educratsweb.com >> UNION MINISTER FOR HRD SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’ LAUNCHES INDIA REPORT- DIGITAL EDUCATION JUNE 2020 - EDUCRATSWEB.COM
Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ today virtually launched India Report on Digital Education, 2020. Shri Pokhriyal said that the report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD, Education Departments of States and Union Territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps. He also urged to all to read this report to get a better understanding of the various initiatives taken to facilitate remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the students.
School Education is envisaged as a comprehensive and convergent programme committed to universalize digital education across the wide spectrum of schools from pre-nursery to higher secondary classes. The quality digital education has acquired a new urgency in the present context of globalization. Ministry of Human Resource Development has initiated many projects to assist teachers, scholars and students in their pursuit of learning like DIKSHA platform, Swayam Prabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, On Air – Shiksha Vani, DAISY by NIOS for differently-abled, e-PathShala, National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energized books, telecast through TV channels, E-learning portals , webinars, chat groups, distribution of books and other digital initiatives along with State/ UT Governments.
The report has messages from the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, union Minister for HRD, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”, Minister of State for HRD, Shri Sanjay Dhotre, and Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD, Smt Anita Karwal,. The report has been prepared by Digital Education Division of MHRD in consultation with Education Departments of States and UTs.
Besides, the central Initiatives State/ UT Governments have also managed the critical task of providing digital education at the door step of the students. Some of the major medium to connect to the students were using social media tools like WhatsApp Group for all the classes, Online classes through YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype etc., E-learning portal, TV (Doordarshan & regional channels), Radio (AIR), use of Diksha was most prominent choice of all the stakeholders.
Some of the major digital initiatives by State Governments are SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement) in Rajasthan, Project Home Classes in Jammu, Padhai Tunhar duvaar (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh, Unnayan Initiatives in Bihar through portal and mobile application, Mission Buniyaad in NCT of Delhi, Kerala’s own educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme), E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya. Telangana has online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’.
Some states have launched innovative mobile apps and portals as means to facilitate remote learning. Madhya Pradesh has launched Top Parent App, a free mobile app that empowers parents of young children (3-8 years) with knowledge and strategies around child development to help them meaningfully engage with their children. KHEL(Knowledge Hub for Electronic Learning), a Game Based Application has also been started, that covers class 1-3. Uttarakhand is making use of Sampark Baithak App through which primary school students can access animated videos, audios, worksheet, puzzles, etc. Assam has launched the Biswa Vidya Assam Mobile Application for class 6 to 10. Bihar has launched Vidyavahini App with e-books for class 1 to 12. Under Unnayan Bihar Initiative, Bihar has also launched Mera Mobile Mera Vidyalaya for students, and Unnayan Bihar Teacher App. Chandigarh has launched Phoenix Mobile application to assess the learning outcome for the students of class 1 to 8. Maharashtra has launched the Learning Outcomes Smart Q Mobile App to facilitate learning for students in the state. Punjab has launched iScuela Learn Mobile Application for class 1 to 10. Sikkim Edutech App connects all the schools of Sikkim under the State Education Department, Parents also have login access along with students, teachers and administrative units. Tripura has an application titled ‘EmpowerU Shiksha Darpan’ in order to facilitate student’s appraisal. Uttar Pradesh launches ‘Top Parent’ app targeting children from 3-8years age. The application currently houses three high-quality EdTech apps for children – Chimple, Maths Masti and Google Bolo.
States are also pioneering Whatsapp as a medium for education and to encourage teachers, parents, and students to stay connected. Odisha Shiksha Sanjog - a Whatsapp based digital learning programme has been launched in Odisha that shares e-content with class groups in a streamlined way. Education through Whatsapp is also being dispensed in Punjab, Puducherry. Rajasthan is using Whatsapp innovatively for Hawamahal – Joyful Saturday program where students will listen to stories and play the games with the instructions being shared to them via whatsapp. Mission Prerna ki e-Pathshala is a Teacher to student whatsapp group in Uttar Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh has launched three whatsapp campaigns namely, ‘Karona, Thodi Masti, Thodi Padhai for joyful learning & 'Har Ghar Pathshala’ where the State disseminates e-content, students go through the content and solve the worksheets thereby provided with teacher’s feedback. For students with special needs, the campaign has been named as “Hum Kisi se Kam Nahi- Mera Ghar Meri Pathshala''. The content is being shared through WhatsApp groups where special educators are assigned.
Many states have had to be creative with low tech forms of teaching and instruction delivery with low or nil requirements of the internet. For instance- In Arunachal Pradesh, primary class students are receiving interesting Radio talks in their mother tongue through All India Radio, Itanagar. The districts of Jharkhand have localized actual teachers addressing children through regional Doordarshan and available radio slots. Similar is Puducherry’s initiative telecasting the classes through virtual control rooms on local TV channels. Manipur has started comic books for students of class 3-5 to help them learn concepts in a fun way. Ladakh is collaborating with NGOs like EMBIBE Bangalore and 17000 feet in providing online education to students even in low connectivity zones. The missing element during the current crisis being ‘community engagement’, the idea of localized and personalized resources have come into picture. Popular features like quiz competitions are held by the state of Haryana.
To grapple with the challenges of providing remote learning, NIOS & Swayam Prabha contents are disseminated focusing on children who are not connected to the internet and have limited access to radio & TV. The initiatives from states to make available the content through innovative mediums are ensuring inclusion. For instance - Andhra Pradesh has started Toll Free Call Centre and Toll Free Video call centre for students for understanding critical topics and clearing their doubts. Due to poor mobile connectivity and unavailability of internet services, Chhattisgarh has started Motor iskool. The state has also started a toll free number as VFS (Virtual Field Support). Jharkhand has started the Roving teacher where many teachers keep moving to teach children. Gujarat started a Reading Campaign for Oral Reading Fluency- Vanchan Abhiyan and Parivar no maalo-salamat ane humfaalo (family’s nest-safe and warm) socio psychological support programme for children. West Bengal has also started an exclusive and dedicated toll-free helpline number to enable students to call and clarify doubts.
To ensure inclusive learning in remote areas where internet connectivity and electricity is poor and sporadic, States and UTs have also distributed textbooks at children’s doorsteps. Some of the states that have taken this initiative to reach students are Odisha, Madhya Pradesh (under Dakshata Unnayan Programme), Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, etc. Lakshadweep has distributed tablets equipped with e-contents to students. Nagaland has distributed study material through DVD/Pen drive to students at nominal cost. Jammu & Kashmir has distributed free tabs to students, along with laptops & Braille tactile readers for visually impaired learners.
Digital education initiatives are also enabling enhanced support for students preparing for competitive exams. Goa has partnered with Embibe, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered online platform for learning, practicing, and testing, for students preparing for entrance exams in the State. Karnataka has launched Pariksha Vani, an exam preparation program through Doordarshan, and an SSLC Exam Readiness Program. Online Practice tests with detailed analysis are available for Government and Government Aided Students of Tamil Nadu preparing for NEET exam.
Addressing diverse needs by states, personality development along with command over language is focused by NCT of Delhi for higher classes, amid lockdown mental well-being of children is also taken care of through happiness classes channelized through SMS/IVR for primary grade children. Similarly, other states are also focusing on mental well-being of students like Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are actively focusing on inclusive education for students with Special needs. In such a way, state’s education departments together are determined and committed to curb the learning crisis remotely.
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1. President of India awards President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Services and Police Medal for Meritorious Services to the RPF/RPSF personnel Friday August 14 2020 : On the occasion of Independence Day 2020, the Hon’ble President of India has awarded President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Services and Police Medal for Meritorious Services to the following RPF/RPSF personnel:
President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Service:
1. Shri D.B. Kasar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner/South Eastern Railway
Police Medal (PM) for Meritorious Service:
1. Shri Santosh N. Chandran, DIG/R&T, Railway Board
2. Shri Rajendra Rupnawar, Sr. DSC/Northeast Frontier Railway
3. Ms. Sarika Mohan, Sr. DSC/ Northern Railway
4. Shri Shaik Karimullah, Assistant Security Commissioner/ South Central Railway
5. Shri Himanshu Shekhar Jha, Assistant Security Commissioner/Railway Board
6. Shri Gurjasbir Singh, Assistant Security Commissioner/ Northern Railway
7. Shri Nepal Singh Gurjar, Sub-Inspector / 2BN RPSF
8. Shri AB Rashid Lone, Inspector / 6 BN RPSF
9. Shri M. Mohammed Rafi, Head Constable / South Western Railway
10. Shri Shailesh Kumar,Inspector /Northern Railway
11. Shri Sudhendu Biswas, Asst. Sub-Inspector/ Eastern Railway
12. Shri Kawal Singh, Sub Inspector/ 2BN RPSF
13. Shri K. Ventateswarlu, Inspector/ South Central Railway
14. Shri Ashraf Siddiqui, Inspector/ North Eastern Railway
15. Shri Surender Kumar, Asst. Sub Inspector/ Northern Railway
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1645846
2. Global celebration of IYD2020 through digital platforms Friday June 5 2020 : Global celebration of IYD2020 through digital platforms
In the light of the prevailing health emergency in the country due to COVID-19, this year’s International Yoga Day is set to go digital internationally. This was stated by Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) in the joint press conference held today along with M/o AYUSH. This year, the event will highlight the utility of Yoga for individuals, to develop immunity to combat the global pandemic and strengthen the community in managing some of the significant aspects of this crisis, Dr. Sahasrabuddhe added. Also present at the joint press conference were Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary AYUSH.
In view of the highly infectious nature of the virus causing COVID-19, there shall be no mass gatherings. Hence, this year the Ministry is encouraging people to practice Yoga at their homes with participation from the entire family. While addressing the media persons Dr. Sahasrabuddhe informed that Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has called upon one and all to participate in the “My Life – My Yoga” Video Blogging Contest. He said that through this video blogging competition, the Ministry of AYUSH and ICCR seek to raise awareness about Yoga and to inspire people to prepare for and become active participants in the observation of IDY2020.
On this occasion, Secretary Ministry of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said that the announcement of the contest by Hon. Prime Minister has generated tremendous curiosity and also interest in it. The Ministry of AYUSH is confident that this interest would convert into significant public health gains, as the positive impact of Yoga in the management of many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic situation is by now well accepted.
Shri Kotecha further said that the contest will contribute in a major manner for raising global awareness about the healing and therapeutic powers, and transformative impact that Yoga can have in their lives. He said that all stakeholders like Yoga Institutes, Yoga Studios, Yoga Professionals are being sensitized about the blogging contest through their various platforms including print and electronic media.
Shri Kotecha further said that the blogging contest has started on various digital platforms such as MyGov.gov.in and shall end on 15th June 2020, after which the jury shall collectively decide and announce the names of the winners. Entries for video competition can be submitted by participants under three categories covering youth (aged under 18 yrs), adults (above 18 years) and yoga professionals, and further, separately for male and female contestants. This makes it a total of six categories in all. For the India contestants, 1st, 2nd and 3rd awardees shall get a prize worth Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs.25,000 for each of the categories. While global prizes shall be for $2500, $1500 and $1000.
Shri Dinesh K Patnaik, DG (ICCR) and Shri PN Ranjit Kumar, JS (AYUSH) Joint Secretary, M/o AYUSH were also present at the press conference. Immunity kits were also distributed among the
3. Power Minister launches the #iCommit initiative on World Environment Day Friday June 5 2020 : Power Minister launches the ‘#iCommit’ initiative on World Environment Day
Shri R. K. Singh, the Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, today initiated the ‘#iCommit’ campaign, on the occasion of World Environment Day. The initiative is a clarion call to all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability to create a robust and resilient energy system in the future.
The ‘#iCommit’ initiative, driven by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India is uniting a diverse set of players such as Governments, Corporates, Multilateral and Bilateral Organisations, Think Tanks and Individuals.
Speaking about the initiative Shri Singhsaid, “We envisage a transformation of the entire energy value chain in the country and have been working towards ensuring 24X7 energy access and security for all our citizens. The #iCommit initiative, especially in the backdrop of World Environment Day can bring together a diverse spectrum of government and private players to build a new energy future for India.”
