Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 Campaign

On 15^th September, 2023, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti virtually inaugurated the nationwide Swachhata Pakhwada - Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2023 campaign from Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Key Points

Fortnight of Activities: The campaign spans a fortnight, focusing on mobilizing citizens through 'shramdaan' (voluntary work) and strengthening the commitment to create a 'Garbage Free India.'
Simultaneous Solutions: The campaign highlights the potential for tackling waste management issues simultaneously in urban and rural areas.
Community Mobilization: The campaign aims to mobilize communities, promote 'jan andolan' for Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages, and reinforce the idea of "Sanitation as everyone’s business."
SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir: Various cities across India are organising SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir starting from September 17, 2023, to enhance the well-being of sanitation workers and their dependents.

India to Introduce Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar for Scientists

Recently, the Government of India announced that it is set to establish the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar to recognize the contributions of scientists, with awards distributed across four categories.

Key Points

Categories of Recognition:

The awards will encompass four categories:
- Vigyan Ratna: Recognizing lifetime achievements of scientists.
- Vigyan Shri: Acknowledging distinguished contributions to a specific field.
- Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar: Encouraging young scientists who have made exceptional contributions.
- Vigyan Team: Recognizing collaborative efforts of teams comprising three or more individuals.
Recognition Domains: The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar will be conferred across 13 domains, encompassing areas such as Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology and Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology.
The government emphasizes the importance of ensuring adequate representation of women in these domains.
Annual Awards Distribution: Annually, there will be three Vigyan Ratnas, 25 Vigyan Shris, 25 Vigyan Yuvas, and 3 Vigyan Teams. Only the Vigyan Yuva category will have an age limit of 45 years.
Award Ceremony Date: The award ceremony will take place on National Space Day, August 23, which commemorates the day India's Chandrayaan-3 mission landed on the Moon.
Rationalizing Science Awards: The introduction of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar aligns with the government's effort to rationalize awards in the field of science and technology. It seeks to enhance the prestige and value of these awards by reducing their numbers and eliminating endowments.

India Unearths Rare Vanadium Element off Gujarat Coast

India has recently made a significant discovery of the rare element Vanadium in sediment samples collected by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) from the Gulf of Khambhat near Alang town in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district.

Key Points

A Game-Changing Year: This discovery comes in the wake of another major find earlier in the year when an extensive lithium reserve, totaling approximately 5.9 million tonnes, was uncovered in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi district.
Additionally, a lithium reserve in Rajasthan's Degana has the potential to fulfill a significant portion of India's lithium requirements if it proves feasible for mining.
Diverse Applications: Vanadium is found in 55 different minerals and is not typically found in pure form, making its extraction expensive.
It holds significant industrial value and finds applications across various sectors, including defence.
Vanadium is used to strengthen materials like steel and titanium and is employed in Vanadium redox batteries for energy storage.
When combined with titanium and aluminum, it is utilized in the production of jet engine components and electrical parts due to its resistance to corrosion and high-temperature tolerance.

India Becomes 13th Nation to Issue Internationally Accepted OIML Certificates

On 14^th September, 2023, the Consumer Affairs Ministry announced that India has achieved the status of an Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates Issuing Authority.

Key Points

India Joins Elite Group: India has become the 13th country globally to issue OIML approval certificates, following its recognition as an Internationally Accepted OIML Certificates Issuing Authority.
Opportunities for Manufacturers: This development will also enable international manufacturers to have their equipment tested in India, contributing to revenue generation and employment opportunities.
OIML's Global Acceptance: Established in 1955, OIML is an intergovernmental organization, and its certificate is internationally accepted for the sale of weights and measures anywhere in the world.
A lab in Ahmedabad will initially conduct the testing for certification, with plans to establish similar labs in other cities.
The Ministry will establish a dedicated cell for certificate issuance.
Export Advantages for Domestic Manufacturers: Domestic manufacturers can now export their weighing and measuring instruments worldwide without incurring additional testing fees, leading to significant cost savings and enhancing their competitiveness in international markets.

iGOT Karmayogi Launches Aspirational Blocks Programme Module

Recently, Integrated Government Online training (iGOT )Karmayogi Bharat, the capacity development platform for government officials, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, introduced a specialized collection focused on the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).

