India taking over G20 presidency watershed moment: PM's principal secy Mishra
New Delhi, Dec 1: The prime minister's principal secretary P K Mishra on Thursday described India taking over the G-20 presidency as a "watershed moment" and said it is our responsibility to showcase the country in "the most rightful ways befitting her stature and glory".
Holding the meeting at 56 different locations in the country will ensure that the pan-India nature of event is truly showcased, he said, adding that every state government, Union territory and citizen is a stakeholder in the process of India's presidency.
"India has as much uniqueness as it has diversity. We have a responsibility to bring out the best traditions of India before the world," Mishra said in his address at the University Connect: Engaging Young Minds programme to mark the occasion.
India has got a glorious opportunity to host the largest multilateral event on its soil, he said, according to a statement.
"G-20 presidency is an opportunity to present the diversity that is India to the outside world. Universities can train students about local history and important landmarks, art-forms and other cultural traditions of their area," Mishra said.
Such students can then be a part of organising meetings and in guiding foreign delegates, he said.
Apart from places of historical, economic and cultural importance, there could be immersive experiences like nature walks, village visits, visits to weekly and local markets, the official told the audience comprising university students in large numbers.
"Universities can select bright students and train them in being rapporteurs of sessions," he added.
Noting that the world is passing through challenging times, Mishra said it also offered opportunities and India has taken the lead in the global sphere to spearhead the transition towards cleaner sources of energy.
"Our global initiatives such as One Sun One World One Grid and the International Solar Alliance have been complemented by our domestic commitment for achieving 50 per cent installed electricity capacity through non-fossil sources. If a country such as ours shows the way then the world will have to follow," he said.
Noting that the G-20 presidency has been passed onto India during its "Amritkaal", a term used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to define the period leading to the country's indepdencne centenary, he said the related events related to the exercise should showcase a glimpse of our tradition of "Atithi Devo Bhavah" (guests are Gods).
He noted that PM Modi has stressed the importance of forward-looking actions but with firm roots in our culture and recalled the launch of 'Mission Lifestyle for Environment' in the presence of the UN secretary general.
"This LiFE Mission is one such mantra we have given to the world," Mishra said.
The Unified Payment Interface (UPI), pioneered by India, is another example of how Indian solutions have the potential to come to the aid of the world, he said.
"Our evolving experience with bridging the domestic digital divide can provide valid lessons to the international community to bridge the global digital divide," he said.
The vibrant start-up eco-system in the country is evidence that sky is the limit as far as the youth are concerned, he added, noting that India is currently ranked third globally in its fintech strength after the USA and China.
Under Modi, India has continuously moulded its policies to suit the needs of its youth and the National Education Policy 2020 is a holistic and futuristic policy based on the foundational principles of access, equality, quality, affordability and accountability, he said.
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Austrian police detain suspect in case of rat poison found in baby food jars on supermarket shelves
Vienna (AP): Police in eastern Austria say a 39-year-old suspect has been arrested after rat poison turned up in some HiPP baby food jars on supermarket shelves in central Europe.
HiPP, which recalled some of its baby food jars in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic after the case came to light last month, said in a statement Saturday it was “greatly relieved” by the arrest, and would provide further updates as verified details come in.
The Burgenland State Criminal Police Office, under the direction of prosecutors, said a probe was launched after poison turned up in a baby food jar purchased at a supermarket in the city of Eisenstadt on April 18.
It said the suspect was being questioned, and that no further details would be immediately provided. The Burgenland public prosecutor's office has announced an investigation into suspected “intentional endangerment of the public.”
The Austrian Press Agency reported that an expert report on the toxicity of the poison was pending. A total of five tampered baby food jars were seized before they could be consumed, APA reported.
Authorities said previously they believe the tampering occurred in 190-gram (6.7-ounce) jars of baby food made with carrots and potatoes for 5-month-olds that were sold from SPAR supermarkets in Austria.
HiPP responded by recalling all of its baby food jars sold at SPAR supermarkets — which include SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and Maximarkt stores — in Austria as a precaution. Vendors in Slovakia and the Czech Republic also removed all of the brand's baby jars from sale.
The company said the recall was not due to any product or quality defect on its part, and said the jars left its facility in “perfect condition.”
Police said a customer at the time of the discovery had reported that a jar appeared to have been tampered with, but no one had consumed the baby food.
