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Research Publication in IJR

 International Journal of Research (IJR) is an international peer-reviewed journal from eContent. It provides global perspectives on economic behavior and organization of benefit to scholars, educators, students, practitioners, policy-makers and consultants worldwide. IJR publishes articles from across the organization discipline. Original articles which inform organization research and practice from outside the discipline – such as from psychology, education, political science, sociology, statistics and research design – will also be considered. Current issue of the journal is available at https://ijrjournal.com/index.php/ijr

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The topics related to this journal include but are not limited to:

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Economics 
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Demography 
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Banking 
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Accounting 
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Finance 
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Statistics 
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Organizational behavior
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Organizational theory
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Organizational culture
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Organizational psychology

IJR – International Journal of Research

 International Journal of Research (IJR) serves as an essential resource and provides practical information for people who apply economics on their jobs. The aim of IJR is to publish research articles on business and economics sciences, and other social sciences that are related to business and economics for contributing to the international social sciences literature. Original studies in accounting, finance, economics, international business, management, and marketing are appropriate for publication consideration in the journal. Although IJR has a preference for academic studies, it also welcomes studies that are written by other researchers and practitioners. Current issue of the journal is available at https://ijrjournal.com/index.php/ijr

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Accounting
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Accounting scholarship
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Advertising
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Barter
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IJR – Educational Publication

 International Journal of Research (IJR) publishes good quality research papers in the areas of accounting, finance, risk management and their interfaces. Using a wide range of research methods including statistical analysis, analytical work and case studies, articles examine good research questions from a broad range of perspectives. The Editor may also welcome contributions that use other empirical research methods. Access the current issue of journal from https://ijrjournal.com/index.php/ijr

Send papers for publication in IJR to editor@edupub.org

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IJR – International Journal of Research

International Journal of Research (IJR) is a scientific journal to provide a platform for researchers, scholars of universities, institutions and businessmen to exchange their ideas on important issues and views that are unique and insightful, focusing on business and management in the context of the changes in Europe and worldwide. The journal is published bimonthly. IJR is a peer-reviewed open access journal. 

Send papers for publication in IJR – International Journal of Research to ijr@ijrjournal.com 

Current issue of journal is available at https://ijrjournal.com/index.php/ijr

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Scholarly Journal – IJR

 International Journal of Research (IJR) is a blind-reviewed, open access, both online and print journal, publishes original full-length research articles, review articles, case studies, original brief research articles, literature review, and others. This journal is published quarterly, and it is a global platform for publishing precise basic and applied business, management, marketing, finance, HRM, accounting and its analysis of the rationales. The main focus of the journal is on empirical research which would be helpful in carrying out business research attitude. The journal seeks to prop up communication amongst policy-makers, practitioners and researchers to make out prospective financial decision for the countries. This journal publishes high-quality original research articles and case studies in the areas of international finance, corporate finance, behavioral finance, public finance, stock markets, industrial finance, bank finance, insurance markets, financial management, taxation, accounting standards, auditing standards, etc. The journal is dedicated to improving research openings for the finance and related disciplines in the globe. 

To get published in this journal, send your papers to edior@edupub.org 

The topics related to this journal include but are not limited to:

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IJR Journal – Call for Papers

 International Journal of Research (IJR) is a scholarly open access, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal, it provides a global forum for the dissemination of research in environmental and resource economics. It is international in scope, publishes both theoretical and applied work, and contains studies on a wide area, such as study of environmental behavior and responses to regulation, analyses of exhaustible, renewable and non-renewable, resources and resource policy, notably the economics of fisheries, forestry and fossil fuels, analyses of the carbon cycle, and accumulating pollutants. 

Send papers for publication in Google Scholar indexed journal to ijr@ijrjournal.com 

The topics related to this journal include but are not limited to:

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Thermoeconomics

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MSMEs DURING COVID

 The  Government of India has launched Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund, a fund of funds which aims to extend growth funding to MSMEs.   

