80TH TOLIC MEETING CONDUCTED AT WALTAIR DIVISION TO REVIEW OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IMPLEMENTATION The 80th meeting of the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC) was held at the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office of Waltair Division, East Coast Railway, under the chairmanship of the Divisional Railway Manager, Shri Lalit Bohra. Shri Anirban Biswas, Deputy Director (Implementation) / South, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Bengaluru, attended the meeting and reviewed the initiatives being taken for the effective implementation of Hindi as the Official Language in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting featured detailed deliberations on the progressive use of Hindi in official work, adherence to Official Language Rules, and steps to further enhance the use of Hindi in correspondence, noting, and reporting. Participants also emphasised the importance of giving due recognition to the official languages of the respective states alongside Hindi, the Official Language of the Union. ADRM (Infrastructure) Shri E. Santharam and In-charge Secretary (Rajbhasha), Waltair Division, Shri N. K. Singh coordinated the proceedings. Heads of 42 offices and senior officers from various Central Government establishments within the TOLIC jurisdiction participated in the meeting, sharing best practices and outlining action plans to strengthen the implementation of the Official Language Policy.

CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION FORTNIGHT AT RINL National Energy Conservation Day was celebrated today at Dr. Tenneti Viswanatham Auditorium, Learning and Development Centre, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The programme was conducted in the presence of Shri A. K. Saxena, CMD; Shri G. V. N. Prasad, Director (Commercial); Dr. Salim G. Purushottaman, Director (Operations); Shri Vinay Kumar, Director (Finance); and Shri R. Mohanty, CGM (Works)–In charge. In his welcome address, Shri K. Sudhakar, GM (E, E & U)–I/c, highlighted the various energy conservation measures being implemented at RINL. He stated that RINL is a pioneer in adopting energy-efficient technologies, including Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ), Top Pressure Recovery Turbine, LD Gas Recovery, Sinter Cooler Waste Heat Recovery, PCI in Blast Furnace, Billet Caster, and power generation from Blast Furnace gas. Addressing the gathering via virtual conference, the Chief Guest, Shri A. K. Saxena, CMD, advised employees and their families to continuously focus on reducing energy consumption across all operations to achieve cost reduction. He emphasized the need for the RINL collective to reduce fuel rates, particularly in the Blast Furnace, and to concentrate on improving techno-economic parameters. He congratulated RINL on winning the CII Energy Efficient Unit Award for the current year and appreciated the Energy and Environment Management Department for organizing an extensive energy conservation awareness campaign across departments and schools through various programs conducted from 1st to 14th December 2025. Director (Commercial), Director (Operations), Director (Finance) and CGM (Works)-I/c addressed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion, the senior officials highlighted that the energy conservation measures being implemented at RINL will significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission intensity, in alignment with the nation’s vision of achieving Net Zero by FY 2070. They further reiterated RINL’s commitment to meeting the Ministry of Steel’s target of carbon neutrality at 2.00 tCO₂ per tonne of crude steel by 2047. The officials expressed strong confidence in the capabilities of RINL employees, noting their immense potential to excel. With the commissioning of these facilities, they stated, RINL is poised to exceed expectations and establish new benchmarks in energy efficiency and consumption within the steel industry. The Directors, CGMs, and other senior officers presented awards to various departments of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in recognition of their innovative energy conservation projects and overall energy performance. The dignitaries also distributed prizes to a large number of schoolchildren and employees who emerged winners in various competitions conducted as part of the Energy Conservation Awareness Fortnight organized by the Energy Management Department at RINL. One of the prize-winning skits performed by young children, highlighting the importance of energy conservation, enthralled the audience. About 3,500 people participated in various programmes under the energy conservation awareness campaign. Representatives of the Steel Executives’ Association, Trade Unions, SC & ST Association, OBC Association, WIPS, along with a large number of employees, enthusiastically took part in the Energy Conservation Day celebrations at RINL.

CDA SECUNDERABAD AND DEPARTMENT OF SAINIK WELFARE ORGANISE SPARSH OUTREACH PROGRAMME IN VISAKHAPATNAM CDA Secunderabad, in collaboration with the Department of Sainik Welfare Board, organised a SPARSH Outreach Programme of the Defence Accounts Department at Samudrika, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on December 18, 2025. The programme was inaugurated by Shri T. Ram Murthy, IDAS, DCDA. Shri N. R. Manash, IDAS, ACDA, delivered the welcome address, while Col Anup Sanmotra, Station Headquarters Administrative Commandant, addressed the gathering on behalf of the Armed Forces and the Sainik Welfare Board. The outreach programme witnessed enthusiastic participation, with more than 350 defence pensioners and family pensioners from Visakhapatnam and adjoining districts attending the event. The initiative aimed to create awareness among pensioners about the facilities available under SPARSH, including grievance redressal mechanisms, and to deliver pension-related services directly at their doorstep. Multiple dedicated help desks and counters were set up to assist pensioners in resolving pension-related issues, anomalies, and grievances. On-the-spot solutions were provided by the CDA Secunderabad team in coordination with CGDA Headquarters, PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj, Record Offices, and other concerned agencies. The comprehensive arrangements and effective coordination were widely appreciated by the attendees. Senior officers, including Shri Abdul Hafieze, Sr. AO; Shri KGSV Prasad, Sr. AO from AAO (Army) Vizag; Shri G. Ramesh Kumar, Sr. AO from SPARSH Centre, Vizag; Shri Manda Srinivasa Rao, Sr. AO from CGDA’s office; and Shri K. V. Ramana Rao, Sr. AO from CDA Secunderabad, actively addressed the grievances of defence pensioners. The programme was further supported by Retd Wing Commander P. C. Shekhar, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Visakhapatnam; Shri K. V. S. Prasad Rao, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Vijayanagaram; and Smt Sailaja, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Srikakulam. Shri Cdr Arjun also graced the occasion.