Key Points

Aspirational Blocks Programme: NITI Aayog has initiated the Aspirational Blocks Programme, an extension of the successful Aspirational Districts Programme.
Capacity Building for Block-level Officials: This collection aims to enhance the competencies of 5,000 Block-level officials in 500 identified Blocks.
Transformation at the Grassroots: Through this module, the iGOT Platform seeks to empower Block officials to contribute to the development of underprivileged Blocks, thereby enhancing grassroots governance across India.
Ten Courses Included: The curated module comprises ten courses, covering a range of topics such as Time Management, Communication for Citizen Centricity, Leadership, Sustainable Development Goals, Problem Solving, Self-Leadership, Stress Management, Yoga at Workplace, and Team Building.
iGOT Karmayogi Platform: The iGOT Karmayogi platform serves as a comprehensive online resource for government officials.
It offers access to 685+ courses and incorporates six functional hubs for online learning, competency management, career development, discussions, events, and networking.
It provides essential knowledge and skills necessary for these officials to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

Commemoration of International Literacy Day

The Union government has scheduled a literacy week from September 1 to September 8, 2023, in honour of International Literacy Day, aiming to raise awareness of the ULLAS- Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram among all stakeholders and citizens.

Key Points:

Raising Awareness and Encouraging Participation: The literacy week seeks to foster a sense of responsibility and civic engagement in every citizen, working towards popularizing the ULLAS system and achieving India's literacy goals.
One of the primary goals is to boost registrations for learners and volunteers on the ULLAS mobile app.
- A Week of Awareness Activities:
- September 1, 2023: District Education Officers and District Literacy Mission Authority meetings for ULLAS sensitization.
- September 2, 2023: Meetings at Gram Panchayats involving Panchayat Raj Institutions on ULLAS awareness.
- September 3, 2023: Cycle rallies, nukkad nataks, and more by students and teachers.
- September 4, 2023: Conferences, workshops, and seminars on ULLAS awareness.
- September 5, 2023: Radio jingles and short films.
- September 6, 2023: Awareness campaigns through posters, pamphlets, and public displays.
- September 7, 2023: Tree plantation, environmental discussions, and cleanliness drives.
Details on ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram: The Government of India approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is implemented from FYs 2022-27.
It comprises five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

Indore Wins Best Smart City Award

On 25^th August, 2023, India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) awards for 2022 were announced where Indore shone as the best Smart City, and Madhya Pradesh emerged as the leading State, marking significant achievements in the Smart Cities Mission.

Key Points

City Rankings: Securing second and third positions are Surat and Agra respectively, demonstrating their dedication to the objectives of the Smart Cities Mission.
State Achievements: Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh secure the second, third, and fourth positions respectively in the State category, through the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022.
Union Territory Triumph: Chandigarh stands out as the best Union Territory, reflecting remarkable progress aligned with the Smart Cities Mission principles.
Honoring Excellence: The ISAC awards for 2022, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the Smart Cities Mission, were announced on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards on September 27 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Celebrating the Fourth Edition: This year's ISAC awards celebrate the fourth edition of the event. The ISAC awards were previously held in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The 2022 edition was launched in April last year during the 'Smart Cities-Smart Urbanization' event in Surat.
Recognizing Urban Excellence: The ISAC awards celebrate cities, projects, and concepts that advance sustainable development across 100 smart cities, fostering inclusive, safe, healthy, and collaborative urban spaces.
Selection Process: The ISAC 2022 award encompassed two stages – the 'Qualifying Stage,' evaluating overall city performance, and the 'Proposal Stage,' where smart cities submitted nominations across six award categories.
Prominent Achievements: A total of 845 nominations from 80 qualifying smart cities led to the identification of 66 winners across various categories in the ISAC 2022 awards.
Empowering Urban Progress: Initiated in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission aims to enhance citizens' quality of life through smart solutions across infrastructure, environment, and governance sectors.
Diverse Urban Initiatives: The 100 Smart Cities have undertaken projects spanning mobility, energy, water, sanitation, waste management, public spaces, social infrastructure, and smart governance, promoting holistic urban progress.

Annual Capacity Building Plan for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Departments

On 22nd August, 2023, the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj inaugurated the Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) for the Department of Rural Development, Department of Land Resources, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi.

