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World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report

World Economic Forum: The Future of Jobs Report

The Future of Jobs Report 2018 from World Economic Forum (WEF) released on Monday September 17, 2018 is more positive on the outlook for job creation as the technological changes including artificial intelligence, robots and automation, high-speed mobile Internet and cloud technology, nanotechnology, 3D printing and biotechnology, are expected to drive a significant shift on the frontier between humans and machines and these developments in the workplace could create 58 million new jobs in the next five years.

This Fourth Industrial Revolution, which basically refers to the ways new technologies will alter the way people live, work and relate to one another, will cause widespread disruption not only to business models but also to labour markets and enormous change is predicted in the skill sets needed to thrive in the new landscape. This report aims to unpack and provide specific information on the relative magnitude of these trends by industry and geography, and on the expected time horizon for their impact to be felt on job functions, employment levels and skills.

However, over the coming years, there is enormous scope and a clear unmet need in creating the hard and soft infrastructure to power the Fourth Industrial Revolution, from digital communication networks to renewable and smart energy grids to smart schools and hospitals to improved care homes and childcare facilities.

According to Klaus Schwab WEF founder and executive chairman, “Workforce transformations are no longer an aspect of the distant future.”

WEF report says that in future machines will rule the workplace, as an increasing share of a company’s information and data processing work will be taken over by machines, which will perform 42% of total task hours across industries spanning manufacturing, services and high tech by 2022, as against 29% being performed in 2018. Humans are expected to work an average of 58% of task hours by 2022, up from the current task hours of 71% in 2018.

As per the Future of Jobs Report 2018 report:

  • Globally, almost half of all companies expect automation to cut their full-time, permanent workforce in the next four years;
  • Some companies could choose to use temporary workers, freelancers and specialist contractors, while others may automate many of the tasks.
  • New skill sets for employees will be needed as labour between machines and humans continue to evolve.
  • Report identified the reskilling and up-skilling of employees as an urgent imperative.
  • New jobs will still lead to a net gain in employment opportunities if sufficient reskilling is done.
  • In India, 54% of employees in 12 key industry sectors will need reskilling by 2022.
  • Companies, governments and employees need to work together to tackle skills shortages that occur due to automation, according to WEF.
  • Opportunity for higher productivity growth would be created if companies can effectively manage upgrading the skills of existing workers and splitting tasks between employees and machines

On the impact of Artificial Intelligence on jobs many experts have predicted that machines will ultimately replace millions of jobs in the next decade, whereas, the conventional wisdom among many business executives is that AI will also create new jobs.

Fourth Industrial Revolution holds both challenges and opportunities as the new labour market is taking shape in its wake. As companies begin to formulate business transformation and workforce strategies over the course of the 2018–2022 period, they have a genuine window of opportunity to leverage new technologies, including automation, to enhance economic value creation through new activities, improve job quality in traditional and newly emerging occupations, and augment their employees’ skills to reach their full potential to perform new high value added work tasks, some of which will have never before been performed by human workers. Such an ‘augmentation strategy’ will receive progressively more attention over the coming years, including through upcoming work by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society.

It is hoped that the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2018 provides both a call to action and a useful tool for proactively shaping the future of jobs. The governments, industries and workers alike should ensure that tomorrow’s jobs are fairly remunerated, entail treatment with respect and decency and provide realistic scope for personal growth, development and fulfilment.

World Biofuel Day 2018

World Biofuel Day 2018

World Biofuel Day 2018, with an aim to create awareness about importance non-fossil fuels i.e. the Biofuels, as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels was observed across the World on Friday August 10, 2018 and on that occasion India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, while addressing a diverse gathering, consisting of farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, government officials, and legislators, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi said that biofuels can provide fresh momentum to India in the 21st  century. He added that it is fuel produced from crops, which can change lives of people in both villages and cities. Prime Minister released a booklet on “National Policy on Biofuels 2018.” He also launched “PARIVESH”, “Proactive and Responsive Facilitation, by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single-window Hub” for speedy environment clearance of projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented a Tulsi Plant by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the World Biofuel Day celebration at the Vigyan Bhavan.

