Day: January 11, 2020

Persona activity for Facilitating eLearning Communities

I have just finished reading through the discussion on Blackboard around creating personas. The individual persona exercise, quite rightly, became a group persona which reverted back to being a suggestion to create two general personas which are representative of the group. David started off the exercise with a persona based on an analysis of the learning styles and some of the information posted in the introductions.

A suggestion was also made by Cheryl is to name the two personas according to the learning styles for each group. 
1) Reflective, Global, Intuitive, Visual; 2) Active, Sequential, Sensing, Visual
Person 1 – Virg; Person 2 – Vass
If you collect up all the posts it is very clear to see the personalities of the group emerging. The characteristics of the group who participated have demonstrated they have a range of skills and can do the following:
  • analyse and organise information,
  • facilitate others towards action,
  • mediate,
  • reflect,
  • become impatient with no progress,
  • get confused,
  • suggest solutions.
I am impressed with how far you have come towards developing a persona or two. It is not an easy task. As stated by Yvonne, “As facilitators we could use a single persona to help focus learning activities and experiences based on shared characteristics and I can see how this would work in some circumstances but are we finding this tricky because we\’re the learners and not the facilitators?
I thought there may have been some discussion about what should/shouldn\’t be included so that everyone would feel \’represented\’ and we\’d end up with a final persona. So I\’m wondering why we\’ve found it so difficult to do?”
Does anyone have a response to Yvonne\’s post? I wonder why was this exercise so challenging? Is it worthwhile to do this in your own classes so you get an understanding of who you are facilitating?
Every suggestion has been from a different perspective, but it appears that although confusion has been expressed, some progress has been made. There was also a name suggested for the group persona and some characteristics, such as below:
Name: The Colossal Squid – not sure if this really fits with the new pic I have added.
Age: Average 45

Gender: female
Learning Goals: 1. To gain more familiarity, skills & ideas for teaching online. 2 To discover new ways/methods to deliver effective learning experiences – not necessarily for full online delivery but as an additional teaching/learning tool.
Background Story: Teaching background (10-15 years), (mostly) married (some partnered), 3 kids (ages 8,10,13), Interests include music, the outdoors, family & friends. Fairly computer literate.
A telling quote:??? I get the sense this will come as the background story develops
email address: Gmail? Generic polytech email?
Job Title: 1/2 time lecturing/teaching (with some online component), 1/2 time consulting on e-learning projects
Photo: Attached – provided by David
Learning Style: Visual preference, global slant, huge active preference
There was also a suggestion by Linda to create two personas based on the fact that “some learners are experienced with technology while others are very new to it,” rather than using learning styles.
Individual personas
Three people have asked others to form a group with them and we are still waiting to hear the outcome of those sessions. For example, an Elluminate meeting was organised last Fiday 17 August. If it went ahead, and am interested to see what came out of that exercise.
Learning styles: There was certainly a lot of emphasis on learning styles, and a virtual chocolate fish to David for getting the ball rolling. This was as good a way as any to get a “feel” for the learners and sometimes learning styles may be the first bit of information you get. Of course if you take the time to look at your students’ enrolment forms you will also find out some demographic information.
Think about how you actually get to know who your learners are in the f2f classroom and online?
Because of the difficulties in getting to know students online, lots of lecturers now take the time to do a learning styles exercise at the start of a course.
Luckily nine people also posted some information about themselves in the introductions forum. As you have found out it is an exercise which may be a lot easier to complete over more than one week when you get to know your fellow class mates through interacting with them in discussions and with them on their blogs.
Once everyone has their blogs up and running, and if they add information about themselves on there, it will be easier to confirm the personae. And maybe as leigh suggests it is a dynamic process which will evolve over the length of the course. In any case, the activity though not immediately satisfying or conclusive has certainly stimulated a lot of thought around who you all are as learners…don’t you agree?
So where to now?
I really like Yvonne’s observations about why the exercise has appeared to pose difficulties. Meaning that it took longer than a week and also seemed challenging for people to get an immediate outcome. It certainly started on time, and it is evident that the exercise needs more than a week and this should be stated from the outset. Maybe it is an exercise which should be started later in the course when we have a better grip on who we all are – personality-wise and professionally.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Expert learners: Learning and Teaching in Practice

The concept of Expert Learners, became a whole lot clearer to me after the workshop last week. This is one of the topics in the first module, Learner Characteristics, Knowing the Learner.  

