National

News 1.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inaugurate New Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan

Several seminars, conferences, book releases, literary and cultural programmes and various business-to-business events will be held during the fair.

Current Affairs:  Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister will inaugurate the New Delhi World Book Fair. It is a 9 day fair and will be held at Pragati Maidan. There will be several literary and cultural activities organized focusing on the theme ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

About the New Delhi World Book Fair

• It is the 31st edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair.
• More than 2000 stalls will be set up
• More than 1000 book publishers will participate
• France has been invited as the Guest of Honor Country.
• Exhibitions of books will also be organized from G20 member countries during the fair.
• Several seminars, conferences, book releases, literary and cultural programmes and various business-to-business events will also be held on the sidelines of the book fair. 

Theme

The theme of the fair is focusing on the theme Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and is also integrated with the G20 theme.

Major attractions of the Fair

• G20 Pavilion, 
• National Education Policy Pavilion, 
• Ed-Tech Zone, 
• YUVA author corner,
• Foreign Pavilion, 
• Children’s Pavilion, 
• Authors Corners and Lekhak Manch.

Other Attractions

The Publications Division will showcase its-

• ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ books collection, 
• Its premier Rashtrapati Bhavan series of books as well as speeches of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Minister at the fair. 

News 2.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold talks with PM Modi today

Both the leaders will be discussing expanding the overall bilateral relations in a number of key areas in both the countries.

Today, Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, arrived in India for a two-day visit. The German Chancellor received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he met PM Modi and other top ministers. During the meeting the two leaders are expected to hold the discussions related to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the situation in the Indo-Pacific Region and the ways to boost bilateral ties between India and Germany.

Statement of the German Chancellor

About the Discussion

Both the leaders were engaged in bilateral talks in Bali on November 16,2022 during the G20 Summit. During the present meeting the two leaders of India and Germany will hold discussion on the –

• The Russia-Ukraine war, which completed a year on Friday.
• They will also discuss expanding the overall bilateral relations in a number of key areas, including new technologies, clean energy and trade and investment.

India-Germany relationship

Both the countries have bilateral relations and are founded on common democratic principles and are marked by a high degree of trust and mutual respect. India is amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War.

About Germany

President- Frank Walter Steinmeier

Capital- Berlin

Currency- Euros

News 3.

Kerala becomes first state to use robotic scavengers to clean manholes

It is developed by the Genrobotics in order to eliminate manual scavenging.

On Friday, the Kerala Government launched a robotic scavenger, ‘Bandicoot’, to clean sewages in this temple town. Kerala has become the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes. Bandicoot has been launched by the Water Resource Minister, Roshi Augustine and it is launched under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). This project is part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.

Statement of the Water Resource Minister

Roshi Augustine, Minister of Water Resources has said that-

“With the launch of the project in Guruvayur, manual scavenging in Kerala has ended. Now Kerala has become the first state in the country to use robotic scavengers to clean manholes.”

“It was a major step towards the use of technology-driven solutions for manhole cleaning across the state.”

“With the deployment of Bandicoot in Guruvayur, all the commissioned manholes have been transformed into robotic revolution. A special team of KWA officials will be constituted for the operation of robotic cleaning in Guruvayur… The modernisation of the sewerage system will help contain the spread of epidemics and serious health challenges caused by them.”

Objective of developing Bandicoot

Bandicoot “the world’s first robotic Scavenger” is developed by the Genrobotics in order to eliminate manual scavenging providing respite for workers engaged in manhole cleaning.

How does Bandicoot work?

The major component of Bandicoot i.e. the robotic Tron Unit enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands. As per the company, this machine is waterproof and also has HD vision cameras and sensors that can detect harmful gases inside the manholes.

About Bandicoot

• Bandicoot is developed by Kerala based company Genrobotics and it had recently bagged ‘Kerala Pride’ award at the Huddle Global 2022 conclave. The conclave was organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
• As per the Director of Genrobotic Innovations, Vimal Govind M K, this technology will be cleaning all the commissioned sewerage and drainages in Kerala.
• In 2018, Kerala Water Authority began using Bandicoot to clean the manholes in Thiruvananthapuram and later it was also released in Ernakulam.
• Currently it is being used in 17 states in India and three Union Territories.

About Kerala Water Authority

Kerala Water Authority is established for the development and regulation of water supply and wastewater collection and disposal in the state of Kerala. It is a government-owned organisation and hence a monopoly in most parts of the state. The authority was founded on 1 April 1984. The headquarters of the Kerala Water Authority is located in Thiruvananthapuram.

News 4.

India ranks 42 in 55 countries on International IP Index

India ranks 42 in 55 countries on International IP Index

India maintains ranking in IP.

 On Friday, the US Chambers of Commerce released the data, according to which India ranks 42nd in 55 countries on the International IP Index, and is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven. However US ranks 1st, UK ranks 2nd, France ranks 3rd & Venezuela Ranking is 55 

What is International IP Index: 

The Index evaluates intellectual property rights across 55 global economies — from patent and copyright policies to commercialization of IP assets and ratification of international treaties. The United States earned the top score again, and 45 economies improved their overall score. 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce:

IP continues to be a massive economic driver for jobs and investment.  

Words of senior vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce 

Patrick Kilbride, Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce, Global Innovation Policy Centre who publishes the annual report, said,

“As India’s size and economic influence grows on the world stage, India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation.”

Kilbride added further,

“India has taken steps to improve enforcement against copyright-infringing content and provides a best-in-class framework to promote better understanding and utilisation of IP assets. However, addressing long-standing gaps in its IP framework will be critical to India’s ability to create a new model for the region and India’s continued economic growth,” 

Key Findings of International IP Index:

• The global IP environment has improved over the last decade. Challenges remain as many economies still receive low grades on their protection of intellectual property rights.
• New tools to combat IP infringement online helped strengthen protection for IP owners. However, historically, many economies have struggled to provide adequate copyright protection as the growth and scale of online piracy increased over the last decade.
• Enforcement against physical IP-infringing goods has failed to keep pace with the increase in the volume of international trade in counterfeits over the last ten years.
• IP-intensive goods and services were critical to the global response to COVID-19.
• Despite the critical role IP played in response to the pandemic, some World Trade Organization (WTO) members continued to push a proposal to “waive” international IP commitments.

About US Chambers of Commerce:

Founded: 22 April 1912

Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C., United States.

Founder: Charles Nagel

CEO: Suzanne P. Clark

News 5.

AURANGABAD AND OSMANABAD TO BE KNOWN WITH NEW NAMES

Aurangabad will now be renamed as `Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ while Osmanabad will be called `Dharashiv’

Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, approved the proposal and said the Central government had “no objection” to changing the names of both cities in the state. 

INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS

The demand to change the names of these cities was first raised by Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackrey several decades ago. However, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray took the decision to change these names in his last Cabinet meeting as chief minister before his government collapsed in 2022.

AURANGABAD

Aurangabad, got its name from the Last Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb Aalamgir. Grave  of Aurangzeb is also located near Aurangabad in a small town named Khuldabad. Aurangazeb was the last Mugal emperor.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state founded by his father. Sambhaji Maharaj was executed on Aurangzeb’s orders in 1689.

OSMANABAD

Osmanabad is a city and a municipal council in Osmanabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. City’s name Osmanabad derives from the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Mir Osman Ali Khan,  was the last Nizam of the Princely State of Hyderabad, the largest princely state in British India.

Dharashiv, the name of a cave complex near Osmanabad, dates back to the 8th century as per some scholars. They were carved in the 5th – 6th century AD and are the place of faith for Buddhist and Jain religions.

A king named Shiv from Ter, an ancient trading centre, built this cave complex after a water source was found in the area. `Dhara’ in Marathi means a flow or stream of water.

