1.#Opinion: Thursday 01, Aug 2024, 06:00. 3623./ 1.#PM: News Update: INDIAN ARMY INTENSIFIES RESCUE OPERATION IN AREAS AFFECTED BY LANDSLIDE IN WAYANAD: Posted On: 31 JUL 2024 8:03PM by PIB Delhi// + 2 more

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1.#Opinion: Thursday 01, Aug 2024, 06:00. 3623./

1.#PM: News Update: INDIAN ARMY INTENSIFIES RESCUE OPERATION IN AREAS AFFECTED BY LANDSLIDE IN WAYANAD: Posted On: 31 JUL 2024 8:03PM by PIB Delhi//

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On the second day of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operation, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on 30th July 2024. Since the initial requisition received from the civil administration in early hours of 30th July, six HADR columns comprising a strength of around 500 personnel including medical staff along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs have been deployed. Around 1000 people have been rescued by the Army, provided medical aid and evacuated to the safer places. Bodies of around 86 deceased personnel have also been recovered.

The Army has set up a “Command and Control Centre” headed by Major General VT Mathew, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area along with Brigadier Arjun Segan at Kozhikode for coordinating HADR efforts. Brigadier Segan carried out reconnaissance of the affected areas in the early hours today, and guided the Army columns for further conduct of the rescue operation. The troops are conducting rescue operations along six kilometre stretch of landslide affected areas. 

The troops forming part of the HADR columns were mobilised from Kannur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. Two columns each belonging to DSC Centre, Kannur and 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) MADRAS, Kozhikode having a total strength of 225 personnel were the first responders and reached location to commence rescue operations in conjunction with NDRF and other agencies. Two additional HADR columns including two medical teams having a strength of 135 personnel were airlifted from Trivandrum to Kozhikode by AN-32 and C-130 aircraft; to further augment the rescue and relief operations.

The State Government of Kerala had requested the Army for providing bridging effort. In response, Army’s Engineer Task Force from Madras Engineer Group and Centre (MEG & Centre) with a strength of 123 personnel along with a set of 150 feet Bailey Bridge, three JCBs and other support equipment has been inducted into the affected area. Construction of a bridge on the Meepadi – Choormala Road is under progress including induction of certain earth moving equipment to the other side of the stream utilising air effort.  Construction of a foot bridge was completed overnight on 30-31 July.

A C-17 aircraft carrying another set of 110 feet Bailey Bridge from Engineers Stores Depot, Delhi Cantt and three Search and Rescue Dog Teams has also landed at Kannur for further employment. Additional resource requirements are being assessed based on the aerial and ground reconnaissance and needs of the civil administration.

During the day IAF helicopters undertook multiple sorties dropping food items and other relief material. Evacuation of civilian causalities was also executed from cut off areas. Naval aviation assets provided due support in transportation of SDRF and state administration officials. Multiple aircrafts are on standby at Thiruvananthapuram, Sulur and Thanjavur to provide air rescue at short notice.

Besides the aid in terms of medicine and first aid, ECHS Polyclinic, Kalpetta is providing services of doctors, nursing assistants and ambulances to the flood operations columns.

The Indian Army remains steadfast to assist the stranded citizens and is working relentlessly to ensure safety of one and all. The Army is committed to supporting the state of Kerala during this challenging time. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to provide relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

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2.#Ministry of Education: Panel discussions on Equivalence of Curriculum and Assessment across all School Boards at Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2024: 

Ministry of Education celebrates 4th anniversary of National Education Policy 2020 with Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2024 Posted On: 31 JUL 2024 7:23PM by PIB Delhi

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The Ministry of Education celebrated the 4th anniversary of the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 with Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2024 in New Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre Auditorium today. Minister of State for Education & Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar were present at the event. Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy; academicians, Vice Chancellors of Universities, many eminent personalities, esteemed guests, officials and students, also attended the event.

In a significant stride towards a unified educational framework, a panel discussion was held that focused on the "Equivalence of Curriculum and Assessment across all School Boards", bringing together distinguished educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the critical issue of standardizing educational standards across India's diverse school boards. This panel discussion furthered the deliberations on policy recommendations and other critical aspects of educational equivalence from a two-day conference held at PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), NCERT, on 25-26 July.

The Panel Discussion was attended by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL); Shri Anandrao V. Patil, Additional Secretary, DoSEL; Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT; and Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, CEO and Head, PARAKH. These discussions laid the groundwork for the panel event, highlighting the collaborative spirit and commitment to reform among various stakeholders.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Shri Anandrao V. Patil, who introduced the program and provided an overview of the event’s ambitious goals. He emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive educational environment where every student, no matter where they study, has access to the same opportunities and resources.

Ms. Asano Sekhose, Chairperson, Nagaland Board of School Education, explored the establishment of academic equivalence among diverse education boards. She addressed both challenges and opportunities and highlighted the need for inclusivity and respect for regional diversities. To address variations, PARAKH's efforts in studying and adopting best practices from various Boards were highlighted as essential steps towards achieving academic equivalence.

Insights from international practices were shared by Dr. Jonas Bertling, Program Lead, ETS, Princeton, US, showcasing how other countries have successfully implemented equivalence in education. The emphasis was on adopting best practices from around the world to enhance the Indian education system's global competitiveness but not forgetting the Indian roots and value systems. He categorically stated that equivalence is about finding common denominators rather than making everyone the same and there is no single pathway to achieving equivalence, acknowledging that different contexts may require different approaches.

