Development of orthotic devices may soon receive a boost with a Kerala based scientific institution collaborating with a Mohali based private manufacturer for co-development of such devices catering to clinical conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetic foot ulcer.
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala (SCTIMST), an Institute of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has signed an MoU with Tynor Orthotics Private Limited (Tynor), Mohali, to set up an Orthotics and Rehabilitation R&D vertical to promote indigenous device development in this sector towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, a high priority target of the Govt of India.
Tynor, a manufacturer and exporter of high quality and affordable orthopedic appliances and fracture aids in India, will collaborate with SCTIMST for the co-development of Orthotic devices and to promote joint research programs in Orthotics and Rehab. Tynor has funded SCTIMST for Research and Development of two off-loading devices in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and osteoarthritis. The project is planned for one year with Tynor contributing INR 27 lakhs to the program.
The main objective of this Institute-Industry collaboration is to develop a cluster of orthoses for catering to clinical conditions such as osteoarthritis and diabetic foot ulcer. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness a lucrative growth in global diabetic foot ulcer therapeutics market owing to the increasing geriatric population, which is more prone to diabetes. Global Diabetic Foot ulcers and Pressure ulcer Market is expected to reach 5265 Million Dollars by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate(CAGR) of 6.6% from 2019-2025, which is quite alarming.
Similarly, the global knee braces market is growing due to the rising prevalence of osteoarthritis, increasing number of orthopedic knee surgeries, and growing number of sports injuries in athletics. The global knee braces market size was estimated at USD 1.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.3%. The growing burden of osteoarthritis, the increase in target population, and the technology of cost-effective and easy to wear braces are the major growth propellers for the market.
SCTIMST has done considerable amount of R&D work in biomedical devices over the last 30 or more years and has established itself as a pioneer in this field. This collaboration with an Industry leader for co-development of ortho-rehab devices in the country is a commendable step.
Tynor has planned to set up India’s first R&D Center in Orthopedic Appliances, Fracture Aids, Walking Aids, Compression Garments, and Footcare Products. This center has been named TORNADO (Tynor Ortho Research N Appliance Development Organization) and aims to bring about technology and innovation-based disruption at the scale of a tornado. This will be a novel center in which a Cross-Functional Team consisting of experts from Engineering, Orthopedics, Biomedical Sciences, Design shall be brought together to brainstorm and develop products as per the requirements of the Indian patient. Industry-academia collaboration is the key to achieve this feat.
In order to boost real estate sector, the Government has taken various initiatives such as reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on under-construction Affordable Housing project from existing 8% to 1% without Input Tax Credit (ITC) and in case of other housing projects from 12% to 5% without ITC; increase in Priority Sector Lending for Affordable Housing Project from Rs. 28 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in metros and from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh in non-metros; Setting up of Affordable Housing Fund in National Housing Bank; additional Deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh on account of Home Loan Interest in addition to the deduction of Rs. 2 lakh for affordable housing, Extension of 100% deduction on profits for construction of affordable housing projects under section 80-IBA of the Income Tax Act till 31.03.2021 and widening the scope of section 80-IBA from 30 to 60 square meters in metros regions and 60 to 90 square meters in non-metros cities.
In order to give relief to homebuyers of stalled projects, a Special Window for Completion of Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH investment fund) has been created for funding stalled projects that are net-worth positive, including those projects that have been declared as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) or are pending proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. SWAMIH investment fund will provide last mile funding to the stressed affordable and middle-income housing projects in the country,
Recently, in view of global pandemic of COVID-19, to protect the interest of all stakeholders, Central Government has issued the necessary advisory to all States/Union Territories and their Real Estate Regulatory Authorities for issuance of requisite orders/ directions under enabling provisions of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) to invoke force majeure clause to automatically revise / extend completion date for all real estate projects registered under RERA for a period of 6 months, where completion date expires on or after 25th March, 2020 and to allow further extension of 3 months, if the situation so demands, for the reasons to be recorded in writing and also extend concurrently the timelines of other statutory compliances under RERA.
This was informed by Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
In order to boost real estate sector, the Government has taken various initiatives such as reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on under-construction Affordable Housing project from existing 8% to 1% without Input Tax Credit (ITC) and in case of other housing projects from 12% to 5% without ITC; increase in Priority Sector Lending for Affordable Housing Project from Rs. 28 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in metros and from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh in non-metros; Setting up of Affordable Housing Fund in National Housing Bank; additional Deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh on account of Home Loan Interest in addition to the deduction of Rs. 2 lakh for affordable housing, Extension of 100% deduction on profits for construction of affordable housing projects under section 80-IBA of the Income Tax Act till 31.03.2021 and widening the scope of section 80-IBA from 30 to 60 square meters in metros regions and 60 to 90 square meters in non-metros cities.
In order to give relief to homebuyers of stalled projects, a Special Window for Completion of Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH investment fund) has been created for funding stalled projects that are net-worth positive, including those projects that have been declared as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) or are pending proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. SWAMIH investment fund will provide last mile funding to the stressed affordable and middle-income housing projects in the country,
Recently, in view of global pandemic of COVID-19, to protect the interest of all stakeholders, Central Government has issued the necessary advisory to all States/Union Territories and their Real Estate Regulatory Authorities for issuance of requisite orders/ directions under enabling provisions of Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) to invoke force majeure clause to automatically revise / extend completion date for all real estate projects registered under RERA for a period of 6 months, where completion date expires on or after 25th March, 2020 and to allow further extension of 3 months, if the situation so demands, for the reasons to be recorded in writing and also extend concurrently the timelines of other statutory compliances under RERA.
This was informed by Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Ministry of Education organized a webinar on Faculty Development for Quality Educationon 15th September, 2020 under Shikshak Parv Initiative. The webinar was organised with the objective to reflect on the roles and responsibilities of teachers in the light of NEP and to understand various aspects of capacity development and career progression of the faculty.Shikshak Parv is being celebrated by Ministryof Education from 8th September- 25th September, 2020 to felicitate the Teachers and to take New Education Policy 2020 forward.
Professor J. S. Rajput,India’s Representative on the ExecutiveBoard of the UNESCO, Prof. N.V. Varghese, Vice Chancellor, NIEPA, Prof. A.C. Pandey, Director, IUAC and Dr. Geeta Bhatt, Associate Professor, University of Delhi were the guest speakers in the session of Higher Education. Dr. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary, UGC moderated the session.
India is now determined to create a pool of teachers who would not only be degree-holders; but ‘persons’ who would possess ‘personalities’ said Prof. J.S. Rajput. He added that the new approach to teacher preparation would expect every teacher to develop a comprehensive perspective towards life and living. He further said that teachers would internalize the higher goals of education, appreciate the measure of responsibility entrusted by the nation, society and community, to prepare a new confident generation, professionals who understand India, its ethos, its culture, history and heritage; as also its emerging role in the globalized world.
Prof. N.V. Varghese emphasised that teachers in higher education need to be supported rather than trained. Higher education needs more research in pedagogy. PMMMNMTT is a good initiative by the Ministry of Education, he added. He also stressed upon academic freedom and autonomy with safeguardsand modified means of student’s engagement.
Prof. Pandey emphasized synergistic role of science and society and how education willinfluence sustainable development goals. In the COVID era blended mode of teaching learning has replaced brick and mortar classrooms. There should be appropriate integration of technology into all levels of education to improve classroom process support, he added.
The NEP-2020 took care to give freedom to teachers/faculty with right teaching material, pedagogy for delivering quality education incentives in terms of promotions, awards etcand, teachers have to be like catalyst, said Dr. Geeta Bhatt. They have to be competitive, proactive for global challenges, she added. Dr. Archana Thakur lauded the role of PMMMNMTT, Ministry of Education and UGC-HRDC in implementation of faculty development programmes and NEP 2020 for far-reaching changes in higher education.
In the session organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy The expert speakers were Prof. M.A. Siddiqui, Former Chairman NCTE, Prof. Ranjana Arora, Head, Dept. of Teacher Education, NCERT, and Ms. Manju Balasubramanyam Principal, Delhi Public School, Bengaluru. The beneficiary group for this session are Teacher Education Institutions, Teachers Educators, Teacher, Aspiring Teacher and School Education Department in all States/UTs.
The session started with a general presentation of the major recommendations of the NEP 2020 on Teachers and Faculty Development followed by a presentation made by Prof. Ranjana Arora. She said that for the first time, Teachers have been accorded special status by the NEP 2020 by acknowledging the high respect for teachers and the high status of the teaching profession. The need of the hour now is mass education and orientation of the teachers and teacher educators on the recommendations of the NEP 2020.A detailed Programme of Action (POA) needs to be developed for implementation of the NEP 2020 which would have action points listed out for various stakeholders within a specified time frame. The scope for evaluation of these action points could also be listed out in the POA.