The highlights of SRI Fund are as under:-  

  • To provide funding support to Daughter Funds for onward provision as growth capital through equity, quasi-equity and debt (as permitted under relevant SEBI guidelines).
  • To support faster growth of MSMEs and thereby ignite the economy and create employment opportunities.
  • To support MSMEs to graduate beyond the MSME bracket and become National/International Champions.
  • To support MSMEs which help making India self-reliant by producing relevant technologies, goods and services.
  • Daughter Funds which are interested in investing in MSMEs shall be empanelled.
  • 20% of the funds invested in MSMEs shall be provided by SRI Fund.
  • MSMEs as per the definition given in the MSMED Act shall be eligible provided, after assessment, they are found viable, have a positive growth trajectory, and have a defined business plan for growth. Previous 3 years CAGR will be considered.
  • Non Profit institutions, NBFCs, financial inclusion sector, micro credit sector and other financial intermediaries shall not be eligible for consideration.

Assuming an average investment of Rs. 10.00 Crore per MSMEs, approximately 5000 MSME are likely to be benefited.   

The financial support under this scheme intends to increase the financial capacity of viable MSMEs for growth to expand their business and become National/International Champions.   

The scheme is being implemented by a special purpose vehicle named “NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited”. As informed by NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited, a Commitment of Rs.1,080 crore has been approved so far.   

Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

 Ministry of MSME is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) since 2008-09 through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) as nodal agency at the national level for generating employment opportunities in the country by setting up micro-enterprises in non-farm sector.

 

Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail of Margin Money subsidy of 25 % of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For Special Categories such as SC/ST/OBC/minorities/women/ex-serviceman/physically handicapped /NER/Hill and Border areas, etc., the Margin Money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas.  Maximum project cost for manufacturing unit is Rs.25 lakh and for service sector is Rs.10 lakh.

 

            Since its inception upto 31.12.2021, about 7.38 lakh new micro units have been assisted utilizing margin money subsidy of Rs.17819.23 cr. generating estimated employment opportunities for about 60.60 lakh persons.

            The scheme has been successful in generating rural employment spread across various social categories. Around 80% of the PMEGP units have been set up in rural areas and about 50% of the units have been set up by SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs. Target set and achievement made under the PMEGP Scheme in the country during the last three years and current year as on 27.01.2022 is given below:

 

(  Margin Money :- Rs. in lakh)

Year

Target

Achievement

No. of Units assisted

Margin Money disbursed

Estimated Employment Generated

No. of Units assisted

Margin Money disbursed

Estimated Employment Generated

2018-19

72381

206880.00

579048

73427

207000.54

587416

2019-20

79236

239644.00

633888

66653

195082.20

533224

2020-21

78625

228968.52

629000

74415

218880.15

595320

2021-22 (as on 27.01.2022)

92666

285000.00

741328

60180

185122.76

370840

 

State/UT-wise number of Women beneficiaries benefitted under PMEGP scheme during last three years and current year is given at Annexure.

 

Following steps have been taken for the effective implementation of PMEGP:

 

  1. The process of application flow, including bank sanctions and disbursement, has been made faster and transparent through introduction of on-line portal.
  2. The process of selection of entrepreneurs has been further streamlined with the discontinuation of the role of District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) since April, 2020, in recommending proposals/applications to financing banks. In the revised scenario, the proposals are now sent directly by Implementing Agencies to financing banks based on a Score Card model, thereby reducing the overall approval period.
  3. Organizing of Entrepreneurship Training Programme (EDP), mandatory before disbursal of loan by Banks, has been made online since October 2019 to provide expedited training and release of loan to the beneficiaries.
  4. Free two day online pre- EDP training has been introduced for interested applicants. 
  5. The list of activities has been expanded to attract entrepreneurs for setting up diverse units.
  6. Implementing Agencies like Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), State Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) and District Industries Centres (DICs) are providing handholding to applicants, through call centres, online tutorials as well as with help desks with banking and marketing experts.
  7. Sector/industry wise webinars are also being organized every Sunday involving industry experts and banks with participation of more than 300,000 prospective applicants.

