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MSME in India

 The Economic Survey tabled by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today, highlights the importance of the MSME sector in the Indian economy with an all-India manufacturing output of 35.4 percent.

According to the survey, Gross Value Added (GVA) per worker increased from ₹1,38,207 to ₹1,41,769 and Gross Value of Output (GVO) per establishment increased from ₹3,98,304 to ₹4,63,389 showing  increased productivity and labour efficiency. The Survey highlights the success of the Udyam Registration portal that has received 4.69 Crore registrations as of 05 July 2024, playing an instrumental role in formalizing MSMEs by providing a simple, online, and free registration process based on self-declaration. The Survey notes that there has been significant growth between FY20 to FY24 in the amount and number of guarantees for MSMEs with Union Budget 2023-24 allocating ₹9,000 Crore to the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust, aiming to enable an additional ₹2 Lakh Crore in credit with reduced costs.

According to Survey, keeping in view India’s vision of becoming ‘Aatmanirbhar’, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for 14 key sectors were announced with an outlay of ₹1.97 Lakh Crore to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and exports. Further survey states that over ₹1.28 Lakh Crore of investment was reported until May 2024, which has led to production/sales of ₹10.8 Lakh Crore and employment generation (direct & indirect) of over 8.5 Lakh. Survey states export boosted by ₹4 Lakh Crore, with significant contributions from sectors such as large-scale electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and telecom & networking products.

Survey highlights, to give an impetus to the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, the Union Budget of FY24 announced that states would be encouraged to set up a “Unity Mall” in their capitals or most prominent tourism centre or the financial capital for the promotion and sale of their ODOPs. Survey also states that “PM-Ekta Malls” aims to link the artisans of ODOP and consumers. Survey  states that these malls are creating a vibrant marketplace for the nation’s unique products, aiming at both domestic and foreign markets. In addition to this survey ‘ODOP Sampark’ workshops were conducted in 15 States to facilitate collaboration between the Centre and local sellers and revive indigenous industries. According to the survey, ODOP showcased India to the world at the G20 events organised across the country during India’s G20 Presidency, where the artisans, sellers and weavers got visibility on the global stage.

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Skill Development in India

 India’s education policies and skill policies should adopt a laser-like focus on learning and skilling outcomes and need to be aligned with each other, as well. This is one of the six major pillars for realizing the collective goal of ViksitBharat@2047 in the medium term, as stated in the Economic Survey 2023-24, tabled by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today. Terming that the NEP (New Education Policy) 2020 provides a good framework to realise this objective, the Survey says new skilling initiatives and revamping the existing skilling initiatives should continue to be of high priority to the Government.

Skills are acquired on the foundations built by the education system, especially at the schools. Therefore, schooling should focus on the basic requirement of foundational literacy and numeracy and the realisation of grade-appropriate learning outcomes, adds the Survey. The Survey also calls upon the industry to take lead in skill creation saying it has much to gain from taking the initiative with academic institutions rather than leaving it only up to the governments to do the heavy lifting. Indeed, it should be the other way around, says the Survey.

The Economic Survey 2023-24 states that the government is taking measures to create the job and entrepreneurial opportunities that are in sync with the aspirations and abilities of India’s youth. Highlighting the significant improvement in the proportion of skilled people across all socio-economic classifications, the Survey mentions that 4.4 per cent of the youth in the age cohort of 15-29 years have received formal vocational/technical training, while another 16.6 per cent received training through informal sources.

 

The Economic Survey says that the skill development is at the centre of changes happening in education and labour markets amid the global megatrends, such as automation, action against climate change, the digitalisation of products and services, which are changing the nature of work and skills demands. It says that with one of the youngest populations, a median age of 28, India can harness its demographic dividend by nurturing a workforce that is equipped with employable skills and prepared for the needs of the industry.

The Survey mentions that India has not only recognised the potential of its young workforce but also the issues associated with skilling such a vast population. It says the National Policy on Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (NPSDE) focuses on bridging gaps, improving industry engagement, establishing a quality assurance framework, leveraging technology, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities. This, in combination with the National Education Policy (NEP), holds tremendous potential for bridging the education-employment gap in India, adds the Survey.

The Survey mentions that sixty-five per cent of India’s fast-growing population is under 35, and estimates show that about 51.25 per cent of the youth is deemed employable. However, it must be noted that the percentage has improved from around 34 per cent to 51.3 per cent in the last decade, the Survey adds.

Noting that productive jobs are vital for growth and inclusion, the survey says India’s workforce is estimated to be nearly 56.5 Crore and will continue to grow until 2044. It estimates that the Indian economy needs to generate nearly 78.51 lakh jobs annually in the non-farm sector to cater to the rising workforce. However, to create these many jobs, there is a need to create the conditions for faster growth of productive jobs outside of agriculture, especially in organized manufacturing and services, even while improving productivity in agriculture, the Survey adds.

The Survey calls for maximizing the outcomes from various skilling initiatives through convergence, and utilization of synergies with other employment-centric programmes which can further mutually benefit the two verticals. Linking skill development with Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and employment-linked incentive schemes in high growth potential sectors like toy, apparel, tourism, logistics, textiles, leather sector etc. would aid upgrading of skills as production moves up the value chain. On the apprenticeship promotion front also, there remains considerable scope to add flexibility to the regulatory framework, the Survey noted.