Prof. M.A. Siddiqui highlighted the need for strengthening the Teacher recruitment and deployment system has been recognized through adoption of an online computerized system for transfer that ensures transparency. More empowerment to teachers through assessment of performance of teachers will be based on peer reviews, attendance, commitment, hours of CPD, and other forms of service to the school and the community, he added. Prof Siddiqui also said that NEP has ensured decent and pleasant service conditions at schools, rationalization of schools, without in any way reducing accessibility, for effective school governance, resource sharing, and community building and teachers will not be engaged any longer in work that is not directly related to teaching.
Considering the fact that proportion of participation of the private sector in Teacher Education is very high i.e., about 92%, enhancing the presence of the Government sector in Teacher Education is very important,Ms. Manju Balasubramanyam said. Strengthening and extending TET to cover all stages of School Education is a welcome step, she said. In addition to TET, personal interviews could also be considered a requisitefor entering the Teaching profession, she added.
Vande Bharat Mission consists of special repatriation flights operated by Indian carriers and chartered flights operated by both Indian and foreign carriers. As per information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as on 31.08.2020, a total of 5817 flights (inbound to India) were operated to repatriate Indian nationals. The country-wise details of repatriated Indians along with the state-wise arrival figures are attached as Annexure-A (Click here)
As per information submitted by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, a total of 585 Vande Bharat Mission flights have been operated to the State of Tamil Nadu till the end of Phase 5. Phase-wise details are given in the Annexure-B(Click here)
This information was given in a written reply by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Civil Aviation in Rajya Sabha today.
Consequent on the announcement of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has, on June 01, 2020, launched ‘Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AmtaNirbharNidhi Scheme (PM SVANidhi). It aims at facilitating collateral free working capital loans upto Rs 10,000 of 1 year tenure, to about 50 lakh street vendors across the country. It provides for incentives in the form of interest subsidy @ 7% per annum on regular repayment of loan and cash-back upto Rs. 1,200 per annum on undertaking prescribed digital transactions. Further, on timely or early repayment, the vendors will be eligible for the next cycle of working capital loan with an enhanced limit.For the purpose of scheme administration, an end-to-end solution through an IT platform has been developed in collaboration with Small Industries Development Bank of India. The loan processing under the Scheme has commenced on July 02, 2020.
State / Union Territory-wise number of loan applications received, sanctioned and disbursed,as on 14th September, 2020, is at Annexure.
This was informed by Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
♦ The Monsoon Trough lies to the north of its normal position. Western end of the Monsoon Trough is likely to remain close to foothills of Himalayas during next 5 days and the eastern end is likely to shift southwards from 19th September onwards.♦ An east-west shear zone runs roughly along Latitude 15°N between 3.6 & 5.8 km above mean sea level. It is likely to persist during next 2 days and weaken thereafter.♦ Due to the above favourable meteorological conditions, Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Coastal & North Interior Karnataka and Kerala &Mahe during next 3days.♦ Under the influence of likely formation of a Low Pressure Area over Northeast Bay of Bengal and consequent strengthening of lower level winds along the West Coast; Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with Isolated heavy to very heavy falls are likely over Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Odisha, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka and Kerala during 19th-20th September,2020.♦Moderate thunderstorm with lightning very likely at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam & Meghalaya, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Odisha, Telangana, Kutch region, Southeast & Northwest Uttar Pradesh, South Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh during next 12 hours.
Weather Warning during next 5 days *
16 September (Day 1):♦ Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls very likely at isolated places over Assam & Meghalaya; heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Marathwada, Telangana and heavy rainfall at isolated places over West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Rayalaseema, Coastal & North Interior Karnataka, Kerala &Mahe and Tamilnadu, Puducherry &Karaikal.
♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, West Bengal & Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Kutch & South Gujarat Region, North Jharkhand, South Interior Odisha, Northwest & Southeast Uttar Pradesh, Southeast Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
♦ Strong Wind (speed reaching 45-55 kmph) very likely over Southwest Arabian Sea. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.
