Category: National

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 13: For people who cannot have children via natural ways, surrogacy and/or egg donation have come over as a sheer blessing. Still, one must know that this process requires a lot of patience and further necessitates medical and legal knowledge and a strong support system.

Surrogates have the opportunity to aid a family in need while also having the option of being reimbursed for their efforts. In the end, it’s a win-win situation for everyone –the intended parents, the surrogate and every related person or entity. (For example, the fertility tourism sector in India was projected to be worth $ 2.3 billion at the peak of surrogacy for overseas IPs.)

Gaurav Wankhede, the founder of BecomeParents.com, a world-renowned surrogacy agency, further put across his point of view regarding international cross-border surrogacy. He believes that most of his IPs haves a budget of $35,000-$40,000. Numerous economic destinations allow surrogacy at an affordable price while still providing access to the best medical facilities and best in class ART quality (Artificial Reproductive Techniques). Kenya, a country that has recently emerged as a favourable hub for fertility tourism, is one of these locations where surrogacy services may be obtained at a very low cost.

How surrogacy proves beneficial for intended parents?        

Surrogacy can help IPs of all types, including same-sex couples, married heterosexual IPs, and single parents. Gaurav Wankhede claims that surrogacy is in high demand in this part of the world. Here, he lists certain advantages that surrogacy and ART treatment in Kenya have over other possible options.

• Kenya has world-class medical facilities and IVF clinics run by highly renowned global medical service providers. Nairobi also serves as the regional headquarters of the United Nations, with around 120 foreign embassies based there.
• In Kenya, gestational surrogacy permits one or both parents to have biological ties to their children.
• Apart from participating in local safari tourism, International intended parents are invited to participate in the pregnancy. They are typically able to attend numerous key surrogacy stages, including the embryo transfer and being present during their child’s delivery.
• Kenya has a strong legal structure, with extensive surrogacy agreements in place to protect the intended parents’ rights during the journey.
• Kenyans are recognized for their good health and strong immunity. As a result, Kenyan surrogates are substantially healthier and fitter in comparison to surrogates in many other countries.
• It is relatively easy to find single mothers in Kenya, which is important for clients from Europe who prefer single or divorced surrogate mothers.
• Kenya further offers exceptional connectivity in terms of flights. Besides, Kenya is an English-speaking country, hence making the communication procedure easier

How surrogacy proves beneficial for surrogate mothers?

Over the last 15 years, surrogacy supporters have put in some strong efforts to make it essential for every intending surrogate mother to receive appropriate counselling. Her rights, obligations, and responsibilities are correctly explained before she gets on board as a surrogate mother.

Surrogacy can support these amazing women and their families in various ways.

• Surrogate mothers can discuss their prenatal experience with the intended parents and form a close relationship with them during the process.
• All surrogates who have delivered feel a great sense of individual fulfilment and pride in knowing that they have helped another family in such an incredible way.
• Surrogates usually establish lifetime relationships with the families they assist during surrogacy.
• When the surrogate mother bears the pregnancy, the IPs fund and compensate for all of the surrogate’s expenses (such as food and shelter)

According to Gaurav Wankhede, surrogacy can be a physically and emotionally demanding experience for both parties. However, all these efforts are justified in the end, given that feeling of turning one’s parenthood dream into reality.

Surat (Gujarat) [India], December 12: Social worker and entrepreneur from Surat, Viral Desai, paid a unique tribute to Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other persons who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.

On Saturday, thirteen trees were planted in the memory of the 13 deceased persons at the urban forest Shahid Smriti Van, the first urban forest of Indian railways developed by Hearts At Work Foundation at the Udhna railway station in Surat.

The jawans of Railway Protection Force (RPF)  near Udhna Railway Station also participated in the solemn event and accorded a salute to General Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces.

Paying his tributes to General Bipin Rawat, Viral Desai said, “Gen Bipin Rawat’s sudden passing away is a great loss for India and has left a void that cannot be filled. But, as responsible citizens, it is also our duty to ensure that these soldiers and great sons of the soil continue to live on in our memories. We have planted specially selected trees that have been carefully nurtured for 5-6 years in Shahid Smriti Van in the memory of Gen Bipin Rawat and others. It will ensure people will remember these great soldiers forever.”

It is noteworthy that the Shahid Smriti Van is the first Urban forest in a railway station of India and is home to over 1,500 trees grown with the Japanese Miyawaki tree plantation method.

The railway station is also home to the country’s first Live Pulwama Martyr’s Memorial, where large trees have been planted in a row as a mark of respect for the 40 brave hearts who lost their lives.

New Delhi (India), December 10: Renowned businesswoman & philanthropist Jyotsna reddy, who is known for her contribution to the beauty sector in India, has been awarded the prestigious national award champions of change. She was the youngest among the luminaries who received the award for their contributions in various fields for exemplary achievements.

With Empowerment as the core mission, twenty foundations have emerged as the change maker. From building a community that spreads fosters positivity and growth to digitizing learning spaces of children, It has become quite the inspiration for women and children who dream to aspire. According to the official website of Twenty foundations, the acronym of TWENTY stands for a transformative phase of a female through the cycle of life, namely Teens to twenties, Womanhood, Empowerment, Nurture, Traning and Yield power.

Being the head of India’s first-ever beauty incubator, Reddy aims to pioneer in the beauty landscape by introducing turnkey solutions for brands to effectively strategize towards market growth. By implementation of latest technologies and understanding the dynamics of beauty science, Cosmetico has pioneered all branches of beauty from formulation to merchandising. As someone who seeks the impact of inspiration, She has invested all her passion in initiatives that inspire, transform, and accelerate people’s lives. Her mission to create a destination for every segment of India to have access to beauty and hygiene products truly define her as a champion of change.

Popularly known as the “ youngest beauty tycoon of India”, Jyotsna reddy holds an inspirational journey behind creating one of the most promising beauty brands that advocate inclusivity. Her endless quest for perfection in innovations has made her curate the finest brands that speak quality through diversity. It is needless to say Ms Reddy has been a woman of substance with ceaseless creativity and passion.

Philanthropic activities of Mr. Harish Jagtani and HJ Foundation

India, December 9: “Charity isn’t about pity; it is about love.” These lines of philanthropist and Noble peace prize winner “Mother Teresa”, always find their true meaning as and when we talk about the Harish Jagtani Foundation. Located in the Kinshasa City of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this foundation is helping thousands of people across Africa and beyond in multiple ways.

Whether it’s spreading awareness about Chikungunya or helping the needy with food, healthcare, and shelter, the Harish Jagtani Foundation is leading the way on the CSR front in DR Congo.

Just last year, the Harish Jagtani Foundation, Led by renowned philanthropist Mr. Harish Jagtani, performed over 100 free surgeries on patients suffering from cataracts and glaucoma.  The foundation launched an ophthalmological campaign called DON DE LA VISION for achieving this big feat of providing light to 100 families.

What’s more? The HJ Foundation is working day and night to make another campaign successful. The campaign is regarding giving free dialysis coverage or renal failure treatment to the needy.

Just last month, on 28th October, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene, and Preventive inaugurated the dialysis centre at HJ hospital Kinshasa.  The free dialysis centre is operational for low-income group people at HJ hospital Kinshasa.

HJ Foundation is working closely with HJ hospital and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to ensure free and accessible kidney dialysis even for destitute people.

Last Month, Harish Jagtani Foundation launched a free dialysis campaign.

The foundation now and then highlights the importance of having universal health coverage for all in DR Congo. They’re working in a completely professional manner to fight against epidemics and endemics in the Congo. With the vision to bring affordable health care closer to the most vulnerable people of DR Congo. Dr. Aimée Lokulutu of the HJ hospital categorically said that the campaign will focus more on offering dialysis and then on Kidney transplants.

People having kidney issues and an inability to afford the high prices may register themselves with the HJ Foundation. Based on the total number of registration, the foundation will establish an agenda to treat and make all those people healthy. The foundation is not necessarily focusing on the treatment, but they’re giving equal importance to encouraging people in adopting healthy lifestyles for disease prevention.

The Harish Jagtani Foundation is actively working in coordination with the Indian embassy in Congo and brought BMVSS team Jaipur foot to DR CONGO. Jaipur foot or Jaipur leg is a rubber-based prosthetic leg highly beneficial for people with amputations. When we contacted Ms Roshni Punjabi at HJ Foundation, we came to know that from 1^st December 2021, the Jaipur foot campaign is going in full swing, and already, more than 128 handicapped patients are fitted with Jaipur foot prosthetic limb at the Harish Jagtani Foundation’s camp in Kinshasa City. A special camp to fabricate and fit 500 false limbs for people who have been handicapped due to various reasons is being put up by HJ Foundation. This camp will be free of charge, where the people who have lost their limbs will be given new limbs and made to practice the use of their limbs to once again start living lives like earlier, completely free of charge. This camp will be a life-changing event for the 500 people that will be benefitted in the first phase of this campaign.