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Top Tourist Places in Bhopal

Here are the top tourist locations in and around Bhopal 
– Upper Lake (Bhojtal): A beautiful man-made lake built in the 11th century to cure skin diseases.
– Van Vihar: A zoological space adjacent to the Upper Lake in Bhopal, near Shymala Hills.
– IGRMS (Museum of Humankind): A museum that depicts the evolution of man and humankind.
– Lower Lake (Chhota Talaab): The Lower Lake is separated from the Upper Lake by an over bridge called Pul Pukhta or Lower Lake Bridge.
– Bhimbetka: A world heritage site housing one of the oldest cave paintings in the world.
– Gohar Begum’s Building: A beautiful structure built in 1820 by the first woman ruler of Bhopal.
– Birla Museum: A museum that perfectly preserves the remnants of Madhya Pradesh’s glorious pre-historic era.
– Shaukat Mahal: A building with a blend of Indo-Islamic and European styles of architecture.
– Jama Masjid: A mosque with a beautiful shrine and two tall minarets, boasting of classic Islamic architecture.
– Moti Masjid: A mosque built in the year 1860 by Sikander Begum with impressive architectural design.

National Youth Awardees and National Service Scheme Awardees

 Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya held an insightful interaction with the National Youth Awardees and National Service Scheme (NSS) Awardees in New Delhi today. The session aimed to celebrate the achievements of these young leaders and discuss strategies to enhance the MY Bharat platform, ensuring it becomes more accessible and beneficial to the youth of India.

Dr. Mandaviya commenced the interaction by acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of the awardees, who hail from different States across India and have made significant impacts in diverse areas such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Change, Urban Planning, Youth Empowerment, Drug Abuse prevention, among others. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing young talent to build a robust future for the nation.

Addressing the participants, Dr, Mandaviya said, “The youth of India are our future decision-makers, and I am excited about our collective journey towards empowering them”.

A significant part of the discussion focused on innovative and collaborative ideas for constructive youth engagement on the MY Bharat platform. Dr. Mandaviya invited suggestions from the awardees on how to make the platform more interactive, informative, and engaging. The awardees proposed ideas such as incorporating more digital tools, making it a one stop solution for all youth-related initiatives, and creating mentorship and internship programs to guide aspiring young leaders.

Dr. Mandaviya encouraged continuous dialogue between the youth and the Ministry to ensure that the needs and aspirations of young Indians are adequately addressed.

Dr. Mandaviya reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering the youth through various schemes and programs. The interaction concluded with a collective vision to make the MY Bharat platform a cornerstone for youth engagement and development. Dr. Mandaviya expressed his optimism about the future and his belief in the transformative power of the youth in driving India towards progress and innovation.

The interaction was also attended by Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and senior officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

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Schemes and key Initiatives under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the next 100 days

 In a daylong meeting in New Delhi today, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram and Minister of State, Shri Durgadas Uikey reviewed the progress of schemes and strategized on key initiatives of the Ministry for the next 100 days.

The meeting commenced with a comprehensive presentation on the Ministry’s schemes and initiatives, followed by an overview of the budget.

Key schemes and initiatives discussed in the meeting were:

  • Scholarships schemes for tribal students
  • Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-JANMAN)
  • Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)
  • Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
  • Livelihood Schemes
  • Grants under Proviso to Article 275 (1) of the Constitution
  • Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)
  • Support to voluntary organisations (NGOs)
  • Major initiatives taken in the health sector, and
  • Other ancillary matters handled by various divisions of the Ministry

Shri Oram emphasised the importance of these initiatives in fostering an inclusive and equitable society. Shri Uikey echoed these sentiments, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to drive these initiatives forward. Secretary (Tribal Affairs), Sh. Vibhu Nayar,  along with senior officers, provided valuable insights and detailed plans to ensure timely and effective implementation.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous commitment of the Ministry to work tirelessly for the outlined goals for empowering tribal community.

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DG India Index 2023-24

 

  • Significant progress in goals on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land.
  • Targeted interventions by the Government such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, Ayushman Arogya  Mandir, PM-Mudra Yojana, Saubhgaya, Start-up India etc. had impact and led to rapid improvement.
  • All States have shown an improvement in overall score
  • Overall SDG score for the country is 71 for 2023-24, significant improvement from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018 (Baseline report).
  • Scores for States range from 57 to 79 in 2023-24, marking a substantial improvement from  the  year  2018  range  of  42  to  69.
  • Significant  progress  in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate  Action) and 15 (Life  on  Land)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action) records highest increase in score from 54 in 2020-21 to 67 in 2023-24 followed by Goal 1 (No Poverty) from 60 to 72
  • A graph showing the number of the country's scoreDescription automatically generated32 States and UTs in the front-runner category with 10 new entrants -Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

 

  • Between 2018 and 2023-24, fastest moving States are Uttar Pradesh (increase in score by 25), followed by J&K (21), Uttarakhand (19), Sikkim (18), Haryana (17), Assam, Tripura and Punjab (16 each), Madhya Pradesh and Odisha (15 each)

 

SDG India Index 2023-24, the fourth edition of the country’s principal tool for measuring national and subnational progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was released today by NITI Aayog. The Index was launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog in the presence of Shri B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog; Shri Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India; Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisr, NITI Aayog and Ms. Isabelle Tschan Harada, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP.

 

  

 

SDG India Index 2023-24 measures and tracks national progress of all States and UTs on 113 indicators aligned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF). The SDG India Index computes goal-wise scores on the 16 SDGs for each State and UT. Overall State and UT scores or Composite Scores are generated from goal-wise scores to measure the aggregate performance of the sub-national unit based on its performance across the 16 SDGs. These scores range between 0–100, and if a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies it has achieved the targets. The higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance covered to the target.

India’s commitment to the SDGs since adopting the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development is reflected in concerted efforts on SDG localisation spearheaded by NITI Aayog, which works closely with States and UTs. NITI Aayog has the twin mandate to oversee the adoption and monitoring of the SDGs in the country and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs. Together with States and UTs, NITI Aayog has focused on the institutionalisation of the SDGs – not only to look at sustainable development as a standalone or parallel framework, but also to make them an integral part of national and subnational thinking about development through institutional ownership, collaborative competition, capacity development, and following a whole-of- society approach.

