National:
'GO ELECTRIC' ('गो इलेक्ट्रिक') CAMPAIGN:
- The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Shri Nitin Gadkari launched the “Go Electric” Campaign on 19 February 2021.
Aim:
This campaign has been launched to spread awareness on the benefits of e-mobility and EV Charging Infrastructure as well as electric cooking in India.
The Union minister said Go Electric Campaign is an important initiative that would help in reducing the import dependence of our country in the coming years. It would be an important step towards a cleaner and greener future. He also said the campaign is aimed at creating awareness at PAN-India level and is expected to boost the confidence of Electric Vehicle manufacturers.
Implementation:
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the aegis of the Ministry of Power has been mandated to undertake an awareness drive for promoting Public Charging, e-mobility & its ecosystem. To implement the ‘Go Electric’ campaign at National and State level, BEE will extend technical support to the State Designated Agencies (SDAs).
'Shauryanjali' programme to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose:
- The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah attended the ‘Shauryanjali’ programme, organized to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, at the National Library in Kolkata on 19 February 2021.
On this occasion, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated an exhibition showing the indomitable courage and valour of Bengal revolutionaries.
The Union Home Minister also flagged off a cycle rally. Three teams, named Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rasbihari Bose and Khudiram Bose participated in the rally.
EPFO's SMS Based Helpline:
- The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched “Freedom2021”, an SMS-based helpline for PF beneficiaries on 19 February 2021.
Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and the Nilgiris districts PF beneficiaries can book their visit to the EPFO regional office here in advance by send a message to 9220599205.
International:
MoU Between Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research:
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development, conduct and promotion of health research in India.
Focus:
The collaboration will focus on developing and testing new intervention, therapies and interventions that can help to solve major health concerns that affect India and other developing countries.
As per the MoU, areas of research collaboration would include:
- Genetic diseases that impact infant and neonatal mortality
- New diagnostics and devices for infectious disease and environmental surveillance
- Development of cost-effective processes for drug, vaccines, biologics, and diagnostics manufacturing
- Novel microbiome-directed foods;
- Socio-economic impact of science and technological tools; and other areas of health and development
WION and Zee Media’s "Population Versus Planet" ('पॉपुलेशन वर्सेस प्लानेट') Conference:
- Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare participated & expressed his views in WION and Zee Media’s “Population versus Planet” Conference on 20 February 2021, which is a part of its year-long campaign called ‘Mission Sustainability: Population Vs Planet’.
Socially important themes including population stabilisation, empowering women & youth through education were discussed by numerous policy experts, demographic researchers & academicians in this campaign.
During the conference Dr. Harsh Vardhan said:
Population projection for India and States 2011-2036, released in July 2020, indicates that the total fertility rate is expected to decline from 2.37 percent during 2011-2015 to 1.73 percent during 2031-35.
India is now in a phase of demographic transition with a substantial percentage of youth population.
The youth population in the age group of 15-24 years is projected to decline from 233 million in 2011 to 227 million in 2036. However, the proportion of the working age population is expected to increase from 61% in 2011 to 65% in 2036.
India is adding 12 million people to the working age population each year.