National
Book ‘Governorpet to Governor's House: A Hick's Odyssey’
⇒ The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar released a book ‘Governorpet to Governor’s House: A Hick’s Odyssey’ – a memoir of the former Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri PS Ramamohan Rao, in New Delhi on March 19, 2023.
Addressing the gathering after releasing the book, the Vice President said “Governorpet to Governor’s House; A Hick’s Odyssey” encapsulates a long, eventful and adventurous journey and experience of the author, insightfully revealing his passion and mission.
- The book also reveals his rigidity, uncompromising conscience and commitment to public good.
- The book will for sure enrich our knowledge and enhance our understanding of bureaucratic functioning as also challenges of the constitutional office of the Governor.
- Shri Dhankhar lauded the former Governor for his contributions to public life and sharing his insightful experiences in his memoir.
» The book is a vivid and gripping narrative of the multifaceted events, incidents, situations and crises that the author confronted during his career in the Indian Police Service.
5th Poshan Pakhwada 2023
⇒ The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the fifth Poshan Pakhwada from 20th March to 3rd April 2023 with various activities nationwide.
The aim of the Poshan Pakhwada was to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari.
Theme:
The theme of this year’s Poshan Pakhwada 2023 was “Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India”.
- With the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, this year the focus of Poshan Pakhwada was to popularise ‘Shree Anna’- the mother of all grains, as a valuable asset to address malnutrition.
The activities during the Poshan Pakhwada focused, inter alia, on the following key themes:
- Promotion and popularization of Shree Anna / Millets for nutritional- well-being
- Celebration of Swasth Balak Spardha
- Popularize Saksham Anganwadis
Nodal Ministry and Department:
The Ministry of Women & Child Development was the nodal Ministry for coordinating activities during the Poshan Pakhwada. In the State/UT, Department of Women & Child Development /Social Welfare Department was the nodal department for Poshan Pakhwada.
Background:
- Poshan Abhiyaan, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 8th March 2018, has been instrumental in ensuring people’s participation and bringing the discourse on nutrition to the forefront.
- Poshan Abhiyan was launched with the aim to improve nutritional outcomes in a holistic manner. Behavioral change at individual and community level is an important component to achieve the desired goals of a Kuposhan-mukt Bharat.
- Every year, Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated in the month of March for 15 days.
- Similarly, the month of September is celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah, across the country.
- The Poshan Maah and Pakhwada celebrated so far have witnessed wide participation and enthusiasm from all States/UTs, frontline functionaries, converging Ministries as well as public at large.
- Close to 2.96 crore activities were held across the country in the last Poshan Pakhwada 2022.
International
3rd meeting of the Startup20 Engagement Group of G20
⇒ The 3rd meeting of the Startup20 Engagement Group of G20 under the presidency of India was held in Goa on June 3-4, 2023.
The Startup20 Engagement Group of the G20 kicked off its third meeting, the Goa Sankalpana, with an atmosphere of unwavering energy and determination in Goa.
- Around 250+ National and international delegates took part in Startup20 Goa Sankalpana on the first day and around 40+ Startups from around the country showcased their innovative products.
DAY 1
Presentation on ‘Policy Communiqué’
The first day of the event commenced with the presentation of the eagerly anticipated Policy Communiqué, followed by a series of engaging sessions and addresses, driving the conversation on startup innovation and collaboration.
The morning session commenced with a warm welcome note delivered by Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20. He emphasized the significance of the Policy Communiqué during his address and highlighted that the Communiqué represents the culmination of extensive consultations and collaborative efforts by all stakeholders involved.
Focused Group Discussion
Closed-door meetings were held where participants engaged in focused discussions to develop country positions and interventions aligned with the Policy Communiqué. The closed-door country huddles and India Ecosystem Meeting continued for further discussions on developing country positions, interventions, and the implementation of the Policy Communiqué.
India Ecosystem Meeting
India Ecosystem Meeting held a brainstorming session emphasizing the crucial aspect of implementing the Communiqué in the Indian startup landscape.
Session on ‘Breaking Barriers: How Startups are Building an Inclusive & Responsible Internet Ecosystem’
The evening session, titled “Breaking Barriers: How Startups are Building an Inclusive & Responsible Internet Ecosystem, featured a distinguished panel of industry experts. This was followed by inspirational talks under the Startup20X series by eminent speakers.
DAY 2
The second day of the Startup20 Engagement Group meeting in Goa witnessed crucial discussions and meetings aimed at strengthening collaboration and aligning efforts towards the growth and support of startups globally.
Closed-door Meetings
The program commenced with closed-door meetings between national and international delegations and Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20, focusing on key agendas and strategic partnerships.
Press Conference
During the press conference, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav addressed the media, highlighting the progress made and the significance of the Policy Communiqué.
- Further, Dr. Vaishnav made a significant call to action, urging G20 countries to unite in their commitment to the startup ecosystem. He proposed allocating a substantial sum of 1 trillion dollars for the startup ecosystem by 2030.