International 

News 1.

EU approves 10th package of Russia sanctions on anniversary of invasion

The EU stands united with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The Swedish EU Presidency has said that- after the hectic discussions, the European Union has approved a tenth package of Russia sanctions on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Statement of the Swedish EU Presidency

The EU Sanction for Ukraine

The package includes the-

• Tighter export restrictions regarding dual-use goods,
• Measures against entities supporting the war, spreading propaganda or delivering drones used by Russia.
• To cut off banks including the private Alfa-Bank and the online bank Tinkoff from the global system SWIFT
• Cut trade between the EU and Russia by more than 10 billion euros.
• To blacklist more individuals which includes the Russian propagandists and those who hold Kyiv responsible for deporting Ukrainian Children to Russia and the producers of the Iranian Drones deployed on the frontline.

Statement of the Warsaw

“The proposed restrictions on EU imports of Russian rubber included such a big quota of imports exempted and such long transition periods that they would have no effect in practice.”

Statement of the diplomat involved in the negotiations between the 27 EU countries and the Bloc’s hub Brussels

“This is very bad optics. What was supposed to be key here is a message of solidarity with Ukraine on this special day.” 

Statement of the EU

“The 10th round of sanctions against Russia since the war started was designed to make financing the war more difficult and starve Russia of tech equipment and spare parts for arms used against Ukraine.”

About European Union

The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states of Europe. The EU Countries includes- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Sweden holds the presidency for the European Union for the period of 1 January,2023 till 30 June, 2023.

News 2.

UN Secretary General calls on G20 finance ministers meeting in India to be bold in efforts to reform multilateral development banks

The Finance Track is at the core of the G20 process and provides an effective forum for global economic discourse and policy coordination.

Spokesperson of UN Chief has said that “UN chief Antonio Guterres thinks India’s G20 Presidency is “very important” and calls on the grouping’s finance ministers, currently gathered in Bengaluru, to be “bold” in their efforts to reform the multilateral development banks and in finding solutions to pressing debt challenges.”

Statements of Spokesperson for Guterres

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Chief Antonio Guterres said that-

“We obviously… I think India’s presidency of the G20 is very important and we look forward to it. I think for this particular meeting of the finance ministers, the Secretary-General calls on the G20 finance ministers to be bold in their efforts to reform the multilateral development banks and in the effort to find solutions to pressing debt challenges through the debt roundtable.”

About G20 presidency

• India took over the G20 presidency on December 1.
• The First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting is taking place from February 24-25, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• PM Modi has urged that the meeting’s discussions “should focus on the most vulnerable citizens of the world.”

Statement of PM Modi

“Only by creating an inclusive agenda will the global economic leadership win back the confidence of the world. The theme of our G20 Presidency also promotes this inclusive vision ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.”

“The COVID pandemic has delivered a once-in-a-Century blow to the global economy and many countries, especially developing economies, are still coping with its after-effects.”

“We are also witnessing rising geo-political tensions in different parts of the world. There are disruptions in global supply chains. Many societies are suffering due to rising prices. And, food and energy security have become major concerns across the world.”

“Even the financial viability of many countries is threatened by unsustainable debt levels.”

About the G20 finance ministers meeting in India 

The G20 Finance Ministers meeting is spread over 3 sessions which covers issues related to-

• Strengthening multilateral development banks to address shared global challenges of the 21st century, 
• Financing for resilient, inclusive and sustainable ‘cities of tomorrow’, and 
• Leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains.
• Global economy, global health, and international taxation. 

Click here to read more on the First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.

News 3.

Paudel set to become Nepal’s next president after PM Prachanda ditches Oli’s candidate

Paudel has filed the nomination with the backing of eight political parties.

Ram Chandra Paudel, Nepali Congress senior leader is set to become Nepal’s next president. He was endorsed by eight political parties, including the CPN-Maoist Centre of Prime Minister Prachanda.

