National
On the occasion of first anniversary of NEP 2020, multiple key initiatives were launched
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the education community to mark the first anniversary of National Education Policy 2020. The Prime Minister highlighted the openness and absence of pressure in the New Education Policy.
National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and National Education Technology Forum (NETF) were also launched during the event.
Highlights of the Prime Minister’s Address:
» The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of local languages as medium of instructions. The Prime Minister informed that 14 engineering colleges of 8 states are starting to impart education in 5 Indian languages Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla. A tool has been developed for translating engineering course in 11 languages.
» ‘Vidya Pravesh’ progamme was also launched to promote elementary education mother tongue.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister launched multiple key initiatives.
- Academic Bank of Credit that will provide multiple entry and exit options for students in Higher education
- 1st Year Engineering Programmes in Regional Languages and Guidelines for Internationalization of Higher Education
- Vidya Pravesh, a three month play based school preparation module for Grade 1 students
- Indian Sign Language as a Subject at secondary level
- NISHTHA 2.0, an integrated programme of teacher training designed by NCERT
- SAFAL (Structured Assessment For Analyzing Learning Levels), a competency based assessment framework for Grades 3, 5 and 8 in CBSE schools
- Website dedicated to Artificial Intelligence
Vice Chief of Naval Staff
⇒ Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, AVSM, NM has assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff on 31 July 2021 in New Delhi. Mr Ghormade took charge from Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, who retired that day after glorious service of 39 years.
Vice Admiral SN Ghormade was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 January 1984. He is a Navigation and Direction specialist.
Director General of Artillery
⇒ Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Chawla, AVSM assumed charge of the Director General of Artillery on 01 August 2021. The General officer was commissioned into a Field Regiment of Artillery in June 1984.
He took over from Lt Gen K Ravi Prasad, PVSM, VSM who superannuated on 31 July 2021 after completing thirty nine years of distinguished service in the Army.
International
36th edition of IND-INDO CORPAT
⇒ Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel carried out coordinated patrol (CORPAT) with Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Bung Tomo from 30 to 31 July 2021.
The 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia was also witnessed participation of Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both nations. The exercise was conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
The 36th edition of IND-INDO CORPAT aims to bolster the maritime cooperation between the two navies.
India and Indonesia have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002.
It is being conducted with an aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.
Important Day
International Tiger Day or Global Tiger Day
⇒ International Tiger Day or Global Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29. International Tiger Day is celebrated to spread awareness on tiger conservation.
History:
On 29 July, several countries signed the agreement at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, which was held in Russia in 2010.
Theme:
The theme of International Tiger day 2021 is – “Their Survival is in our hands”.
Global Tiger Day in India:
On the occasion of Global Tiger Day, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav released the report ‘Status of Leopards, Co-predators and Megaherbivores-2018’. The report is a testimony to the fact that conservation of tigers leads to the conservation of entire ecosystem.
Population of Tiger in India:
During all India tiger estimation 2018, leopard population was also estimated within the forested habitats in tiger occupied states of the country.
The overall leopard population in tiger range landscape of India in 2018 was estimated at 12,852 (SE range 12,172 – 13,535). This is a significant increase from the 2014, figure that was 7,910 (SE 6,566-9,181) in forested habitats of 18 tiger bearing states of the country.
India is home to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states. India achieved the target of doubling of tiger population 4 years ahead of schedule of the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger Conservation.
In India, 14 Tiger Reserves have been accredited the Global Conservation Assured|Tiger Standards (CA|TS).
These are:
Manas, Kaziranga and Orang in Assam, Satpura, Kanha and Panna in Madhya Pradesh, Pench in Maharashtra, Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar, Dudhwa in Uttar Pradesh, Sunderbans in West Bengal, Parambikulam in Kerala, Bandipur Tiger Reserve of Karnataka and Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu