National
37th edition of PRAGATI
⇒ The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the 37th edition of PRAGATI, the ICT based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving Centre and State governments, on 25 August 2021.
In the meeting, nine agenda items were taken for review including eight projects and one scheme.
The eight projects were from different ministries:
- Three projects from the Ministry of Railways
- Three projects from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- Two projects from the Ministry of Power
- These eight projects have a cumulative cost of Rs 1,26,000 crore concerning 14 states viz., Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttrakhand, Manipur and Delhi.
“Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development and growth" (SAMRIDH)
⇒ The “Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH)” programme has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, on 25 August 2021.
Implemented by:
The programme is being implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH). The programme aims to boost start-up ecosystem in country.
About SAMRIDH:
» The SAMRIDH programme will focus on accelerating the 300 start-ups by providing customer connect, investor connect, and international immersion in next three years.
- Also, an investment of up to ₹ 40 lakh to the start-up based on current valuation and growth stage of the Start-Up will be provided through selected accelerators.
» The programme has been launched by MeitY so as to create a conducive platform to Indian Software Product star-ups to enhance their products and securing investments for scaling their business.
» It will also facilitate equal matching investment by the accelerator / investor.
» The programme aims to further the Indian start-up growth which has seen the emergence of 63 Unicorns is now the third largest Unicorn hub globally with a total valuation of 168 Bn USD.
‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’
⇒ The Ministry of Jal Shakti began ‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’ as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. This campaign has started on 25 August, 2021 and will continue to run for the next 100 days.
Objective:
- To create more and more ODF Plus villages by undertaking waste water management at village level particularly through creation of 1 million Soak-pits and also other Grey water management activities.
- Aims to achieve ODF Plus status for villages across the country in an accelerated manner.
Focus areas of the campaign:
- Construction of 1 million Soak-pits
- Retrofitting of toilets
- Access to toilet for new housholds
Key activities under this campaign:
» Organizing Community consultations, Khuli Baithaks and Gram Sabha meetings to analyze the current situation
» Develop a 100 days’ plan to undertake sustainability and soak pit construction related activities
» Retrofit toilets where needed through IEC and community mobilization. Etc.
International
‘INDIA-ISA Energy Transition Dialogue 2021’
⇒ The ‘INDIA-ISA Energy Transition Dialogue 2021’ was organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on 24 August 2021.
The Dialogue featured two panel discussions and a presentation:
Theme of the first panel discussion:
“Addressing grid integration issues to facilitate high renewable energy transition”
Theme of the second panel discussion:
“Frameworks for accelerating RE”
Participants:
The dialogue was attended by representatives of ISA member countries, senior government officials, industry partners, academicians, innovators, researchers and various financial institutions from across the world.
Discussion:
The Dialogue was organized to facilitate the exchange of ideas between key RE stakeholders on core issues like grid integration to facilitate high renewable energy penetration, frameworks for accelerating RE, and will also enable sharing India story with ISA member countries.
Addressing at INDIA-ISA Energy Transition Dialogue 2021, the Union Minister of Power and MNRE, Shri R.K. Singh said:
» India has already achieved emission reduction of 28% over 2005 levels, against the target of 35% by 2030 committed in its NDC (Nationally determined contributions).
» The Indian Power Sector to have achieved the coveted milestone of 100 GW of installed Renewable Energy Capacity.
2021 Shanghai Ranking
⇒ Recently, the 2021 Shanghai Ranking, also known as 2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities, was released.
- In the ranking list, Harvard University, USA got the 1st world rank.
Shanghai Ranking has published a list of 1,000 top universities this year, with only 14 Indian universities have been ranked.
» The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, figures in the 401-500 rank bracket globally and tops the list of Indian universities.
» The University of Calcutta, figures in the 601-700 rank bracket globally and ranks second in national rank.
About:
The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) was first published in June 2003 by the Center for World-Class Universities (CWCU), Graduate School of Education of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
Death
Olympic footballer and former National coach, Syed Shahid Hakim
⇒ Olympic footballer and former National coach Syed Shahid Hakim passed away in Kalaburagi on 22 August 2021. He was 82.
Hakim ‘saab’, as he was popularly known, was member of the last national team that played in the 1960 Rome Olympics. He was a FIFA badge holder international referee having officiated in Asian Club Cup games.
Hakim was only the second footballer to win the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award for Life Time Achievement in 2017.