The ‘#iCommit’ initiative is centred around the idea of building an energy resilient future. The pre-requisite for that goal is to create a flexible and agile power system. A healthy power sector can help the nation in meeting the objective of energy access and security for all. With the imminent changes in the power system, brought about by innovation such as decentralised solar and electric vehicles, collaboration between all stakeholders will be the way forward and is at the core of ‘#iCommit’ campaign.
The initiative will also celebrate and promote key undertakings of Government of India such as National Electric Mobility Mission 2020, FAME 1 and 2,DeenDayalUpadhyaya Gram JyotiYojana, the Saubhagya Scheme,Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY), Atal Distribution system Improvement Yojna (AJAY), Smart Meter National Programme, PradhanmantriKisanUrja Suraksha evamUtthanMahaabhiya (KUSUM), Solar Parks, Grid Connected Rooftop, UnnatJyoti by Affordable LED for All (UJALA), Atal JyotiYojna (AJAY) amongst others
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1629635
4. Indian Railways issues draft National Rail Plan Friday December 18 2020 : In an endeavour to address the inadequacies of capacity constraints and improve its modal share in total freight eco system of the country, Indian Railways has come up with Draft National Rail Plan.
A long term strategic plan called the National Rail Plan has been developed to plan infrastructural capacity enhancement along with strategies to increase modal share of the Railways. The National Rail Plan will be a common platform for all future infrastructural, business and financial planning of the Railways. This plan is being circulated among various Ministries for their views now. Railways aim to finalise the Final plan by January 2021.
The objective of the Plan is:
• To create capacity ahead of demand by 2030, which in turn would cater to growth in demand right up to 2050 and also increase the modal share of Railways from 27% currently to 45% in freight by 2030 as part of a national commitment to reduce Carbon emission and to continue to sustain it. Net Zero Carbon emission by 2030.
• To assess the actual demand in freight and passenger sectors, a yearlong survey was conducted over hundred representative locations by survey teams spread all over the country.
• Forecast growth of traffic in both freight and passenger year on year up to 2030 and on a decadal basis up to 2050.
• Formulate strategies based on both operational capacities and commercial policy initiatives to increase modal share of the Railways in freight to 45% by 2030.
• Reduce transit time of freight substantially by increasing average speed of freight trains from present 22Kmph to 50Kmph.
• Reduce overall cost of Rail transportation by nearly 30% and pass on the benefits to the customers.
• Map the growth in demand on the Indian Railway route map and simulate the capacity behaviour of the network in future.
• Based on above simulation identify infrastructural bottlenecks that would arise in future with growth in demand.
• Select projects along with appropriate technology in both track work, signalling and rolling stock to mitigate these bottlenecks well in advance.
As part of the National Rail Plan, Vision 2024 has been launched for accelerated implementation of certain critical projects by 2024 such as 100% electrification, multitracking of congested routes, upgradation of speed to 160 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes, upgradation of speed to 130kmph on all other Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal (GQ/GD) routes and elimination of all Level Crossings on all GQ/GD route.
• Future projects for implementation beyond 2024 in bo
5. Ministry of YAS provided special assistance to Indian sportspersons for their preparations for the Tokyo Olympics: Union Sports Minister Monday July 19 2021 : Indian sportspersons and teams will be participating in the events of Tokyo Olympics 2020 across the 18 sports disciplines viz., Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Shooting, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
The Government has continuously provided support to Indian athletes/ teams for their training, foreign exposures and competitions to enable them to obtain maximum quota for participation in Olympics and enhance their chances to win medals. The selected athletes have been supported for their customized training and competitive exposures with funding from the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations and National Sports Development Fund. Out of pocket allowance (OPA) has been given @ Rs.50,000/- per month to athletes included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). During the pandemic period, athletes have also been supported by providing necessary sporting equipment such as (Barbell Rods, weights, Exercise Bicycle etc.), air pellets, target system with the help from Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centers, State Governments and NGOs at their homes for sustaining their training and practice.
The Government is confident and hopeful that the Indian sportspersons will put their best performances and will make the country proud, as the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association and National Sports Federations have provided all possible support to the Athletes.
This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
6. NTPC among top 50 @Great Place to Work in India Friday June 25 2021 : NTPC among top 50 @Great Place to Work in India
-Recognised as the Nation Builders 2021 by the GPTW-
Mumbai, June 25th, 2021: NTPC has been recognised as a Great Place to Work for the 15th year in a row by the Great Place to Work Institute.
NTPC is the only PSU to consistently feature in India’s Top 50 Best Workplaces. This year NTPC ranked 38th up from 47th position last year. It also won it’s first-ever recognition of India’s Best Employers among Nation-Builders 2021. Figuring consistently in GPTW's Best Workplaces List year on year is testimony of its people's practices and approach.
The Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute commended NTPC’s employees for being the torchbearers of a high trust culture. The GPTW Institute highlighted NTPC’s successful business and a great relationship with its employees and said that both consistency and compassion have led NTPC to feature in India’s Top 50 Best Workplaces for the 15th year in a row.
Great Place to Work Certification is the most definitive 'Employer-of-Choice' recognition that organizations aspire to achieve. The Certification is recognized world over by employees and employers alike and is considered the 'Gold Standard' in identifying and recognizing Great Workplaces with High Trust and High Performance Cultures.
The GPTW Institute’s evaluation is based on the audit of NTPC’s Human Resource practices and policies as well as anonymous feedback from employees on the organization culture covering dimensions of employee trust: respect, fairness, credibility, pride, and camaraderie.
NTPC also won the CII HR Excellence Role model award in the month of March 2021, the highest award in the field of People Management in the country.
NTPC among top 50 @Great Place to Work in India
7. MSME Minister Gadkari bats for technology upgradation and attracting foreign investment to combat post COVID scenario Wednesday May 20 2020 : Union Minister for MSMEs and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has called upon the MSME sector to consider technology upgradation and to look for foreign investment to forge ahead in the post-COVID scenario. He said, the relief package announced by the Prime Minister for MSME sector should be utilised by the medium and small scale industry to jump back into action. Addressing the members of Confederation of Faridabad Industries Association and Materials Recycling Association of India in two separate video conferences from Nagpur today, the Minister said, this package will energize the local indigenous industry with new life.
Shri Gadkari said, the stimulus package announced by the Finance Minister will prove substantially helpful for MSME sector. He informed that by this 31st March, nearly 6 lakh MSMEs were restructured, and this number will be added by another 25 lakh by 31st December this year. The Fund of Funds worth Rs 10 thousand crore will be strengthened to Rs 50 thousand crore by adding other funds.
The Minister also spoke about linking MSME liquidity to equity market. He said, the government will support those MSME units which have good rating by sharing 7.5 per cent in their stock market strength. He said, orders have been issued to clear all MSME dues within 45 days. Shri Gadkari said, he has requested the big industry as well to do the same. He informed that Ministry's Samadhan portal has helped payment Release of nearly Rs 40 thousand crore to MSMEs. He also said, there are plans to bring in a scheme of providing loans to such units on the basis of their supply order to the big industries.
The Minister was very upbeat over the change of definition of the MSME sector. Raising of investment limit in this sector will give great boost to the industry, which will now get easy finance from banks. The sector was demanding this revision for long, he said. Similarly, easing of global tendering norm is a remarkable step, he said.
Shri Gadkari urged the industry representatives to join together and consider forming industrial clusters around the proposed Delhi-Mumbai green expressway, where land prices are low. He said, he is open to all such proposals, and will help the industry in this direction.
8. Government of India launches scheme for 100 % solarisation of Konark sun temple & Konark town Wednesday May 20 2020 : The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken up the Complete Solarisation of Konark sun temple and Konark town in Odisha. Speaking about the Scheme, Shri R K Singh, MoS(i/c) for Power and MNRE has said, "Government of India launched the Scheme with an objective to take forward the Prime Minister’s vision to develop the historical Sun temple town of Konark in Odisha as 'Surya Nagri', to convey a message of synergy between the modern use of solar energy and the ancient Sun Temple and the importance of promoting solar energy", .
The Scheme envisages setting up of 10 MW grid connected solar project and various solar off-grid applications like solar trees, solar drinking water kiosks, off-grid solar power plants with battery storage etc with a 100% Central Financial Assistance (CFA) support of around Rs. 25 Crores from Government of India through Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). Implementation of this Project will be done by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA).
The Scheme will meet all the energy requirements of Konark town with solar energy.
9. Announces the National Digital Health Mission Saturday August 15 2020 : The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and India’s simultaneous graded and pro-active approach that made the country “Atmanirbhar” found a place in the Prime Minister’s address to the Nation on the 74th Independence Day, as he highlighted the accomplishments of the Central government in the field of health.
Expressing his condolences for families who lost their loved ones to the disease, he said that India’s Corona warriors need to be applauded as they have exemplified the mantra “Seva Parmo Dharma.” The Prime Minister reassured the nation that “we will win against corona. ‘Strong will’ will lead to victory”.
He highlighted the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ spirit of the country that has resulted in achieving self-reliance amid COVID-19. He said that the country is now producing PPE kits, N95 masks, ventilators etc., which were not being manufactured domestically. The increase in production capacity of such world class items also echoed in his call “vocal for local”.
Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort today, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s steady escalation of its COVID testing capacity “From merely one lab we have today more than 1400 labs across the country. We were earlier conducting just 300 tests on a day; today we are conducting more than 7 lakh tests in a day. We have achieved this in a very less amount of time”, he stated.
In his Independence Day address to the nation, the Prime Minister mentioned about India’s strategy for development of the Corona Vaccine. He stated that sscientists are working on this mission with strong determination. Presently, three vaccines are in different stages of testing. As soon as the scientists give a nod, mass production shall commence. A blueprint for the production and distribution of the vaccine is also ready, he added.
Expanding on the country’s push for increased capacity in Medical Education and Health Infrastructure, Prime Minister stated that the new AIIMS and medical colleges will strengthen the medical infrastructure in the country. We have added more than 45,000 seats in MBBS and MD courses, he added. The Prime Minister also appreciated the role played by the Ayushman Bharat health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) in provisioning of non-COVID healthcare services during the ongoing pandemic. Of the envisaged 1.5 lakh HWCs, one third are already active, he said. He also expressed confidence that Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) will improve the effectiveness of services in the health sector.
Announcing the National Digital Health Mission, Prime Minister said that a Unique Health ID will be provided to every citizen which will have details of the diseases, diagnosis, report, medication etc., in a common database through a single ID.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1646049
10. Indian Railways transports more than 23.5 lacs passengers to their home states through Shramik Special trains in 20 days Wednesday May 20 2020 : Indian Railways transports more than 23.5 lacs passengers to their home states through “Shramik Special” trains in 20 days
Indian Railways operationalise 1773 “Shramik Special” trains till 20th May, 2020 (till 10:00 hrs) across the country
A total of 205 “Shramik Specials”, highest so far in a single day, were operationalized with more than 2.5 lacs passengers
Posted On: 20 MAY 2020 3:34PM by PIB Delhi
Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains, Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains form 1st May 2020.
As on 20th May 2020 (till 10:00 hrs), a total of 1773 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country. More than 23.5 lacs passengers have reached their home state by these “Shramik Special” trains.
Yesterday i.e. 19th May 2020, with record a total of 205 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country with more than 2.5 lacs passengers.
These 1773 trains were originated from various states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh UT, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry UT, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.
Also, these Shramik Special Trains were terminated in various States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal,
Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.
11. Make In India Thursday September 17 2020 : Recently, Government has taken various steps in addition to ongoing schemes to boost domestic investments in India. These include the National Infrastructure Pipeline, Reduction in Corporate Tax, easing liquidity problems of NBFCs and Banks, various policy measures to boost domestic manufacturing. Government of India has also promoted domestic manufacturing of goods through public procurement orders, Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), Schemes for Production Linked Incentives of various Ministries.
