International Day of Police Cooperation 2023: Date, History and Significance
The International Day of Police Cooperation is a United Nations observance held annually on September 7. It was created to commemorate the founding of Interpol and highlight the role of law enforcement from around the globe in maintaining peace, security, and justice. For most of human history, cooperation among law enforcement in different countries was organized largely on a case to case basis. The world’s first initiative for international law enforcement cooperation was the Police Union of German States, established in 1851. It brought together secret police forces from various German-speaking countries.
History of International Day of Police Cooperation
The United Nations General Assembly designated September 7 as the International Day of Police Cooperation during its 77th session in December 2022. The inaugural celebration took place on September 7, 2023, coinciding with the 100th founding anniversary of Interpol. It focused on the crucial role of women in policing.
Significance of International Day of Police Cooperation
The main goal of the International Day of Police Cooperation is to highlight the central role that the world’s law enforcement community plays in global security, as well as the importance of international coordination between police and law enforcement institutions in preventing and combating criminal activity.
Events and activities held on the occasion focus on strengthening international cooperation at various levels (global, regional and subregional) in areas related to preventing and combating transnational crime, and preventing and countering terrorism. They are also meant to reinforce collaboration between the United Nations and Interpol in key areas such as global health, financial crime and corruption, cybercrime, emerging technologies, and maritime security.
About Interpol
During World War II, most member states left the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) because it was controlled by Nazi Germany. When the war ended, the ICPC was revived as the International Criminal Police Organization and established new headquarters in Paris. It adopted a new constitution and a short name, Interpol, in 1956. Interpol’s headquarters were subsequently moved to Saint-Cloud in 1967 and to Lyon in 1989.
Today, Interpol is the world’s leading international police organization with 195 member states. However, it is not the only organization facilitating international police cooperation. For example, its European counterpart, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), was established in 1998. It coordinates cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the European Union.
ISRO scientist N Valarmathi, voice behind Chandrayaan-3 countdown, passes away
N Valarmathi, an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist, who lent her voice to countdowns for rocket launches in Sriharikota, died after a cardiac arrest. She was last heard during the countdown announcement for the launch of Chandrayaan-3 that made a historic landing on the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14. Chandrayan 3 was her final countdown announcement.
Career of N Valarmathi
Valarmathi was a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for over 30 years. She was the voice behind the countdowns for many ISRO launches, including the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made a soft landing on the Moon in July 2023. Her calm and reassuring voice was a familiar sound to millions of Indians who tuned in to watch the ISRO launches. She was also known for her work in the development of space applications for the benefit of society.
Valarmathi’s death is a great loss to the Indian space community. She was a dedicated scientist and a gifted communicator who inspired many people. Her legacy will live on in the many space missions that she helped to make possible.
Divya Deshmukh Emerges Winner Of 2023 Tata Steel Chess India Women’s Rapid Tournament
Divya Deshmukh, a 17-year-old Chess Woman Grandmaster hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India clinched victory in the women’s category of the rapid section at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament. She dominated the competition by securing victories in all three rounds of the tournament, which took place at the National Library in Kolkata on September 1, 2023.
Deshmukh secured the top position with a remarkable score of 7 points, while the reigning world champion, Ju Wenjun of China, closely followed with 6.5 points. Russia’s Polina Shuvalova finished third with a score of 5.5 points.
Divya Deshmukh’s Astonishing Rise in Chess: From Last-Minute Entry to Tournament Triumph
Divya Deshmukh embarked on her remarkable journey in the realm of chess through an unforeseen turn of events. Her entry into the prestigious Tata Steel Chess India tournament was a result of a last-minute invitation, prompted by the withdrawal of R. Vaishali. Initially starting as the 10th seed among the 10 participants in the women’s rapid section, Divya’s ascent to the pinnacle of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament was nothing less than astonishing.
Divya Deshmukh’s Remarkable Triumph and Historic Victory in the Tata Steel Chess India Tournament
In the tournament’s final round, Divya Deshmukh secured a victory aginst formidable second seed, Koneru Humpy. Meanwhile, in a highly anticipated matchup between the top seed and World champion, Ju Wenjun of China, and the defending champion, Anna Ushenina of Ukraine, the game ended in a draw. This draw had significant implications, as it meant that Divya Deshmukh finished half a point ahead of Ju Wenjun, who had to settle for the second position. Against all odds, Divya emerged as the undisputed champion, etching her name into the annals of Indian chess history.
Government Implements Stricter Regulations for SIM Card Sales
The Indian government has taken decisive steps to enhance the safety and security of SIM card acquisition in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued two crucial circulars, one targeting individual SIM card users and the other aimed at telecom companies like Airtel and Jio, with the goal of regulating and improving the process.
