Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that in the last 150 to 200 years, mankind has depended on fossil fuels for energy needs. He said nature is now indicating that options such as solar, wind and water, offer more sustainable energy solutions. In this context, he expressed confidence that in future, when people talk of organisations for the welfare of mankind established in the 21st century, the International Solar Alliance will be at the top of the list. He said this is a great forum to work towards ensuring climate justice. He said the International Solar Alliance could replace OPEC as the key global energy supplier in the future.

The Prime Minister said that the effect of increased use of renewable energy is now visible in India. He added that India is working towards the goals of the Paris Agreement through an action plan. He said that the target is to generate 40 percent of India’s total energy requirements in 2030, by non fossil fuel based sources. He said India is developing with a new self-confidence of “Poverty to Power.”

The Prime Minister said that along with power generation, power storage is also important. In this context, he mentioned the National Energy Storage Mission. He said that under this Mission, the Government is focusing on demand creation, indigenous manufacturing, innovation and energy storage.

The Prime Minister said that besides solar and wind power, India is working on biomass, biofuel and bio-energy. He said efforts are being made to make India’s transport system clean fuel based. He said that by converting bio-waste to biofuel, India is converting a challenge into an opportunity.

Presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New Delhi today, the Prime Minister received the Award for his extensive efforts to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’– including an ambitious pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022. He was also recognized for his initiative ­– together with French President Emmanuel Macron – to champion the International Solar Alliance, a global partnership that aims to scale up solar energy in ‘solar-resource-rich countries’ and reduce humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels.“Climate change poses an existential threat to the planet. Many leaders know and recognise this threat, but the difference with Modi is that he acts on it with enormous energy. We need more leaders like him,” Guterres said as he presented the award. “Through a number of policies, including LED lighting, clean cookstoves and solar expansion, India is betting on a green economy because they realise that is the economy of well-being.” “I accept this award on behalf of millions of Indians who protect the environment each and every day,” Modi said. “From fisherfolk who only take what they need or tribal communities who think of forests as their family. We will never be able to tackle climate change without bringing climate into our culture. And this is why India is taking so much action for our climate.”Taking further advantage of the current momentum to tackle pollution across India, UN Environment announced a long-term partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry to reduce plastic waste. Through the launch of an ‘un-plastic’ initiative, the partnership will explore new ways to offer the private sector the chance to turn an environmental challenge into new opportunities, exploring new markets.

“Prime minister Modi’s unprecedented bold stance in the fight against single-use plastic sent a clear message to the world that the time for action is now,” Head of UN Environment Erik Solheim said. “It is ambitious leaders like him that will propel us forward in the fight to keep our natural environment healthy, accessible and sustainable for all. For this, I am immensely inspired and grateful.”

Under Modi’s leadership, Indian sustainable policy implementation and green grassroots initiatives have flourished, with forty million new cooking gas connections and over three hundred million LED bulbs being installed across the country. A major push towards renewable energy in recent years has propelled India to become the fifth largest producer of solar energy and the sixth largest producer of renewable energy worldwide.The Champions of the Earth Award is the United Nations’ highest environmental honour, bestowed on the world’s greatest change agents – individuals and organizations meriting international recognition for their environmental achievements.Other winners of the 2018 Champions of the Earth Award were: Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, creating high-quality vegetarian meat-alternatives; the Zhejiang River Chiefs program, tackling water protection, pollution prevention, and ecological restoration; Joan Carling, a prominent activist championing indigenous and environmental rights; Cochin International Airport, the world’s first fully solar-powered airport; and French President Emmanuel Macron, for his international cooperation on environmental action.

Dr Harsh Vardhan Mourns the Death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The minister said that the Indian scientific community owes it to Vajpayee ji for bringing Science to the forefront of national priorities. The former Prime Minister expanded Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” to include “Jai Vigyan” after the nuclear test at Pokhran.

In the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I have lost a mentor and guide, who hand-held me to politics, Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

PM condoles demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

“मैं नि:शब्द हूं, शून्य में हूं, लेकिन भावनाओं का ज्वार उमड़ रहा है। हम सभी के श्रद्धेय अटल जी हमारे बीच नहीं रहे। अपने जीवन का प्रत्येक पल उन्होंने राष्ट्र को समर्पित कर दिया था। उनका जाना, एक युग का अंत है।

लेकिन वो हमें कहकर गए हैं- “मौत की उमर क्या है? दो पल भी नहीं, ज़िन्दगी सिलसिला, आज कल की नहीं मैं जी भर जिया, मैं मन से मरूं, लौटकर आऊँगा, कूच से क्यों डरूं?”अटल जी आज हमारे बीच में नहीं रहे, लेकिन उनकी प्रेरणा, उनका मार्गदर्शन, हर भारतीय को, हर भाजपा कार्यकर्ता को हमेशा मिलता रहेगा। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करे और उनके हर स्नेही को ये दुःख सहन करने की शक्ति दे। ओम शांति !

India grieves the demise of our beloved Atal Ji. His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti.It was Atal Ji’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.Atal Ji’s passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP’s message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states”, the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets.Earlier All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi issued a Press Release informing that the Former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at 05:05pm today.