Further, with a view to support, facilitate and provide investor friendly ecosystem to investors investing in India, the Union Cabinet on 03rd June, 2020 has approved constitution of Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for Investment chaired by Cabinet Secretary with CEO, NitiAayog, Secretary, D/o Commerce, Secretary, D/o Revenue, Secretary, D/o Economic Affairs and Secretary DPIIT as Members with following main objective:
To bring synergies and ensure timely clearances from different departments and Ministries.
To attract increased investments into India and provide investment support and facilitation to global investors.
To facilitate investments of top investors in a targeted manner and to usher policy stability and consistency in the overall investment environment.
Union Cabinet also approved constitution of Project Development Cells (PDCs) in all concerned Ministries/ Departments to fast-track investments in coordination between the Central Govt. and State Govt. and thereby grows the pipeline of investible projects in India and in turn increases domestic investments and FDI inflow. PDCs have the following main objectives.
To create projects with all approvals, land available for allocation and with the complete detailed project reports for adoption/ investments by investors.
To identify issues that need to be resolved in order to attract and finalize the investments and put forth these before the Empowered Group.
This information was given by the UnionMinister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Sources https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1655062
12. President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind will virtually confer the National Sports and Adventure Award 2020 tomorrow Friday August 28 2020 : The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind will virtually confer the National Sports and Adventure Award 2020 on 29 August 2020. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri. Kiren Rijiju, President of the Indian Olympic Association Shri. Narendra Dhruv Batra and several other dignitaries will attend the ceremony from Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. 65 awardees are expected to attend the ceremony. The awardees will attend the ceremony from various places across the country - Bengaluru, Pune, Sonepat, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Itanagar. The Ceremony will be launched at 11 AM on 29 August 2020. The event will be telecast live on Doordarshan and streamed live on https://webcast.gov.in/myas/sportsawards/.
Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years preceding the award ; Arjuna Award is given for consistent outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award goes to the coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events; Dhyan Chand Award is for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy. In addition to these Sports Awards, the spirit of adventure among the people of the country is recognized by bestowing the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In a first-ever endeavour, the first National Sports and Adventure Award 2020 is being conducted virtually on 29 August 2020.
The sports personalities are pleased that the awards ceremony is taking place amid the pandemic, in this virtual way.
“I am very happy that the awards ceremony is taking place during the National Sports Day in spite of the Covid situation. The Sports Authority of India has taken a very positive decision to host the ceremony virtually despite all odds,” mentioned para-athlete Sandeep Chaudhary, one of the Arjuna Award recipients.
Table Tennis player Manika Batra will receive the prestigious Khel Ratna Award, two years after receiving the Arjuna from the President. “We have to accept the fact that the pandemic has brought life to a standstill but I am no less excited about this ceremony,” said the star paddler.
Kuldeep Handoo, National Wushu team coach and a recipient of the Dronacharya award praised the organizers for conducting the ceremony with finesse. “I salute Kiren Rijiju sir that even during such a time, a well-arranged function is being conducted. When I was in the dress rehearsal, it seemed very simple but it definitely is not easy to organize with such technical accuracy. Connecting all the awards winners online from various States of the country with the Pre
13. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Atal Tunnel Thursday October 1 2020 : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall inaugurate Atal Tunnel, Rohtang at 10 AM on 3rd October 2020.
Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the World. The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
The Tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Mtrs (10,000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.
The South Portal (SP) of Atal Tunnel is located at a distance of 25 Km from Manali at an altitude of 3060 Mtrs, while the North Portal (NP) of the tunnel is located near village Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 3071 Mtrs.
It is horse shoe shaped, single tube double lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 Mtrs. It has an overhead clearance of 5.525 Mtrs.
It is 10.5-metre wide and has a 3.6 x 2.25 Mtrs fire proof emergency egress tunnel built into the main tunnel itself.
Atal Tunnel has been designed for traffic density of 3000 cars per day and 1500 trucks per day with max speed of 80 km/hr.
It has the state of the art electromechanical system including semi transverse ventilation system, SCADA controlled firefighting, illumination and monitoring system.
The Tunnel has ample safety features built into it. Some of the key safety features are
(a) Tunnel entry barriers at both portals.
(b) Telephone connections at every 150 Mtrs for emergency communication.
(c) Fire hydrant mechanisms at every 60 Mtrs.
(d) Auto incident detection system with CCTV cameras at every 250 Mtrs.
(e) Air quality monitoring at every 1 Km.
(f) Evacuation lighting / exit signs at every 25 Mtrs.
(g) Broadcasting system throughout the tunnel.
(h) Fire rated Dampers at every 50 Mtrs.
(i) Cameras at every 60 Mtrs.
The historic decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken on June 03, 2000 when late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. The foundation stone for the Access Road to the South Portal of the tunnel was laid on May 26, 2002.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked relentlessly to overcome major geological, terrain and weather challenges that included the most difficult stretch of the 587-metre Seri Nalah Fault Zone. The breakthrough from both ends was achieved on October 15, 2017.
The Union Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 24th December 2019 and decided to name the Rohtang Tunnel as Atal Tunnel to honour the contribution made by the former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vaj
14. Digital Marketing Kya Hai Friday February 28 2020 : Digital Marketing Kya Hai :- जैसे-जैसे लोग स्क्रीन के सामने अधिक से अधिक समय बिताते हैं, डिजिटल मार्केटिंग एक प्रभावी तरीके से ग्राहकों तक पहुंचने के लिए सबसे महत्वपूर्ण उपकरण बन गया है। डिजिटल मार्केटिंग डेस्कटॉप कंप्यूटर से लेकर स्मार्टफोन तक सभी प्रकार के इलेक्ट्रॉनिक उपकरणों के उपयोगकर्ताओं को लक्षित करता है। एक व्यवसाय को ऑनलाइन बढ़ावा देने और दर्शकों को संलग्न करने के लिए, आपको विभिन्न प्रकार के डिजिटल मार्केटिंग का उपयोग करने की आवश्यकता है।
15. National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) & Several Digital Initiatives Launched For Transforming Urban Governance Tuesday February 23 2021 : Shri Hardeep S Puri, MoS, I/C, Housing and Urban Affairshas stated that National Urban Digital Mission will create the ideal space to harness immense synergies from the domain of urban and technology towards creating a citizen-centric governance that reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘minimum government and maximum governance’. Speaking at the launch of National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) and other initiatives here today, he said that Ministry has to work with and support all ULBs, from the largest to the smallest, to deliver on the promise of serving all citizens andthis is what sabkasaath - sabkavikas - sabkavishwas means for urban India today: enhancing the capacity of every city and town to serve citizens, build partnerships, and solve local problems locally.
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, who graced the event with virtual presence, said that the cities will become smarter only if digital technology is properly leveraged. He added that an important message of this launch is that convergence is integral to good governance through a digital mode. He added that this convergence will not be among beneficiaries of the scheme but those departments who are responsible for convergence. He further said that the goal of Digital India can be achieved through technology which is homegrown, developmental, low cost and inclusive.
The National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, here today. The event was attended by Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA & Shri A.P.Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY and other officers of the Central and State Governments were also present at the launch. Several other digital initiativesof MoHUA vis. India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX), SmartCode, Smart Cities 2.0 website, and Geospatial Management Information System (GMIS) were also launched. These initiatives are among the ongoing efforts of both Ministries to realise the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India and AtmaNirbhar Bharat, by making cities more self-reliant and enabled to meet the needs of and provide services to their citizens.
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National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)
The National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) will create a shared digital infrastructure for urban India, working across the three pillars of people, process, and platform to provide holistic support to cities and towns. It will institutionalise a citizen-centric and ecosystem-driven approach to urban governance and service delivery in 2022 cities by 2022, and across all cities and towns in India by 2024.
NUDM will create a shared digital infrastructure that can consolidate and cross-leverage the various digital initiatives of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, enabling cities and towns across India to benefit from holis
16. Government has taken several steps to promote India as a Medical and Health Tourism Destination: Shri G Kishan Reddy Tuesday July 20 2021 : Government has taken several steps to promote India as a Medical and Health Tourism Destination: Shri G Kishan Reddy
Key Highlights:
National Medical & Wellness Tourism Board constituted to promote Medical/Wellness Tourism, AYUSH
A draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism formulated
‘E- Medical Visa’ introduced for 166 countries
Assistance provided under Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to medical/wellness Tourism Service Providers &Centres
Medical & health tourism promoted at World Travel Mart (London), ITB, Berlin, Arabian Travel Mart etc.
Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps to promote India as a Medical and Health Tourism Destination.
In order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and any other format of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry has constituted a National Medical & Wellness Tourism Board with the Minister (Tourism) as its Chairman. The Board works as an umbrella organization that promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner.
Ministry of Tourism has formulated a draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. In order to make the document more comprehensive, Ministry of Tourism has invited feedback/ comments/ suggestions on the draft National Strategy and Roadmap from identified Central Ministries, all the State Governments/UT Administrations and industry stakeholders.
Brochure, CDs and other publicity material to promote Medical and health tourism have been produced by the Ministry and the same are widely distributed and circulated for publicity in target markets.
Medical and health tourism have been specifically promoted at various international platforms such as World Travel Mart, London, ITB, Berlin, Arabian Travel Mart etc.
Medical Visa’ has been introduced, which can be given for specific purpose to foreign travelers coming to India for medical treatment. ‘E- Medical Visa’ has also been introduced for 166 countries.
Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance under Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to Medical/Wellness Tourism Service Providers and Wellness Centres accredited by NABH for participation in Medical/Tourism Fairs, Medical Conferences, Wellness Conferences, Wellness Fairs and allied Road Shows.
This information was given by Minister o
17. Meity-NITI launches Digital India AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge to realise PM's vision of Digital India – AatmaNirbhar Bharat Saturday July 4 2020 : Meity-NITI launches Digital India AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge to realise PM's vision of Digital India – AatmaNirbhar Bharat
With an objective to support and build a strong ecosystem for Indian Apps, MeitY in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission – Niti Aayog launches Digital India AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge for Indian tech entrepreneurs and Startups. This is to help realise the vision of Prime Minister for building a Digital India and using Digital Technologies for building an AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
This shall run in 2 tracks: Promotion of Existing Apps and Development of New Apps.
The focus of the Track 1 App Innovation Challenge, being launched today is to identify the best Indian Apps that are already being used by citizens and have the potential to scale and become world class Apps in their respective categories. This Innovation Challenge with various cash awards and incentives of featuring Apps on Leader Boards seeks to create an ecosystem where Indian entrepreneurs and Startups are incentivised to ideate, incubate, build, nurture and sustain Tech solutions that can serve not only citizens within India but also the world. The Mantra is to Make in India for India and the World. This shall be completed in a month.
Subsequent to this App Innovation Challenge, Government will also launch Track 2 of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge that will seek to identify Indian start ups / entrepreneurs /companies and encourage them with ideation, incubation, prototyping and roll out of applications. This track will run for a longer course of a time, details of which shall be provided separately.
The AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge Track 1 is being launched in the following 8 broad categories:
Office Productivity & Work from Home
Social Networking
E-Learning
Entertainment
Health & Wellness
Business including Agritech and Fin-tech
News
Games.
There may be several sub categories within each category.
The Innovation Challenge will be available on innovate.mygov.in/app-challenge from 4th July 2020. The last date of submission of entries is 18th July 2020. The applicants need to apply online to submit their proposals by registering and logging on to the MyGov portal - www.mygov.in.
A specific Jury for each track with experts from Private Sector & Academia will evaluate the entries received. Shortlisted Apps will be given awards & will also feature on Leader boards for information of citizens. Government will also adopt suitable Apps, guide them to maturity and list on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
Some of the Key Evaluation parameters will include Ease of use (UI/UX), Robustness, Security and Scalability
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1636407
18. Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Education Minister Shri R P Nishank Lays Foundation Stone for New Facilities at Central University of Odisha Saturday August 29 2020 : Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today, along with Union Minister of Education, Shri Ramesh PokhriyalNishank laid the foundation stone for academic block, library and staff quarters at Central University of Odisha(CUO) in Koraput.