1. Stricter Rules for Retail Stores:
Background Checks: Stores selling SIM cards must conduct thorough background checks on their employees.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with this regulation can result in fines of up to 10 lakhs for each non-compliant shop.
Implementation Date: These rules come into effect on October 1, 2023.
Transition Period: Existing stores have until September 30, 2024, to meet the new requirements.
2. Enhanced Security in Specific Regions:
Police Checks in Certain Areas: In regions such as Assam, Kashmir, and the northeast, telecom companies must undergo police checks in their stores before being authorized to sell new SIM cards.
Additional Security Measure: This added step is implemented to bolster security measures in sensitive areas.
3. Telecom Companies’ Responsibility:
Oversight of Retail Stores: Major telecommunications companies like Airtel and Jio are responsible for ensuring that the stores selling their SIM cards strictly adhere to the new regulations.
Safeguarding the Process: This oversight is crucial for maintaining safety and security in the distribution of SIM cards.
4. Comprehensive Verification for All Users:
Detailed Verification Process: All individuals purchasing new SIM cards or obtaining replacements due to loss or damage will undergo a comprehensive verification process.
Ensuring Accountability: This process mirrors the steps taken when acquiring a new SIM card, with the primary objective of restricting access to SIM cards to authorized individuals.
Asset Under Management Of NPS And APY Crosses Milestone Of Rs 10 Lakh Crore
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Chairman, Deepak Mohanty, recently made a significant announcement that the combined Asset Under Management (AUM) of the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed an impressive figure of Rs 10 lakh crore. This remarkable feat signifies the rapid growth and increasing popularity of these pension schemes.
Doubling in Less than Three Years
To put this achievement into perspective, it took just two years and ten months for the AUM to double from Rs 5 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore. This exponential growth is a testament to the effectiveness and attractiveness of NPS and APY as retirement planning options for individuals across India.
APY and NPS Lite Contributions
Breaking down the numbers, the AUM under APY stood at Rs 30,051 crore at the end of August 25, while NPS Lite, another variant of NPS, reached an AUM of Rs 5,157 crore. These figures underscore the diversity and inclusivity of pension planning options available to individuals, catering to a wide range of financial needs and preferences.
Increasing Subscribers
The popularity of NPS and APY is also reflected in the growing number of subscribers. The total number of subscribers under these schemes now stands at more than 6.62 crore. This increasing participation indicates a growing awareness among the Indian population about the importance of planning for retirement.
Evolution of NPS and APY
The National Pension System (NPS) was introduced for all government employees (excluding the armed forces) joining the central government on or after January 1, 2004. Over time, most state and union territory governments have also adopted NPS for their new employees. NPS was made available to every Indian citizen on a voluntary basis from May 1, 2009, democratizing access to a structured retirement planning platform. On June 1, 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched, further extending the reach of pension benefits to a wider section of the population.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan on the Horizon
Looking ahead, the PFRDA is planning to introduce a systematic withdrawal plan that will provide flexibility to pension account holders to withdraw a lump sum fund as per their choice upon reaching the age of 60. This plan is expected to be implemented from October or November.
Currently, NPS subscribers can withdraw up to 60% of their retirement corpus as a lump sum, while the remaining 40% is used to purchase an annuity. The systematic withdrawal plan will allow subscribers to opt for periodic withdrawals, whether monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annually, until the age of 75.
The remarkable growth of NPS and APY’s AUM to over Rs 10 lakh crore signifies the growing emphasis on retirement planning and financial security among the Indian population. These schemes continue to evolve to provide greater flexibility and benefits to subscribers, further reinforcing their importance in the financial landscape of the country.
Cognizant India MD Rajesh Nambiar appointed as Nasscom Chairperson
Indian IT and tech trade body Nasscom announced the appointment of Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India, as its new Chairperson. Nambiar is succeeding Anant Maheshwari, former President, Microsoft India as the new Chairperson of the trade body.
Nambiar takes on the new role from his previous role as Vice Chairperson succeeding Anant Maheshwari, Former President, of Microsoft India. Nambiar along with President Debjani Ghosh, will continue to work with the nasscom Executive Council, industry, and the government in strengthening India’s position as a global technology hub while navigating the current volatile macro environment.
About the NASSCOM
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) is the apex body for the Indian technology industry. It is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1988. NASSCOM’s membership comprises over 3000 companies, including both Indian and multinational organizations that have a presence in India. The membership spans across the entire spectrum of the industry from start ups to multinationals and from products to services, Global Service Centers to Engineering firms.
