NATIONAL:
1. MoU signed for welfare of Handicraft Artisans belonging to Scheduled Castes
Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment have come together to step up interventions for the economic development of an estimated 12 lakh scheduled caste artisans.
An MoU was signed between Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles and National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), a Central PSU under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with the objective of working together to improve the earnings of artisans across the country, belonging to Scheduled Castes categories.
The MoU provides for continuous and extensive collaboration between Office of DC (Handicrafts) and NSFDC, aiming at the following:
1. Need assessment and gap identification through popularising various schemes by holding awareness camps
2. Extensive need-based skill upgradation in the identified clusters having dominant presence of Scheduled Caste artisans, in the field of innovative and market-friendly designs, and adoption of modern tools and techniques
3. Enhanced participation of Scheduled Caste artisans and their producer groups in domestic and international marketing events
4. Working capital credit for Scheduled Caste artisans at concessional rates, by combining the benefits provided by Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
It has also been agreed in the MoU that the Office of the DC(Handicrafts) through its various schemes, will support NSFDC in formulation of project reports, undertaking field studies for identifying felt needs of Scheduled Caste artisans, in addition to extending assistance of six Regional Offices and 52 Marketing & Service Extension Centres of the Office of the DC(Handicrafts).
2. Government launches ‘Cyber Swachhta Kendra’ to protect citizens
The IT Ministry on Tuesday launched anti-malware analysis centre that will facilitate free anti-virus for computers and mobile phones in the country with project cost of Rs 90 crore spread over period of five years.
"I would like ISPs (Internet Service Provider) to encourage their consumers to come on board, there is a free service available. Come and use it in the event some malware has sneaked in to the system," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at the launch of Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre. The Indian cyber security watchdog CertIn will collect data of infected systems and send it to ISPs and banks. These ISPs and banks will identify the user and provide them with link of the centre, launched in name of Cyber Swachhta Kendra.
The user will be able to download anti-virus or anti-malware tools to disinfect their devices. "The project has budget outlay of Rs 90 crore spread over
period of 5 years," CertIn Director General Sanjay Bahl said. As of now 58 ISPs and 13 banks have come on board to use this system. The minister directed Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to also set up National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) by June. The government has approved Rs 900 crore for NCCC which will monitor and handle cyber attacks on Indian internet space in real time.
"Safety and security is integral. As the Prime Minister said cyber threat is akin to bloodless war. I don't have slightest doubt cyber security is not only going to be big area of Digital Swachh Bharat but also going to be big area of digital growth, digital employment and digital commerce," Prasad said.
3. Health Ministry launches ‘Saathiya Kits’ to improve adolescent health
The Health Ministry on Monday launched 'Saathiya Resource Kits' aimed at improving knowledge on adolescent health issues among teenagers.
Health Secretary CK Mishra launched the 'Saathiya Resource Kits' along with the 'Saathiya Salah' - a mobile app for adolescents - under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) program.
The 'Saathiya Resource Kits' is a nationwide programme under which 1.6 lakh boys and girls will work as peer educators to adolescents and respond to their queries on key health issues including mental and physical changes, nutrition and addiction.
INTERNATIONAL:
4. Health Ministry launches ‘Saathiya Kits’ to improve adolescent health
•China and India today held their upgraded strategic dialogue to shore up bilateral ties amid hectic parleys to resolve differences over Beijing’s reluctance to support India’s NSG bid as well as a UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar. Just before the dialogue, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Welcoming Jaishankar, co-chair of the dialogue, Wang said China and India are two major developing countries and emerging markets besides important nations in the world.
•“We have to have frequent meetings,” he said, referring to high-level talks held by officials from both sides on critical issues before today’s dialogue. The official-level meetings made very good foundation for the “successful strategic dialogue”, he said, adding that the Chinese side attaches importance to “this reconstituted dialogue”. “I am certain by raising the level of this strategic dialogue the two sides will be able to enhance their strategic communication, reduce misunderstanding and build more trust and deepen our strategic cooperation,” Wang said.
•“This way we can better tap into the potential of our bilateral relations and live up to our responsibilities” for the regional stability. In his response, Jaishankar said, “This is the first time that the restructured strategic dialogue is taking place”. “This shows that our relationship today has gone well beyond bilateral manifestations,” he said. Stating that the two countries are members of G20, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS and the East Asia Summit, he said this will “allow us to find more common ground on more issues”.
•Later, Jaishankar along with China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui held the strategic dialogue. In his opening remarks at the dialogue, Jaishankar said, “We have truly transcended the bilateral dimension of our relations. What happens between India and China has both great global and regional significance. “Our assessment coming in is that our bilateral relations have really acquired a very steady momentum over many years. Our leadership-level meetings have been taking place regularly and our economic engagement is growing. We are seeing cooperation on many international issues and our border areas have maintained peace and tranquility,” he said.
•“Overall the closer development partnership has been unfolding,” he said. Apparently referring to differences, Jaishankar said, “there are natural issues which neighbours have” and it is the responsibility of both the countries to address them. Zhang said “I expect that we discuss the full range of issues that are important to our countries”. Several top officials from both sides, including those in-charge of nuclear disarmament issues, were present at the talks indicating th at both sides will be discussing India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) besides other issues.
•The talks were being held in the backdrop of vocal differences between the two countries on a host of issues including India’s concern over the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Beijing’s reluctance to back India’s application to join the NSG and the UN ban on Azhar.
•The strategic dialogue was upgraded during Chinese Foreign Minister Yi’s visit to New Delhi last year. China has deputed Zhang, also the head of the influential Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of the Chinese Foreign Ministry to co-chair the talks. Ahead of today’s talks Jaishankar, who formerly worked as India’s Ambassador to China, met China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi yesterday and held talks with him on the critical issues bedevilling the bilateral ties.
•During their talks, both Yang and Jaishankar expressed strong commitment to develop positive relations despite differences. Yang, who is the State Councillor and Beijing’s Special Representative for border talks between India and China, had said despite differences, relations between the two sides had a positive growth last year.
5. Azerbaijan Prez names wife as country’s First Vice President
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev appointed his wife Mehriban Aliyev as the First Vice President of the country.
The position was created after a constitutional referendum in September, 2016. According to Azerbaijan's constitution, the First Vice President takes over the country's presidency if the president is unable to perform the duties.
SPORTS:
6. Haryana CM, Gov confer Bhim Award to 42 sportspersons
IT WAS the end of a long wait for 42 Haryana sportspersons as the players were given the Bhim Awards for their performances in the year 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-2016 in an award function presided over by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Haryana Raj Bhawan on Sunday. Khattar and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki conferred the award upon 42 sportspersons and the players were given a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, an idol of Bhim, a scroll of honour, a blazer and tie/scarf.
2016 Rio Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was also given the award for the year 2013-14 and the Gurgaon-based athlete also shared her thoughts on getting the award. “It is good that the Haryana government has recognised our efforts. It has been a long wait for some of us but I am glad that we were given the award. I am preparing for future championships and will aim at the 2020 Olympics too,” said Malik. A total prize money of Rs 2.10 crore was distributed among the sportspersons and the awardees included former Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh, woman hockey player Rani Rampla, woman wrestler Babita Phogat, boxer Vikas Krishan, shooter Anu Raj Singh and golfer Ranbir Saini, among others.
