The Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony took place on 27th February 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi through an organization of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) which functions under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The ceremony recognized people and entities whose activities displayed major accomplishments in animal welfare and protective and compassionate animal treatment.

Introduction

• AWBI conducted the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony in Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi during 27th February 2025.

• The ceremony honored selected organizations and people who made noteworthy impacts towards animal welfare efforts and protection whereas showing compassion towards animals.

• AWBI acts as a statutory organization under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying which executes animal rights and welfare responsibilities through the enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960.

• The audience at the assembly consisted of Union Ministers and senior officials together with animal welfare representatives and representatives from each state.

Launch of Key Books on Animal Welfare

Four important books were launched during the event to enhance knowledge about animal welfare legislation while improving its execution.

1. Handbook for Veterinary Officers on Animal Welfare Laws – A guide for veterinarians on legal responsibilities.

2. The Law Enforcement Handbook on Animal Welfare Laws serves as a reference manual which helps law enforcement agencies perform their duties in animal welfare enforcement.

3. Animal Law Handbook for Urban Local Bodies – A manual for municipal authorities to better implement animal welfare laws.

4. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Module received revisions to establish a plan that oversees street dogs and fights flu through prevention and manages human-dog conflicts.

Prani Mitra Awards 2025 – Honoring Excellence in Animal Welfare

Recognized individuals and organizations for outstanding commitment to animal welfare under five categories:

Jeev Daya Awards 2025 – Recognizing Compassion in Animal Welfare

Honored individuals and institutions for their compassionate work in animal welfare:

Prani Mitra Award

• The Prani Mitra Award was established by the government in 1966 to reward people for their outstanding role in animal welfare work.

• THe organizations began to join this expanded program throughout its historical development.

• The prestigious honor has been given to 54 people since its founding.

Jeev Daya Award

• The Jeev Daya Award began operations in 2001 as a mechanism to express gratitude towards animal supporters and their supporting activities.

• The animal welfare promotion awards have been given to 12 people and organizations since their establishment.

Conclusion

Through the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony 2025 India showcases its dedication to animal welfare by celebrating people who work for animal protection. The AWBI enhances both awareness levels and encourages people to take action through its recognition of contributions toward compassionate coexistence. These programs develop a compassionate society through their work to protect animals by granting them proper care and dignity while offering necessary defense.

Indian people mark National Science Day every year on 28th February to remember Sir C.V. Raman's discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ that won him a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. The observance of this day in 1987 established its mission to raise awareness about science and gauge India's progress in science and technology development. For 2047 when India seeks to become a developed self-reliant nation, the 2025 theme elects to empower India's youth to lead global science innovation towards VIKSIT BHARAT.

Objectives of National Science Day

• The goal behind this activity involves raising public understanding about scientific methods used for everyday applications.

• Next the public sees scientific advancements together with their benefits to human communities.

• People should examine scientific problems and technological progress which help the nation develop.

• Science and technology participation should be promoted among the general public.

Key Development in 2024

The year 2024 brought several essential scientific breakthroughs and technological developments to the world.

1. India’s Global Standing in Innovation and Intellectual Property

• The country occupies position 39 across the Global Innovation Index 2024 global ranking.

• 6th position in global Intellectual Property (IP) filings as per the WIPO report.

• The Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024 rankings advanced to position 49 from its previous location at 79 in 2019 indicating better ICT infrastructure along with digital transformation development.

2. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – Driving Research & Inclusivity

• ANRF Act 2023 established the foundation through its key scientific research programs including:

• PM Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) – Funding young researchers for independent studies.

• EV Mission – Promoting innovation in electric vehicle technology for sustainable mobility.

• Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) – Encouraging collaborative scientific research.

• Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG) – Supporting SC/ST researchers in frontier fields.

3. National Quantum Mission (NQM) receives ₹6003.65 crore in funding to build India's 

quantum capabilities through an eight-year period.

• The government invested ₹6003.65 crores over the span of eight years to progress quantum computing and communication and sensing while developing materials.

• A total of 152 research workers from 43 organizations contribute to this mission.

• The startup support mechanisms create systems that connect mentors with startups while providing funding along with resource distribution functions.

4. National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) – Expanding Computational Power

• India achieved a 32 PetaFlops supercomputing capability in 2024 that increased by 5 PetaFlops during that year.

• IUAC in New Delhi received the largest supercomputing system equipped with 3 PetaFlops computing power.

• The future objective involves building the system to reach 77 PetaFlops capabilities with homegrown technology.

5. Artificial Intelligence & Cyber-Physical Systems

• Under the National Mission for The Implementation of Commercially-Ready Informatics Products the BharatGen Initiative began its work on developing India's first multilingual and multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) for Generative AI.

• The I-HUB Quantum Technology Foundation helps established startups in quantum computing and communication segments.

• The Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) transition their focus towards Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs) to commercialize innovation products.

6. Geospatial Science – Expanding Awareness and Research

• The Spatial Thinking Programs reached 116 schools situated across 7 states which included 6205 students as beneficiaries.

• The total number of participants who received geospatial science training was 575 during Summer/Winter Schools programs.

• The organization plans to spread to five additional states along with scheduling its first national research symposium.

7. Climate Research and Disaster Preparedness

• The establishment of four new flood and drought risk mapping centers formed part of the Center of Excellence expansion.

• Governments across the nation started implementing improved plans for nationwide disaster preparedness together with climate adaptation strategies.

8. Technology Development Board (TDB) – Funding Innovation

• Seven major technology projects received a funding allocation of ₹220.73 crore which enabled critical sector development through breakthroughs.