17 September (Day 2):♦ Heavy rainfall at isolated places over West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bihar, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam & Meghalaya, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana, Coastal & North Interior Karnataka and Kerala &Mahe.
♦ Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
♦ Strong Wind (speed reaching 45-55 kmph) very likely over Southwest Arabian Sea. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.
18 September (Day 3):♦ Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka and heavy rainfall at isolated places over southeast Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Nagaland, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana, Interior Karnataka and Kerala &Mahe.
♦Thundersquall (speed 50-60 kmph) accompanied with lightning very likely at isolated places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands; moderate thunderstorm accompanied with lightning likely at isolated places over southeast Rajasthan and thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana andRayalaseema.
♦ Strong Wind (speed reaching 45-55 kmph) likely over Southwest Arabian Sea and along & off Kerala-Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep area; Gulf of Mannar and Southwest Bay of Bengal, Southeast & adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.
19 September (Day 4):♦ Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka and Kerala &Mahe and heavy rainfall at isolated places over southeast Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana, North Interior Karnataka and Tamilnadu, Puducherry &Karaikal.
♦ Thundersquall (speed 50-60 kmph) accompanied with lightning very likely at isolated places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands; moderate thunderstorm accompanied with lightning likely at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh and southeast Rajasthan and thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana, Rayalaseema and Tamilnadu, Puducherry &Karaikal.
♦ Strong Wind (speed reaching 45-55 kmph) likely over Southwest Arabian Sea and along & off Kerala-Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep area; Gulf of Mannar and Southwest Bay of Bengal, Southeast &Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.Fishermen are advised not to venture into theseareas.
20 September (Day 5):♦ Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Odisha, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka and Kerala &Mahe and heavy rainfall at isolated places over south Chhattisgarh, Gangetic West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Madhya Maharashtra, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana and North Interior Karnataka.
♦Thundersquall (speed 50-60 kmph) accompanied with lightning very likely at isolated places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands; moderate thunderstorm accompanied with lightning likely at isolated places over East Uttar Pradesh and southeast Rajasthan and thunderstorm accompanied with lightning at isolated places over West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh &Yanam, Telangana, Rayalaseema and Tamilnadu, Puducherry &Karaikal.
♦ Strong Wind (speed reaching 45-55 kmph) likely over Southwest Arabian Sea and along & off Kerala-Karnataka coasts and Lakshadweep area; Gulf of Mannar and Southwest Bay of Bengal, Northeast, Southeast &Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas
Ministry of Education organised a National Webinar on Creating Awareness about National Education Policy, 2020 through NSS, NCC, NYKS and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Volunteers under Shikshak Parv Initiative today . Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was the chief guest at the webinar. Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ ; Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports (Independent Charge) Shri Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Education, Shri Sanjay Dhotre were present on the occasion. Secretary, Defence Ministry; Shri Ajay Kumar; Secretary, Higher Education Shri Amit Khare; Secretary, School Education & Literacy, Smt Anita Karwal; Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports, Smt Usha Sharma, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Prof. D.P Singh, Vice Chancellor of various Universities also participated in the event. Volunteers of National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathanand Unnat Bharat Abhiyan from all over the country also joined through virtual medium.
Addressing the participants Raksha Mantri said that New Education Policy is the first policy in Indian history, in which a multi-pronged and multi-stakeholder consultative process was undertaken which included online, grassroots and national level deliberations. At the grassroots level, consultations spanned across Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Urban Local Bodies, Districts and States/Union Territories. He added that NEP is prepared keeping in mind more than 2 lakh suggestions given by teachers, academicians, parents and other stakeholders relating to education. This policy suggests many revolutionary changes in school and higher education leading to the holistic development of students. The National Education Policy will fulfill the vision of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to create a ‘self-reliant India’, he said.
Raksha Mantri informed that this policy also has a provision to encourage state governments to start NCC wing in their middle and high schools. He further informed that in higher education, the Multiple Entry and Exit scheme will benefit those youth, who have to leave the education midway. This step will prove to be of great benefit to the soldiers of our armed forces who are interested in studying, besides serving the country. He further informed that to increase the resource pool, local eminent persons or experts in the school will be encouraged to be kept as ‘special trainers’.In this, retired teachers and officers of the army will be able to contribute to the nation building by providing services in nearby schools.
