New One RuPPE note

The Reserve bank of India will circulate one rupee notes while the existing notes and coins will continue to be legal tender. These currency notes are legal tender as provided in The Coinage Act 2011. The new one rupee note will be in 9.7x6.3 cm dimension,weight approximate 90 GSM  ( Gram per Square Meter) and the color of the One rupee note shall be pink green.The one rupee note contain “ Bharat Sarkar”, Hindi rupee symbol,’Sagar Samrat”

One language,Two regions

As we all know that states were created in India on the basis of language . It was Sri Potti Sreeramulau who was on indefinite hunger strike and demanded separate state for Telugu speaking people. In 1956 Andhra Pradesh was created and separated from Madras province. After Twelve years of struggle, agitation, Mr. K. Chandra Sekhar Rao, succeeded in his ambition to create separate state-Telangana. He always say that Telangana region was neglected by Andhra region political leaders during United Andhra.  One language, two regions, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were created in 2014. Now, one state celebrate formation of new state Telangana and Andhra Pradesh view it as reorganization Deeksha.Telangana state distribute sweats and continue celebrations for three consecutive days where as Andhra region pledges to reorganize structure and infrastructure of the state. 

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav

The Fifth ‘RashtriyaSanskritiMahotsav (RSM) – 2017’ is being organized in North Eastern Region of India by Ministry of Culture from 23rd to 31st March, 2017. The festival will be inaugurated at Parade Ground, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on 23rd March, 2017 and extend to other North Eastern states including, Dimapur (Nagaland) from 26th to 28th March, Majuli (Assam) from 27th to 29th March, Imphal (Manipur) from 27th to 29th March, Aizawl (Mizoram) from 28th to 30th March, Gangtok (Sikkim) from 28th to 30th March, Shillong (Meghalaya) from 29th to 31st March and Khowai (Tripura) from 29th to 31st March. The opulent Main Stage at Parade Ground in the open air stage area will exhibit cultural programmes from 23rd to 25th March in between 12:30 pm to 4 pm. The ninedays cultural extravaganza will be inaugurated by Governor of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Shri PadmanabhaBalakrishna Acharya in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and TourismDr. Mahesh Sharma and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh – ShriPemaKhandu as Guest of Honour.

The essential thrust of RashtriyaSanskritiMahotsav (RSM) is to present rich diversity and uniqueness of Indian culture and to promote the cultural inter-linkages amongst the states to strengthen National integration and also to bid the artists of other parts of the country with the people of North East in a single thread of culture. The Mahotsav was envisioned to preserve, promote and popularize the heritage and cultural diversity of Indian culture and reconnect the new generation with Indian culture.

About 5,000 artists from North East India and 2,000 artists from across the country will showcase India’s cultural heritage through performances, arts and cuisines. The festival will be implemented through the seven Zonal Cultural Centres and other organization under Ministry of Culture. The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapurhas been entrusted with the responsibility as the nodal agency to carry forward the execution of the National Cultural Festival. Each Zonal Cultural Centre has been provided with slots to present their arts during the festival which would showcase an amalgamation of ‘Ek Bharat, Srestha Bharat’, ‘HamaariSanskriti, HamaariPanchaan’ and ‘Swachh India’. The extended programme will be convened at Dimapur (Nagaland) from 26th to 28th March by South Zone Cultural Centre, Majuli (Assam) from 27th to 29th March by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, JNMDA Complex Imphal (Manipur) from 27th to 29th March by South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Aizawl (Mizoram) from 28th to 30th March by North East Zone Cultural Centre, M.G. Road Gangtok (Sikkim) from 28th to 30th March by North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Shillong (Meghalaya) from 29th to 31st March by North Zone Cultural Centre and Khowai (Tripura) from 29th to 31st March by West Zone Cultural Centre.

