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  • French Army to participate in R-Day celebration

    French Army to participate in R-Day celebration

    Alexandre highlighted that there will be 130 people, marching on Kartavya Path on Republic Day…reports Asian Lite News

    Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, an officer in the French Foreign Legion, Captain Loic Alexandre, expressed his honour and pride in being here in India for Republic Day celebrations

    “We are very honoured to be here in India. The French army has been invited and we saw the Indian army in Paris, France, last year. So they proved that they are part of a great army and that’s why we are very proud to be here with them,” he said.

    He further thanked all the services who welcomed them and emphasised that it is a great moment for them.

    “We are very well welcomed. So I would like to thank all the services that are working to welcome us and yes, it’s a very great moment for us,” he added.

    Alexandre highlighted that there will be 130 people, marching on Kartavya Path on Republic Day.

    “For this very special occasion, Republic Day in India, we are 130 people who are marching on Kartavya Path…There is the music band on the French… and then infantry regiment, the second foreign infantry regiment that’s based in the south of France, he said.

    He further added that there will be three planes that will fly, adding that two Rafaels and one tanker aircraft will be there.

    Moreover, according to Alexandre, there will be one woman in the aircraft in the Airbus and then the Colonel who commands the French contingent for the occasion…”She’s a pilot in the French Air Force,” he said.

    Further highlighting the India-France relationship, he said that the Indian Army is a partner of the French Army as both countries have been conducting a lot of joint exercises.

    “The Indian Army is a partner of the French Army because we do a lot of exercises together each year. The last one with the Air Force was Garuda. It’s a long collaboration and that’s why it’s important for us to be here,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Captain Louis, who will be leading the French contingent, said that the partnerships concerning India and France can be strengthened, as it happened last year when the Indian detachment participated in the Bastille day.

    “I would say the partnerships concerning our two countries can be strengthened, as we did last year when the Indian detachment came for Bastille Day,” he said.

    Louis further expressed pleasure in being here in India for Republic Day.

    “We have been very well welcomed and it’s a pleasure and an honour to be here for a few days in India to discover your country, but also the army. And we have already done two trainings. So now we should be ready for D Day and Republic Day,” he added.

    He further emphasised that their participation in Republic Day will boost India-France relations.

    “And now we come back so the path is to strengthen day by day our relationships and, concerning our army, why not with materials and also during exercises or training fields?”, he stated.

    Louis also highlighted that women will also be participating in the French Army.

    “We also have women in our army. And for Republic Day, there will be a Lieutenant Colonel from the French Air Force that will be there,” he added.

    Moreover, French Corporal Sujan, who has been serving in the French Poland legion for seven years, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government, as they made it possible for them to come to India and present something beautiful on such an important day. (ANI)

    Full Dress Rehearsal for R-Day Parade held

    A full dress rehearsal of the 75th Republic Day parade was held on Tuesday at Kartavya Path here. Marching contingents of the Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the rehearsal. The IAF’s fighter jets also participated in the rehearsal as did DRDO’s Mission Shakti, missile, radar, rocket launcher.

    According to the Ministry of Defence, a total of 46 lAF aircraft comprising 29 fighter aircraft, seven transport aircraft, nine helicopters and one heritage aircraft will participate in this year’s Republic Day flypast. All these aircraft will operate from six different bases. The aircraft were part of the full dress rehearsal too.

    A total of 25 tableaux — 16 States and union territories and nine Central Ministries will roll down on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade. The tableaux also took part in the full dress rehearsal, the official added.

    The Defence Ministry informed that Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana’s tableaux will participate in the Republic Day.

    Like each year, the tableaux have been selected by an expert committee comprising eminent persons in the fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc., the official said. The Nation is celebrating 75th year of its Republic this year, and the Ministry of Defence will release a Commemorative Coin and Commemorative Stamp during the celebrations.

    According to the Indian Air Force, Rafel, Sukhoi, Jaguar, C-295, C-17, LCH Prachand helicopter and Mig-29 aircraft are the part of flypast during the Republic Day. Four Tejas aircraft will also debut in the Republic Day Parade. IAF aircraft also participated in the full day rehearsal. The Indian Air Force informed that four aircraft from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Navy will also fly in two separate formations with the IAF aircraft.

