The Indian Weekender, 16 October 2020

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14 FIJI Friday, October 16, 2020 The Indian Weekender Monument marks Fiji’s New system to assist history and strive forward Fijians during disaster: No virus, no once-in-a-century region and a destination for visitors crisis could temper the love from all around the world. we share for our nation, our The monument is one of many that NDMO people, our home. will be built throughout a new Suva Officiating at the launch, That was the message relayed by heritage walk which will tell the Minister for Disaster Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama city’s story. Management Inia Seruiratu yesterday at the unveiling of a It also pays tribute to all frontline says disaster demands the commemorative monument to mark workers, including doctors, nurses, quick dissemination of accurate Fiji’s 50th Year of Independence. lab technicians and members of information to ensure Fijians He said history would remember the discipline forces whose tireless are updated with happenings that even as Fijians endured great efforts and sacrifice have spared around them. adversity the country marked its 50th Fijians from the worst of COVID-19. Seruiratu says Fijians must be birthday with patriotism and pride. Mr Bainimarama reiterated that equipped with vital information The monument, as he explained, while the pandemic continues to rage before and when a disaster strikes. was strategically located in the overseas, the good health of Fijian heart of nearly 140-years of history, before, all the way back to 1882 from its colonial past. I love that this citizens is the greatest blessing, due along Queen Elizabeth’s Drive, in when the seat of the then-colonial city has grown and modernised, yet to successful containment efforts. "Every the shadow of the Grand Pacific administration was moved here from kept its character. And I love that “We are safe – at home in the Hotel, across Albert Park, Thurston Levuka,” Mr Bainimarama said. today we have a chance to celebrate safest place in the world. The lives of Fijians Gardens, down the way from State “I’m proud of what we have done this city and its history. But today is our most vulnerable are not at risk,” knows how House, and a stone’s throw away in recent years to bring life back not only about our past.” he said. important that from Parliament and the seat of into this section of our capital, with He said Suva as a premier city He also mentioned that a nurse Government. upgrades and refurbishments which in the South Pacific must continue who contracted the virus while “This new monument is dedicated have restored Suva’s shine. becoming a better home for its working in an isolation facility had to Suva City, our capital through “I love that we have been able to citizens, a hub of finance, technology, made full recovery and has since our independent history and long preserve and use the architecture and telecommunications for the returned home. Indian monthly magazine features PM Bainimarama and PM Modi Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi are featured on the front cover of this month’s issue of the India Empire magazine. The New Delhi based magazine was first published in 2004. It focuses on Diaspora, Diplomacy, Business and Politics. In an interview with the magazine, Fiji High Commissioner to India Yogesh Punja said Fiji’s achievements had been driven by its strategic location in the heart of the South Pacific and cost-competitive location for investors. He said Fiji had become an export-driven economy spurred by high technology, knowledge-based and capital-intensive industries to the Pacific. “The establishment of a modern and inclusive 2013 Fijian Constitution, along with an unprecedented programme of administrative reforms across Government; substantial and Work on getting the multimillion dollar New Zealand and Fiji Police Strengthening Program is expected to get underway next month. A joint announcement was made by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his NZ counterpart Jacinda Arden in February this year to find new ways to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of their people, both agreeing to expand security partnership into policing cooperation. Following a Zoom meeting held this week with New Zealand Police’s Inspector Paris Razos, senior Fiji Police Directors and NZ High Commission to Fiji Representatives held discussions on preliminary work to be carried out before his arrival in Fiji in November. "Fiji has also emerged as a respected advocate on some of the greater challenges facing humanity, including climate change, sustainable development and the preservation of our oceans." consistent public investment in infrastructure, public utilities, education, health and social inclusion; and a concerted effort to position Fiji as the hub of economic activity and regional engagement in the Pacific,” he said. “Fiji has also emerged as a respected advocate on some of the greater challenges facing humanity, including climate change, sustainable development and the preservation of our oceans.” Mr Punja stated that Fiji and India shared deep and enduring ties of history and culture and a common global challenge of peace and cooperation in the interlinked ocean regions. “India expands its cooperation in defence and security, including assistance in defence training and capacity building, enabling environment for Fiji to expand its economic diplomacy through trade and investments, development assistance, cultural cooperation, closer collaboration in areas of information NZ and Fiji Police strengthening programme to begin soon Fiji Police Director International Relations SSP Ulaiasi Ravula says the first Zoom meeting was to allow the Directors from the Criminal Investigations Department, K9, Training, Corporate Services and Drugs to assist IP Razos understands the specific needs required in their specialized fields. The partnership programme between the New Zealand Police and Fiji Police will focus