 

No. of  Women beneficiaries assisted under PMEGP during last three years and Current Year (as on 27.01. 2022)

 

Sr. No.

 

Name of State/UT

 

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

(as on 27.01. 2022)

1

Jammu & Kashmir

2449

1861

3235

5982

2

Ladakh

0

0

85

46

3

Himachal Pradesh

528

447

431

     279

4

Punjab

703

681

737

493

5

U.T. Chandigarh

13

8

6

5

6

Haryana

547

592

622

469

7

Delhi

54

41

33

30

8

Rajasthan

524

732

663

446

9

Uttarakhand

499

467

551

288

10

Uttar Pradesh

1433

1574

2777

2193

11

Chhattisgarh

726

670

753

444

12

Madhya Pradesh

738

627

1435

1075

13

Sikkim

27

29

24

13

14

Arunachal Pradesh

99

77

38

41

15

Nagaland

535

481

310

232

16

Manipur

533

518

725

265

17

Mizoram

542

389

417

110

18

Tripura

248

219

224

136

19

Meghalaya

126

117

140

102

20

Assam

999

798

951

464

21

Bihar

861

582

665

425

22

West Bengal

810

911

907

530

23

Jharkhand

428

451

444

256

24

Odisha

1185

1160

1319

936

25

A & N Islands

51

17

42

25

26

Gujarat*

2382

2719

1841

2061

27

Maharashtra**

1965

1636

1179

984

28

Goa

30

36

18

26

29

Andhra Pradesh

1101

1113

856

811

30

Telangana

668

735

734

579

31

Karnataka

1086

1167

1492

1160

35

Lakshadweep

0

0

2

–

33

Kerala

1052

1003

953

612

34

Tamilnadu

2463

2841

2663

1699

35

Puducherry

29

21

13

20

GRAND TOTAL

25434

24720

27285

23237

                                             

Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. The guidelines on extended producer responsibility coupled with prohibition of identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from 1st July 2022, are important steps for reducing pollution caused due to littered plastic waste in the country. 

In a tweet message, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav informing about the development stated that guidelines will promote development of new alternatives to plastics and provide a roadmap for businesses to move towards sustainable plastic packaging.

The Guidelines provide framework to strengthen circular economy of plastic packaging waste, promote development of new alternatives to plastics and provide further next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses. Reuse of rigid plastic packaging material has been mandated in the guidelines to reduce the use of fresh plastic material for packaging. 

The enforceable prescription of minimum level of recycling of plastic packaging waste collected under EPR along with use of recycled plastic content will further reduce plastic consumption and support recycling of plastic packaging waste.

The EPR guidelines will give a boost for formalization and further development of plastic waste management sector. In a significant first, the guidelines allow for sale and purchase of surplus extended producer responsibility certificates, thus setting up a market mechanism for plastic waste management. 

The implementation of EPR will be done through a customized online platform which will act as digital backbone of the system. The online platform will allow tracking and monitoring of EPR obligation and will reduce the compliance burden for companies through online registration and filing of annual returns. In order to ensure monitoring on fulfilment of EPR obligations, the guidelines have prescribed a system of verification and audit of enterprises.

The Guidelines prescribe a framework for levy of environmental compensation based upon polluter pays principle, with respect to non-fulfilment of extended producer responsibility targets by producers, importers & brand owners, for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environment pollution. The funds collected shall be utilized for collection, recycling and end of life disposal of uncollected plastic waste in an environmentally sound manner. 

Under these producers, importers & brand owners, may operate schemes such as deposit refund system or buy back or any other model, in order to prevent mixing of plastic packaging waste with solid waste. 

Detailed Notification: 

 

 

***

STARS project signed between DEA and World Bank

 Agreement for the financial support of the implementation of Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project of Ministry of Education was signed between Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and World Bank along with Ministry of Education. The total project cost of STARS project is Rs 5718 crore with the financial support of World Bank amounting to US $ 500 million (approximately Rs. 3700 crore) and rest coming as State share from the participating States, over a period of 5 years.

