Taiwan’s air force apologized to the public as it announced that it would conduct late-night flight training to counter the increasing threat level posed by the Chinese military in Taiwan’s air and sea space. In a press release issued yesterday evening, March 5, Air Force Command said that it would comply with instructions from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to increase nighttime combat skills and tactical execution experience for pilots of various types of aircraft to enhance preparedness and safeguard airspace security. The late-night missions will span over midnight, and the air force apologized for any impact it may have on the general public. Air Force Command asked for public understanding, saying the missions are necessary for rigorous training to prepare for potential threats and challenges. The announcement comes after an increase in harassments by the Chinese Communist Party via gray zone warfare tactics employed by the Chinese military, and more recently by the Chinese Coast Guard. For decades, military aircraft abided by a tacit understanding that there was a median line in the Taiwan Strait which neither side’s military crossed over. In March 2019, two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighter jets crossed the mid-strait and flew 43 nautical miles into the Taiwan side, forcing intercepts by Taiwan’s Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). This was the beginning of an increasing number of incursions, and a declaration by CCP officials that there is no center-line in the Taiwan Strait. Incursions and encirclements by China’s military aircraft have become a daily occurrence, constituting a “new normal” since 2020. Yesterday, March 5, Taiwan’s MND announced that in the 24 hours to 6:00 am, a total of 12 PLAAF aircraft and 6 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships were tracked in Taiwan’s air and sea identification zones, including two aircraft and one balloon that crossed the median line. Also yesterday, March 5, China’s finance ministry announced a 7.2% increase in its military budget while calling for “reunification” with Taiwan. Previous announcements had always used the term “peaceful reunification,” but the word “peaceful” appears to have dropped out of the CCPs political parlance. Among military officials who spoke to the Taiwan Legislative Yuan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee this morning, Minister of the Veterans Affairs Council, Feng Shih-kuan, a retired air force general, spoke to public concerns raised by the media about the impact of late night flights taking off and landing at airbases around the island. Feng said that when he was a commander at Tainan Air Base, members of the public had complained about aircraft taking off and landing after 9:00 pm, but the situation has changed now. Shih said that when people hear planes taking off late at night now, they understand that the planes are on an intercept mission, and their thoughts are with the pilots, hoping for a safe return.

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) organized a 7 days Capacity Development Training Program under the project “Mid-term Review and Updating of Revised Strategic Transport Plan for DTCA Area” at the BIAM foundation, Eskaton, Dhaka.  The closing and certificate awarding program was presided over by Ms. Neelima Akhter, Executive Director, DTCA which was held on 3rd February 2024. The honorable Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, A B M Amin Ullah Nuri was the Chief guest of the opening program. The city is already facing chronic traffic congestion and if we do not take the necessary action now, the situation will further deteriorate. To address the rapid population growth and increasing traffic demand in the DTCA jurisdiction area, a transport master plan was developed in 2005 by the then DTCB known as the Strategic Transport Plan, STP. Later, it was revised in 2016 by DTCA with JICA’s assistance which is known as the Revised Strategic Transport Plan, RSTP.  Several projects were proposed in RSTP to resolve the traffic issues. To update the Revised Strategic Transport Plan, DTCA has taken the project for review and update the strategic transport plan for the DTCA area. The project is being implemented by DTCA with the assistance of ADB using the Technical Assistance Special Fund and Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia & the Pacific. The updated Strategic Transport plan will dictate the future of the Transport system in Dhaka City. This assignment has been awarded to the consortium of OCG- SMEC- BCL-ACE-MSL-PRIMEX. Under the project, for capacity development of DTCA and other relevant organizations, the Transportation Planning training program was arranged. This was a unique 7 days training program and very few of its kind which include hands-on training on:  •    Trip Production/Attraction Model •    Analysis of Household Interview Survey Data •    OD Visualization and Trip Distribution Model •    Highway Assignment using TransCAD software •    Public Transport Assignment using TransCAD software •    Economic Evaluation and Analysis •    OD matrices update methodology using Building Floor Area Data •    Basic Traffic Impact Assessment using TransCAD software In the training, Microsoft Access and Excel were used for data analysis and visualization, whereas Kepler.gl, qGIS and TransCAD were used for mapping, OD matrix preparation, travel demand modeling, and visualization of the demand models. The training program was conducted by the TA Consultants, especially Team Leader Tomokazu WACHI, Takatoshi MORIWAKI, Keisuke AKIHO, Pallab Debnath, and other members were involved in arranging fruitful training on transport planning and modeling. In the training program, 17 participants were from DTCA. Apart from DTCA, delegates from other 13 organizations such as Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), Bangladesh Railway (BR), and other organizations have participated in the training.   

