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.

Convocation ceremony of Dayalbagh Educational Institution, Agra

Secretary Department of Higher Education Shri Amit Khare addressed the Convocation ceremony of Dayalbagh Educational Institution, Agra today Prof. Prem Kumar Kalra, Director, Dayalbagh Educational Institute also graced the occasion.

Congratulating students on their graduation, Shri Khare said that “India’s journey from being a third world, fledgling democracy to this position of power and eminence is the result of the toil and dedicated contribution of every section of society. The role of the educated people in any sector has been especially significant because they have guided and led this change in various capacities. Today you are joining this rank of educated intellectuals, the young enlightened Indians who will lead the world”.

Shri Khare expressed confidence that students graduating today will become future leaders and lead the world. “It is this confidence that fuels our dreams for country’s missions like Start Up India, Skill India, Make in India- Make for the World and Atma Nirbhar Bharat”, he added.

He urged students to emerge not as ‘job seekers’ but as ‘job givers’, to promote the individual capability of each student, teach them to think, equip them with the skills required to face the 21st century and global leaders – while imparting values rooted in Indian culture.

Secretary Shri Khare also said that the experience of the Covid pandemic would have given students a fresh perspective to life, and prepared them better for facing its vagaries in future.

He appreciated the efforts of DEI in imparting multidisciplinary education in subjects as diverse as Quantum Computing to Textile Designing to Music, and its Vision 2031 to support the same principles that have been recommended by the National Education Policy 2020. He said that the institute’s focus on value based quality education, inclusivity, multidisciplinarity, research, use of ICT – all align well with the NEP 2020, he added.

In this context he recalled his conversation with Prof. Kalra a few years ago, when Shri Kalra had highlighted that Dayalbagh is a unique institution that brings education and values together something which is now talked about in the National Education Policy 2020. Shri Khare said that Dayalbagh Educational Institution in its philosophy and vision has been much ahead of times in its thinking of the day, and many of the ideas of National Education Policy 2020 are already enshrined in the ethos of DEI.

Highlighting India’s growing presence in the international media space, Secretary Khare mentioned about IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva praise on India’s decisive steps taken to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic”.

He prevailed upon the students to help those who have been less fortunate, who are deprived of the benefits that a good education provides. He extended his best wishes to the students for a bright future.

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KVIC’s “Charkha Kranti” Created a Buzz on Gandhian Values

Khadi’s exponential growth, as mentioned by President in his address to the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session, is a result of the “Charkha Kranti” initiated by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the last 7 years. KVIC built several monumental Charkhas to propagate Gandhian thoughts and symbolism of Charkha in India and abroad which further popularized Khadi and played a key role in its massive growth. Khadi’s success was acknowledged by the President in his address to the Parliament on 31st January and by Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, a day before at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmadabad, while unveiling Mahatma Gandhi’s 100 sq meter wall mural on his 74th Martyr’s Day.

Interestingly, KVIC was formed in the year 1956 but it made no effort in the next 58 years; i.e. till 2014, to popularize Khadi, Charkha or any other symbol associated with Mahatma Gandhi. “Khadi” and “Gandhi” were only used for political gains. It was only after the year 2014, that concrete efforts were made by the Narendra Modi government to popularize Khadi and spread the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and the symbolism of Charkha across the globe. Be it the birth anniversary or the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, KVIC organized unique programs to celebrate Gandhian thoughts.

During the last 7 years, KVIC built monuments like world’s biggest wooden and steel charkhas, world’s smallest charkha on wrist watches, Gandhi ji’s world’s largest wall mural made of clay Kulhads, world’s largest national flag made of Khadi fabric, heritage Charkha museum and many more. Charkha, which was Gandhi ji’s tool in the fight against the British Rule, made its way to a foreign country, for the first time in 2017. Since then, Bapu’s Charkha has reached 60 countries of the world.

“It is with the inspiration of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi that concrete steps were taken to popularize Khadi and Charkha not only in India but across the world. This played a major role in increasing the production and sale of Khadi and, thereby, contributed to realizing Bapu’s dream of Gramoday. The Charkha Kranti also saw distribution of a record 55,000 advanced charkhas to the Khadi artisans across the country that provided them with self-employment,” Chairman KVIC, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena said.

