National
World's largest and unique Divyang Park - Anubhuti Inclusive Park in Nagpur
⇒ Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari laid the Foundation Stone of the world’s largest and unique Divyang Park – Anubhuti Inclusive Park in Nagpur, Maharashtra on 20 February 2023.
Union Minister Shri Gadkari said Nagpur city is one of the fastest growing cities of the country. In 2016, the central government passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act for the rights of persons with disabilities. He said this law is to give the disabled the right to live with dignity.
- Taking initiative under this, the Central Government has created some Divyang Parks in South India and Madhya Pradesh, In this series, this ‘Anubhuti Inclusive Park’ is being built for disabled children and general citizens in Pardi campus of Nagpur.
The Union Minister also said:
- The world’s first inclusive disabled park, a provision of about Rs 12 crore has been made by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for this park being built in an area of 90 thousand square feet.
- The park will have adapted facilities for all 21 types of disabilities, It will have facilities like touch and smell garden, hydrotherapy unit, water therapy, independent room for mentally challenged children, mother.
International
18th UIC World Security Congress 2023
⇒ Union internationale des chemins de fer (UIC) or International Union of Railways (UIC) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) came together to organize 18th World Security Congress in the Pink City Jaipur from 21th to 23rd February 2023.
Theme:
The 18th edition of the Congress was centred around the theme of “Railway Security Strategy : Responses and Vision for Future”.
Sessions:
The Congress started with inaugural session on 21st February 2023 and concluded with a valedictory session on 23rd February 2023.
Rest of the Congress was divided into 4 sessions with underlying sub-themes of “Protecting Critical Assets & Freight”, “Human Security Approach”, “Best Railway Security Tools & Practices across the World” and “Vision 2030”.
Organized by:
The 3-day Conference was jointly organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC), Paris and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
Host:
RPF was the host for engaging with the delegates (Security representatives) of the Member Organizations of UIC.
- RPF hosted impactful deliberations on issues of concern and challenges for Railway security across the world and devised the sessions in a way to focus on second order problem solving matrix so as to come up with practical and immediately implementable solutions that will result into a transformative metamorphosis of railway security across the globe.
Participation:
The 18th edition of the Congress attended by the Heads of Security of Railway Organizations from across the world, apart from the concerned officials of UIC, partner international organizations, Indian Railways, RPF and senior police officials of India.
- It was an event befitting with the occasion of India taking on the leadership of hosting Railway security delegates from around the world.
The 18th UIC World Security Congress concluded with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration by the attendees.
- Mr. Sanjay Chander, Director General, RPF read out the “Jaipur declaration” outlining an actionable agenda for UIC to explore innovative approaches that can help global Railway organizations achieve their long-term goal of safety and security.
- The declaration highlighted the commitment of UIC to work towards providing a more safe and secure rail network across the globe, by also fully activating the Asia-Pacific, Latin America and African regional assemblies by 2025.
Previously, in 2006 and 2015, RPF India had successfully organized and hosted the International UIC World Security Congress in New Delhi.
Chairman of the International UIC Security Platform:
The Director General RPF, Shri Sanjay Chander, IPS, has taken over as the Chairman of the International UIC Security Platform from July 2022 to July 2024.
About International Union of Railways (UIC):
- Union internationale des chemins de fer (UIC) or International Union of Railways (UIC) headquartered in Paris, France is the professional association in existence from 1922, representing the railway sector and promoting rail transport worldwide.
- UIC is on a mission to promote interoperability and standardization of rail transport, increase cooperation and sharing of best practices, support members in new business and new areas of activities, and to propose improved technical and environmental performance of rail transport, improve competitiveness and reduce costs. The UIC promotes strategic and tactical co-operation amongst world railway sectors as it negotiates its evolving relationship within global governments and security scenario across continents.