    ALSO READ-India, France Forge Transformative Science Partnership

  • India, France Forge Transformative Science Partnership

    India, France Forge Transformative Science Partnership

    According to an official statement, dedicated calls for projects in the chosen thematic areas will be announced soon…reports Asian Lite News

    In a significant development that further strengthens the alliance between India and France, the two nations have embarked on a collaborative journey in the field of science and technology
     
    As part of this initiative, both sides have agreed to prioritize scientific collaboration in the thematic fields of Health, Decarbonized Hydrogen, Marine Sciences, and Applied Mathematics.
     
    The collaboration was finalised at the 2nd Indo-French Joint Committee on Science and Technology (JCST) meeting, held in Faridabad on January 18, 2024, on the margins of the India International Science Festival.
     
    According to an official statement, dedicated calls for projects in the chosen thematic areas will be announced soon. 

    The JCST, co-chaired by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, India, and Dr. Claire Giry, Director General for Research and Innovation, French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, is at the vanguard of catalysing a revitalized scientific partnership between these two sovereign states.
     
    Notably, an agreement has been reached between ANR and DST to set up calls for proposals funding priorities set by the JCST. CEFIPRA, which should also be reinforced, will complement the ANR-DST calls to further fund other priorities highlighted, the statement added.
     
    Prof. Karandikar highlighted the success of the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) and said that it could help step up research partnerships in new age technologies like ICPS, health, clean energy, AI, quantum technologies, and advanced materials. He also underscored the need for more collaboration between the innovators and entrepreneurs of the two countries.

    “There is a need for stronger associations between researchers of the two countries focusing on sustainable technologies, applied mathematics, health and ocean research,” said Dr Claire Giry.
     
    The meeting, hosted at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), also highlighted the criticality of mobility and networking as catalysts for future scientific cooperation. Both parties concurred on the establishment of novel programs to enhance joint research endeavours and the mobility of scientists, with a particular emphasis on nurturing young researchers and women scientists through initiatives like CEFIPRA.

    The scientific collaboration seamlessly aligns with the broader framework of the Indian and French strategic partnership, commemorated by Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France on Bastille Day in July 2023, marking 25 years of collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-French roadmap “Horizon 2047”, signed on Bastille Day in Paris, underscores the commitment to bilateral scientific cooperation. 
     
    Since its inception in 2018, the JCST has been instrumental in identifying thematic priorities, allocating resources, and enhancing tools to achieve mutual objectives in science and technology. The committee’s dedication to transdisciplinary approaches and enduring collaboration exemplifies the dynamic and diverse nature of the Indo-French academic and scientific partnership.

    This joint venture places considerable emphasis on the existing Indo-France ties and stands as an icon of international scientific collaboration, heralding advancements in areas of paramount global importance. (India News Network)

    ALSO READ-France to Deliver 40 SCALP Missiles to Ukraine

  • France to Deliver 40 SCALP Missiles to Ukraine

    France to Deliver 40 SCALP Missiles to Ukraine

    During a news press conference, Macron emphasised that Europe’s primary objective should be to prevent Russia from winning the war…reports Asian Lite News

    France is set to supply Ukraine with around 40 SCALP long-range cruise missiles and several hundred bombs as part of its support in the ongoing conflict against the Russian invasion, announced President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.

    During a news press conference, Macron emphasised that Europe’s primary objective should be to prevent Russia from winning the war. He revealed plans for a forthcoming visit to the Ukrainian capital in February, stressing the importance of not conceding to Russian actions and preserving international law.

    The SCALP cruise missiles possess the capability to target locations deep within Ukraine’s Russian-occupied eastern regions, extending beyond the relatively static front lines. Macron outlined the delivery of “some forty” additional SCALP missiles and “several hundreds” of bombs to bolster Ukraine’s defence efforts.

    In addition to the military support, Macron disclosed that France is actively working on establishing a new bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, similar to the pact between Kyiv and London. The details of this agreement are expected to be unveiled during Macron’s visit to Ukraine in February, further underscoring France’s commitment to reinforcing the security infrastructure and resilience of its ally in the face of the ongoing conflict.

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  • ‘Ukraine will remain France’s priority’

    ‘Ukraine will remain France’s priority’

    Sejourne arrived in Kyiv as Ukraine saw another wave of overnight strikes from Russia, which has intensified its aerial attacks recently….reports Asian Lite News

    France’s new foreign minister Stephane Sejourne on Saturday renewed his country’s support to Ukraine, choosing Kyiv for his first official visit abroad, as the war with Russia nears a second anniversary.

