New Delhi, May 14: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today addressed the President’s Colour Award ceremony of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad as the Chief Guest. Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Director General of NDRF and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said that the conferment of the ‘President’s Colour’ on NDRF is not merely a recognition of the commendable services of NDRF, but also an acknowledgment by the Hon’ble President of the contributions made by SDRFs, the entire machinery from Panchayats to States, NCC, NSS and thousands of Disaster volunteers engaged in service. He said that NDRF personnel go anywhere in the country with the motto “Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra”. Shri Shah said that wherever NDRF personnel have gone, in India or abroad, they have earned love and trust. Whenever a disaster strikes or is anticipated anywhere in the country, people feel reassured when NDRF personnel arrive believing that now rescue operations will succeed. Shri Shah said that over the last 20 years since its establishment, NDRF has earned the trust of 140 crore citizens through its successful operations during floods, earthquakes, cyclones and other disasters across the country. He said, the sight of NDRF personnel, who have saved more than 1.5 lakh lives and evacuated over 9 lakh people to safer locations, inspires a strong sense of security and trust.

Union Home Minister said that the conferment of the President’s Colour is recognition of the service, courage, valour and dedication of the entire NDRF. He said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NDRF have established India prominently on the global map in the field of disaster response, which is a matter of pride for all citizens and a special matter of pride for him as the Home Minister of the country.

Amit Shah said that projects worth more than Rs. 116 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones laid today. He expressed confidence that these projects would further strengthen NDRF’s ability to protect citizens from all kinds of disasters.

Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, since 2014 India has not only worked towards Disaster Risk Reduction, but has now reached a stage where the country can move towards the goal of zero casualty. Wherever prior information about disasters is available through forecasting and the Meteorological Department, the objective is to ensure protection of lives and property. He added that NDMA has taken several policy decisions, issued numerous guidelines, successfully promoted public awareness and gradually making disaster preparedness a national culture.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that NDRF has set an excellent example by rescuing not only citizens but also speechless animals living alongside them. He said the aim is to ensure zero loss of human life and minimal damage to property during disasters.

Amit Shah said that the Ministry of Home Affairs is also fully prepared to effectively tackle serious challenges like heatwaves. He said, the Modi Government is working towards reducing heatwave-related deaths to zero.

Amit Shah said that the Ministry of Home Affairs and NDRF have placed great emphasis on capacity building and community participation. NDRF has undertaken the monumental task of training more than 8,500 personnel, over 10,000 civil defence workers and more than 2.20 lakh volunteers. He added that over 10,500 boatmen have also been trained in the last two years.

Union Home Minister said that Disaster volunteers would prove highly useful in strengthening community-based disaster response and tackling all kinds of emergencies. He said, earlier, the response while dealing with disaster management was primarily relief-oriented, but the Modi Government has transformed it from being reactive to preventive and productive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established the concept of minimizing loss of life and property due to disasters as a global model. Over the last 12 years, disaster preparedness has evolved from being merely a system into a complete ecosystem. From Gram Panchayats to the Government of India, from IMD scientists to ordinary citizens, a new culture of coordinated action towards a common objective has emerged.

Amit Shah said that India had witnessed several devastating natural disasters such as the Odisha Super Cyclone, Gujarat earthquake and Indian Ocean tsunami, which shook the lives of people across the country. Which highlighted the need for a robust disaster management framework. Subsequently, the Disaster Management Act was enacted, and NDMA and NDRF were established. He said that with 16 battalions, NDRF has today become a powerful force. Through its working methods, training support to SDRFs and joint operations, NDRF has enhanced its own strength. Measures like proactive deployment and pre-positioning have proved effective in minimizing damage. Shri Shah recalled that the 2008 Kosi floods in Bihar were a major test for NDRF. Subsequently, NDRF successfully handled many disasters such as flash floods in Dharali, cloudbursts in Chasoti, floods in Jammu, Punjab and Delhi, Cyclone Montha and Cyclone Ditwah. He said that NDRF has also worked effectively with society during major events like the Amarnath Yatra, Mahakumbh, Char Dham Yatra, Mani Mahesh Yatra, Sabarimala pilgrimage and the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Modi’s 10-point agenda and 360-degree approach in disaster management have given a new direction to disaster risk management. It has strengthened areas such as risk mapping, early warning systems, community participation and formulation of guidelines. Shri Shah said that globally, India has emerged as an undisputed leader and first responder in disaster management. The principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ has been translated into practice and implemented on the ground. Inspired by Prime Minister Modi, India has taken global leadership in the field of disaster resilient infrastructure. Today, 48 countries have joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and are working together with India in this direction.

