr. Das said India’s external debt is manageable and thus appreciation of the dollar does not pose any problem. Talking about India's G20 presidency, the RBI Governor called for more coordinated attempts by the group of the world's 20 largest economies to help those countries with high external debt risks due to the US dollar rise. He also said the grouping must provide climate change financing to most affected countries on a war footing.

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JITENDRA-BLUE ECONOMY

India's Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said Narendra Modi government is making all efforts to explore and harness the ocean resources and give priority to the Blue Economy of India. He added that these ocean resources had never been explored before in the past. The Minister was talking to a high level Goa official delegation led by Union Minister, Shripad Yesso Naik and Goa State Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte. The delegation called on him to discuss the various potential projects to promote tourism and ocean related economy in the Goa.

The Union Minister said that the objective of the Blue Economy has been to promote smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth and opportunities within the Indian Ocean region’s maritime economic activities.

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NEPAL-COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Nepal-India Power Exchange Committee is to prepare modality for power export from Nepal to other states of India through a central transmission line via the Bihar grid. The 14th meeting of the Committee concluded in New Delhi on Saturday and decided to prepare the modality within a month. This will ensure an additional market for the sale of Nepal's surplus electricity during the rainy season. The meeting was co-chaired by the Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Kulman Ghising, and a member of the Central Electricity Authority of India, Ashok Kumar Rajput. The meeting as per the Power Exchange Agreement has determined the price of per unit electricity at Rs 11.54 for the fiscal year 2022/23.

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IMRAN KHAN-ARREST WARRANT

In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case were cancelled by Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal after permitting him to go back upon marking his attendance outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex. The hearing was adjourned till 30th of March due to the turbulence and chaos witnessed. Judge Zafar Iqbal stated that the hearing and appearance cannot take place in the current situation due to the ongoing hostilities between Islamabad Police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers outside the Judicial Complex.

Intense clashes broke out between PTI supporters and police as Imran Khan's convoy reached the judicial complex. His vehicle was stopped merely 100 meters from the gate of the judicial complex as the police blamed party workers for blocking the route. Meanwhile, the PTI claimed the law enforcers were restricting the party chairman's movement.

Earlier, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) restricted live coverage of events outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex. The Pakistan media regulatory body barred television channels from the live coverage of rallies or public gatherings and said that today, a ban has been imposed on the coverage of any party, person, or organisation. It further said that it had observed with concern that satellite TV channels were showing live footages of a violent mob, attacks on police and law enforcing agencies. It added that the live telecast of such footage on different satellite TV channels created chaos and panic among viewers and the police. It cautioned such activism by mobs not only jeopardises law and order situation but also makes public properties and lives vulnerable.

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PAKISTAN INFLATION

Short-term inflation in Pakistan based on the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), saw a record increase to 45.64 per cent for the combined income group on a year-on-year basis for the week ending 16th of March. This was fuelled by a consistent increase in the price of essential commodities, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Friday. Short-term inflation on a week-on-week basis, however, increased by 0.96 per cent as tomatoes, potatoes, cooking oil and fruits became costlier. Of the 51 items in the SPI basket, prices of 28 items increased. The items whose prices increased the most over the same week a year ago were onions, diesel, petrol, bananas, bread and wheat flour. On a week-on-week basis, the biggest change was observed in the prices of tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, diesel, and Petrol.

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FRANCE-PROTEST

Tens of thousands of people protested on Friday across France against the government's plans to raise the retirement age. The reform will raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64 - and there have been protests for weeks against it.

The growing unrest has resulted a wave of strikes across the country. On Friday, police clashed with protesters in Paris and tear gas was used to disperse demonstrators while some protesters pelted police with objects. The French government says the reforms are needed to prevent a major financial deficit in the future.

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PAKISTAN-KILLED

In Pakistan, at least seven people were killed and one injured after some unidentified shooters attacked a vehicle at Zhob district in Balochistan. According to media reports, a tribal elder was travelling in the vehicle along with his two brothers and some other people. When the vehicle reached near Pakistan-Afghan border Khurlam, unidentified shooters attacked with automatic weapons leaving seven people dead on the spot.

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BOXING

Three more Indian boxers entered the pre-quarterfinals of their respective weight categories at the ongoing Women's World Championships in New Delhi on Saturday, maintaining the host's hopes of a rich medal haul in the tournament. In the 48 kilogram weight category, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nitu Ganghas registered win over Doyeon Kang of Korea in Round of 32 bout. In 54 kilogram category, Preeti emerged victorious by a narrow 4-3 margin over Lacramioara Perijoc of Romania in another Round of 32 bout. Manju Bamboriya joined her two compatriots in the pre-quarterfinal round in the 66 kilogram with a unanimous 5-Nil verdict against Cara Wharerau of New Zealand. Other Indian women boxers including Nikhat Zareen, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Nupur Sheoran and Shashi Chopra have all advanced to the next rounds in their respective weight categories in the event being held in India for the third time.

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BADMINTON

India's campaign at the All England Open Badminton Championship ended on Saturday after Women's Doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand bowed out of the tournament at Birmingham. The World Number 17 Indian pair lost to South Korean combination of Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na, 10-21, 10-21 in the semi-finals. The Indian duo had defeated Chinese opponents, Li Wen Mei and Liu Xuan Xuan, in the quaterfinals on Friday. Indian challenge in the Singles had already ended at the tournament.

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FPR                                                                  

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.

The Guardian writes, Ex-president Donal Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday in criminal case.

The Globe and Mail reports. facing arrest warrant, Russia’s Putin visits annexed Crimea.

Le Monde writes,  Macron's second term faces uncertain outlook amid Pension reform .  

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REPEAT HEADLINES

⦁ India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurates first cross-border energy pipeline.

⦁ India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Global Millets Conference in New Delhi.

⦁ Startup-20 engagement group meeting under India’s G-20 Presidency begins in Gangtok

⦁ India’s share in global dairy sector set to increase up to 33 per cent in the next decade, says, Union Minister Amit Shah.

⦁ Union Minister Anurag Singh thakur cautions media against narratives that threaten India's integrity.

⦁ Imran Khan’s arrest warrants cancelled amid turbulence and chaos.

⦁ Short-term inflation in Pakistan hits record 45.64 per cent.

⦁ And in sports, Pugilist Nitu Ganghas, Preeti, and Manju Bamboriya enter pre-quarterfinals of Women's World Boxing Championships in New Delhi.

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And now, before we end, let us listen to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajanVaishnav Jan, by artists from FIJI     .

AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BULLETIN. WE'LL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME RROW WITH THE NEXT EDITION OF WORLD NEWS.

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