STARS project would be implemented as a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), MOE. Earlier Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of STARS project on 14th Oct 2020. The project covers 6 States viz Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha. The identified States will be supported for various interventions for improving the quality of education.

The Program envisions improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian school education system through interventions in selected states. STARS will draw on existing structure under Samagra Shiksha with the DoSEL, MoE as the main implementing agency at the national level. At the State level, the project will be implemented through the integrated State Implementation Society (SIS) for Samagra Shiksha.

The proposed World Bank support under STARS is primarily in the form of a results-based financing instrument called Program for Results (PforR). This will ensure major reforms at the State level through a set of disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A State Incentive Grant (SIG) will be used to encourage States to meet desired project outcomes. The SIG matrix has been aligned with the intermediate outcome indicators as per the requirement of PforR instrument. An independent Verification agency (IVA) will verify each result before disbursement of funds.

STARS project will be instrumental in the implementation of various recommendations of National Education Policy 2020 i.e. Strengthening Early Childhood Education and Foundational Learning, Improving Learning Assessment System, ICT-enabled approaches in education, Teachers Development and Vocational education etc.

                                                               ******


Valedictory Function of Kala Utsav

 Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ today addressed the Valedictory Function of Kala Utsav 2020.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Pokhriyal said that Kala Utsav realises the vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi by giving the right direction and shape to the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. He appreciated the introduction of the Indigenous Toys and Games segment in Kala Utsav 2020 and emphasized that this promotes ‘Vocal for Local’.

Speaking on the National Education Policy 2020, Union Minister said the policy emphasises the promotion of arts and culture through education. Kala Utsav 2020 has also incorporated the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020. Students, when indulging in any form of art, use their imagination and try to realise it and give it life thus turning it into reality. Kala Utsav gives an opportunity to this process. Such opportunities enhance the students’ reasoning, comprehensibility, problem solving, cognitive and decisive abilities, which are helpful in the all-round development of the student.

Shri Pokhriyal congratulated all the participants and the organisers for putting up such enthralling performances virtually, in the odd circumstances this year, an achievement unimaginable till a few months back. He expressed his happiness that  the unanimous participation of all the states with unparalleled enthusiasm prove once again that India is an epitome of Unity and Diversity which is also her speciality and source of strength. 

About Kala Utsav 2020:

Kala Utsav 2020 was launched online on 10 January 2021 through a digital platform. A total of 35 teams have participated in Kala Utsav 2020, from different states, union territories, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti schools where 576 students demonstrated their talent. Out of these participants, 287 girls and 289 boys participated in Kala Utsav 2020 including four divyang participants. The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education and National Council of Educational Research and Training have done commendable work. Due to their tireless hard work, Kala Utsav 2020 has been successful, even in the circumstances of COVID-19.

In the competitions of Kala Utsav 2020 organised from 11 to 22 January 2021, a total of nine art forms, namely— 1. Classical singing 2. Traditional folk song 3. Classical instruments
4. Traditional/folk instruments 5. Classical dance 6. Folk dance 7. Visual Arts (Two-dimensional) 8.Visual Arts (Three-dimensional) 9. Local games-toys are included. Earlier there were only four art forms in Kala Utsav, now another five art forms have been added in it.

Click here to access the result of Kala Utsav 2020

MC/KP/AK

****

Water Taxi Service in Mumbai

 Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & AYUSH Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today virtually flagged off the ‘Most Awaited’ Water Taxi for citizens of Mumbai, from Belapur Jetty. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Udhav Thackeray presided over the on-ground function where he inaugurated the newly constructed Belapur Jetty.

A long time aspiration of the people of coastal Maharasthra, the Water Taxi service will connect the twin cities of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai for the first time. The Water Taxi services will commence from the Domestic Cruise Terminal (DCT) and will also connect nearby locations at Nerul, Belapur, Elephanta island and JNPT. The service promises a comfortable, stress-free journey, is time-saving and promotes eco-friendly transport. 

