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US keen to partner in International Solar Alliance projects

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7 years ago

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Kolkata, Aug 23 (IANS) The United States has evinced “keen interest” to partner in International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) projects and programmes, its Director General said here on Wednesday.

“India and the US are equally interested in ISA. They both have collaborative projects in the renewable energy sector. The US has shown keen interest to partner in the ISA programme and projects, but for formal membership they have their internal processes and procedures,” Upendra Tripathy, ISA’s Interim Director General, told media persons here.

He was talking on the sidelines of the Bengal Chamber-organised 10th Environment and Energy Conclave.

The ISA is likely to be recognised as the multilateral agency of the United Nations by this year-end.

“Right now, it is a de facto body. It will become a legal body on December 9,” he said.

In June, after the withdrawal by the US, India and France had pledged themselves to take the Paris accord on climate change forward.

Asked about the other countries that need to come aboard, Tripathy said: “Except Brazil and Peru, entire Latin America has not signed. We haven’t got many Arab countries. We have to have a lot of Asian countries including China, Malaysia… They all have to come on board.”

He stressed that the process of availing membership in the India-led initiative is sovereign and voluntary.

“We are pursuading. It’s a long process,” he said.

To a question on possibility of China’s participation in the ISA amid the Doklam standoff, he said if China came on board, it would be the biggest beneficiary.

“This is a long journey. In (installing) 1,000GW of solar (by 2030), China will be the biggest beneficiary out of this as they are the ones selling the panels. They do realise that.”

The ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francoise Hollande in November 2015. It aims to channel $300 billion in 10 years to promote renewable energy projects under a global mega fund for clean energy.

There are a total of 38 signatories to the Alliance, out of which eight countries have ratified.

–IANS
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Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration

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8 months ago

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October 4, 2023

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The RG Marathon Championship Run 2023 in Goa was a testament to inclusivity. Initially resistant to including persons with disabilities, it eventually featured wheelchair and standing categories, thanks to advocates’ efforts. Participants showed exceptional determination, emphasizing unity in diversity. Despite challenging weather, they demonstrated the power of community support, highlighting the need for accessibility and inclusion in all state-level events in Goa.

Following the marathon, a gathering of differently-abled individuals, predominantly wheelchair users, convened for a celebratory lunch at Barzilla. The event, orchestrated by Mr. Shariq Khan and Mr. Zain Aftab, proprietors of Barzilla, honored the birthday of Sadaf Fatima, who also uses a wheelchair and is Mr. Shariq Khan’s wife.

 

The lunch featured esteemed guests including the Tourism Minister of Goa, MLA Rohan Khaunte of Porvorim, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability in Goa, Guruprasad Pawaskar. The event was impeccably hosted by Ms. Falak Fatima and Mr. Adarsh Parashar, offering activities such as Karaoke and Billiards. The youth of Goa exhibited their unwavering support for the community, making the party an unequivocal success.

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