News Analysis India

Category: News

  • Shri Prakash Javadekar urges District Education Officers of Aspirational Districts to play a key role in transforming them into developed districts

    Union Human Resource Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar has urged the  District Education Officers to play a key role in transforming Aspirational districts in to developed districts. He was addressing the workshop with District Education Officers, DIETs, SCERTs, State Nodal Officers and Central Ministries on Transformation of Aspirational districts in New Delhi today. He said that unless we develop education properly, districts will not develop. No nation will develop without education; similarly no district will develop without education, Shri Javadekar added. He said to District Education Officers that the real challenge is to make government schools better. He further said that under the Samagra Siksha funds will not be a problem for the development of education in the inspirational districts.

    HRD Minister said that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has launched the “Transformation of Aspirational Districts- programme in January 2018 to transform over 100 districts in 28 States. These districts have been ranked on 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across five sectors by NEETI Aayog. Education is one of the sectors with 30% weight attached.

    Shri Javadekar said that key performance indicators in education sectors are transition from Primary to Upper Primary and Upper Primary to Secondary. This include Schools with Functional Girls’ Toilets, availability of Functional Drinking Water Facility in the schools, availability of Textbooks within 1 month of the Academic Session, availability of Functional Electricity Facility at Secondary School Level, Elementary Schools Complying with RTE specified Pupil Teacher Ratio, Learning Outcomes of Classes 3, 5 and 8 in Language, Mathematics and Female Literacy.

    He said that Gram Swaraj Abhiyan was initiated to attain saturation coverage of 7 flagship programmes. It is now extended to include all the five sectors under the Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme and coverage has also been extended to all the Aspirational Districts. District Education Officers need to upload data on all the Key performance Indicators at village level except the KPI on Transition which will be at district level in the portal being developed by the Ministry of Rural Development.

  • Kangana shared homage to the Queen of Jhansi “Manikarnika’s First Look”

    According to an article published in the BBC, Rani Lakshmi Bai was killed by a sword on her head.

    On the occasion of the 160th death anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai, where the entire country is paying homage to her, Kangana Ranaut has released poster of ‘Manikarnika’ on her life.

    In 1858, on 18th June, Queen Laxmibai Veergati had been fighting and fighting the British army in Kota’s inn near Gwalior. In the film “Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi”, Kangna will be seen in the role of Rani Laxmibai.

    Kangana’s team, while releasing the first poster of the film on social media, wrote that the first battle of independence was the heroine of patriotism and self esteem.

    The film ‘Manikarnika’ was launched in Varanasi on May 5 last year, where Laxmibai was born. In the film, for the role of Lakshmibai, Kangana has learned fencing as well as horse riding. Not only this, he has also been injured several times during the shooting of this film.

    Recently, on this film, the Karan army had strongly opposed the film in Jaipur. They had alleged that intimate scenes were shown between Laxmibai and British officers in the movie, on which Kangana had cleared that none of such scenes has been shown in the film.

    Please tell that the film “Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi” was earlier to be released on April 24 this year, but the film has now been postponed until August due to the work of VFX stopped.

    According to the article published in the BBC: Capt. Rodrick Briggs was the first man from the British who saw Rani Lakshmibai fighting in the battle field with her own eyes.

    The horse rope was pressed by his teeth. He was running a sword with both hands and was battling both sides together.

    Before them, another Englishman John Lang had the chance to see Rani Lakshmibai closer, but not in the battleground, in his palace.

  • Editrial :- Digvijay Singh VS Rohit Vemulah’s mother

    In the UPA regime, the then Home Minister duo Shinde and P. Chidambaram invented the words of Hindu terror and Sepron Tire.

    Rahul Gandhi went to the US during the same period. He said before the US officials that there is a more dangerous Hindu terror than LeT terror in India.

    Encouraged by the same, the CIA published a fact report on June 16 which stated that VHP and Bajrang Dal are extremist organizations and RSS is the parent organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a nationalist organization.

    Digvijay Singh, on the lines of Rahul Gandhi, while endorsing the pole of the said lies today, said that all Hindu terrorists were RSS workers.

    It is necessary to mention that Zakir Naik has already given the name of Rahul Gandhi’s mentor Digvijay Singh Santantak and has told RSS in the 26/11 Mumbai blast.

    Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are playing the footsteps of their ancestors to divide Hindus while playing the Muslim card at the time of election.

    Apart from this, the dalit card is also being malfunctioned and for this, Rohit has tried to take political advantage even from Vemulah’s suicide.

    According to the news published today, Radhika Vemulah, the mother of Rohit Shemu, a student of Hyderabad University, who came to discuss the cause of suicide, has made several allegations against the Indian Union Muslim League. Radhika has accused her of neglecting the League as well as politically misusing her. The promise was made to Radhika when the leader of the league, along with Ambedkar Student Federation workers also used to meet him. Explain that Rohit was also the member of the Ambedkar Student Federation.