Shri Pradhan congratulated the faculty and students and expressed happiness at CUO establishing itself as a premier centre for higher learning in Odisha.Talking about impetus given to higher education in Odisha, Shri Pradhan said, “PM Modi has always given a special focus on higher education in Odisha. Under his leadership, several premier institutes of learning like IIM, IIT, IISER, CIPET, NISER, ICT-IOCL have been established in Odisha.”
Speaking about National Education Policy, Shri Pradhan said, “New Education Policy will enable regionally rooted industry-academia-govt partnership for the holistic development of the region.Koraput is rich in tribal diversity and NEP2020 focusing on a broad-based and creative curricula will enable CUO to provide more opportunities for disadvantaged students and also promote research-based tribal and anthropological studies in Odisha.”
Shri Pradhan also encouraged students and faculty of CUO to undertake innovative efforts, leveraging agricultural research and entrepreneurship to find better and bigger markets for Koraput’s fantastic organic farmed products, such as the world- famous Koraput ginger. “CUO will lead Odisha and India onto the path of knowledge and be the torchbearers of an AatmaNirbharBharat”, he further added.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shri R P Nishank said “I am delighted to see the progress made by the institution in tuning its objectives and processes in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020.I am sure that the introduction of core science and new social science courses will add further quality dimensions to the existing faculties of CU Odisha.I am happy to note that the University is also embarking on a massive skill development program in 12 Districts of Odisha.I wish good luck to the faculty, students, and the administrative staff of CU Odisha on this happy occasion.”
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19. Union Minister of Jal Shakti writes to Chief Minister Nagaland for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State Tuesday June 9 2020 : Union Minister of Jal Shakti writes to Chief Minister Nagaland for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State
The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has written a letter to Chief Minister of Nagaland expressing his concerns over the tardy progress of Jal Jeevan Mission in the State. Last year, the Mission was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which aims to improve the lives of rural people by providing safe drinking water to every rural household through household tap connections (FHTCs) by 2024. The decentralized, demand-driven, community-managed water supply schemes at village/ habitation level is perceived as a transformational programme in drinking water sector.
In his letter, Shri Shekhawat mentioned about the commitment of Union Government towards development of North East India. For Jal Jeevan Mission, funds are provided by Government of India based on the output in terms of household tap connections provided and the utilization of available funds. Against the target of providing tap connections to 75,000 households in the year 2019-20, only 2,000 tap connections were covered. Further, Nagaland was allocated Rs 56.49 Crore in 2019-20, out of which the State could only spend Rs 23.54 Crore. Informing the CM that the allocation for Nagaland has been increased from Rs. 56.49 Crore to Rs. 114.09 Crore in 2020-21 and with an opening balance of Rs. 32.95 Crore, Nagaland has an assured availability of Rs. 147.04 Crore of Central funds for JJM. With matching State share, the State will have Rs 163 Crore during 2020-21 for implementation of JJM. The Jal Shakti Minister stressed that providing potable water to every rural household is a national priority and the State should make efforts to accomplish the goal in time-bound manner.
While stressing on the need for proper planning to be done to achieve the goal of JJM within the timeframe with focus on retrofitting/ augmentation of existing water supply systems to provide FHTCs to remaining households, the Minister urged the CM to pay heed to take up works immediately in 1,334 villages in the State reported to have existing piped water supply schemes, so that the poor and marginalized section of the society will get tap connections at earliest. Priority is to be given to saturation of villages in aspirational districts, SC/ ST dominant villages/ habitations and villages covered under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
Shri Shekhawat asked for strengthening of existing drinking water sources for long-term sustainability of drinking water supply systems. The planning should be done at village level and Village Action Plan (VAP) of every village is to be prepared by dovetailing all available resources by convergence of different programmes viz. MGNREGS, SBM, 15th Finance Commission Grants to PRIs, CAMPA funds, Local Area Development Funds, etc.
He further stressed that local village community/ Gram Panchayats and or user groups need to be involved in planning, implementation, management, operation and ma
20. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates CAT Bench at Jammu. Tuesday June 9 2020 : Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates CAT Bench at Jammu.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the 18th Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through a Video Conference. Speaking after the inauguration Dr. Singh said that the setting up of CAT Bench of Jammu to deal exclusively with service matters of government employees would go a long way in not only reducing the burden of various Courts and thereby giving them more time to deal with other cases expeditiously but would also provide to the persons covered by the Administrative Tribunals speedy relief in respect of their grievances and service matters. He said that Modi Government is committed to Transparency and “Justice for All” and the people friendly reforms taken in the last six years have benefitted the entire country including people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He said that more than 800 Central laws, which were not applicable to J&K have been made applicable since the abolition of Article 370 and 35A on 5th August 2019 for the benefit of people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and now they enjoy same rights as people from the rest of India. Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed hope that pendency of about 30,000 cases would be resolved in a time bound and judicious manner.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that all three important agencies of DoPT- CAT, CIC and CVC are now operational in UTs of J&k and Ladakh. Earlier, in a notification issued on 28.05.2020 in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (7) of section 5 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 (13 of 1985), the Central Government has specified Jammu and Srinagar as the places at which the benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal shall ordinarily sit for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh. Similarly, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has started hearing Right to Information (RTI) Act applications of applicants from the UTs of J&K and Ladakh from 15.05.2020. Dr. Singh said that Shri Sanjay Kothari, Central Vigilance Commissioner who called on him on 5th May, 2020 informed the Minister that the jurisdiction of the Central Vigilance Commission has been extended over the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal Hon’ble Mr Justice L.Narasimha Reddy gave the welcome address. The inaugural ceremony was also addressed by Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir Hon’ble Ms Gita Mittal and Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Girish Chandra Murmu. Member Judicial, Central Administrative Tribunal, Jammu Shri Rakesh Sagar Jain gave the vote of thanks on th
21. Government of India launches a programme for the benefit of artisans involved in manufacturing of Agarbatti under the ‘Gramodyog Vikas Yojana’(as a pilot project) Friday July 31 2020 : Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, approved a programme for the benefit of artisans involved in manufacturing of Agarbatti and to develop village industry under ‘Gramodyog Vikas Yojana’ on 30th July 2020. As per the programme, initially four Pilot Projects will be started, including one in North Eastern part of the country. Each targeted cluster of artisans will be supported with about 50 Automatic Agarbatti making machines and 10 Mixing machines.Accordingly, a total of 200 Automatic Agarbatti making machines and 40 Mixing machines will be provided to the artisans.
After two major decisions by Govt of India i) placing the ‘Agarbatti’ item from “Free” trade to “Restricted” trade in the import policy and ii) enhancing the import duty from 10% to 25% on ‘round bamboo sticks’ used for manufacturing of Agarbatti, this decision will help to boost the indigenous production of ‘Agarbatti’and will pave way to generate rural employment. This will also start the process of mitigating the gap between the indigenous ‘production and demand’ and will reduce import of ‘Agarbatti’ in the country.
Under this Mission, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), one of the statutory organizations, working under the M/o MSME,will provide training, and assistartisans working in this area, with Agarbatti manufacturing machines. KVIC will tie up with Khadi institutions / Agarbatti manufacturers in the country, having good track record, to provide work and raw material to ‘Agarbatti making artisans’.
The program will act as a catalyst in reviving the Agarbatti manufacturing in the villages and small towns and will immediately generate a minimum of about 500 additional jobs.
The programme aims to enhance the production of ‘Agarbatti’ in the country and create sustainable employment for the traditional Artisans, by providing them regular employment and increase in their wages. This will give a boost to the domestic Agarbatti Industry in the country and will reduce imports of Agarbatti.
22. MHA relaxes Visa and Travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID -19, permitting certain categories of OCI cardholders stranded abroad, to come back to India Friday May 22 2020 : Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has relaxed Visa and Travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID -19, permitting certain categories of Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come to India.
Following categories of OCI Cardholders stranded abroad, have been permitted to come to India:-
Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.
Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.
The travel restrictions, imposed earlier by MHA on 07.05.2020, would not apply to any aircraft, ship, train or any other vehicle deployed for bringing back the above mentioned categories of OCI cardholders who are stranded abroad. All other terms and conditions laid down by MHA on 07.05.2020 would continue to remain in effect.
Click here to see the Official Document
23. Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar releases booklet on Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme Friday July 31 2020 : Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today released a booklet on “Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)” of Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development based on the presentations made by the States during Regional and National workshops since inception of the programme.
This publication lists various ‘good practices’ followed in land records modernisation across national policy framework and in nine study states namely Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. It also covers the gaps in implementation of different processes (such as registration, mutation, survey, settlement, land acquisition), technological initiatives and legal and institutional aspects.
Substantial progress has been achieved under the Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP) since its inception. The details of the same are as under:
Computerization of Land Records has been completed (more than 90%) in 23 States/ UTs and substantial progress has been achieved in 11 States/ UTs.
Digitization of Cadastral Maps has been completed (more than 90%) in 19 States/ UTs and substantial progress has been achieved in 9 States/ UTs.
Computerization of Registration (SRO) has been completed (more than 90%) in 22 States/ UTs and substantial progress has been achieved in 8 States/ UTs.
Integration of SRO with Revenue Office has been completed (more than 90%) in 16 States/ UTs and substantial progress has been achieved in 8 States/ UTs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that a good land records system is a necessity for any harmonious and progressive society. Over the years, significance of error-free, tamper proof and effortlessly accessible land records has been the focus in India. This book is a compilation of different best practices which focus on addressing various issues, challenges, and threats to the implementation of DILRMP.
The book discusses very scientifically about the mechanisms adopted by the states for better land record management. It provides useful inputs to identify areas for innovation and helping other States to imbibe such innovative practices in order to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the realities on the ground. It would ultimately lead to improved land governance system, reduction in land disputes, prevention of benami transactions and comprehensive Integrated Land Information Management System in the country.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642671
24. Inviting ideas for Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th June 2021 Sunday June 6 2021 : Inviting ideas for Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th June 2021
Last Date Jun 25,2021 23:45 PM IST (GMT +5.30 Hrs)
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PM Narendra Modi looks forward to sharing his thoughts on themes and issues that matter to you. The Prime Minister invites you to share your ideas on topics he should address on the 78th Episode of Mann Ki Baat.
Send us your suggestions on the themes or issues you want the Prime Minister to speak about in the upcoming Mann Ki Baat episode. Share your views in this Open Forum or alternatively you can also dial the toll-free number 1800-11-7800 and record your message for the Prime Minister in either Hindi or English. Some of the recorded messages may become part of the broadcast.
You can also give a missed call on 1922 and follow the link received in SMS to directly give your suggestions to the Prime Minister.
And stay tuned to Mann Ki Baat at 11:00 AM on 27th June 2021.
25. AstraZeneca Partners With Docon to Digitise Healthcare Clinics Across India Thursday July 1 2021 : AstraZeneca Partners With Docon to Digitise Healthcare Clinics Across India
● Through this partnership AstraZeneca and Docon plans to digitize 1,000 clinics in 2021, to provide better patient outcomes for 10 Lakh patients across India.
Mumbai, India:AstraZeneca India (AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited), a leading science-led biopharmaceutical company, today announced that they have signed and memorandum of understanding with Docon Technologies, Bengaluru, for digitising 1,000 clinics across India. Under the partnership, Docon will equip the identified clinics with customised Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems enabling clinicians to access complete patient history. This will go a long way in helping the clinical community better treat chronic patients and manage long-term complications of non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The rising risk of NCD related deaths has necessitated the need for better treatment protocols to reduce mortality rates and hence having a centralised repository of critical patient history becomes important. According to The Indian Health Ministry, 1 in 4 Indians has a risk of dying from an NCD before they reach the age of 70. The major NCDs in India are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and the harmful use of alcohol are the main behavioural risk factors for NCDs. They contribute to raised blood pressure (hypertension); raised blood sugar (diabetes); raised and abnormal blood lipids (dyslipidaemia); and obesity.
