PRESIDENT OF INDIA CONGRATULATES THE PRESIDENT OF MALAWI ON NATIONAL DAY On 6 July 2021, the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind  congratulated H.E. Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and the people of Malawi on their Independence Day. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind reiterated a long-standing, friendly and cordial relationship buttressed by strong development partnership between India and Malawi.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER CONGRATULATES FOREIGN MINISTER ON INDEPENDENCE DAY On 6 July 2021, External Affairs Minister, Hon’ble S. Jaishankar congratulated Foreign Minister Honourable Eisenhower Mkaka, Government and people of Malawi on their Independence Day 2021.

16TH CII EXIM BANK CONCLAVE The 16th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave was held in virtual mode from 13-15 July 2021. Spread across 3 days with 11 focused session covering different tracks, the Conclave witnessed participation by almost 100 speakers from all over the world including 32 ministers from Africa and India. More than 2800 delegates from 45 African countries participated in the event. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon’ble Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka; Minister of Agriculture, Hon’ble Lobin C. Lowe; Minister of Trade, Hon’ble Sosten Alfred Gwengwe; and Minister of Energy, Hon’ble Newton Kambala from Malawi participated in the event. Foreign Minister Hon’ble Eisenhower Mkaka, in his remarks at the Valedictory Session on “Way Forward: Connect-Collaborate-Create” reaffirmed Malawi Government’s commitment to connect and collaborate with the Government of India to create sustainable recovery pathway from the Covid-19 that will bring hope and happiness to the peoples of India and Africa, including Malawi. READ MORE

HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE High Commissioner, Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan met Minister of Agriculture, Hon’ble Lobin C. Lowe, M.P. (on 23 July 2021), and Deputy Minister of  Defence, Hon’ble Jean Muonaowauza Sendeza, M.P. (on 28 July 2021) and discussed bilateral relations including possible cooperation in the field of agriculture and defence.

CELEBRATION OF 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA High Commission celebrated the 75th Independence Day of at the Chancery on 15th  August 2021. High Commissioner S. Gopalakrishnan hoisted the national flag and read out the text of President's address to the nation. Due to Covid-pandemic and restrictions imposed by the local government on public gatherings, a limited number of prominent members of the diaspora and representatives from various Indian community associations and Media were invited. While around 80 guests were attended the event in person, a large number of Indian community participated in the event through Mission's Face Book page virtually. On the occasion, videos on 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' shared by the Ministry of External Affairs and ICCR were also shown.

SPORTS EVENT AS PART OF CELEBRATION OF 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA As part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a Cricket Tournament was organized in collaboration with Indian Country Club (ICC) and Indian Community Forum. On the conclusion of the Tournament, High Commissioner and prominent Indian community members distributed prized/awards at a function organized at ICC on 15 August 2021.

LILONGWE MOTOR SHOW 2021 As part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, High Commission of India, in partnership with Lilongwe Motor Show, organized the Malawi’s biggest automotive exhibition - Lilongwe Motor Show 2021 on 28th August 2021 at Lilongwe Golf Club. The Motor Show was inaugurated by the High Commissioner, Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan. In his remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted the growth of Indian automobile and auto component sectors and the opportunity available for Malawi. He also highlighted the performance and durability of India made automobiles and its suitability for Malawi. At the ‘India Pavilion’, automobiles ‘Made-in-India’ ranging from two wheeler to passenger buses and heavy trucks and also auto components were displayed. Major auto makers including Eicher, Mahindra, TATA and TVS, participated in the Motor Show. The ‘India Pavilion’ was the spotlight of the show. A large number of visitors, including potential buyers, visited the ‘India Pavilion’.

INDIA GIFTS ESSENTIAL MEDICINES TO FIGHT COVID 19 On behalf of the Government and people of India, High Commission handed over a 7 MTs consignment of essential medicines worth US$ 1.4 Million to the Government of the Republic of Malawi as a gift on 7 September 2021. In a ceremony held in Lilongwe, High Commissioner handed over the medicines to the Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda. Thanking India for the timely assistance, Health Minister Chiponda said S. Gopalakrishnan that ‘though India is facing the same challenge of the Covid pandemic, the generosity and goodwill of the people of India to the people of Malawi is very evident’.