Amit Shah congratulated all personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) across the country and said that since 2021 CAPF personnel have planted more than 7 crore trees nationwide. He said that this reflects the humanitarian outlook and environmental awareness of all CAPFs.

New Delhi, May 14: The NIT Rourkela has launched four new academic programmes for the 2026-27 session aimed at building a skilled workforce in emerging areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing, officials said.

The institute will now offer two B Tech programmes — in Mathematics and Computing, and Engineering Physics — along with two M Tech degrees — in Semiconductor Devices and Technology, and Machine Learning and Signal Analysis.

According to the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, the new additions have been designed in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and seek to strengthen interdisciplinary education, advanced research and industry-oriented learning.

Dean (Academic) Prof Ashok Kumar Turuk said the programmes reflect the growing importance of subjects such as physics and mathematics in powering emerging technologies and industrial transformation.

“Aligned with the vision of NEP 2020, the future of higher education lies in multidisciplinary learning, flexibility, skill integration and research-driven innovation,” he said.

“These programs represent an important step towards building a future-ready workforce for India’s growing deep-tech and knowledge economy,” Turuk added.

The B Tech in Mathematics and Computing programme, offered by the Department of Mathematics, will cover areas such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, cryptography, statistical modelling and advanced computing. The inaugural batch will admit 25 students through JEE Main.

Head of the Department Prof Manas Ranjan Tripathy said the programme aims to prepare students for careers in AI and machine learning (ML), software development, fintech, cybersecurity, data analytics and research.

“Mathematics today is far beyond conventional calculations and theoretical learning; it has become the foundation of artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, quantitative finance, cryptography, advanced computing and digital technologies,” Tripathy said.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has introduced two programmes — BTech in Engineering Physics and MTech in Semiconductor Devices and Technology.

The Engineering Physics programme will focus on areas including quantum technologies, semiconductor devices, photonics, nanotechnology, materials science, cryogenics, optoelectronics, spintronics, astronomy and space technology, high-energy physics, and biophysics, among others. Admissions for the first batch of 25 students will be through JEE Main.

The MTech programme in Semiconductor Devices and Technology will train students in semiconductor devices, IC fabrication, wafer technology, packaging technologies and simulation techniques. The inaugural batch will have 15 seats and admissions will be through GATE.

Head of the Department Prof Jyoti Prakash Kar said the programmes are aligned with the India Semiconductor Mission, National Quantum Mission and National Space Mission and aim to support research and workforce development in strategic technology sectors.

The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering has also launched an MTech in Machine Learning and Signal Analysis with an intake of 12 students through GATE.

The programme will focus on deep learning, speech and image processing, autonomous systems, wireless communication and biomedical signal analysis, the institute said.

New Delhi, May 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE tomorrow is of great significance and importance as two leaders will discuss measure to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set to ink two pacts in the areas of “LPG and Strategic Petroleum Reserves” aimed at enhancing long-term energy security and deepening cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.

The two leaders are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions on further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During the visit, which begins tomorrow, both sides will review progress in key sectors such as trade, energy, defence, investment, technology and infrastructure, while exploring new avenues of cooperation in emerging areas, UAE media reports quoting the Emirate officials.

The visit also reflects the strong political understanding and growing strategic convergence between the two countries, which have developed close ties over the past decade. Apart from expanding economic and commercial engagement, the discussions are expected to focus on regional and global developments, including stability in West Asia, energy security and connectivity initiatives.

This is Mr. Modi’s eighth trip to the Abu Dhabi since taking office in 2014 and comes at one of the most volatile moments in the Gulf region, underscoring the extraordinary strategic importance New Delhi now places on its rapidly expanding defence and energy partnership with Abu Dhabi.

The UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2022 – the first CEPA signed by the Emirates – pushing bilateral trade between the countries beyond $85 billion. The agreement made India the UAE’s largest trading partner, with the UAE becoming India’s third-largest trading partner.