In addition to the multiple government initiatives in the country, digitisation of small clinics with the support of EMR, teleconsultation and other additional facilities will provide the doctor and the patient a better opportunity to interact and ensure that there is constant monitoring of the patient and medication adherence.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr.Gagandeep Singh, Managing Director, AstraZeneca India said, “As a part of AstraZeneca’s continued vision to tackle NCD’s at the grassroot level, we are happy to partner with Docon to develop and provide a sustainable way to prevent, identify and manage NCD’s across the country. The need for a centralised repository on patient information has been discussed at length but the implementation of this has not been a smooth journey. As a company that relies on the power of Science in the treatment and managing NCDs, we are committed to collaborating with relevant players in the ecosystem in advancing the best science and technology can offer in bettering patient outcomes.”
Akash Valia, Business & Growth Head at Docon Technologies, said "We are extremely excited to work alongside AstraZeneca’s team to further the cause of digitalization of doctor clinics and patient health record management. Non-communicable disease
26. MSME Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari launches Khadi’s Gift Box of Silk Mask Saturday August 1 2020 : You can now gift your families and friends an attractive gift box of exclusive Khadi Silk Face Masks. Union Minister for MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari yesterday launched the Gift Box, developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The gift box consists of four handcrafted silk masks in different colors and prints. The masks are packed in a beautifully crafted handmade paper box in black color with golden embossed printing.
Shri Gadkari appreciated the gift box saying it is an apt product to celebrate the spirit of festivals while also ensuring safety. He lauded the mask-making initiative of KVIC saying this provided the artisans with sustainable livelihood during the most difficult time of Corona pandemic.
The silk mask gift boxes are priced at just Rs 500 per box and now available at all KVIC outlets in Delhi NCR.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena said the idea behind launching the gift box is to tap the foreign market and a large Indian population looking for reasonably priced gift items for their loved ones during the festival season.
The gift boxes will have one printed Silk Mask and three other masks in solid attractive colors. These triple-layered silk masks are skin-friendly, washable, reusable and bio-degradable. The Silk Masks have three pleats and come with adjustable ear loops and attractive beads. It has two inner layers of 100% Khadi cotton fabric and one top layer of Silk fabric.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642829
27. Puravankara Continues its Commitment to Vaccinate 100% of its Employees in India Monday June 7 2021 : Puravankara Continues its Commitment to Vaccinate 100% of its Employees in India
The vaccination drive is aimed to coverall 1100 of its employees and their eligible family members in addition to its construction labour force.
Mumbai, 7 June 2021: In line with its efforts to safeguard its workforce, Puravankara rolled out an on-site vaccination program in its Bangalore office on 5 June 2021. The inoculation drive offers safe, convenient and free-of-cost access to vaccines to all its employees and contractual staff as well as their family members i.e., parents, spouses and children above 18 years of age. This is a continuation of the successful vaccine initiative that the company had completed earlier this year for its labour force and their dependents over the age of 45 years.
Puravankara has partnered with multiple health service providers for the ongoing vaccination program in Bangalore. The vaccines are administered by licenced healthcare professionals. All the processes within the program are strictly aligned with the state-mandated health regulations and local guidelines.
“As a people-first company, empathy has always been at the centre of our employee engagement. We are heavily invested in the well-being of our workforce and their dependents during this challenging time. By building on our partnership with local health bodies, we aim to protect our employees from COVID-19 as well as contribute towards the nationwide immunization efforts. We will continue to educate ourselves on the evolving health guidelines and correspondingly improve our measures to support our corporate family,” said Ashish R. Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara.
The company has deployed cross-functional teams to coordinate this large-scale vaccination initiative for 100% of its employees across its offices in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa and Coimbatore. It has also implemented systems to regularly update its workforce on safety protocols, solicit feedback on the ongoing initiatives, and promptly address queries. The leadership also connects with their teams to share credible and authoritative information about the various initiatives and encourages vaccine adoption. Additionally, Puravankara has created safe bio-bubbles for its workers that operate in situ.
Under its holistic wellness initiative, Purva Care, the company has also launched several initiatives including Employee Assistance Program (EAP), financial assistance as required and virtual fitness sessions with a strong focus on mental health for its workforce. Puravankara has partnered with 1-to-1 help to offer professional counselling services to its employees as well as their families. It is a free-of-cost teleconsultation service that can be availed 24x7. It is aimed at helping the beneficiaries cope with a myriad of pandemic-led stressors including work-life balance, premarital or marital issues, bereavement, alcoholism, substance abuse or depression. Through its concentrated
28. Puravankara Continues its Commitment to Vaccinate 100% of its Employees in India Tuesday June 8 2021 : Puravankara Continues its Commitment to Vaccinate 100% of its Employees in India
The vaccination drive is aimed to coverall 1100 of its employees and their eligible family members in addition to its construction labour force.
Mumbai, 7 June 2021: In line with its efforts to safeguard its workforce, Puravankara rolled out an on-site vaccination program in its Bangalore office on 5 June 2021. The inoculation drive offers safe, convenient and free-of-cost access to vaccines to all its employees and contractual staff as well as their family members i.e., parents, spouses and children above 18 years of age. This is a continuation of the successful vaccine initiative that the company had completed earlier this year for its labour force and their dependents over the age of 45 years.
Puravankara has partnered with multiple health service providers for the ongoing vaccination program in Bangalore. The vaccines are administered by licenced healthcare professionals. All the processes within the program are strictly aligned with the state-mandated health regulations and local guidelines.
“As a people-first company, empathy has always been at the centre of our employee engagement. We are heavily invested in the well-being of our workforce and their dependents during this challenging time. By building on our partnership with local health bodies, we aim to protect our employees from COVID-19 as well as contribute towards the nationwide immunization efforts. We will continue to educate ourselves on the evolving health guidelines and correspondingly improve our measures to support our corporate family,” said Ashish R. Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara.
The company has deployed cross-functional teams to coordinate this large-scale vaccination initiative for 100% of its employees across its offices in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa and Coimbatore. It has also implemented systems to regularly update its workforce on safety protocols, solicit feedback on the ongoing initiatives, and promptly address queries. The leadership also connects with their teams to share credible and authoritative information about the various initiatives and encourages vaccine adoption. Additionally, Puravankara has created safe bio-bubbles for its workers that operate in situ.
Under its holistic wellness initiative, Purva Care, the company has also launched several initiatives including Employee Assistance Program (EAP), financial assistance as required and virtual fitness sessions with a strong focus on mental health for its workforce. Puravankara has partnered with 1-to-1 help to offer professional counselling services to its employees as well as their families. It is a free-of-cost teleconsultation service that can be availed 24x7. It is aimed at helping the beneficiaries cope with a myriad of pandemic-led stressors including work-life balance, premarital or marital issues, bereavement, alcoholism, substance abuse or depression. Through its co
29. Sisters from Northeast tying Rakhi on Jawans deployed in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, as the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh looks on. Sunday August 2 2020 : In an unusual show of brotherhood, solidarity and bonding, sisters from Northeast today tied Rakhi on Jawans from armed and paramilitary forces whose battalions or companies are deployed in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
In a programme organised at the unique initiative of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, on the eve of RakshaBandhan festival tomorrow, Self Help Groups (SHGs) from the eight North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim also sent Rakhis, tri-coloured bands and face masks to Army and Paramilitary personnel posted in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, thus bringing together the inherent bond among the various cultures, States and people of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Jammu & Kashmir is my parliamentary constituency and Northeast is my official constituency. As a Minister for MDoNER, he said, since the North Eastern region is a part of his assigned responsibilities, he looks at it as a rare opportunity to be able to connect the two peripheral regions of India.
A Rakhi from Northeast for a soldier in Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh, Dr Jitendra Singh said, is a message that sisters across the country are praying for the safety of their brothers in security forces who are in turn guarding the borders day and night for their safety.
If we are able to celebrate our festivals in the manner we wish to celebrate, it is possible because our brothers on the line of defence stay awake day and night to ensure this for us, he added.
Lauding the talent and commitment of the women of Northeast, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Women Self Help Groups in the region have been making face masks since March- April. On the eve of RakshaBandhan, they had worked hard in an extremely limiting environment of lockdown to make the face masks for the Jawans, he said.
The programme was coordinated by SHGs from North East India, supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), North Eastern Council (NEC) and North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP).
Secretary DoNER InderJit Singh, Special Secretary Indevar Pandey, Officer on Special Duty Prashant Kumar Jha were also present .
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1643052
30. Mphasis-Digital Risk Named Major Contender in the Everest Group 2020 PEAK MatrixR Report for Mortgage Operations Service Providers 2020 Friday November 13 2020 : Mumbai, November 11, 2020
Mphasis, an Information Technology (IT) solutions provider specializing in cloud and cognitive services, today announced that it has been recognized as a Major Contender by Everest Group in the report “Mortgage Operations Service Providers PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2020”.
October 2020’s PEAK Matrix™ report analyzed the capabilities of 19 global mortgage operations service providers based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process conducted over Q2 and Q3 2020, interactions with leading mortgage operations services providers, client reference checks, and an ongoing analysis of the mortgage services market.
Backed by its acquisition of digital Risk, Mphasis has consistently built specific process capabilities on due diligence, quality control, and TRID reviews through its Qcynergy platform, and is also providing support to GSEs to improve loan quality. Based on Everest Group’s evaluation, Mphasis is positioned as a Major Contender within the 2020 PEAK Matrix. Through broad-based capabilities spanning mortgage processing, underwriting, closing and securitization, Mphasis has witnessed growth in its mortgage revenue, new client logos and a strong set of offerings in risk and regulatory management services.
“We are honored that Mphasis has been recognized for our efforts within the mortgage operations sector. Mphasis strives to help shape the evolving regulatory environment, focus on the shifts in consumer behavior and embrace the digital technologies that include advanced analytics and cognitive aids,” said Ravi Vasantaj, SVP & Global Head of Business Process Services, Mphasis. “The services that Mphasis offers looks to provide customers with a seamless and personalized experience.”
“Increasing competition from non-banks and evolving customer preferences are pushing enterprises to become more open to digital initiatives,” said Robin Jain, Practice Director, Everest Group. “Mphasis, with its deep domain expertise in mortgage operations and continued investments in digital tools, can help financial institutions deliver superior customer experience amid the pandemic.”
About Mphasis
Mphasis (BSE: 526299; NSE: MPHASIS) applies next-generation technology to help enterprises transform businesses globally. Customer centricity is foundational to Mphasis and is reflected in the Mphasis’ Front2Back™ Transformation approach. Front2Back™ uses the exponential power of cloud and cognitive
31. All India Weather Forecast Saturday May 23 2020 : According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department:
The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Lat.5°N/Long.85°E, Lat.8°N/Long.90°E, Car Nicobar, Lat.11°N/Long.95°E.
Heat wave conditions over some parts with severe heat wave at isolated pockets very likely over Rajasthan and heat wave conditions in some parts very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi and Vidarbha during next 4-5 days.
Heat wave conditions in isolated pockets very likely over Madhya Pradesh and southern parts of Uttar Pradesh during next 4-5 days;
over Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam and Telangana during next 3 days;
heat wave condition likely to develop over Marathwada and Rayalseema after 24 hours.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls likely at isolated places over parts of northeastern states and Heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over adjoining parts of east India during 24th-27th.
Heavy rainfall at isolated places over parts south peninsular India during 26th-27th May, 2020.
The IMD has forecast Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions over Northwest, Central and adjoining Peninsular India during next 5 days b) Intense rainfall activity over Northeast India during 25th – 27th May, 2020.
Observed Weather:
Yesterday, heat wave conditions in some parts had been observed over West Rajasthan andin isolated pockets over Haryana, Delhi, East Rajasthan and Vidarbha. The highest maximum temperature of 46.6°C was reported at Churu (West Rajasthan).
Parts of Northeast India had been experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls since last 2 days. Rainfall (cm) reported in Meghalaya: Sohra-33 &Sohra(RKM)- 28.