Sir Rudolph Diesel, inventor of Diesel Engine, had for the first time on this day of August 10 in 1993 successfully run a mechanical engine with Peanut Oil and predicted that vegetable oil will replace the fossil fuels in the next century to fuel different mechanical engines.

“Ethanol blending programme was started during Vajpayee government. But previous governments did not take ethanol programme seriously. Now we will produce 450 crore litre of ethanol in next four years from existing 141 crore litre. It will result in import savings of ₹12,000 crore,” Modi said while addressing the event to mark World Biofuel Day.

Prime Minister said that schemes such as Jandhan, Vandhan and Gobardhan are helping to transform the lives of the poor, the tribal population, and the farmers. He said that the transformative potential of biofuels can be realised only through the participation of students, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs and the people. He urged everyone present to help take the benefits of biofuel to the rural areas.

  • Biofuels or Green fuels or non-fossil fuels are renewable, bio-degradable, sustainable and environmental friendly fuel
  • Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been observing the World Bio-fuel Day for last three years.
  • India meets more than 80% of its oil needs through imports.
  • A roadmap was prepared for the Ethanol Blending Programme after 2014.
  • This move helped save foreign exchange worth ₹4000 crore last year, and the target is to take this number to about ₹12,000 crore over the next four years besides providing benefit to farmers.
  • Ethanol saves not only country’s foreign exchange, but environment as well.
  • India is promoting biofuels for reducing its crude import bill as well as laying thrust on use of electricity, particularly from renewable sources,.
  • Union Government is investing significantly in the effort to transform biomass to biofuel.
  • India has planned to set up 12 modern biofuel refineries at an investment of ₹10,000 crore.
  • Ethanol blending in petrol increased from 38 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2013-14, to an estimated 141 crore litres in the ethanol supply year 2017-18.
  • Bio-diesel blending in the country started from August 10, 2015 and in the year 2018-19, Oil Marketing Companies have allocated 7.6 crore litres of biodiesel.
  • Government will achieve 10% ethanol blending in petrol by 2022 and is targeting to double it to 20% and 5% biodiesel blending by 2030.
  • A large number of employment opportunities will be created in the process as one refinery will generate employment for 1,000-1,500 people.
  • Bio-CNG plants numbering 175 have been set up in the country and expressed hope that soon people would see vehicles running on this source of energy.
  • He lauded the efforts of his government for fixing the minimum support price of 14 kharif crops at 1.5 times the cost of production to boost farmers’ income.

 

Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign Launched

‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign that aims at generating greater public participation towards Swachhta was launched by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Saturday September 15, in the run up to the 4th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission on the 2nd of October 2018, which will also mark the commencement of the 150th year celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi; exhorts people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of clean India. Prime Minister said his government is working for “waste to wealth” and sought contributions from everybody. “The government alone cannot do it,” he added.

President Ram Nath Kovind taking ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign to a higher trajectory kicked off the fortnight-long Cleanliness drive from Uttar Pradesh and honoured the village-level champions who contributed in making Ishwariganj village near Kanpur open defecation free. Before launching the campaign, Kovind made people take a pledge to keep their surroundings clean.

Preisdent Kovind said, “India is fighting a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene. Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of sanitation personnel and government departments, it is a multi-stakeholder movement,” and added, “Together we should make the effort to clean our houses, public places, villages and cities. Achieving the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission expeditiously will be an appropriate tribute to Mahatma Gandhi”.

Prime Minister interacting via video conferencing with a cross-section of people from 17 locations across the country said, “Nobody had imagined that in four years, 9 crore of toilets would be constructed, and almost 4.5 lakhs of villages will come in the category of Open Defecation Free (ODF). Have you ever imagined that more than 450 Zilas and over 20 states will get freed from open defecation? This is the strength of India and the Indians.” He emphasized that providing facilities such as toilets or dustbins is not enough, and added that cleanliness or Swachhta is a habit that has to be inculcated.