Raksha Mantri quoted a famous saying that if you want to improve generations, then you should invest in education. He further said India is one of the youngest countries in the world and youth are our strength in achieving bigger milestones in nation development. He hoped that this event will prove to be an important link in bringing awareness among the youths of the country to contemporary issues.He said that with the support of youths, the entire education system will be more efficient.
The National Education Policy 2020 is the culmination of positive thinking and sustained efforts for making India a ‘knowledge power’, Shri Pokhriyal said. NEP is not merely a policy document, but a reflection of the aspirations of thepeople of India. This policy is comprehensive and far-sighted and will play a great role in facilitating the progress of the nation in future, he added.
Shri Pokhriyal said that National Education Policy 2020 calls for a positive change in the current education system and redress of challenges of the future. NEP ensures equal access to quality education to all students with special emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged sections, he added.
Shri Pokhriyal highlighted that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has a superpower of self-motivated youth of India associated with various youth programs.Youth,as an NEP ambassadors can contribute significantly in creating awareness of the National Education Policy 2020 at grassroots level. He expressed his happiness for the webinar organized under the joint aegis of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the successful implementation of education policy.He hoped that volunteers from NYKS, NSS, NCC and coordinators of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan will play crucial role in the successful implementation of this education policy designed in accordance with the aspirations of young India.
Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) (Power and New & Renewable Energy) & Minister of State (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) dedicated various projects implemented under CSR activities of NHPC and PFC in Shahpur and Bihiya block of Bhojpur district through video conferencing on 16.09.2020. Shri A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC, Shri Ratish Kumar, Director (Projects), NHPC, Shri R.K. Murahari, Executive Director, PFC, local representatives, officers from administration and other officials attended the programme.
Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) (Power and New & Renewable Energy) & Minister of State (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), Shri A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC, Shri Ratish Kumar, Director (Projects), NHPC and Shri R.K. Murahari, Executive Director, PFC during the dedication of various projects of NHPC and PFC under CSR activities through video conference on 16.09.2020
A total of 33 projects in Shahpur block and 39 projects in Bihayi block were dedicated during the programme. These projects in both the blocks include works as construction of PCC road at 55 locations, community building and chabutras at 3 locations, solar / LED / high mast lights at 7 locations, construction of open gym at 2 locations, construction of drainage system at 2 locations, Chhath Ghat at 1 location and library and community building at 2 locations. The total cost of all these projects is about Rs 9 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) said that NHPC is the largest hydro power company in the country and PFC is the largest financial companies in India in the field of power. He referred to Rural roads works executed by NHPC in six districts of Bihar and also Rural electrification works executed in six districts of Bihar. He further said that PFC is playing important role in development of the country by providing loans of thousands of crore rupees to various power companies. He also said that both these companies operate throughout the country and are capable of competing with any foreign company due to their capability, quality of work and timeliness. While, speaking about the achievements in the power sector in the country, he said that in the last few years, we have increased the installed capacity of the country by 1.25 lakh MW and have fulfilled the dream of one nation-one grid-one frequency connecting remote areas like Leh-Ladakh to the grid. Today electricity has reached every village and every house in the country and India has been praised all over the world for such large scale electrification in such a short period.
Addressing during the programme, Shri A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC said that these public utility projects are a result of the visionary thinking of Hon’ble Minister. He said that that all these projects have been completed in these two blocks at a cost of about Rs 9 crore. On this occasion, Shri Singh especially thanked the local public and administration in particular and said that it would be difficult to complete this work without their cooperation. He further assured that NHPC will continue to do such socially beneficial works in the future.
Earlier, Shri Ratish Kumar, Director (Projects), NHPC welcomed all the dignitaries in the beginning of the programme. Shri R. Murahari, Executive Director (CSR) PFC, presented the vote of thanks at the end of the programme.
The Environment Ministerial Meeting (EMM) of the G20 countries took place today through video conferencing under the Presidency of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Representing India, Union Environment, Climate Change and Forest Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar said, India has taken significant steps to protect environment and forest and wildlife as well as combating pollution and climate change.
Shri Javadekar said, India is committed to work with G20 nations for a better world. He said, India is blessed with vast bio-diversity and ecosystem. The Minister said, India has been taking measures to enhance coral reef conservation. He noted that India’s steps towards dealing with climate change have been remarkable and stated that the world has to channel its best practices to deal with climate change and to get concrete results.
