National
IRs to run 35 Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage”
⇒ The Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw gave the following information in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session 2023:
» Indian Railways (IR) has envisaged to run 35 (thirty-five) Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” at an estimated cost of ₹ 80 crores per train and ground infrastructure of ₹ 70 crores per route on various heritage/hill routes.
- Besides, IR has also awarded a pilot project for retro fitment of Hydrogen Fuel cell on existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rake along with ground infrastructure at the cost of Rs 111.83 crores which is planned to be run on Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway.
- Field trials of the first prototype on Jind –Sonipat section of Northern Railway is expected to commence in 2023-2024.
- Further, the use of Hydrogen as fuel provides larger benefits in the direction of green transportation technology to support zero carbon emission goals as a clean energy source.
PARIKSHA PARV 5.0 Campaign by NCPCR
⇒ NCPCR inspired from the Prime Minister of lndia’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme like previous years and this year conducted Pariksha Parv 5.0 from 6th February, 2023 to 31st March, 2023.
Key Points:
- “Pariksha Parv 5.0” was an endeavour for providing a platform for students, parents and teachers to share their thoughts and get guidance and important tips from the Experts/Renowned Personalities/ Motivational Speakers.
- This year, a multi-pronged approach was followed by NCPCR with the objective to reach out to the teachers and parents in addition to children.
- Pariksha Parv 5.0 included Live Streaming Sessions, Exam Warriors, Radio Spots and SAMVEDNA-(1800-121-2830) a Toll-free Tele Counseling service of NCPCR.
Background:
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), inspired from the Prime Minister’s “Paiksha Pe Charcha” programme has been celebrating exams with its campaign ‘Pariksha Parv’ since 2019.
- Pariksha Parv intends to change the outlook/perspective of children towards exams and provide a platform to overcome their stress and anxiety associated with exams and exam results.
- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is a statutory body constituted in March, 2007 under section (3) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, to protect the rights and entitlements of children and other related matters in the country.
International
First G20 Employment Working Group Meeting
⇒ The 1st G20 Employment Working Group meeting was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan from February 02-04, 2023.
It concluded with all G20 countries showing interest and commitment in constructively working towards the objective of the three priority areas:
- Addressing Global Skills Gaps
- Gig & Platform Economy and Social Protection
- Sustainable Financing of Social Security set by the Indian Presidency
Led by:
The three-day meeting, led by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India had the mandate of addressing priorities of labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced, and job-rich growth for all.
- India hosted over 73 delegates from 19 countries, European Union and nine guest countries and nine Regional and International organisations.
- International organisations like ILO, OECD and ISA, and Indian institutions like NITI Aayog and MSDE, EPFO also shared their views in the discussions.
- The member countries from G20 also shared their interventions in the key areas.
Day 1:
» On the first day, a panel discussion was held on ‘Exploring strategies for Global Skills and Qualifications Harmonisation and Developing a Framework for Common Skill Taxonomies’.
Day 2:
» The second day of the meeting commenced with the ministerial address. The Ministerial address was followed by remarks from Co-Chairs from Indonesia & Brazil on India’s G20 EWG priorities.
Agenda for the 2nd day of the EWG meeting:
Session 1: Overview of the Agenda during the Indian Presidency of G20 in 2023
- Presentation on EWG Priority Areas and work program by EWG Chair
Session 2: Addressing Global Skills Gaps
- International Labour Organization (ILO) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlighted various types of imbalances between skills and qualifications in the labour market
- Presentation by Indian delegates on various Skill and development activities & initiatives being taken up in India that have been bought forth by industry & government bodies to achieve the set goals.
Session 3: Gig & Platform Economy and Social Protection
Sessions 4 and 5 delved into the topic of ‘Gig and Platform Economy’ discussion in the global and Indian context.
Day 3 Sessions:
Session 1: Sustainable Financing of Social Security
Session 2: Conclusion and Closing of Day 3
» Concluding remarks by EWG Co-Chairs (Indonesia and Brazil), EWG Chair and Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Ms Arti Ahuja
» In the three-day EWG Meeting, the delegates explored the strategies for sustainable financing for social protection of workers through sharing of best practices, extending international development assistance and policy options like social insurance schemes and tax-financed schemes.
About Employment Working Group:
- The Employment Working Group (EWG) started as the G20 Taskforce on Employment – set up in 2011 under the French Presidency – which was raised to the Working Group level following the Leaders’ Declaration under the Australian Presidency in 2014.
- The first meeting of EWG took place under the Turkish Presidency in 2015.
- The EWG discusses labour, employment and social issues to further develop strong, sustainable, balanced, inclusive and job-rich growth.
Sports
3rd Khelo India Winter Games 2023
⇒ The 3rd Khelo India Winter Games 2023 was held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 10-14, 2023.
Supported and Organized by:
The Khelo India Winter Games was supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and was organized by the J&K Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association, J&K.
During the opening ceremony, 40 Khelo India Centers were e-launched in the Jammu and Kashmir valley. The 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games concluded on 14 Feb with a grand function attended by over 2000 participants including players, tourists and officials of different departments.
» Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur along with Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha launched 3rd Khelo India Winter Games Mascot, Theme Song and Jersey at Raj Bhavan, Jammu on 04 February 2023.
Mascot:
The Mascot of the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games was ‘Snow Leopard‘, depicts the vibrant heritage of the Himalayas.
Result:
- J&K topped the medal tally, bagging 26 Gold medals, 25 silver medals, 25 Bronze medals followed by Maharashtra with 13 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze medals.
- The third position was achieved by Himachal Pradesh 10 Gold, 14 Silver and 7 Bronze while Army scored 10 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medals.
3rd Khelo India Winter Games 2023 Medal Table
Key Points:
- More than 1500 players across 29 States and Union Territories participated in the games. The total sports disciplines were 11.
- A total of 11 sports – skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, snowshoe, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice skating, ice hockey and bandy – featured at the Khelo India Winter Games 2023.
- The 1st edition of the Khelo India Winter Games took place in 2020. The second edition of Khelo India Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in February 2021. Jammu and Kashmir has topped in all the editions of the Games so far.