1956 to 2014 – No significant activity/event

July 5, 2016 – World’s largest wooden Charkha installed at IGI Airport, New Delhi, by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Member of Parliament.

October 18, 2016 – Biggest Ever Charkha distribution in Independent India at Ludhiana by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

May 21, 2017 – World’s largest Stainless Steel Charkha installed at Connaught Place, New Delhi by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Member of Parliament.

May 21, 2017 – Heritage Charkha Museum Inaugurated at Connaught Place, New Delhi, by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Member of Parliament.

October 2, 2017 – A big wooden Charkha unveiled in Uganda, for the first time on foreign soil.

April 15, 2018 – Stainless Steel Charkha unveiled by former Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh at Motihari in Bihar to commemorate Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations.

June 7, 2018 – Pietermaritzburg station in South Africa sported a Khadi look and trains draped in Khadi fabric. This Railway Station is the place where Gandhi ji was thrown off a train for refusing to give up his seat in a first class, “whites-only” compartment, 125 years ago in 1893. It was the first such program sponsored by KVIC on foreign soil.

June 26, 2018 – Grand Stainless Steel Charkha installed at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmadabad. The Charkha was unveiled by Shri Amit Shah, the then BJP President and Member of Parliament.

January 31, 2019 – World’s Largest Wall Mural of Mahatma Gandhi Made of terracotta Kulhads unveiled at NDMC building in New Delhi by Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu.

January 30, 2020 – World’s Smallest Charkha used in Unique Khadi Wrist Watches that were launched by the then Minister of MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari.

Charkha was sent to 60 countries during Khadi exhibitions in 2017 and 2018.

October 2, 2021 – World’s largest Monumental National Flag made of Khadi Fabric and weighing 1400 KG, unveiled in Leh by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri RK Mathur.

30 January 2022 – A grand wall mural of Mahatma Gandhi made of clay Kulhads installed at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmadabad. This is India’s 2nd and Gujarat’s first wall mural of this kind that was unveiled by Minister of Home Affairs and Co-operation, Shri Amit Shah.

2014-15 to 2020-21 – 55,000 New Model Charkhas and 9000 modern looms distributed to Khadi artisans across the country to increase the production of Khadi.

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18th Convocation of Tezpur University, Assam

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 18th Convocation of Tezpur University, Assam today through video conferencing. Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and the Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today is a moment to remember and cherish for a lifetime for over 1200 students. He believed that what the students learnt at Tezpur University will accelerate the progress of Assam and progress of the country. He said the sentiment contained in the university anthem which was written by Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika resonates with the great history of Tezpur. The Prime Minister quoted a few lines from the University Anthem

“अग्निगड़र स्थापत्य, कलियाभोमोरार सेतु निर्माण,

ज्ञान ज्योतिर्मय,

सेहि स्थानते बिराजिसे तेजपुर विश्वविद्यालय”

That is, Tezpur University is situated in a place where there is an architecture like Agnigad, where there is a Kalia-Bhomora bridge, where there is a light of knowledge. He said eminent personalities like Bhupen Da, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha are identified with Tezpur.

Addressing the students, the Prime Minister said from now until the completion of 100 years of India’s independence, are also the golden years of your life. He urged them to spread the glory of Tezpur across India and all over the world, take Assam and North East to new heights of development. He asked the students to take full advantage of the possibilities created by the Government’s efforts at development of the North East especially in sectors like connectivity, education and health.

The Prime Minister remarked that Tezpur University is also known for its Innovation Center. These Grassroots innovations are giving momentum to Vocal for Local and are being used to solve local problems, opening new doors of development. He lauded the innovations of Tezpur University like low- cost technology to provide clean drinking water, pledge taken to convert Waste into Energy in every village, inexpensive and effective technology related to biogas and organic fertilizers, campaign to preserve the Biodiversity and Rich Heritage of North East, documentation the languages of the North East tribal society which are in danger of extinction, preservation of centuries-old wood-carved art at Batadrav Thana, Nagaon, digitization of Assam’s books and papers written during colonial times.

