RAJASTHAN

TheUniversity of Rajasthan(RU) is making changes to its academic offerings in line with the transformative goal of the National Education Policy (NEP). In keeping with theNEPs emphasis on multidisciplinary education and Skill development, the university is actively adjusting its courses and syllabus to meet students changing needs and the modern workforces demands.

Recognising the necessity of remaining at the cutting edge of educational innovation, the university is conducting a thorough evaluation of its existing courses, said officials. The universitysBoard of Studiesis working hard to restructure the syllabus so that it aligns with the NEPs objectives.

With thepandemic situationat its peak, schools are unlikely to open for another six months. To address the situation, small and medium-sized schools have decided to come forward and start ajoint forumfor online classes for students all acrossRajasthan.

One problem that small schools face is that many students do not have android phones. For solving this problem, association has decided to send audios as well so that students will be able to listen to it even if they cannot see them. Moreover, a helpline will be set where students can call up for clearing doubts.

Some schools have appreciated this step as with online classes, it becomes easier for the schools to ask parents for fees.

For the first time, a department of the appointed a chief sustainability officer (CSO) after Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) nominated its company secretary as the CSO of the corporation.
For private corporations and government PSUs, appointing a CSO is the newest trend. A CSO generally implements the Environment sustainability Governance (ESG) strategies and sustainable policies on behalf of the corporation.

According to Industry experts, in 2020-21 several global companies appointed the first batch of CSOs. Following several issues related to environmental challenges, corporates are paying urgent attention to sustainability and ESG factors. In India several corporate giants like Tatas and ITC and PSUs like Ongc and Indian Oil Corporation have appointed CSOs.

Locals have alleged that illegal sand mining activities are being carried out in the Faridabad Aravalis near Bharadwaj lake. Camels are being used to transport the sand to different areas, they said.

The Aravali hills, which are spread from Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi, are an ecologically sensitive zone but have borne the brunt of quarrying and Environmental Degradation over several decades. This has led to the destruction of aquifers and deforestation in the region, environmentalists said.

In a 2018 report, a Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had pointed out that around 25% of the Aravali range had been lost due to illegal mining in Rajasthan between 1967 and 1968.

The has hinted that the target of 30lakh Functional Household Tap Connections(FHTC) set for the year 2021-22 under theJal Jeevan Mission(JJM) cannot be achieved due to technical reasons like sustainable Resources“>Water Resources, survey of villages, poor finances and delay due to Covid-19.

JJM is a target-basedCentralgovernment programme. The state has also expressed that the programme can be expedited if the Centre increases its share from 50% to 90%.
JJM has set a target of providing tap water connections in 1.01 crore rural households in the state by the end of 2024.

Of the total target of 1.01 crore rural households, 22.40 lakh households have installed FHTC as of January 15. This is 22.08% of the total target.

The state Education department is planning to let schools decide on calling students for offline classes, followingCovid-19protocols.

The rise in Covid-19 cases among school students has created panic among parents and students. Officials at the School Directorate inBikanersaid the alternate-day classes formula in place since October didnt cause any problem for the schools and the parents.

The official hinted that they are likely to take a call to put the onus of deciding the strength of students on school as per their class sizes.

The worlds tallest statue of LordShivnamed Sishvas Swaroopam (statue of belief) will be inaugurated atNathdwaraon October 29 during a week-long Maha Mahotsav of religious, spiritual and cultural events.

The 369-feet high statue built on the Ganesh Tekri in Nathdwara has been a part of the dream project of Madan Paliwal, trustee of Sant Kripa Sanatan Sansthan.
In this statue built on a hill of 51 bighas, Lord Shiva is seated in the posture of meditation, which can be seen from a distance of 20 kilometre. This statue is well lit up and is clearly visible even at night.

The safety standards of the world’s tallest shiva statue have been taken care of and complete arrangements have been made for fire safety. Water tanks have been made installed inside the statue with adequate availability of firefighting equipment. Golf cart facility has also been made available for the tourists.

Mini forests will be springing up in different corners of the city as JDA has started plantation using popular Japanese Miyawaki technique. UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal inaugurated the project from Jawahar Circle to create urban forests.

JDA has earmarked 30,000 sqm land in 10 city parks including Central Park and Ramniwas Bagh where it plans to plant approximately 1,20,000 shrubs and Plants. The officials claimed that in comparison to conventional methods, the forests using this technique grow faster and become denser and more bio-diverse.

The technique compresses layers of a forest shrubs, trees, canopies on small plots of land, turning them into tiny forests. “Around 20,000 plants will be planted in Hira Lal Park, Shastri Nagar. Using this technique, forests grow in two to three years and are self-sustaining. The civic body will be planting diverse native species,” the official added. Meanwhile, JDA will also de-concretise the base of trees in the city and ensure that at least one metre area around them is left unpaved while laying tiles on footpaths or road construction. In a recent survey, JDA had found that the base of over 3,000 trees was concretised alongside arterial roads and local streets.