Infrastructure Projects in Gujarat

Paper 3 –Infrastructure

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Investment in infrastructure of any country paves the way for faster and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the context of India.

Why Should You Know?

Recently The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projectsat Jamnagar, Ahmedabad and Bharuch in Gujarat.

In details –

In Jamnagar

• The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 1450 crore in Jamnagar. These projects relate to irrigation, power, water supply and urban infrastructure.
• The Prime Minister dedicated package 7 of Saurashtra Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana Link 3 (from Und Dam to Sonmati Dam), package 5 of SAUNI Yojana Link 1 (from Und-1 dam to SANI Dam) and Haripar  40 MW Solar PV project.
• The projects whose foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister include Kalavad Group Augmentation water supply scheme of Kalavad/Jamnagar Taluka Morbi-Maliya-Jodiya group Augmentation water supply scheme, Lalpur Bypass junction flyover Bridge,  Hapa Market Yard Railway Crossing , and the refurbishment of the Sewer Collection pipeline and pumping station.

In Bharuch

• In yet another step to make India Aatmanirbhar in the pharmaceutical sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park at Jambusar. In 2021-22, bulk drugs accounted for over 60% of total pharmaceutical imports.
• The project will play a key role in ensuring import substitution and helping make India self-reliant for bulk drugs.
• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Deep Sea Pipeline Project at Dahej, which will help in the disposal of treated wastewater from industrial estates.
• Other projects whose foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister include Phase 1 of Ankleshwar Airport and the development of Multilevel Industrial Sheds at Ankleshwar and Panoli, which will give a boost to the MSME sector.

Tribal Industrial Parks

• The Prime Minister performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of multiple industrial parks. These include four Tribal Industrial Parks which will come up in Valia (Bharuch), Amirgadh (Banaskantha), Chakaliya (Dahod) and Vanar (Chhota Udaipur); Agro Food Park at Mudetha (Banaskantha); Sea Food Park at Kakwadi Danti (Valsad); and MSME Park at Khandivav (Mahisagar).

Other projects

• During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated several projects which will give a boost to the chemicals sector.
• He dedicated 800 TPD Caustic Soda Plant integrated with a 130 MW cogeneration power plant at Dahej.
• Along with this, he also dedicated the expansion of the existing Caustic Soda Plant at Dahej, whose capacity has been increased from 785 MT/day to 1310 MT/day.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated a project for manufacturing over one lakh MT per annum of Chloromethanes at Dahej.
• Other projects which were dedicated by the Prime Minister include the Hydrazine Hydrate Plant at Dahej which will help in import substitution of the product, IOCL Dahej-Koyali Pipeline Project, Bharuch underground drainage and STP work and widening and strengthening of Umlla Asaa Panetha road.

In Ahmedabad

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of Modi Shaikshanik Sankul, an educational complex for needy students in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The project will help provide facilities to students for holistic development.
• Modi Educational Complex has been established near Chhorodi by Mod Vanik Modi Samaj.

India Space Conclave

Paper 3 – Economy

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: ISPA is acting as a major contributor towards complementing the Government of India’s efforts to make India a leader in commercial space-based tourism.

Why Should You Know?

Recently Indian Space Association celebrated its first anniversary, India Space Conclave was organized in Delhi on this occasion.

In details

• Indian Space Association celebrated its first anniversary, on this occasionIndia Space Conclavewas organized in Delhi.
• Speaking at the India Space Conclave Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, MoS PMO, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the revolutionary and out of box decision of Indian government to unlock the Space sector for Private Industry in June, 2020 changed the very nature of Space ecosystem of the country.
• Dr Jitendra Singh said that Indian StartUps will soon launch Space satellites as well as satellite constellations and try their rockets.
• The Minister also informed that five PSLVs are being domestically produced by LandT and HAL, while OneWeb is all set to launch their satellites through ISRO and NSIL.
• Dr Jitendra Singh said, Space reforms have unleashed the innovative potentials of start-ups and within a short span of time, from a couple of Space Start-ups three -four years back, today we have 102 start-ups working in cutting-edge areas of space debris management., nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, research etc. The Minister said, with the integration of RandD, Academia and Industry with equal stake, it is safe to say that a Space Revolution led by ISRO along with the Private Sector and Start-ups is on the horizon.
• Dr Jitendra Singh said, the strength and innovative potential of our young and private industrial enterprise will take a lead in the global space technology disruption in times to come.
• He expressed hope that India’s young technology wizards shall breach new barriers in the field of Space Technology while they set out to address the limitless opportunities offered by the Space Domain.

