General Affairs
In a first, Indian Navy starts annual senior sailors dialogue
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Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC) began a process to integrate and empower senior sailors and is conducting the maiden Master Chief Petty Officers (MCPOs) conference at Mumbai. The two-day event began on September 14 and henceforth will be an annual affair. The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
The MCPOs are the senior-most rank sailors in the navy, and thus have significant experience. The first ever conference of sailors with rich expertise and experience is aimed at participative management, with analysis and views being put forward in professional and frank manner. The conference is covering the entire spectrum of Naval Operations, HR issues, Technical and Administrative challenges, Maintenance philosophies and harnessing of Information Technology.
The MCPOs from naval units in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka, are participating in the conference as delegates. The conference is also being managed by senior sailors, including preparation of agenda, presentations, discussions, and issue of proceedings. In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra stressed the importance of empowerment at all levels, including intellectual empowerment. He urged the participations to contribute effectively through objective analysis and discussions.
Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC) began a process to integrate and empower senior sailors and is conducting the maiden Master Chief Petty Officers (MCPOs) conference at Mumbai. The two-day event began on September 14 and henceforth will be an annual affair. The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
The MCPOs are the senior-most rank sailors in the navy, and thus have significant experience. The first ever conference of sailors with rich expertise and experience is aimed at participative management, with analysis and views being put forward in professional and frank manner. The conference is covering the entire spectrum of Naval Operations, HR issues, Technical and Administrative challenges, Maintenance philosophies and harnessing of Information Technology.
The MCPOs from naval units in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka, are participating in the conference as delegates. The conference is also being managed by senior sailors, including preparation of agenda, presentations, discussions, and issue of proceedings. In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra stressed the importance of empowerment at all levels, including intellectual empowerment. He urged the participations to contribute effectively through objective analysis and discussions.
Singur: Mamata returns land to farmers as promised, offers new deal to Tata
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The Singur saga has come full circle as Mamata Banerjee initiated the process of returning the land to the owners, who had been protesting against the forcible acquisition of land by Tata Motors for their car factory since 2006.
Eight years ago on Septembar 25, 2008, Banerjee, the then leader of the Opposition party, was stopped at the BDO office by the Left Front government from entering Singur. The police then switched off the power in the BDO office and resorted to lathicharge after that.
Banerjee returned and sat on a 16-day dharna on the national highway.
PROMISE FULFILLED
Eight years since then, the political equation in Bengal has changed. Singur and Banerjee's Save Farmland Movement helped her defeat the Left for two consecutive terms.
Now with the Supreme Court verdict passing a ruling against the 1894 Land Acquisition Act and quashing the acquisition of land for Tata Motors, the TMC supremo could keep her commitment to the Singur people.
After coming to power, one of Banerjee's principal tasks was to return the land to the Singur land owners, as was her promise in the election manifesto. However, because of the legal battle the chief minister could not keep her word. But six years down the line in her second term, she is about to complete her unfinished task.
GRAND WELCOME
Singur was all decked up to give the chief minister a grand welcome. Ten to fifteen kms away from Singur, Banerjee's posters, hoarding and banners could be seen hanging on every tree along the National Highway as vehicles flashing Trinamool Congress flags zoomed past carrying enthusiastic supporters. Traffic was diverted for over 10 kms on the NH2 as only VIP SUVs made a beeline for the main podium of Singur Divas, where Banerjee was addressing the victory rally.
The main two-tier podium stretched for two kilometers, entirely taking up major portion of the highway. The asphalt road was covered with green carpets of Chinese grass to give a feel of the fertile agricultural land of Singur. A makeshift structure was set up bearing paddy saplings, which was symptomatic of the 997 acres of land yielding multi-crop, prior to Tata Motors taking over the land.
People from different parts of the state were brought to witness a historical moment when Banerjee handed over the cheques. Nearly 9000 land deeds were handed over to the land owners. Social activist Medha Patkar, who was also part of the Singur agitation, was present on the occasion.
VICTORY OF PEOPLE AND EARTH
The chief minister while speaking on the occasion said that she was happy to keep her words. She added that it was a victory of people and of earth.
An emotional Banerjee said that the Left Front administration had ordered its police to beat her so badly that she could have died that day, when she was stopped at the BDO office. "My pulse rate dropped to 40 and I had to be hospitalised," she said.
"I decided either it will be a victory of democracy, victory of people or I will sacrifice my life for Singur," said Banerjee to the loud cheers of Singur people. She said West Bengal will cohabit both agriculture and industry as siblings and will be a model for the country.
"Here land will be taken through private purchase and through negotiation. Government will keep its hands off from acquisition," she added reminding that industrialists will have to directly buy land from people.
NEW OFFER FOR TATA MOTORS
The chief minister while referring to Tata Motors said she has 1000 acres of land readily available for the company if it wants to come to Goaltore, Burdawan and Kharagpur.
"I give you a month's time, if you are prepared, tell me," she appealed to Tata Motors.
However, Tata Motors is yet to react to the Supreme Court verdict and has not responded to Banerjee's request to pull down their shed and shift their belongings.
"Anybody, be it Tata, BMW can come here. Land is ready in the land bank. But if Tata wants land here, I cannot give," she said.
Addressing the victory rally, she said that it was the false ego of the Tata Group that came in the way and bungled up their dream project in Singur.
The chief minister through the media asked Tata Motors to take the Supreme Court verdict sportingly. "As railway minister, Mukul and I gave them (Tata Motors) orders. Even panchayat department and PHE departments of the government gave Tata Motors the scope for investment," she said explaining that she has never allowed personal differences and ego to come in the way of development.
The Singur saga has come full circle as Mamata Banerjee initiated the process of returning the land to the owners, who had been protesting against the forcible acquisition of land by Tata Motors for their car factory since 2006.
