International Day of Clean Air for blue skies: 7th September
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed globally on September 07 to promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality. It focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution highlighting the need for collective accountability and collective action. It is an UN-recognised day that aims to raise public awareness at all levels (individual, community, corporate and government) that clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment.
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2022: Theme
This year’s theme of “The Air We Share” focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution, stressing the need for collective accountability and action. It also highlights the need for immediate and strategic international and regional cooperation for more efficient implementation of mitigation policies and actions to tackle air pollution.
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2022: Significance
The United Nations commemorates the International Day Of Clear Air For Blue Skies by hosting summits with member states. Attendees put forth their perspectives and discuss the data on the impacts of air pollution and air quality around the globe.
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies: History
During its 74th session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to hold an International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on December 19, 2019. The resolution also encouraged the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the day’s observance in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. In the lead-up to the passing of the resolution, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition collaborated with UNEP and the Republic of Korea to advocate for the day.
Kiccha Sudeep named as brand ambassador of Punyakoti Dattu Yojana
The Karnataka government has appointed Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep as the brand ambassador for “Punyakoti Dattu Yojana’ a cattle adoption scheme. The announcement was made by Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu B Chavan. The minister also said that the actor has decided not to charge for being the ambassador of the scheme, which is aimed at encouraging adoption by the public for the purpose of rearing cattle in ‘goshalas’ (cow shelters).
About the Kiccha Sudeep:
Sudeep is known for his remarkable role in films such as ‘Pailwan’, ‘Eega (Makkhi)’, ‘Vikrant Rona’, ‘Sparsha’, ‘Huchcha’ and ‘No 73 Shanthi Nivasa’. Sudeep started his career with Thayavva film in 1997. He has since starred in several popular Kannada films. Apart from that, he is one of the few Kannada actors who has appeared in movies in other language films as well, with appearances including Rakta Charitra, Baahubali: The Beginning, Eega, and Dabangg 3.
NITI Aayog: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat Top States In Implementing Poshan Abhiyaan scheme
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have been ranked as the top three states among larger states in terms of the overall implementation of the Centre’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan, according to a Niti Aayog report. Sikkim was the best performer among the small states. The report titled ‘Preserving Progress on Nutrition in India: Poshan Abhiyan in Pandemic Times’ further said that 12 out of 19 large states had an implementation score of over 70 per cent. While Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu topped among Union Territories (UTs), Punjab and Bihar were the lowest performers among larger states in terms of the overall implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan, as per the government think tank report.
What The Report Said:
It pointed out that only 17 states and UTs had more than 75 per cent of children 12-23 months of age who were fully immunised, while 11 states and UTs had less than 25 per cent fully immunised children. However, it said, coverage remained low in Bihar (65 per cent pregnant women, 62 per cent lactating women, and 52 per cent children), Punjab (78 per cent pregnant women, 76 per cent lactating women, and 65 per cent children), Sikkim (84 per cent pregnant women, 84 per cent lactating women, and 77 per cent children) and Jammu and Kashmir (49 per cent pregnant women, 51 per cent lactating women, and 54 per cent children). According to the report, 16 states and UTs had more than 75 per cent of children (0-59 months) diarrhoea cases treated with ORS, while there were 5 states and UTs that treated less than 25 per cent of child diarrhoea cases with ORS.
The Issues Pertaining:
Noting that overall fund utilisation under Poshan Abhiyaan is low, with less than 50 per cent of funds utilised in 23 states and UTs, the report said, “There is an immediate need to accelerate its use through channels like recruiting human resources, procurement of devices”. The report stressed the need of accelerating the use of funds released for Poshan Abhiyaan and ensuring an adequate number of health facilities and supplies. It also suggested expanding coverage and improving the quality of essential health and nutrition interventions by continuing to strengthen the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) and health platforms. Operationalise the Convergence Action Plans (CAPs) so that the convergence is outcome-oriented and interventions across sectors reach the target beneficiaries, the report suggested.
Suggestion:
The report suggested that among the many ICDS services, priority areas for capacity building should include strengthening the quality of growth monitoring and home-based counselling. There is a need to strive for data management at the state and UT level to track their standing with respect to the objective of the Abhiyaan as well as to enable inter-state comparison on performances, it emphasised. To continue progress under the Poshan Abhiyaan, the report said gaps in HR positions must be closed, particularly in states where less than half of the required positions are filled.
Uttarakhand Govt launched ‘Samarth’ e-governance portal
The Uttarakhand education department launched an e-governance portal “Samarth”. This portal provides all administrative and educational updates including information about entrance exams, salary structures, and appointments from five state universities and 140 public schools. The initiative has been taken in a bid to make the education system more transparent in the state.