The Water Taxi services are going to give huge impetus to the tourism sector, especially travel to the historic Elephanta caves from Navi Mumbai. Visitors will be able to travel easily from Navi Mumbai to Gateway of India.

The newly constructed Belapur jetty, built at a cost of Rs. 8.37 crore was funded in the 50-50 model under the Sagarmala scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The new jetty will enable movement of vessels to locations like Bhaucha Dhakka, Mandwa, Elephanta and Karanja.

Addressing the physical event via VC, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal lauded the Mumbai Maritime Board and Central & State agencies for completion of the projects which brings huge benefits to the citizens, boosts tourism and opens avenues for employment generation.  “Sagarmala Programme has undertaken a range of projects across an array of categories such as port modernization, rail, road, cruise tourism, RORO & passenger jetties, fisheries, coastal infrastructure, skill development. 131 projects worth Rs. 1.05 lakh crore has been identified for implementation in Maharashtra,” the Union Minister stated.

The Union Minister added, “Out of 131, 46 projects worth Rs. 2078 crore being financially supported under Sagarmala scheme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Maharashtra coast has huge potential for urban water transportation which can become an alternate mode of transportation. ROPAX movement between Mumbai Ferry Wharf and Mandwa has resulted in a positive impact with a reduction in travel time for passengers, quick and agile loading and unloading process of vehicles. More than 32 projects were undertaken in four clusters – Palghar, Mumbai & Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.”

 

“For upliftment of the fishing community, four fishing harbour projects have been sanctioned for funding under Sagarmala. Stage II expansion of Mirkawada Fishing Harbour in Ratnagiri District have been completed, modernization of Sassoon Dock and development of Karanja in Raigad and Anandwadi in Sindhudurg district are under implementation. Further, proposal for modernization of Mallet Bunder in Mumbai is under active consideration.” the Minister  stated.

Shri Sonowal thanked the Maharasthra Govt for their active role in developing the infra projects. “India’s is getting faster under the PM GatiShakti National master Plan. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  I believe we can achieve much as Team India, working with the spirit of brotherhood and oneness,” the Union Minister concluded.   

**********

winners of Freedom2Walk & Cycle challenge Awards

 Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), as part of the activities being undertaken under Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav (AKAM) launched two unique national level challenges for the first time- “Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle Challenge for City Leaders” & “Inter- City Freedom 2 Walk & Cycle Challenge for Citizens” between 1st to 26th January 2022. In addition to being events that motivate citizens to adopt healthier life choices in a celebratory spirit, the Challenges serve the larger purpose of a long-term behavioral change in citizens towards taking up walking & cycling, and to make city leaders as walking and cycling champions in each city. 

            An online awards event was hosted by MoHUA today to recognize the top performing cities and city leaders in both the challenges. The event also laid out the goals that cities from India Cycles4Change, Streets4People & Transport4All Challenges will be working towards 2023. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is the knowledge partners of Smart Cities Mission for the above-mentioned initiatives. 

Impact of the Challenges

            The city leaders Challenge saw registration from nearly 130 city leaders from across the country, comprising of Commissioners, Additional/Joint/Deputy Commissioners, Smart City CEOs and key SPV officials who jointly achieved nearly 47,000 kms of cycling, 7000 kms of walking and 2500 kms of running during the Challenge. The citizens challenge saw an overwhelming participation from nearly 22,000 citizens from the 75 registered cities, who achieved nearly 9,80,000 km of cycling, 1,82,000 km of walking and 9,350 km of running.

The awards for the city leaders challenge were given in the following categories for performance between 1st to 26th Jan 2022:

1. Cities with maximum kilometers  

2. City leaders with maximum kilometers 

3. Woman city leaders with maximum kilometers 

4. City leaders with maximum time spent in activities 

5. City leaders with maximum number of activities during challenge 

6. Awards for Ministers, CEOs & Commissioners with maximum kilometers

7. Super Hero Award 

 

            The awards for the citizens challenge were given in the following categories for performance between 1st to 26th Jan 2022:

1. Cities with maximum kilometers  

2. Cities with maximum registrations

            The list of awardees is mentioned in Annexure.

 

            Towards sustaining the momentum beyond the challenge, the participating cities are in the process of signing pledges committing towards institutionalizing activities like Cycle2Work, Open Street Events, Pedestrian Days and physical infrastructure to improve walking and cycling in cities. 18 Cities – Ajmer, Nashik, Rajkot, Lucknow, Kalyan Dombivli, Bhubaneshwar, Jabalpur, Tumakuru, Surat, Valsad, Dahod, Nagpur, Ranchi, Chandigarh, Kakinada, Ujjain, Pimpri Chinchwad, Indore have signed the pledges so far. Aurangabad, Jaipur, Davanagere, Sagar, Pune are in the process.

 

Goals for 2023: India Cycles4Change, Streets4People & Transport4All Challenges 

            In 2020, the Government of India launched the India Cycles4Change & Streets4People Challenge to inspire over 100 cities to reimagine streets as safe, happy and healthy public spaces and towards creating cycling friendly cities. This is in line with the vision of National Urban Transport Policy (2006) that calls for a paradigm shift from car-centric roads to people-centric streets. The Transport4All Challenge was launched in 2021 aiming to bring together cities, citizens, and startups to develop solutions that improve public transport to better serve the needs of all citizens. Through these challenges, cities have adopted a new mantra of engaging with citizens, crowdsourcing ideas, and testing innovative, inexpensive, and quick ideas to create walking & cycling-friendly streets.

            The online event discussed on initiatives that the challenge cities should work towards till 2023 which includes permanent pilots, policy adoptions & institutional interventions. 

Annexure

 

1. Award Winners

 

 

 

 

2. Quotes from city leaders on the Freedom2Walk&Cycle Challenge

‘I have started cycling more often to work and for recreation over the last couple of years. Not only have I become more physically and mentally fit, it has given me a different perspective towards looking at the city and its needs. Cycling is a humble yet very powerful tool that can transform the cities we live in. I urge all city leaders and citizens to experience their cities through walk and cycle and become champions who inspire others’  

  • Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary, Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA

 

‘The Challenge is an excellent initiative that brought me closer to my old love, cycling. The consistency of the other participants and the appreciation from my fellow colleagues has been motivating me every single day to clock in a ride. I also urge my fellow women leaders to break the stereotypes and take to cycling. It has empowered me and I’m sure it will do so for you too. Let’s seek inspiration from Serena Williams, Krishna Punia, Mithali Raj, PV Sindhu and let’s choose to be more fit, enjoy the thrill, and contribute to making the planet green.’

  • Padmini Singh, Chief Account Officer, ASCL, Ajmer

‘I am extremely grateful for the Freedom to Walk & Cycle Challenge for having triggered a regular walking habit and I look forward to continuing the walks even after the Challenge is complete! Overall, walking is a great solution for physical and mental health and I see the benefits first hand. It keeps my mind agile, fresh, active and focussed throughout the entire day! Over and above this, it is also a good environmental solution in times of climate change.Walking and cycling short distances to work, or to run small errands is absolutely doable by everyone. I urge my fellow colleagues, friends, other city leaders as well as citizens to pick up this habit as a way of life.’

  • Pallavi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner, Kalyan Dombivli

‘Initiatives like these challenges for city leaders and citizens have the potential to change your life and the culture of your city. My personal journey of walking and cycling started in 2014 through a similar official assignment and it has been one of my best decisions! It improved my physical fitness and my productivity at work.  I have seen a huge impact of such interventions in the way people have responded to running, walking or cycling and it has also helped in bringing city leaders & citizens closer! I would strongly urge my fellow city officials and citizens to take up walking and cycling. Lets start walking and commutting to work on cycle whenever possible and let’s make a difference together.’

  • Chetan Nandani, CEO Rajkot Smart City Development Ltd (RSCDL) & Dy. Municipal Commissioner, Rajkot Municipal Corporation

‘It’s been heartening to see how citizens and city leaders embraced the two national level challenges and that nearly 15 cities have already signed pledges committing to institutionalizing initiatives that promote walking and cycling. It is campaigns like these that help instill long term behavioral change in citizens towards taking up walking & cycling!’ 