CELEBRATION OF ITEC DAY 2021 The High Commission celebrated Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day on 15.9.2021 at the Chancery. Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, a limited number of guests including ITEC alumni were invited for the programme. Foreign Minister of Malawi, Mr. Eisenhower Mkaka was the Chief Guest at the event. Thanking India for its continued support to Malawi in its capacity building through ITEC Programme, Foreign Minister said that the ITEC Programme act as catalyst for socio-economic transformative agenda of Malawi.

CELEBRATION OF HINDI DIWAS 2021 High Commission celebrated Hindi Diwas 2021 on 18 September 2021 at the Chancery premises. The event was organized to promote Hindi and to develop interest in Hindi language. Members of Indian diaspora, Indians living in Malawi and families of the High Commission officials took part in the event. On the occasion, competitions such as Hindi Poetry Recitation, Hindi Essay writing, etc. for both children and adults, were organized.

CELEBRATION OF AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV High Commission organized various activities i.e.  promotion of Indian cultural, commercial, linguistic and the like, activities in Malawi under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebration. These activities included participation at Lilongwe Motor Show, Celebration of 75th Independence Day of India, Gifting of essential medicines and Covid vaccines to Government of Malawi, Hindi Day, etc. “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements.

COWIN GLOBAL CONCLAVE On 5 July, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Co-WIN Global Conclave’. Close to 400 delegates from over 140 countries, including Malawi, besides representatives from European Commission and UN Officers in India, attended the event. Several countries have expressed interest in utilizing the Co-WIN platform for their own vaccination programmes. CoWIN is a scalable, inclusive, and open platform that serves the entire public health system. It ensures Equitable vaccination at universal scale & transparent distribution for all citizens; Inclusive distribution to align stakeholders and remove information asymmetry; Dynamic architecture that evolves and accommodates change easily Tailored interface portals for citizens, vaccinators as well as administrators. The platform is available for sharing as an Open Public Good.

PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATES MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN GUJARAT Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the nation several key projects of the Railways in Gujarat through video conference on 16 July 2021. He also inaugurated the Aquatics and Robotics Gallery, and Nature Park in Gujarat Science City during the event. He also flagged off two new trains i.e Gandhinagar Capital – Varanasi Superfast Express and MEMU service trains between Gandhinagar Capital and Varetha. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the goal of the country today is not only to create a concrete structure but to create an infrastructure which has its own character. He said that children’s learning and creativity should also get space along with their entertainment for their natural development. READ MORE

INDIA TAKES OVER UNSC PRESIDENCY FOR AUGUST - MARITIME SECURITY, COUNTER TERRORISM KEY PRIORITIES India on 1 August 2021 assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a month starting August 1. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, during this period the country is expected to host events in three major areas of maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism during the month. The event marked the 10th time that India assumed the rotating presidency after completing nine tenures earlier from 1950 to 2012. Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar on the occasion tweeted that India is looking forward to “working productively with other members”. READ MORE

PRIME MINISTER MODI LAUNCHES AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION On 27 September 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will create a seamless online platform that will enable interoperability within the digital health ecosystem. There is no such big connected infrastructure anywhere in the world, says the PM referring to JAM trinity. He further highlighted that Digital infrastructure is taking everything from ‘Ration to Prashasan’ to the common Indian in a fast and transparent manner”. Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY has addressed a key headache in the lives of the poor. So far more than 2 crore countrymen have availed the facility of free treatment under this scheme, half of which are women. It will now connect the digital health solutions of hospitals across the country with each other. PM Modi further remarked that  the Arogya Setu app helped a lot in preventing the spread of corona infection. He lauded Co-WIN for its role in making India achieve a record administration of about 90 crore vaccine doses today, under the free vaccine campaign. READ MORE

INDIA PERSPECTIVE - AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV An initiative of the Government of India to commemorate the 75th year of the country’s Independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an embodiment of all that is progressive about the nation’s socio-culture, political and economic identity. READ MORE