About the portal:
The portal also provides access to 40 academic study modules.
200 assistant professors of science subjects will be sent to the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru for special training, while teachers of state universities will be given training at IIM Kashipur.
The new education policy (NEP-2020) will be also implemented in the state from this session in September.
In addition, to provide quality education to students, a teacher-sharing format that will connect multiple private and government schools across the country will also be introduced soon.
Recently launched Schemes and Apps of Uttrakhand
Mukhya Mantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana
Hans Jal Dhara Yojana
Integrated Model Agricultural Village scheme (Ekikrit Adarsh Krishi Gram Yojana)
CM Udyman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana
Him Prahari scheme
e-FIR Service
1064 Anti-Corruption Application
Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana
PM Narendra Modi announced PM-SHRI Scheme for upgrading 14500 school
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a new initiative, the development and upgradation of 14 thousand 500 schools across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana. PM-SHRI schools will become model schools which will encapsulate the full spirit of the National Education Policy. The centrally sponsored scheme will be implemented by strengthening existing schools selected from amongst those managed by the Central government, states, Union Territories and local bodies.
What is the aim of the scheme?
The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development but also to create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.
About the scheme:
The PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education. The PM-SHRI schools will further benefit lakhs of students across the country in the spirit of the National Education Policy.
The PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education. Emphasis will be on a discovery-oriented, learning-centric way of teaching. The focus will also be on modern infra including the latest technology, smart classrooms, sports and more. The National Education Policy has transformed the education sector in the recent years.
Tripura sets up the India’s first Bio-Villages
Tripura becomes the first state in India to have the first modified bio-village. The Daspara village of Tripura is converted into a nature-based lifestyle and livelihood and reduced the use of chemical fertilizers. Dasapara is a home for 64 families which depends on agriculture and fishery. Daspara is one of the five successful bio-village 2.0 conceptualized in Tripura after the BJP came into power and adopted the Climate change mitigation endeavor of Prime minister Narendra Modi.
Key Points Related to India’s first Bio-Villages
Tripura Government has aimed to set up a total of 100 bio villages in the state.
10 bio villages are completed, and the first bio village has been set up at Dasapara in Charilam constituency of Sepahijala district.
The bio village project aims to provide sustainable livelihood and food security to ensure holistic socio-economic development among rural communities.
The project supports the development of solar-powered agricultural equipment, energy-saving electrical devices, biogas, and biofertilizers at the local level.
The main objective of the project is to promote green technology like solar water pumps, biomass cook stoves, and biogas plants for sustainable production of agricultural and allied sector-related products.
Digital India Mission: Uttar Pradesh Tops in Use of e-Prosecution Portal
Uttar Pradesh, with 9.12 million cases, ranks at the top in the number of disposal and entry of cases through the e-Prosecution portal managed by the Union government under its Digital India Mission. According to the figures till the end of August, Madhya Pradesh followed in second spot at 2.31 million, Bihar with 859,000, Gujarat with 487,000 and Chhattisgarh with 383,000 cases. UP also ranks at the top in disposal of online cases on this portal, with about 470,000 entries, followed by 170,000 for MP and 125,000 for Gujarat. The portal launched by states two years ago is an initiative of the home, IT and law ministries for helping courts and the prosecution system in accelerating criminal trials in heinous crimes.
About The System:
Under the system, officials ensure that witnesses are informed through SMS about their day of appearance in court, reach out to the concerned government advocates and help in prompt disposal of cases, with the entire database of the case structured to help the prosecution, an official said. The portal provides for e-communication between the police department and the prosecution directorate under the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) that enables transfer of data among courts, police, jails and forensic science laboratories. The state has also topped in convictions related to crime against women and in cases related to cybercrime as well as convictions of arrested people in cases related to Indian Penal Code (IPC) incidents, and in the seizure of illegal firearms, as per the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau.
What The Govt Aims:
In the next 100 days, the department aims at securing conviction of 1,000 convicts under POCSO Act and crimes against women. It is also planned to ensure conviction in crimes under POCSO Act within one month, and ensure punishment in at least 90 per cent of the decided cases under the Arms Act. The e-Prosecution Mobile app is also being developed which will incorporate digitisation of all judicial procedures of prosecutors in courts. According to Additional Director General of Police Ashutosh Pandey, the Prosecution department is conducting a 100-day special campaign under the Mission Shakti for women empowerment. Specific formats had been designed for providing monthly information on action taken against 25 listed mafia groups in UP; cases underway and decided under the POCSO Act; cases pertaining to illicit liquor and the Arms Act. The objective is to monitor the progress of officials in all districts in maintaining a steady progress in prosecution of important cases and thus instill a sense of confidence among the people.
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