About Presidential Election

• In the March 9 presidential election Ram Chandra Paudel will compete against CPN-UML’s Subas Nemwang.
• Today, Raudel and Nemwang have filed their candidacies.

Candidacy and filing of the nomination-

Ram Chandra Paudel

• Paudel has filed the nomination with the backing of eight political parties- Nepali Congress, CPN- Maoist Centre of Prime Minister Prachanda, CPN-Unified Socialist, Rastriya Janata Party, Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party, Rastriya Janamorcha, Nagarik Unmukti Party and Janamat Party.
• Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist Centre’s Senior vice-chair Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Federal Council Chairman of Janata Samajbadi Party Ashok Rai and Abdul Khan of Janamat Party was proposed by Poudel.
• Candidacy of Poudel was seconded by President of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party Mahanta Thakur, Congress vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, Nagarik Unmukti Party Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha, Chairman of the Rastriya Janamorcha Chitra Bahadur KC and Maoist Centre’s Hitraj Pande.

Subas Nemwang

• Candidacy of Nembang was proposed by UML Chairman Oli, Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung, secretaries Gokarna Raj Bista, Raghubir Mahaseth, and Chhabilal Bishwakarma.
• Candidacy of Nemwang is seconded by Party leaders Yogesh Bhattarai, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, Juli Kumari Mahaseth, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa, and Aman Kumar Maskey.

Reasons for the elections

The tenure of the current president, Bidya Devi Bhandari, will end on March 12.

Statement of the Former Premier Oli

“Prime Minister Prachanda told him that he was under pressure to support Paudel’s candidacy.”

“Prachanda expressed hope that Prachanda will help the UML candidate according to the agreement of December 25.”

India-Nepal Relations

Both countries enjoy excellent bilateral ties. They have close linguistic, marital, religious and cultural ties at people-to-people level between Indians and Nepalese.

About Nepal

Prime Minister- Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Capital– Kathmandu

Currency- Nepalese Rupee

News 4.

RRR Wins Best International Film At Hollywood Critics Association Awards

RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” has been nominated in the Best Original Song category at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards.

After winning at the Oscars and at the Golden Globes Award, RRR has now won the Best International Film honor at the Hollywood Critics Association Awards 2023, which took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The film RRR has beat Tom Cruise’s blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick in the category of the Best Action Film and also got honored for Best Original Song and Best Stunts as well. The film “Everything Everywhere All At Once” has won the award for the best film.

Acceptance Speech of the Director SS Rajamouli

Acceptance Speech by Actor Ram Charan

“I didn’t expect to come up on stage. I was just told by my director to accompany him. Thank you so much for giving us all this love. It’s a great response, so we are going to come back with better films and entertain you all. Thank you so much.”

Statement of Director Mani Ratnam

The Director Mani Ratnam has lauded Rajamouli’s work and said that- 

“His films — Baahubali 1 and 2 — had a huge impact on him. Explaining why, he had said, “I have been wanting to make this film called Ponniyin Selvan for years, and I could not find a way, till Baahubali came. The one huge thing it did was… it came in two parts. That you can tell a story in two parts and keep the audience glued. It just opened my… you know… possibility of me making the film. If Baahubali hadn’t come in two parts, I wouldn’t have been able to make Ponniyin Selvan. So, thank you very much.”

Click here to read more on RRR.

Click here to read more RRR nominations.

Legal

News 1.

NGT forms panel to look into petition claiming illegal manufacture of acid in Old Delhi

The dangerous fumes from illegal acid manufacturing is causing damage to the environment and affecting the health of the locals.

Current Affairs: A panel has been formed by the National Green Tribunal to look into a Petition which claims that acid is being illegally manufactured in an Old Delhi neighbourhood in Central district. This Petition was filed by a resident of Gali Kuan Wali, Lal Darwaza, Sirki Walan and as per the Petition, dangerous fumes are being released due to the illegal acid manufacturing. These dangerous fumes are causing damage to the environment and affecting the health of the locals. 