We brainstormed some ideas about what being an expert learner might involve. As you can see, having some experience with learning,  knowing how to process information at high levels including metacognition and critical thinking were on the list. Flexibility, seeking out information and making connections to prior knowledge and proven theories was also regarded as important. After that we did some activities located on the Excellence Gateway Treasury, a UK site for learning and skills improvement.

For me learning at the level of metacognition and using critical thinking is really important. To do this you have to be really aware of how you learn and also how you regulate your cognitive processes. For me, this involves setting goals and engaging in reflective learning, and also knowing how to find, use and critique information and resources (including people) to develop new knowledge. It also means having the confidence to get on with it rather than waiting for someone to tell me what to do and how to do it. This confidence also means being able to problem-solve, be persistent, take risks and come out the other side with a different take on things. As an expert learner, I need to be open and flexible to whatever comes along, curious and autonomous, and for me learning collaboratively and sharing knowledge is high on the list. 

 This takes lots of experience and the development of many skills. Now that I have completed a PhD, I feel as if I now know how to learn. But should we have to go to that extreme to become an expert learner? I think not.

So what do the experts say? According to my reading, expert learners have many of the characteristics, I have mentioned and more. The resources and activities available for Developing the Expert Learner, also got us thinking about which characteristics were more important (high impact) or less important (low impact). Each group had different priorities. For example, one group considered that curiosity, being well organised and setting goals were important whereas the other group thought these characteristics were less important, choosing things like organising and analysing information and understanding the course or qualification requirements as priorities. 

When we thought  about which characteristics were more likely to show at each stage of the learning journey – from recruitment, induction, through an initial assessment, learning plans and the learning process, until assessment and graduation – a different set of priorities emerged. For example, at induction the group thought that a potential expert learner would be more likely to demonstrate flexibility when approaching new situations and be able to understand the qualification requirements, possibly already understanding how they learn but less able to establish goals and monitor progress, and be an autonomous learner since these are skills that would develop later on with experience and support.

Wild and Heck\’s (2011) website (ID 4 the Web) has a great synopsis about the characteristics of expert learners – who engage actively in learning by participating to develop their knowledge and understanding, take responsibility and lead their learning. They do this through self-regulation by planning, monitoring and evaluating their learning. I agree with their take on the expert learner since it relies heavily on active learning, metacognition and as such involves reflective learning. From my perspective an expert learner engages in reflective practice using critical reflection and as such transforming their behaviours, attitudes and perceptions about the knowledge they are developing. I wonder what you think about my view?

This 4 minute video about active learning by NWIACOMMCOLLEGE gives some ideas about basic activities that can encourage this in the face-to-face and online classrooms – it involves three types of approach: teaching strategies, small tasks and methods for \”discovering, processing and applying information\”. According to the message in the video, anything that encourages participation is active learning because deeper learning occurs when the students \”analyse, define, create and evaluate information\”. By doing this they retain \”90% of what they do\”. Compare this to retaining \”10% of what they read\” or \”20% of what they hear\” or \”70% of what they say and write\”. 

So the message is, you can read as much as you want or hear and write all sorts of stuff but unless you actively do something with the information to process it, you wont retain the knowledge or understand it adequately, and learning won\’t be as effective. Do you agree?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Talk About Peace For Just One Day, Or More!

Source: Postcards For Peace

This Monday, September 21, marks the thirty-third anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Peace that invites all nations and people to cease hostilities by commemorating the day through awareness on issues related to peace. In our effort this year to bring mindfulness into our curricula, we see this day as an ideal place to connect our year-long endeavor to develop kind, empathetic, young citizens of the world.

We see taking the time to make room to recognize the importance of peaceful, non-violent solutions as imperative to learning. It’s worth every minute to talk about it, particularly in today’s world. The resource materials listed in this post provide a multitude of options for educators to integrate the International Day of Peace into classroom instruction.

Source: Peace On Day


Peace On Day, founded by Jeremy Gilley in 1999, is a good place to start for free, educational resources and curriculum guides. Check out its “Peace Projects” page for curriculum ideas that connect to subject areas with links to Postcards For Peace, Face To Faith, or Pinwheels For Peace.

Postcards For Peace’s mission is to improve the well-being of those people around the world whose lives are affected by violence or prejudice by promoting change and offering hope, support, and compassion through sending postcards of goodwill.