UIC security platform:
- The UIC security platform is empowered to develop and formulate analyses and policy positions on behalf of the rail sector in matters relating to the security of persons, property and installations. This security platform is responsible for organizing international events from time to time on the issues defending common interest of UIC members in the security field, promoting the exchange of information and experiences among the Security Directors of UIC members, proposing shared interest and indexing projects at Global and regional level as dictated by members’ requirements or external event.
- In a global scenario where, criminal elements exploit the advantages of networking to devise newer ways and means of attack, it is highly imperative that positive forces also come together to face such challengers. Security Platform of UIC, being an international body recognized by the UN, is well suited to facilitate its members by providing a platform to share ideas and best practices.
About Railway Protection Force of India:
- The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a prime security and Law Enforcement Agency in the field of Railway Security in India. Having been constituted in 1957 for better protection and security of Railway property, the force has evolved itself from its main role of protection and safeguarding of Railway Property to additional roles of passenger security and passenger facilitation.
- RPF currently has the distinction of being the central force of India with largest share of women (9%) in its ranks.
- RPF personnel serve the Nation and go the extra mile in their line of duty embodying its tagline “SEWA HI SANKALP”- “A PROMISE TO SERVE”.
First G20 Culture Group (CWG) Meeting
⇒ Ministry of Culture organized the First G20 Culture Group (CWG) meeting in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh from 22nd to 25th February 2023. Around 125 delegates attended the meeting.
Theme:
The theme for the Khajuraho meeting was “Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property”.
In the meeting, there was a discussion on the priorities identified by India in four important sessions. These included:
- Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property
- Harnessing Living Heritage of a Sustainable Future
- Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy
- Leveraging Digital Technology for the Protection and Promotion of Culture
Working Group Sessions:
» The Inaugural Session was addressed by the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Virendra Kumar, and followed the by Minister of State for Culture, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi.
- Shri Govind Mohan, Secretary, Culture, chaired the session.
- In the session, remarks by Troika (Indonesia and Brazil) were also presented.
- Brazil commented on its commitment to build upon these priorities taking it forward in the country’s upcoming presidency.
» The opening session focused on discussions with the visiting delegates regarding the four priorities of the Indian Presidency, which promote Culture as an enabler for global sustainability and growth.
- Padam Shri Mr Nek Ram known as the Millet man was also invited to celebrate the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 in the meeting.
- Mr Ernesto Ottone R, Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Culture talked about how the outcome of the G20 CWG under the Indian Presidency will be a vital contribution to firmly anchor Culture in the post-2030 agenda.
» Further, presentations were made on the working process along with presentations by knowledge partner UNESCO.
» Furthermore, an exhibition titled “Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures” at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre (MCCC) was also held, which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Chauhan and the Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
» The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Shri Govind Mohan presented his concluding remarks.
- He mentioned that as an outcome of the meeting, a consensus has emerged among the G-20 member countries, guest countries and international organizations that the four priority topics discussed in the meeting should be taken forward strongly.
Background:
- Recognizing the synergies between culture and other policy areas and considering the impact of culture, cultural heritage, and the creative economy on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, culture was integrated into the G20 agenda as a Culture Working Group in 2021.
- The G20 Culture Ministers met for the first time in 2020 and highlighted culture’s cross-cutting contribution to advancing the G20 agenda. The group aims to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration to support cultural and creative industries.
Important Day
37th Statehood Day of Mizoram
⇒ Mizoram celebrated its 37th Statehood Day on 20 February 2023.
About Mizoram:
- Mizoram is one of the states of Northeast India, with Aizawl as its capital city. The name is derived from Mi (people), Zo (lofty place, such as a hill) and Ram (land – in Mizo language), and thus Mizoram implies “Land of the hill people”.
- Like several other north-eastern states of India, Mizoram was previously part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory.
- In 1986, Mizoram Peace Accord was signed between India and Mizo National front (MNF). Mizoram was granted statehood in 1987, as per Statehood act of 1986.
- With the 53rd amendment of the Indian Constitution, Mizoram became the 23rd state of India, a step above Union Territory in federal autonomy, on 20 February 1987.