05.07.23

NPS International School hosts one of the largest MUNs in NE

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Over 600 delegates from across the State, representing almost all the leading schools of Assam, have taken part in the two-day-long Inter NPS Model United Nations (MUN) being held in the premises of NPS International School in Guwahati on Friday. This event is considered as one of the largest MUNs in the North-east region of the country. NPS International School is organising such events over the years for holistic development of students. Inaugurating the event, Jitendra Nath Das, founder of NPS International School, spoke on the importance on organising such events for overall growth of student community.


Rs 250 cr agri fund launched in Assam to boost agribusinessAn Rs 250 crore fund has been created in Assam by multiple stakeholders, including World Bank, to promote small and medium units in the agriculture sector, officials said. Venture capital fund Caspian Impact Investment Adviser said it has joined hands with the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society to roll out the agribusiness investment firm.

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The Hyderabad-based company said that according to the agreement, ARIAS will be the nodal agency for establishing and implementing a contributory and determinate investment trust the Assam Agribusiness Investment Fund (AAIF).

ARIAS is designated as the anchor investor for the AAIF, which will be managed by Caspian Equity as the fund manager.

World Bank Group Finance Sector Specialist Toshiaki Ono said that agribusiness SMEs play a vital role in this transformation but external finance, especially long-term and patient capital for their growth, is extremely limited.

Ensure 54% quota for BCs in higher edu

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Former Union Minister Srikant Jena has urged the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) for action so that a minimum of 27% and ideally 54% reservation for OBC/SEBC communities can be implemented immediately in Odisha in higher education sector from this academic year.

In a letter to the NCBC Chairman Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Jena drew his attention to the deliberate negligence of the Odisha Government towards providing reservations to OBC and SEBC communities in higher education and Government jobs.

The OBC and SEBC communities comprise 54% of Odishas population but receive 0% reservation in higher education despite the 2005 notification by the Government of India to provide a minimum of 27% reservation to the OBC communities. In addition, these communities only get 11.25% reservation in Government jobs instead of 27% as is the norm in all States of India. In contrast, 10% reservation in both higher education and Government jobs has been given under EWS category despite the general category population comprising only 6% in Odisha, said Jena.

Chola-era stone pillar found near Maaligaimedu excavation site

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The state archaeology department, which is conducting the third phase of archaeological excavations atMaaligaimedunearGangaikonda Cholapuramin Ariyalur district, has unearthed a stone pillar which is believed to be the remnant of a Chola-era palace.

According to official sources, the stone pillar measures 6.4 metres in length and 72cm in width.

It was discovered at theUtkottaiexcavation site, approximately 1 km from Maaligaimedu.

The first phase of excavation took place between February and September 2021. The second phase of the excavation was undertaken between February and September 2022. Gangaikonda Cholapuram, once a prosperous trading town, flourished as the capital city of the Cholas.

Wimbledon features state’s boat race on digital platforms

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Kerala’siconic snake boatrace has been featured prominently byWimbledonTennis Championship as a poster on its digital platforms, including the official Facebook page of the ongoing mega tennis tourney, reflecting the success of the state tourism’s sustained global marketing outreach.

The poster depicts an image of prominent Wimbledon players in tennis attire rowing twoIruttkuthi boatsin a panoramic backwater setting off a lush coconut grove in Kerala.

The image is accompanied by an emoji of Kerala and London shaking hands and the description, “Ready for the annual boat race! Who will be lifting the 2023 Wimbledon championship”.

“It’s really exciting to see Kerala’ssnake boatrace being featured by Wimbledon as an official poster,” tourism minister P A Mohamed Riyas said.

Wimbledon is yet another major sporting event to feature Kerala, within a few months after Chelsea FC making a virtual tour of backwater paradise Alappuzha, praising the beauty of the land.

Patil visits industries, assures govt support for agro-based units

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Industries minister MB Patil visited industries in Belur industrial area Gamanagatti, Mummigatti, Ithigatti on Monday. The minister has assured government support to those wishing to set up agro-based industries in their farmlands.

Patil, who has been emphasizing the need to spread industries to regions outside Bengaluru, visited Infrafine Foods Private Limited in Gamanagatti, which specializes in fruit pulp extraction and exports to America, Japan, and European countries, Patil praised the company’s impressive growth. He highlighted the benefits such industries bringing to farmers by directly purchasing fruits like mango, guava, and pineapple. Additionally, these industries add value to agricultural produce.