Its short, introductory video is just right for introducing the project to young learners, in addition to promoting writing and creativity. Download the postcard template, or make your own. Either way, it’s a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness with students through acts of kindness.



Postcards For Peace – An Introduction from Postcards For Peace on Vimeo.

Source: Kids For Peace

The last resource we’d like to bring attention to is the website called Kids For Peace. Its mission is to promote peace through youth leadership, community service, global friendships, and thoughtful acts of kindness. The Peace Pledge in this post can be easily downloaded from its website.

If you can do nothing else this Monday, try to have the students take the pledge. We are hoping to have everyone at our school take part in this. Kids For Peace also has a simple “Peace Day Challenge” to promote acts of peace. It’s perfect for any age level.

Source: Kids For Peace




Sometimes we feel crunched for time to cover course material, but sometimes the right thing to do should force us to stop for something so important as PEACE!

For other resources, please see:

You might also like:

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Recess Rescue: Why Play Time Should Be Written Into The Students\’ Bill Of Rights

Source: ASIDE 2016


As our nation’s children head to back to the classroom, many schools find themselves trying to rein in kids’ summer impulses. Strict conduct policies are emphasizing rules and enforcing straight lines on students who are used to gamboling in backyards and lolling for hours.

Many Scandinavian countries, most brain science, and all veteran teachers would encourage the exact opposite. They would argue that instead of limiting play, educators should expand the amount of free time dedicated to socialization and creativity. Imagination itself is not learned, but it can be unlearned due to the drone of worksheets and mandates.


Source: ASIDE 2016


While many schools nationwide are reducing free play opportunities, our neighboring Patchogue-Medford district here on Long Island has actually doubled recess time from 20 to 40 minutes. In fact, a few Texas and Oklahoma schools now schedule recess four times a day. These changes are not capricious; they are part of studies such as the LiiNK Project, which has found that physical activity increases students\’ emotional well-being and reduces instances of bullying and stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings with its seminal white paper about \”The Crucial Role Of Recess In School.\”

Across the board, students, teachers, parents, administrators, kinesiologists, therapists, and test graders are all witnessing the positive outcomes of enhanced play time. The scientist Jaak Panksepp has devoted a career of research to answering two pivotal questions: Where in the brain does play come from? And is it a learned activity, or is it a basic function?

Source: ASIDE 2016


NPR has highlighted Panksepp’s studies, showcasing that play is deep and instinctive, shared across mammals, and integral to survival. Important social skills stem from play, in testing interactions, probing limits, and navigating hierarchies. In other words, play is primitive, the natural outcome of time and trust.

Children need this unstructured time to make mistakes and develop friendships on their own terms. The arena of the soccer field or the sand box is ideal in nurturing successful adults. Recess is not a privilege. It should not be an afterthought. It should instead be written into the students’ Bill Of Rights.

Source: KOIN


Otherwise, what are our playgrounds? Are they monuments to eras past? Are they the still testaments to the naivety of earlier generations? Are they just another hallmark of the sped-up modern day, the never-enough-time-for day, when the things we wish for are just that — wishes?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

NCC committed to groom youth into responsible citizens, says DG NCC Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra

Director General of National Cadet Corps (NCC) Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra has emphasised that the NCC is committed to grooming the youth into responsible citizens who contribute immensely in nation building. Addressing the annual press conference during the NCC Republic Day Camp (RDC) here today, the DG NCC highlighted the major role of NCC in empowering the youth in nation building, creating social awareness, community development, environment protection, sports and adventure among them.

Lt Gen Chopra said, the training philosophy of the NCC cadets has been refined to accommodate the changing aspirations of the youth and expectations of the society. “The focus is now on personality development, leadership traits and improving soft skills of the cadets, so as to equip them for future challenges,” he added.

The DG NCC highlighted that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with 10 countries for Youth Exchange Programme (YEP). However, to give the cadets a wider exposure, YEP with seven more countries is in an advanced stage of approval, he said.

The RDC 2020 commenced at the Cariappa Parade Ground on January 01, 2020. Lt Gen Chopra addressed the cadets & officials and asked the cadets to participate wholeheartedly and derive maximum benefits from each activity during the camp.

The aim of the RDC is to provide an exposure to the rich culture and traditions of the country through important events that take place in the national capital during the run up to the Republic Day as well as to enhance the personal traits of the cadets by strengthening their value system. Cadets attending the camp participate in a number of activities like cultural competitions, national integration awareness programme and various institutional training competitions.