INDIA, NETHERLANDS DEEPEN DEFENCE TIES AS RAKSHA MANTRI MEETS DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW DELHI Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Netherlands’ Foreign Minister, Mr David Van Weel, in New Delhi on December 18, 2025, reaffirming the strengthening defence partnership between the two nations. The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral security and defence matters, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment. Both leaders underscored their commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation and positioning defence collaboration as a central pillar of the India–Netherlands Strategic Partnership. The Ministers reiterated their shared vision for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Emphasising the importance of closer defence ties, they highlighted the need to connect defence industries of both countries, particularly in niche and emerging technologies. In this context, a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation was exchanged between Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Netherlands’ Ambassador to India, Ms Marisa Gerards, in the presence of the two Ministers. Both sides agreed to explore new avenues of defence cooperation for mutual benefit through the development of a Defence Industrial Roadmap focused on technology collaboration, co-production, and co-development of defence platforms and equipment. Shri Rajnath Singh also noted that strong people-to-people ties, supported by a vibrant Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, continue to serve as a vital bridge strengthening bilateral relations.

SWACHHATA PAKHWADA 2025 AT NSTL VISAKHAPATNAM Swachhta Pakhwada is an initiative envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for making Swachhata “everyone’s business”. Defence Research & Development (DRDO) observed Swachhata Pakhwada from 01.12.2025 to 15.12.2025. Visakhapatnam-based premiere research laboratory of DRDO.. Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) prepared an action plan and ensured greater participation and more effective outcome of the Swachhata Pakhwada by maintaining proper cleanliness in the office premises. During this fortnightly campaign, a special emphasis was laid on cleaning the unattended sites, building rooftops with a special focus on making the campus free of single use plastic waste, garbage and address areas with any kind of water stagnation. Swachhata Pakhwada activities have begun with Mass Swachhata Shapath taken by all employees on 01.12.2025; a Swachhata Awareness Rally was conducted in residential campus to spread Swachhata awareness and encourage participation in Swachha Bharat Mission on 02.12.2025. A voluntary cleanliness campaign (Shramdaan activity) was organised in office premises and residential campus with Mahila Kalyan Manch (MKM) of NSTL on 03.12.2025; a special cleaning drive was undertaken in nearby locations including Ramanath Secondary School on 04.12.2025 along with teachers and students; a training lecture on hygiene maintenance, essay writing competition as well Swachhata Quiz Competition were conducted for NSTL employees on 8th Dec 2025; a special campaign on discarding of single use plastic was conducted in NSTL technical and residential campus to create awareness and promote 4R Principles of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle on 09th Dec 2025; an exhibition on waste to wealth was conducted at office premises as well as Ramanath Secondary School on 10th Dec 2025 ; a Swachhata theme painting competition was conducted with active participation from NSTL employees as well as students of Ramanath Secondary School on 11th Dec 2025; a signature campaign and establishment of a selfie booth at NSTL Family Gate was undertaken to mark the participation of NSTL employees on 12th Dec 2025; Valedictory function was conducted on 15th Dec 2025 to present awards and felicitation to participants, volunteers and sanitation workers for their vital contribution in cleaning of the campus. Contd.. 2 :: 2 :: In his address, Dr. Abraham Varughese, Outstanding Scientist & Director NSTL told that Swachhata is an essential component of human life in both physical and spiritual terms. Spiritual cleanliness ensures healthiness of mind and soul whereas physical cleanliness is essential for the existence and wellbeing of our body. NSTL has been committed towards the cause of Swachhata and has been actively participating in this drive every year. NSTL was also awarded First Prize overall for its enthusiastic participation in Swachhata Pakhwada-2023 and second prize overall for participation in Swachhata Pakhwada-2024. The Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 activities were successfully conducted under the supervision of Sri Ashok Kumar, Scientist ‘F’ and Lt. Col. Rahul Dixit. In the valedictory programme, Scientists, Security Officer, other Officers,; Members of NSTL Civil Employees Union, Works Committee; MES employees and family members had actively participated.