More about Mr. Harish Jagtani

A businessman by profession and a philanthropist by heart, Mr. Jagtani is known for being one of the most respectable expatriate businessmen in Congo.

He is president of the HJ group of companies under which HJ hospital functions providing quality care to Congolese people.  He founded HJ foundations in the year 2016; since then, the foundation has taken thousands plus small to large initiatives for societal welfare.

Contributions of the Harish Jagtani Foundation during times of pandemic are ineffable. The operations of the foundation and the head visionary, Harish  Jagtani, has been admired globally.

The Harish Jagtani Foundation aims to grow further and cater to different ailments in the future. We wish all the best to the HJ foundation for their endeavour to bring quality health service and more to all.

HJ foundations work in a nutshell 

1. Awareness campaign for Malaria, Chikungunya, Dengue, and other diseases
2. 100 + free surgeries for glaucoma and cataracts patients
3. Providing Jaipur foot to hundreds in association with Congo government
4. Free coverage of dialysis for downtrodden
5. Specialized treatment/advanced surgery for poor
6. Food assistance program at multiple places
7. Gender equality march
8. Free malaria screening at orphanages
9. Masks & disinfectant gel delivery
10. Organizing youth fair
11. Jaipur Foot campaign

To know more, visit – https://hjfoundations.org

New Delhi (India), December 8: The Global Visa Center World (GVCW) has announced that Indian citizens and residents of India can now enter Greece following the Covid-19 testing protocol as a precautionary measure against the pandemic. According to the latest regulations, limited categories of visitors are now allowed to enter Greece, including:

1) Citizens of the EU & Schengen Area countries.

2) Residents of a limited number of third countries, including residents of India.

Expressing their joy on the re-opening of Greece to tourists from India after approximately 21 months, DuDigital Global and GVCW, which jointly operate the Visa Application centres in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka state, “You can now apply for short stay visa (C- Visa category) at GVCW application centres in New Delhi and Mumbai on Mondays and Wednesdays.”

• New Delhi Visa Application Centre: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Concourse Level Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place
• Mumbai Visa Application Centre: 4th Floor, Urmi Axis Building, Behind Famous Studio, Opp. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West)

Additionally, Indian citizens and residents can also submit their visa applications as per the standard procedures outlined on the website:https://in-gr.gvcworld.eu/en

Please visit the following link for the complete protocol of arrivals to & departure from Greece:https://travel.gov.gr/#/

New Delhi (India), December 8: Noted social activist and entrepreneur Dr. Ratna Raju has bagged another honour. Dr. Ratna Raju has been awarded the prestigious “Inspiring Social Activist of the Year 2021” award by the NationWide Awards.

The award, which was given at the hands of Tech Mahindra vice president Rajesh Dhuddu and GMR Cargo CEO Saurabh Kumar at a well-attended award function, is a recognition of Dr. Ratna Raju’s contribution to various social causes over the years.

The awards were presented in association with the Government Blockchain Association, international nonprofit helping governments, professionals, and organisations understand, implement, and benefit from blockchain-related technologies and capabilities.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be selected for the Inspiring Social Activist of the Year award. I am thankful for NationWide awards and Government Blockchain Association for the honour. The award will motivate me to work harder and make a bigger contribution to various social causes,” said Dr. Ratna Raju, who has been engaged in social service since a very young age.

The award comes just days after Dr. Ratna Raju was awarded a doctorate by the World Human Rights Protection Commission in November. The Commission recognised his services and contribution to society to award him the Doctorate for Social Service and Technological Innovation.

Dr. Ratna Raju, in association with the Life Foundation, Supar Foundation, and Loyola Old Age Home, has been involved in several social initiatives, including providing free food to orphan children during the Covid-19 pandemic, carrying out relief works during and after the lockdown, among others. He served as a frontline warrior during the pandemic.