About Indian Space Association

• Indian Space Association (ISpA) is a quasi-public trade association for Indian space and satellite manufacturing companies.
• On October 11, 2021, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi launched the Indian Space Association as a “single-window” agency for facilitating space sector business opportunities for Indian start-ups and the private sector.
• It is is an apex, non-profit industry body exclusively working towards the successful exploration, collaboration, and development of the private and public Space Industry in India.

Objectives

• To perform an all encompassing role for the entire Space Domain, ISpA aims to be an Advocate and Facilitator for the participation, growth and capacity building of the private as well as public industry in India’s Space domain.
• Towards this, ISpA is engaged with the Indian Government; regulatory bodies; national and international bodies; and other stakeholders as well as participate in formulating effective; efficient and appropriate policies; and, regulatory frameworks.

Heli-India Summit 2022

Paper 3 – Infrastructure

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Civil aviation has now become the need of the hour not only for India but for mankind across the world as it always brings with it two important multipliers, economic multiplier and employment multiplier, explain.

Why Should You Know?

On October 10, 2022Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated 4th Heli-India Summit 2022.

In details –

• Minister of civil aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the fourth Heli-India Summit 2022 in Srinagar and said that a civil enclave will be built in Jammu and Srinagar’s current terminal and will be expanded three times to 60,000 square meters.
• Addressing the summit, the minister said that the decrease in VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 26.5% to 1% by the JandK government has set a new dawn for air connectivity in the union territory with 360% increase in refuelling, thus increasing air connectivity to the region.
• Scindia said that his ministry not only organizes summits but also monitors the progress of ‘Sankalps’ taken from one summit to another. “During the 3rd Heli-India Summit at Dehradun, eight Sankalps were taken. They were providing Heli-Sewa Portal, Heli-Disha, Helicopter Accelerator Cell, doing away with the landing and parking charges for helicopter service, creation of specific helicopter corridors, helipads to be given priority while framing DPR for all new highways, upgradation of Juhu airbase to accommodate night operations. They were taken to their logical end.”
• HeliSewa portal is fully online and being used by all operators for obtaining landing permissions to helipads, and it also is creating a database of helipads in the country.
• HeliDisha, the guidance material on helicopter operations for state administration has been distributed to 780 districts.
• Three helicopter corridors from Mumbai-Pune, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, and Shamshabad-Begumpet have been created and new IFR corridors are being planned.

Fractional Ownership Model

• The guidelines on Fractional Ownership Model have also been released to help grow the non-scheduled operations.
• Fractional ownership will lower the barrier on the cost of acquisition of helicopters and airplanes through pooled capital by multiple owners.
• This will allow companies and individuals to minimize their capital outflow by sharing the purchase cost, reducing their exposure to risks and making it financially easier to run a NSOP business.
• Fractional Ownership Model has the potential to energize the NSOP segment by democratizing ownership of aircraft. It can be a key driver to boost the number of aircraft existing in the NSOP industry.

Project Sanjeevani

• Scindia said that HEMS pilot called Project Sanjeevani will also be incubated by deploying a helicopter in the next few weeks to provide emergency medical services at AIIMS Rishikesh.
• The helicopter will be based at the hospital at 20 min notice and will have a service cover to an area of 150 km radius.
• It is the intention of the Govt to expand medical outreach and access to trauma care services to a wider population base across the country using the speed advantage and mobility of helicopters.

B20 Indonesia Global Dialogue

Paper 2 – International Relations

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: What do you understand by B20 Indonesia Global Dialogue? Explain how it will affect the interests of India.

Why Should You Know?

Recently the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) hosted the conference on B20 Indonesia Global Dialogue.

In details

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) hosted Conference on B20 Indonesia Global Dialogue in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi On October 10, 2022, with the aim of aligning the perspectives of Indian industry with the policy recommendations of B20 Indonesia. 
• This conference would set tone for the deliberations to ensure that the Indian perspectives are well represented in the policy recommendation of B20 Indonesia.
• More than 20 business representatives from Indonesia participated in the conference which included Ms. Shinta Widjajakamdani, President of B20 Indonesia as well as Her Excellency Ina H. Krishnamurthy, Indonesian Ambassador to India.
• The Indian Government side was represented by Shri Amitabh Kant, India’s Sherpa to G20, Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and other senior officers from DPIIT and other concerned Ministries.
• Indian industry was represented by many leaders including; Shri Chandrajit Banerjee, DG, CII; Dr.Naushad Forbes, Past President, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Shri Deepak Bagla, MDand CEO, Invest India
• After Opening Plenary and introductory remarks, Dialogues were held on

(i)Trade and Investment

(ii) Energy, Sustainability and Climate

(iii) Digitisation and

(iv) Finance and Infrastructure

• wherein perspectives from B20 Indonesia was followed by perspectives from Indian Industry and Government of India.
• Significantly, this dialogue will also pave the way for the B20 Final Summit to be held in Indonesia on 13-14 November 2022.