Eight years ago on Septembar 25, 2008, Banerjee, the then leader of the Opposition party, was stopped at the BDO office by the Left Front government from entering Singur. The police then switched off the power in the BDO office and resorted to lathicharge after that.
Banerjee returned and sat on a 16-day dharna on the national highway.
PROMISE FULFILLED
Eight years since then, the political equation in Bengal has changed. Singur and Banerjee's Save Farmland Movement helped her defeat the Left for two consecutive terms.
Now with the Supreme Court verdict passing a ruling against the 1894 Land Acquisition Act and quashing the acquisition of land for Tata Motors, the TMC supremo could keep her commitment to the Singur people.
After coming to power, one of Banerjee's principal tasks was to return the land to the Singur land owners, as was her promise in the election manifesto. However, because of the legal battle the chief minister could not keep her word. But six years down the line in her second term, she is about to complete her unfinished task.
GRAND WELCOME
Singur was all decked up to give the chief minister a grand welcome. Ten to fifteen kms away from Singur, Banerjee's posters, hoarding and banners could be seen hanging on every tree along the National Highway as vehicles flashing Trinamool Congress flags zoomed past carrying enthusiastic supporters. Traffic was diverted for over 10 kms on the NH2 as only VIP SUVs made a beeline for the main podium of Singur Divas, where Banerjee was addressing the victory rally.
The main two-tier podium stretched for two kilometers, entirely taking up major portion of the highway. The asphalt road was covered with green carpets of Chinese grass to give a feel of the fertile agricultural land of Singur. A makeshift structure was set up bearing paddy saplings, which was symptomatic of the 997 acres of land yielding multi-crop, prior to Tata Motors taking over the land.
People from different parts of the state were brought to witness a historical moment when Banerjee handed over the cheques. Nearly 9000 land deeds were handed over to the land owners. Social activist Medha Patkar, who was also part of the Singur agitation, was present on the occasion.
VICTORY OF PEOPLE AND EARTH
The chief minister while speaking on the occasion said that she was happy to keep her words. She added that it was a victory of people and of earth.
An emotional Banerjee said that the Left Front administration had ordered its police to beat her so badly that she could have died that day, when she was stopped at the BDO office. "My pulse rate dropped to 40 and I had to be hospitalised," she said.
"I decided either it will be a victory of democracy, victory of people or I will sacrifice my life for Singur," said Banerjee to the loud cheers of Singur people. She said West Bengal will cohabit both agriculture and industry as siblings and will be a model for the country.
"Here land will be taken through private purchase and through negotiation. Government will keep its hands off from acquisition," she added reminding that industrialists will have to directly buy land from people.
NEW OFFER FOR TATA MOTORS
The chief minister while referring to Tata Motors said she has 1000 acres of land readily available for the company if it wants to come to Goaltore, Burdawan and Kharagpur.
"I give you a month's time, if you are prepared, tell me," she appealed to Tata Motors.
However, Tata Motors is yet to react to the Supreme Court verdict and has not responded to Banerjee's request to pull down their shed and shift their belongings.
"Anybody, be it Tata, BMW can come here. Land is ready in the land bank. But if Tata wants land here, I cannot give," she said.
Addressing the victory rally, she said that it was the false ego of the Tata Group that came in the way and bungled up their dream project in Singur.
The chief minister through the media asked Tata Motors to take the Supreme Court verdict sportingly. "As railway minister, Mukul and I gave them (Tata Motors) orders. Even panchayat department and PHE departments of the government gave Tata Motors the scope for investment," she said explaining that she has never allowed personal differences and ego to come in the way of development.
Amarinder Singh mocks Kejriwal for opting out of Punjab contest, calls it 'victory of Punjabis'
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Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ridiculed the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for sheepishly running away from contesting in Punjab after he announced that he will contest against him from whichever constituency he opts to fight.
AMARINDER REACTS
"Anyway, it is the first victory of the Punjabis over non-Punjabis", he said, while reacting to Kejriwal opting out of the Chief Minister's race in Punjab and deciding to stay put as the Delhi Chief Minister.
"Kejriwal must have realised that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush", he remarked, while adding, "In the overambitious zeal of becoming Punjab Chief Minister he must have realised that this could mean risking Delhi as well which is already slipping".
PUNJABIS WILL NOT ACCEPT NON-PUNJABI: SINGH
Reacting to an Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson's announcement on Tuesday that Kejriwal has decided not to contest from Punjab, PPCC president said, "Earlier Kejriwal was day dreaming to become the Punjab Chief Minister but having realised that the ground beneath his feet had already slipped, he made a timid retreat in his characteristic fugitive manner".
Captain Amarinder said that Kejriwal had finally woken up to the harsh reality of Punjab politics with most of his cadres having already deserted him in the battle of self respect and dignity between the Punjabis and the outsiders.
"It is good that he realised that the Punjabis were not going to accept a non-Punjabi, a Haryanvi at that as their leader and he did good by exiting at the earliest given opportunity", he said, while adding, the AAP would do better to announce their Punjabi Chief Ministerial candidate, if it (the party) really had any.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ridiculed the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for sheepishly running away from contesting in Punjab after he announced that he will contest against him from whichever constituency he opts to fight.
AMARINDER REACTS
"Anyway, it is the first victory of the Punjabis over non-Punjabis", he said, while reacting to Kejriwal opting out of the Chief Minister's race in Punjab and deciding to stay put as the Delhi Chief Minister.
"Kejriwal must have realised that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush", he remarked, while adding, "In the overambitious zeal of becoming Punjab Chief Minister he must have realised that this could mean risking Delhi as well which is already slipping".