The launch of the SDG India Index in 2018 provided the impetus for the localisation push, reaffirming States and UTs as key stakeholders in this transformative journey. The SDG India Index has been consistently improved over the years to provide a comprehensive and comparative analysis of progress on the goals. By fostering collaborative competition, the Index not only highlights achievements, but also encourages States and UTs to learn from each other to close outcome-based gaps. Grounded in the globally accepted SDSN methodology, the development of the Index followed extensive consultations with the States and UTs (the primary stakeholders); MoSPI; Union Ministries; and UN agencies. The Index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.

 

Key highlights and results from the fourth edition of the SDG India Index:

  • The composite score for India improved from 57 in 2018 to 66 in 2020-21 to further to 71 in 2023-24

 

  • India has taken significant strides in accelerating progress on the SDGs between the 2020-21 and 2023-24 editions of the Index. Noteworthy advancements have been A graph showing the number of the country's scoreDescription automatically generatedobserved in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action). These are now in the ‘Front Runner’ category (a score between 65–99).

 

  • Among these, Goal 13 (Climate Action) has shown the most substantial improvement, with its score increasing from 54 to 67. Goal 1 (No Poverty) follows closely, with its score rising significantly from 60 to 72. The progress underscores the effects of the focused programmatic interventions and schemes of the Union and State Governments in improving the lives of citizens.

 

  • Since 2018, India has witnessed substantial progress in several key SDGs. Significant progress has been made in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

 

  • Government’s focus on ensuring food & nutrition security, health, education, electrification, housing for all, sanitation, clean cooking fuel & energy has significantly contributed to the improvements. 

 

  • Key interventions facilitating SDG achievements include:
    • Over 4 crore houses under the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY),
    • 11 crore Toilets & 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes in rural areas
    • 10 crore LPG connections under PM Ujjwala Yojana,
    • Tap water connections in over 14.9 crore households under  Jal Jeevan Mission
    • Over 30 crore beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
    • Coverage of over 80 crore people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
    • Access to 150,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandir which offer primary medical care and provide affordable generic medicines
    • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of ₹34 lakh crore made through PM-Jan Dhan accounts.
    • The Skill India Mission has led to over 1.4 crore youth being trained and upskilled and has reskilled 54 lakh youth
    • PM Mudra Yojana sanctioned 43 crore loans aggregating to ₹22.5 lakh crore for entrepreneurial aspirations of the youth besides Funds of Funds
    • Start Up India and Start Up Guarantee schemes assisting the youth
    • The Saubhagya scheme for access to electricity
    • Emphasis on renewable energy resulted in an increase in solar power capacity from 2.82 GW to 73.32 GW in the past decade.
    • Between 2017 and 2023, India has added around 100 GW of installed electric capacity, of which around 80% is attributed to non-fossil fuel-based resource.
    • Improvement in digital infrastructure with reduced internet data costs by 97% which has in turn positively affected and fostered financial inclusion

State and UT results

  • The SDG India Index 2023-24 reports a positive trend in the performance of States and UTs in their SDG journey. The scores for States now range from 57 to 79, while UTs score between 65 and 77. This represents an improvement over the 2020-21 scores, where the range was 52 to 75 for States and 62 to 79 for UTs.

 

 The performance of State and UTs in terms of their overall score is given below:

 

  • The Index records a significant increase in the number of States and UTs achieving Front Runner status. This year, 32 States/UTs have scored between 65 and 99, up from 22 in the 2020-21 edition. Notably, there are 10 new States and UTs in the Front Runner category. These include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

 

  • The SDG India Index 2023-24 demonstrates the increase in composite scores across all States, with improvements ranging from 1 to 8 points. Leading the way in terms of score improvement are Assam, Manipur, Punjab, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir, each achieving a positive change of 8 points since the 2020-21 edition.

 

  • Progress on the SDGs over the last four editions of the Index:

 

 

  • Index methodology:
    • The methodology of the Index involves a series of steps. The first step consists of compiling raw data for the selected indicators and identifying data gaps (if any). Subsequently, target values for 2030 are established for each indicator, providing clear benchmarks for evaluating progress. The raw data is then normalised, transforming it into a score ranging from 0 to 100. The Goal score for each SDG is computed by taking the arithmetic mean of the normalized scores of its relevant indicators. The composite SDG India Index score is derived as an average of all Goal scores. The index and indicators are updated incorporating the latest developments in data availability.
    • Goal 14 has not been included in the calculation of the Composite Score for the Index as it solely pertains to the nine coastal States.

 

  • The SDG India Index 2023–24 is also live on an online dashboard. The dashboard provides user friendly visualizations to identify crucial development outcome based gaps at the national and subnational levels.

 

  • NITI Aayog has the mandate for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels.           

 

  • The results demonstrated in the Index are not only significant at the national and subnational levels, but have the potential to inform other countries in their pursuit of accelerating progress on the SDGs. This is due to the sheer scale of transformation brought forth through focused interventions and schemes in India which provide valuable lessons for the rest of the world.

 

  • NITI Aayog is committed to supporting all the States and UTs in the localisation and acceleration of SDGs, an important barometer to measure progress towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The SDG India Index stands as a key milestone for measuring our progress and will help steer discussions, deliberations, and decisions in the journey ahead.

 

  • The Goal wise progress of states since the baseline is given in the Annexure.

 

Annexure

GOAL-WISE RESULTS

Goal 1 – No Poverty

 

A map of different countries/regions with different colored areasDescription automatically generated

 

Goal-1 (No Poverty) improved by 12 points from 2020-21 (Index 3) to 2023-24 (Index 4), advancing from Performer to Front Runner category.

  • Multidimensional poverty nearly halved from 24.8% to 14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
  • Multidimensional poverty for 2022-23 further likely dropped to 11.28%, with 24.8 crore people moving out of multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23.
  • 99.7% were offered employment of the persons demanding employment under MGNREGA in 2023–2024.
  • 95.4% households live in pucca/ semi-pucca houses as per NFHS-5 (2019-21).
  • 41% of households have at least one member covered under health insurance or health scheme as per NFHS-5 (2019-21), an improvement from 28.7% in NFHS -4 (2015-16).