32. Team India 2021 wins 9 Grand Awards and 8 Special Awards at Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Saturday July 3 2021 : Team India 2021 won 9 Grand Awards and 8 Special Awards at Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for innovations ranging from identification of genes responsible that resist abiotic stress in species to augmented reality smart stethoscope that allows non-medicals to perform accurate pulmonary screening. These innovations were by young students who received the awards and brought accolades home.
Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, virtually interacted with the 26 winners of the Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM -IRIS National Fair, who participated as ‘Team India 2021’ in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). These students have competed with 1833 budding scientists from 64 countries, regions, and territories across the globe and won 17 awards.
“Creativity is connecting dots of knowledge. Our aim should be to become a creative thinker with some nonlinear expertise and to reach out to connect the dots,” Prof. Sharma said at the occasion. He went through all the projects and complimented the winners on the research they had conducted. Also present on the occasion were Dr. Praveen Arora, Head NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology; and Mr. Sujit Banerjee, Scientist F, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Ms. Sharon E. Kumar, Fair Director IRIS and Chief Operations Officer, EXSTEMPLAR Education Linkers Foundation, said that IRIS is a platform which celebrates the journey of innovation. The success of programs such as IRIS brings accolades back home and gives an opportunity to young students to showcase their scientific talent at the international stage.
IRIS National Fair was held virtually this year and saw participation from more than 65,000 students and science enthusiasts, wherein the projects represented a wide range of scientific disciplines and were judged under 21 categories. Each project went through a stringent judging process to select Team India 2021. The team was subsequently mentored by the IRIS Scientific Review Committee members to prepare it for participation in ISEF.
‘IRIS National Fair’ is a program of EXSTEMPLAR Education Linkers Foundation; funded by Broadcom and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. School students based in India in the age group 10 to 17 with innovative projects can participate in it responding to invitations for applications.
IRIS aligns with 5 national level mega-fairs - National Children Science Congress (NCSC); Science Fair by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM); Jawaharlal Nehru Science Fair by National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT); Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Science Exhibition; Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) awards program.
To ensure that the best quality projects from across the country represent India and c
33. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad launches “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge” to realize the ambition of self-reliance and a momentous stride towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat” Tuesday August 18 2020 : Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, launched today “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutionsfor #Aatmanirbhar Bharat” to provide further impetus to the strong ecosystem of Start-up, innovation and research in the country.
IIT Madras and Center for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) have developed two microprocessors named SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit) respectively using Open Source Architecture under the aegis of Microprocessor Development Programme of Ministry of Electronics and IT. “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat” seeks to invite innovators, startups and students to use these microprocessors to develop various technology products.
As one of the concrete steps towards realizing the ambition of self-reliance and a momentous stride towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, this initiative is aimed at not only meeting India’s future requirements of strategic and industrial sectors but also has the potential to mitigate the issues of security, licensing, technology obsolescence and most crucially cutting dependency on imports. The design, development & fabrication of these state-of-the-art processor variants at foundry in the country and abroad, is the successful step to leapfrog to ultimate goal of vibrant ecosystem of Electronic System Design & Manufacturing in the country.
The “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge” is part of the series of proactive, preemptive and graded measures taken by Ministry of Electronics and IT to spur the technology led innovation ecosystem in the country and staying at the forefront of digital adoption. Open to students at all levels and startups, the Challenge demands contestants to not only tinker with these Swadeshi Processor IPs & facilitate them with innovating the frugal solutions for societal needs but also make available the entire home-grown ecosystem around Swadeshi Processors to develop the complex designs for catering to both global and domestic requirements in near future.
Ministry of Electronics and IToffers a slew of benefits to the contestants and technology resources that include not only the internship opportunities and regular technical guidance from the best VLSI & Electronics System Design Experts in the country but also the business mentorship & funding support, facilitated by Incubation Centres. Financial support to the tune of Rs. 4.30 Crore at various stages of the Challenge for developing the hardware prototype and incubating a start-up is being offered.
The Challenge spread over 10 months, kick-starts with registration process at https://innovate.mygov.in on 18th August 2020 and culminates in June 2021, with an opportunity for 100 Semi-finalists to win total Rs. 1.00 Crore of Award, 25 Finalists to win total Rs. 1.00 Crore of
34. Appeal to generously donate to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) Saturday March 28 2020 : Appeal to generously donate to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund)
The pandemic of COVID-19 has engulfed the entire world and has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of people worldwide. In India too, the spread of coronavirus has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country. The Prime Minister’s office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for making generous donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency.
Distress situations, whether natural or otherwise, demand expeditious and collective action for alleviating the suffering of those affected, mitigation/control of damage to infrastructure and capacities etc. Therefore, building capacities for quick emergency response and effective community resilience has to be done in tandem with infrastructure and institutional capacity reconstruction/enhancement. Use of new technology and advance research findings also become an inseparable element of such concerted action.
Keeping in mind the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.
PM Narendra Modi has always believed and shown in actions that public participation is the most effective way to mitigate any issue and this is yet another example. This fund will enable micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations.
Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES Fund using following details:
Name of the Account : PM CARES
Account Number : 2121PM20202
IFSC Code : SBIN0000691
35. Indian Railways introduces Drone based surveillance system for Railway Security Tuesday August 18 2020 : Drone surveillance technology has emerged as an important and cost effective tool for security surveillance over large areas with limited manpower. Mumbai Division of Central Railway in Indian Railways has recently procured two Ninja UAVs for better security and surveillance in Railway areas like station premises, Railway track sections, yards, workshops, etc.
A team of four staff of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mumbai has been trained for drone flying, surveillance and maintenance. These drones are capable of Real Time Tracking, Video Streaming and may be operated on Automatic Fail Safe Mode.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) has planned extensive use of drones for the purpose of Railway security. Nine (09) drones have been procured by RPF so far at a cost of Rs. 31.87 Lakhs at South Eastern Railway, Central Railway, Modern Coaching Factory, Raebareli and South Western Railway.
It is further proposed to procure seventeen (17) more drones in future at a cost of Rs. 97.52 Lakhs. Nineteen (19) RPF personnel have so far been trained in operation and maintenance of drones out of which 4 have received licenses for flying drones. Six (06) more RPF personnel are being trained.
The purpose of the drone deployment is to provide a force multiplier and aid to the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed. It can help in inspection of Railway assets and safety of Yards, Workshops, car sheds etc. it can be used to launch surveillance on criminal and anti-social activities like gambling, throwing of garbage, hawking etc in Railway premises. It may be deployed for data collection Analysis of such data collected may prove to be extremely useful in vulnerable sections for safe operations of trains.
The drone may be pressed in service at disaster sites for helping in rescue, recovery and restoration and coordinating of efforts of various agencies. It is very useful while undertaking mapping of railway asset to assess the encroachments on railway property. During large scale crowd management efforts, it may give vital inputs like crowd magnitude, probable time of arrival and dispersal based on which crowd regulation efforts may be planned and executed. Drones were used to enforce lockdown and monitor the movement of migrants during the COVID-19 lockdown.
A drone camera can cover large area which requires 8-10 RPF personnel. Thus, it may lead to substantial improvement in utilization of scarce manpower. Drone beats have been designed based on railway asset, sensitivity of area, activity of criminals etc. Drone acts as an “EYE IN THE SKY” and monitors the whole area. Any suspicious activity if noticed is intimated to the nearest RPF post of division to apprehend the criminal LIVE. One such criminal was apprehended on a real time basis in Wadibunder Yard area while he was trying to commit theft inside railway coach stationed in the yard.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1646784
36. Union HRD Minister lays the Foundation Stone of Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) Tuesday August 4 2020 : Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ along with Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Jai Ram Thakur;Minister of State for Finance Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Education Shri Sanjay Dhotre laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh through online mode.
Speaking on the occasion, the Education Minister said that Union Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji had taken decision in 2014 to establish seven new IIMs including IIM Sirmaur to fill the gap between demand and supply of corporate leaders created by the then existing IIMs. He added that on 15th August 2014 it was announced that the IIM for Himachal Pradesh would be set up at Dhaulakuan in the Sirmaur district. On 12th March 2015, the State Govt. allotted a 210 – acres land at Dhaulakuan for development of the permanent Campus of the Institute.
The Minister informed that IIM Sirmaur was operationalized by IIM Lucknow in August as the mentor Institution with the commencement of the first batch of PGP of 20 students, from its temporary Campus at Paonta Sahib, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. And since then the Institution is progressing well and is scaling new heights academically and infrastructurally. He further informed that the current academic activity is operationalised from temporary campus which is fully residential for students with all modern facilities. The students are not only pursuing academics but also engaged in various cultural, sporting and CSR and community outreach activities.
The complete full-fledged permanent campus at Dhaulakuan has been envisaged for the student strength of 1170 in 210 acres of land. The Minister highlighted that the Union Government has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 531.75 crore out of which Rs.392.51 Crores is for construction works covering the area of 60384 square meters in the first phase which caters to 600 students.
Shri Pokhriyal
37. Indian Railways on MISSION MODE of becoming a Green Railway by 2030 ( Net Zero Carbon Emission) Monday July 13 2020 : Ministry of Railways, with a goal of transforming Indian Railways into Green Railways by 2030 has taken a number of major initiatives towards mitigation of global warming and combating climate change. Railway Electrification, improving energy efficiency of locomotives & trains and fixed installations, green certification for installations/stations, fitting bio toilets in coaches and switching to renewable sources of energy are parts of its strategy of achieving net zero carbon emission.
Indian Railways has completed electrification of more than 40,000 Route km (RKM) (63% of BG routes) in which 18,605 km electrification work has been done during 2014-20. Previously, only 3,835 km electrification work was completed during the period 2009-14. Indian Railways has fixed a target of electrification of 7000 RKM for the year 2020-21. All routes on BG network have been planned to be electrified by December 2023. Indian Railways is focusing on electrification of last mile connectivity & missing links. With this in mind 365 km major connectivity work has been commissioned during COVID period.
Major connectivity commissioned during COVID period like Katni-Satna section (99 RKM) of Mumbai-Howrah via Allahabad route has been commissioned providing an alternate route to Howrah. Likewise, Pachore-Maksi (88 RKM) section on Indore - Guna-Bina route has also been commissioned providing an alternate route to Maksi-Bhopal-Bina. On Howrah/Sealdah-SVD Katra via Patna route, Bhagalpur-Shivnarayanpur (45 RKM) section has been commissioned. On the route connecting Kariakal port to coal, fertilizer & steel plants of Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh, Thiruvarur - Karaikal port (46 RKM) section has been commissioned providing port connectivity to Erode, Coimbatore & Palghat.
Indian Railways has also taken a number of initiatives to promote solar energy. Indian Railways is working to harness the potential of 500 Mega Watt (MW) energy through roof top Solar panels (Developer model). Till date, 100 Mega Watt (MW) of solar plants have been commissioned on roof-tops of various buildings including 900 stations. Solar plants with a combined capacity of 400 MW are under different stages of execution. Tenders are already awarded for 245 MW and target for completion of these plants is December 2022.
Besides this, Indian Railways is trying to produce power from land Based Solar installations for running trains. Indian Railway has 51,000 hectare of land potential of installing 20 GW land based solar plants. The Solar power so generated will be fed to Central / State Grid or directly to 25 kV AC traction system. Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), a Joint Venture Company of Indian Railways (49 % Equity) and RITES Limited (51 % Equity), has been mandated for proliferation of taking up land based project.
One project of 1.7 MW at Bina (Madhya Pradesh) in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has already been installed and is presently under extensive testing. This is First of its kind of solar project in the world.
Initially for the Land Based Solar
38. Haryana Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Lal distributed Parivar Pehchan Patra to the eligible beneficiaries on 04/08/2020 at Panchkula Tuesday August 18 2020 : The State Government has already decided to celebrate the year 2020 as Susashan Sanakap Varsh and the integration of schemes of all departments with Parivar Pehchan Patras (PPP). In a unique e-governance initiative that will enable the citizens to get the benefit of various centre and state government schemes at their door-step in a fair and transparent manner, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal distributed Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) to the eligible families on 04/08/2020 at Panchkula.