PUNJABIS WILL NOT ACCEPT NON-PUNJABI: SINGH
Reacting to an Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson's announcement on Tuesday that Kejriwal has decided not to contest from Punjab, PPCC president said, "Earlier Kejriwal was day dreaming to become the Punjab Chief Minister but having realised that the ground beneath his feet had already slipped, he made a timid retreat in his characteristic fugitive manner".
Captain Amarinder said that Kejriwal had finally woken up to the harsh reality of Punjab politics with most of his cadres having already deserted him in the battle of self respect and dignity between the Punjabis and the outsiders.
"It is good that he realised that the Punjabis were not going to accept a non-Punjabi, a Haryanvi at that as their leader and he did good by exiting at the earliest given opportunity", he said, while adding, the AAP would do better to announce their Punjabi Chief Ministerial candidate, if it (the party) really had any.
Kashmir unrest: Security forces foiled 'Tahrir Square' plot, death toll mounts to 78
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A 'Tahrir Square' like gathering of one lakh people aimed at attacking security forces in Srinagar on Tuesday was foiled as specific intelligence inputs about Pakistan backed militants penetrating the mob to fuel violence alerted forces on the ground.
According to intelligence inputs, ahead of the festival, mobs backed by terrorists were all set to trigger turmoil. "They called it the Tahrir Square moment and planned to launch a massive strike on the forces," said a top government official.
A protest march from Idgah to Lal Chowk Srinagar downtown was to be organised after Eid prayers on Tuesday aimed at escalating the continuing unrest in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July.
TAHRIR SQUARE' PLOT NIPPED
In 2011, Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt became the central point for demonstrators seeking democracy and eventually led to the overthrowing of then President Hosni Mubarak as thousands gathered on the square that has became a symbol of revolution.
Top intelligence sources said that the mass gathering could not take place as forces on the ground ensured a clampdown. "Even if 10,000 turned up and with terrorists being part of the crowd the situation would have got out of hand. If the forces were to retaliate with firing hundreds would be killed and things would only get worse," said an official.
With two deaths on Tuesday the death toll in the last two months reached 78. "Based on specific intelligence generated areas from where people were expected to join the march were identified and put under a strict vigil," the official added.
Intelligence reports also indicate that a spike in local recruitment by terror outfits is expected following the turbulence in the state over the last two months. There have been a series of clashes between raging stone pelting mobs and security forces. Last year the number was local recruits was around 80 but sources say by the end of this year the number will definitely be more.
Before violence struck the state two months back this year's tally of local youth joining terror outfits was over 30. According to agencies with successful infiltrations from across the border this year Pakistan is using the strategy to generate local unrest.
"This year Pakistan's strategy has been to try and promote radicalisation through the vested interest groups and social media so that this can be given the shape of civil resistance. Despite all this, the situation continued to improve. As a result of this the terrorist organisations got desperate and were incited to attack the Security Forces in Jammu & Kashmir," the home ministry stated in a parliament question recently.
A 'Tahrir Square' like gathering of one lakh people aimed at attacking security forces in Srinagar on Tuesday was foiled as specific intelligence inputs about Pakistan backed militants penetrating the mob to fuel violence alerted forces on the ground.
According to intelligence inputs, ahead of the festival, mobs backed by terrorists were all set to trigger turmoil. "They called it the Tahrir Square moment and planned to launch a massive strike on the forces," said a top government official.
A protest march from Idgah to Lal Chowk Srinagar downtown was to be organised after Eid prayers on Tuesday aimed at escalating the continuing unrest in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July.
TAHRIR SQUARE' PLOT NIPPED
In 2011, Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt became the central point for demonstrators seeking democracy and eventually led to the overthrowing of then President Hosni Mubarak as thousands gathered on the square that has became a symbol of revolution.
Top intelligence sources said that the mass gathering could not take place as forces on the ground ensured a clampdown. "Even if 10,000 turned up and with terrorists being part of the crowd the situation would have got out of hand. If the forces were to retaliate with firing hundreds would be killed and things would only get worse," said an official.
With two deaths on Tuesday the death toll in the last two months reached 78. "Based on specific intelligence generated areas from where people were expected to join the march were identified and put under a strict vigil," the official added.
Intelligence reports also indicate that a spike in local recruitment by terror outfits is expected following the turbulence in the state over the last two months. There have been a series of clashes between raging stone pelting mobs and security forces. Last year the number was local recruits was around 80 but sources say by the end of this year the number will definitely be more.
Before violence struck the state two months back this year's tally of local youth joining terror outfits was over 30. According to agencies with successful infiltrations from across the border this year Pakistan is using the strategy to generate local unrest.
"This year Pakistan's strategy has been to try and promote radicalisation through the vested interest groups and social media so that this can be given the shape of civil resistance. Despite all this, the situation continued to improve. As a result of this the terrorist organisations got desperate and were incited to attack the Security Forces in Jammu & Kashmir," the home ministry stated in a parliament question recently.
India announces $1 billion assistance to Afghanistan
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India has announced an additional 1 billion USD development assistance towards reconstruction efforts in war ravaged Afghanistan. The announcement was made after delegation and restricted talks were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the national capital. India recently completed long pending infrastructure projects including Afghanistan's new secure parliamentary building, Friendship Dam in Herat, Zeranj Delaram Road, as well as renovation of the historic Storay Palace. But according to sources, instead of major infrastructure projects whose implementation gets impacted by security situation on the ground, projects towards capacity and capability building will find precedence. New Delhi will identify further projects in spheres education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy and strengthening of democratic institutions in Afghanistan.
TERRORISM KEY ISSUE IN TALKS
Terrorism and regional security situation was a core issue at the talks between Modi and Ghani. The two leaders who have met eight times in various locations across the globe, shared concerns about the new face of terrorism. Briefing the media on the visit Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "Large part of political discussions were on what President Ghani described as changing face of terrorism where earlier heads of states and leaders where targeted, now entire nations are targeted. President Ghani pointed out that new wave is well funded and supported by Narcotics trade" .