 

Goal 2 – Zero Hunger

 

 

Improvement in overall composite score of Goal 2 moving from Aspirant category in SDG India Index 3 (2020-21) to Performer category in the SDG India Index 4 (2023-24)

  • 99.01% of beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
  • Improvement in productivity of rice and wheat from 2995.21 kg/ha in 2018-19 to 3052.25 kg/ha in TE 2021-22
  • Increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) (constant prices) in agriculture per worker from ₹ 0.71 lakhs in 2018-19 to ₹ 0.86 lakhs in 2022-23

 

Goal 3- Good Health and Well-being

 

 

  • Overall score improved substantially from 52 in 2018 to 77 in 2023-24
  • Maternal Mortality Rate per 1,00,000 live births stand at 97
  • Reduced under 5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) from 36 in 2016-18 to 32 in 2018-20. 
  • 93.23% children aged 9-11 months are fully immunized
  • 87.13% tuberculosis cases notified against target
  • 97.18% of total deliveries reported in health institutions

SDG 4 – Quality Education

 

  • Adjusted Net Enrolment Rate (ANER) for elementary education is 96.5% for 2021-22, up from 87.26% in 2018-19, with 14 States and UTs achieving 100%.
  • Pupil Teacher Ratio is 18 for 2021-22, thus achieving the target of 30. 
  • 88.65% of schools have access to both electricity and drinking water.
  • 100% parity between females and males in Higher Education (18-23 years)

 

Goal 5 – Gender Equality

 

 

  • Overall score improved significantly from 36 in 2018 to 49 in 203-24.
  • Sex ratio at birth (females per 1,000 males) stands at 929
  • Improved ratio of female to male earnings (regular waged salaried employees) from 0.74 in 2018-19 to 0.76 in 2022-23
  • Improved ratio of female to male Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) (15-59 years) from 0.33 in 2018-19 to 0.48 in 2022-23
  • 74.1% of married women have their demand for family planning met by any modern method as per NHFS -5.
  • 53.90% of women own a mobile phone that they themselves use (aged 15-59 years) as per NHFS -5.
  • 88.70% of married women participate in three household decisions as per NHFS -5.

 

SDG 6 -Clean Water and Sanitation

 

  • Significant improvement in score from 63 in 2018 to 89 in 2023-24
  • All individual household toilets have been constructed against target and all districts have verified to be ODF under SBM(G).
  • 99.29% of rural households have improved their source of drinking water. 
  • 94.7% of schools have functional toilets for girls.
  • Overexploitation in blocks/mandals/taluks has reduced from 17.24% in 2017 to 11.23% in 2022.

 

Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy 

 

  • Highest score amongst all SDGs also significant improvement from 51 in 2018 to 96 in 2023-24
  • 100% households have access to electricity under Saubhagya Scheme.
  • Significant improvement in households have clean cooking fuel (LPG + PNG) connections from 92.02% (2020) to 96.35% (2024)

 

Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

 

  • 5.88% of annual growth rate of India’s GDP per capita at constant prices in 2022–2023
  • Reduction in unemployment rate (15-59 years) from 6.2% in 2018-19 to 3.40% in 2022-23
  • Increased Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) (%) (15-59 years) from 53.6% in 2018-19 to 61.60% in 2022-23
  • 95.70% of households have one member with a bank or post office account
  • 55.63% of accounts in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) are held by women

 

SDG 9  – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

 

  • Improvement in score from 41 in 2018 to 61 in 2023-24
  • 99.70% of all targeted habitations are now connected with all-weather roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, an improvement from 47.38% in 2017-18.
  • 93.3% of households own atleast one mobile phone.
  • 95.08% of villages have 3G/4G mobile internet coverage.

 

Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities

 

 

  • 45.61% seats of Panchayati Raj Institutions held by women.
  • 28.57% representation of SC/ST persons in state legislative assemblies.

 

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

 

  • Significant improvement in score from 39 in 2018 to 83 in 2023-24
  • Installed sewage treatment capacity as a percentage of sewage generated in urban areas has increased from 38.86% in 2018 to 51% in 2020-21. 
  • The percentage of municipal solid waste processed has increased from 68% in 2020 to 78.46% in 2024.
  • 97% of wards have 100% door to door waste collection.
  • 90% of wards have 100% source segregation under SBM (U).

 

Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

  • 91.5% of biomedical waste generated is treated in 2022.
  • 54.99% hazardous waste recycled/utilized of total hazardous waste generated in 2022-23– an increase compared to 44.89% in 2018-19.

 

Goal 13 – Climate Action

 

 

  • Drastic improvement of 13 points in overall composite score of Goal 13 from 54 (Performer category) in SDG India Index 3 (2020-21) to 67 (Front Runner category) in the SDG India Index 4 (2023-24)
  • Disaster preparedness score as per Disaster Resilience Index stands at 19.20
  • Improvement in electricity generation from renewable energy from 36.37% in 2020 to 43.28% in 2024
  • 94.86% of industries comply with environmental standards

 

Goal 15 – Life on Land

 

 

The score increased from 66 in Index 3 (2020-21) to 75 in Index 4 (2023-24). The number of States/UTs in Front Runner category increased from 17 in 2020-21 to 32 in 2023-24.

  • Nearly 25% geographical area under forests and tree cover – as per India State of Forest Report 2021.
  • 1.11% increase in carbon stock in forest cover – as per India State of Forest Report 2021.

 

Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

 

  • 95.5% of the population is under Aadhaar coverage as of March 2024.
  • 89% of births registered of children under five years as per NFHS-5 (2019-21)
  • 71.3% charge sheeting rate of IPC crimes as per NCRB 2022.

