The Gyan Shakti Think Tank (GSTT) under Sapta Shakti Command, in collaboration with FICCI, hosted its inaugural seminar in Jaipur, focusing on “Atmanirbharta in Defence Manufacturing: Opportunities in Rajasthan.” The event, held at the Jaipur Military Station, brought together key figures from the defence industry, government, and academia. Industry and Commerce Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and FICCI Co-chair Ankit Mehta participated, while Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, Army Commander of Sapta Shakti Command, delivered the keynote address. The seminar highlighted Rajasthan’s potential as a hub for defence manufacturing, emphasizing its role in achieving self-reliance in the sector. GSTT, established to foster collaboration between veterans, scholars, and industry leaders, aims to contribute to defence and regional security through knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships.
12.11.2024
Odisha’s Menstrual Leave Policy: A Step Forward with Restrictions
Odisha has become the third state in India to offer menstrual leave, granting government employees under 55 years of age 12 days of leave annually. This policy, implemented after months of advocacy by women’s rights activists, aims to acknowledge the physical discomfort women experience during menstruation. However, the leave is restricted to one day per month, with unused leave expiring at the end of each month. While the government’s decision is seen as a positive step towards gender equality, activists urge private sector companies to follow suit and implement similar policies to ensure parity in the workforce. The policy supersedes an earlier notification that granted 10 additional casual leaves to women employees, but lacked clarity on usage and carryover.
JMM Unveils ‘Adhikar Patra’ with Focus on Employment, Social Security, and Reservation
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) released its manifesto, titled ‘Adhikar Patra’, on Monday, outlining its key promises for the upcoming state assembly elections. The manifesto, which carries the slogan “Ek Hi Naara, Hemant Dobara” (One Slogan, Hemant Again), focuses on employment generation, social security, and strengthening reservation policies. JMM reiterates its commitment to increasing reservation for OBCs in government jobs from 14% to 27%, while maintaining 28% for STs and 12% for SCs. The party also promises 33% reservation for women in all government positions. The manifesto includes a detailed plan for appointing two lakh youths across various departments, with the largest chunk allocated to rural development, urban development, health, mining, tourism, and renewable energy. JMM also proposes to establish CM Schools of Excellence at the panchayat level, degree colleges in every block, and medical and engineering colleges in 15 districts. The party further pledges to cancel the land bank scheme, issue land titles to the landless, and provide caste and residential certificates within six months of coming to power. To counter the BJP’s proposed gas cylinder subsidy, JMM promises to reduce the price of LPG cylinders to Rs 450 for needy families and increase the amount given under the Maiya Samman Yojna to Rs 2,500 per month. The party also plans to increase the pension for widows, elderly people, and specially-abled persons to Rs 2,500 per month and ensure health insurance coverage for those in the unorganized sector. JMM emphasizes that its manifesto is a document of “basic minimum rights” for the people of Jharkhand, aiming to fulfill their aspirations for a better future.
Protecting the Sacred: Strict Regulations Proposed for Manimahesh Yatra
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recommended stringent regulations for the annual Manimahesh Yatra in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, to mitigate the environmental damage caused by the influx of pilgrims. A joint committee, comprising the Chamba deputy commissioner and deputy conservator of forests, has proposed a comprehensive plan to manage human activity on the sensitive trek route, including capping daily pilgrim numbers, mandatory online registration, and an eco cess. The report highlights the need for stricter control over commercial activities, with specific zones designated for commercial structures and a ban on commercial activity and langars near the Manimahesh lake. The committee also recommends scientific waste management, including waste segregation at source and a material recovery facility, and increased sanitation facilities. These measures aim to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Manimahesh region while ensuring a safe and sustainable pilgrimage experience for devotees.