The Prime Minister cited Tezpur University Campus itself as the reason for motivation to do work on so many local needs. Here the hostels are named after mountains and rivers in this region. He said these are not just names, but also inspiration for life. He said in the journey of life, we have to face many

The Prime Minister elaborated on the concept of Aatmnirbhar Abhiyan. He explained while this movement is about change in resources, physical infrastructure, technology and economic and strategic might, the biggest transformation is in the realm of instinct, action and reaction which is in sync with the mood of today’s youth.difficulties, many mountains and many rivers have to be crossed. He said to the students that with every mountaineering your expertise grows and your perspective is ready for new challenges. He said like several tributaries merge into one river and mix into the sea, we should also take knowledge from different people in life, learn and achieve our goal and move forward with that learning. He said when one proceeds with this approach, North East will be able to contribute to the development of the country.

The Prime Minister said today’s young India has a distinctive way of taking on challenges. He used the recent performance of the young Indian cricket team in Australia to illustrate his point. The Indian cricket team faced so many challenges. They suffered crushing defeat yet recovered equally fast and won the next match. The Players showed determination despite injuries. They took the challenge head on and looked for fresh solutions instead of getting frustrated by difficult conditions. There were inexperienced players but their morale was high and they grabbed the opportunity given to them. They overpowered a better team with their talent and temperament.

The Prime Minister stressed that this stellar performance of our players is important not just from the point of view of the sports field. Shri Modi listed important life lessons from the performance. First, we should have faith and confidence in our ability; second, a positive mindset begets positive results. Third and most important lesson, said the Prime Minister, is – if one is facing two options, one safe and the other is an option of a difficult victory, one must surely explore the option of victory. There is no harm in occasional failure and one should not refrain from taking the risks. We need to be proactive and fearless. If we overcome the fear of failure and unnecessary pressure, we will emerge fearless. This new India, confident and dedicated to goals, is evident not only in the cricket field, all of you are part of this picture, the Prime Minister told the Students.

This self-confidence and absence of fear in trading the uncharted path and young energy has strengthened the country in its fight against Corona. India overcame the initial apprehensions and showed that with resolve and resilience, resources are not far behind. India took fast, proactive decisions instead of compromising with the situation and effectively fought with the virus. Made in India solutions contained the spread and improved the health infrastructure. Our vaccine related research and production capability is giving India and many other countries of the world confidence of a security shield, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also listed digital infrastructure enabling direct benefit transfer, fintech digital inclusion, world’s largest banking inclusion, world’s largest toilet construction movement, largest movement of providing tap water in every household, world’s largest health insurance scheme and world’s largest vaccination drive as testimony to today’s India’s attitude, unafraid of experimentation for solution and not averse to undertake large-scale projects. These projects are benefitting Assam and the Northeast.

The Prime Minister talked of new technologies that are creating new possibilities. Talking about the possibility of future universities which might be fully virtual providing students and faculty to be part of any university of the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for a regulatory framework for such transformation. He pointed out that the new National Education Policy is a step in this direction. This policy encourages maximum use of technology, multi-disciplinary education and flexibility. NEP puts stress on preparing our education system for data and data-analytics. Data analysis will massively improve the processes from admissions to teaching and evaluation.

The Prime Minister called upon the students of Tezpur University to help in fulfilling these goals. He said that, after finishing their formal education, they not only work for their future but for the future of the country. He advised them to keep their ideals high which will protect them from the vicissitudes of life. He said the next 25-26 years are important for them as well as their country and expressed the hope that the students will take the country to new heights.

Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ congratulated the graduating students for successful completion of an important part of their lives and being eligible for jobs in various fields. He expressed happiness over the fact that many students among them were from foreign countries such as Zimbabwe, Ghana, Etopia, etc. and observed that it shows the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e “The world is one family”. He observed that the University has a mosaic culture and it is not surprising because the University itself is located at Tezpur, which is a cultural and historic place. He further added that cultural doyens like Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha, Natasurya Phani Sarma and Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s works are identified with Tezpur.

He hoped that the students would not only bring laurels to its own state but also play a crucial role in development of the nation. He said that in order to reform, transform and perform, the National Educational Policy (NEP) has been adopted, which will bring much needed qualitative change in the educational sector. He said that NEP is focused on inclusive, impactful and innovative education and it will usher in a new era intellectual development in India.