    Radhika said that after Rohit’s suicide, many leaders of the League came to meet him, most of whom did not even recognize him. They promised Radhika to give her 20 lakh rupees to build a house, citing her poverty.

    After this assurance, Leagues started taking political advantage of Rohit’s mother. They started sitting on the stage of rallies organized against the government and a party special and such political statements were started.

    Congress President Rahul Gandhi is facing a dispute of defamation on the statement of the National Self-Service Association being behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. On June 12, he appeared in a court in Nagpur in this case. The Congress has not been able to emerge from the controversy that another senior leader has called the Sangh as an organization of extremists. BJP has strongly condemned this new statement of Congress to spread hatred and terrorism in the country on the Sangh.

    In the state of Madhya Pradesh, Congress Coordination Committee chairman Digvijay Singh has come out on a unity journey between Congressmen in MP this time. During this time, he is also discussing with Congress workers

    Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who is heading the headlines from statements, has targeted the Sangh and the BJP.La in the Jhabua region of Madhya Pradesh, Singh gave the statement in connection with the terrorists.

    I remain on my statement in which it says that if any Hindu terrorists have been caught in any terrorist incident, they have sometimes been the Sangh’s workers. Nathuram Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi, was also a member of the RSS. He said that Hindu terrorists come from the union because the ideology of the Sangh is going to spread hatred.

    On the basis of the above facts, it can be alleged that Congress wants to achieve Yen-Ken-Shakran power by adopting a more dangerous path than the Hurriyat and other separatist organizations. The public wants that if Rahul Gandhi really wants to reach the top of politics, instead of secessionism, adopt nationalism.

  • Vice President visits Shri Vajpayee at AIIMS

    The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, along with his family members, visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), here today, and enquired about the health condition of former Prime Minister, Shri A.B. Vajpayee, who is undergoing treatment there.

    The Vice President spoke to the family members of Shri Vajpayee at the hospital. He was also briefed by the doctors on the condition of the former Prime Minister.

    The doctors informed the Vice President that Shri Vajpayee’s condition was stable and that he was improving. He was admitted to AIIMS on June 11 with urinary tract infection.

  • Sports Minister sanctions a special financial assistance of Rs.5 lakhs for former International Archer Limba Ram.

    Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has sanctioned a special financial assistance of Rs.5 lakhs to former International Archer & Arjun Awardee Shri Limba Ram.  Shri Limba Ram, who is suffering from neuro generative disease or neurological illness is undergoing treatment at Jaipur. He is working for the State Government of Rajasthan and is in receipt of salary beyond the ceiling of Rs.4 lakhs fixed under the scheme of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons. The Minister in his capacity as Chairperson of the Fund, has relaxed the condition and by invoking the discretionary clause sanctioned Rs.5 Lakhs considering that his widowed mother, widowed sister and her children, widowed mother-in-law and unemployed brother are dependent on him.

    Earlier, on getting the news of Shri Limba Ram’s admission in a hospital, the Minister had deputed a team of officers to visit and enquire if any assistance is required.  The sanctioned amount is based on the report of this Committee.  The Minister has also asked his officers to regularly visit him and update on his health

  • Year of Disabled Soldiers In Line of Duty

    To honour soldiers who have been disabled in line of duty, while serving the Nation and to celebrate the undying spirit of ‘Soldiering’, Indian Army is observing the year 2018 as the ‘Year of Disabled Soldiers in Line of Duty’. The primary focus is towards alleviating the sufferings of these soldiers, who have done their duty with utmost dedication to the Nation and have been disabled for the life.

    The endeavour this year is to provide a onetime financial assistance to disabled soldiers who have been boarded out from service on medical grounds and are rendered non-employable due to their medical or physical conditions.

    Indian Army recognizes the inherent stress and strain on such soldiers & their dependents and has well established rehabilitation programmes and beneficiary schemes but these require to be reinforced. The Government is considering proposal of major grant to establish a separate fund which can be further enhanced by contributions from individuals, establishments and corporate sector thus facilitating meaningful initiatives for disabled soldiers.

    Indian Army plans to create awareness on organizational support available to soldiers and their dependents with respect to medical, rehabilitation, various beneficiary schemes of Central and State Governments, vocational opportunities and assistance for their placement. Indian Army also plans to showcase talent of disabled soldiers by organizing sports and physical activities, cultural events and their art exhibitions. These disabled soldiers have inspiring deeds behind them, hence, it is planned to felicitate them along with selected organizations which dedicate in their rehabilitation.