A total of 2,155 cadets, including 710 girls, drawn from all 28 states and nine Union Territories (UTs), are participating in this month-long camp. They include cadets from UTs of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and 120 cadets from the North Eastern Region. Portraying a reflection of ‘Mini India’, the camp will be visited by a number of dignitaries, including Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force and the Chief Minister of Delhi. The camp will culminate with the customary Prime Minister’s rally on January 28.

A number of competitions will take place during the camp, wherein all 17 directorates compete for the coveted Prime Minister’s Banner which is presented by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the PM rally. A large number of selected cadets will get an opportunity to participate in the prestigious Republic Day Parade on January 26 at Rajpath.

 

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AI & machine learning will contribute Usd 1 trillion to Indian economy by 2035; government committed to ensuring stable environment for investors and startups- Piyush Goyal

Commerce and Industry & Railways Minister Piyush Goyal today inaugurated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub in New Delhi, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning ecosystem that will assist the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector. Speaking on this occasion Commerce & Industry Minister said that although India has developed as the second largest fintech hub in the world, a lot of work still needs to be done in the BFSI sector. He hoped that the Knowledge Hub created by NSE will fill in these gaps and help the financial sector to move into the future.

The NSE Knowledge Hub will enhance skills and help academic institutions in preparing future-ready talent for the financial service industry. It is also available on mobile and attempts to bring together world class content and learners through this state- of- the- art and future- ready platform.

Commerce and Industry Minister said that this industry driven learning eco systemwill help India in building next generation skills and capabilities in the BFSI sector. The use of AI will ensure that the skill upgradation is affordable and accessible and helps in the creation of a workforce that is adequate for the requirements of the sector said Piyush Goyal. AI and Machine Learning will contribute USD 1 trillion by 2035 and this is a good beginning by NSE to tap the potential of AI and use it as a tool to create a workforce in the BFSI sector in India added the Minister.

Commerce and Industry Minister assured continued Government support to investors and startups and said that India is a safe investment destination today for investors, even the smallest of investors and this Knowledge Hub by NSE will strengthen and empower those working in the BFSI sector and will benefit investors and the financial services to give world class services through knowledge, innovation and value- addition.

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Election Commission of India Announces Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2020– Polling to be held on 8th February, 2020 and Counting on 11th February, 2020

Election Commission of India  today announced the Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2020.  Please see the following link for due details.

            Pl. click here to see the details

 

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Call on Prime Minister by Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Singapore

Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Singapore called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

Prime Minister welcomed Mr. Shanmugaratnam to India and extended his warm wishes on the occasion of New Year to Mr. Shanmugaratnam and through him to Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore.

Prime Minister and Mr. Shanmugaratnam expressed satisfaction at the rapid pace of bilateral relations.  They discussed several matters of mutual interest in the sphere of economic cooperation, including infrastructure, skills, India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), and digital economy.  Mr. Shanmugaratnam lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership in social transformation of India and in encouraging digital economy.

Prime Minister also expressed his desire to strengthen further cooperation between India and Singapore in the areas of infrastructure, tourism, digital payment systems, innovation and governance.

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PM attends the centenary celebrations of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd.

Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi graced the centenary celebrations of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. (KBL) organised in New Delhi today. Prime Minister released a postage stamp to commemorate 100 years of KBL. The PM also unveiled the Hindi version of the biography of Late Shri. Laxmanrao Kirloskar, founder of Kirloskar Brothers, titled ‘Yantrik ki Yatra – The man who made machines.’

Congratulating the Kirloskar Brothers Limited for their centenary celebrations, PM said that this sense of taking risks, expanding into new areas, is still the identity of every Indian entrepreneur. India’s entrepreneur is impatient for the development of the country and to expand his capabilities and successes.

“Today, when we are entering a new year, we are entering a new decade, I have no hesitation in saying that this decade will be for Indian entrepreneurs,” PM added.

PM stated that the true power of the people of the country can come to the fore only when the government stands not as a hindrance to India, Indian and Industries, but as their partner.

’Reform with Intent, Perform with integrity, Transform with intensity’ has been our approach in the last few years. We have tried for a governance that is professional and process driven. In the last five years there is an environment in the country to work with integrity and complete transparency. This has given the country the courage to set big goals and achieve them on time.