Prime Minister travelled to the Babasaheb Ambedkar Higher Secondary School, at Rani Jhansi Road in central Delhi to participate in the cleanliness drive and exhort young students towards the cause of Swachhata.

Prime Minister interacted with Amitabh Bachchan and Noted industrialist Ratan Tata from Mumbai; Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev from Coimbatore; Women Swachhagrahis from Dantewada in Chhattisgarh and Salem in Tamil Nadu; Spiritual leaders and citizens from Patna Sahib Gurudwara and Dadi Jankiji from Mt Abu; and other people from cross section of society; who shared details of their work for the Clean India Mission.

Ratan Tata during his interaction from Gateway of India in Mumbai said, “Health of our people, like foundation of any monument, has to be strong and health can’t be without cleanliness: Tata trust has spent over 100 crores in past 4 years towards”.  “The Tata Trusts are actively supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission and our support will continue in the years to come especially in bringing more technology in ensuring a clean India. I congratulate you for a courageous move in the form of Swachh Bharat Mission. We are no longer taking the health of our people for granted. We are devoting manpower for a strong India and focussing on healthcare. The health of our people cannot be there without sanitation and cleanliness. We can reduce and eliminate several diseases if we support the Swachh Bharat Movement.”

Prime Minister while launching the Swachhata Hi Seva Movement said:

  • The contribution of India’s Nari Shakti (women power) in the Swachh Bharat (clean India) Mission is immense.
  • Youngsters are ambassadors of social change. The way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable. The youth are at the forefront of a positive change in India.
  • The credit for the success of Swachhata Abhiyan goes to the people of this nation and not the government alone.
  • Let us rededicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu’s dream of a Clean India.

Swachhata Hi Seva Mission has been generating tremendous enthusiasm among all walks of life. Eminent citizens such as Sri Sri Ravi Shankari, Akshay Kumar, and others have given their support to the movement.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tweeted, “Purity, both external & internal, is essential for progress in life” and the Prime Minister thanked him for the invaluable support to the Swachh Bharat Mission and giving a clarion call to work for a Clean India.

Pluto should be a Planet – Recent Study

Pluto should be a planet again, researchers including Philips Metzger, a planetary scientist at the University of Central Florida’s Space Institute, in a new study published online in the journal Icarus on Wednesday September 5, 2018, argue that the definition of a planet should be based on its intrinsic properties as opposed to properties that can change, such as the dynamics of its orbit and Metzger observes that the reason Pluto lost its planet status in 2006 is not valid. This study was co-authored by Mark Sykes of the Planetary Science Institute; Alan Stern, American Engineer and Planetary Scientist at  Southwest Research Institute; and Kirby Runyon of Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a global group of astronomy experts, had downgraded Pluto’s status to “Dwarf planet” on having established a definition of a planet that required it to “clear” its orbit, or in other words, be the largest gravitational force in its orbit. IAU laid down three criteria for a celestial object to be Planet:

1. It must orbit the Sun,

2. It should be massive enough to acquire an approximately spherical shape and

3. It has to ‘clear its orbit’, that is, be the object that exerts the maximum gravitational pull within its orbit

IAU deemed that Pluto did not ‘clear its orbit’ that meant Pluto was out of planet status, owing to this 3rd property, if an object ventures close to a planet’s orbit, it will either collide with it and be accreted, or be ejected out. Since Neptune’s gravity influences its neighbouring planet Pluto and Pluto shares its orbit with frozen gases and objects in the Kuiper belt.

Dwarf planets need satisfy only the first two conditions.