What is B20?

• B20 is formaly known as The Business 20 (B20). It  is the official G20 dialogue with the global business community.
• The mission of the B20 is to support the G20 through consolidated representation of interests, expertise, and concrete policy proposals.
• Business 20 (B20), formed in 2010, is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community.
• B20 aims to deliver concrete actionable policy recommendations on the priorities by each rotating presidency to spur economic growth and development.
• The overall aim of the B20 is to lead the global economy towards a sustainable and future-oriented path.
• The B20 acts as a platform for dialogue among policymakers, the civil society and businesses at international level. Every year the B20 and G20 forums are hosted by a different member state.

About the G20

• The G20 is a formal organization of 20 major economies of the world, including 19 countries and 1 European Union.
• The G-20 is seen as an extension of the G-7, a group of the world’s most powerful countries. The G-7 comprises France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and Canada.  In 1998, the group also joined Russia and it became G-8 from G-7.
• Russia was separated from the group in 2014 due to the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region and once again became the G-7.  In 1999, the G-8 countries met in Cologne, Germany, in which asia’s economic crisis was discussed.
• After this, it was decided to bring the countries with twenty powerful economies of the world on one platform. In December 1999, the G-20  group met for the first time in Berlin. Later, the G-8  was recognized as a political and the G-20 as an economic forum.

Significance

• The G20 is composed of most of the world’s largest economies, including both industrialized and developing nations, and accounts for around 80% of gross world product (GWP), 75–80% of international trade,
• Two-thirds of the global population,and roughly half the world’s land area.

Function

• It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
• The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat or Headquarters. Instead, the G20 president is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy.
• The G20 Presidency rotates annually according to a system that ensures a regional balance over time. Every year when a new country takes on the presidency, it works hand in hand with the previous presidency and the next presidency and this is collectively known as TROIKA.

Member Countries

• USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa,  South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
• Spain is a permanent guest who is specially invited every year. Every year, in addition to Spain, g20 guests include the president of ASEAN countries including two African countries (president of the African Union and representative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development) and one country (sometimes more than one)  invited by the president of the G20.

Football for Schools program

Paper 2 – Education, Games

From the point of view of mains examination

Q: The Football for Schools program fosters the spirit of NEP 2020 and also promotes the concept of sports-integrated learning. Have a discussion.

Why Should You Know?

Before the recent FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan met the FIFA Secretary General, and advocated making the ‘Football for School’ program a mass movement

In details

• Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan met Secretary-General, FIFA, Ms. Fatma Samoura ahead of FIFA U-17 World Cup.
• Discussions centred around collaboration with FIFA and UNESCO’s Football for Schools Programme in the schools across the country.
• In a joint press conference after the meeting, Shri Pradhan said that the Football for Schools movement espouses the spirit of NEP 2020 and promotes sports-integrated learning. It will boost culture of sports in India and help in developing skills of our students, he further added.
• Keeping in view the large network of schools, Ms. Samoura and the Minister agreed to take the Football for Schools programme to all the 700+ districts in India. Shri Pradhan informed that Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti will be the nodal agency on behalf of the Ministry of Education to take this initiative forward.

About Football for Schools Program

• Football for Schools (F4S) is an ambitious programme run by FIFA, in collaboration with UNESCO, which aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of around 700 million children.
• It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
• The programme has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities.
• The F4S Programme is aligned with global sport, education and health policies, including UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework of Action, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).
• The F4S Programme can be used by member associations (MAs) and their governments to further national development priorities.

Objectives

The F4S Programme seeks to achieve the following four key outcomes:

• Empower learners (boys and girls) with valuable life skills and competencies
• Empower and provide coach-educators with the training to deliver sport and life-skills activities
• Build the capacity of stakeholders (schools, MAs and public authorities) to deliver training in life skills through football
• Strengthen the cooperation between governments, MAs and participating schools to enable partnerships, alliances and intersectoral collaboration
• The F4S Programme is guided by a results-based management framework and theory of change, which assumes that developing intrapersonal, interpersonal and cognitive skills amongst learners, in addition to producing gains in knowledge and positive attitudes, will help them to develop life skills and competencies.
• If this is done within an enabling, inclusive and caring environment that promotes individual learning and development, along with a combination of football and life skills, the programme has the potential to contribute to individual and community change and consequently to the identified SDGs.