Dr. V.P. Yadav, Chairman, Haryana Board of School Education, highlighted the use of digital platforms for the assessment of answer scripts and how it was a critical step towards achieving equivalence. Mr. Yadav eloquently highlighted the transformative role of technology in education, showcasing Haryana's pioneering efforts in integrating digital platforms for the assessment of answer scripts. He stressed the integration of technology to ensure consistency and fairness in educational assessments.

Shri Rahul Singh, Chairperson, CBSE, revealed that achieving equivalence in education requires a comprehensive approach involving policy alignment and advocacy. Insightful overview of the three dimensions crucial to establishing equivalence: administration, curriculum, and assessment. He emphasized their interconnectedness and also highlighted its significance, he said.

The event also had a dynamic Q&A session, moderated by Shri Anandrao V. Patil, where the audience engaged with the panellists, delving deeper into the topics discussed. The session reinforced the commitment to turning these ideas into actionable policies, marking the beginning of a significant journey towards educational reform.

Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, MoE urged all Boards to collaborate and make concerted efforts for the betterment of students, emphasizing the collective responsibility towards this goal. He stressed the requirement of equivalence in curriculum and assessment across all the boards in India. He assured all support to catalyse the same.

About PARAKH:

PARAKH was set up in NCERT as an independent constituent unit via Notification No. 1-4/2012-EC/ 101- 164 of NCERT dated 8th Feb 2023. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of education in India through competency-based assessment, achievement surveys, and the development of holistic progress cards. PARAKH’s mission is to create a more equitable and effective education system that fosters holistic development and prepares students for future challenges.

Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS)

The first event of ABSS organized in July 2022 at Varanasi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It was organised with the objectives to create scope for all stakeholders to come together for effective, smooth, and timely implementation of the NEP 2020; establish strong linkages among various higher educational institutions; and discuss challenges being faced by HEIs and articulate solutions.

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3.#Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Women Entrepreneurship Program launched to empower women entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship asserts significant progress in entrepreneurship through NIESBUD and special programs with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development and other ministries.

Shri Tiwari mentions about the importance of collaborating closely with other organisations and government departments, to provide skill training to Women's Self-help Groups and to help organize them into various business entities: Posted On: 31 JUL 2024 8:07PM by PIB Delhi.

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In a pivotal move towards empowering women entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) unveiled the Women Entrepreneurship Program. This program is designed to address the distinct challenges that women face when starting and growing businesses. In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs. At the launch of this program, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said that it is our privilege that Britannia has partnered with us, focusing on women entrepreneurship. He asserted that we have achieved significant progress in entrepreneurship through National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and special programs with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development and other ministries. He further mentioned about the importance of collaborating closely with other organisations and government departments, to provide skill training to women's self-help groups, whether individually or collectively, and to help organize them into various business entities. He emphasised that in the skilling segment, under Jan Shikshan Sansthan, 82% of our trainees are women. In the PMKVY short-term training program, close to 45% of the participants are women, he added.

This initiative, aims to tackle the challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship by offering crucial skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities. The program has been launched with the introduction of complimentary self-learning basic entrepreneurship courses available in multiple languages on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Upon completion of these courses, participants will receive a co-branded certificate from NSDC, Britannia Industries and NIESBUD, acknowledging their entrepreneurial skills and competencies. This initiative aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses. The initiative will culminate in a grand finale where the top 50 contestants will present their business ideas to a distinguished jury. To further encourage innovation and excellence, Britannia Industries will award financial grants of 10 lakh rupees each to 10 of the most successful contestants.

Echoing this sentiment, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International stated that today, this program is about women-led entrepreneurship and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for women development. He further said that one of the most important component of this is that private and public sector organisation are going together telling women to have entrepreneurial ambitions. From Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to Lakhpati Didi, India has travelled a lot of distance when it comes to women development, he said.

Ms Trishaljit Sethi, DG, Directorate General of Training, Ms. Sonal Mishra and Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretaries in Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship along with other senior officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking about Britannia’s motivation to join forces with NSDC, Shri Rajneet Singh Kohli, CEO and Executive Director, Britannia Industries, said that Britannia Marie Gold’s vision is to help women entrepreneurs to soar together to do more. He said that the MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation is a game-changer for women's empowerment in India.

The Indian government is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs through opportunities for essential skills development, access to free self-learning courses, and comprehensive incubation support. Aligning with the government’s commitment to fostering women's entrepreneurship, this program will be implemented in multiple phases to ensure comprehensive support and maximum impact. Divided into two phases, NSDC, with support from the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). These courses, available in multiple languages, will cover crucial topics such as entrepreneurial skills, enterprise setup, finance basics, digital skills, and market analysis.

In the next phase, NSDC extends robust incubation support to 10,000 shortlisted contestants across 100 business models. This support encompasses business model selection, entrepreneurship development programs, industrial workshops, business registration assistance, project report preparation, and guidance on funding through various government entrepreneurship and startup schemes. Additionally, participants’ products and services will be highlighted on SIDH’s e-commerce platform, UdhyamKart and Britannia’s digital ecosystem for women entrepreneurship. NSDC will conduct periodic impact assessments to evaluate the success and sustainability of the supported businesses, ensuring the program’s long-term effectiveness. This initiative marks a significant effort to broaden the reach and visibility of women-led enterprises, creating a supportive ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs to realize their full potential. The partnership between NSDC and Britannia highlights a shared commitment to cultivating an environment where women entrepreneurs can flourish and significantly contribute to India’s economic advancement

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JAI HIND
JAI BHARATHAM
VANDHE MADHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAI.

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