Managing India's rise in changing world dynamics not easy: Ram Nath Kovind
New Delhi, July 1 : President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday that there were tectonic shifts taking place in the world, not just in the realm of geopolitics and geoeconomics, and managing India's rise in such an environment is not an easy task.
Addressing the participants of the annual Heads of Missions Conference who had called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kovind said the diplomats don't just represent the Indian state and the government of India but 1.3 billion Indians and their hopes and aspirations.
"There are tectonic shifts taking place in the world, and not just in the realm of geopolitics and geoeconomics. Technology, communication and societal mores are also changing rapidly. Terrorism and non-conventional threats pose a constant challenge to our security.A To manage India's rise in such an environment is not an easy task. You have to be a master at strategic thinking, nimble-footed action and be able to quickly adapt to change," he said.
The President said that the government has a clear and well marked approach to diplomacy today and the litmus test of the country's engagement with the external world is "what we are able to do to propel domestic growth and development".
"Our diplomats are doing well on this account. And as they do so, there is expectation for much more, especially when the country aspires for transformational change," he said.
The President said that the Indian growth story and the government's flagship programmes including Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Smart Cities or Start-up India, have a multi-layered connect with the external world. "As diplomats, it is part of their mandate to secure new investments, scout for appropriate technologies, create markets for Make-in-India products and bring the best of business practices to India."
The President said that engaging different states of India is a vital part of diplomacy today. He stated that he sees real value of "twinning arrangements" in promoting people-to-people relations between our states and diaspora countries. "Today, there are higher expectations from us as a country from our citizens living outside."
Complimenting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, he said she has given a new confidence to Indians abroad in the ability of the government to reach out to them when in need. "Our Missions and our ambassadors are seen as responsive to public needs, always ready to give a helping hand to our citizens and to members of the Indian diaspora. Our E-Visa scheme has come in for praise," he said.
He said Indian diplomats represent a society that in its essence is a force for good and for stability in an unpredictable world.
"Do remember that you don't just represent the Indian state and the government of India. You represent 1.3 billion Indians, and their hopes and aspirations. You represent our diverse and plural culture, you represent the richness of our 5,000 year old civilization and you represent a society that in its essence is a force for good and for stability in an unpredictable world.
"All this places great responsibility upon each one of you. I am confident you will continue to fulfill that responsibility, as you always have, as professional diplomats and as selfless servants of India," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
25 lakh properties in Bengaluru brought under e-Khata system: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has brought over 25 lakh properties under the e-Khata system in Bengaluru.
e-Khata is an electronic property certificate that maintains ownership information in an online database.
The e-Khata initiative aimed to ensure accuracy, transparency and universal coverage for property owners, he said.
Addressing a press conference here, Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru in-charge Minister, said over 25 lakh properties are being brought under the e-Khata system. Of them more than 7,000 applications have been processed, and additional outreach measures being planned for those yet to obtain their e-Khata.
"Twenty five lakh e-Khatas is a great number which has created history," he said.
The Deputy CM said the government is ensuring that every e-Khata will have its GPS, the shape of the property, and the measurement with every photo and document.
He explained that the government is integrating Aadhaar details, digital documentation, GPS mapping and property sketches to create a robust database.
"We want to see that every record is filled right. They (officials) are asking for documentation, stamp, digital documents. We wanted to connect every Aadhaar card and have it online," Shivakumar said.
To facilitate access, the Deputy CM announced the opening of more than 50 centres across Bengaluru, many of them in government schools, where citizens can apply for or rectify their e-Khata records.
"All of them will be working this Saturday. This 'Khata Mela' will be done. It is 'Nanna Khata, Nanna Swathu'," he said.
Applicants whose documents require verification will be given an acknowledgement and asked to return after 15 days, during which officials will conduct site inspections, he said.
Shivakumar said the government has also taken steps to identify and reclaim properties recorded as roads in revenue documents, asserting that such lands belong to the government.
"We have decided through the law that all the roads in the revenue records have been taken out. Those properties belong to the government itself," he said.
He noted that the initiative has received recognition from the Union government. "The Government of India has awarded us. It said that it is the model for the entire country," he said, while thanking officials involved in the project.
The Deputy CM said the government expects around 10 lakh additional households to benefit from the drive and assured that even those who have not downloaded their documents will receive printed copies free of cost at their residences.
"We will see that all the 25 lakh people will get their e-Khata to their home free of cost," Shivakumar said.
On apartment properties, he said all flats that have obtained occupancy certificates have been cleared.
"All the 37,460 flats (who have applied for e-Khata) have been issued an occupancy certificate. We have cleared all of them," the Deputy CM said.