The joint statement issued after the official talks ,without naming Pakistan, focussed on cross-border terrorism that both India and Afghanistan are victims of and underlined the need for an end to sanctuaries of terror as well as its financing.
'The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives. They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond,' the joint statement read.
Later addressing a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on President Ghani talking about distinction between good and bad terrorists ,emphasised," Terrorism is a snake that will bite." He also stressed that the excesses by Pakistani forces in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan are not spoken of in its media. "The violence there needs to be stopped," said President Ghani.
TRANSIT TROUBLE
Apart from terror, transit and trade remain key issues. Even as Delhi and Kabul are cooperating closely ,transit route via Pakistan remains a major hurdle. Delhi has reiterated its willingness to supply 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan which is facing a food shortage. But the supply has been held up by Islamabad despite South Block's request to the Nawaz Sharif government some months back. President Ghani recently threatened to not allow transit access for Pakistan into Central Asia if its concerned were not addressed ,including transit for products from India through Wagah. India is keen to supply world class and easily affordable medicines to Afghans via road and air. Afghans form an impressive percentage of India's medical tourism inflow.
India and Afghanistan signed an Extradition Treaty, agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on Wednesday.
THREE TO TANGO
Following trilateral discussion with Iran, India and Afghanistan will soon resume their trilateral dialogue with the US after a gap of nearly three years. While officially India continues to maintain its focus is on civilian aid, sources suggest the two sides will step up their strategic partnership including more defence supply from India. To bolster its stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, United States is also looking at the goodwill that India enjoys with the neighbouring country. The intensification of engagements will continue with the Brussels conference on Afghanistan on 5th October as well as Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process in Amritsar on 4th December, for which President Ghani has been invited. The Strategic Council headed by the two Foreign Ministers will also meet soon.
India has announced an additional 1 billion USD development assistance towards reconstruction efforts in war ravaged Afghanistan. The announcement was made after delegation and restricted talks were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the national capital. India recently completed long pending infrastructure projects including Afghanistan's new secure parliamentary building, Friendship Dam in Herat, Zeranj Delaram Road, as well as renovation of the historic Storay Palace. But according to sources, instead of major infrastructure projects whose implementation gets impacted by security situation on the ground, projects towards capacity and capability building will find precedence. New Delhi will identify further projects in spheres education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy and strengthening of democratic institutions in Afghanistan.
TERRORISM KEY ISSUE IN TALKS
Terrorism and regional security situation was a core issue at the talks between Modi and Ghani. The two leaders who have met eight times in various locations across the globe, shared concerns about the new face of terrorism. Briefing the media on the visit Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, "Large part of political discussions were on what President Ghani described as changing face of terrorism where earlier heads of states and leaders where targeted, now entire nations are targeted. President Ghani pointed out that new wave is well funded and supported by Narcotics trade" .
The joint statement issued after the official talks ,without naming Pakistan, focussed on cross-border terrorism that both India and Afghanistan are victims of and underlined the need for an end to sanctuaries of terror as well as its financing.
'The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives. They agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond,' the joint statement read.
Later addressing a select gathering of strategic experts at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on President Ghani talking about distinction between good and bad terrorists ,emphasised," Terrorism is a snake that will bite." He also stressed that the excesses by Pakistani forces in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan are not spoken of in its media. "The violence there needs to be stopped," said President Ghani.
TRANSIT TROUBLE
Apart from terror, transit and trade remain key issues. Even as Delhi and Kabul are cooperating closely ,transit route via Pakistan remains a major hurdle. Delhi has reiterated its willingness to supply 1.75 lakh tonne of wheat to Afghanistan which is facing a food shortage. But the supply has been held up by Islamabad despite South Block's request to the Nawaz Sharif government some months back. President Ghani recently threatened to not allow transit access for Pakistan into Central Asia if its concerned were not addressed ,including transit for products from India through Wagah. India is keen to supply world class and easily affordable medicines to Afghans via road and air. Afghans form an impressive percentage of India's medical tourism inflow.
India and Afghanistan signed an Extradition Treaty, agreement on cooperation in civil and commercial matters and Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on Wednesday.
THREE TO TANGO
Following trilateral discussion with Iran, India and Afghanistan will soon resume their trilateral dialogue with the US after a gap of nearly three years. While officially India continues to maintain its focus is on civilian aid, sources suggest the two sides will step up their strategic partnership including more defence supply from India. To bolster its stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan, United States is also looking at the goodwill that India enjoys with the neighbouring country. The intensification of engagements will continue with the Brussels conference on Afghanistan on 5th October as well as Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process in Amritsar on 4th December, for which President Ghani has been invited. The Strategic Council headed by the two Foreign Ministers will also meet soon.
Business Affairs
Reliance Communications, Aircel announce wireless ops merger, to create Rs 65,000-crore entity
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The highly competitive telecom industry has witnessed the conclusion of the biggest consolidation deal, almost a week after billionaire Mukesh Ambani launched Reliance Jio's services.
Mukesh's younger brother Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications and GSM mobile service provider Aircel announced the merger of their wireless operations on Wednesday to create a combined entity with assets worth Rs 65,000 crore.
The deal was in the works for many months. It will cut debt of RCom and Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) hold 50 per cent each in the merged entity with equal representation on the board and committees.
The transaction will reduce RCom's debt by Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion), while Aircel's debt would go down by Rs 4,000 crore ($600 million) on closing in 2017, the two companies said.
The merger will create India's fourth-largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues. The merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.
The entity will have assets of Rs 65,000 crore ($9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore ($5.2 billion).
"Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema/MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani said.
This combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies, he added.
"This deal further reinforces MCBs commitment to India. Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore ($5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.
