National
Annual Capacity Building Plan for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
⇒ Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Annual Capacity Building Plan for capacity building of civil servants of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 17 May 2023.
Union Minister said that “Capacity Building Plans act as ‘Highways’ for focussed output by competent workforce, and provide a ‘work culture’ to the organisation where individuals with streamlined efforts work with as team with shared goals and vision”.
The Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) is a comprehensive strategic document envisioned to assist the development in enhancement of capacities of individuals, and of Ministry/ Department/ Organizations (MDOs).
Developed by:
The plan has been developed by the Capacity Building Commission in close coordination and consultation with the Mission Karmayogi Cell of the Health Ministry, all divisions in the department and subsequent to a detailed Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for MoHFW.
Key Points:
- The ACBP is based on the philosophy of creating an ecosystem of “competency driven training and human resource management”
- The Government launched ‘Mission Karmayogi’ also known as ‘National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)’ in September 2020 with an aim to develop a new era of techno-savvy, competent, considerate and future-ready civil servants. A Capacity Building Commission (CBC) has been set up under this programme for functional supervision of civil services training institutions with a mandate to conceptualize and develop Capacity Building Plans (CBPs) for various ministries/departments including Ministry of Health and Welfare.
- The Annual Capacity Building Plan envisages the systematic development of Domain Competencies (related to knowledge and expertise related to the sector, division, and the respective focus areas), behavioural competencies (related to behaviour and soft skills), and Functional competencies (related to functional aspects of the division) among civil servants.
- The ACBP includes the annual training plan and broad calendar to be undertaken by the leading training institutions selected by the MDO.
India's 16th Vande Bharat Express Train
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation, several railway projects worth more than Rs 8000 crores in Odisha via video conferencing on 18 May 2023.
Vande Bharat Express:
» The Prime Minister flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Puri and Howrah.
- The train will provide a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience for rail users, boost tourism and promote economic development in the region.
- Howrah–Puri Vande Bharat Express is the 16th Vande Bharat Express train of India. This is the second semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express train in West Bengal and the first in Odisha.
Railway projects:
- The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack railway stations. The redeveloped stations will have all modern amenities providing a world-class experience to the rail passengers.
- The Prime Minister dedicated 100% electrification of the rail network in Odisha. This will reduce the operating and maintenance cost and reduce reliance on imported crude oil.
- The Prime Minister also dedicated the doubling of the Sambalpur-Titlagarh rail line; a new broad gauge rail line between Angul-Sukinda; the third line connecting Manoharpur-Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Jamga and a new broad-gauge line between Bichhupali-Jhartarbha.
India’s first domestic commercial flight on indigenous Feedstock & SAF
⇒ In a significant development towards decarbonizing of the aviation sector, India’s first commercial passenger flight using indigenously produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend was successfully flown on 19 May 2023.
Powered by:
Air Asia flight (I5 767) flew from Pune to Delhi powered by SAF blended aviation turbine fuel (ATF) produced by Praj Industries Ltd by using indigenous feedstock, supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and used by Air Asia.
» During the launch event, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri emphasised on the need of India becoming energy Atmanirbhar by 2047, in line with the clear mandate being set by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
The Petroleum Minister said, “Production of SAF using sugarcane molasses as indigenous feedstock and technology in India is a major step towards self-reliance and de-carbonization of the aviation sector in line with our commitment for achieving Net Zero by 2070.
Important Day
6th Creation Day of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
⇒ Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) celebrated its 6th Creation Day on 17 May 2023 by organising an outreach program on ‘trade remedies’ for MSMEs.
About DGTR:
- DGTR was created in May 2018. DGTR functions as an attached office of Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Before the DGTR, the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) and the DG Safeguards were responsible for administering the trade remedial investigation against unfair trade practices such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties, as well as safeguard measures.
- Since 1995, India has initiated more than 1100 trade remedy investigations. DGTR also assists the Indian exporters in getting a fair outcome in trade remedy investigations conducted by other WTO Members against India.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2023
⇒ World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed each year on 17 May.
The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.
Theme:
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2023 focuses on “Empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies.”
Themes for 2024 and 2025:
- In 2024, WTISD will focus on Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.
- In 2025, the theme will be Gender Equality in Digital Transformation.
Background:
- World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969. May 17 marks the anniversary of the founding of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973 as Resolution 46.
- In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day. The General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/60/252) in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on 17 May.
- In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on 17 May as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
DoTs celebrates World Telecom Day
» Union Minister of State for Communications Shri Devusinh Chauhan inaugurated World Telecom Day Conference to mark the observance of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
Key Activities:
- He inaugurated exhibition showcasing innovations in Telecom by start-ups, released Commemorative Stamp on completion of 20 years of USOF.
- He also unveiled USOF@India book and open ran Test Bed Project.
- Facilitation of top performing Bharat Udyamis was done. Four top performing Udyamis ensuring India’s last mile connectivity were facilitated and report on First International Quantum Communication Conclave was also released.
- In addition, DoT employees and best-performed Field Units of DoT were awarded for their contribution & outstanding work in the field of Telecom. Best performing award for field unit of DoT was given to LSA Andhra Pradesh, CCA NE-II, and WMO, IMS Chennai. Officers of outstanding contribution in the field of telecom were also awarded.