on combatting transnational crime and enhancing investigative skills. Ravula adds that the Fiji Police Force is looking forward to working with IP Razos who comes with extensive years of experience in international training development. The New Zealand Government will be investing $11million over three years into the program. technology with the establishment of centre for excellence in information and technology in Fiji, scholarship opportunities, cultural exchanges, Agricultural, health, medical, education and many more.” he said. “Every Fijians knows how important that mission must be as we are already experiencing cyclones in Fiji are becoming more severe. Winston may have broken records in 2016 but the next unprecedented superstorm could strike anytime of the year so we must be prepared every time everywhere.” NDMO Director Vasiti Soko says the system will help Fijians identify their nearest evacuation centre and will also provide safety measures that can be followed during a disaster. “Preparedness save lives. Introducing such a tool, we hope that we can improve the ability of people to move to the nearest evacuation centre when threats are starting to come their way.” As we near the cyclone season, the NDMO will be providing awareness materials which will create behavioural changes and preparedness to help Fijians. Ambassador Khan reaffirms Fiji’s relationship with the UN Fiji’s Mission in Geneva has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna. This is in advancing Fiji’s interests and development priorities. The Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nation Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan said Fiji has made remarkable achievements and recognition in areas of UN peacekeeping, multilateralism, human rights, climate change, inclusivity and sovereignty. She says Fiji’s Mission in Geneva is working closely with the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in ensuring the Bill of Rights is relative to all Fijians. Ambassador Khan reiterated that integrating human rights and climate action with a focus on Blue mission must be as we are already experiencing cyclones in Fiji are becoming more severe. Oceans Economy is central to the work carried out by the Fiji Mission in Geneva. In paying tribute to all those who have supported the Mission’s work, Ambassador Khan thanked Fiji’s development partners, Mission staff and diaspora for their tremendous support to the Mission.
The Indian Weekender Friday, October 16, 2020 INDIA 15 India: Coronavirus cases Confirmed: 6,310,267 | Deaths: 98,708 Recovered: 5,270,007 India expected to have Covid vaccine from more than one source by early next year: Health minister India is expected to have a Covid-19 vaccine from more than one source by early next year and the government is formulating distribution strategies for the immunisation of people across the country, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday. “We’re expecting that early next year we should have vaccine in the country from more than one source. We are formulating strategies for planned distribution of the vaccine in the country,” he said in a tweet after chairing the 21st meeting of the High-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on Covid-19 through videoconference. Vardhan had earlier said a Covid-19 vaccine is likely to be available by the first quarter of 2021. He had also said the Centre estimates to receive and utilise 40-50 crore doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, covering 20-25 crore people, by July next year. On Sunday, the minister said considering the large population size of India, one vaccine or vaccine manufacturer will not be able to fulfil the requirements of vaccinating the entire country and added that the government is open to assessing the feasibility of introducing several Covid-19 vaccines in the country in accordance with their availability. Vardhan further said the country’s preparedness to make a Covid-19 vaccine available to its citizens was reviewed at the GoM meet. He added that work is going on around 200 vaccine candidates across the world, of which 151 are in pre-clinical stages and about 40-42 are in various clinical trial stages. Nine vaccine candidates are in an advanced clinical trial stage, of which three are in India. Modi offers India’s COVID-19 vaccine capacity to ‘all humanity’ Prime minister says India moving ahead with thirdphase trial before mass production as country’s cases, deaths surge. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged at the United Nations that his country’s vaccine production capacity would be made available globally to fight the coronavirus crisis. “As the largest vaccine-producing country of the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today,” Modi said in a prerecorded speech to the UN General Assembly. “India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.” Modi made the pledge even as India is struggling to contain the spread of the virus, which has already infected 5.9 million Indians and left more than 93,000 dead nationwide – the third-highest fatality toll in the world. Modi said India was moving ahead with phase three clinical trials – the large-scale trials considered the gold standard for determining safety and efficacy – and would help all countries enhance their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of vaccines. Modi said in August that India was ready to massproduce COVID-19 vaccines when scientists gave the goahead. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been pushing for a “people’s vaccine” that is available and affordable everywhere and expressed concern on Tuesday that some countries were “reportedly making side deals exclusively for their own populations.” The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the "digitization" and "cyberization" of engagements - work from Home has become a new norm. There is a greater dependence on digital payment platforms due to reduced cash handling. The 2nd ASEAN-India Track 1.5 Dialogue on Cyber Issues held virtually focused upon cooperation and security in the digital and cyber domain in the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the "digitization" and "cyberization" of engagements - work from Home has become a new norm. There is "Australia’s pledge is clear: if we find the vaccine we will share it. That’s the pledge we all must make." “Such ‘vaccinationalism’ is not only unfair, it is self-defeating. None of us is safe until all of us are safe. Everybody knows that,” Guterres told the General Assembly Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the General Assembly on Friday: “Whoever finds the vaccine must share it.” “Some might see short-term advantage, or even profit,” Morrison said. “But I assure you to anyone who may think along those lines, humanity will have a very long memory and be a very, very severe judge. “Australia’s pledge is clear: if we find the vaccine we will share it. That’s the pledge we all must make,” Morrison said. Pope Francis told the UN on Friday that the poor and weakest members of society should get preferential treatment when a coronavirus vaccine is ready. a greater dependence on digital payment platforms due to reduced cash handling. Presence on social media has also increased. It was discussed in the meeting that with increased interconnectedness, the dangers related to cybercrime is also on the rise. COVID-19 related frauds, phishing campaigns, and online sale of fake medical supplies and PPEs are on the rise too. Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry highlighted the dangers involved with cybercrimes. "Increased dependence on digital technologies has created both pressures and opportunities for World: Coronavirus cases Confirmed: 34,153,075 | Deaths: 1,018,732 Recovered: 25,424,847 NEWS in BRIEF India's human space flight may face slight delay: ISRO chief India's human space flight mission Gaganyaan will be "slightly delayed" owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic even as ISRO resumes rocket launch activities from the first week of November, space agency chief K. Sivan said on Monday. Answering a query at the plenary session of the International Astronautical Congress 2020, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman said India's first human space flight was targeted in August 2022, but owing to Covid-19's impact on the operations, the there will be a slight slip in meeting the mission's target date. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2018, had said when the nation is celebrating 75th year of Independence in 2022, an Indian son or daughter will be flying into space under the Gaganyaan mission. Sivan said that the Gaganyaan mission has advanced well and the country is taking the help of other space-faring nations like Russia for training the astronauts and some other critical aspects, France in the space medical area and is also approaching US space agency NASA. India-Mexico exploring ways to promote tourism To strengthen trade ties, India and Mexico will explore ways to promote tourism and enhance people to people contact. This was decided at the fifth meeting of the India-Mexico Bilateral High Level Group on Trade, Investment and Cooperation (BHLG) held earlier this month, an official communique said on Tuesday. "Both sides discussed a number of bilateral ongoing and outstanding issues, ranging from ‘Audio-visual Co-production, Bilateral Investment Treaty', market access for agricultural products, a cooperation framework on ‘Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) & Technical Barriers to Trade' (TBT) measures between the two countries, co-operation in the ‘Intellectual Property Rights', and exploring ways to promote tourism and people-topeople contact between India and Mexico," the communique said. "They also agreed to expand and diversify the bilateral trade relationship to tap the potential of the complementarities between India and Mexico through enhanced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare, agro-products, fisheries, food processing and aerospace industry etc." Govt chalks out plan for storage of Covid-19 vaccine With several experimental vaccines against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) reaching late-stage trials, the government has started making logistical arrangements for procurement, storage and distribution to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of a vaccine, when one becomes available The Centre has begun identifying both government and private facilities to create hubs for vaccine storage. The focus is on maintaining cold storage as most vaccines require to be stored and distributed at a fixed temperature, failing which the vaccine becomes ineffective. Under the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 that is chaired by Dr VK Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog, there are subgroups looking into various aspects of vaccine development, procurement and distribution, including one that looks at cold chain requirements. “The subgroup has already mapped the existing cold chain that is presently being utilized under the immunisation programme of the government, and it has also made a projection of the additionality that will be required. ASEAN-India Summit focuses on cyber security during Covid creative policy solutions and regional collaboration to foster a secure, resilient and equitable cyberspace," he said. In view of the lurking dangers involved with it, Mr Singh laid stress on the enhanced need to formulate and implement measures for securing cyber domain from the malicious actors. He also stressed on the Indian initiative to tackle the situation with flagship Digital India programme - Pradhan Mantri Grameen Digital Shaksharta Abhiyan (Prime Minister's Rural Digital Literacy Campaign) and National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 for the next five years.
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The Indian Weekender, 16 October 2020

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