Statement of the bench

The bench comprises of Judicial Member Hon’ble Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Expert Member A Senthil Vel said that-

“In our view, the grievance at the first instance can be looked into and examined by the local authorities, for the purpose whereof, we constitute a joint committee comprising the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the deputy commissioner of police (north) and the district magistrate (north).”

“The DM would be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.”

Steps the committee will work on

The committee will look into the complaint and will-

• visit the site, 
• collect relevant information,
• check if there is any violation, 
• take appropriate remedial action within two months.

Statement of the Green Panel

“The said committee shall submit an action-taken report within three months.”

About Delhi Pollution Control Committee

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is a regulatory body that came into existence in 1991 after the Notification dated 15-3-1991 of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which delegated all its powers and functions to DPCC under section 4(4) of Water Act & Section 6 of Air Act. The Chairman of DPCC is Ashwani Kumar.

About National Green Tribunal

National Green Tribunal (India) had been set up under National Green Tribunal Act as a statutory body in 2010 to deal with environmental cases and speedy implementation of decisions relating to it. Its Chairman is Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.

News 2.

Essence of justice lies in speedy resolution of disputes: Justice Hima Kohli

Justice Kohli was delivering the keynote address at a seminar on ‘Evolution and Future of Military Jurisprudence – An Indian Army Perspective’

During a keynote address at a seminar on military jurisprudence, Supreme Court Justice Hima Kohli emphasized the importance of speedy resolution of disputes in the Indian legal system. 

She lamented the impact of the “groaning legal system” on the timelines for case settlement. Kohli pointed out that the rule of law is fundamental to any democratic society, and that alternative dispute resolution methods have opened doors to faster resolutions wherever possible.

Military Justice Must Adhere to the Rule of Law and Natural Justice Principles

• Justice Kohli stressed that military justice dispensation must ensure that the principles of natural justice and the rule of law are adhered to in every step of a trial conducted by military courts. 
• Impartiality during the trial is essential to ensure a fair hearing, she added. 
• Kohli said that the rule of law is a guarantee for all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status, and a right to seek justice whenever their rights, as enshrined in the Constitution and the statutes, are violated.

Indian Judicial System Adapts to Artificial Intelligence

• Justice Kohli noted that the Indian judicial system has adapted to artificial intelligence in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has hastened the process. 
• Virtual hearings and virtual courtrooms have made access to justice more accessible from remote areas of the country. 
• Kohli suggested that court-martials and summary trials can be conducted virtually, with witnesses and arguments presented on the virtual platform.

Vacancies in Armed Forces Tribunal Bench Led to Backlog of Cases

• Justice Kohli highlighted the vacancies in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) benches as a significant handicap. 
• The accumulation of over nineteen thousand cases across all AFTs has added to the backlog. However, she expressed hope that the recent appointments to fill 23 vacancies in AFTs would ease the backlog of cases. 
• She emphasized the importance of providing AFTs with:
  • adequate infrastructure, 
  • updated technology, and 
  • staff for effective and efficient functioning.

Non-Application of Judgments by Courts a Critical Area of Course Correction

Justice Kohli pointed out that the non-application of judgments by courts on policy issues is a critical area that requires a course correction. She observed that judgments on certain principles of law are not applied uniformly to all similarly situated personnel, which compels them to file independent petitions.

Landmark Judgment on Permanent Commission for Women in the Armed Forces

• Justice Kohli called attention to a landmark judgment that has positioned fairness and equality at the centre stage of the Indian Armed Forces. 
• The judgment opened the doors to the permanent commission for women who were earlier offered only short service commissions. 
• She said that offering a permanent commission to women officers is about recognizing the unique skills and abilities that women bring to the Armed Forces. By doing so, the armed forces show that they value women’s contributions and are committed to providing women with the same opportunities for career advancement as their male counterparts.