Let me not hesitate to begin by first and foremost stating that I very strongly feel that the time is ripe now for making many radical changes in our penal laws and treating woman on the same platform as man and as is repeatedly demanded most strenuously by many reputed woman organizations also not just in our country alone but all over the world! Just like adultery has been decriminalized unlike earlier when men alone was punishable for imprisonment of upto five years similarly laws must be so amended so as to treat women on par with men in all respects! There can be no denying or disputing it!
No doubt, there is now also a dire need to ensure that if a woman makes false accusations against any men then she is not allowed to get away scot free. She must also be made to pay just like men for her crime of making false accusations against any men whether he is her husband or a friend or a stranger! Not just this, I also very strongly feel that there must be a minimum of two years imprisonment and maximum of five years imprisonment for anyone whether he/she is a man or a woman who makes false allegations against anyone without substantiating it due to which the reputation of that person affected on whom allegation is made suffers irreparably!
To start with, in a latest, landmark and laudable judgment titled Babita and another Vs State of Haryana and others in CRWP-6765-2020 delivered on September 3, 2020 by Justice Manoj Bajaj of Punjab and Haryana High Court, a cost of Rs 25,000 has been imposed on a woman for failing to explain why she had left her husband against whom she had approached the Court apprehending threat to her life. She failed to give any sound and valid reason for leaving her husband and for apprehending threat to her life. This alone explains why the Punjab and Haryana High Court took strong exception to it and imposed a cost of Rs 25000 on her for doing so!
At the outset, this noteworthy judgment begins by first and foremost pointing out in the opening para that, “By means of this writ petition, the petitioners have prayed for a writ of mandamus by way of directions to the official respondents to protect their life and liberty as they apprehend danger at the hands of private respondent Nos. 5 to 12.”
While elaborating on the facts of the case, it is then pointed out in the next para that, “Briefly, the facts as pleaded in the writ petition are that Babita (petitioner No. 1) was married to Manish (respondent No. 5) in the year 2008 and two children were born out of this wedlock. Petitioner No. 1 was dealt with cruelty by her husband and other members of her in-laws family. She gathered courage ten days back and left the matrimonial home with the help of petitioner No. 2. According to the pleadings, the petitioner No. 1 left the house as per her own will and is living at different places in the District Jhajjar. The petitioners apprehended that the private respondents would cause harm to them, therefore, they had given representations to official respondent Nos. 1 to 3 (Annexures P-1 to P-3) respectively. However, the representations have not been looked into so far and therefore, they have approached this Court for protection of their life and liberty.”
As it turned out, what is next illustrated in the new para of this significant judgment is this: “Learned counsel for the petitioners contend that the life of the petitioner No. 1 had become miserable in her matrimonial home and therefore, there were compelling circumstances for her to leave the company of her husband. It is pointed out that the private respondent Nos. 5 to 12 may cause harm to her and petitioner No. 2, who rendered his help. He prays that the appropriate directions be issued to the official respondents to provide protection to the petitioners.”
More significantly, Justice Manoj Bajaj without mincing any words took potshots at the way the petitions was drafted and said that, “After hearing learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court finds that the writ petition does not contain any pleading much less narration of a cause of action in favour of petitioner No. 2 for filing petition along with petitioner No. 1. Though the petition is verified by both the petitioners by appending their signatures, but no affidavit in support of the petition has been filed by petitioner No. 2. Apart from this, even in the representations submitted to the official respondents, petitioner No. 2 has not portrayed any grievance. Resultantly, this Court finds that the writ petition on behalf of petitioner No. 2 is without any valid cause of action and therefore, qua him, the petition is dismissed on this ground.” While not finding much substance in the claims made by petitioner No. 1, the Court then points out that, “Considering the pleadings and submissions of learned counsel, this Court finds that petitioner No. 1 also does not deserve any concession, particularly when she has failed to explain any reason for leaving the company of her husband. Besides, the petitioner No. 1 has given the address of her matrimonial home in the petition, but has claimed that she is residing at different places in district Jhajjar.”