RCom will continue to own and operate its high-growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, data centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning real estate.
In December 2015, the two firms announced entering into 90-day 'exclusivity period' for the merger deal that will exclude RCom's tower and optical fibre assets for which a separate sale process was in the process.
The highly competitive telecom industry has witnessed the conclusion of the biggest consolidation deal, almost a week after billionaire Mukesh Ambani launched Reliance Jio's services.
Mukesh's younger brother Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications and GSM mobile service provider Aircel announced the merger of their wireless operations on Wednesday to create a combined entity with assets worth Rs 65,000 crore.
The deal was in the works for many months. It will cut debt of RCom and Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB) hold 50 per cent each in the merged entity with equal representation on the board and committees.
The transaction will reduce RCom's debt by Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion), while Aircel's debt would go down by Rs 4,000 crore ($600 million) on closing in 2017, the two companies said.
The merger will create India's fourth-largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues. The merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.
The entity will have assets of Rs 65,000 crore ($9.7 billion) and net worth of Rs 35,000 crore ($5.2 billion).
"Together with our partners, MCB, we are delighted to have taken the lead in consolidation of the Indian telecom sector, first, with RCom's acquisition of the wireless business of SSTL (Sistema/MTS), and now, with the combination of our business with Aircel in a 50:50 joint venture with MCB," Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani said.
This combination is expected to create substantial long term value for shareholders of both, RCom and MCB, given the benefits of the wide-ranging spectrum portfolio and significant revenue and cost synergies, he added.
"This deal further reinforces MCBs commitment to India. Since acquiring Aircel in 2006, MCB has invested in excess of Rs 35,000 crore ($5.2 billion) into Aircel, making this one of the largest foreign investments into India, not only in the telecom industry but across all sectors," MCB said.
RCom will continue to own and operate its high-growth businesses in the domestic and global enterprise space, data centres, optic fibre and related telecom infrastructure, besides owning real estate.
In December 2015, the two firms announced entering into 90-day 'exclusivity period' for the merger deal that will exclude RCom's tower and optical fibre assets for which a separate sale process was in the process.
Telcos submit applications for mega spectrum auction
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Incumbent operators such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, along with the new entrant Reliance Jio, today formally joined the bidding race for the biggest-ever spectrum auction that kicks off on October 1.
Other carriers -- Reliance Communications, Aircel and Tata Teleservices -- too submitted their applications to participate in the upcoming auction at the close of the deadline today, sources said.
While the notice-inviting applications closed today, the Department of Telecom is likely to publish ownership of the applicants tomorrow for scrutiny and pre-qualification by Monday.
The last date for withdrawal of applications is September 22.
Interested bidders were asked to submit their applications by today for the auction that will see airwaves worth Rs 5.63 lakh crore go on sale.
In a recent interview to PTI, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha had said service providers not buying airwaves will not be able to take on competition.
Sinha had added that companies need spectrum to give good quality service, increase revenue and "maintain a good image" and he expected an enthusiastic participation.
The government will start the mega airwave auction on October 1 in which mobile frequencies in all bands -- 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz and 2300 Mhz -- will be put on the block.
The finance ministry in the budget pegged the revenue at Rs 98,995 crore from the telecom space, which includes Rs 64,000 crore from the auction of about 2,354.55 Mhz of spectrum and the rest from various levies and services this financial year.
All the radiowaves being put up for auction can be used for high-speed 4G services.
This is the first time the government will auction premium airwaves in the 700 Mhz band. This is considered as the most premium as the cost of providing service is one-third of 3G under the 2100 Mhz band.
The 700 Mhz band alone has potential to fetch bids worth Rs 4 lakh crore if all the spectrum in it gets sold at the base price though most analysts have predicted a muted response in this band, given the exorbitant pricing.
As per rating agency ICRA, the consolidated debt level of the industry stood at around Rs 3,80,000 crore in December 2015 against Rs 2,90,000 crore in March 2014.
Going forward, considering the estimated level of participation in the auction, the industry debt would go up to around Rs 4,60,000 crore.
Incumbent operators such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, along with the new entrant Reliance Jio, today formally joined the bidding race for the biggest-ever spectrum auction that kicks off on October 1.
Other carriers -- Reliance Communications, Aircel and Tata Teleservices -- too submitted their applications to participate in the upcoming auction at the close of the deadline today, sources said.
While the notice-inviting applications closed today, the Department of Telecom is likely to publish ownership of the applicants tomorrow for scrutiny and pre-qualification by Monday.
The last date for withdrawal of applications is September 22.
Interested bidders were asked to submit their applications by today for the auction that will see airwaves worth Rs 5.63 lakh crore go on sale.
In a recent interview to PTI, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha had said service providers not buying airwaves will not be able to take on competition.
Sinha had added that companies need spectrum to give good quality service, increase revenue and "maintain a good image" and he expected an enthusiastic participation.
The government will start the mega airwave auction on October 1 in which mobile frequencies in all bands -- 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz and 2300 Mhz -- will be put on the block.
The finance ministry in the budget pegged the revenue at Rs 98,995 crore from the telecom space, which includes Rs 64,000 crore from the auction of about 2,354.55 Mhz of spectrum and the rest from various levies and services this financial year.
All the radiowaves being put up for auction can be used for high-speed 4G services.
This is the first time the government will auction premium airwaves in the 700 Mhz band. This is considered as the most premium as the cost of providing service is one-third of 3G under the 2100 Mhz band.
The 700 Mhz band alone has potential to fetch bids worth Rs 4 lakh crore if all the spectrum in it gets sold at the base price though most analysts have predicted a muted response in this band, given the exorbitant pricing.
As per rating agency ICRA, the consolidated debt level of the industry stood at around Rs 3,80,000 crore in December 2015 against Rs 2,90,000 crore in March 2014.