Indian Armed Forces

• The Government of India is responsible for ensuring the defence of India and every part thereof. 
• The Supreme Command of the Indian Armed Forces vests in the President. 
• The responsibility for national defence rests with the Cabinet.
• The Indian Armed Forces comprise of three divisions – the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.
• The Indian Army, established after independence, has six operational commands and one training command under the Chief of Army Staff. 
• The Indian Navy, with its foundation laid in the 17th century, has three area commands and is led by the Chief of the Naval Staff. 
• The Indian Air Force, officially established in 1932, underwent significant upgrades in the last few decades and also introduced a short service commission for women.

Important Days

News 1.

The National War Memorial (NWM) is observing its fourth anniversary on February 25,2023

On February 25, 2023, the National War Memorial (NWM) marked its fourth anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Air Marshal BR Krishna, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), along with Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Officiating Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, laid a wreath at the iconic monument and paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

National War Memorial 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019. 
• The iconic monument houses the eternal flame, which exemplifies a soldier’s supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, making him immortal. 
• Since its inception, all homage ceremonies, including those on National Days, have been held solely at the NWM. Foreign dignitaries and delegations have been visiting the NWM to honour the supreme sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces’ fallen soldiers.

Varied Initiatives at NWM

The government launched several initiatives to bring the brave acts of the Bravehearts to the greatest number of people, particularly the youth, to instil a sense of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty. The initiatives have received a positive response from the general public.

• Interactive screens are installed in the vicinity of the Memorial for people to pay digital tributes to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the Nation. A massive 12.76 lakh digital tributes were paid since February 25, 2022, by 24.94 lakh visitors.
• Guided tours are being organized at the NWM for school students to recognize the importance of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation and to inspire the youth to contribute to nation-building
• The NWM has also been organizing patriotic school band performances. To date, more than 70 schools and 832 participants have demonstrated their musical prowess.

Digital Tributes

Interactive screens were installed in the vicinity of the Memorial, allowing people to pay digital tributes to the fallen heroes. Since February 25, 2022, 24.94 lakh visitors from all walks of life paid a staggering 12.76 lakh digital tributes.

Guided Tours for Students

To recognise the significance of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation and inspire the youth to contribute to Nation Building, guided tours are being organised at the NWM for school students. Since the last anniversary, over 1,460 schools, with a strength of more than 1.80 lakh students, have visited the Memorial.

School Band Performances

The NWM has also been organising school band performances with patriotic flair. To date, more than 70 schools with 832 participants have showcased their musical brilliance. An online form-based process facilitating online registration for band performance has been created on the Memorial’s web portal.

Homage Ceremonies

The iconic monument houses the eternal flame, symbolising the supreme sacrifice made by a soldier in the line of duty and making them immortal. Since its inauguration, all homage ceremonies have been conducted at the NWM, including those on National Days. Eminent dignitaries and delegations from foreign countries have been visiting the NWM to honour the supreme sacrifice of fallen soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces.

Nation Building Events

The NWM provides a platform to organise events to promote national integration and inspire the spirit of nation-building. The stage show ‘Kargil: Ek Shaurya Gaatha’ by the National School of Drama and the painting exhibition by Lalit Kala Akademi, on the theme ‘Shaurya Gaatha’, witnessed a large number of visitors. Eminent sportspersons, including Olympians and National Sports and Adventure awardees, visited the NWM to pay their respects.

Honours and Tributes

Recipients of coveted civilian honours – Padma awards, Lalit Kala & Sangeet Kala Akademi awards and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards – visited the Memorial in the last year to pay their solemn tributes to the fallen soldiers, validating the significance and prominence of the NWM as a national monument.

Memorial’s Significance and Dedication

The NWM stands as a symbol of the sacrifices made by brave soldiers since Independence. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated it to the nation on February 25, 2019. The Government took several initiatives to make the gallant deeds of these brave hearts known to the public, especially the youth, inculcating a sense of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty. These initiatives have received an encouraging response from the public.