More damningly and most significantly, it is then pointed out by the Court in simple and straight language without mincing any words that, “During the course of hearing, it is not disputed by learned counsel that no complaint has ever been made by petitioner No. 1 either against the husband or any of the other family members of the in-laws. Admittedly, the marriage is 12 years old and the children are also residing with the father. It does not appeal to prudence that after leaving the matrimonial home, the petitioner No. 1 has not contacted her parents, but chose to live alone at District Jhajjar. Except for the bald allegation that respondent No. 5 treated the petitioner No. 1 with cruelty, no supportive material has been placed on record by her. This Court finds that not only the petition for protection is founded on frivolous grounds, but it also amounts to abuse of the process of law. Apparently, the petitioner has not approached the Court with clean hands and has deliberately suppressed the material facts, therefore, this Court finds that she deserves to be saddled with costs.”
As a corollary, Justice Manoj Bajaj of the Punjab and Haryana High Court then finally concludes by observing directly and diligently that, “In view of the above, this Court does not find any reason to exercise the extra ordinary writ jurisdiction and the petition is dismissed with costs of Rs 25,000/- to be borne by petitioner No. 1. It is ordered that the costs be deposited in Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, COVID-19 Relief Fund, within four weeks from today. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rohtak shall ensure the recovery and deposits of the costs.”
To sum up, the long and short of this noteworthy judgment is that woman too now must be very cautious before approaching the Courts for relief in any particular case. It goes without saying that now woman must also ensure that she too just like men has approached the court with clean hands. She should no longer hope that like the past, she will immediately get an order in her favour just because she is a woman and normally it is seen that the courts always sympathizes with woman!
But times have changed now and the approach of the courts have also changed substantially! This latest verdict by none other than the Punjab and Haryana High Court is the biggest proof to substantiate this that a woman can no longer hope that she will promptly get relief from courts as courts now very carefully go deep into the concerned case and examine it from very close quarters and only after weighing the pros and cons pronounces its final decision! Now courts don’t hesitate to promptly impose court on the woman if it finds that there is no merit in her allegations, she just attempts to hoodwink the court and the precious time of the court has been wasted on utterly frivolous grounds having no merit at all!
So, without doubt, it is in the own best interest of a woman that she deeply examines all the allegations that she makes and finds it fully genuine and sustainable in any court. If she neglects here then she will have to cough up a huge amount as we see in this leading case. There can be no denying it!
Sometimes we feel the deep desire to change our life however we feel stuck. Feeling stuck might be painful but it’s the sign that confirms that you need to take a new way. It means that it’s time for something new. Whatever the direction you want to take or the dream you deeply wish to realize, it starts with the decision to move on. Only what you allow will continue.
To take action you have to understand what holds you back?
Excuses—which are often driven by fear, insecurity, or complacency—can hold you back.
Limiting beliefs, which can be influenced by an event or circumstance in your past that made you feel powerless, can also hinder your progress in life.
These beliefs exist on an unconscious level and they drive your every thought, word, and action. They are, in large part, what creates your reality. They’re also responsible for creating the discrepancy between what we say we want and what we actually do.
1) Visualize Maybe you’re scared of failing or some other possibly negative outcome. The key is to stop focusing on the negative and visualize how to achieve your goal. Instead of being scared of failure, get excited about success. Your brain will automatically and systematically pursue whatever you get it to focus on. This is how constant negative thoughts often lead to negative results. Redirect your brain to push past your fear for success and achievement by focusing on the results you want.
2) Ask yourself Ask yourself this simple question. What is the worst possible result of whatever is scaring you? Be brutally honest. If you’re petrified with the fear of failing your driving test, the worst possible outcome is for you to fail. No big deal. You go back another day and keep trying until you succeed. Imagining the worst-case scenario often bursts your fear bubble and empowers your ability to try.
3) Ignore the crowd Many of us carry into to adulthood the fears of childhood. Thoughts like, “What if I make a mistake at the blackboard solving a problem in front of the entire class,” or, “What if I mess up while performing in the school dance performance?” These fears follow us through life and grow with us as we grow. These fears of being criticized by “the crowd” or “our peers” continue to affect us when we consider changing professions, going back to school for an advanced degree, or investing our life savings in a new business venture. Too often we decide it would be better never to sing in public than fall victim to the ridicule that might ensue. I encourage you to let your voice be heard. Put less value on the importance of other people’s opinions. Don’t allow the fear of the mob silence you or dissuade you from living your dreams. Like the oak tree, nature created you for expansion and expression — be bold.
The most powerful thing standing in your way of greater success is you. My advice is to get out of the way. Let things happen. Have courage. Take chances. Take risks. Be willing to fail. Be willing to be embarrassed. Be willing to go it alone. Don’t let your current self-image — one of safety and mediocrity keep you from experiencing greatness.