Haryana Launches Vehicle Scrappage and Recycling Incentive Policy to Promote Sustainability and Economic Growth
The Haryana government has launched a new vehicle scrappage and recycling incentive policy aimed at managing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) within the state. This initiative promotes environmental sustainability by reducing pollution and encouraging proper disposal and recycling of old vehicles. The policy offers financial incentives to vehicle owners, including capital subsidies, state GST reimbursement, and land leasing frameworks. It also provides support for startups, women entrepreneurs, and Scheduled Castes candidates, along with infrastructure development grants and financial assistance for skill development and youth employment initiatives. This comprehensive policy aims to address the issue of abandoned vehicles while fostering economic growth and environmental protection.
Gujarat Retains Title at All India Chess for Blind Championship
The second edition of the All India Chess for Blind (AICFB) Championship concluded in Ahmedabad on Sunday, with Gujarat successfully defending its title. The event, hosted by the Blind People’s Association (BPA), saw 28 teams from across India compete, each consisting of five players. Maharashtra and West Bengal secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. The championship provided a platform for visually impaired chess players to showcase their skills and compete at a national level, fostering inclusivity and promoting the sport among the visually challenged community.
Gujarat Delegation to Lead Climate Change Discussions at COP29
Gujarat’s Finance and Energy Minister, Kanubhai Desai, will lead the state’s delegation to the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference, taking place from November 11th to 22nd, will focus on operationalizing the loss and damage fund for vulnerable communities, finalizing elements of the Paris Agreement, and addressing enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and post-2025 climate finance goals. The event, organized under the UNFCCC and presided over by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, will bring together nearly 200 countries and a diverse range of stakeholders to advance global climate commitments. Daily themes at COP29 will cover crucial aspects of climate action, including finance, energy transition, human capital, biodiversity, food security, and digitalization.
India: A Banana Powerhouse with Gujarat Leading the Pack
India reigns supreme as the world’s largest banana producer, contributing nearly 20% of global production. While Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra lead in overall production within India, Gujarat stands out for its exceptional productivity per hectare, exceeding both national and global averages. This high yield is attributed to the widespread adoption of tissue culture saplings and modern farming techniques, coupled with favorable soil and climate conditions. Bharuch district in Gujarat boasts the highest productivity, followed by Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, and Anand, collectively accounting for over 80% of the state’s banana production. Despite ranking 18th globally in banana exports, India has witnessed a remarkable growth rate in recent years, with significant contributions from Gujarat’s Bharuch, Narmada, and Surat districts. The article highlights the potential for further growth in both traditional and new markets, particularly in developed countries like the USA and UK. With government support and initiatives like the APEDA clusters, Gujarat is poised to become a major player in the global banana export market.
SOLAS Open Science Conference: Fostering Global Collaboration in Ocean-Atmosphere Research
The ninth international Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) Open Science Conference is being held in Goa, India, from November 11th to 14th. This marks the first time the conference, which takes place every two years, is being hosted in India. The event brings together leading experts in the field of surface ocean and lower atmosphere research to discuss the latest scientific developments and foster collaborations. The conference features three discussion sessions aimed at facilitating informal roundtable discussions on SOLAS-related topics. SOLAS is also planning to launch a mentorship program in mid-2025 to connect early career scientists with established researchers across multiple disciplines. An open session at the OSC is designed to gather feedback to shape the program’s design and implementation.
Pilgrim Village Ready for St. Francis Xavier Exposition in Old Goa
To accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims for the upcoming Exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa, the state government has constructed a temporary Pilgrim Village. The village, located a short walk from the Bom Jesus Basilica, features 10 completed cottages with the capacity to house 10-12 people each, equipped with basic amenities like lights, fans, and charging points. The cottages are built with eco-friendly materials like bamboo and coconut palms. The village is intended to provide basic accommodation for pilgrims who arrive without prior bookings, aiming to decongest the area around the Se Cathedral and the Bom Jesus Basilica. The Church plans to expand the village to 17 cottages, accommodating over 200 devotees daily. The Exposition, which begins on November 21st and continues until January 5th, is expected to draw lakhs of pilgrims from across India, including those undertaking walking pilgrimages.