A total of 1218 students received their degrees and diplomas in the Convocation out of which 371 were undergraduate, 725 postgraduate, 36 PG Diploma and 86 were Ph.D. Among the degree recipients, 46 toppers of various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes received Gold Medals. A Best Graduate and another Best Post Graduate of the year were also awarded Gold Medals in the Convocation.

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ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT..

EXPANSION OF MSME SECTOR

Promotion and development of enterprises is a State subject. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State/UT Governments through various schemes, programmes and policy initiatives for promotion, development and enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs and to increase employment opportunities in the country.

The Ministry of MSME implements various schemes and programmes for growth and development of MSME Sector in the country. These schemes and programmes inter-alia include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation programme (PMEGP), Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE), Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) etc. Benefits under these schemes are available to all eligible MSMEs throughout the country. Ministry of MSME has also been implementing a special scheme viz. ‘Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region and Sikkim’ which focuses on improving the condition of MSME Sector in North Eastern States including Assam. The Scheme-wise Budget allocation of these schemes is given below:-

		Budget Allocation (Rs. in crore)
S.No.	Name of the Scheme	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22 (As on 31.12.2021)
1	Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)	2,327.10	2,500.00	2,000.00
2	Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)	125.00	464.85	170.00
3	A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)	50.00	30.00	15.00
4	Credit Guarantee Scheme	597.00	100.00	0.04
5	Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP)	227.90	390.69	156.60

participation of MGIEP in the Implementation of National Educational Policy -2020

Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired a meeting on participation of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) in the implementation of National Educational Policy -2020. Secretary, Higher Education, Shri Amit Khare; Secretary, School Education & Literacy , Smt Anita Karwal; Director, UNESCO, New Delhi, Mr. Eric Falt ; Chairman, MGIEP, Prof. J.S. Rajput; Director, MGIEP, Dr. Anantha Duraiappah and senior officials of the Ministry attended the meeting.

Speaking on the National Education Policy 2020, Minister said the policy is in line with the SDGs of UNESCO. It will develop Indian citizens on the lines of a global citizen, and help spread the ideas of empathy, compassion and rational thinking among the citizens. Shri Pokhriyal said that both MGIEP and UNESCO will play a major role in the implementation of this New Education policy. He sought their suggestions and cooperation on implementation of New Education Policy 2020 to make India a global knowledge superpower.

Emphasizing that Government of India is fully committed to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Shri Pokhriyal spoke about several initiatives such as NISHTHA- the world’s largest teacher training capacity building program, digital learning through DIKSHA, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan among others that have been taken to improve access, equity and quality of education.

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A Dialogue on National Education Policy 2020 at Nehru Centre, London

A dialogue on the “New Education Policy 2020 – NEP Outreach”, was organized by the Nehru Centre, London with National Book Trust, India (under Ministry of Education) on 18 January, 2021.

Speaking on the occasion, Union of Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the NEP-2020 has been implemented with a futuristic mindset, thereby turning the challenges into opportunities. It will equip India to hold a position in the global knowledge system while maintaining and developing its traditional knowledge system. “Through the policy, we are hoping to transform education and putting a significant thrust on learning about how to think critically and solve problems, how to be creative and multidisciplinary, and how to innovate, adapt, and absorb new material in the novel and changing fields. Pedagogy is expected to evolve to make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and, of course, enjoyable,” the Minister added.

Shri Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, President, ICCR, in his opening remarks said that the NEP-2020 is one of the greatest reforms presented by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Rt. Hon Jo Johnson, Educationist, Former Minister for Universities, Science, Research & Innovation, United Kingdom, lauded India’s NEP-2020 as an event of global significance and as a policy that will turn India into a global knowledge superpower, emphasizing its strong focus on early years, teachers, universal numeracy & literacy, etc. He also mentioned that the exciting fact about NEP-2020 is that it proposes to shift the mode of assessment from summative to formative, testing higher order skills like critical thinking, analysis and conceptual clarity.

Rt. Hon Jo Johnson and Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ also engaged in a dialogue on various provisions of the NEP-2020, such as teacher training, entry of top 100 foreign universities in India, and education in Indian HEIs.