    Management of disabled soldiers is an onerous responsibility. Indian Army plans to galvanise due support for the unemployable disabled soldier, his wife and his family with initial financial support to ensure a life of dignity through partially-funded entrepreneurship venture.

  • The 3-day NATIONAL YOGA OLYMPIAD-2018 organized by NCERT begins in New Delhi today

    A 3-day National Yoga Olympiad was inaugurated at the National Council of Educational Research and Training in CIET in New Delhi today by Mr. Eric Falt, Director and UNESCO Representative of the New Delhi Cluster Office for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

    This is the third consecutive year of National Yoga Olympiad of NCERT and this year about 500 students from 26 States and 4 RIEs are participating in the Olympiad as compared to the participation of students from 25 States/UTs last year.

    In his welcome address, Professor Hrushikesh Senapaty, Director, NCERT brought to the attention that the Olympiad creates awareness about a scientific and holistic way of living and the purpose is to create positive attitude among all human beings and promote peaceful living in the society. He quoted the Prime Minister, Shri Narender Modi, “It is our responsibility to ensure that right spirit of yoga is conveyed to everyone”. It is in this backdrop that the Olympiad is organized to create a sense of unity and understanding among children, who have travelled from different parts of the country – both from rural and urban areas.

    Professor Saroj Yadav Dean, NCERT narrating the journey of Yoga Olympiad highlighted the importance of yoga in the development of physical, mental and spiritual health. She elaborated about the objectives, target group, yogic practices included and the criteria for judging. She stressed that Yoga Olympiad is an instrument to generate awareness about yoga among children and building team spirit and confidence.

    After witnessing a mesmerizing yoga performance by young students from Government Girls school from Rewari, Haryana and Students from Girls School of Kerala, the Chief Guest, Mr. Eric Falt, thanked the NCERT for the opportunity to see such a performance.

    Two books – Joy of Theatre and Sangeet— training packages were released on the occasion.

  • Regional Conference of Western States on Water Resources at Mumbai on 18-06-2018

    A Regional Conference of Western States on Water Resources, an initiative by Govt. of India to discuss the contentious issues among the five western states viz. Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa was held in Mumbai today.

    On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said, pending inter-states water issues need to be solved on priority; therefore; it is decided to organise such conferences at state level. He reiterated that, water management is the top priority at Union Government as well as state governments. He also added that the river basins of different states need to be connected, so basin specific states meet will also be held. Water management, irrigation, flood management etc. were other topics which were discussed at the conference.

     

    Shri Meghwal further stated that, such conferences give an opportunity for studying details of many pending issues related to main issue and such issues can be resolved with participation of concerned authorities. Such conference can induce improved habits, new thoughts, and help in appreciating field reality. All these factors will be put forth to NITI Ayog as well, so that they can come up with new schemes.

     

    This is third in the series of such initiative by the Union Government following similar Conferences for southern states (at Hyderabad on 20.02.2018) & Eastern states (at Kolkata on 16.04.18). Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation chaired the Conference.

    In the Conference, various issues pertaining to inter-state and intra-state river linking proposals under Peninsular Rivers Development Component and regarding projects/schemes undertaken by the states were discussed.

    • Karnataka has raised certain issues regarding intra-state link proposals of Maharashtra concerning them, Godavari (Akinepalli)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link project, Kalasa-Bandura Nala diversion project and Dudhganga project.

     

    • Madhya Pradesh requested for inclusion of their approved projects under Pradhaan Manthri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and sought central assistance for their on-going pressurised micro-irrigation projects.

     

    • Maharashtra raised the issues of finalisation of MoU to be signed among the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Government regarding Par-Tapi-Narmada and Damanganga-Pinjal link projects, use of Tapi regeneration flow, proposal for mega recharge of ground water in Tapi basin, alternative proposal to Kanhan Hydro-electric project, review of water allocation in Pench valley and reimbursement of expenditure incurred in respect of Tilari Inter-state project from Goa.

     

    • Gujarat requested for approval of their proposal for RRR of water bodies in Saurashtra region under PMKSY and for taking up of DPR of Damanganga – Sabarmati – Chorwad intra-state link project by NWDA.

     

    • Goa requested for central assistance for restoring of Khazan land bunds, aquifer mapping and methodologies for regulation of groundwater, RRR of ponds/lakes, evaluation of environmental flows for the rivers and implementation of post monsoon harvesting structures in the state. The state also sought its inclusion in DRIP and other flagship programmes of MOWR, RD &GR.