Telangana reserves 100% convenor seats for locals in new medical colleges

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Now, medical aspirants from neighbouringAndhra Pradeshwill no longer have special access to the convenor quote in new medical colleges of Telangana. This, with the state government making a significant amendment to theTelanganaState Medical Colleges Admission Rules, on Tuesday, in accordance with the AP Reorganisation Act and Article 371D.
As per the new norm, the entire convenor quota of 85% in medical colleges set up in Telangana post bifurcation, will be reserved for local candidates. The remaining 15% seats will be available forNEETrankers from all states including AP under the all-India quota. With this, Telangana students will have 520 additional seats exclusively earmarked for them.

Previously, students from AP had access to 15% seats (of this 85%) in government medical colleges and 35% in private medical colleges of Telangana. Now, this benefit will be limited to just 20 colleges five government and 15 private that were set up here before bifurcation.

Incidentally, the count of medical colleges have shot up to 56 now (including government and private institutions) with the number of MBBS seats jumping from 2,850 to 8,340.

AU SDE automates all its academic procedures

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Andhra University School of Distance Educationhas started offering admissions for all its courses twice a yearacademic year batch (July) and calendar year batch (January) from 2022, saidSDEdirector Prof K Visweswara Rao. He added that the admission and further procedures are completely automated.

This covers tuition and exam fee payment, hall ticket downloading, and results announcement. The enrolment has increased over the years. More than 30,000 students joined the SDE in 2022-23. We are working hard to meet the gross enrolment ratio target and cater quality education to all enrolled. As far as the curriculum is concerned, we are also followingUGCguidelines by offering courses in 70:30 pattern. As directed by the UGC, all courses have been transformed from conventional annual pattern to semester mode from 2023-24. The certificates provided by SDE is on par with regular students. We are in tune with NEP-2020 and meeting the criteria for the same.

Maharashtra granted approval for mega leather footwear and accessories cluster park in Raigad

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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has granted Maharashtra an in-principalapprovalto establish a MegaLeatherFootwear and AccessoriesCluster Parkin Ratwad, located in the Raigad district in Konkan. The allocation of grants for such a cluster signifies Maharashtras growing strength in the sector and would further revolutionize the state’s leather sector, enabling the state to take a leading position infootwearand apparel exports, said an industries department release.

The Mega Leather Footwear andAccessoriesCluster Park measuring 151 acres is expected to serve as a hub for the leather industry collaboration, innovation, and growth by integrating manufacturers, suppliers, designers, and artisans.

Maharashtra currently ranks 8th among largest producer and exporter of leather goods in the country. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) alone contributes to 21% of the nation’s leather exports, highlighting the state’s crucial role in the industry. The labor-intensive nature of the leather industry and its substantial multiplier effect makes it a catalyst of employment generation, with a focus on benefiting the weaker sections of society.

The establishment of the Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories Cluster Park in Raigad will mark a milestone in Maharashtra’s economic growth trajectory.

The scheme ‘Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLDP)’ has financial outlay of INR 1700 crore until March 31, 2026. As a sub-scheme of IFLDP, the ‘Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories Cluster Development’ (MLFACD) scheme aims to develop Leather Industries clusters to integrate forward and backward linkages and capitalize on economies of scale.

The MIDC is collaborating with Council of Leather Export (CLE) and Leather Industry development Corporation Maharashtra (LIDCOM) in the state to conduct the market research and stakeholder outreach for leather cluster development. Key highlights of the leather cluster include its proximity to Dighi Port, ample access to power, water and CETP infrastructure and an existing industrial ecosystem. In addition, a logistics park is also proposed near the site which will enable strong connectivity linkages and quicker fulfillment times.

Rs350 cr action plan to check stubble burning in Punjab

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To create alternative measures to curb the stubble burning in the state, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has drafted an action plan worth Rs 350 crore for providing straw management machinery at heavy subsidized rates.

Wherein, co-operative societies and other groups can avail subsidy of 80 per cent, on the other side, individual farmers will get 50 per cent subsidy.

Sharing the details, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said that the Department has submitted the action plan of Rs 350 crore to the Central Government to provide funds for the current year and over 20,000 machines would be made available on subsidy to individuals for crop residue management and 1000 Custom Hiring Centers would also be established.

Apart from this, the Department would also launch an Information Education and Communication campaign to educate and train farmers about the available technologies for management of crop residues as the Punjab Government is proactively taking steps to address the problem of stubble burning in the State.