NASSCOM’s mission is to build the architecture integral to the development of the technology sector through policy advocacy, and help in setting up the strategic direction for the sector to unleash its potential and dominate newer frontiers.
Why Poshan Abhiyan in News?
September is designated as National Nutrition Month in India, also known as Rashtriya POSHAN Maah or the National Nutrition Mission. The main goal of this initiative is to combat undernutrition among children under six years old, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. POSHAN Abhiyan is now in its sixth year, having been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2018. Let’s take a look at how different regions across India have begun celebrating Nutrition Month.
What is Poshan Abhiyan?
Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018 in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The focus of Abhiyaan is to lay emphasis on nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children from 0-6 years age. The programme, through use of technology, convergence and community involvement with a targeted approach strives to reduce the level of stunning, under-nutrition, Anemia and low birth weight in children, as also focus on adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers, thus holistically addressing malnutrition. The Abhiyaan is being implemented in all districts of Haryana. Nuh and Panipat districts were selected for Phase-I. For Phase-II, 10 districts, namely Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Bhiwani, Yamuna Nagar, Gurugram, Palwal, Rohtak, Sirsa and Sonipat were selected. Remaining districts are covered in the Phase III. Poshan Abhiyan Objectives
Prevent and reduce Stunting in children (0- 6 years)
Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years)
Reduce the prevalence of anemia among young Children(6-59 months)
Reduce the prevalence of anemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years
Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW)
Poshan Abhiyan Components
Convergence: VHSND Day will ensure synergy between various departments and ministries. The Abhiyaan is to ensure convergence of all nutrition related schemes of MWCD on the target population. The Abhiyaan will ensure convergence of various programmes. This will be done by setting achievable targets, sector level meetings with concerned Secretaries, joint meeting of Secretaries of line Ministries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, joint guidelines for each level, joint monitoringvisits and decentralized planning.rammes. This will be done by setting achievable targets, sector level meetings with concerned Secretaries, joint meeting of Secretaries of line Ministries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, joint guidelines for each level, joint monitoring.
ICDS-CAS: Software based tracking of nutritional status will be done. AWWs and Supervisors will be provided with mobile phone. Growth monitoring devices (Stadiometer, infantometer, weighing scales (infant) and weighing scale (mother and child)will be provided as well.will be provided as well.
Behavioral change: The Abhiyaan will be run as a Jan Andolan where mass involvement of people is desired. A community based event will happen once a month to create awareness and address issues.
Incentives: Front line workers will be given incentives for performance.
Training and Capacity Building: Incremental Learning Approach will be adopted to teach 21 thematic modules. The training will be given by Master Trainers to front line workers.
Grievance Redressal: A call centre will be setup for ease of access to solutions to any issues faced.
Events under Poshan Abhiyan Community Based Events (CBE) Community based events (CBE) are being celebrated on 8th & 22nd of every month in all anganwadis. The themes includes Annaprasan Diwas, Suposhan Diwas , Celebrating coming of age – getting ready for preschool at AWC, Messages related to public health for improvement of nutrition and to reduce illness anaprashan diwas, Suposhan Diwas, etc. The expenditure will be Rs 15.58 crore @ 250/- per event per AWC . Village Health Sanitation Nutrition Day (VHSND) Village Health Sanitation Nutritional Dayis to being conducted regularly on 15th of the month in convergence with Health Deptt, Gram Panchayat. Poshan Phagwada
To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Poshan Abhiyaan, Poshan Pakhwada was celebrated from 8- 22nd March, 2020 (suspended on 17th March, 2020 due to Corona scare) with the theme “Increasing male engagement in Poshan Abhiyaan to improve nutritional outcomes”.
During the planning phase of the Pakhwada, a video conference was addressed by Hon’ble Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, Haryana on 29- 2- 2020 with all the Deputy Commissioners in the State in order to make Poshan Pakhwada a successful event. Directions were issued to all concerned Deputy Commissioners to focus all the activities undertaken during the Poshan Pakhwada on Anaemia and malnutrition.
Several meetings were conducted at all levels i.e State, District and Block with the line departments to deliberate and plan the activities to be organized during Pakhwada. A State level meeting was held on 2nd March, 2020 with Secretaries of all the line department to discuss and plan the activities to be conducted during the Poshan Pakhwada under the Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary, Haryana.
At district level, Deputy commissioners were directed to spearhead all activities to be conducted during this fortnight. They were further instructed to mobilize the community at all levels, especially in villages and to monitor the activities of Poshan Pakhwada and the outcome of concerted efforts. Since the theme was to increase male engagement during Pakhwada, they were advised to involve daily wage earners, factory workers, construction workers and other sectors which are male dominated areas of workforce.
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