The engaging and enlightening event was moderated by Shri Amish Tripathi, Minister (Culture), High Commission of India, UK and Director, The Nehru Centre.

An Integrated Mobile Service Delivery Van’for Divyangjan and Senior Citizens

A ‘SamajikAdhikaritaShivir’ for distribution of aids and assistive devices to ‘Divyangjan’ under the ADIP Scheme and Senior citizens under ‘RashtriyaVayoshri Yojana’ (RVY Scheme) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India will be organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with ALIMCO and District Administration Chhatarpur at 12 Noon on 13.02.2022 at Government Higher Secondary School, No.1, Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh.

A total of 5286 aids and assistive devices valued at Rs. 2.33 crore will be distributed free of cost to 1391 Divyangjan and 553 Senior Citizens at Block/Panchayat levels by following the SOP prepared by the Department in view of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hon’ble Union Social Justice and Empower Minster Dr. Virendra Kumar will be the chief guest of the function wherein, Union Minister will also launch ‘An Integrated Mobile Service Delivery Van’ whichhas been developed by the ALIMCO to provide “After-Sale Service” and undertakean awareness campaign on the use of Aids and Assistive devices and offering in-situ repairs/ correction /adjustment and fitting of Prosthetics and orthotics devices at the destination for the Aids and Assistive devices being distributed under the ADIP/RVY Scheme of Govt. of India, in Districts where the distribution of aids and assistive devices has been done in recent past to Divyangjans and Senior Citizens. Shri Pradumn Singh Lodhi, Chairman Madhya Pradesh State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.,and MLA, Badamalhera, Madhya Pradesh will preside over the function.

SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise

Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the Central Sector scheme “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” today at BHIM Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, 15, Janpath Road, New Delhi. This umbrella scheme, designed by Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, is set to provide welfare and rehabilitation to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Virendra Kumar said, “As a progressive and developing society it is our duty to respect the identity and dignity of all sections of society. The Ministry has ensured that each and every need of Transgender community and persons engaged in the act of begging are taken care of in most professional way.”

“The provision of National Portal & Helpline will provide necessary information and solutions to the problems of the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging,” the Union Minister added.

The two sub-schemes of SMILE – ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging’ – provide comprehensive welfare and rehabilitation measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.

The scheme keeps in mind the social security that is needed through multiple dimensions of identity, medical care, education, occupational opportunities and shelter. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The Sub-scheme – ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’- includes various components. It provides Scholarships for Transgender Students studying in IX and till post-graduation to enable them to complete their education. It has provisions for Skill Development and Livelihood under PM-DAKSH scheme. Through Composite Medical Health it provides a comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals. The Housing facility in the form of ‘Garima Greh’ ensures food, clothing, recreational facilities, skill development opportunities, recreational activities and medical support etc. to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. The Provision of Transgender Protection Cell in each state will monitor cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences. The National Portal & Helpline will provide necessary information and solutions to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging when needed.

The sub-scheme – ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’ – will focus on Survey and identification, Mobilisation, Rescue/ Shelter Home and Comprehensive resettlement.

Besides, pilot projects have been initiated on Comprehensive Rehabilitation in ten cities namely Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Implementation Plan for School Education

The National Education Policy, 2020 is the third in the series of National Education Policies (1968 and 1986 modified in 1992) in India and is the first education policy of the 21st century. NEP 2020 covers wider spectrum of school education from pre-primary to senior secondary.
The recommendations given have varied timelines as the policy is made for next 20 years. Therefore, the implementation of NEP is being carried out in a phased manner.
ShikshakParv was organised from 8th to 25th September 2020 for discussing various recommendations of NEP 2020 and its implementation strategies. Around 15 lakh suggestions were received from the stakeholders, which are being examined.
To achieve the goals and objectives of NEP 2020, DoSEL has prepared a draft implementation plan with Task lists linking each recommendation with tasks, responsible agencies to carry out the task, timelines and outputs. This task list was shared with the States/UTs/Autonomous Bodies on 10th September, 2020, to provide their feedback/suggestions till 12th October, 2020. Autonomous Bodies of this Department and 31 States and UTs provided 7177 suggestions/ feedback on the task list. These have been analysed by expert groups and important suggestions have been incorporated in the final version of implementation plan. In addition to above, a series of national workshops on Implementation of NEP 2020 and revision of Samagra Shiksha was held under the chairpersonship of Secretary (SE&L) on 10th November, 27th November and 2nd December, 2020 covering all States and UTs. The document is being finalised and will be released shortly.
Appropriate care is being taken to make this implementation plan realistic, flexible and collaborative by inviting suggestions from all corners of the society. It is hoped that this implementation plan so finalised with the inputs of all associates will be able to translate the vision of the policy in the field and will reach to grass root level creating adequate awareness and motivation and competencies among concerned stakeholders, thereby transforming the school education in the country.
The major portions of NEP will be covered under the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and centrally sponsored schemes. Groundwork for NCF is initiated and it is likely to be developed in the next academic session, that is 2021-22.
The department has initiated implementation of NEP by undertaking following activities in accordance with the recommendations of the policy :

