New Delhi, May 11: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday hailed the contributions of Indian scientists, engineers and technicians on the occasion of National Technology Day.

In a post on X, Singh said, “On National Technology Day, India salutes the scientists, engineers and technicians who contribute by developing new technologies for bringing positive change in our lives.”

The Defence Minister also recalled India’s Nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998.

“We proudly recall the exceptional efforts of our scientists that led to the successful Pokhran tests in 1998. It was a defining moment in India’s history,” Rajnath Singh said.

Congress party also extend wishes on the occasion, remembering India’s remarkable journey of technological development.

“On National Technology Day, we celebrate India’s remarkable journey of technological advancement. From breakthroughs in science, space, IT, and healthcare to empowering citizens, technology continues to shape India’s growth and aspirations for a brighter future,” the party posted on X.

The celebration of National Technology Day was started by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 to honour Indian scientists, engineers and technologists, who worked for India’s scientific and technological advancement and ensured the successful conduct of Pokhran tests in May 1998.

Since then, National Technology Day is observed every year on May 11.

India conducted Pokhran-II tests, a series of five nuclear explosions, in May 1998 at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. It was overseen by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The test was also led by scientific figures including R Chidambaram and APJ Abdul Kalam.

India has developed some of the finest digital public goods infrastructure which could change lives the world over. The next in line could be its Open Network for Digital Commerce which currently is in its nascent stage of adoption. Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is aimed at promoting open source networks for all to exchange goods and services on the internet, and most importantly it is independent of any specific platform.

India has taken the path of building public digital infrastructure for serving citizens and UPI, and Jan Dhan, Aadhar and CoWin are some of the examples.

Coming to UPI, India’s flagship instant payment solution, its adoption has grown leaps and bounds. Payments through digital means in India are hitting fresh highs, as its citizens are increasingly adopting the emerging modes of transacting on the internet. UPI is India’s mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer.

UPI is India’s mobile-based fast payment system, which enables customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer.

New Delhi, May 10: In an effort to enhance investor outreach and streamline the process of reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) organised a preparatory meeting in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in Mumbai.

This strategic meeting marks a crucial milestone in the rollout of “Niveshak Shivir” – a nationwide investor assistance initiative aimed at enabling investors to reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares with greater ease, improving financial literacy and reducing reliance on intermediaries, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

The “Niveshak Shivir” initiative will commence later this month in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand to other cities with high volumes of unclaimed investor asset.

The initiative will feature dedicated helpdesks, allowing investors to interact directly with company representatives and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs) for end-to-end assistance.

To facilitate better communication with shareholders whose shares are liable for transfer to the IEPFA, several action points were deliberated at the meeting.

As part of the action points, shareholders holding shares in dematerialised form, due for transfer to IEPFA, are encouraged to contact the respective company directly for clarification and support and shareholders holding shares in physical form should verify the status of their shares on the IEPFA website.

If the shares have already been transferred, they can initiate a claim by filing Form IEPF-5. Alternatively, they may contact the company’s Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) for assistance.

The IEPFA provides a search facility that enables shareholders to check whether their shares have been transferred to the IEPFA or are still with the company. This allows claimants to determine the current status of their shares, facilitating timely action and minimizing delays in the recovery process.

The meeting was attended by Anita Shah Akella, CEO of IEPFA and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, along with IEPFA officials.

Mumbai, May 10: The Managing Director (MD) and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Ashish Kumar Chauhan, on Saturday expressed his appreciation for the Government’s unwavering efforts to bring peace and stability to the country.

Chauhan lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging his strong support for the Indian Armed Forces in ensuring the security and safety of the nation.

“@nseindia heartily welcomes the decision by India and Pakistan to cease hostilities immediately,” Chauhan wrote on the social media platform X.

“Kudos to the Indian Government’s efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his unwavering support to our brave Armed Forces for ensuring peace and stability for our country,” he added.

The commendation comes on the heels of the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.

This decision was made following a productive conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries, leading to an agreement to stop all firings and military actions across land, air, and sea, effective from 5 p.m. on May 10.

The ceasefire, agreed upon by both India and Pakistan, marks a pivotal moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The international community has also welcomed this development, as it reflects a mutual commitment to reducing tensions and building a foundation for peace in the region.

Meanwhile, last month, the NSE pledged Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of the victims of the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Chauhan stated last month that the organisation stood in solidarity with the families of the victims during this difficult time.

“We were deeply saddened by the tragic terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, in which 26 people lost their lives,” Chauhan wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

“In a humble gesture of support, NSE pledged Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of the victims, standing in solidarity with their families during this difficult time,” he added.