Philip Metzger, lead author of the recent study, reported that this standard for classifying planets is not supported in the research literature. Metzger reviewed scientific literature from the past 200 years and found only one publication, from 1802, that employed the clearing-orbit requirement to classify planets. The 1802 study, he argues, was based on “since-disproven reasoning.”

Metzger believes on the basis of his study, that the IAU definition of what constitutes a planet needs to be rethought, “It’s a sloppy definition,” he said in a statement and added, “They didn’t say what they meant by clearing their orbit. If you take that literally, then there are no planets, because no planet clears its orbit.”

According to Metzger, Moons such as Saturn’s Titan and Jupiter’s Europa have been routinely called planets by planetary scientists since the time of Galileo, and he said, “We now have a list of well over 100 recent examples of planetary scientists using the word planet in a way that violates the IAU definition, but they are doing it because it’s functionally useful”.

Metzger explained, “Dynamics are not constant, they are constantly changing”. “So, they are not the fundamental description of a body, they are just the occupation of a body at a current era.”

Metzger recommends a planet classification based on whether it is sufficiently large so that its gravity allows it to become spherical in shape.

Metzger adds, “It turns out this is an important milestone in the evolution of a planetary body, because apparently when it happens, it initiates active geology in the body”.

Metzger notes, Pluto has an underground ocean, a multilayer atmosphere, organic compounds, evidence of ancient lakes and multiple moons.

Kirby Runyon, co-author of the study, said the IAU’s definition was erroneous since the literature review showed that clearing orbit is not a standard that is used for distinguishing asteroids from planets, as the IAU claimed when crafting the 2006 definition of planets and proposed that the offending 3rd clause be deleted. To be sure, there isn’t a novel scientific argument for Pluto’s case that hasn’t already been made. Pluto being made a planet again, according to him, would mean that “the public would again fall in love with planetary exploration.”

Kirby Runyon had also earlier in his presentation at the 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference at Texas in March 2017 argued that the definition of what constitutes a planet be changed. Runyon and co-authors including Alan Stern were part of the science team on the New Horizons mission to Pluto, operated for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. In the summer of 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft became the first to fly by Pluto, passing within 8,000 miles and sending back the first close-up images ever of Pluto. These factors combined to whet interest in the revivification of Pluto’s planetary status.

 

Indian Defence Services – An Exciting Career Option

Indian Defence Services – An Exciting Career Option

The youth of today are highly ambitious and sensitive about making a career choice. Mentally sharp and clinically precise – the new breed of Indian teenagers is seldom ingenuous or naive. But when it comes to the career crossroads, a state of confusion takes over mental clarity like a shroud. While material comforts do occupy a very high place on the agenda of a young man, often there are various other intangibles that seem to be equally important like job satisfaction, security, and quality of life.

And as one contemplates the pros and cons of various job options, there is a career path that is so distinct and distinguished and offers you a life, less ordinary – a career in the Indian Armed Forces. No matter, whether you choose to join the Navy, Army or Air Force, you’ll get more benefits than most careers in the civilian world. From being groomed along with other like-minded individuals to gaining leadership experience overseas, to hands-on, tailored career management, it’s a career – and a lifestyle – that’s truly unique.

That being said, it’s equally important for all Indian Defence Forces aspirants to understand that only a few determined, focused and zealous ones make it to one of India’s finest institutions, namely the IMA, the AFA and the INA. And even though everybody has their own reasons for joining this profession, there are many common motivations behind people wanting to join the Armed Forces.