To undertake 50 hours of mandatory Continuous Professional development of teachers, 18 modules of 4-5 hours each comprehensively covering all aspects of elementary education have been launched under NISHTHA on 6.10.20 for in service teacher training (CPD) in the online mode on DIKSHA platform. This has so far seen more than 3.4 cr course wise registrations and 2.8 cr completions from more than 23 lakh teachers.
In-principle approval has been given for setting up the National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission. A Committee has been formed for preparing framework on FL&N, codification of learning outcomes etc.
E-learning has been expanded through DIKSHA. DIKSHA provides access to a large number of curriculum linked e-content through several solutions such as QR coded Energized Textbooks (ETBs), courses for teachers, quizzes etc. Till date DIKSHA houses over 3600 QR coded textbooks (tagged with e-content) from 29 states, 1.44 lakh e Contents and more than 300 courses.
The department has launched an initiative called ‘Manodarpan’ for mental health and wellbeing of students. It aims to provide emotional support and counselling to the students under distress. Issuance of advisory guidelines, web page and national toll-free number, interactive online chat options and, national-level database and directory of counsellorsare part of the initiative.
MoU has been signed between Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and NCERT to develop Indian Sign Language dictionary for school education.
CBSE exam reforms have been initiated; CBSE will introduce improvement examination from the year 2021 and will introduce English and Sanskrit in 2 levels from the session 2021-22 (already offers Mathematics and Hindi at two levels). Competency based questions have been introduced in the Board exams for class X and XII in a phased manner, increasing by 10% every year.
Learning Outcomes upto Secondary level have been notified and draft of learning outcomes for senior secondary level have been released for inviting suggestions.
The department is also aligning its existing schemes i.e, Samagra Shiksha, Mid Day Meal and Padhna Likhna Abhiyan with the recommendations of NEP 2020. 86 paras of NEP have been proposed to be covered/integrated under the revised scheme of Samagra Shiksha which includes phased introduction of: 1 year of Balvatika and TLMs to all children, Launch of National Mission of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, upgradation of schools upto senior secondary level including residential schools and KGBVs, Holistic Progress Card (HPC) and tracking of learning outcomes as well as transition of children, appointment of Hindi and Urdu Language Teachers, Capacity building of teachers (50 Hrs CPD), Bagless days and internships, Support for OOSC, Activities of PARAKH, Separate stipend for CWSN girl child; provision for identification of CWSN and Resource Centre at block level, Provision for Hub and Spoke model in vocational education, Provision for Smart classroom and DIKSHA, Support for Assessment Cells in SCERT etc., etc.
States and UTs are also constituting their own Task Force to steer implementation of the NEP provisions in their respective jurisdiction.

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Urban MGNREGA Propgramme to provide employment

The data on employment/ unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017-18. As per the latest PLFS report of 2019-20, the unemployment rate for persons of 15 years and above on usual status basis in urban areas was 6.9% which was 7.6% in 2018-19 and 7.7% in 2017-18.

Government has launched All-India Quarterly Establishment Based Employment Survey (AQEES) in April, 2021. As per the result of the second round of Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the period July to September 2021, employment increased to 3.10 crore in the nine selected sectors of the economy which was 3.08 crore during the first round of QES (April-June, 2021) against a total of 2.37 crores in these sectors taken collectively, as reported in the sixth Economic Census (2013-14). Of the total employment estimated in the selected nine sectors, Manufacturing accounted for nearly 39%, followed by Education with 22% and Health as well as IT/BPOs sectors both around 10%. Trade and Transport sectors engaged 5.3% and 4.6% of the total estimated workers respectively.