Dr. Ratna Raju, or Raju Annaya as he is fondly called, has also created employment opportunities for thousands of people with his technology innovation service orientation. He is the marketing chief for Dart Blockchain, the world’s fastest blockchain ecosystem, and is also the brain behind RR Team Freedom, which works for self-employment initiatives.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 04: Filaantro is an online crowdfunding platform helping individuals and organisations to raise funds by collecting donations. Founded in 2019 by Mr Jiji John, Mr Sunil Varghese, Mr Jugender Singh and Mr Rajendra Pathak, Filaantro is leading with the vision of connecting individuals and communities through their platform and inspiring them to raise funds for the greater good.

Filaantro works on a Pan India basis to help and guide those who need monetary support for personal and social causes that are legal in nature. Filaantro offers a unique approach to closely monitor each campaign on its platform and help the campaigner adopt the best crowdfunding practices.

Filaantro helps the campaigner to strengthen their online presence by offering value-added services like website development, website up-gradation, creation and maintenance of social media handles and campaign support on social media platforms.

Talking about Filaantro and its working, Spokesperson, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. Jiji John said, “We at Filaantro, verify and make sure all of the campaigns are genuine!  It is a priority and vital to us that our crowdfunding platform is safe for both campaigners and donors. We would like our audience to know that we are establishing ourselves to become India’s largest hassle-free crowdfunding platform to raise funds for the causes that one believes in. We support the vision of the campaigner and guide them to make it a reality.”

He further said, “Our mission is to help the campaigners achieve their goals through trust, transparency and simplicity. We firmly believe that to raise funds from donors; one needs to provide transparency, trust and integrity. Together is how we can grow and build a better community.”

Registration and publishing campaigns on Filaantro is free of charge. They also provide 24*7 support to the campaigners and donors. Raising funds on Filaantro is a four-step easy process.

• Register on their Online Crowdfunding Website
• Start a fundraiser
• Share your fundraiser
• Withdraw your funds

They help raise funds for multiple causes such as for Animals, Arts & Media, Children, Community, Education, Elderly, Emergencies, Environment, Human Rights, Medical, Memorials, Rural Development, Social Entrepreneurship, Sports, Technology, Women, Covid19 Relief, Personal Causes, Individual, Alliances, and Religion.

Filaantro, during Covid19, through various online campaigns, successfully raised funds online to help the frontline workers with PPE kits and safety gear. They helped underprivileged people with ration kits, cooked meals and medical kits during the lockdown.

Filaantro has supported more than 100 medical campaigns for multiple partner NGOs.

Many stray animals found it difficult to sustain themselves amidst the lockdown due to the lack of food availability in public spaces. Filaantro, through various campaigns, successfully raised funds to support the voiceless animals.

Calamity relief organisations have also successfully raised funds through Filaantro to help people stuck in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and landslides. Filaantro has successfully raised funds to support children’s education and provide more than 2000 meals daily to the underprivileged.

Filaantro acts as a helping hand for the campaigners by providing fundraising mentorship, tele campaigning support and training & capacity-building support to organisations. They also offer consultancy to Non-Government Organizations on effective social media strategies to run successful fundraising campaigns on their crowdfunding platform.

Filaantro’s campaigns have been supported and endorsed by celebrities like Raveena Tandon and Manish Paul. One can reach out for their crowd-funding needs to Filaantro through Social media, WhatsApp, emails, and calls. Filaantro also receives references from successful campaigners. They have a support team that responds to all the Filaantro related queries.

Please visit us https://filaantro.org/home

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], December 7: In an important development that will greatly benefit travellers from the eastern states of India, The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission based in Kolkata has announced it will soon be opening their visa application centre in Kolkata.

Applicants will be able to submit their applications at the first official visa application centre located at the 1^st Floor of Infinium Digispace, CP Block, Block No 15, Salt Lake Sector V, Kolkata 700091 between 9:00 am &3 pm and collect their passport from 1 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, every week. The new visa application centre (VAC), which is spread over 13,000 sq ft and is the largest single country visa application facility in Kolkata, will ensure applicants a seamless experience in acquiring their visas to travel to Bangladesh. The processing fee for all categories of visas is Rs 826, including GST per application and no additional visa fee is applicable for Indians applying for the visas to Bangladesh.