The festival will showcase the spectacular diversity of India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Bengal through folk, tribal and classical art forms in all its dimensions – dance, music, drama, puppetry, handicrafts and food. Exhibition on Buddhist art and tradition is also being organized at Parade Ground of Tawangon the occasion of RashtriyaSanskritiMahotsav to showcase the splendour and magnificence of the cultural sphere. Craftsmen from all over the country will display and sell handicrafts to the general public. Chefs of traditional delicacies from different regions of the country will treat the visitors to an unparalleled culinary experience.Day-long performances of traditional performers of fringe-folk arts like ‘Behroopiyas’, ‘Baazigars’, ‘KacchiGhori’, etc. will take place in the Parade Ground from 23rd March to 25th March, 2017. The inaugural ceremony will exhibit varied art forms like Buddhist Chant and Gung, Vedic Chanting, PuruliaChhou, Yoga, DholCholom and PungCholom, Sri Khol, BhorTaal, Ladakhi dance, Chakhesang music, Bonalo, Siddhi Dhamal and Godambaza.

Digitisation of Manuscripts

As per our estimates India has the largest collection of Manuscripts. For documentation, conservation /preservation and digitization of Manuscripts project, National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2003. Till date it has documented about 42 lakh Manuscripts in different scripts and languages. For conservation of Manuscripts, Manuscripts Conservation Centres (MCCs) have been established by NMM all over the country, which conduct preventive and curative conservation of Manuscripts requiring conservation in their region.

Digitization of Manuscripts is done by NMM itself through invitation of open tenders.

Number of Manuscripts documented     42 lakhs Manuscripts    

Number of Manuscripts digitized        –         2.80 lakh Manuscripts.    

 Number of Manuscripts conserved   preventive conservation of   733 lakh folios and curative    conservation of 16 lakh folios.

 Funds are not allocated state-wise by the Government. However, Government allocated the following funds to National Mission for Manuscripts during the last three years and the current year.

                    Year              Budget allocation (in Rs.Lakhs)

1.                  2013-14         950.00

2.                  2014-15         950.00

3.                  2015-16         625.00

4.                  2016-17         1200.00

Canon to support skill-oriented courses as Technology Partner

In order to promote short courses in Film and Television, an Memoradum of Understatnding signed between FTII and Canon .  

 The MoU between Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Canon India Private Limited would promote film education through short-term courses across several towns and cities in the country. Under FTII's unique initiative SKIFT (Skilling India in Film and Television) several short courses, mostly of skill-oriented nature have been proposed to be held in collaboration with State Governments, Universities and Educational institutions.

FTII Pune, one of Asia's leading and India's foremost institute in film and television education has been preparing to break new grounds by pushing to democratise cinematic education by offering quality and affordable training to general public and practitioners alike at locations where there is a demand for such courses. FTII is also in the process of aligning some of the short courses with Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) under National Skill Development Council.

While speaking on the occasion Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi said that Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) was one of the most reputed institution across the world and Canon was proud to announce the partnership for SKIFT which has been designed to spread the art of cinematography and film making, across the length and breadth of the country.  As a technology partner for this initiative, Canon India was delighted to add value to the program endeavored to scale skill development in film and television to greater heights.

Canon, an international brand in digital imaging, as 'Technology Partner' of SKIFT would be providing high-end cameras and accessories free of cost for the courses. This support would be a major contributing factor in keeping the course fees affordable while offering an opportunity to course participants to use cutting-edge equipment.

The courses are proposed to be held in non-metros such as Guwahati, Jaipur, Vishakhapatnam, Raipur, Chandigarh, Raipur, Bhopal, Leh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands to begin with. Initially SKIFT would conduct courses such as Digital Cinematography, Documentary Film Making, Screenplay Writing, Acting, Film Criticism & Journalism and Film Appreciation.

World leaders congratulate PM on Assembly Election results

World Leaders have congratulated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the victory in the recently held assembly elections. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Emir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President, HE Francois Hollande spoke to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and conveyed their felicitations. 

Cabinet approves additional 2% Dearness Allowance / Dearness Relief due from January, 2017

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2017. It has increased by 2% over the existing rate of 2% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 5,857.28 crore per annum and Rs.6,833.50 crore in the Financial Year 2017-18 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2017 to February, 2018).