About Fifty Three farmers of Padu Ebeng village in Upper Siang district participated in a training programme on ‘Good Agricultural Practices on Assam Lemon’ on Tuesday. The programme was conducted by Pasighat-based College of Horticulture & Forestry (CHF), in collaboration with the Digital India Corporation of the Ministry Electronics & Information Technology, GOI. CHF Dean Prof. B.N. Hazarika appraised the farmers on the scientific production technology of Assam Lemon with modern nursery management, Planting methods, spacing, intercropping, integrated disease and pest management, and encouraged the farmers to start horti–based enterprise and forming FPO.  He has also emphasized on the agro-climatic condition is suitable for proper growth and yield of Assam lemon in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. He has also informed the broad objective of the M4 agri project is to provide right information at the right time and empower the farmers in taking informed decision to enhance their livelihood through mobile-based agro advisory services in the local dialect. CHF Social Science Head Dr Lakshmi Dhar Hatai appraised the farmers of the project’s prime focus and objectives, and of the locations to be covered under the project- Arik-Abik-Lunom. The project is being implemented in nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Hatai further informed the farmers about the economic feasibility, economic cost & returns of Assam Lemon production, “such as lemon nursery seedling, and efficient marketing system of fresh lemon and value added products of Assam lemon for enhancing farmers’ income as well as sustainable livelihood to small and marginal farmers.” Agro Associate Vijay Saroh and Arik-Abik-Lunom project Field Manager Ojing Tayeng and Field coordinator Nung Tayeng imparted hands-on training on using the M4-agri and UMANG apps. Source: Arunachal24.in

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) completed its flagship capacity building programme (CBP) for 58th batch of civil servants of Bangladesh, which was attended by 45 officers. The programme focused on imparting new knowledge in the field of public policies, programmes, governance, use of technology and new skillsets to the officers to design and execute effective public policies and programmes toimprove the quality of life of citizens.   In his valedictory address,Shri Bharat Lal, Director General, NCGGurged the officers to be responsive to the need of people and stressed on the critical importance of redressing public grievances in a time-bound manner.He appreciated the developmental partnership between the two countries and stated that this programme is an effort to empower the participants to newdevelopmentalparadigm and initiatives among other things.  He highlighted the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ and urged the public servants toreduce the gap between the citizens and the government, and do away with the old colonial mindset. He also pointed out that modern technology is a great enabler in bringing transparency and accountability. One should learn and adopt these modern tools of information and communication technology (ICT) to better serve the people.   He cited the examples of Aadhar, and Jal Jeevan Mission, and how subsidiesare being transferred to millions of farmers in just one click as technology is facilitating the delivery of services to citizens. Technology has brought tremendous efficiency in public service delivery and we must use it more.   Shri Bharat Lal also stressed the importance of building and maintainingmodern infrastructure for the larger public good and focused on the importance of having a continuous system of feedback.  He urged them to work closely with people and various other stakeholders, viz. community–based organizations, self-help groups and other civil society organizations to ensure that policies and programmesare developed in a participatory manner and are also environment, climateand disaster resilient.  He advised the participants to carry the learnings from this 2–weeks capacity building programme in the form of new ideas and best practices, and use them as a template for the larger good of society. Officers of Bangladesh appreciated the design of the programme and opportunity to listen to and have discussion with highly qualified domain experts and eminent people came as resource persons. So far, with the support of MEA and in close cooperation with the Indian Mission in Dhaka, NCGG has trained about 2,055 civil servants of Bangladesh. The National Centre for Good Governance was set up in 2014 by the Government of India as an apex-level institution under the auspices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. NCGGis mandated to work in the areas of public policy, governance, reforms, training and capacity building of civil servants of the country as well as of other developing countries.  It is to also work as a think tank of the government.  In partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), NCGG has taken up the responsibility to build the capacities of civil servants of developing countries. So far, it has imparted training to civil servants of 15 countries viz. Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Seychelles, Gambia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Cambodia. These trainings were found to be highly useful by the participating officers of different countries. Also, NCGG has been involved in the capacity building of civil servants from various states in the country. These programmes are much sought after and as desired by the MEA, NCGG is expanding its capacity to accommodate a higher number of civil servants from more countries as demand is on the rise. For the year 2023 –24, NCGG has effected 3-fold increase in this highly sought after programmes.     In this programme the NCGGshared various initiatives taken in the country suchas changing paradigm of governance, rejuvenation of rivers with special reference to Ganga, leveraging digital technology: changing rural landscape of India – Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin, public-private partnership in infrastructure development, land administration, constitutional foundation of policy making, decentralization, public contracts and policies, fintech and inclusion, public  policy & implementation, election management, Aadhar as a tool of good governance, digital governance – case studies of passport seva & MADAD, e-governance and digital India UMANG, disaster management with special reference to coastal region, ethics in administration, overview of national security scenario, rural electrification initiatives in India, project planning, execution and monitoring – Jal Jeevan Mission,  Swamitva scheme: property validation for rural India, vigilance administration, anti-corruption strategies, investment promotion & entrepreneurship, Indian experiences in sanitation, circular economy, approach to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030, digital governance for healthcare among others. During the programme, the participants were also taken for exposure visits to PradhanmantriSanghralaya, Parliament,etc.The 58th Course was conducted by Dr A.P. Singh, Course Coordinator with the help of Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Associate Course Coordinator andsupported by the capacity building team of NCGG.

