Assam CM launches schemes for college students, literary bodies

 

Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state governments plan to provide pocket money to college students in the near future apart from the money provided for the purchase of textbooks.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday launched two schemes to provide monetary assistance to college students and literary bodies of the state.

Under Pragyan Bharati scheme, 3,26,046 college students were given Rs 1,500 each for purchasing textbooks, while a total of Rs 161 crore was reimbursed for the free admission of 4 lakh eligible students.

The second scheme is Bhasha Gourab, under which the state government provided 21 Sahitya Sabhas (literary bodies) with a total of Rs 43 crore as a contribution towards their corpus funds.Under the scheme, 600 writers have also got Rs 50,000 each to help in their literary activities.

The young generation must strive for knowledge through education and utilise the opportunity provided by the two schemes, the chief minister said.

The state government is committed to providing higher education to the poorest of the poor, he said.

Sonowal also urged parents and teachers to encourage the younger generation to take part in sports and cultural activities for their holistic development.

Literature is a reflection of the society and the Assam government is taking steps for providing financial assistance to writers and indigenous Sahitya Sabhas, he said

Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government has taken steps for providing primary education till Class V to all students in their mother tongues.

He also said about the state governments plan to provide pocket money to college students in the near future apart from the money provided for the purchase of textbooks.

Because of the relentless efforts of the state government, Assam is at the second position in the country in the index for educational development and also second in the performance of taking education to the poor, Sarma added.

Source: Indian Express, 2/02/21

NTA UGC NET December 2020 online registration begins

 

• Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the UGC NET 2020 examination online at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. on or before March 2, 2021.The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday invited the online applications for the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) December 2020 cycle on its official website.

• Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the UGC NET 2020 examination online at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. on or before March 2, 2021. However, the last date to pay the application fee is March 3, 2021.

  The agency will be conducting the computer-based UGC NET December 2020 exam from May 2 to 17, 2021.

  NTA conducts the UGC-NET exam for ‘Assistant Professor’ and for ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor. The test consists of two papers. Both the papers will be conducted in a single three-hour duration.

  Application fee:

  Candidates belonging to the general category are required to pay an application fee of ₹1000, while candidates from the General-EWS and OBC-NCL category need to pay ₹500.

  For candidates coming from the reserved category, the registration fee is ₹250.

• Source: Hindustan Times, 3/02/21

Quote of the Day

 

“Anger is never without an argument, but seldom with a good one.”
Indira Gandhi

“क्रोध कभी बिना कारण के नहीं होता, लेकिन वह कारण कभी-कभार ही अच्छा होता है।”
इंदिरा गांधी

Jarosite: Rare Mineral Found in Antarctica

 A rare maritime mineral, Jarosite, has been found in the Antarctica ice. It was discovered after drilling deep into Antarctic ice.

What the discovery signifies?

The recently discovered mineral was examined and it was found that it was formed in pockets within the ice. This supports the theory of presence of jarosite on MARS in as similar manner.  It signifies that, the minerals are able to form in thick deposits on mars because the planet is a lot dustier than Antarctica.

What is Jarosite?

• Jarosite is a mineral from mars which is scarcely seen on earth.
• It is a sulphate of potassium and iron.
• The mineral can be formed by both water and acidic conditions.
• It was first discovered on Mars in 2004 by a rover named “opportunity”.
• Other Jarosite minerals include silver, sodium, lead and ammonium.
• It can be found are in the mining and ore processing wastes where they act as sinks for other toxic elements such as lead and arsenic.
• When the jarosite is broken, it releases metals such as iron, potassium besides the hydrogen ions and sulphate.
• Jarosite is used in hydrometallurgy to control impurities.
• The name Jarosite was derived from a Spanish name of a yellow flower of genus Cistus.
• The mineral was described in 1852 by August Breithaupt for the first time.
• It is yellow to yellowish-brown in colour. It is brittle, hard and has crystal structure. The mineral appears translucent and opaque sometimes.

Why Jarosite is found on Mars?

The reason for the presence of the mineral on the Mars (Red Planet) is not yet determined. The scientists believe that when the planet was covered with ice millennials ago sulphate, iron, and potassium might get trapped in the form of dust. This believe is not accepted because dust and ice have never chemically reacted to form minerals. Though ice provided a suitable environment for the transformation of dust to the mineral.

Current Affairs – February 02, 2021

 

India

Centre allows cinema halls to operate with 100% seating capacity from Feb

In its new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cinema halls and theatres, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said that the auditorium of the cinemas, theatres and multiplexes have been allowed to operate with 100% of their seating capacity from February 1, 2021. The cinema hall and multiplex operators have been asked to endure staggered show timings and sufficient time interval between successive screenings to avoid crowding. Exhibition of films has not been allowed in the containment zones.

PM addresses 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 31, 2021 addressed the 125th anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, started by Swami Vivekananda. It has been in publication since 1896 and carries articles on social sciences and humanities comprising historical, psychological, cultural and social sciences themes.