Preservation of Quality of Native Indian Seeds

There is well established system available for analysis of seed quality of native Indian crop and trees in the Country. 161 State Seed Testing Laboratories and six Central Seed Testing Laboratories are functioning in the Country. These laboratories are analyzing seeds of native Indian crop and trees for various quality parameters.

As per the information there was a call for greater biodiversity in agriculture sector during COP 26, however, no consensus on the proposal of biodiversity in agriculture among the participating Countries and no final decision was taken. Hence, India has not committed anything on the biodiversity during the COP 26. However, the Government has a policy to encourage conservation of the seeds of native Indian varieties of various crops and trees. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) has conserved 94,609 native Indian varieties of different crops and trees in Gene Banks located in different States.

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights Authority (PPV & FRA) has also registered 1896 native Indian varieties of different crops enabling the farmer to commercialize these varieties. PPV & FRA encourages the community and individuals engaged in conservation, improvement and preservation of plant genetic resources of economic plants and their wild relatives particularly in the areas identified as agro-biodiversity hotspots by awarding the community and individuals who have played stellar roles in such activities.

In order to ensure availability of native seeds and improve their usage by farmers., Indian Council of Agricultural Research is developing high yielding and multi stress tolerant varieties of different crop including cereals, millet, pulses, oilseeds and fruits suited to different agro-climatic condition. In the last seven years, 1956 improved varieties have been developed out of which 924 of cereals, 291 of oilseeds, 304 of pulses, 239 of fiber crops, 118 of forage crops, 64 of sugarcane and 16 of under-utilized crops. In addition, 288 varieties of horticultural crops have been developed.

In order to enhance indigenous species of trees, this Department is implementing Scheme called Sub-Mission on Agro-forestry since 2016-17 to encourage and expand tree plantation. Prominent tree species including indigenous tree species like Indian rosewood, Teak, Eucalyptus, Malabar Neem, ailanthus, Poplar, etc. are promoted for plantation on farm land along with other species. Details of State wise and year wise financial assistance provided under Sub-Mission on Agro-forestry Scheme is at Annexure-I.

In addition, this Department is providing assistance for seed production and distribution under various existing Schemes viz. National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Edible oil-oil palm, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture and Sub- Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials.

ANNEXURE-I

Details of the financial assistance provided to State Governments/UTs for the promotion of agro-forestry under Sub-Mission on Agro-forestry Scheme since inception.

(Amount Rs in Crore)

S.No.	Name of State	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21
1	Meghalaya	0.00	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.26
2	Mizoram	0.00	0.50	1.50	1.75	1.00
3	Nagaland	0.00	0.91	1.50	0.73	1.10
4	Andhra Pradesh	3.15	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
5	Bihar	0.00	3.00	0.00	1.00	0.20
6	Chhatishgarh	0.00	2.50	1.50	2.00	1.00
7	Gujarat	4.50	2.70	4.00	4.00	4.00
8	Haryana	1.75	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
9	Himachal Pradesh	1.15	0.487	1.00	0.83	0.75
10	Jharkhand	0.00	4.00	1.00	2.00	0.00
11	Jammu & Kashmir	0.00	0.61	3.00	0.00	0.75
12	Karnataka	3.25	4.50	5.56	7.00	5.36
13	Kerala	0.00	2.06	0.00	0.00	0.00
14	Madhya Pradesh	4.20	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
15	Maharashtra	0.00	4.00	2.00	0.75	1.60
16	Odisha	0.00	4.00	2.00	0.75	1.50
17	Punjab	2.00	0.00	4.48	2.50	1.38
18	Rajasthan	0.00	6.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
19	Tamil Nadu	2.50	0.00	0.00	2.31	3.34
20	Telangana	0.00	0.00	0.80	0.00	0.00
21	Uttar Pradesh	0.00	6.00	0.00	2.00	4.00
22	UT of Ladakh	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.50
Total		22.50	42.27	28.35	27.62	26.73

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