This will benefit about 48.85 lakh Central Government employees and 55.51 lakh pensioners. 

15 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) declared as Institutes of National Importance

Cabinet approves Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public- Private Partnership) Bill, 2017

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved -

i. Introduction of the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Public Private Partnership (IIIT PPP) Bill, 2017;

ii. To grant statutory status to the fifteen Indian Institutes of Information Technology in Public Private Partnership and declare them as Institutions of National Importance;

iii. To enable these institutions to grant degrees to their students in the academic courses conducted by them.

There is no financial implication with regard to the proposed IIIT PPP Bill, 2017

The Bill will declare the existing Indian Institutes of Information Technology in Public Private Partnership as 'Institutions of National Importance with powers to award degrees. This will entitle them to use the nomenclature of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or Master of Technology (M.Tech) or Ph.D degree as issued by a University or Institution of National Importance.

The grant of a formal degree in Information Technology, Engineering or Ph.D will enhance the prospects of the graduating students in the job market and will also enable the Institutes to attract enough students required to develop a strong research base in the country in the field of information technology.

The emerging needs of the industry and the economy, as a whole for skilled technical manpower is expected to be met from the talent pool of trained personnel of the institutes.

Every Institute shall be open to all - irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability, and domicile, and ethnicity, social or economic background. Academic Session has commenced in the following15 Institutes:-

Andhra Pradesh(Chittoor), Assam(Guwahati) Gujarat(Vadodara), Haryana(Sonipat), Himachal Pradesh(Una), Jharkhand(Ranchi), Karnataka(Dharwad), Kerala(Kottayam) Maharashtra (Nagpur & Pune), Manipur(Senapati), Rajasthan (Kota), Tamilnadu(Tiruchirappalli), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow), Kalyani (West Bengal).

Background 

The Scheme of Setting up of 20 new IIITs in Public Private Partnership (IIIT PPP) as approved by the Union Cabinet on 7.12.2010 does not have a provision which empowers the Institutes set up in Public Private Partnership to grant degrees to its students. The first batch of under-graduate students enrolled in the Year 2013-14 will be passing out in the Year 2017. Academic Session has started in 15 IIITs. 

National Crime Records Bureau celebrates its 32nd Inception Day

NCRB trained more than 40,000 Police Officers so far, says Dr. Ish Kumar

Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Smt. Archana Ramasundaram was the Chief Guest at the 32nd Inception Day of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which was celebrated here today.

On the occasion, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram acknowledged the progress made in CCTNS and expected NCRB to provide the platform for better Police services through CCTNS and upcoming Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS). She requested the Director, NCRB Dr. Ish Kumar, to take up with all the State DGsP to fill up the vacancies of finger print staff and provide them with adequate resources. She also suggested to commission some research studies for effective usage of data for better policing. NCRB has a huge mandate linked to effective policing and its staff has to ensure that CCTNS succeeds and a citizens are benefitted by effective Policing, she added.

Dr. Ish Kumar said that NCRB should take leap forward and become a centre of excellence for Criminal Intelligence System through IT services and Finger Prints. He said that the Bureau will establish new research wing partnering with esteem institutions. The new subjects in training will be introduced for Indian and Foreign Police Officers, he added. Dr. Ish Kumar said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has started a new project of ICJS where all the pillars of criminal justice system will be linked. He said that the data analysis should lead to predictive policing. He also informed that NCRB has won Digital India Award 2016 for digitizing and uploading ‘Crime in India’ on Opensource Govt. Portal since 1967. He said that NCRB has been training Indian and Foreign Police Officers from more than 20 countries since 1990 and till date more than 40,000 Police Officers have been trained.

Smt. Archana Ramasundaram gave away Republic Day & Independence Day Police Medals to Shri R.B. Singh, Shri S. K. Saxena, Shri P.S. Gulati and Shri Sanjay Chakraborty, for meritorious services announced by the Government of India. Commendation Certificates were also given to the 14 NCRB officers for excellence in development of Mobile Apps, Establishing CCTNS instance for Rajasthan, Developing the software for Crime in India and other publication, CCTNS Testing and locating Missing Children with the help of Talash Software.