  • Dignity, Respect and Honor – None can deny that a member of Indian Armed Forces receives more respect than any other walks of life, and rightly so because they earn it by giving their blood and sweat, their family life, and don’t shy away from making the supreme sacrifice for the honor of their motherland. The charm that the ‘uniform’ exudes is just one of the many facets ascribed to it that incite a sense of self-esteem in an individual and makes them stand out in a crowd.
  • Monetary Benefits – A career in the Indian Armed Forces is not only an attractive option for its intangible benefits – leadership skills, strength and a chance to serve one’s country – but also its monetary benefits. The salaries in the Armed Forces are extremely competitive and in most cases, the perks include accommodation. The defence officers are the cream of society, and they enjoy a distinctly enhanced quality of life.
  • An Adventurous Life – If you seek a life brimming with adventure, the armed forces will certainly satiate your spirit. Being India’s most exciting workplace, it offers you activities that you can’t comprehend while doing a regular 9 to 5 job. From mountaineering, trekking, camping to helicopter slithering, from building bridges to handling a massive gun and flying a super jet, it is probably one of the most adventurous careers in the world.
  • Job Security and Post-Retirement Benefits – Job security is a fleeting phenomenon in the private sector – one day you are a shining star and the other day you might lose your job. But if you pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces – job security is something you’ll never have to worry about. And even after you retire you are entitled to a steady pension and several other perks. The Armed Forces a lifetime support system by taking care of your family, their health and well-being and the education of your children.

Being a part of the Indian Armed Forces in a service, not a job! Unlike the other jobs at MNCs, Defence sector gives a whole new dimension to live life. It brings out the hero in you and puts you on a pedestal where other people look up to you as a source of inspiration. It offers you an opportunity to live the ideal life and be the best version of yourself.

India Successfully Test Fires Short-Range Surface-to-Surface Tactical Ballistic Missile “Prahaar”

India Successfully Test Fires Short-Range Surface-to-Surface Tactical Ballistic Missile “Prahaar”

Prahar, surface-to-surface tactical missile, a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets, was successfully flight tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Launch Complex-III, Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore – defence facility off Odisha Coast, on September 20, 2018. The missile travelled a range of 200 km before zeroing in on the target, achieving all mission objectives, as Range stations and electro optical systems tracked and monitored missiles trajectory throughout its flight. Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat and DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy witnessed the launch and complimented all the team members.

Prahar was launched from a road-mobile launcher, which can carry six missiles at a time and can be fired in salvo mode in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane.

The missile blasted off from a canister, achieved the terminal accuracy of fewer than 10 meters, went up vertically and then manoeuvred as coordinated and travelled the desired range. All systems functioned normally. There was not a single degree deviation during the entire flight path, according to DRDO officials.

It was the second test of the missile, which was first tested on July 21, 2011. It will be indicted in the army after few more tests.

Prahar is capable of filling the gap between the multi-barrel rocket system ‘Pinaka‘ and medium-range ballistic missile ‘Prithvi‘ that can engage multiple targets in different directions. The missile system is developed to provide the Indian Army with a cost-effective, quick reaction, all weather, all terrain, high accurate battlefield support tactical system.

  • Prahar is equipped with sophisticated inertial navigation, guidance and electromechanical actuation systems with the latest advanced on-board computer.
  • Prahaar has no parallel in the world in its range category with a strike range of 150 km.
  • It has a greater manoeuvring capability, acceleration and can be deployed in different kinds of terrain making it more effective against strategic targets.
  • Prahaar missile, fuelled by solid propellant, travels at a speed of Mach 2.
  • It is about 7.32 meter long and its diameter is 420 mm.
  • Its launch weight is about 1.28 tonne and can carry a payload of 200 kg.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated DRDO, Army, industries and other team members for the successful mission and said indigenously developed Prahar will further strengthen our defence capabilities”.

Defence Offset Policy

Defence Offset Policy

Defence Offset Policy’s key objective is to leverage capital acquisitions to develop Indian defence industry by:

  • (i) Fostering development of internationally competitive enterprises,
  • (ii) Augmenting capacity for Research, Design and Development related to defence products and services and
  • (iii) Encouraging development of synergistic sectors like civil aerospace and internal security.