PM said, “In the Financial Year 2018-19, there was a transaction of about 9 lakh crore rupees through UPI. In this financial year till December only about 15 lakh crore rupees have been transacted through UPI. You can guess how fast the country is adopting digital transactions. The Ujala Scheme has completed 5 years only yesterday. It is a matter of satisfaction for all of us that more than 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed throughout the country”.

“Similarly success stories of Make in India campaign are the strength of our industry. I want success stories from every field of Indian industry”, the PM added.

Text of PM’s speech at the centenary celebrations of Kirloskar Group

आप सभी को नववर्ष की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। Kirloskar समूह की और उनके लिए तो ये एक दोहरे से‍लिब्रेशन का अवसर है। राष्‍ट्र निर्माण में सहयोग के सौ वर्ष पूरे हो रहे हैं और Kirloskar समूह को मैं बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं।

साथियो, Kirloskar समूह की सफलता भारतीय उद्यम और भारतीय उद्यमियों की सफलता की भी पहचान है। सिंधु घाटी सभ्‍यता से लेकर आज तक भारतीयों की spirit of enterprise देश के विकास को नई ऊर्जा, नई गति दे रही है। जब देश गुलामी की जंजीरों में जकड़ा हुआ था, तब श्री लक्ष्‍मण राव किर्लोस्‍कर जी ने और ऐसे उद्यमियों ने भारत की spirit को, इस जज्‍बे को जीवित रखा; किसी भी परिस्थिति में उसे कमजोर नहीं होने दिया।

यही वो भावना थी, जिसने स्‍वतंत्रता के बाद भी देश को आगे बढ़ने में मदद की। आज का ये दिन लक्ष्‍मण राव किर्लोस्‍कर जी की सोच और उनके सपनों को सेलिब्रेट करने का तो है ही, उद्यमियों के लिए innovation और dedication  की प्रेरणा लेने का भी एक अमूल्‍य अवसर है। आज के दिन लक्ष्‍मराव जी की बायोग्राफी का और नाम भी बहुत अच्‍छा रखा है- यांत्रिकी यात्रा- उसका विमोचन, ये भी मेरे लिए एक सौभाग्‍य की बात है। और मुझे विश्‍वास है कि उनकी यात्रा के अहम पड़ाव भारत के सामान्‍य युवा को innovation और enterprise spirit के लिए प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।

साथियो, कुछ कर गुजरने की ये भावना, जोखिम उठाने की ये भावना, नए-नए क्षेत्रों में अपना विस्‍तार करने की ये भावना आज भी हर भारतीय उद्यमी की पहचान है। भारत का उद्यमी अधीर है देश के विकास के लिए, अपनी क्षमताओं और सफलताओं के विस्तार के लिए। आप सोच रहे होंगे कि आज जब world economy और साथ ही हमारी अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था की गति को लेकर अलग-अलग तरह की खबरें आ रही हैं तो मैं इतने विश्‍वास से ये कैसे कह रहा हूं।

सा‍थियो, मेरा विश्‍वास भारतीय उद्योग जगत पर है, आप सभी पर है। परिस्थितियों को बदलने के लिए, हर चुनौती से पार पाने के लिए जिस इच्‍छा शक्ति की जरूरत होती है, वो भारतीय उद्योग जगत की रग-रग में समाई है। और इसलिए आज जब हम एक नए वर्ष में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं, नए दशक में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं, तो मुझे ये कहने में कोई हिचक नहीं है कि ये दशक भारतीय उद्यमियों का होगा, भारत के entrepreneurs का होगा।

सा‍थियो, इस दशक में five trillion dollar की अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था का लक्ष्‍य तो एक पड़ाव है। हमारे सपने और बड़े हैं, हमारी उम्‍मीदें और बड़ी हैं, हमारे लक्ष्‍य और बड़े हैं। और इसलिए 2014 के बाद से देश में निरंतर ये प्रयास हुआ है कि भारतीय उद्योग जगत के सपनों को, उनके विस्‍तार को किसी रुकावट का सामना न करना पड़े। इस दौरान हर फैसले, हर कार्रवाई के पीछे एक ही सोच रही है कि भारत में काम करने वाले हर उद्यमी के सामने की हर प्रकार की रुकावट दूर हो, उसके लिए एक बेहतर business environment बने।