While the youth of Kashmir Valley are making their mark in acting and film making, they are also doing admirable work in singing. In Irfan Bilal's Sangeet Academy, children of different ages are getting training in singing and music. In the academy, these children are well trained in the fundamentals of singing as well as playing various musical instruments, Kashmiri folk songs, ghazals and classical music. Apart from this, children are also introduced to modern style of music. Many students come not only from Srinagar but also from other districts to get training in the academy. Some of them want to make a name for themselves in singing. Bilal and Irfan say that more than 120 children are currently learning music in our academy. There are a good number of girls as well as boys. Like Sur and Taal, Irfan and Bilal have been running this academy together since 2013. Although they faced many difficulties in the beginning. However, with courage they have been training young people who have made their mark in the field of Sangeet. They want to make dreams come true. These masters of Sangeet also have the honour of having introduced the Vesaran style in the traditional Kashmiri folk, due to which their songs became extremely popular. People liked not only their music but also their singing. Irfan and Bilal say that for a few years now, the youth here are inclined towards learning music along with other fields, not only as an amateur but often now as a profession. In Sharat Kashmiri singers Irfan Nabi and Bilal Ahmed's Kashmiri songs 'Zamane Pokh Na Hum Dum Toti Kya Go, Tamas Gayi Zalf Brahm, Toti Kya Go' became quite popular. After that the singer duo came to be known as Irfan Bilal and today it seems that it is not two but one person. Irfan and Bilal are among the famous artists of Kashmir Valley. They have won a lot of respect from fans by performing their art not only in the country but also in foreign countries. Nowadays, they are working on some new Kashmiri songs which will be released very soon. People will get to listen. Bilal teaches vocal to children while Irfan does the work of teaching Rabab, Guitar, Tabla and Santoor and with this juggling act his academy is progressing successfully. The young people who are being trained officially pay the monthly fee. But in Irfan Bilal's academy, many poor children are also receiving training in music and singing who cannot pay the monthly fee. In this case, they are given free training in Geet Sangeet at the academy. Irfan and Bilal say that our focus is to acquaint the students with traditional and folk Geet Sangeet because if the budding artistes have a better understanding of their traditional music, they will Going forward we can preserve our Kashmiri Folk Sangeet better and cultivating Kashmiri Folk Sangeet is the need of the hour.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the need for a trained population to transform the country into a Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and urged all concerned to make the training curriculum time worthy and timely by keeping up with technological advancements. She said, "For the development of a nation, training is required. The world is changing. This is the age of technology. We have to move forward by dealing with technological advancements." Attending the eighth meeting of the National Training Council (NCT) held at Ganabhaban today, April 16, prime minister said her government is taking plans to make the country a developed and smart Bangladesh in line with Vision 2041. Referring to the question about what is Smart Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, "We will develop a smart population with technical training. Our economy will be smart economy based on technology. Even our health and agriculture will be technology based and mechanized. We want to be smart about all these things." She said, "By using technology, we want to make society and government smart." Sheikh Hasina said, "The NCT has been given the responsibility of formulating the training policy as well as reviewing and evaluating it and making it time efficient." She said, "We have to move forward gradually. We want to improve by involving the entire population. No one will be left behind." The Prime Minister said, "We believe that Bangladesh will move towards socio-economic development at an unstoppable speed." She added, "Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh has made progress. We have been able to reduce the poverty rate to 18.7 percent and the hardcore poverty rate to 5.6 percent. Inshallah, there will be no extreme poverty in Bangladesh."