The brand new, state of the art Bangladesh VAC has 10 counters for accepting all categories of visas for Bangladesh, including investor, intern, tourist, diplomatic, research student, NGO, government delegate, journalist, business, employment and work permit, and tourist family. The centre also has three-screening desks and two form filling desks along with two passport return counters. The VAC shall also provide a free self-help desk to applicants to fill up the visa form and a photo desk, photocopier services, private lounge and courier services etc. at nominal charges. Additionally, there are ample parking spaces for both cars and two-wheelers.

The new arrangements will ensure an enhanced applicant-friendly experience compared to the earlier system under which applicants had to submit their applications and documents directly at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, which was open only from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and had only 3 counters. It was not uncommon to see long queues on the street outside the Deputy High Commission premises, with people sometimes waiting all night to ensure a place in the line-up. Also, brokers and agents used to charge as much as Rs 12,500 for a VISA fee which will now be reduced to only Rs 826, and the people will have the ability to walk in and send their application for processing. The facility is also equipped to follow all COVID protocols for the safety of visitors.

New Delhi (India), December 07: The current situation of the Soya Meal crisis is very unfortunate and has become a serious issue again for the Livestock sector. Today India’s Livestock Farmers, which includes Fish, Shrimp, Cattle (Dairy) and Poultry, are in acute misery due to high feed costs and a surge in the Soya Meal prices.

According to AIPBA, in context to SOPA’s letter to Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Govt. of India, the figures communicated related to the Supply, Demand and Projections of Soybean and Soybean Meal for 2021-22 along with its Prices, seems have a disconnect and the figures are somehow not in line with the current market situation.

Bahadur Ali, Chairman, All India Poultry Breeder Association, said, “In SOPA’s letter, the figures for Soyabean Meal required for Livestock Farmers (Dairy, Aqua & Poultry) states 45 Lakh MT, which is actually far from reality. As in the present situation, our Livestock Farmers require 90 Lakh MT of Soya Meal per annum. These disconnected figures communicated to the Govt. authorities are very detrimental to the Livestock Farmer and to our Soya Industry which was against the objective of SOPA.”

With the requirement of Livestock Farmers of 90 Lakh MT of Soya Meal per annum which has been growing and projected to grow with a CAGR of 10% annually, however, the reported growth of agriculture crop of Soyabean has been only 1-2% from the last 3-4 years which shows that there is a huge gap now and will be in future if the right measures are not taken to fulfil this growing demand of the Livestock Industry.

As AIPBA has written to the concerned Ministries and Department representing the Livestock Farmers to collectively fight the wrong speculation and the unwanted price rises, which will be detrimental to Aatma-Nirbhar-Bharat.

Fifty prominent persons from UAE, Thailand and other countries felicitated with international awards

Meri Pehchaan Trust hosts the “Meri Identity” programme

Apanita Cheena of Bangkok was the chief guest at the occasion

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], December 7: Noted personalities from six countries, including India, participated in an international award function organised by Meri Pehchaan Trust in Jaipur over the weekend.

According to information, around 80 people were felicitated with international awards at the Meri Identity International Award Function at Hotel Clarks Amer on December 4. The programme began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and Ganesh Vandana, which was followed by the launch of the Meri Identity book.

The biographies of IPS BL Soni, IAS Shankar Dutt Sharma, IAS Abhishek Surana, RPS Sunita Meena, RPS Sunil Sharma, Padma Shri Gulabo Sapera, Dr. Shikha Meel, advocate Sunil Sharma, cyber expert Jaideep Sharma, Dr. Uttam Kumar Sharma, Vikram Singh Baghela, Mohammed Nagman Latif (from Dubai), Chitra Kumar (from Nepal), Jessica Spoke, and others have been published in the Meri Identity book.

Besides the dignitaries featured in the book, 30 other persons were also felicitated at the award function. Speaking with media persons, Meri Pehchaan Sahayata Trust director Dr. Sher Singh Baghela said this was the first international-level programme organised by the organisation.

“Many of the participants in our programme who are their nation’s pride. We have felicitated prominent personalities who have made invaluable contributions to their areas of work,” he said.

 UNPKFC to support education of 1,000 children

Apanita Cheena, the president of the UN Peacekeepers Federal Council (UNPKFC) said in her address that the organisation would support the education of 1,000 children. The announcement was welcomed by thunderous applause. Dr. Sher Singh said the Meri Pehchaan Trust would continue to work for the uplift of needy persons.