Report is available online (https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-07/SDA_INDIA.pdf)

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Eco-friendly solvents offer solutions for sustainable and diverse silk industry

 Researchers have found an eco-friendly approach that can eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in silk processing. 

Traditionally, toxic chemicals like sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, and lithium bromide have been used to extract silk proteins, fibroin and sericin from various types of raw silk fibers, an important step in the process of making silk from cocoons.

A team at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) Guwahati, an autonomous institute of Department of Science & Technology, has identified Ionic Liquids (ILs) which can be promising sustainable alternatives to the toxic chemicals currently in use for the silk protein extraction process.

The team led by Dr. Kamatchi Sankaranarayan has identified 4 different ILs that can be effective in extracting silk proteins from raw fibres.

This new research, published in Chemistry Select by Wiley Publishers, has potential for use in sericin extraction from both mulberry (Bombyx mori) and non-mulberry silks, such as Muga (Antheraea assamensis) and Eri (Philosamia ricini), indigenous to Northeast India.

 

 

The researchers explored six different ILs and found some of them were particularly effective in removing sericin without damaging the silk protein structure. The ones showing greatest promise included 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIM.Cl), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIM.BF4), and Tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB). TEAB appeared to be highly effective due to its ability to destabilize sericin proteins.

The research holds great significance for the silk industry. Not only does it offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical methods, but it also paves the way for efficient sericin extraction from non-mulberry silks, potentially leading to new applications for these unique fibers.

This is the first instance of using ILs for sericin extraction from non-mulberry silks, highlighting the potential of this new approach for a more sustainable and diverse silk industry.

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Department of Fisheries organizes the Fisheries Summer Meet 2024 at Madurai, Tamil Nadu

 With an aim to hold strategic discussions with States/UTs to deliberate on the progress and way forward for the development of the fisheries sector,  Department of Fisheries, Government of India  organized the ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024’ at Madurai, Tamil Nadu today. A total of 321 impactful projects under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an outlay of Rs.114 Crore, covering 19 State/UTs were virtually inaugurated by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. Ministers of state for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian were also present on the occasion. During the program, live virtual interactions with fishermen and fisherwomen were held from the inaugural sites.

The Union minister inaugurated an exhibition that showcased various aquaculture technologies such as RAS, BioFloc, technologies used for ornamental fisheries, pearl cultivation etc. Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh also distributed KCC, presented PMMSY achievement award letters to beneficiaries and felicitated FFPOs onboarded on Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC). He also interacted with the entrepreneurs and scientists during the walkthrough of the exhibition.

Department of Fisheries (GoI) has provided financial assistance for formation of 2195

FFPOs under PMMSY and around 95 FFPOs have been onboarded on the ONDC network. This collaboration with ONDC has served numerous benefits for the FFPOs like reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, improved transparency, increased competition & competitiveness, innovation,  employment generation etc. Six participants onboarded onto the ONDC network, namely, Gorakhpur Kissan Producer Company Limited, District Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Kapsi Fishery Farmer Producer Company Ltd., District Kanker, Chhattisgarh, Banmankhi Fish Farmer Company Limited, District, Purnia, Bihar, Bastarpearl Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Lari Fish Producer Company Ltd., District Deoria, Uttar Pradesh and Kondapaka Fisheries Producer Company Limited, District Siddipet, Telangana were felicitated for their contribution in the growth of the Fisheries sector during the event.

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh also distributed KCC certificates and PMMSY sanction orders to the beneficiaries. The recipient beneficiaries for ornamental fisheries units included Ms Yogeshwari W/o. Shri Kathiresh Kumar, Ms Suguna W/o. Shri Muthu Pandi, Ms Sindhu W/o. Shri Sudhakar, Ms Kalaiyarasi W/o. Shri Sakthivel and Ms Pachaiyammal W/o. Shri Mathialagan.

Department of Fisheries, Government of India and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal

Department of Fisheries along with Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &

Dairying (GoI) marked five years of its creation in 2024. Since its genesis, Department of Fisheries (DoF) has undertaken various strategic initiatives for the growth and development of the Indian Fisheries sector. In order to harness the potential of fisheries resources in a sustainable manner and bringing in holistic development in the Fisheries sector, DoF (GoI) has launched various schemes, namely Blue Revolution (BR), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Crad (KCC) and the upcoming sub-scheme under PMMSY. It envisages a cumulative investment of Rs 38,572 crore through these schemes to address sectoral gaps and bring in structural changes.

The event also witnessed the presence of Dr. Sanjay Kumar Nishad, Minister of Fisheries, Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Renu Devi, Minister of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Bihar, Shri Keshab Mahanta, Fisheries Minister, Assam, Shri Alexander Laloo Hek, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries Department, Meghalaya, Shri Gabriel D. Wangsu, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Food & Civil Supply, Arunachal Pradesh and Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of State (Incharge), Odisha.

 

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Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Conducts Regional Training of 21st Livestock Census on Software and Breeds to State and District Nodal Officers of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura

 The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, in coordination with Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Nagaland with Nagaland as the host State conducted a “Regional Training of 21st Livestock Census on Software (Mobile Application/ Dashboard and Breeds) for State and District Nodal Officers (DNO/SNO) of Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura”. The workshop was held today at Dimapur, Nagaland to train the DNO/SNO of these four states for understanding of newly launch applications for conducting 21st Livestock census which is scheduled during September-December 2024. The training programme was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Kazheto Kinimi – Advisor for Animal Husbandry Government of Nagaland  with the presence Shri Vikeyie Kenya IAS Commissioner Secretary Department of AH and VS  in  Govt of Nagaland and Shri Jagat Hazarika Advisor ( Statistics) Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying , Government of India.

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The workshop featured a series of sessions beginning with a brief description of the 21st Livestock Census by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, followed by a detailed presentation from ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on the breed details of species to be covered in the census. The importance of accurate breed identification was emphasized, which is crucial for producing precise statistics used in various livestock sector programs and for the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

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The workshop included detailed sessions on the methodologies and live application of software of 21st Livestock Census by Software team of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Government of India trained on the mobile application and dashboard software for State and District Nodal Officers. These Nodal officers shall conduct training for enumerators at their respective District Head Quarters.