Project timeline

• The F4S Programme was launched in mid-2019 with pilot projects in Puerto Rico and Lebanon.
• The F4S Programme will be re-launched in other regions in 2021 and will run until 2023 at least. A more detailed draft timeline, subject to change, will be circulated in due course.

Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-XI

Paper 3- Environment

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: ‘Ease of Doing Business’ is as important as it is ‘Ease of Living’, to what extent do you agree with this statement, discuss.

Why Should You Know?

Recently the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav addressed the Inaugural session of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-XI.

In details

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav attended the inaugural session of Sustainable Mountain Development Summit-XI, (SMDS-XI) being held at Leh, Ladakh UT from 10-12 October, 2022.
• The theme for SMDS-XI is ‘Harnessing tourism for sustainable mountain development’. The main focus of the summit is to reduce the negative impacts of tourism while harnessing its positive contributions to building climate and socio-ecological resilience and sustainability.

About Sustainable Mountain Development Summit

• The Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) is a flagship annual event of IMI, a civil society-led forum working across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) that comprises 10 mountain states, two union territories and four hill districts. 
• In addition to the central event, two integral components of the SMDS include the Mountain Legislators’ Meet (MLM) and the Indian Himalayan Youth Summit.
• Sustainable Mountain Development Summit is IMI’s annual flagship event where we bring mountain concerns at the regional and national level as a part of our sustained effort to highlight priorities of Indian Himalayan Region in the development discourse of our country.
• Each year 3-5 salient themes engaging the immediate attention of and relevant to the mountains and hills are identified for threadbare discussion and debate. Conclusions and recommendations emerging from this exercise would be pursued by IMI subsequently.
• It provides a functional discussion platform for mountain states with determination to follow up what gets collectively agreed upon.
• Each of these Summits have been characterized by diverse discussions, debates and exchanges. They have also produced specific policy briefings and recommendations, which are helping the dialogue on development practices and policies for the mountain states.
• The first Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS) was held in the year of 2011, at Nainital , UK.

Union Finance Minister official visit to the US

Paper 2 – International Relations

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: India is continuously strengthening its position in global politics.. Is this statement completely true? And describe what are the major political challenges before India.

Why Should You Know?

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will leave on an official visit to the US to attend the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meeting from 11-16 October 2022

In details

• Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will be traveling to the USA on an official visit beginning October 11, 2022.
• During her visit, Smt. Sitharaman will be attending the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor (FMCBG) Meetings.

Various bilateral meetings

• The Finance Minister will take part in bilateral meetings with several countries, including Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bhutan, New Zealand, Egypt, Germany, Mauritius, UAE, Iran and Netherlands.
• The Finance Minister will also hold one-on -one meetings with leaders and heads of OECD, European Commission and UNDP.
• In a high-level meeting, the Finance Minister will meet the US Treasury Secretary Ms. Janet Yellen and Mr David Malpass, President, World Bank separately to discuss issues of mutual interest.
• Union Finance Minister will also participate in a fire side chat on “India’s Economic Prospects and Role in the World Economy” at the Brookings Institution, a prominent non-profit public policy organisation based in Washington, DC.
• Smt. Sitharaman will share her thoughts on India’s unique Digital Public Goods (DPG) story and multiplier effects created in India through the interlinkages of ‘Technology, Finance and Governance’ at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), John Hopkins University during the visit.

Roundtable meetings

• During the later part of the visit, the Union Finance Minister will attend roundtable meetings with USIBC and USISPF on themes to ‘Strengthen Investment and Innovation in India-US Corridor’ and “Investing in India’s Digital Revolution”.
• These meetings with leading business leaders and investors are aimed at highlighting India’s policy priorities, and deliberate on measures to facilitate foreign investment by showcasing India’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

Tele-MANAS initiative

Paper 2–Health

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: The objective of Tele-Manas is to provide free tele-mental health services round the clock to the people all over the country, especially in remote and underprivileged areas..how it will achieve this objective, throw light.

Why Should You Know?

Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative launched on occasion of World Mental Health Day

In details

• Establishing a new milestone in the field of mental health on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) initiative of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was launched today virtually by Sh. Thawar Chand Gehlot, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.
• States/UTs launching Tele Mental Health Programme today include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Dadra Nagar Haveli and daman and Diu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

About Tele-MANAS

• Acknowledging the mental health crisis in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need to establish a digital mental health network that will withstand the challenges amplified by the pandemic, Government of India announced National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) in the Union Budget 2022-23.
• Tele-MANAS aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas.
• The programme includes a network of 23 tele-mental health centres of excellence, with NIMHANS being the nodal centre and International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIITB) providing technology support.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bengaluru and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHRSC) will provide the technical support.
• The Union Government aims to open at least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each State/UT.
• A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number (14416) has been set up across the country allowing callers to select the language of choice for availing services. The calls would be routed to Tele-MANAS cells in the respective state and union territory.