    Sejourne arrived in Kyiv as Ukraine saw another wave of overnight strikes from Russia, which has intensified its aerial attacks recently.

    The visit took place as allies struggle to secure funding, with some worrying that Kyiv could be forgotten amid new conflicts, including between Israel and Hamas.

    “Despite the multiplying crisis, Ukraine is and will remain France’s priority,” Sejourne said.

    The freshly-appointed foreign minister explained that “the fundamental principles of international law and the values of Europe, as well as the security interests of the French” were at stake in Ukraine.

    Sejourne, 38, who unlike his predecessor Catherine Colonna has no background as a professional diplomat, had already pledged continued support.

    Aid promised to Ukraine between August and October 2023 fell almost 90 percent from the same period in 2022, reaching its lowest point since the start of the war, according to a Kiel Institute survey from December.

    An EU aid package worth 50 billion euros ($55 billion) has been stuck in Brussels, while the US Congress remains divided on sending additional aid to Ukraine.

    “Russia hopes Ukraine and its supporters will get tired before it does. We will not falter,” Sejourne added.

    But Russia, bolstering its arsenal, has geared up for a long war and reoriented its economy.

    It has in recent weeks intensified its aerial assaults on the war-torn country.

    Russia launched 40 missiles and drones over the country in an overnight barrage, the Ukrainian air force said.

    It destroyed eight missiles and disabled over 20 devices.

    “Either they fell in the fields, they were detonated in the air, or they were affected by means of radio-electronic warfare of our defense forces,” air force spokesman Yuri Ignat said on television.

    Russia said it targeted places producing ammunition and drones and had hit “all designated facilities.”

    Ukrainian authorities did not report any dead in the latest barrage but one civilian was wounded in the Sumy region.

    In a press conference alongside Sejourne, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba praised the minister’s “important” visit immediately after his appointment, and despite the Russian strikes.

    “I am grateful to you for your courage, for the fact that he did not turn around on the way,” Kuleba said.

    He added that they had “discussed the further supply of systems and missiles to protect the Ukrainian sky, as well as the supply of drones to Ukraine.”

    France’s military support to Ukraine amounts to 3.2 billion euro, according to a parliamentary report published in November.

    France has provided artillery and air defense means to Ukraine, Sejourne said.

    “We are entering a new phase of defense cooperation” aiming to “strengthen Ukraine’s capacity to produce the weapons it needs on its own soil,” he added.

    Kuleba confirmed that the two countries had agreed to “work on creating the most favorable conditions for the interaction of our defense companies” including legally.

    The day before, Kyiv had seen the visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who announced a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine and pledged London’s support for a decade.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the “unprecedented” 10-year security cooperation agreement as well as the £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in new military aid earmarked for 2024.

    Sunak announces increase in Ukraine aid

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has signed a new security agreement with Ukraine’s president and announced an increase in military funding for the war-wracked country during a visit to Kyiv.

    Britain, one of Ukraine’s closest allies during the Russian invasion, will increase its support in the next financial year to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2bn), an increase of 200 million pounds ($255m) on the previous two years, Sunak said on Friday.

    “Our opponents around the world believe that we have neither the patience nor resources for long wars, so waver now, and we embolden not just [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, but his allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere,” Sunak told a press conference.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Britain also signed an “unprecedented security agreement” on Friday, an accord that would remain in effect until Ukraine joins the NATO military alliance.

    “This is not simply a declaration. This is a reality that will come to fruition as a result of our cooperation, including security commitments from a major global power, the United Kingdom. If the UK and other countries had provided such a level of guarantees after 1991, there would have been no Russian aggression at all,” Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform X.

    He added that the common goal was to ensure that an attack on Ukraine “will never happen again” once the war ends.

    During the press conference, Sunak urged his Western allies to maintain their support for Ukraine and warned that a Russian victory would encourage other authoritarian countries.

    Zelenskyy also told reporters that Ukraine was more positive now than in December about securing aid from the United States.

    Britain is the second-biggest donor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, giving a total of 4.6 billion pounds ($3.3bn) in 2022 and 2023.

    “I am here today with one message: The UK will also not falter,” Sunak said.