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Shri V.P Singh Director (Statistics) Division), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Sh, B.P. Mishra Director ( NBAGR).

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Department of Fisheries organizes the ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024' today at Madurai, Tamil Nadu

 Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, organized the ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024’ Today at Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024’ aimed at recognizing the contributions made by fish farmers, aquapreneurs, and fishermen for the development of the fisheries sector, showcase the achievements of DoF (GoI) and raise awareness about the sector.

 312 Fisheries Projects covering 19 States/UTs across the country with an investment of Rs. 114 crore, supported under the DoF (GoI) flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), were inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the presence of Prof. S P Singh Baghel MoS, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Shri George Kurian, MoS, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs.

 Union Minister Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh discussed the role of various stakeholders in the fisheries sector and implementation of the PMMSY scheme, that aims to enhance fish production and productivity through modern fishing and aquaculture methods. Shri Singh emphasized on the importance of high-quality seeds, brood banks, RAS, Biofloc, deep-sea vessels, and technology infusion for increasing production. He encouraged States/UTs to raise awareness about KCC, insurance etc. Additionally, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the sector’s unorganized nature but expressed confidence that collaborative efforts amongst stakeholders shall address these issues.

 

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Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, commended the exchange of knowledge and perspectives amongst beneficiaries and senior officials from various states. He underscored the significance of the fisheries sector in bolstering the Indian economy and acknowledged the vital role of fishers and fish farmers in meeting rising demands of food and nutrition. He also highlighted the importance of sustainable fishing practices that enhances productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, he encouraged approval of KCC to the beneficiaries from Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sectors.

Shri George Kurian, MoS of MoFAH&D and the Ministry of Minority Affairs, highlighted the achievements of the Indian fisheries sector, noting the unique contribution of inland fisheries. Emphasis was laid on the substantial investments in schemes and GoI’s vision for holistic growth, prioritizing socio-economic prosperity for fishers and farmers.

State Fisheries Ministers present during the event shared the growth and development in the fisheries sector in their respective states. Ministers highlighted state-specific gaps and areas of focus to ensure the sustainable growth of the fisheries sector in their states. While they emphasized on taking up technical training, capacity building, handholding, technology infusion, and research as major focus areas, they proposed to prioritize support for the families and welfare of traditional fishers and fish farmers.

The august gathering of senior leadership was welcomed by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, DoF, GoI, that was followed by an impactful video on the achievements of DoF (GoI).

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (IF), presented the overall progress of sector and effort made by DoF (GoI) covering various focus areas. This included production and aquaculture, various GoI schemes and initiatives, the progress and impact of ongoing schemes, and a discussion on focus areas for the States/UTs. Additionally, he shared information on Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a new sub-scheme under PMMSY, outlining its goals and components and conveyed the expectations from the State/UTs for their active participation.

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Beneficiaries from different States/UTs namely Shri Harendra Rabha, Assam, Shri Prem shankar, Bihar, Smt. Purnima Sahu, Chhattisgarh, Shri Clement Fernandes, Goa, Shri Vinod Kumar, Himachal Pradesh, Smt. Shifa Jahur Hakim, Maharashtra, Smt. Geeta Saxena, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Hajerommabi M., Lakshadweep, Shri Nithish Kumar, Karnataka and Shri Nishant Kumar, Jharkhand interacted with the Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh. The beneficiaries discussed their experiences, highlighted their issues and appreciated the efforts of DoF (GoI). They also highlighted that support recieved in form of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and financial assistance under PMMSY helped and supported them in making their initiatives and businesses successful.

Dr. J K Jena, DDG (Fisheries) from ICAR gave a presentation on the research and development initiatives undertaken in fisheries and aquaculture. This was followed by a deliberation in which representatives from the different states presented their viewpoints. The senior officials present were Shri Rajeev Ranjan, Principal Secretary,  Haryana, Shri Thiru. Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, Commissioner of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu, Shri Aboobaker  Siddiqui  P, Secretary,  Fisheries, Jharkhand, Smt. Nandini  Paliwal, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary Andaman  Nicobar  Island, Shri E.Vallavan, Secretary, Goa. Focus areas and priorities that came up during the discussion included strengthening of infrastructure, maintaining a comprehensive fisheries’ database, ease of availing KCC by fishers and fish farmers, availability of quality seed, improved coordination with state governments, boosting tourism etc.

Hence, the observations received during the Fisheries Summer Meet 2024 are expected to play a crucial role in defining priorities at Center and States/UTs for successful implementation of projects and identify sectoral needs and priorities for sustainable, equitable and inclusive development of the Indian fisheries sector.

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Concept of Viksit Bharat is not just a goal but a sacred mission

 The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today remarked that concept of Viksit Bharat @2047 is not just a goal but a sacred mission. Asserting that this century belongs to Bharat, he called upon “every citizen, every institution, and every sector of our society” to contribute their utmost.

Addressing the students and faculty of NMIMS in Mumbai today, VP underlined that as a consequence of series of affirmative governance initiatives, there has been a sea change in the business ecosystem and India is now seen as a favourite destination of investments and opportunities.

Shri Dhankhar compared India’s political journey to a rocket’s ascent, emphasizing resilience and progress despite occasional challenges. He noted that just as air pockets do not disturb a flight’s trajectory or destination, India’s political challenges have not hindered its rise. Highlighting the nation’s significant progress, Shri Dhankhar emphasized on the immense effort required a decade ago to launch this journey and remarked “Trust me, the next five years will see India’s rise like that of a rocket breaking beyond gravitational force.”

Highlighting the presence of nefarious forces with pernicious designs attempting to demean and taint the nation’s progress, the Vice-President called on the youth to actively counter negative narratives aimed at tarnishing India’s institutions and growth trajectory.