Two tier system

• Tele-MANAS will be organised in two tier system; Tier 1 comprises of state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists.
• Tier 2 will comprise of specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation. Presently there are 5 regional coordination centres along with 51 State/UT Tele MANAS cells.

Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS)

• The initial rollout providing basic support and counselling through centralized Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS) is being customized for use across all States and UTs.
• This will not only help in providing immediate mental healthcare services, but also facilitate continuum of care.
• Specialised care is being envisioned through the programme by linking Tele-MANAS with other services like National tele-consultation service, e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mental health professionals, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres and emergency psychiatric facilities.
• Eventually, this will include the entire spectrum of mental wellness and illness, and integrate all systems that provide mental health care.
• NIMHANS has conducted training for 900 Tele MANAS counsellors from majority of States/UTs.

Mentoring institutes

• The mentoring institutes are as follows: AIIMS, Patna, AIIMS Raipur, CIP Ranchi, AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Kalyani, AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Hospital for Mental Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Inst. of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour Bambolim Goa, AIIMS, Nagpur, AIIMS, Jodhpur, KGMU Lucknow, AIIMS Rishikesh, IHBAS, Delhi, IGMS, Shimla, Psychiatric Diseases Hospital, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar, LGBRIMH, Tezpur, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, IMHANS, Kozhikode, Kerala, IMH, Chennai, IMH, Hyderabad, JIPMER and AIIMS, Mangalagiri.

Indian handicraft portal

Paper 3 –Economy

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: The online process would provide equal, fair and transparent opportunities to all the artisans, explain it by discussing about the various steps taken by the Government of India recently.

Why Should You Know?

Recently Centre Government started a online portal for handicraft artisans to participate in marketing events

In details –

• The Office of the Development Commissioner (handicrafts) has initiated the process of inviting applications to participate in the marketing events through online portal. This provides fully digitized marketing platform to handicraft artisans.
• Around  200 domestic marketing events are organised annually in different parts of the country with an aim to support the artisans in selling their produce.
• The online process starting from application to selection and finally stall allotment is completely computerised, without any human interface.
• The online process will provide equal, fair and transparent opportunity to all artisans. Broad guidelines on submission of application has been circulated to all concerned with a purpose to educate the artisans (the same is also available on official website).
• The office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has launched Indian handicraft portal through which all the eligible artisans can apply online for marketing events.
• The artisan may login with pehchan card number, followed by authentication with OTP sent on the registered mobile number.
• The process of receipt of application, Selection and Allotment for all the marketing events including Dilli Haat shall be made through this portal only.
• The practice of inviting physical application for participation in domestic marketing event has now been dispensed with.

“Betiyan Bane Kushal”NationalConference

Paper 2 – Education

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Throw light on the programs run by the Government of India for girls to build their skills as well as enter the workforce associated with various professions including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Why Should You Know?

On October 11, 2022 the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is going to  organize National Conference on Skilling in Non- Traditional Livelihood for Girls “Betiyan Bane Kushal”.

In details

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) will organize National Conference on Skilling in Non- Traditional Livelihood (NTL) for Girls “Betiyan Bane Kushal” under the banner of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October, 2022.
• The conference will emphasize convergence between ministries and departments to ensure that girls  build their skills and enter the workforce in a diverse set of professions, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), where girls have historically been under-represented.
• The event will witness signing of MoUs with the Ministry of Skill Development  and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)  and Ministry of Minority Affairs for Skilling of young Girls for their increased, equal and empowered participation in the workforce.
• BBBP Operational Manual for guidance of State/Districts for the implementation of the scheme consequent to the changes made as per Mission Shakti guidelines will also be launched on the occasion.
• The “BetiyanBaneKushal” event will be live streamed to a nationwide audience, and is expected to be attended by representatives from the MWCD, MSDE, Department of Sports, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Education as well as statutory bodies such as the National Council for the Protection of Child Rights. Girls and young women from across India will lead by example at the event.

Key highlights of the event

• An interactive session between the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani, and a group of adolescent girls who are making their mark in NTL from across India.
• Launch of the BBBP operationalmanual which lays out operational guidelines and avenues for convergence.
• Announcement of commitments with MoSDE and MoMA on 21st-century skills focusing on life and employability skills, entrepreneurship skills, digital literacy and financial literacy skills.
• Best practices on skilling from the ground, showcased by selected districts
• Case studies on sustainable inclusion of girls and women in NTL, with examples from industry, NGOs and CSOs.