साथियो, देश के लोगों को उनका सही सामर्थ्य तभी सामने आ सकता है, जब सरकार, इंडिया, इंडियन और इंडस्ट्रीज के आगे बाधा बनकर नहीं, बल्कि उनका साथी बन करके खड़ी रहे। बीते वर्षों में देश ने यही मार्ग अपनाया है। बीते वर्षों में देश में reform with intent, perform with integrity, transform with intern city, process driven and  professional governance देने की कोशिश लगातार होती रही है। उद्योग जगत की मुश्किलों को समझा गया है, उन्‍हें दूर करने का प्रयास किया गया है।

साथियो, आजकल insolvency और bankruptcy  code IBC की इतनी चर्चा होती है, लेकिन ये सिर्फ इतना पैसा वापस आया, उतना पैसा वापस आया- वहां तक ही सीमित रहती है। लेकिन वो उससे भी आगे है। आप सभी ये बेहतर जानते हैं कि कुछ स्थितियों में धंधे से बाहर निकलना ही कई बार समझदारी माना जाता है। ये जरूरी नहीं की जो कंपनी सफल न हो रही हो, उसके पीछे कोई साजिश ही हो, कोई गलत इरादा हो, कोई लालच हो; ये जरूरी नहीं है। देश में ऐसे उद्यमियों के लिए एक रास्ता तैयार करना आवश्यक था और IBC ने इसका आधार तय किया। आज नहीं तो कल, इस बात पर अध्‍ययन जरूर होगा कि IBC ने कितने भारतीय उद्यमियों का भविष्‍य बचाया, उन्‍हें हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए बर्बाद होने से रोका।

साथियो, भारत के टैक्‍स सिस्‍टम में पहले किस तरह की कमियां थीं, इससे आप भलीभांति परिचित हैं। इंस्‍पेक्‍टर राज, टैक्‍स से जुड़ी नीतियों में भ्रम, और अलग-अलग राज्‍यों में टैक्‍स के जाल ने भारतीय उद्योग जगत की स्‍पीड पर जैसे ब्रेक लगाया हुआ था। देश अब इस ब्रेक को भी हटा चुका है। हमारे टैक्स सिस्टम में transparency आए, efficiency आए, accountability बढ़े, taxpayer और tax departments के बीच human interface समाप्त हो, इसके लिए एक नई व्यवस्था का निर्माण किया जा रहा है। आज देश में corporate tax और corporate tax rates जितने कम हैं, उतने पहले कभी नहीं रहे।

साथियो, goods and services tax reform या public sector bank reform, इनकी मांग लंबे अर्से से होती रहती थी, हर किसी ने मांग की। ये सब आज सच हुआ है तो इसी सोच की वजह से कि India industry के सामने की हर रुकावट दूर की जाए, उसे विस्‍तार का हर मौका दिया जाए।

साथियो, कुछ लोग ये छवि बनाने में अपनी ऊर्जा लगाते हैं कि भारत सरकार उद्यमियों के पीछे डंडा ले करके चल रही है। कुछ बईमान और भ्रष्‍टाचारियों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई को India industry पर सख्‍ती का रूप दिया जाना मैं समझता हूं एक बहुत बड़ा दुष्‍प्रचार है। भारतीय उद्योग, एक पारदर्शी माहौल में भय के बिना, बाधा के बिना, आगे बढ़े, देश के लिए wealth create करे, खुद के लिए Wealth create करे, यही हम सभी का प्रयास रहा है। ये निरंतर कोशिश की गई है कि भारतीय उद्योग जगत को कानूनों के जाल से मुक्ति मिले। देश में डेढ़ हजार से ज्‍यादा पुराने कानून इसी कोशिश की वजह से खत्‍म कर दिए गए हैं। कम्‍पनी लॉ से जुड़ी छोटी-छोटे technical mistake के लिए भी उद्यमियों पर किस तरह criminal prosecution होता था, मैं इसके विस्‍तार में जाना नहीं चाहता। अब ऐसी अनेक गलतियों को decriminalize किया जा चुका है। जिन labor courts पर अभी काम चल रहा है, वो भी labor compliance को simplify करने की प्रक्रिया है, जिसका लाभ industry और workforce, laborers, दोनों को होगा।

साथियो, भारतीय अर्थव्‍यवस्‍था को मजबूत करने के लिए देश में तत्‍कालिक उपायों के साथ ही long term solution पर एक साथ काम किया जा रहा है। देश में ऐसे फैसले लिए जा रहे हैं जिनसे न सिर्फ वर्तमान, बल्कि आने वाली पीढ़ियों को भी लाभ मिलेगा।