Talking about the abrogation of Article 370, VP referred to a Parliamentary discussion in 1963 in which the then Prime Minister had stated that Article 370 would wear away over time, emphasizing its temporary nature. Thanking the Parliamentarians for their decisive action in abrogating Article 370 in 2019, Shri Dhankhar mentioned that that the outcomes might have been different had Dr. Ambedkar drafted Article 370 or Sardar Patel been in charge of the integration of Jammu and Kashmir after the independence.

In his address, the Vice-President highlighted the illustrious history of India’s renowned educational institutions like Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramshila, and Vallabhi. He emphasized that these ancient universities made India a knowledge powerhouse, significantly enhancing its diplomatic soft power and shaping trade directions. He also underlined the critical relevance of higher education in national development and empowerment, drawing from the legacy of these historic centers of learning.

Highlighting the transformative power of education, Shri Dhankhar described it as a driving force that empowers individuals, fosters innovation, and propels economic growth, contributing significantly to societal and national progress.

On this occasion, VP also urged the youth to break free from conventional thinking and embrace the vast opportunities available to today. Expressing the need to move beyond the traditional focus on competitive examinations and explore the new, unconventional prospects emerging in various fields, Shri Dhankhar encouraged everyone to look beyond the horizon and recognize the immense potential in emerging areas such as AI, quantum computing, Green Hydrogen Mission.

Dr. (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar, Shri Ramesh Bais, the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Praful Patel, the Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri Amrishbhai Rasiklal Patel, Chancellor of NMIMS, Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice-Chancellor, NMIMS, Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, NMIMS, faculty members, staff and students were present on the occasion.\

Read full text here : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2032761

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Common Names and terms associated with Statistical Analysis

 Here are some common names and terms associated with statistical analysis:

Descriptive Statistics

  1. Mean – The average of a set of numbers.
  2. Median – The middle value in a list of numbers.
  3. Mode – The most frequently occurring value in a set of numbers.
  4. Range – The difference between the highest and lowest values.
  5. Variance – Measures the dispersion of a set of data points.
  6. Standard Deviation – The square root of the variance, representing the average amount of variability in a set of data.

Inferential Statistics

  1. Population – The entire group that you want to draw conclusions about.
  2. Sample – A subset of the population used to represent the population.
  3. Hypothesis Testing – A method for testing a claim or hypothesis about a parameter in a population.
  4. Confidence Interval – A range of values that is likely to contain the population parameter.
  5. p-value – The probability of observing a test statistic as extreme as, or more extreme than, the value observed under the null hypothesis.
  6. t-test – A statistical test used to compare the means of two groups.
  7. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) – A statistical method used to compare the means of three or more samples.
  8. Chi-Square Test – A test that measures how expectations compare to actual observed data.

Regression Analysis

  1. Linear Regression – A method to model the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables.
  2. Multiple Regression – An extension of linear regression that uses multiple independent variables to predict a dependent variable.
  3. Logistic Regression – A regression model used for binary classification.

Correlation

  1. Pearson Correlation – Measures the linear relationship between two continuous variables.
  2. Spearman Rank Correlation – Measures the strength and direction of association between two ranked variables.

Advanced Statistical Methods

  1. Factor Analysis – A method used to identify underlying relationships between variables.
  2. Cluster Analysis – A method used to group similar data points together.
  3. Time Series Analysis – Techniques used to analyze time-ordered data points.

Data Visualization

  1. Histogram – A graphical representation of the distribution of numerical data.
  2. Box Plot – A standardized way of displaying the distribution of data based on a five-number summary.
  3. Scatter Plot – A graph used to display values for typically two variables for a set of data.

Non-parametric Tests

  1. Mann-Whitney U Test – A test used to compare differences between two independent groups.
  2. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test – A test used to compare two paired groups.
  3. Kruskal-Wallis Test – An extension of the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing more than two groups.

Benefits of Open Access publication of Research Report and Books

Daily writing prompt
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?
View all responses

Open access (OA) publication has revolutionized the way research and academic works are disseminated, making knowledge more accessible to a broader audience. This approach offers numerous benefits for authors, researchers, and the public. Here are some of the key advantages of open access publication of research reports and books:

1. Increased Visibility and Impact

Open access publications are freely available online, allowing anyone with internet access to read and download them. This increased visibility can lead to a higher citation rate compared to traditional subscription-based publications. Researchers benefit from the wider dissemination of their work, which can lead to greater recognition and impact within their field.

2. Enhanced Accessibility

By removing paywalls and subscription barriers, open access ensures that important research findings are accessible to a global audience, including students, educators, policymakers, and practitioners who might not have the resources to access subscription journals. This democratization of knowledge promotes educational equity and supports the advancement of science and scholarship.

3. Faster Dissemination

Traditional publishing models often involve lengthy delays between submission, peer review, and final publication. Open access platforms can expedite this process, allowing new research to be disseminated more quickly. This is particularly important in fast-moving fields where timely access to the latest findings is crucial.

4. Greater Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Research

Open access facilitates greater collaboration among researchers by making it easier to access and build upon each other’s work. This can foster interdisciplinary research, where insights and methodologies from different fields are combined to address complex problems. Open access publications often include features like data sharing and open peer review, further enhancing collaborative efforts.

5. Compliance with Funding Requirements

Many funding agencies and institutions now require that the results of the research they support be made freely available to the public. Open access publication complies with these mandates, ensuring that publicly funded research is accessible to taxpayers and other stakeholders who have a vested interest in the outcomes.

6. Long-Term Preservation and Archiving

Open access platforms often use digital repositories and archives to ensure the long-term preservation of scholarly works. These repositories provide permanent and stable URLs for publications, making it easier to cite and access them over time. This contrasts with traditional subscription journals, which may face issues related to journal closures or changes in access policies.