NCRB is mandated to empower the Indian Police with Information Technology and is responsible for collecting, maintaining and analysing the crime data of the country. It facilitates Investigating Officers with updated IT tools and information in Investigation of Crimes.

An exhibition showcasing of various applications developed by NCRB under Crime & Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), Finger Prints Science, ‘Vahan Samanvay’, ‘TALASH’, Mobile Apps Citizen Complaint, View FIR, Locater, Automated License Plate Reader and NCRB Publications of ‘Crime in India’, ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India’ and ‘Prison Statistics India’, was organised.

Senior officials of NCRB, CPOs and Former Directors General of NCRB were also present on the occasion.

“MySSB APP” launch

A MoU was signed between Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and National Skill Development Fund (NSDF), in presence of Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju here today.

During the event an android based and in-house developed mobile application “MySSB” was launched by Shri Kiren Rijiju. The Minister lauded the efforts in developing the application and expressed hope that SSB will continue keeping the welfare of its personnel on priority basis.

Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the effort and contributions made by our security forces need to be recognized. He said that the paramilitary forces are highly skilled because of the nature of their job and his Ministry aspires to provide them better livelihood options for their future. He said that recently, a MoU with the CRPF was fostered and today we enter into a partnership with SSB, NSG and Welfare And Rehabilitation Board (WARB). He said that he is glad to share that, subsequent to his request the CRPF has decided to change the nomenclature associated with the skill set under which their employment framework is to be given a facelift and to make it more socially acceptable. The Minister expressed hope that other forces follow suit post this endeavour. These workforces are an important and integral part of our society and respect should be given to all those who possess skills in them, he added. This will also make skilling an aspiration and we can aim to attract more people to our mission.

After signing the MoU, DG, SSB, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram said that SSB will be able to provide gainful employment to the retiring/retired personnel of SSB in-order to facilitate resettlement through generation of second career option. She said that the MoU will establish a framework under which dependants of SSB personnel as well as locals, school dropouts, victims and potential victims of Human Trafficking will also be benefited directly in the area/region where SSB is deployed. She said that the mobile application “MySSB” will cater to the general requirements and information of Force personnel i.e. accessibility to details of salary & allowance, GPF subscription, service particulars including posting profile, APAR etc.

Presently, SSB has been deployed with its mandate to guard 1751 kms of Indo-Nepal and 699 kms of Indo-Bhutan Borders as well as deployed in the state of Bihar, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh for ANO duties and in the state of J&K for CI Ops. duties. Through this MoU the unemployed educated/ uneducated youths will get an opportunity to adopt a course of their choice/earn their livelihood and plan their future.

Skill development training programme will be organised in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Sectors like Apparel, Food Processing, Beauty and Wellness, Automotives, Security, Sports etc are given emphasis for the said programme. 

Lok Sabha Passes the Admiralty Bill,2016

The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016 was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Bill aims to establish a legal framework to consolidate the existing laws relating to admiralty jurisdiction of courts, admiralty proceedings on maritime claims, an arrest of vessels and related issues. It also aims to replace archaic laws which are hindering efficient governance. The Bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India and this jurisdiction extends up to territorial waters.

Introduced during the winter session of Parliament, the Bill came up for discussion in the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Minister of State ( RT&H, S, C&F), Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, presented an overview of the Bill in the House, highlighting the need for repealing five obsolete British statutes on admiralty jurisdiction in civil matters, which are 126 to 177 years old. The Bill provides for prioritisation of maritime claims and maritime liens while providing protection to owners, charterers, operators, crew members and seafarers at the same time. During the course of a discussion, thirteen members presented their views and raised various questions which were replied to by Shri Mandaviya. The Bill was then passed by the House. 

Scholarship for Students Pursuing Education in Foreign Universities

Government scholarships for students undertaking higher education in foreign universities in the field of art, agriculture, law, medicine, engineering are as follows:- 

 

1. National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Students: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to meritorious Scheduled Tribe students for pursuing Master level courses, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Research Programmes in foreign universities in the field of Engineering, Technology and Science. The family income ceiling of the candidates/parents is Rs. 6.00 lac per annum.