सा‍थियो, पिछले पाँच साल में, देश में निष्ठा के साथ काम करने का, पूरी ईमानदारी के साथ काम करने का, पूरी पारदर्शिता के साथ काम करने का माहौल आज देश में सर्वत्र दिखाई देता है। इस माहौल ने देश को बड़े लक्ष्य तय करने, और तय समय पर उसे प्राप्त करने का हौसला दिया है। भारत में 21वीं सदी के infrastructure के लिए 100 लाख करोड़ रुपए से ज्‍यादा का निवेश हो, लोगों की ease of living के लिए हर स्‍तर पर योजनाएं हों, देश की human capital पर invest करना; हर मोर्चे पर काम चल रहा है और पहले के मुकाबले कई गुना ज्‍यादा तेजी से काम हो रहा है।

साथियो, मैं जिस transforming with intensity की बात आपसे कर रहा हूं, वो आंकड़ों में भी नजर आती है। तेज गति ये जमीनी स्‍तर पर काम करने का ही नतीजा है कि सिर्फ पांच साल में ease of doing business  की ranking  में 79 ranks का सुधार आया है। इनोवेशन को बढ़ावा देने के लिए देश में जिस तेज गति से नीतियां बनाई गई, निर्णय लिए गए, उसी का असर है कि सिर्फ पांच साल में Global innovation index में 20 rank का सुधार आया है। लगातार कई सालों से एफडीआई आकर्षित करने वाले दुनिया के top 10 countries में बने रहना भी भारत की एक बहुत बड़ी उपलब्धि है।

साथियो, बीते कुछ वर्षों में देश में एक और बहुत महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन आया है। ये परिवर्तन आया है युवा उद्यमियों की संख्या में। आज देश के युवा उद्यमी, नए Ideas, नए Business Models लेकर सामने आ रहे हैं। अब वो दौर भी बीत रहा है जब इंडस्‍ट्री के कुछ खास सेक्टर्स जैसे कमोनिटीज, माइनिंग, हैवी इंजीनियरिंग पर ही जोर रहता था। हमारे आज के युवा नए सेक्‍टर्स को भी विस्‍तार दे रहे हैं। और इसमें भी खास ये कि देश के छोटे से छोटे शहरों से निकलकर ये नौजवान बड़ी मंजिलें हासिल कर रहे हैं।

साथियो, एक जमाना था जब कहा जाता था कि Bombay Club देश के उद्यमियों का, उनके बिजनेस इंटरेस्‍ट का प्रतिनिधित्‍व करता था। अब आज अगर ऐसा कोई Club बने तो उसे Bharat Club ही कहा जाएगा, जिसमें अलग-अलग क्षेत्रों में अलग-अलग सेक्टर्स, पुराने दिग्गज और नए entrepreneurs, सभी का प्रतिनिधित्व होगा। मैं समझता हूं कि भारत के बदलते बिज़नेस कल्‍चर, उसके विस्‍तार, उसके सामर्थ्‍य, उसका बहुत उत्‍तम उदाहरण होगा। और इसलिए भारत के सामर्थ्‍य को, भारतीय उद्यमियों के सामर्थ्‍य को कोई कम करके आंक रहा है, तो वो गलती कर रहा है। नववर्ष की शुरुआत में, आज इस मंच से मैं भारतीय उद्योग जगत को फिर कहूंगा कि निराशा को अपने पास भी मत फटकने दीजिए। नई ऊर्जा के साथ आगे बढ़िए, अपने विस्तार के लिए आप देश के जिस भी कोने में आप जाएंगे, भारत सरकार आपके साथ कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर चलेगी। हां, आपका मार्ग क्‍या होगा, क्‍या होना चाहिए- इस बारे में मैं लक्ष्‍मणराव जी के जीवन से ही प्रेरणा लेते हुए इसे विस्‍तार देना चाहता हूं।