7. Cost Savings for Institutions

Academic institutions, especially those with limited budgets, face significant financial burdens due to the high cost of journal subscriptions. By supporting open access initiatives, institutions can alleviate some of these costs while still providing their researchers and students with access to high-quality academic content. This can also lead to more equitable access to information across institutions globally.

8. Public Engagement and Societal Impact

Open access publications can reach a wider audience beyond the academic community, including journalists, policymakers, industry professionals, and the general public. This broader reach can enhance the societal impact of research by informing public debates, influencing policy decisions, and contributing to informed decision-making in various sectors.

9. Ethical Considerations

From an ethical standpoint, open access aligns with the principle that knowledge should be freely shared for the benefit of all. It supports the notion that research funded by public money should be accessible to the public, promoting transparency and accountability in the research process.

Conclusion

The benefits of open access publication of research reports and books are manifold, ranging from increased visibility and impact to enhanced accessibility and collaboration. By embracing open access, the academic community can ensure that knowledge is shared more widely and equitably, ultimately advancing scientific progress and societal well-being. As the open access movement continues to grow, it holds the promise of transforming the landscape of scholarly communication for the better.

DoT organises workshop on ‘Transforming Rural Landscapes: Designing 5G Intelligent Villages’

 The transformative potential of future technologies, such as 5G, to revolutionize life in rural areas, was the focus of a workshop on “Transforming Rural Landscape: Designing 5 G Intelligent Villages” held here today. The Workshop was organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) which is spearheading these efforts by unlocking the potential of 5G technology for rural development.

Emphasizing the government’s priority on enhancing rural development, the workshop showcased initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, digital literacy, and sustainable practices to significantly enhance the quality of life for rural communities.

 

In his inaugural address, Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (T) highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving the vision of intelligent villages. He discussed the concept of “smart” and “intelligent” villages, emphasizing the ability of these communities to interact, sense their surroundings, convey data, and extract knowledge, to be able to make informed decisions. He urged Industry and TSPs to come forward and adopt villages and employ technology to make them intelligent villages.  He expressed the hope that  workshop will come out with smart solution and test use-cases  for  creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our rural communities.

Member (T) Ms Madhu Arora emphasised on the need to bridge the digital gap between Urban and Rural landscapes. She said, the evolving technologies have the potential to enrich the lives of people in rural areas in all spheres of life, be it education, health, environment, agriculture and conservation and intelligent use of natural resources etc.

DDG(SRI) Shri A Robert J Ravi firmly asserted that technology must enhance the lives of people in rural areas to be truly valuable. Therefore, we need to develop innovative solutions, ranging from ‘Intelligent Display’ to micro-robots, to create 5G Intelligent Villages that will positively affect all sectors and benefit the society at large, particularly the rural population.

The sessions at the Workshop included ‘Building the backbone of rural connectivity’; ‘ Real world use cases and innovations’; ‘AI-powered real time monitoring’; and ‘On-ground 5G network infrastructure’.  A panel discussion was also  held on Deployment of “Intelligent Villages”.  It featured a series of presentations and interactions on topics such as renewable energy, smart agriculture, digital literacy, and infrastructure development. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry experts and explore practical applications of these technologies in their own communities.

Senior DoT officials, Industry people, MSMEs, start-ups, academia and other stakeholders participated in the Workshop.

The workshop aimed at integrating technology and rural development to enhance quality of life. The integration of cutting-edge innovations, like 5G, with traditional rural practices was highlighted as a pathway to foster sustainable growth and improve living standards in rural areas.

The 5G Intelligent Village Initiative of the DoT (see link attached) responds to the pressing need for equitable technological advancement by harnessing the transformative power of 5G technology to uplift rural communities. “From Connectivity Gaps to Smart Solutions: Designing 5G Networks for Rural Innovation- 5G Intelligent Villages”- aims to addresses critical pillars such as agriculture, education, healthcare, governance, and sustainability (see link attached). https://youtube.com/shorts/ufQzwxh8nZ0?si=e0vMGtASR6NTmaz1.

By leveraging such advancements, the government aims to ensure that rural areas are not left behind in the global push for technological progress and sustainability.

The Intelligent Village Workshop is a significant step forward in the journey towards empowering rural areas, demonstrating the government’s priority to integrate future technologies and sustainable practices in the development of intelligent villages.

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Webinar to boost Jute Craft based livelihoods

 To boost livelihoods in the non-farm sector, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development organized a webinar on Jute Craft yesterday. The webinar was aimed to bring together key stakeholders from various areas of the Jute craft industry to discuss its status, challenges and opportunities.

In his address, Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods stated that Jute has the potential of proving itself ‘Golden Fiber’ for livelihoods and ‘Green Fiber’ for the environment. He urged the experts and participants to focus on ways to bring down its production cost and enhance marketing efforts so that Jute craft gets its due recognition as the Golden Fiber and Green Fiber both. With its potential of enhancing incomes it will add to efforts of enabling Lakhpati Didis as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Welcoming the participants, Ms Rajeshwari SM, Director, MoRD said the webinar would provide a platform for experts and practitioners to share insights on technological advancements, market strategies and the experiences of women artisans in the field.

Shri Kishan Singh Ghughtyal, Joint Director, National Jute Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India highlighted initiatives of the government for promoting Jute craft with the help of advance technology in reducing drudgery and ensuring diversity of Jute products.Shri Tamal Sarkar, Senior Advisor, Foundation for MSME Cluster (FMC), shared insights on cluster interventions in Jute crafts. Ms. Anjali Singh, artisan and entrepreneur, shared practical experience on the scope & challenges for women artisans in Jute craft marketing and promotion facilitators.

The Indian Jute Industry is a very old & predominant in the eastern part of India. Jute fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant grown as a cash crop in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura. In fact, Jute mills form an important industry here and this industry occupies significant place in the Indian economy.

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