Ministry of Defence gave a clarification on Offset Policy on 22 September 2018 on controversies being sought to be created following media reports regarding a statement purportedly made by the former French President, Francois Hollande, concerning the selection of Reliance Defence as the Offset partner by Dassault, the manufacturers of Rafale aircraft. It reiterates that the Government of India has no role in the selection of Indian Offset partner which is a commercial decision of the Original Equipment Manufacturer:

  • Offset Policy was formally announced for the first time in 2005 and has been revised several times.
  • Offset is a flow-back arrangement made in the defence contracts and constitutes a certain percentage of the contract value to leverage its huge arm-imports in order to develop a strong indigenous industry.
  • Offset can be discharged by many means such as direct purchase of eligible products/services, FDI in joint ventures and investment towards equipment and transfer of technology.
  • As per Defence Offset Guidelines, the foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is free to select any Indian company as its offset partner.
  • It has been reported that a JV between Reliance Defence and Dassault Aviation came into being in February, 2017.
  • This is a purely commercial arrangement between two private companies.
  • Media reports of February 2012 suggest that Dassault Aviation, within two weeks of being declared the lowest bidder for procurement of 126 aircraft by the previous Government, had entered into a pact for partnership with Reliance Industries in Defence sector.
  • Dassault Aviation has issued a Press Release stating that it has signed partnership agreement with several companies and is negotiating with hundred odd other companies
  • As per the guidelines, the vendor is to provide the details of the offset partners either at the time of seeking offset credit or one year prior to discharge of offset obligation, which in this case will be due from 2020.

ASHA & Anganwadi Workers Interact with & Meet Prime Minister

ASHA & Anganwadi Workers Interact with & Meet Prime Minister

Team of 3 As: ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)  workers, Anganwadi workers and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife), from across the country had an opportunity to interact with Prime Minister through video conferencing on September 11, 2018, and the  Prime Minister recognised the contribution of these grass-root health workers and thanked them for their efforts in building strong and healthy nation and appreciated their effort to work together, to use innovative means and technology, to improve the delivery of health and nutrition services and achieve the goal of POSHAN Abhiyan – reduction of malnutrition in the country. National Nutrition Mission was renamed as POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) Abhiyan on May 25, 2018. September month is being observed as “Poshan Maah” with the aim towards taking the message of nutrition to every household.

Prime Minister announced on September 11 significant increases in the honorarium given to Anganwadi workers. Those receiving ₹3000 so far, would now receive ₹4500. Similarly those receiving ₹2200 would now get ₹3500. The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been increased from ₹1500 to ₹2250. He also announced the doubling of routine incentives given by the Union Government to ASHA workers. In addition, all ASHA workers and their helpers would be provided free insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana. Anganwadi workers and helpers using techniques such as Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) would get additional incentives ranging from ₹250 to ₹500, based on their performance.

The Union Cabinet on September 19 approved this increase in the honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers which will become effective next month.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister, has also given its approval to increase routine and recurring incentives under the National Health Mission for Asha workers from ₹1000 to ₹2000 per month.

A group of over 100 Anganwadi workers from across the country called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 19 to thank him for increasing the honorarium amount by up to 60%. Acknowledging the greetings, Modi accompanied by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, said:

  • Anganwadis play a key role in a child’s physical and cognitive development.
  • Nutrition requires constant focus and development of good habits, which can be provided by Anganwadi workers.
  • Referring to the on-going Poshan Maah (nutrition month), the momentum that has been built up during this campaign should not flag.
  • Nutrition requires constant focus and development of good habits, which can be provided by Anganwadi workers.
  • Anganwadi workers should ensure that the nutritional assistance being made available to beneficiaries is used judiciously.
  • Children will listen more to Anganwadi workers. They have a key role in generating awareness.
  • He encouraged healthy competition among Anganwadis, as a “motivation for better nutritional care and efforts among various Anganwadi workers.”

A group of about 90 ASHA representatives from across the country called on Prime Minister on September 20 to express their happiness, and thank him for the recent announcement of increase in incentives, and insurance cover. Prime Minister recalling his interaction on September 11 with the ASHA and Anganwadi workers, via video conference, appreciated the experiences and personal accounts that had been shared by ASHA representatives, and said that these will surely prove inspirational for many.