Mr Manohar Lal distributed the Parivar Pehchan Patras to heads of 20 eligible families in a function organized at Panchkula. Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Dushyant Chautala, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Rattan Lal Kataria and Speaker Mr Gian Chand Gupta were also present on this occasion.
Apart from Panchkula, Parivar Pehchan Patras were also distributed simultaneously to the eligible beneficiaries in remaining 21 districts of the State by Cabinet Ministers, MPs, MLAs and other prominent personalities of the respected areas.
State Government has launched a campaign to prepare Parivar Pehchan Patra to provide a distinct identity to each family in the State. Out of the available record of 56.20 lakh families in the State, Golden Data of 18.19 lakh families have been prepared and these are being provided Parivar Pehchan Patras. The Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) portal i.e. http://meraparivar.haryana.gov.in has been designed and developed by NIC Haryana.
The Chief Minister said that with the distribution of Parivar Pehchan Patras, the State Government would not only take care of educational, health and other needs of such families but also skilling and employment of youth. To avail the benefits, the eligible beneficiaries would be required to fill up a simple form only once at their nearest Saral Kendra or Antyodaya Saral Kendra.
Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal distributing Parivar Pehchan Patra to the eligible beneficiaries on 04/08/2020 at Panchkula.
During the event, Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Chief Secretary, Haryana, Mr T.V.S.N Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Sh. V. Umashankar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Ms. Sofia Dahiya, Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department, Sh. Deepak Bansal, Deputy Director General & State Informatics Officer, NIC-Haryana and other senior officers of the district administration were present on this occasion at Panchkula
https://informatics.nic.in/news/1292
39. Union Power Minister launches Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) in electricity through video conferencing Wednesday September 2 2020 : As a first step towards Greening the Indian short term power Market, Shri R. K. Singh, the Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy & Minister of State (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), launched pan-India Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) in electricity through video conference in New Delhi, today, the 1st September 2020.
While speaking after the launch Shri Singh said, “The introduction of GTAM platform would lessen the burden on RE-rich States and incentivize them to develop RE capacity beyond their own RPO. This would promote RE merchant capacity addition and help in achieving RE capacity addition targets of the country.” He further added that GTAM platform will lead to increase in number of participants in renewable energy sector. It will benefit buyers of RE through competitive prices and transparent and flexible procurement. It will also benefit RE sellers by providing access to pan- India market
The Government of India’s target of 175 GW RE Capacity by 2022 is driving accelerated renewable penetration pan-India. Green Term Ahead Market contracts will allow additional avenues to the RE generators for sale of renewable energy; enable Obligated entities to procure renewable power at competitive prices to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO); and provide a platform to environmentally conscious open access consumers and utilities to buy green power.
Key features of GTAM:
1. Transactions through GTAM will be bilateral in nature with clear identification of corresponding buyers and sellers, there will not be any difficulty in accounting for RPO.
2. GTAM contracts will be segregated into Solar RPO & Non-Solar RPO as RPO targets are also segregated.
3. Further, within the two segments GTAM contracts will have Green Intraday, Day Ahead Contingency, Daily and Weekly Contracts
a. Green Intraday Contract & Day Ahead Contingency Contract &ndash
40. NITI Aayog and IEA launch ‘Renewables Integration in India 2021’ Friday July 23 2021 : NITI Aayog and IEA launch ‘Renewables Integration in India 2021’
A report on “Renewables Integration in India 2021” was jointly launched by Dr. Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog & Mr. Keisuke Sadamori, Director of Energy Markets and Security, IEA on 22nd July, 2021. The report is based on the outcome of three states workshops held with the Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat to understand the specific energy transition challenges faced by these renewable-rich states. The report uses IEA modelling results to show the effects of different flexibility options on the power system.
The report highlights that India’s power system can efficiently integrate renewables (175 GW by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030), but it would require identification of resources and proper planning, regulatory, policy and institutional support, energy storage and advance technology initiatives.
Indian states need to employ a wide range of flexibility options – such as demand response, more flexible operation of coal based power plants, storage, and grid improvements – to transition to cleaner electricity systems. Larger shares of renewables can be better managed by shifting time of use in agriculture. Time of Use (ToU) tariffs will be an effective tool to incentivise demand side management and encourage flexible consumption.
Mr. Keisuke Sadamori, the IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security, indicated that the joint report underscores IEA’s commitment to provide support to India with its clean energy transition agenda.
Launching the report, Dr. Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog, said that the joint report provides useful suggestions for the states to consider to best manage their integration challenge.
Mr. Amitesh Kumar Sinha mentioned that after 2023-24, RE integration will become an issue and could be addressed through supply and demand side measures. He also emphasized the role of distributed solar which will play a major role in reducing integration challenges. Mr. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power said that the report on renewables integration will serve as repository of vast knowledge for stakeholders in India. He highlighted Government’s policies on thermal power plant flexibility and strengthening of transmission network through green corridors and stressed on the need for cost effective solutions for storage technologies.
Mr. Dinesh Waghmare, Principal Secretary (Energy), Government of Maharashtra, stated that Ministry of Power proposed Market Based Economic Dispatch (MBED) model for better optimization of scheduling and economic dispatch of generation capacities purely on economic principles which will replace the current practice of Self Scheduling by Discom.
Dr. N Manjula, Managing Director, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited emphasized that to absorb maximum RE power, State has shifted 70% -80% agriculture load to the day time, providing incentive
41. PadharoMhare Des, Digital CovidRelief Concert Series to support folk artists dons a new avataar for Episode 3: MakarSankrantiMela Monday January 18 2021 : PadharoMhare Des, Digital CovidRelief Concert Series to support folk artists dons a new avataar for Episode 3: MakarSankrantiMela
Jaipur: MakarSakrantiMela Episode by PadharoMhare Des, a Digital COVID Relief Concert Series initiated to support Folk Artists from Rajasthan by raising additional funds was a huge hit among the audience.
The Digital concert broadcasted its third episode, MakarSankrantiMela, a celebration of new hope and harvest, on Sunday, January 17,2021 from 7.30 PM onwards on its online platforms. The episode showcased performances by folk artists from various parts of Rajasthan, rivetingly strung together by a dialogue between two contemporary puppet characters, a tour operator and a millennial tourist who has had to settle for a virtual tour instead of a real one due to the pandemic.
The fundraising concert series is an initiative of Rajasthan based singer and folk arts promoter Manesha A Agarwal’sArpan Foundation. The series has already featured more than 125 folk artists from the remotest parts of Rajasthan.
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BhajanSamratMr.AnoopJalota along with Manesha A Agarwal presented Surya Mantra which mesmerised the audience.
Many more folk artists featured in the Episode #3 include Bundu Khan's mellifluous melodies, Jeetu's delicate dance moves and nuances while he does some daring acts while presenting Rajasthan's popular folk dance – Bhavai, to Chari dance portraying the real strength of women with vessels of fire on their heads during dancing.
Ms.Manesha A Agarwal, Founder, Arpan Foundation, said, “The overwhelming response to all our episodes of PadharoMhare Des aired so far, has strengthened our resolve to
42. AirAsia India to operate from Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai from 21st April 2021 Saturday April 17 2021 : AirAsia India to operate from Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai from 21st April 2021
Mumbai, 17th April 2021: AirAsia India will operate from Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, instead of Terminal 1, from 21st April 2021 onwards. The movement of domestic operations to Terminal 2 will take place as per the directives laid out by Mumbai International Airport Limited to reconsolidate all domestic flights from Terminal 1. Mumbai is the airline’s 4th hub in India after Bengaluru, New Delhi & Kolkata. AirAsia India currently operates to destinations such as Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, New Delhi, Guwahati, Ranchi, Chennai and Jaipur from Mumbai, ensuring seamless and economical travel for our guests. AirAsia India also operates connecting flights from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam, Srinagar, Bagdogra, Imphal, Indore, Hyderabad and Goa. Renowned for offering the most diverse range of hot meals in Indian skies, the airline also recently announced that it is now partnering for catering services exclusively with TajSATS in Mumbai and across its hubs.
Over 50,000 passengers fly to and from the financial capital every day and AirAsia India has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and respective local health agencies.
For more updates on AirAsia’s latest innovations, promotions, activities and contests, connect via AirAsia India’s social handles on Twitter @AirAsiaIndian, Instagram @AirAsia_Indianand Facebook @AirAsiaIndia.
About AirAsia India
Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, AirAsia India Limited is a venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and AirAsia Investment Limited. AirAsia India commenced operations on 12th June 2014 and flies to 19 destinations across India with 26 Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline offers plush leather seats and a diverse selection of hot meals. AirAsia stands firmly on the pillars of its core values - Dare to Dream, Be Guest-Obsessed, People First, Safety Always, Make it Happen, One AirAsia and Sustainability Spirit.
As an airline that has consistently embraced technology to deliver operational efficiency and enhance guest experiences, AirAsia India has introduced services to facilitate contactless travel like AirAsia Flyporter door to door baggage delivery services in Bengaluru, New Delhi and Hyderabad and Red Carpet Priority Check-In, Boarding and Baggage services along with other exclusive benefits on airasia.co.in
43. Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah says Ram Temple Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya is a historic and proud day for India Thursday August 6 2020 : The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has said that the Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a historic and proud day for India. In a series of tweets, Shri Amit Shah said Bhoomi Pujan and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Grand Ram Temple on the birthplace of Prabhu Shri Ram by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji has written a golden chapter in the history of Indian culture & civilization and is the beginning of a new era.
Stating that the building of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been a symbol of faith for Hindus around the world for centuries, Shri Amit Shah said “I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Shree Ram Janmabhumi Teerth Kshetra for respecting the faith of billions of people by the performing Bhoomi Pujan of Ram temple.”
The Union Home Minister said “The ideals and thoughts of Prabhu Shri Ram live in the soul of India. His character and philosophy is the foundation of Indian culture. With the construction of Ram temple, the holy land of Ayodhya will once again rise up across the world with its full glory. Coming together of Dharma & Development will create job opportunities.”
Shri Amit Shah said, “Best wishes to all Indians on this unforgettable day. The construction of the Grand Prabhu Shree Ram Mandir is a reflection of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s strong and decisive leadership. Modi government will always be committed to protect & preserve Indian culture and its values."
Shri Amit Shah also said that “The construction of
44. Bata India announces Q1 results; Sales remained subdued owing to the second wave of Covid-19 Wednesday August 11 2021 : Bata India announces Q1 results; Sales remained subdued owing to the second wave of Covid-19
Mumbai, 11th August, 2021: Footwear major Bata India Limited today announced results for the quarter ended 30th June, 2021. Sales across retail outlets remained largely subdued, owing to the second wave of Covid-19 infections and ensuing lockdowns. However, sales through ecommerce platforms continued to remain robust and witnessed an uptick despite the restrictions. Revenue from operations for the quarter stood at INR 2670 million and net loss after tax amounted to INR 713 million.
Bata India continued to strengthen its retail presence in tier 3-5 cities by opening 7 new franchise stores during the first quarter despite the lockdown, taking the overall tally to 234 franchise stores. The brand also scaled up its website, www.bata.in, and continued to reach out to its customers through hyperlocal channels - Bata Chatshop and Bata Store on Wheels, thereby making remote shopping experience more convenient.
Supporting the country in combatting the pandemic, Bata India has been at the forefront to conduct vaccination drives across its regional offices and factories for its employees and their families. Till now, Bata has successfully vaccinated 99% of its staff with the first dose, and expects to complete full vaccination in the current quarter. The company also set up a Covid Task Force cross every region to extend support to its employees and their families in case of an emergency.
Gunjan Shah, CEO – Bata India Limited, stated: ‘The first quarter had some challenges for businesses across the country, including ours. However, this time around, we were better prepared as we had a more agile contingency plan in place which helped us navigate adroitly through the changing business landscape amidst infection surge. While our retail outlets were largely shut, we were able to serve our customers through alternate channels such as our website www.bata.in, online market places, Bata ChatShop, and Bata Store on Wheels. These channels have enabled us in minimising the overall impact of the second wave. We also continued with our retail expansion drive and opened 7 new franchise stores in tier III-V cities during the first quarter. Since the ease in lockdown, footfalls in our retail outlets have started growing, signalling strong signs of recovery.”