The INSPIRE Program as part of scientific talent development

• The Indian scientific community receives guidance through the Department of Science & Technology (DST) directed INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) program.

Key 2024 Achievements:

• The research initiatives received support from 34343 INSPIRE Scholars together with 3363 INSPIRE Fellows and 316 INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.

• Nine INSPIRE Fellows will share their research during the 15th JSPS-HOPE Meeting taking place between February 26th to March 1st 2024 in Kyoto Japan.

• The annual INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship admission limit was raised to 150 openings.

• The 11th National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) enrolled ten thousand students as thirty-one winners received recognition at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi.

• INSPIRE-MANAK 2024-25 received an unprecedented number of 1 million nominations for its program.

Future Vision for 2025:

• INSPIRE-MANAK will grow to include students from Class 11 and Class 12 to boost their interest in scientific research.

The Gender Gap in STEM Fields

• The DST founded WISE-KIRAN (Women in Science & Engineering) as a program that delivers help to women scientists from various career positions for gender equity in science.

Key Initiatives:

• The WISE-PhD along with WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) initiative selected more than 340 women scientists for participation.

• The Women’s International Grants Support (WINGS) provides grants for research training activities at international laboratories.

• Women Leadership Programme: Empowering early & mid-level women scientists.

• Through the Vigyan Jyoti Program the organization reached 29,000 schoolgirls from class IX-XII in 34 states and UTs.

• CURIE Programme: Selected 22 Women PG Colleges for advanced research facilities.

Conclusion

Scientific progress in India demonstrates national determination towards independence as well as world-leadership and development through innovative methods. The future success of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires dedicated funding for research and technology development and inclusive scientific empowerment throughout the country.

During the 25th anniversary of Jahan-e-Khusrau, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the grand Sufi music festival held in New Delhi to pay tribute to the legendary 13th-century poet, musician, and scholar, Amir Khusrau. Known as the "Parrot of India," Khusrau played a crucial role in shaping India's rich cultural and artistic heritage through his poetry, music, and linguistic innovations. His works reflect a beautiful blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian influences, symbolizing the essence of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, which promotes unity in diversity. His contributions continue to inspire generations, fostering harmony, artistic expression, and the deep-rooted traditions of Sufism in India.

Key Contributions of Amir Khusrau

Historical Context and Patronage

• During the Delhi Sultanate period he served five rulers starting with Muizuddin Qaiqabad until Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq completed his patronage.

• Muizuddin Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

• His birth took place in Patiyali Uttar Pradesh where he emerged as the son of a Turkish lineage and an Indian Muslim descent.

• The Mongol invasions prompted Khusrau to migrate to India when living in Transoxiana.

The 'Parrot of India': A Symbol of Cultural Synthesis

• Khusrau received the title Tuti-yi-Hind (Parrot of India) because of his remarkable skills as a poet.

• He used the term "Indian Turk" to unite the Persian cultural heritage with Turkic heritage as well as the Indian traditions.

• The association between Khusrau and his Turkic noble father occurred after the Turkic nobles chose to migrate to India because of the Mongol invasions while his Indian Muslim mother remained in his lineage.

Poet of the Sultans

• At the age of 20 Khusrau started writing poetry at the Delhi court where he served five Delhi Sultans throughout his career.

• Muizuddin Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

• He wrote poetry that combined praise of royal patrons with native elements through his use of Persian and Hindavi languages.

• King Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji bestowed upon him the noble rank of "Amir".

Devotion to Sufism and Nizamuddin Auliya

• Through devotion he achieved the rank of closest follower under Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

• During his life Khusrau maintained an extremely close connection with his teacher because he declared in his verse:

• The absence of my master in Paradise makes any entry into his heavenly realm impossible.

• The poetic works and qawwali compositions of the mystic poet constitute essential spiritual components of Sufi spiritual practice.

the Foundation of Hindavi Which Became Hindi as Well as Urdu

• He established Hindavi through the fusion of Persian together with Sanskrit as well as local linguistic elements.

• Early Urdu and Hindi literary traditions formed through the poetic forms and works of Khagzals, masnavis, riddles and proverbs created by him.

• Within Nuh Siphir he commended Hindu philosophical ideas to promote his inclusive spiritual approach.

Musical Legacy: Father of Qawwali & Indian Classical Music

• Through qawwali he made music popular by combining the musical elements of Persian and Arabic with Indian musical culture.

• Hindustani classical music gained new innovations from him which include:

• Development of several ragas.

• Introduction of khayal and bol-bant singing styles.

• Although the claims of his invention of sitar and tabla remain disputed.

Enduring Influence: From Dargahs to Bollywood

• His qawwalis and ghazals continue to be timeless masterpieces among others like Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson.

• Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson.

• His music exists beyond spiritual and secular domains because he performs both at Sufi shrines and Bollywood musical events.

Conclusion

Amir Khusrau will always be remembered for uniting traditions and linguistic components in music. His status as poet together with musician and Sufi follower allowed him to form a vital part of India's rich cultural heritage. The musical compositions he created in Hindavi, qawwali and Indian classical music have kept living their power throughout multiple centuries helping to unite different cultures and create harmony.

The place where Khusro Al Amili rests down continues to stand as proof of his dedicated following of spiritual teachings near Nizamuddin Auliya’s dargah. The celebration of Jahan-e-Khusrau preserves his vision for syncretic India so that the heart of Sufi mysticism and inclusive approaches remain alive for new generations.