National
State Educational Achievement Survey 2023 by PARAKH
⇒ The successful completion of the State Educational Achievement Survey 2023 was conducted on 3 November 2023.
- The State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 survey was the first survey conducted by PARAKH as an organisation under the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).
- This is a significant achievement in the assessment of educational competencies among students at the block level in India at grades 3, 6, and 9.
- The State Educational Achievement Survey by PARAKH was conducted to understand the baseline performance in the development of the competencies at the end of the foundational, preparatory, and middle stages.
Objective:
The primary objective of this survey is to assess the learning competencies of students at the end of each educational stage, i.e., foundational, preparatory, and middle with a primary focus on Language and Mathematics.
Methodology:
Tools to assess students’ competencies were designed using scientific procedures, while the assessment methodology employed a paper-pen-based approach with OMR technology for data capture and analysis, which ensured the precision and efficiency of data acquisition and validation.
Key Points:
- This extensive survey covered approximately 80 lakh students from 3 lakh schools at 5917 blocks across the nation.
- It also includes 6 lakh teachers and more than 3 lakh field investigators.
- Barring Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal, all other States and UTs participated in the implementation of the survey.
» One of the noteworthy features of the State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 conducted by PARAKH was the expansion of the sample size to understand the learning gaps at the block level, a strategic shift from the district.
- This transition was inspired by the objective of catering to a larger number of students and effectively understanding the performance at a deeper level.
- Furthermore, this approach also encompassed teachers’ professional development programs at the block level.
The successful administration of the SEAS represents a significant stride towards enhancing the quality of education in India. The insights gained from this survey lead to evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the education system.
PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development):
» In line with the NEP 2020, the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH has been set up as a body for setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India.
- It will also guide the State Achievement Survey (SAS) and undertake the National Achievement Survey (NAS); monitor achievement of learning outcomes; and encourage and help school board to shift their assessment patterns towards meeting the skill requirements of the 21st century.
11th International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2023
⇒ Union Minister of State for Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the 11th edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Shillong on 21 November 2023.
Organized by:
- The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with the State Government of Meghalaya organized the 11th edition of International Tourism Mart.
- The three-day event was held from 21st to 23rd November 2023 at the Lariti International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Key Points:
- The International Tourism Mart was a Green Event in which low carbon options were adopted on the lines of the action points formulated by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI for implementation of Mission LiFE.
- Its objective was to sensitize tourism stakeholders and generate greater awareness.
- SUP (single use plastic) was not used, digital and paperless route was adopted and tree plantation drives were also conducted.
- Around 100 delegates including domestic and international participated in the event.
- The Mart brought together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States on a common platform thereby provided an avenue for tourism stakeholders of Meghalaya and other north-eastern States to showcase the uncharted travel destinations in the region.
» Four projects under PRASAD scheme for Meghalaya has been unveiled at the 11th International Tourism Mart – development of pilgrim amenities at Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church, Nartiang Shakti Peeth, Aitnar Pool and Charantala Kali Temple.
- Under PRASHAD scheme Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a total of 8 projects for an amount of Rs 256.45 crore for the integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations in the Northeast States.
About PRASAD:
- The Government of India launched the PRASAD scheme in the year 2014-2015 under the Ministry of Tourism. The full form of the PRASAD scheme is ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive’.
- This scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience.
- It aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritised, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience. The growth of domestic tourism hugely depends on pilgrimage tourism.
About the pilgrimage place:
- Nartiang’s Durga Temple is an idyllic stop on the Jaintia Hills culture trail, often eclipsed by the nearby Garden of Monoliths. A 500-year-old Durga temple believed to be a Shakti Peeth and is one of the most revered shrines of Shaktism in the country.
- Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church, built in 1846 by Thomas Jones, is one of the oldest churches in North East India.
- Aitnar Pool is an important element of the Behdienkhlam Festival, the most celebrated Cultural festival among the Pnars.
- The Charantala Temple in West Garo Hills is a significant place of worship for the local Hajong and Koch communities and also attracts many visitors from outside.
About International Tourism Mart:
- The International Tourism Mart is an annual event held by the Ministry in one of the North Eastern States on rotation basis.
- The objective of the ITM is to provide a bigger platform to the North Eastern stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from both within the country and overseas markets as well as to create awareness about the tourism potential of North East Region (NER).
- The event also highlights North East Regions unique tourism products, rich bio diversity, unique intangible heritage including local traditions, dance forms, arts, handicrafts and handlooms to a domestic and international audience.
- The earlier editions of this Mart have been held in Guwahati, Tawang, Shillong, Gangtok, Agartala, Imphal, Kohima and Aizawl. Shillong hostED this event for the second time, since its inception.
International
USI Annual UN Forum 2023
⇒ United Service Institution of India (USI) organised its Annual UN Forum 2023 in New Delhi in November 21-22, 2023.
- USI is the country’s oldest think-tank established in 1870 for research and debate on national security and military affairs.
Theme:
The Annual UN Forum 2023 focused on ‘International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping’.
Organized by:
United Service Institution of India organized the Annual UN Forum 2023 in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Centre for UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Highlights:
With contemporary UN peacekeeping missions increasingly being deployed in volatile environments characterised by asymmetric warfare, ensuring adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles has become critical. However, applying IHL norms presents challenges arising from the complexity of modern conflicts, actions by non-state actors and blurred lines between combatants and civilians in urban battlespaces.
Against this background, the aim of the forum was to discuss the applicability and limitations of implementing IHL frameworks in UN peace operations through an interactive, multi-stakeholder approach.
- These sessions delved into some of the contemporary issues such as protection of civilians, accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, the role of women in peacekeeping operations and leveraging technology for more effective operations.
- The forum involved insightful perspectives presented by both academicians and practitioners who have first-hand experience of peacekeeping challenges. Keynote addresses were delivered by senior officials from the Indian Armed Forces and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Forum held over two days as under five sessions:
- Session 1 discussed application of IHL principles to peacekeeping given situations involving non-state actors and urban warfare.
- Session 2 analysed constraints to protection of civilian mandates and overcoming them by integrating IHL norms.
- Session 3 examined legal frameworks to ensure accountability when peacekeepers are targeted, and measures to enhance their protection.
- Session 4 focused on the importance of gender-inclusive peacekeeping and challenges for women peacekeepers.
- Session 5 discussed utilising technology for more effective peacekeeping through data analytics, AI and advanced surveillance.
President of Argentina
⇒ Libertarian economist Javier Milei was sworn in as President of Argentina on 10 December 2023.
- Milei, 53, was elected president in the runoff on November 19 with 55.9% of the votes against the 44% obtained by Sergio Massa.