    “We will stand with Ukraine in their darkest hours and in the better times to come,” he added in his initial remarks after his arrival in the capital.

    Sunak first visited Ukraine in November 2022, soon after he became prime minister. Britain has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal backers.

    Ahead of his visit, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had warned that any move by Britain to deploy troops to Ukraine would be a “declaration of war against our country”.

    Both Ukraine and Russia are scrambling to replenish their weapons after 22 months of fighting and the potential for a protracted conflict. The roughly 1,500km (930-mile) front line has been largely static during winter, and both warring sides require artillery shells, missiles and drones that enable long-range strikes.

    Kyiv says Moscow is receiving artillery shells and missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran. On January 4, the White House cited US intelligence officials as saying that Russia acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and is seeking them from Iran.

    ALSO READ: Italy Extends Strong Backing for Ukraine Amid Russia Conflict

  • France’s new PM forms government

    France’s new PM forms government

    Attal, France’s first openly gay prime minister, made their relationship public when he first joined Macron’s government in 2018...reports Asian Lite News

    The new government of French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was announced Thursday with only one major change at the foreign ministry, while most high-profile Cabinet members remained unchanged.

    The interior, finance, defense and justice ministers remain in place, according to the French presidency’s statement. The members of the government were agreed upon by the 34-year-old Attal, who is France’s youngest-ever premier, and centrist President Emmanuel Macron. Stéphane Séjourné, 38, has been named as France’s foreign affairs minister, succeeding Catherine Colonna. Séjourné is the head of Macron’s Renaissance party and the leader of the Renew Europe group of liberal, pro-European lawmakers at the European Parliament. He also is Attal’s ex-partner.

    Attal, France’s first openly gay prime minister, made their relationship public when he first joined Macron’s government in 2018. The two men never publicly confirmed their breakup, but in his October declaration to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life, which compiles declarations by high-ranking officials to record potential conflicts of interest, Attal declared having no partner. Séjourné’s arrival means no woman holds any of the top jobs at the government, despite representing half of the 14 Cabinet members appointed Thursday in line with Macron’s commitment to gender equality. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra keeps her job less than six months before the Paris Olympics, and also gets the education portfolio — a role previously held by Attal. The culture ministry goes to Rachida Dati, 58, a member of the conservative party. Dati, whose outspoken personality and flashy style has made her well known among the French, was a justice minister under conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy. Governments under Macron’s presidency, since he was first elected in 2017, have included figures from both the right and the left. But many observers saw a recent debate on an immigration bill as a symbol of the government’s shift to the right: Macron’s centrist alliance was able to pass the measure only after making a deal with the Republicans.

    The new government spokesperson is Prisca Thevenot, 38, previously a junior minister in charge of the youth. Attal was appointed Tuesda y as the head of the government, with President Emmanuel Macron seeking a fresh start for the rest of his term amid growing political pressure from the far right. Asked about his young age as some critics point to his relative lack of experience, Attal said, “I love my country, I want to meet the expectations of my fellow citizens … and solve problems,” speaking on TF1 national television. “Of course it’s difficult. … I feel ready to do it.” “What I want is: action, action, action. Results, results, results,” Attal insisted. One major obstacle remains in his path: Macron’s centrist alliance lost its majority in parliament in 2022, forcing the government into political maneuvering and using special constitutional powers to be able to pass laws.

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  • French PM Borne steps down

    French PM Borne steps down

    Borne became the second female prime minister of France in May 2022. Her resignation coincides with recent political tensions over contentious immigration legislation backed by Macron to enhance the government’s ability to deport some foreigners…reports Asian Lite News

    French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on Monday after less than two years in office. “Ms Elisabeth Borne today submitted the resignation of the government to the president, who accepted it,” the presidency said in a statement.

    French President Emmanuel Macron thanked her for “work in the service of our nation that has been exemplary every day.” Borne said in her resignation letter that she and Macron agreed “it was more necessary than ever to push on with reforms.”

    Borne became the second female prime minister of France in May 2022. Her resignation coincides with recent political tensions over contentious immigration legislation backed by Macron to enhance the government’s ability to deport some foreigners.

    Before that, Borne faced fierce criticism for bypassing parliament to push through unpopular pension reforms. Under the French system, the president sets general policies and appoints a prime minister to manage the day-to-day affairs of the government, meaning the latter is often held responsible when the administration faces turbulence.

