President Murmu conferred with honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by University of Mauritius
Port Louis (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu was on Tuesday conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius, demonstrating the depth of bilateral ties.
Murmu, 65, is here on a three-day state visit during which she will be the chief guest at the country's National Day celebrations on Tuesday.
"A special honour emblematic of the depth of India-Mauritius relations! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by @UniOfMauritius," the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X.
In her address, President Murmu exhorted Mauritian youth to stay connected with India to nourish their proud past and invest in their bright future, it said.
She conveyed best wishes from the people of India on Mauritius' National Day.
"I feel especially honoured to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from this prestigious university today. I hope that it will inspire all young people, particularly young women to discover their unique passion and pursue their dreams," she said.
"I feel overwhelmed by the heart-touching affection and warm welcome I have been receiving since my arrival in Mauritius. It shows the enduring strength of India-Mauritius relations and the close people-to-people ties that nurture them," she said.
"Standing among you all at the University of Mauritius today, I am reminded that education has been a key instrument in shaping this special relationship between our two countries, as well as the destiny of Mauritius. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi inspired Indian indentured workers to educate themselves, resulting in their political and social empowerment, which led to the transformation of Mauritius.
"The subsequent visionary leadership of Mauritian leaders like Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth have built on this rich foundation, to create a vibrant, pluralistic and prosperous Mauritius, that inspires Africa and the world," she said.
Murmu said the power of education resonates strongly with her at a personal level as education has been the single most important tool that has had a transformative impact on her life journey.
"This power of education resonates strongly with me at a personal level too, as education has been the single most important tool that has had a transformative impact in my own life journey. As the first woman from my village to receive a college education, empowering the vulnerable through education is a cause that has been close to my heart throughout my administrative and political career, and one that I remain devoted to," she said.
"I believe that Universities like this are not just ladders to the dreams of aspirational youth; they are sites where the future of mankind is forged," she said.
Recognising the transformative power of education and given that half of the Indian population is below the age of 25, the Government of India has made it a priority to educate and empower youth to lead India into the knowledge economy' of tomorrow, she said.
"I am confident that India's forward-looking new National Education Policy will tap into India's demographic dividend to become a powerhouse of innovation that enhances the well-being of humanity," she said.
In this exciting journey into the future, India looks forward to partnering with its special friends, like Mauritius, she said,
"Each year, 400 Mauritians are trained in India under our Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and about 60 Mauritian students receive scholarships to pursue higher education in India. It is a matter of pride for us that many among them occupy high positions in the Mauritian bureaucracy and public life today," she said.
"Hundreds of Mauritian youth have also been reconnecting with their Indian roots by visiting India under the Know India Programme, and several other exchange programmes. I am confident that these bonds of friendship between our youth will keep our relationship moving upward, as India embarks on its Amrit Kaal' journey to become a developed nation by 2047, she said.
She asked Mauritians to take advantage of their special proximity to India and tap into the vast economic opportunities it offers.
India sees Mauritius as a close maritime neighbour, a cherished partner in the Indian Ocean Region, and a key player in our Africa outreach, Murmu said.
"Our aspiration is that Mauritius continues to progress as a leading economy and as a voice for peace, stability and prosperity in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region," she said.
"Considering that robust people-to-people linkages have been the very foundation of the special friendship between India and Mauritius, I truly believe the future of our bilateral relationship lies in the hands of our youth. I am optimistic that the youth of Mauritius and India will continue to deepen this special partnership," she added.
I feel especially honoured to receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Mauritius. I hope that it will inspire all young people, particularly young women, to discover their unique passion and pursue their dreams. pic.twitter.com/gWljH97GoB
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 12, 2024
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