Going forward, considering the estimated level of participation in the auction, the industry debt would go up to around Rs 4,60,000 crore.
Tata Power completes acquisition of Welspun, names Chetan Tolia as CEO
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Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), an arm of Tata Power, has completed 100 per cent share purchase in Welspun Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd (WREPL) and its subsidiaries.
Earlier in June this year, Tata Power had announced that TPREL will acquire WREPL through a share purchase agreement (SPA) at an enterprise value of Rs 9,249 crore, subject to closing adjustments.
"TPREL, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Power, has completed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding in WREPL and its subsidiaries," Tata Power said in a press release.
According to statement, this represents the largest transaction in the renewables space in India.
WREPL has one of the largest operating solar portfolios in India spread across ten states. It has about 1,141 MW of Renewable Power Projects comprising about 990 MW solar power projects and about 150 MW of wind power projects, it said.
Out of 1,141 MW renewable portfolio, over 1,000 MW of capacity is operational and balance capacity is under advanced stages of implementation, it further said.
Tata Power said that Chetan Tolia has been appointed CEO & Executive Director of WREPL. Tolia was Chief Human Resources Officer of Tata Power prior to this appointment.
TPREL currently operates 312 MW of renewable power capacity and 500 MW of renewable assets are being carved out of Tata Power into TPREL through a court process. In addition, about 400 MW of solar and wind power projects are under implementation.
Thus TPREL, with all these assets, will have renewable assets portfolio of about 2,300 MW, making it the largest renewable power company in India, it said.
Commenting on this, Tata Power CEO & Managing Director Anil Sardana said, "This acquisition will enable the company to deliver significant value for all stakeholders. The acquisition is also a significant step towards attaining the company's objective of having non-fossil fuel based capacity up to 30-40 per cent of its total generating capacity."
JM Financial Institutional Securities Limited acted as exclusive Transaction Advisor to TPREL in relation to this transaction. KPMG India Private Limited was the Accounting & Tax Advisor. AZB & Partners acted as the Legal Advisor for this transaction.
TPREL is Tata Power s primary investment vehicle for clean and renewable energy based power generation capacity.
TPREL s present operating capacity is 294 MW, comprising 240 MW wind and 54 MW solar, located in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The company is also in the process of implementing nearly 400 MW of renewable power projects at various locations.
In order to aggregate its clean and renewable energy portfolio, Tata Power has initiated the process of carving out its 500MW clean energy assets from its books into TPREL.
TPREL is seeking to grow its renewable portfolio in India and in select international markets through organic and inorganic opportunities.
Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL), an arm of Tata Power, has completed 100 per cent share purchase in Welspun Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd (WREPL) and its subsidiaries.
Earlier in June this year, Tata Power had announced that TPREL will acquire WREPL through a share purchase agreement (SPA) at an enterprise value of Rs 9,249 crore, subject to closing adjustments.
"TPREL, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Tata Power, has completed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding in WREPL and its subsidiaries," Tata Power said in a press release.
According to statement, this represents the largest transaction in the renewables space in India.
WREPL has one of the largest operating solar portfolios in India spread across ten states. It has about 1,141 MW of Renewable Power Projects comprising about 990 MW solar power projects and about 150 MW of wind power projects, it said.
Out of 1,141 MW renewable portfolio, over 1,000 MW of capacity is operational and balance capacity is under advanced stages of implementation, it further said.
Tata Power said that Chetan Tolia has been appointed CEO & Executive Director of WREPL. Tolia was Chief Human Resources Officer of Tata Power prior to this appointment.
TPREL currently operates 312 MW of renewable power capacity and 500 MW of renewable assets are being carved out of Tata Power into TPREL through a court process. In addition, about 400 MW of solar and wind power projects are under implementation.
Thus TPREL, with all these assets, will have renewable assets portfolio of about 2,300 MW, making it the largest renewable power company in India, it said.
Commenting on this, Tata Power CEO & Managing Director Anil Sardana said, "This acquisition will enable the company to deliver significant value for all stakeholders. The acquisition is also a significant step towards attaining the company's objective of having non-fossil fuel based capacity up to 30-40 per cent of its total generating capacity."
JM Financial Institutional Securities Limited acted as exclusive Transaction Advisor to TPREL in relation to this transaction. KPMG India Private Limited was the Accounting & Tax Advisor. AZB & Partners acted as the Legal Advisor for this transaction.
TPREL is Tata Power s primary investment vehicle for clean and renewable energy based power generation capacity.
TPREL s present operating capacity is 294 MW, comprising 240 MW wind and 54 MW solar, located in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The company is also in the process of implementing nearly 400 MW of renewable power projects at various locations.
In order to aggregate its clean and renewable energy portfolio, Tata Power has initiated the process of carving out its 500MW clean energy assets from its books into TPREL.
TPREL is seeking to grow its renewable portfolio in India and in select international markets through organic and inorganic opportunities.
Indian Oil announces Rs 1.80-trillion investment plan in next 6 years
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Announcing its plan of investing up to Rs 1.80 trillion across verticals in next six years, state-run Indian Oil Corporation said on Wednesday it is also is talks with foreign entities to co-invest in the investment that includes setting up a mega refinery in coastal Maharashtra.
"In the next six years, we need to spend Rs 1.70-1.80 trillion on refinery expansions, new petrochemical projects which are coming up and expenditure being incurred on natural gas, besides some exploration blocks that we are actively looking at," IOC Chairman B Ashok said.
He further said about Rs 50,000 crore will be invested in setting up refining capacity where it plans to add at least 24 million tonnes per annum over the next five years, followed closely by marketing infrastructure including new plants, new terminals, LPG import infrastructure and pipelines.
Besides this, it has also earmarked sums for investments in petrochemicals and natural gas, he said.