    Macron’s office did not name a successor for Borne, but she will act as caretaker until a new government is named. Meanwhile, amid days of intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, Education Minister Gabriel Attal appeared to emerge as the favourite to be France’s next prime minister.

    ALSO READ-Britain not cooperating to curb migrants, says France

  • France submits response to India for 26 Rafale Marine deal

    France submits response to India for 26 Rafale Marine deal

    India will now negotiate the deal with French government officials, as it is a government-to-government contract…reports Asian Lite News

    In a significant development, France has submitted its response to India’s tender for buying 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers – INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

    The response to India’s Letter of Acceptance has been submitted by France in New Delhi, defence sources told ANI.

    A team of French government officials dealing with military sales to foreign countries has flown over from Paris to submit the response to Indian tender, they said.

    The Indian side will carry out a detailed study of the French bid for the Indian deal including the commercial offer or price for the aircraft, along with other details of the contract, they said.

    India will now negotiate the deal with French government officials, as it is a government-to-government contract.

    The Navy Chief has directed the officials to ensure that the timeframe required for the project is squeezed significantly to ensure early finalisation and induction of the planes in the inventory.

    More than a month ago, India delivered the Letter of Request to the French government. The LoR is like a tender document in which the Indian government has specified all its requirements and capabilities that it would want to have in the Rafale Marine aircraft being acquired for the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, they said.

    The Indian Navy and the Indian government are working in a fast-track mode to ensure that the acquisition contract is signed at the earliest and Indian carriers can operate the highly capable aircraft to ensure an edge for New Delhi in the Indian Ocean region.

    The aircraft deal worth around Euro 5.5 billion was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council just before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France as the state guest for their Bastille Day parade this year in July. As per the plans, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft. (ANI)

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  • French PM tells ministers to stop using WhatsApp 

    French PM tells ministers to stop using WhatsApp 

    In a ministerial circular, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne urged ministers and their top staff to deploy the Olvid app on phones and computers…reports Asian Lite News

    France’s prime minister asked her cabinet to stop using widespread instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram and install widely unknown Olvid, a product of Paris’s start-up scene presenting itself as a more secure alternative.

    In a ministerial circular, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne urged ministers and their top staff to deploy the Olvid app on phones and computers, her office told Reuters on Wednesday, confirming French media reports.

    Olvid, run by two cryptography researchers and backed by several French tech accelerators, will “replace other instant messaging systems in order to strengthen the security of exchanges that may contain confidential information,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

    French magazine Le Point earlier reported the circular announcing the move gives ministers a Dec. 8 deadline to replace their messaging apps, citing the prime minister as saying:

    “The main consumer instant messaging applications are playing an increasingly important role in our day-to-day communications. However, these digital tools are not without security flaws, and so cannot guarantee the security of conversations and information shared via them.”

    Messaging apps like Meta’s WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal have increasingly become the go-to tool of communication in the inner circles of French politics, and government officials also use the apps when talking to journalists. President Emmanuel Macron is said to be an avid user of messaging apps himself.

    On its website, Olvid claims to be “the first and only messaging system” that is not relying on any trusted third parties and centralized servers, while also encrypting user metadata.

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  • French Accolades for ISRO Scientist, Indian translator

    French Accolades for ISRO Scientist, Indian translator

    Ambassador Thierry Mathou awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian honor, to Lalithambika, former Director of the Human Spaceflight Programme at ISRO…reports Asian Lite News

    The French government on Wednesday conferred its top awards on Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Dr V R Lalithambika and acclaimed translator and author Dr Arshia Sattar.

    For her engagement in space cooperation between France and India, Ambassador Thierry Mathou honoured Lalithambika, former Director, Directorate of the Human Spaceflight Programme, ISRO, with Legion d’Honneur — the country’s top civilian award.

    “I am delighted to confer the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur on Dr V.R. Lalithambika, a distinguished scientist and a trailblazer in space technology. Her expertise, accomplishments, and tireless efforts have scripted a new ambitious chapter in the long history of the Indo-French space partnership,” Ambassador Mathou said in a statement.

    A specialist in advanced launch vehicle technology, Lalithambika has worked extensively on various ISRO rockets, particularly the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

    In 2018, as Director of the Human Spaceflight Programme, she coordinated closely with the French National Space Agency (Centre national d’etudes spatiales – CNES) for India’s Gaganyaan project.