  • Aswathy Dilip, South Asia Director, Institute for Transportation & Development Policy, (ITDP India)

‘From international leaders being an inspiration for us walking and cycling to work, our leaders are now being an inspiration worldwide! Being part of the coordinating team for the challenges, it was inspiring for us to see the level of participation and excitement that cities and city leaders showed for the two national level challenges! The impact numbers and experiences shared by city leaders reflect the success of this initiative.’ 

  • A V Venugopal, Deputy Manager – Healthy Streets & Partnerships, Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP India)

 

3. Video Testimonials from City Leaders

 

1. Rupesh Agarwal, Add.Commissioner, Chandigarh

2. Rahul Kapoor, Director, Smart Cities Mission

3. Rajesh Pandya, Advisor, Surat Municipal Corporation

4. Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Executive Engineer, Transport Department, Pimpri Chinchwad

5. Sunil Pawar, Deputy Engineer, Transport Department, Pimpri Chinchwad

6. Sambhav Ayachi, Assistant Commissioner, Jabalpur

7. Dr. Sanjeev Saxena, Medical Officer, Kota

 

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Women in Renewable Energy: Call for Action

 

 

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) observed the second day of its programme “New Frontiers: A Programme on Renewable Energy to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Ministry organized an online session on “Women in Renewable Energy: Call for Action” to acknowledge the role of women entrepreneurs and leaders in the Renewable Energy Space. The session was attended by more than 200 participants including Padma Shree Awardee, Mr. Bunker Roy, officials of the Government of India, CEOs, CMDs, and representatives of NGOs, industries, banking institutions and, representatives from international organisations. 

Delivering the keynote address Secretary, MNRE recognised the role and importance of women’s participation in Renewable Energy and committed to formulation of a scheme for DRE applications, grater engagement with Ministry of Women and Child Development and addressing women’s issues in industry consultations.

Women RE entrepreneurs across the country shared their success stories, shining light on the impact of clean energy access on women. This was followed by the response to Call for Action by the stakeholders across policy makers, NGOs, Industries, international organisations and the Banking Institutions. Mr. Bunker Roy, founder Barefoot college, called for active engagement of women on RE platform. Mrs. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, founding chair for ReNew Power, and Ms. Mara Beatriz Orlando, energy specialist from WePower, highlighted how regular trainings and capacity building can change the lives of women entrepreneurs. Ms. A. Manimekhalai, Executive Director from Canara Bank called for earmarking funds for women, awareness campaign focused on women and sensitisation among financial institutions.

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KHADI PRAKRITIK PAINT

 Khadi Prakratik Paint has been developed from cow dung by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI), Jaipur, a unit of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the administrative control of the Ministry of MSME.  Khadi Prakratik paint is eco-friendly and cost effective.  The Khadi Prakratik Paint developed by KNHPI has been tested at National Test House, Ghaziabad (Govt. of India), National Test House, Mumbai (Govt. of India) and Shri Ram Institute of Industrial Research, Delhi (An ISO certified test lab) and satisfies the parameters required for paint.

It is envisaged that manufacture of Khadi Prakratik Paint will promote local manufacturing, create sustainable employment and generate additional revenue for farmers and cow shelter homes and will also generate employment in the rural areas, which will improve the rural economy and help in controlling the migration from rural to urban areas, in the country.

Cow dung is a major constituent used in the manufacture of Prakritik Paint. 100 kgs. of cow dung is utilized for making 500 liters of paint. Therefore, setting up of paint units would be helpful in utilization of cow dung and thereby help in cleaning the environment.

KNHPI imparts training in manufacture of Khadi Prakritik Paint. Prakritik Paint manufacturing units are being set up under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) scheme of Ministry of MSME. The technology for the manufacture of Khadi Prakritik Paint has been provided to many units in villages in the country.