The meeting ended with delegates expressing their enthusiasm and commitment to realizing the goals outlined in the Policy Communiqué. The agreement signifies the confidence of the Startup20 community in scouting startups globally, funding them collaboratively, mentoring them contextually, and scaling them internationally.
Startup20 Gurugram Shikhar Summit 2023
⇒ The 4th meeting of the Startup20 Engagement Group of G20 under the presidency of India was held in Gurugram on July 3-4, 2023.
The Startup20 Shikhar Summit, organized by the Startup20 Engagement Group under the India G20 Presidency, kicked off on July 3, 2023 in Gurugram.
- The two-day event represented a significant achievement, celebrating the successful completion of Startup20’s inaugural year and the release of the final Policy Communiqué.
- The two-day event marks the first major milestone of the Startup20 Engagement group.
- The event witnessed participation of over 600 delegates from 22 countries.
DAY 1
Startup20 Policy Communique Unveiled
Startup20 Shikhar served as a landmark event for the official release of the final Policy Communiqué.
- The Policy Communiqué sets the direction for G20 countries to scout promising startups intensively, fund them collaboratively, mentor them contextually, and scale them globally.
Discussion on ‘Building a Global Startup Ecosystem’
The Startup20 Gurugram Summit featured a diverse and engaging program, including dynamic discussions, enlightening presentations, and valuable networking opportunities.
- Delegates had the privilege of connecting with industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders, fostering strategic alliances and shaping the trajectory of startups on a global scale.
Startup Conclave
An integral part of the summit was the Startup Conclave, where startups showcased their innovative products and services, engage in investor pitches, mentoring sessions, and network with industry professionals.
DAY 2
Panel Discussion
Startup20 Shikhar hosted a dynamic panel discussion on:
- Scaling Sustainability-Focused Startups Globally
- Unlocking Synergies for Win-Win: Integration of Startups & Businesses in Corporate Accelerators
- Building a Global Networked Institution for Access to Finance, Market & Talent
- Startups as Catalysts for Climate Action: Innovations, Solutions & Collaboration
- The Future of AI: Effective Strategy for its Regulation and Governance
- Indigenous Identity & Innovation
Startup Governance Framework
Startup20 Shikhar also introduced the Indian Startup Governance Framework, a significant milestone in the realm of startup governance in India. Additionally, the Global Network of Centres (GNC), a platform facilitating collaboration was also presented.
Closing Ceremony – Handing over the torch to Brazil
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20, officially handed over the torch to Brazil, as the country has G20 presidency for the next year and has committed to continue the Startup20 initiative in 2024.
The Startup20 Gurugram Shikhar Summit served as a critical platform for startup ecosystem, ecosystem builders, industry experts, Government, policymakers, and thought leaders to collaborate and shape the trajectory of startups on a global scale.
1st and 2nd Startup20 Engagement Group Meetings
3rd Annual Edition of International SME CONVENTION, 2023
⇒ The 3rd annual edition of the International SME Convention 2023 (ISC) was held in New Delhi from 19th to 21st March 2023.
Organized by:
The International SME Convention 2023 was organized jointly by the Ministry of MSME & Ministry of External Affairs, and India SME Forum.
- During the ISC 2023, Govt of Madhya Pradesh as a Key State Partner and Govt of Uttar Pradesh as Associate State Partner.
- International Network for SMEs (INSME) and World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME) were the international partners and TATA AIA was the insurance partner for the ISC 2023.
Focus Sectors:
This year ISC, 2023 saw the participation of 1500+ SMEs with the main focus areas being India’s major four Sunrise Sectors, which are Cleantech & Green Energy, Manufacturing, Services Sector and Agro food Processing & Agri Implements sector.
The themes of 3rd Edition of ISC 2023 were:
- SDG9: Strengthening Indian Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- Make in India: Automating Indian SMEs in the 4th Industrial Revolution
- Technology Licensing & Collaborations: Key Enablers for Indian Enterprises
- Cleantech: Innovations for developing a New India
- Serviced in India: Empowering Partnerships with Service Enterprises
Aim:
The aim of the 3rd International SME Convention 2023 was to boost bilateral trade and partnerships with a focus on Cutting Edge Technology which will enable Indian MSMEs to build and scale up their operational and production efficiency.
Several panel discussions took place:
Panel discussions was aimed to provide actionable insights and recommendations for building sustainable ecosystems for MSMEs and Plugging SMEs into Global Value Chains, by building strategic partnerships, leveraging digital platforms, focusing on innovation, complying with standards and regulations, and accessing finance.
ISC 2023 featured:
- Conferences on Opportunities in Focus Sectors including Make in India; Agri, Food & Food Processing; Renewable Energy; Waste Management & Sanitation; Green Tech; Services
- Power Business Breakfast, Networking Sessions & B2B Meetings
- Country Presentations & Delegation Pitch Sessions
- Bootcamps on Opportunities in India
India SME Forum, India’s largest not for profit organisation for Small and Medium Businesses, operates through 19 State chapters, has 97000+ paid members, 920,700+ subscribers and reaches out to 13 million MSMEs from all over India.