    Lalithambika was instrumental in the signing of the first joint agreement for cooperation between CNES and ISRO on human spaceflight, under which the two countries could exchange specialists to work on space medicine.

    Receiving the award, Lalithambika said: “I sincerely hope that this honour being bestowed on me will spur more and more women to take up STEM careers and to excel in their chosen fields.”

    In 2021, Lalithambika coordinated with CNES for the signing of a second agreement between France and India on the Indian astronaut programme during the visit of the former French Foreign Affairs Minister to ISRO.

    Under this agreement the French space agency would train India’s flight physicians and CAPCOM mission control teams in France at the CADMOS centre for the development of microgravity applications and space operations at CNES in Toulouse and at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.

    “Dr Lalithambika is an inspiration to the next generation of scientists not only in Toulouse but also in India, where she promoted inclusivity by enabling the recruitment of civilians, including women, to participate in the future of the Indian astronaut programme,” a French Embassy statement read.

    Sattar was presented the insignia of Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) at a special ceremony at the Consulate General of France in Bengaluru.

    The distinction comes in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of literature as a translator and a writer as well as her deep commitment to the promotion of literature as director of the literary residency, Sangam House.

    “This award honours her continued commitment to cultural relationship and cooperation between diverse literary worlds,” the Embassy said in its statement.

    “It is always an important moment when the arts are recognised. It is through the arts that we better understand each other and ourselves. The arts remind us of our shared humanity and in our troubled 21st century, this is perhaps the most significant touchstone – that we are more alike than we are different. I thank the French government for acknowledging that by this award,” Sattar said after receiving the award.

    In her career as a translator, Sattar has engaged with the great masterpieces of Indian literature: The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, and The Tales from Kathasaritsagara.

    In addition to that, she has written several books for children, including The Mahabharata for Children, which was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Prize for Children’s Literature in 2022.

    In 2008, she co-founded the literary residency, Sangam House, along with David William Gibson, with the vision of creating a supportive space for writers expressing themselves in regional languages, where they can interact with contemporaries from other cultures and share their perspectives.

    Sangam House was the first literary residency of its kind, which has hosted over 200 writers from across India and the world.

    It is now a member of the Villa Swagatam network of residencies — an initiative launched by the French Institute in India in March 2023, which consists of 16 Indian residencies spanned across the country, hosting residents in the fields of arts and crafts, performing arts, and literature.

    Some noted Indian recipients of the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in the past include actors Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Richa Chadha, photographer Raghu Rai, theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi, playwright Habib Tanveer, and author Upamanyu Chatterjee.

    ALSO READ: France sending warship to provide medical aid to Gaza

  • France sending warship to provide medical aid to Gaza

    France sending warship to provide medical aid to Gaza

    Macron on Saturday spoke with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi about ongoing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza…reports Asian Lite News

    France is preparing to send its Dixmude helicopter carrier to the eastern Mediterranean to offer medical assistance in Gaza, the office of the French president said on Sunday.

    The Dixmude will set sail “at the start of the week and arrive in Egypt in the coming days,” President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.

    A charter flight carrying more than 10 tons of medical supplies is also planned for the start of the week. “France will also contribute to the European effort with medical equipment on board European flights on November 23 and 30,” the presidential office said.

    It added that “France is mobilizing all its available means to contribute to the evacuation of wounded and sick children requiring emergency care from the Gaza Strip to its hospitals.”

    Macron on Saturday spoke with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi about ongoing negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

    French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu was also in Qatar on Saturday, leading the mediation efforts. The French president and his Egyptian counterpart agreed on the “need to increase the number of trucks entering Gaza and to reinforce coordination to deliver humanitarian aid and treat the wounded,” Macron’s office said.

    Also on Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel had suffered a “defeat” in its war against Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, and that it was “a fact.” In a speech at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace force center in the capital Tehran, Khamenei said, “The defeat of the regime (Israel) in Gaza is a fact.”

    “Advancing and entering hospitals or people’s homes is not a victory because victory means defeating the other side,” he said.

    Khamenei charged that Israel “has so far failed” in achieving its declared goal of destroying Hamas “despite the massive bombings” of Gaza. “This incapacity reflects the inability of the US and Western countries,” which back Israel, he added.

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