1

July-August 2016

Independence Day celebration in Ireland

The 70th Independence Day was celebrated with immense enthusiasm and joy at India House, Dublin. The programme started at 0930 hrs with flag hoisting by the Ambassador followed by the singing of National Anthem. Amb. Mrs Radhika Lal Lokesh then addressed the gathering and read out ‘the President's Address to the Nation on the eve of 70th Independence Day’.

A short film themed India@70 highlighting various initiatives and programmes of Government of India was shown to the public. Few other videos on the similar theme and on 70th Independence Day were also played. Members of Sanatana Ireland and another group led by Dr. Vandan Ward presented patriotic songs. Guests were

served light refreshment. Around 150 people from Indian diaspora attended the event.

Embassy of India, Dublin NEWSLETTER

2

∎∎∎

Introduction of Goods and Service Tax (GST)

The 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill, 2014 was

passed by the Parliament unanimously on 8 August

2016 to introduce the Goods & Services Tax (GST).

“Goods and Service Tax” would be a

comprehensive indirect tax on manufacture, sale

and consumption of goods and services throughout

India. Introduction of GST would amalgamate

several Central and State taxes into a single tax

which would mitigate cascading or double taxation, facilitating a common national market.

From the consumer point of view, the biggest advantage would be in terms of a reduction

in the overall tax burden on goods, which is currently estimated at 25%-30% and free

movement of goods from one state to another without stopping at state borders for hours

for payment of state tax or entry tax and reduction in paperwork to a large extent.

The GST is seen as potentially transformative for India’s economy. It is expected to result in greater tax compliance, boost government revenues and improve the ease of doing business. It would be a destination based tax as against the present concept of origin based tax. Confederation of Indian Industries has welcomed the GST by saying that the GST Bill

marks a landmark reform of indirect taxes in the Indian Economy. ∎∎∎

3

Bharat ko Janiye Quiz

Government of India organised in late 2015 an Online Quiz for young Indian Diaspora titled “Bharat ko Janiye”. The top 10 finalists in each category for Bharat ko Janiye online quiz have been selected for the semifinal and final rounds in Delhi based on their performance. They have been invited to participate in the final round of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz in Delhi now from 9 September to 03 October 2016. From Dublin Ms. Shweta Narayana has been selected for the semi-final and final round of Bharat ko Janiye Quiz in New Delhi. We wish her all the best. She will be taking the Bharat ko Janiye Yatra Tour from 9th September, 2016 to 3rd October, 2016 involving travel to Delhi, Goa, Agra and Rajasthan. The Semi-final Round of Quiz will be on 30th September, 2016 in Delhi (to select top three in each category, NRI and PIO who will

participate in the final round). The Final Round of Quiz will be on 2nd October, 2016 in Delhi.

The participants’ Yatra from 9 September to 3 October would be fully funded by

the Government of India. ∎∎∎

Inauguration of NIIT’s Dublin centre of excellence

The European delivery Centre of NIIT Limited, a global company headquartered in India was inaugurated on 19 August 2016 by Mr. Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Education and Skills in Dublin. NIIT provides multi-disciplinary learning management and training delivery solutions to corporations, institutions, and individuals in over 40 countries. The inauguration was attended by the Ambassador, IDA Ireland executives, Dublin City University President and President, NIIT Corporate Learning Group. NIIT’s Dublin centre of excellence is located at DCU ALPHA, a research-intensive innovation campus co-located with Dublin City University. The centre will be at the heart of NIIT’s Europe operations and will provide managed training services to leading companies in Europe and North America. NIIT’s Dublin operations

have been initially set up with local new hire and NIIT will continue to invest in hiring over 100 local employees in the coming months. NIIT will employ content developers, high-end engineers, creative writers, instructional designers, digital media professionals,

trainers, multilingual customer service support professionals, and project managers.∎∎∎

4

Know India Programme (KIP) from 1st to 25th October 2016

Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India is organizing the 36th edition of Know India Programme (KIP) from 1st to 25th October 2016 to strengthen engagement with young overseas Indians. KIP is an engagement programme for Diaspora youth (between the age of 18-30 years) of Indian origin to introduce them to India and promote awareness about different facets of Indian life, our cultural heritage, art and the transformation taking place in India. This programme is open to youth

of Indian origin (excluding non-resident Indians). The programme has been in existence since 2003. Focus of KIP this year will be “Punjab”. Revised Guidelines, application form and itinerary for the October 2016 KIP are below:

Main KIP Guidelines/criteria for selection of participants:

(a) Duration of KIP is 25 days inclusive of 10 days in a select State. (b) The maximum age for participations in KIP is 30 years. KIP participants

should be in the age group of 18 to 30 years. (c) Embassy will arrange return air tickets before participants leave for India,

after the KIP participants pays 10% of total airfare. Participants are required to sign a written undertaking that if he/she does not complete the KIP the amount spent on airfare by Govt. of India will be refunded to the Embassy.

Consular News

Indian students studying in Universities/Colleges in Ireland are welcome to register their details in the Students Registration module under <MADAD: Consular Grievances Monitoring System > link on the Embassy of India website.

5

Forthcoming Events

Sr. No.

Event/Date/Website Name of the Event

1. Indywood Film Festival 24-27 September 2016 http://indianembassy.ie/news_detail.php?id=81

2. SWITCH Global Expo 2016

6-10 October 2016 www.switchglobalexpo.com

3. IHGF Delhi Fair 14-18 October 2016 http://epch.in/

4. 5th India International Silk Fair” New Delhi 15-17 October 2016 www.indiainternationalsilkfair.com

5. GLOBAL INVESTORS SUMMIT 2016 22-23 October 2016 www.investmp.com

6. 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016) 20-28 November 2016 www.iffi.nic.in

6