The 74th IRS batch which has 43 officers and five Bhutan civil servants received their induction training in Bangalore. An MOU was signed between Bhutan and India ten years ago to train Bhutanese Civil Servants as Indian Revenue Officers. The 74th IRS batch has 43 officers and five Bhutan-origin civil servants. Sharing their experience in learning in India , they said that IRS syllabus offered them the chance to enhance their knowledge. They got to learn about land, sea and air trade, unlike Bhutan, which is mostly about mountains. As per India -Bhutan agreement, these officers are selected while they are with the Bhutan government and sponsored by India during the training period. They receive about 1,200 as daily allowance from India for training to become revenue and custom officers,’ said a faculty member at National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) in Bengaluru. The one-year IRS training requires them to work at NACIN for a short period of time. Tshering Yangki, a young civil servant from Bhutan said visiting India has been a tremendously beneficial experience. “Indians have been very welcoming and supportive. From our peers in the classroom to top officials, they are all warm and friendly,” said another trainee Dawa Zangmo. Most revenue officers are deployed near the Indian border, which is shared with West Bengal. “We are an import-driven nation and learning about different international customs will be helpful to our careers back home” Thinley Wangchak, another trainee said. Source: The Bhutan Live

The first ever batch of Agniveers selected under the Agnipath scheme from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir joined the Indian Army for training in different Agniveer positions, the Army said on Monday. “Approximately 200 candidates selected after rigorous tests including physical tests, medical tests, written examination and document verification, were sent from Army Recruiting Office, Srinagar to about 30 training centres of various regiments of the Indian Army on December 24,” a statement said. The candidates will report for training between December 25-30, 2022 and their training shall commence with effect from January 1, 2023. “The selection and despatch of candidates through all stages has been possible due to the concerted and synergised efforts of the civil administration helmed by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and his team, constant support of Chinar Corps and the dedication of the aspirants to contribute to nation building. In spite of the road traffic movement conditions and sub-zero winter conditions, candidates have displayed zeal and enthusiasm in joining their training centres by due date and adorn their new role of Agniveers within the next six months,” the army said.

Indian police is providing training to the villagers for securing the India-Pakistan border. At least 74 young men and women, is working hard to become a “special police officer” to assist law enforcement officers in dozens of mountain villages in the frontier district of Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. These young trainees are being trained from dawn to dusk for nearly three months. They are receiving physical training, followed by classes on border management and on collaborating with police and border guards in the event of skirmishes along the frontier between India and Pakistan. Also, they receive training in weapon handling and law and order. Special police officers are mainly recruited for intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency operations. But in recent years, the lower-ranked officers have assisted in border areas as well because of local recruits’ familiarity with the topography and ability to assist police and border guards during emergencies.  “We have recruited this batch exclusively for border management,” said Ramesh Kotwal, the police chief of Kathua. “We are training them to be more specialised in dealing with issues like cross-border shelling.” “The recruits are in the final stage of their training and will be sent to remote police border posts in Kathua”, he further added. The volatile frontier between India and Pakistan has been silent since February, when the two nuclear-armed nations reaffirmed a 2003 ceasefire accord. Before that, troops on the two sides regularly exchanged artillery, rockets and small arms fire, killing hundreds since the ceasefire was originally signed. Source: AP BM

A training aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed while air exercising at Rasulpur firing range at Madhupur in Tangail. Pilot of the crashed aircraft Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu was killed in the accident. Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) department said that the accident took place at around 3 pm on Friday. ISPR Assistant Director Rezaul Karim Shammi said, the F-7 training aircraft of BAF crashed while air exercising at Telki firing zone of Rasulpur at around 3 pm. Pilot of the crashed aircraft Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu was killed in the accident. Rescue operation was going on in the place of accident. Sub Inspector of Madhupur police station Fakhrul Islam said, Wing Commander Arif was killed following the aircraft crash. Rescue operation was going on. Local eyewitnesses said, the aircraft crashed in the air. After the crash its parts were scattered in different parts of the forest. AH