France lends support to India over Kashmir issue, says didn't let China play any games in UNSC

Macron waves goodbye to France's elite school for top civil servants

President Macron unveils plans to scrap France’s elite government school, the ENA, and inject more diversity into the recruitment of top civil servants.

Macron proposes scrapping elite school under civil service reforms

Macron announces French school closure, nationwide restrictions

'No country has any business...': India's VP Naidu warns other nations on J&K

Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, delivered a clear warning to other nations on April 9. Speaking at the convocation ceremony at Indian Institute of Management, Jammu, he said that the Union Territory is an integral part of India. Stating that India has the capability to solve its own problems, he asked other nations to refrain from commenting on the J&K dispute or other Indian issus, and instead focus on their own domestic problems. Watch the full video for more.

VP Naidu advises other countries to not give 'unasked' advice on J and K matter

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu attended convocation ceremony of Indian Institute of Management Jammu. He said, "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. We are capable of solving our problems and no country for that matter has any business to interfere or make comments on internal affairs of another country. I advise some friends, who are trying to give unasked advice in between and make commentaries, to confine themselves to their domestic problems. We are capable of taking care of our own problems. They need not worry about us."

Netherlands PM applauds India for 'Vaccine Maitri' programme

Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte during virtual meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded India for its 'Vaccine Maitri' programme for helping countries amid pandemic. "I appreciate your govt's efforts to support Dutch investors who faced challenges last year during the first wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Your support helped ensure the continuation of trade between our countries even in those difficult times," said Netherlands PM Mark Rutte. He added, "We applaud India for the 'Vaccine Maitri' programme. We also congratulate India on its election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. In our view, India is an obvious candidate for a permanent seat of an expanded council."

'We stand for restoration of democracy in Myanmar': MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on persisting turmoil in Myanmar said that Ministry condemns any use of violence and stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. "We condemn any use of violence. We believe that the rule of law should prevail. We stand for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. We've urged the release of political prisoners and supported any attempts at resolving the current situation including through efforts of ASEAN," said MEA Spokesperson. "We remain engaged on this issue with our international interlocutors and at the UNSC, in an effort to play a balanced and constructive role," he added. "As far as border crossings are concerned, we are dealing with it as per our laws and humanitarian considerations," he further added.

UN Security Council 'strongly' condemns Myanmar violence, civilian deaths

Rhododendron flowers on verge of extinction in Himalayas

Rhododendron flowers are on the verge of its extinction in Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh. The environmentalists and the scientists are worried about the extinction. The state had already declared the pink Rhododendron as the 'state flower of Himachal Pradesh' as this flower is endangered wild flower species. Suresh C Attri, Environment Officer said, "The Rhododendron flower is also 'State flower'. The plant of this flower is found in 1,500 meters to 3,000 meters in north Indian Himalayan region. With the rise in temperature and rainfall, it has been worsely affected. It survives in the temperature below 15 degree Celsius and acidic soil. Researchers had also confirmed its extinction. We need to conserve and save it across the Himalayas."

Author Sunder Hemrajani on lessons for leading in crisis, and why empathy is critical

Author Sunder Hemrajani says that organising and mounting a high-altitude trekking expedition in Himalayas is no less than leading and managing a business enterprise in a high-risk environment. In his book ‘Beyond The Mountains -Overcoming The Challenges Within’, he argues that emerging leaders can take away key lessons from trekking expedition including collaboration, empathy, teamwork and commitment. Watch this video for his leadership lessons for young leaders and managers.

Nepal to begin inoculation drive for elderlies from next month

As the vaccination drive has already been kicked off in the Himalayan nation, the inoculation drive for elderly and most vulnerable age groups will commence from next month. Nepal has received the first batch of one million COVISHIELD Vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India on Sunday via Air India flight. The vaccines would be used to inoculate people above 60 years of age, which is 8.73 per cent of Nepal's population, in the vaccination drive that will begin on March 7. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, there are 2,652,258 elderly people above 60 years in the country. On January 21st 2021, Nepal had received a total of One Million COVISHIELD Vaccine from India under grant assistance.