89 lakh children administered polio drops on National Immunisation Day: Jan 31

Government said that around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country on January 31, 2021 which was the Polio National Immunization Day, also known as Polio Ravivar. India has been free of polio for a decade, with the last case of wild poliovirus reported on 13th January 2011.

India has highest number of new leprosy cases annually: WHO

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of new cases of leprosy in the world annually, followed by Brazil and Indonesia. India officially eliminated leprosy, an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, in 2005 by bringing the prevalence rate below 1/10,000 at the national level.

Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty takes charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff

Lt Gen Chandi Prasad Mohanty on February 1, 2021 took charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding Lt Gen SK Saini. Lt Gen Mohanty was heading the Army’s Southern Command prior to this appointment.

Economy & Corporate

8^th India International Silk Fair being held from Jan 31 to Feb 4

Union Minister for Women & Child Development and Textiles Smriti Irani inaugurated the 8^th edition of India International Silk Fair virtually on January 31, 2021. The fair is being held under one roof on Indian Silk Export Promotion Council’s virtual platform till February 4.

Maritime Union of India urges govt. to take note of ‘Neptune Declaration’

The Maritime Union of India (MUI) on January 31, 2021 urged the government to take cognisance of ‘Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change’ in the formulation of Maritime India Vision 2030. The Neptune declaration primarily focuses on recognising seafarers as key workers by all governments worldwide.

Serum Institute to launch new COVID-19 vaccine under brand Covovax

Serum Institute of India (Sll) chief Adar Poonawalla on January 30, 2021 said he is hopeful of launching a new COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covovax by June. Covovax is being developed by American company Novavax.

Sensex soars 2,314.84 points to close at 48,600.61

The 30-share pack Sensex soared 2,314.84 points or 5 per cent to close at 48,600.61. NSE Nifty advanced 646.60 points or 4.74 per cent to 14,281.20.

World

U.K. opens special visa route for Hong Kong residents to become citizens

Hong Kong residents can apply from January 31, 2021 for a new visa offering them an opportunity to become British citizens. Britain says it is fulfilling a historic commitment to Hong Kong people after Beijing imposed the security law on the semi-autonomous city that Britain says breaches the terms of agreements under which the colony was handed back to China in 1997.

U.K. to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership

The U.K. government has announced that it is applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s largest free-trade areas made up of 11 developed and emerging economies in the Pacific, under its post-Brexit plans. CPTPP comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

World Leprosy Day observed on January 31

World Leprosy Day was observed on January 31, 2021. Japan’s Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, issued a message calling for addressing issues of economic vulnerability faced by those affected by leprosy. World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday in January.

Hilton Valentine, the guitarist of British rock band ‘The Animals’, dies at 77

Hilton Valentine, the guitarist of British rock band ‘The Animals’ popular in the 1960s, died at the age of 77 on January 29, 2021.  Valentine co-founded ‘The Animals’ in Newcastle, England in 1963 alongside singer Eric Burdon, bassist Chas Chandler, organist Alan Price and drummer John Steel.

India delivers 2 cranes for Iran’s Chabahar port project

In its latest push to develop Iran’s Chabahar port project, India handed over two 140-tonne cranes for loading and unloading equipment to the Iranian government on January 31, 2021. The cranes, part of a full consignment of six Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) worth about $25 million were sourced from Italy and formally released at a ceremony at Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti port after talks between India and Iran.

Myanmar: Military stages coup, declares a state of emergency for one year

Myanmar’s military staged a coup on February 1, 2021, detaining de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and declaring it had taken control of the country for one year under a state of emergency. The military recently made allegations of fraud in general elections by the civilian government. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the elections held in November 2020 easily. Along with Suu Kyi, President Win Myint has also been detained in capital Naypyidaw.

Sports

Jorden van Foreest wins Tata Steel Masters chess tournament

Jorden van Foreest upstaged his Dutch compatriot Anish Giri in the title-deciding Armageddon game in the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament at Wijk aan Zee in Netherlands on January 31, 2021. India’s P. Harikrishna finished seventh.

Denmark win Men’s World Handball title

Denmark defeated Sweden 26-24 to win a second successive men’s world handball title in Cairo on January 31, 2021. Spain defeated France 35-29 to finish third.

Education Budget 2021: Stress on research and innovation, less focus on digital education; here’s how experts reacted

 Education Budget 2021: In the Union Budget 2021 presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, major announcements have been made in the education sector — from apprenticeship programme to skill graduates to a central university in Leh. The budget also highlighted the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), and stressed on strengthening higher education, innovations and research.