  • ASHA activists on September 20 shared some more accounts of how they had been instrumental in saving lives of poor mothers and children through timely intervention.
  • Prime Minister appreciated the skill and dedication of ASHA workers, and recalled that even Bill and Melinda Gates had praised the efforts of ASHAs towards eradication of diseases such as Kala Azar.
  • Prime Minister encouraged them to devote their energies to work in coordination with other government agencies to improve the quality of life in their villages.
  • He also explained how Government schemes and initiatives are all aimed at empowering the poor to fight poverty.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sh. J.P. Nadda was also present on the occasion.

Anganwadi, a type of rural child care centre, started in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition, provides basic health care in villages. These centres provide supplementary nutrition, non-formal pre-school education, nutrition and health education, immunization, health check-up and referral services of which later three services are provided in convergence with public health systems.

There are around 14 lakh Anganwadis or child care centres in rural areas across the country and 10 crore beneficiaries, including children under the age of six, pregnant women and lactating mothers. There are a total of 12 83707 Anganwadi workers and 1050564 helpers.

ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), “an ASHA in every village”, are community health workers instituted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) as a part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which began in 2005. ASHAs are local women trained to act as health educators and promoters in their communities, who create awareness on health and its social determinants and mobilize the community towards local health planning and increased utilization and accountability of the existing health services. Their tasks include motivating women to give birth in hospitals, bringing children to immunization clinics, encouraging family planning (e.g., surgical sterilization), treating basic illness and injury with first aid, keeping demographic records, and improving village sanitation.

There are a total of 1023136 ASHAs across the country.

Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is a village-level female health worker, known as the first contact person between the community and the health services and regarded as the grass-roots workers in the health organisation pyramid. In 1950s ANMs focussed on midwifery and mother and child health and now their services are considered important to provide safe and effective care to village communities.

Each ANM is supported by four or five ASHAs and with Anganwadi worker, the ANM works as a resource person for the training of ASHAs. The ANM motivates ASHAs to bring beneficiaries to the institution. The ASHA brings pregnant women to the ANM for check-ups. She also brings married couples to the ANM for counselling on the family planning. The ASHA brings children to immunisation sessions held by the ANM. The ASHAs act as bridge between the ANM and the village.

India & Cyprus MoUs on Combating Money Laundering & Environment Cooperation

 “Youth, Technology and Ideas: Shaping the Contours of the 21st Century” was  the theme of address delivered by President of India Ram Nath Kovind at University of Cyprus September 4, 2018, where he said that pursuit of excellence should inspire minds of future generations.

India and Cyprus also signed two MoUs on Combating Money Laundering and Cooperation in the field of Environment in the presence Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on September 3, 2018 in Nicosia; and they held wide-ranging talks that include exchange of views on economic cooperation. Kovind and Anastasiades held discussions on issues of mutual interest including promotion of business collaboration in the fields of IT and IT enabled services, tourism, shipping and renewable energy.

President Kovind said that India happens to be the fastest growing major economy in the world today with a growth rate of 8.2 per cent last quarter, and added:

  • “In this context and given Cyprus’ niche expertise in financial services and investment banking, both of us agreed that there was much scope to deepen our investment partnership.”
  • “We welcomed the signing of the MoU between Financial Intelligence Unit, India and Unit for Combating Money Laundering of Cyprus.”
  • “This agreement would further strengthen the institutional framework to facilitate investment cross-flows. We also emphasised that the revision in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement made in 2016 provided greater opportunities for our investment partnership to grow.”
  • “President Anastasiades and I held detailed discussions on the way forward for our long-standing and excellent relations. I reaffirmed India’s un-wavering support to Cyprus for upholding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
  • “We reviewed our on-going bilateral and multi-lateral engagements and discussed issues of regional and global concern. We underlined our common objectives to negotiate the challenges that lie ahead. And we committed ourselves to further step-up our mutually beneficial ties, especially in the economic field.”
  • “Our founding fathers, Archbishop Makarios and Mahatma Gandhi have blessed our partnership with timeless values, wisdom and foresight. We have the greatest respect for Archbishop Makarios in India.”