Key Points

Empowering Departments for Effective Governance: The Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) is set to play a pivotal role in the delivery of services, efficient program implementation, and effective governance functions within the concerned departments.
By providing customized training to officials, the plan aims to enhance their capabilities, enabling better performance aligned with citizen-centric objectives.
Aligned with Vision New India @ 2047: The Capacity Building Commission has designed the approach for developing the ACBP based on three focal points: National Priorities, Citizen Centricity, and Emerging Technology.
The plan is structured on three pillars—Individual, Organizational, and Institutional—with the aim of contributing positively to the realization of Prime Minister's Vision for a New India by 2047.
Competency Enhancement through ACBP: The Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) is a strategic document crafted to meet the competency enhancement requirements of officials within the Ministry/Department/Organization (MDO).
This process involves Competency Need Analysis (CNA) to identify key competencies and prioritize them based on their significance and alignment with the ministry's goals.
Implementation Mechanism: Each of the three departments will establish a Capacity Building Unit (CBU) responsible for executing and sustaining the ACBP.
The plan will be funded with a budgetary allocation of 2.5% of the department's salary head.
The CBU will prioritize training needs for different quarters, offering both online and offline modes of training.
Measuring Impact and Efficacy: The Ministry plans to evaluate the impact of the training imparted through the ACBP to assess its effectiveness.
Institutes and knowledge partners have been identified to provide training in various subjects to officials.

PM Unveils Vishwakarma Yojana and Women SHG Drone Initiative

On 15^th August, 2023, Prime Minister announced the Vishwakarma Yojana, aimed at fostering skill development among traditional artisans.

Additionally, he revealed plans to empower women self-help groups (SHGs) through drone provision for agricultural activities.

Key Points

Beneficiaries: It is designed to uplift individuals proficient in traditional crafts such as weaving, goldsmithing, and blacksmithing.
Target Community: This scheme, which commences on Vishwakarma Jayanti, primarily targets the OBC community.
Funds: It is set to receive an initial funding of ₹13,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore, amplifying the empowerment of artisan families engaged in various trades.
Empowering Women SHGs with Drones: Aiming to create economic opportunities for women in villages, the government plans to establish two crore 'lakhpati didis' (prosperous sisters).
Women's SHGs: It will involve 15,000 women's SHGs, which will receive loans and training to operate and maintain drones.
Agricultural Tasks: These drones will eventually be utilized for agricultural tasks, marking a significant advancement in agricultural practices.

INCOIS Introduces 'SAMUDRA' Mobile App for Ocean Data and Advisories

On 14^th August, 2023, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) unveiled a new mobile application named 'SAMUDRA,' offering a comprehensive range of ocean-related services and critical alerts for seafarers and the fishing community.

Key Points

Real-Time Oceanic Alerts: The SAMUDRA app provides real-time updates and crucial alerts about oceanic disasters such as tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell surge alerts.
This empowers individuals and communities to stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property.
Beneficial to Fishing Community: The application proves particularly beneficial for the fishing community, offering Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories that guide them to potential fish aggregation locations.
Maximizing Catch Rates: Fishermen can optimize their catch rates by accessing information on the most probable fish aggregation locations, thereby enhancing their livelihoods.
Supporting Various Sectors: INCOIS extends its services to entities like the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, shipping industries, maritime boards, and ONGC. T
The advanced Ocean State Forecasts (OSFs) provided help mariners, fishermen, and coastal communities plan activities, manage risks, and optimize operations based on predicted ocean conditions.
Enhanced Understanding through Interactive Features: The SAMUDRA app offers interactive maps, charts, and animations to aid in comprehending complex oceanic phenomena, making it an invaluable tool for navigating the marine domain.

MeitY Launches Competition for Indigenous Indian Web Browser Development

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated a competition to encourage technology enthusiasts, innovators, and developers to create a homegrown web browser with advanced features and enhanced security.

Key Points:

MeitY's Initiative for Indigenous Web Browser: The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has introduced the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), aiming to inspire the creation of an indigenous web browser.
Collaborative Effort: The challenge is a joint effort by MeitY, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), and C-DAC, Bangalore.
Key Features: The envisioned browser is expected to include a proprietary trust store and an inbuilt Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) India root certificate.
Cutting-Edge Functionalities: The browser is anticipated to offer cutting-edge functionalities that enhance user experience and accessibility.
Focus on Security & Data Privacy: Enhanced security and data privacy protection features will be integral to the browser's design.
User-Friendly and Accessible: User friendliness and accessibility are paramount, with a focus on built-in support for individuals with diverse abilities.
Digital Document Signing: The browser aims to enable digital signing of documents using a crypto token, ensuring secure transactions and interactions in the digital realm.
Generous Prize Pool: The competition offers a substantial prize pool of Rs 3.4 crore to incentivize participation and innovation.
Holistic Approach to Development: The initiative represents a holistic approach to browser development, encompassing technology, security, accessibility, and user-centric design.
Advancing India's Tech Ecosystem: The IWBDC challenge contributes to fostering indigenous technological innovation, aligning with the government's push for self-reliance and digital empowerment.