The state-run company will invest Rs 15,000 crore in the current fiscal and will accelerate to over Rs 25,000 crore each over the next two fiscals, Ashok said, adding it has budgeted for a Rs 72,000-crore investment over the next three years.
Meanwhile, Ashok said the ambitious project to set up the largest refinery project in the country in coastal Maharashtra is on and the state government has shown six potential sites where it can come up.
IOC, which is taking leadership in the project that is estimated to cost Rs 1.76 trillion, will be holding a 50 per cent stake in the refinery while the remaining will be split evenly between its sister companies HPCL and BPCL.
The company is also in talks with international investors for participating in the ambitious project, Ashok said, adding that the three domestic partners will dilute their stake equally as and when such an investor comes in.
Ashok declined to name the foreign investors with whom talks are on and also refrained from giving a time-line for the project, saying it should come to life as soon as possible given the demand projections on the back of economic growth.
It is looking for a 15,000-acre land parcel to set up the refinery, he said, adding that a third of it will be reserved for green zone.
The technical specifics of the project, including the fuel to be refined and which products to be done has already been prepared in consultation with EIL (Engineers India).
Asked about getting required clearances, given the heightened ecological sensitivities, Ashok exuded confidence of getting all the nods.
Announcing its plan of investing up to Rs 1.80 trillion across verticals in next six years, state-run Indian Oil Corporation said on Wednesday it is also is talks with foreign entities to co-invest in the investment that includes setting up a mega refinery in coastal Maharashtra.
"In the next six years, we need to spend Rs 1.70-1.80 trillion on refinery expansions, new petrochemical projects which are coming up and expenditure being incurred on natural gas, besides some exploration blocks that we are actively looking at," IOC Chairman B Ashok said.
He further said about Rs 50,000 crore will be invested in setting up refining capacity where it plans to add at least 24 million tonnes per annum over the next five years, followed closely by marketing infrastructure including new plants, new terminals, LPG import infrastructure and pipelines.
Besides this, it has also earmarked sums for investments in petrochemicals and natural gas, he said.
The state-run company will invest Rs 15,000 crore in the current fiscal and will accelerate to over Rs 25,000 crore each over the next two fiscals, Ashok said, adding it has budgeted for a Rs 72,000-crore investment over the next three years.
Meanwhile, Ashok said the ambitious project to set up the largest refinery project in the country in coastal Maharashtra is on and the state government has shown six potential sites where it can come up.
IOC, which is taking leadership in the project that is estimated to cost Rs 1.76 trillion, will be holding a 50 per cent stake in the refinery while the remaining will be split evenly between its sister companies HPCL and BPCL.
The company is also in talks with international investors for participating in the ambitious project, Ashok said, adding that the three domestic partners will dilute their stake equally as and when such an investor comes in.
Ashok declined to name the foreign investors with whom talks are on and also refrained from giving a time-line for the project, saying it should come to life as soon as possible given the demand projections on the back of economic growth.
It is looking for a 15,000-acre land parcel to set up the refinery, he said, adding that a third of it will be reserved for green zone.
The technical specifics of the project, including the fuel to be refined and which products to be done has already been prepared in consultation with EIL (Engineers India).
Asked about getting required clearances, given the heightened ecological sensitivities, Ashok exuded confidence of getting all the nods.
Trai orders Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Jio to submit call traffic details
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Trai has ordered Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Jio, BSNL and MTNL to submit call details to examine the traffic pattern on their networks, a move which may help the regulator analyse allegations by RIL group firm against incumbents on interconnection issue.
"Trai has asked telecom operators to submit traffic details for purpose of examining them under interconnection usage paper. Airtel, Vodafone, Jio and public sector firms did not submit even after reminder. Therefore, Trai issued order for them. They have to submit data by September 16," an official source said.
Trai had on August 5 issued a discussion paper to review IUC norms following a complaint by Cellular Operators Association of India against BSNL service that allowed its subscribers to make calls on mobile and landline through a mobile app.
COAI alleged that the offer was in violation of licensing norms as well as interconnect pacts.
The data will also help Trai to analyse the more recent allegations by Reliance Jio against incumbent telecom operators - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular - that they were not providing proper interconnection for its service.
Interconnection is required to enable mobile users to make calls to customers of other telecom networks. A mobile operator levies inter-connection usage charge (IUC) for each incoming call it gets from subscriber of another network.
The BSNL service could not be made operational as the regulator asked to hold the launch till the matter is resolved.
Separately, Reliance Jio, which commercially launched its services on September 5, has accused the incumbent players of not releasing sufficient inter-connection ports which is leading to call drops.
Incumbents have alleged that free calling service being offered by Jio is leading to huge incoming traffic on their network due to which they have to incur huge cost and services of their customers may be adversely impacted.
Airtel last week had asked regulator Trai to find a way to curb the "massive asymmetric traffic" and ensure that receiving networks are not "abused by tsunami of free traffic" from Reliance Jio.
Jio has rejected the allegation saying that outgoing traffic is less than 2 calls per customer per hour even during peak traffic and these calls are not to one operator but distributed over all the operators.
Jio has alleged that 75 per cent of calls made from its network, with most of them on incumbents network, are failing due to insufficient interconnection ports provided by service providers.
Trai has ordered Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Jio, BSNL and MTNL to submit call details to examine the traffic pattern on their networks, a move which may help the regulator analyse allegations by RIL group firm against incumbents on interconnection issue.
"Trai has asked telecom operators to submit traffic details for purpose of examining them under interconnection usage paper. Airtel, Vodafone, Jio and public sector firms did not submit even after reminder. Therefore, Trai issued order for them. They have to submit data by September 16," an official source said.
Trai had on August 5 issued a discussion paper to review IUC norms following a complaint by Cellular Operators Association of India against BSNL service that allowed its subscribers to make calls on mobile and landline through a mobile app.