 

2. National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for pursuing Master level course and Ph.D. in foreign universities in the field of Pure and Applied Sciences, Social Science, Agricultural Science etc. The family income ceiling of the candidates/parents is Rs. 6.00 lac per annum. The number of awards available is 100 per annum.

 

3. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for the Students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs): The scheme is implemented by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The objective of the scheme is to provide interest subsidy to meritorious OBC and EBC students so as to provide them opportunities to pursue higher education abroad in the field of Arts, Engineering, Medical and Agriculture. The income ceiling is Rs. 3 lakh per annum for OBCs and Rs. 1 lakh for EBCs. 50% of the outlay is earmarked to girl students.

 

4. Padho Pardesh:- The Ministry of Minority Affairs  is implementing the scheme wherein interest subsidy is provided to minority students to puruse Master’s Level Courses, M.Phil and Ph.D. in foreign universities in the field of Arts, Engineering, Agriculture and Medical. The family income ceiling of the candidates/parents is Rs. 6.00 lakh per annum.

 

5. Overseas Doctoral Fellowship Programme:- The scheme is implemented by Science and Engineering Research Board, a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology. The objective of the scheme is to build national capacity where the talent supply of researchers in areas of interest to the country is sub-critical.  The selected fellow is provided US $ 24,000 per annum for a period of 4 years for undertaking the doctoral research program in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine from overseas top ranking universities.

 

DD News celebrates 100th episode of Tejasvini

Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that Women Empowerment, Emancipation and Equality were the three critical factors defining the role of women in Nation’s Development. The Government stood committed in providing equal rights and opportunities for women and girl through multiple initiatives. At the same time, Minister expressed concern over the stereotypical portrayal of women in movies which led to increased objectification. The Minister stated this while delivering his address on the occasion of DD News celebrating its 100th Episode of Tejasvini. Minister of State Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore was also present on the occasion. Shri Naidu said that the role of Indian Women and their contributions are evident in each and every field. Indian women are playing an important leadership role as bankers, space scientists, police, and corporate professionals. In the software industry 30% of the workforce is female. Indian women have also showed their prowess in the field of sports like PV Sindhu in badminton, Sakshi Malik in wrestling and Mary Kom in boxing. Even in the current government, female colleagues are providing leadership in important portfolios such as External Affairs, Commerce and Women & Child.

Regarding the extra ordinary efforts of Women, the Minister said that the story of a spirited 105-year-old Kunwar Bai from Chhattisgarh was an inspiration for all of us to emulate who was recently felicitated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister as the mascot for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Speaking earlier, Women and child development Minister, Smt. Maneka Gandhi outlined the initiatives taken by her Ministry towards women empowerment. Smt. Gandhi specifically highlighted the “We are equal campaign” initiated by Ministry on social media to promote the idea of equality.

List of Tejasvinis  felicitated by Hon’ble Minister

1.      Ms. Deepa Malik, Paralympic 2017 Silver Medalist

2.      Ms. Sunita Chaudhary, Delhi’s First Auto Rickshaw Driver

3.      Ms. Geetanjali Babbar, Social Activist Working for Sex Workers 

4.      Ms. Archana Ramasundaram, First Woman Head of a Paramilitary Wing

5.      Pandita Anuradha Pal, World’s First Woman Professional  Tabla Player

6.      Dr. Sonal Mansigh, Bharatnatyam Artist

7.      Ms. Usha Chomar, Swachchta Ambassador

8.      Ms. Prathistha Saraswat, Yogacharya

9.      Wing Commander Pooja Thakur

10.  Ms. Pragya Ghildiyal, Best Sports person with disabilities

11.  Ms. Rupa, - Acid Attack Survivor

12.  Ms. Madhu, Acid Attack Survivor

13.  Ms. Neetu, Acid Attack Survivor

14.  Ms. Santosh Yadav, Mountaineer