The President also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s bust and praised the Indian community in Cyprus for strengthening people-to-people relations between the two nations.

President Kovind also attended a banquet hosted in his honour by President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus in the evening of September 3, 2018. Speaking on the occasion, the President said India and Cyprus as two ancient civilizations; we have a deeper understanding of each other’s culture and thought. We have always been open and receptive to ideas, cultures and peoples. Our shared historical experience and sensibilities have drawn us closer as friends and as partners. We have been steadfast supporters of each other on issues of vital concern. India’s commitment to Cyprus and its territorial integrity remains deep and abiding.

India and Cyprus are located in a challenging security environment. We must support each other in our quest for peace and security. India deeply appreciates the strong condemnation of terrorist acts by Cyprus and looks forward to closely working with it to defeat and destroy terrorism.

President Kovind was in Cyprus on the first leg of his three-nation visit to Europe that include Bulgaria and the Czech Republic besides Cyprus, to continue India’s high-level engagements with European countries.

Institutions of Eminence to Propel Competition in Education Sector

Institutions of Eminence (IoE) status has been conferred on following Six Higher Education Institutions, including 3 from Public Sector and 3 from Private Sector, by the Government as announced on Monday July 09, 2018 by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar, who said, “The selection of institutions of eminence will not only improve the quality of education but also propel competition in the entire education sector”. This will enable them to be free from regulations of the AICTE, UGC, or the Higher Education Commission of India that is set to replace the UGC:

  • Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru,
  • Indian Institutes of Technology at Mumbai,
  • Indian Institutes of Technology at Delhi; and
  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education,
  • BITS, Pilani
  • Jio Institute of the Reliance Foundation (proposed),

The proposed Jio Institute of the Reliance Foundation in Maharashtra, chosen in the “Greenfield Category”, is among three private institutions granted the status. The “Greenfield Category” institutions will be issued letters of intent for three years within which to commence academic operations for the notification declaring them IoE to be issued. If they fail, the committee can recommend cancellation of the IoE status. This sets them apart from other institutions

These Institutions selected as IoEs, by the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) under former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, based on their 15 years strategic vision plan and 5 years implementation plan as well as any other measure of demonstrated commitment to the cause of developing an Institution of Eminence, will have freedom to choose their own path to become world class institutions and will have greater autonomy:

  • To admit 30% foreign students with no restrictions on fees to be charged from them;
  • To recruit foreign faculty up to 25% of faculty strength;
  • To offer online courses up to 20% of its programmes;
  • To enter into academic collaboration with top 500 in the world ranking Institutions without permission of UGC;
  • To fix and charge fees from foreign students without restriction;
  • Have flexibility of course structure in terms of number of credit hours and years to take a degree;
  • Complete flexibility in fixing of curriculum and syllabus, etc.

Each Public Institution selected as IoE will be provided financial assistance up to ₹ 1000 Cr over a period of five years.

University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued / notified enabling regulatory architecture in the form of UGC (Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as Institutions of Eminence) Guidelines, 2017 and UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2017 to enable 10 public and 10 private Institutions to emerge as World Class Teaching and Research Institutions.

The aim of the scheme is to bring higher educational institutions selected as IoEs in top 500 of world ranking in the next 10 years and in top 100 eventually overtime. The scheme has been launched with an objective to provide world class teaching and research facilities to Indian students within the country and enhance general level of education of the country.

  1. Gopalaswami heading the empowered expert committee said, “We were asked to select 10 public and 10 private institutes to bag the tag of the ‘institutions of eminence’ but we could not find 20,”