No one in the world who took the decision to make a bold life change had the certainty that he will be successful before he started to create a new life or a new project. If you do not take action, you can have the certainty you would stay stuck. Shift your perspective about uncertainty and shift your mindset.
The only way to face uncertainty is massive action and if you fail, it’ll be experience. This is also another perspective about failure. Perspective is everything.
Don’t let your fears taking over your soul desire to leave a life you he(art). Always remember that only successful people decide. Take action & small risks every day to make real your desire to write your new story. It’s time.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India is supporting COVID-19 vaccine development by facilitating the establishment of the r-VSV vaccine manufacturing platform for the first time in India under the National Biopharma Mission.
This support to establishing r-VSV vaccine manufacturing platform is being extended to Aurobindo Pharma Limited which is developing a vaccine for SARS COV-2 (COVID-19). This SARS COV-2 vaccine candidate is based on the company’s proprietary replication-competent, attenuated, recombinant vesicular stomatitis (VSV, VesiculoVax™) vaccine delivery platform.
Aurobindo is in the process of setting up a state-of-art manufacturing facility for viral vaccines which will be used to produce the COVID-19 vaccine and other viral vaccines.The plant will comply to global standards.
Commenting on the collaboration with Aurobindo, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC said, “The partnership with Aurobindo is to serve the country’s need for a vaccine to fight this pandemic. The government is focussed on creating an ecosystem that nurtures and encourages new product innovation to address the most relevant issues to our society.”
About BIRAC:
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
About National Biopharma Mission:
The Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India for accelerating discovery research to early development for Biopharmaceuticals approved by the Cabinet for a total cost US$ 250 million and 50% co-funded by the World Bank is being implemented at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). This program is dedicated to deliver affordable products to the nation with an aim to improve the health standards of India’s population. Vaccines, medical devices and diagnostics and biotherapeutics are few of its most important domains, besides, strengthening the clinical trial capacity and building technology transfer capabilities in the country.
An Online Interaction of Visvesvaraya PhD Fellows working in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI)& Analytics under Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT, with MD & CEO Digital India Corporation (DIC) and team was conducted on Sep 15, 2020.
Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme was initiated by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with the approval of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2014 with an objective to enhance number of PhDs in ESDM & IT/ITES sectors. 908 full-time, 304 part-time PhD candidates and 158YFRFs are enrolled at 97 institutions including IITs, NITs, Central & State Universities etc. 170 PhD Candidates have submitted their theses through the PhD portal.
35 PhD fellows working in the area of AI were selected to present their research work. 11 PhD fellows presented their research work during the said interaction.Mr. Mayank Sharma and Mr. Pranshu Jain from IIT Delhi, Mr. Harsh Bhasin from JNU Delhi, Mr. Sayan Sikdar from NIT Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Dharamsotu Bheekya from University of Hyderabad, Mr. K Narayana Rao from Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam and Mr. Kailash Wamanrao kalare from Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur have presented their work in Machines Learning, Deep Learning, parallel computing and wireless sensor network research area.
Ms. Chamarty Anusha and Mr. D. Venkata Subbaiah from Andhra University College of Engineering Vishakhapatnam have presented their work on Object Detection and recognition of camera images from Machine Intelligent.
Mr. Narayan Changder from NIT Durgapur has presented his work on Novel Algorithms for Multi-Agents Coalition Structure Generation.
Ms. Kirti Kumar has presented her work on Automated Detection of Cyberbullying on Social Media.
The research work was highly appreciated by the MeitY officials.
The session concluded with encouraging and motivating words from MD & CEO, DIC, Mr. Abhishek Singh who appreciated the work being done in the area of AI & Analytics. Scholars at advance stages of their research were suggested to focus on the ways their results/technologies be applied in practical scenarios. They were also asked to reach out to DIC/MeitY regarding the issues faced by them while pursuing their research work in terms of computational capabilities; collaborations with ministries, departments, researchers & experts; access to right data etc.
India celebrates Engineer’s Day every year on September 15 as a tribute to the greatest Indian Engineer Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya on his birthday. He was the engineering pioneer of India.Considering his outstanding contributions to the society, Government of India conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ on this legend in the year 1955.
Eduindex 
You must be logged in to post a comment.