COAI alleged that the offer was in violation of licensing norms as well as interconnect pacts.
The data will also help Trai to analyse the more recent allegations by Reliance Jio against incumbent telecom operators - Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular - that they were not providing proper interconnection for its service.
Interconnection is required to enable mobile users to make calls to customers of other telecom networks. A mobile operator levies inter-connection usage charge (IUC) for each incoming call it gets from subscriber of another network.
The BSNL service could not be made operational as the regulator asked to hold the launch till the matter is resolved.
Separately, Reliance Jio, which commercially launched its services on September 5, has accused the incumbent players of not releasing sufficient inter-connection ports which is leading to call drops.
Incumbents have alleged that free calling service being offered by Jio is leading to huge incoming traffic on their network due to which they have to incur huge cost and services of their customers may be adversely impacted.
Airtel last week had asked regulator Trai to find a way to curb the "massive asymmetric traffic" and ensure that receiving networks are not "abused by tsunami of free traffic" from Reliance Jio.
Jio has rejected the allegation saying that outgoing traffic is less than 2 calls per customer per hour even during peak traffic and these calls are not to one operator but distributed over all the operators.
Jio has alleged that 75 per cent of calls made from its network, with most of them on incumbents network, are failing due to insufficient interconnection ports provided by service providers.
General Awareness
September 14 – India Celebrates Hindi Diwas Day
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Hindi Diwas is celebrated across the country on 14th of September to remember the historic occasion of the Hindi. It was started celebrating as a Hindi Diwas as Hindi written in Devnagari script was approved as an official language by the Constituent Assembly at 14th of September in the year 1949.
About Hindi Diwas :
Hindi Divas is an annual day celebrated on 14 September in Hindi speaking regions of India.
- Mostly this celebration is a government sponsored event in Central government of India offices, firms, schools and other institutions. It serves to promote and propagate the Hindi language.
- Its importance is demonstrated by feasts, events, competitions and other services held on this day. The event also serves as a patriotic reminder to Hindi-speaking populations of their common roots and unity.
- Hindi is spoken as a native language by 500 million people and is recognized as the 2nd most-spoken language in the world.Hindi Divas is celebrated on 14 September because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India.
- The decision of using Hindi as the official language was ratified by the Constitution of India that came into effect on 26 January 1950.
- Under the Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, Hindi written inDevanagari script was adopted as the official language. Now there are 22 Scheduled languages of India. Among them, 2 languages are officially used at Union government of India level: Hindi and English.
- Hindi Diwas is celebrated in the schools, colleges, offices, organizations and other enterprises as a Hindi Diwas with the unique programs and competitions organized related to Hindi poems, story recitations, vocabulary quizzes and etc.
- Hindi is the better mode of communication among the people in India so it should be promoted among each other. Hindi is known as the 2ndmost commonly spoken language of the world.
- Awards are distributed at this day by thePresident of India to the people for the superiority in different fields related to the Hindi at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Rajbhasha Awards:-
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Rajbhasha awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.
- The Rajbhasha awards were instituted by the Department of Official Language of Home Ministry to recognize the excellent contribution of Ministries, Departments and Nationalized Banks in the field of Hindi.
- Rajbhasha awards are given to the Departments, Ministries, PSUs and Nationalized Banks.
- The name of two of the awards which are distributed annually on the Hindi Diwas has been renamed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in its order on 25th of March in 2015.
- Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Puraskar has been changed to the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar, and Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Gyan-Vigyan Maulik Pustak Lekhan Puraskar has been changed to the Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar.
- Mostly this celebration is a government sponsored event in Central government of India offices, firms, schools and other institutions. It serves to promote and propagate the Hindi language.
- Its importance is demonstrated by feasts, events, competitions and other services held on this day. The event also serves as a patriotic reminder to Hindi-speaking populations of their common roots and unity.
- Hindi is spoken as a native language by 500 million people and is recognized as the 2nd most-spoken language in the world.Hindi Divas is celebrated on 14 September because on this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India had adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Republic of India.
- The decision of using Hindi as the official language was ratified by the Constitution of India that came into effect on 26 January 1950.
- Under the Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, Hindi written inDevanagari script was adopted as the official language. Now there are 22 Scheduled languages of India. Among them, 2 languages are officially used at Union government of India level: Hindi and English.
- Hindi Diwas is celebrated in the schools, colleges, offices, organizations and other enterprises as a Hindi Diwas with the unique programs and competitions organized related to Hindi poems, story recitations, vocabulary quizzes and etc.
- Hindi is the better mode of communication among the people in India so it should be promoted among each other. Hindi is known as the 2ndmost commonly spoken language of the world.
- Awards are distributed at this day by thePresident of India to the people for the superiority in different fields related to the Hindi at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
- The Rajbhasha awards were instituted by the Department of Official Language of Home Ministry to recognize the excellent contribution of Ministries, Departments and Nationalized Banks in the field of Hindi.
- Rajbhasha awards are given to the Departments, Ministries, PSUs and Nationalized Banks.
- The name of two of the awards which are distributed annually on the Hindi Diwas has been renamed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in its order on 25th of March in 2015.
- Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Puraskar has been changed to the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar, and Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Gyan-Vigyan Maulik Pustak Lekhan Puraskar has been changed to the Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar.
Hindi Diwas is celebrated across the country on 14th of September to remember the historic occasion of the Hindi. It was started celebrating as a Hindi Diwas as Hindi written in Devnagari script was approved as an official language by the Constituent Assembly at 14th of September in the year 1949.
About Hindi Diwas :
Hindi Divas is an annual day celebrated on 14 September in Hindi speaking regions of India.
Rajbhasha Awards:-
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Rajbhasha awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of Hindi Diwas.
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