Keeping pace with current consumer trends, Bata India curated and prompted relevant collections for its customers like Work from Home, Fitness at Home and Monsoon Collection. The Company continued to also optimize its retail network and look for cost-savings across operations, manufacturing and drive efficiencies in its value chain.
Key Highlights:
· Bata continued with its retail expansion drive in tier3-5 cities through franchis
45. Modi’s ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ to create infra, jobs in rural India; set to launch on June 20 Thursday June 18 2020 : Modi’s ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ to create infra, jobs in rural India; set to launch on June 20
In an effort to create durable infrastructure and boost employment in rural India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on June 20. Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan will be a campaign of 125 days, which will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide employment to the migrant workers, said a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office. The campaign also aims to create infrastructure worth Rs 50,000 crore in the rural regions across 116 districts in 6 states. PM Modi will launch the campaign through video-conference in Telihar village of Bihar’s Khagaria district.
The villages across 116 districts in the six states will join the campaign through the common service centres and krishi vigyan kendras. The statement said these 116 districts comprise more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers across six states, which are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha, and are estimated to cover about two-thirds of migrant workers.
The government added that Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan will be carried out in a mission mode and will be a coordinated effort between 12 different ministries and departments. These include rural development, panchayati raj, road transport & highways, mines, drinking water & sanitation, environment, railways, petroleum & natural gas, new & renewable energy, border roads, telecom, and agriculture.
Meanwhile, the government has also, reportedly, expedited the proposed National Employment Policy (NEP), which is designed to bring 50 crore workforce into the formal sector. The policy aims to sketch a sectoral roadmap with incentives for employment generation, based on the recommendations of the Thawar Chand Gehlot-led group of ministers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Amid the ongoing job crisis in the labour market, centre and various states have tweaked the labour laws to propel employment in the country. Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government recently formulated a labour commission, which would work to ensure the social and financial security of the workers.
Read more at https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/modis-garib-kalyan-rojgar-abhiyaan-to-create-infra-jobs-in-rural-india-set-to-launch-on-june-20/1995316/
46. Dalmia Bharat Sugar launches herbal hand sanitisers under brand name Dalmia Sanjeevani Wednesday October 7 2020 : Dalmia Bharat Sugar launches herbal hand sanitisers under brand name Dalmia Sanjeevani
Expects Rs 200 crore revenue from sale of sanitisers in FY21
National, 07 October 2020: In order to further strengthen its presence in the sanitiser segment, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd., one of India’s largest sugar companies, today announced the launch of its herbal hand sanitiser under the brand name Dalmia Sanjeevani. Based on the W.H.O guidelines, Dalmia Sanjeevani, which is based on ethyl alcohol derived from sugarcane, is a 100 percent plant based, natural and organic hand sanitiser.
Committed to support the nation’s fight against the covid-19 pandemic, Dalmia Bharat Sugar had commenced production of Ethyl alcohol based sanitisers in April this year and has till date sold 2.2 million litres of sanitisers. Importantly, Dalmia Bharat Sugar has been distributing these sanitisers free of cost to government hospitals and the police as a mark of recognition to their immense selfless service towards the society during the pandemic.
The company is currently manufacturing hand sanitisers at its distillery units in Jawaharpur and Nigohi, Uttar Pradesh and Kolhapur unit in Maharashtra. The current manufacturing capacity for sanitisers is 600,000 litresper month, each at Jawaharpur and Nigohi and 200,000 litres per month at Kolhapur. With the launch of DalmiaSanjeevanisanitisers, the company plans to expand its manufacturing capacity at 1800, 000 litres per month and is targeting a revenue of Rs. 200 crore from sale of 20 million litres of sanitiser in the current financial year that ends March 31, 2021.
“The diversification into sanitiser business is a natural progression for us and we could scale this up quickly since we already have the necessary raw materials and infrastructure available at our sugar manufacturing plants. At the same time, our focus was firmly on the quality of our product. The fact that we are not trying to compete against other sugar players but matching up to standards of leading FMCG players through our premier labels, bottles, designs, premier positioning and marketing has caught the attention of the market. Further, our automated line of packing makes us low-cost producers,” said Mr. BB Mehta, Whole Time Director, Dalmia Bharat Sugar & Industries Ltd.
Dalmia Sanjeevani will be available in 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml & 5 Litre bottles. The company is currently focusing on the key states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Bihar and Jharkhand. It has tied up with dealers and distributors and is also retailing the herbal sanitiser through the existing distributors.
For Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Limited
Dalmia Bharat Sugar & Industries Limited (DBSIL) (BSE Code: DALMIASUG/500097 |NSE Symbol: DALMIASUG), has business interests in integrated sug
47. Union Education Minister virtually releases Students’ Learning Enhancement Guidelines Wednesday August 19 2020 : Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually releases Students’ Learning Enhancement Guidelines in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that during the present-day epidemic of COVID-19, institutions under Ministry of Education worked together and attempted to take school education to children at home through digital means. The documents such as Alternative Academic Calendar, PRAGYATA Guidelines, Digital Education-India Report, NISHTHA-Online, etc. are some of the initiatives that have been undertaken to maintain continuity in school education for children. Amidst efforts to provide school education to the students through alternative ways, concerns from various stakeholders were raised about the learning of those children do not have access to digital resources. In addition to this, it was also revealed that due to unequal access to digital resources to get school education at home, the concerns of equity and inclusion can lead to deficiencies in learning of children.
Launched Students’ Learning Enhancement Guidelines formulated by #NCERT for students to deal with during & post #COVID19 situation. pic.twitter.com/hePrHAihCH
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) August 19, 2020
In view of this, NCERT has prepared Students’ Learning Enhancement Guidelines on the direction of the Ministry of Education for the present situation and also for post pandemic situation. The Minister informed that these guidelines, models are suggested for the following three types of situations. Firstly, in which students do not have any digital resources. Secondly, in which students have limited digital resources available. Lastly, in which students have digital resources available for online education.
The Minister said that these guidelines emphasize upon the community working closely with the school to get learning materials such as workbooks, worksheets, etc. delivered at the doorsteps of children by teachers and volunteers. It also suggests to teach local students by volunteers or teachers setting up television at the community centre and maintaining social distance norms.
Shri Pokhriyal informed that these guidelines also talks about setting up of a helpline at the community center with the help of members of the community and Panchayati Raj. It recommends orientation of parents to support and participate in the learning of their children. He added that in all the three situations, use and implantation of Alternative Academic Calendar is suggested. There commendations given in these guidelines are based on survey undertaken by the NCERT on the accessibility of digital resources in the schools of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Central Board of Secondary Education and also on Continuous
48. Government is committed to provide quality education and educational infrastructure for students of the North –Eastern States of the country- HRD Minister Tuesday May 26 2020 : Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said that Government is committed to provide quality education and infrastructure improvement in educational institutions all over India and especiallyto the students of the North –Eastern States of the country. He informed that in this regard, the government has taken some major decisions this year. The government has granted permission for the establishment of permanent campus of Sikkim University (a Central University) at Yangyang at a cost of Rs. 986.47 crore. The government of Sikkim has allotted 300 acres of land at cost of Rs. 15 crore, out of which 265.94 acres of land has already been handed over to the University. The handing over of remaining land is under process.
The Minister also informed that Government has already sanctioned revised cost estimates of 6 NITs at Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Delhi and Puducherry at Rs. 4371.90 crore. With the approved Revised Cost Estimates, these NITs will be fully functional from their respective permanent campuses by 31st March, 2022. The overall student capacity in these campuses will be 6320.
49. Mobile App Launched to Provide User Friendly Digital Interface to Source Loan Applications of Street Vendors Wednesday August 19 2020 : Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Housing and Urban Affairs interacted with Urban Development Ministers, Chief Secretaries, UD Secretaries/Principal Secretaries, DGPs, Collectors / SPs / SSPs / Municipal Commissioners / Chief Executive Officers of 125 cities in the context of Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme which has been launched to provide credit for working capital to street vendors to resume their business. While the Scheme provides the credit facility to the vendors, there is a requirement to ensure that they are able to do business in a harassment free environment. Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA was also present in the meeting.
On the occasion, Hon'ble Minister launcheda Mobile App for ULB functionaries. This App aims to provide user friendly digital interface for the functionaries of ULBs to source loan applications of street vendors.
Hon'ble Minister received feedback from states/UTs. He urged theMinisters of Urban Development and senior officials to hold meetings with key stakeholders towards successful implementation of PM SVANidhi and also to ensure the protection of livelihood of street vendors.
During the interaction with the Hon’ble Urban Development Ministers, it was decided that Ministry will conduct complete socio economic profiling of the scheme beneficiaries with an aim to facilitate their actions in other government welfare schemes e.g. PMAY (Urban), Aayushman Bharat, Ujjawala, Jan Dhan Yojana, Saubhagya, DAY-NULM etc. During his interaction, Shri Hardeep Puri said that “States are encouraged to dovetail other schemes for economic upliftment of vendors e.g. Mudra/DAY-NULM credit for purchase of modern pushcarts in place of traditional thelas. With regard to undue harassment of the street vendors by police/municipal officials, action should be initiated against the erring officials by fixing responsibility. Further, to help beneficiary raise their grievances in a conducive environment, a forum chaired by District Collector and having representation of police/ULB and other relevant departments should be constituted. The Forum so constituted should meet atleast once in a month.”
Observing that PM SVANidhi is not only a micro-finance scheme, the Housing Minister stated that it has a more ambitious objective to formalise the street vendors into urban economy and to provide a complete poverty alleviation package by facilitating their access to various other government schemes. It was decided that further meetings will be conducted with the lending institutions in coordination with DFS.
Since commencement of online submission of applications on PM SVANidhi portal on 2nd July 2020, more than 5.68 lakh ap
50. KONE Elevator India once again in the list of 100 Best Companies for Women Thursday November 26 2020 : KONE Elevator India once again in the list of 100 Best Companies for Women
- This is the fifth successive time KONE Elevator India has been honoured
- Enters the 100 Best Companies for Women in India – “Hall of Fame”
Mumbai, November 25, 2020: KONE Elevator India, a fully owned subsidiary of KONE Corporation, is proud to announce that it has emerged as the 100 Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) 2020 by AVTAR Group and Working Mother Media, for the fifth successive time making it to the “Hall of Fame”. This award is a recognition of KONE Elevator India’s commitment to building sustainable careers for women.
At KONE Elevator India, diversity and inclusion are inherent parts of the way the organisation works, and continues advancing diversity and inclusion through progressive policies, practices and benefits, professional development and well-being programs, across every level and role. KONE has introduced several key initiatives that help build a women-inclusive workplace including mentorship and wellbeing programs, growth opportunities, amongst many others to ensure work-life balance for them. More importantly, the women already working with KONE India, have been associated for more than decades, and proudly advocate inclusion as equal opportunity in the organisation.
Right from 2016, when the list was first introduced to access and encourage workplace gender equality in India, KONE India has been selected every year. It’s a proof of the high ethical principles that guide their belief and practice of an inclusive workplace that empowers individuals.
Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Amit Gossain, MD, KONE Elevator India stated, “It gives us immense pleasure to be featured in this esteemed list yet again for the sustained initiatives undertaken to increase women’s workforce participation and fostering a great work environment. This recognition is a testimony of the company’s pioneering initiatives that help women build a successful career and offer them a well chalked out growth path. We will continue to create an atmosphere of inclusion and gender equality and we hope that this will encourage more women to join and stay on in our team.”
On the occasion, Mr. MP Saravanan, Director- HR & CSR, KONE Elevator India shared, “We have always taken great pride in our people and culture. At KONE Elevator India, we see diversity as a strength, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to inclusion and gender equality. Each employee is empowered to drive innovation and this helps create an environment where everyone feels they have an equal opportunity to grow and build a career.”
Commenting on the occasion,
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