साथियो, लक्ष्‍मणराव जी देश के उन प्रेरक व्‍यक्तियों में से एक थे, जिन्‍होंने भारत की आवश्‍यकताओं के अनुसार टेक्‍नोलॉजी के इस्‍तेमाल और मशीनों के निर्माण का बीड़ा उठाया। देश की आवश्‍यकताओं और उससे जुड़े निर्माण की यही सोच भारत के विकास की गति और इंडियन इंडस्‍ट्री के विकास की गति को तेज करेगी। हमें zero defect, zero effect के मंत्र पर चलते हुए विश्‍व स्‍तर के प्रोडक्ट बनाने होंगे, तभी हम एक्‍सपोर्ट बढ़ा पाएंगे, विश्‍व बाजार में अपना विस्‍तार कर पाएंगे। हमें Indian solutions, Global applications के बारे में सोचना होगा, उसी के मुताबिक अपनी योजनाओं को अमल में लाना होगा। मैं यहां पर दो योजनाओं की चर्चा करना चाहता हूं। एक है Financial transaction से जुड़ी UPI योजना और दूसरी है देशभर में LED bulb पहुंचाने वाली उजाला योजना।

साथियो, आज का भारत तेज banking transaction चाहता है, टेक्‍नोलॉजी का बेहतरीन इस्‍तेमाल होते हुए देखना चाहता है। सिर्फ तीन साल में UPI के बढ़ते हुए नेटवर्क ने उसकी इस इच्‍छा को पूरा किया है। आज स्थिति ये है कि 24 घंटे-सातों दिन देश आसान और online transaction कर रहा है। आज Bhim App बहुत बड़ा ब्रांड बन चुका है।

साथियो, 2018-19 के Financial Year में, UPI के जरिए करीब 9 लाख करोड़ रुपए का ट्रांजेक्शन हुआ था। इस वित्तीय वर्ष में दिसंबर तक ही लगभग 15 लाख करोड़ रुपए का लेनदेन UPI के जरिए हो चुका है। आप अंदाजा लगा सकते हैं कि देश कितनी तेजी से डिजिटल लेन-देन को अपना रहा है।

साथियो, देश को ऐसे समाधान की जरूरत थी जो बिजली कम बिजली के पीछे कम खर्च करे, रोशनी ज्‍यादा दे और उसकी कीमत भी कम हो। इसी आवश्‍यकता ने उजाला योजना को जन्‍म दिया। LED manufacturing को बढ़ावा देने के लिए जरूरी कदम उठाए गए। नीतियों में परिवर्तन किया गया। इससे बल्‍ब की कीमत कम हुई और एक बार लोगों ने इसके लाभ को अनुभव किया तो डिमांड भी बढ़ी। कल ही उजाला स्कीम को 5 वर्ष पूरे हुए हैं। ये हम सभी के लिए संतोष की बात है कि इस दौरान देशभर में 36 करोड़ से ज्यादा LED बल्ब बांटे जा चुके हैं। इतना ही नहीं देश के Traditional Street Light System को LED आधारित बनाने के लिए भी 5 साल से प्रोग्राम चल रहा है। इसके तहत एक करोड़ से अधिक LED Street Light Install की जा चुकी हैं। इन दोनों प्रयासों से ही करीब 5,500 करोड़ kilowatt/hour बिजली की बचत हर वर्ष हो रही है। इससे हर वर्ष हजारों करोड़ रुपए का बिजली खर्च कम हो रहा है और कार्बन डायआक्‍साईड के emission  में भी बड़ी कमी आ रही है। और ये हम सबके लिए खुशी की बात है कि भारत से निकले ऐसे innovations चाहे UPI हो या उजाला, दुनिया के कई देशों के लिए भी प्रेरणा का माध्‍यम बन रहे हैं।

साथियो, ऐसी ही Success Stories हमारे मेक इन इंडिया अभियान, हमारे उद्योग जगत की शक्ति है, ताकत है। मुझे ऐसी ही Success Stories भारतीय उद्योग जगत से, हर क्षेत्र में चाहिए। जल-जीवन मिशन हो, renewable energy हो, electric mobility हो, disaster management हो, डिफेंस हो; हर सेक्‍टर में आपके लिए अनेकों Success Stories आपका इंतजार कर रही हैं। सरकार हर तरह से आपके साथ है, आपकी हर जरूरत के साथ है।

आप इस माहौल का पूरा लाभ उठाएं, निरंतर innovate करते रहें, invest करते रहें, राष्‍ट्र सेवा में अपना योगदान देते रहें। इसी कामना के साथ मैं अपनी बात समाप्‍त करता हूं और एक बार फिर किर्लोस्‍कर समूह को, किर्लोस्‍कर परिवार को अनेक-अनेक शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। शानदार शतक के लिए भी बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं।

धन्‍यवाद।

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