    All the issues were duly deliberated and it was broadly decided –

    1. to further this initiative by conducting follow up meetings at appropriate level on specific issues by the concerned states for speedy resolution and  if need be under the aegis of Central Govt.
    2. to extend budgetary support by the Centre to the various schemes of the states under PMKSY, CADWM etc. and through external funding from NABARD or World bank
    3. to abide by the awards of the Tribunals and to take up any proposals by the States in accordance with them
    4. to await the Award of the Tribunal regarding the issues raised by the States concerning  Mahadayi basin  and
    5. to work in collaboration by the Centre and the States for the development and management of water resources in the country in national interest

     

    Ministers of Water Resources from States of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, have participated in the Conference. Principal Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra, Secretaries of Governments of Karnataka and Gujarat and other senior officials from the participating states, Member (D&R), Central Water Commission, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, Joint Secretary (RD&PP), MoWR,RD&GR, Director General, National Water Development Agency, Chief Engineers from CWC & NWDA and other senior officers of Govt. of India attended the Conference.

  • Chairman, Railway Board conducts review meeting with Central Railway and Western Railway

    Chairman Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani held a review meeting regarding all the ongoing and future projects with General Manager, Central Railway, Shri D.K. Sharma and General Manager, Western Railway, Shri A.K. Gupta, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai today.  Shri Ashwani Lohani also held discussions with Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd (MRVC) regarding capacity enhancement works under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), particularly Diva-Thane and Kurla-Parel 5th and 6th lines.  On this occasion, Principal Heads of Departments of Central, Western Railways and MRVC were present. Presentation was given on various developmental works by Divisional Railway Managers Mumbai, Mumbai Central and also Director MRVC. Shri Ashwani Lohani also addressed Press and Media at the Heritage Hall before inspecting the station.

    Shri Ashwani Lohani first inaugurated the Self Ticketing Zone at the Suburban booking concourse (Star Chamber) where one can buy tickets through CoTVM, ATVM and QR code. Besides, Shri Lohani interacted with the UTS App booth staff popularising the app amongst the commuters. Mobile charging station was also inaugurated at CSMT main line concourse.  The mobile charging station supports 12 direct charging and 8 USB charging points. Such stations will be provided at CSMT (total 7 stations), Dadar -4 and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus -5 soon.

    Shri Ashwani Lohani also inaugurated the child helpline 1098 day and night helpdesk at CSMT where destitute and run away kids are after identification sent to their homes back or to the shelter homes as the case may be.  Such helpdesks are available at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Kalyan. Shri Lohani also met Ms. Rekha Mishra, who has rescued and united hundreds of destitute and runaway kids.  Shri Lohani also met outstanding sports persons of Central Railway and appreciated their contribution to the Nation.

    General Manager, Central Railway, Shri D.K. Sharma then gave a presentation on the Self Propelled Inspection Car (SPIC) which has been converted from Diesel Power Car. Shri Lohani also inspected the 250th periodical overhauled (POH) Siemens EMU train.  This POH is done by Matunga Workshop by replacing all conventional lights with LED, Screen Printing of instructions, Aluminium chequered plate on doorways, Polyurethane (PU) painting and intensive cleaning of the rake.  Shri Lohani also inspected the passenger facilitation centre, signage board (you are here map) at CSMT.  The facilitation centre is equipped with all basic amenities such as wheel chair, stretcher, battery operated cars, etc.

    During the meeting with branch managers of Mumbai Division, Chairman enquired from officers whether they regularly meet their staff or not.  Shri Lohani reiterated the need to look after the well-being and welfare of the staff.  Shri Lohani also enquired about the result of decentralisation of many powers.  The feedback of staff was very encouraging.  There has been remarkable momentum in execution of works due to decentralisation of powers.  Shri Lohani also encouraged officers to come up with innovative ideas without any hesitation and fear for the betterment of the organisation.

  • Global Trading System Must Include Services Trade: Suresh Prabhu

    Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu delivering keynote address at 6th Growth Net Summit in New Delhi

    Services trade is growing faster than merchandise and such dynamic changes need to be captured in the global trading system, stated Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation. He was speaking at the 6th Growth Net Summit, being held in New Delhi on 18-19 June 2018, organized by AnantaCenter and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with Smadja&Smadja.

    Services trade requires movement of people, unlike merchandise trade, said the Minister. He stated that India is aiming at a $5 trillion economy by year 2026-27 and goods and services exports are targeted at $1 trillion of this. Over the last year, goods and services exports grew by over 12%, he noted.

    The government is working on a comprehensive strategy to boost services exports and $1 billion will be spent to promote 12 champion services sectors. For the first time, a strategy of products in new markets is being developed. Exports are also being promoted in regions like Africa, Latin America and Central Asia, added the Minister.

    Noting that the World Trade Organisation was created as part of a rules-based, multilateral, democratic and participatory institution for expanding global trade, he said that countries have recognized the value of global trade for fosteringgrowth and creating jobs. India is working with other countries to ensure that WTO remains relevant, he said.