Though institutes heads have welcome the budget, many experts are unhappy for less focus on the digitisation of education. Here are the reactions:

No tax relief for service providers

India’s future lies in its ability to train and up-skill its youth and in turn create a highly skilled employable workforce, which is ready for the future. However, the budget did not do much to support this vision nor did it present new reforms for the higher education sector.For instance, for the adoption of the National Education Policy which was announced in July 2020, higher education institutions will have to invest in technology and training. But the budget missed out on introducing any measures to support the adoption of NEP. It also missed out on bringing in methods to fast-track digitisation of education that could have helped the country improve its GER and bring in many more aspirants into the fold of higher education.

One of the other aspects which required immediate attention, but was overlooked is providing tax relief for service providers in the sector which could have brought down the cost of education for the learners.

The only silver lining was the proposal to amend the Apprenticeship Act – a focus towards degree apprenticeship programs can help create a new form of education that solves the problem of employability, higher education financing and skill development. The budgetary allocation towards research shall be helpful in bringing a cultural shift in higher education – quality research projects driven by Indian institutions can prove extremely beneficial for the country in the long run.”

— Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO, Schoolguru Eduserve 

Emphasis on research will rejuvenate existing infrastructure

The Union Budget 2021 has accorded the much-needed importance to research and innovation ecosystem of India with a budget outlay of Rs 50,000 crore to be spent over a period of five years. It is heartening to learn that the finance minister emphasised on ‘Innovation, Research & Development ’ as one of the six important pillars of the Budget. It will not only help rejuvenate the existing infrastructure but also ensure that the overall research ecosystem of the country is strengthened with focus on identified national-priority thrust areas.

NEP’s plans to set up Higher Education Commission of India, improve digital infrastructure, collaboration with foreign institutions along with the announcement for skill training partnerships with countries like Japan and the UAE are a sign of the government’s renewed focus on reinvigorating the country’s human capital.

The launch of the investment clearance cell and the proposal to incentivise the incorporation of One Person Companies (OPC) will also encourage individuals as well as startups with entrepreneurial potential.

— Prof Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM-Kozhikode

Skill initiatives will boost employability quotient

The budget will boost the government’s drive to promote higher education. The allocation of Rs 50,000 crore in the research and development sector in the next five years is an indication of India heading in its endeavour towards becoming a global tech infused innovation hub — an important step towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. The allocation of Rs 8,000 crore for National Mission on Quantum Computing and Technology will help in establishing our strength in this upcoming technology of the future.

The skilling initiative announced in the budget will explore the untapped potential amongst the Indian youth, boosting their employability quotient, he said.

— Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT-Kanpur, 

Increased expenses of electronic product is a problem

This is a realistic budget and the allocations for health, education, and skill development are really good initiatives. We were expecting digitalisation in education but increasing expenses of mobile and electronic products will lead to hurdles in education and this is a step backward in digital India. This budget will be a boost for healthcare and infrastructure and will strengthen NEP. The FM has allocated over Rs 3,000 crore funds with a forward-looking training plan towards the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Opening a college in Leh, collaboration with Japan for training and inter-training programmes to facilitate transfer of Japanese industrial and vocational skills, techniques and knowledge are positive signs. Though the government made a move by increasing the number of universities, amendments in the apprenticeship training scheme and training scheme, this may not be enough for the world’s largest young population with 600 million people under the age of 25 years.

P.C. Chhabra- Executive Director, Sanskriti University

Source: Indian Express, 1/02/21

James Wilson, the British economist who presented India’s first ‘budget’

 In 1859, as the British Crown was still recovering from the injuries caused to it by the mutiny of 1857, it appointed a Scottish businessman to find a solution to India’s financial crisis. James Wilson, better known at that time as the founder of The Economist newspaper, had a credible presence in England for his firm grasp over economic theory and policy as well as a practical knowledge of commercial affairs. Karl Marx in his ‘Capital’ had described Wilson as ‘an economic mandarin of high standing’.

Wilson would go on to present the first-ever budget in India in 1860. He is credited with introducing a financial budget in India framed upon the English model. Although Wilson’s budget did receive some criticism for not taking into consideration Indian conditions, it did lay down the foundations of the way in which several economic institutions in India would go on to function, especially that of the income tax.

Who was James Wilson?

Wilson was born in Hawick, a town at the Scottish borders in 1805, to a Quaker family. At the young age of 16, he became an apprentice at a hat factory. While he worked through the day, Wilson would spend the nights reading up on economics.His father, a woollen manufacturer, went on to buy the factory for Wilson and his brother. In 1824, the two brothers shifted the business to London where it flourished.

During the economic crisis of 1837, Wilson lost most of his wealth. He sold most of his remaining property to avoid bankruptcy.

A decade later in 1853, Wilson founded the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, which later became the Standard Chartered Bank in 1969.

A strong critic of the Corn Laws which imposed heavy restrictions on imported food and grain, Wilson in 1843 founded The Economist as a newspaper to campaign for free trade.

Wilson’s intellectual engagements with the economic issues of the time were reflected in his writings including ‘The influence of Corn laws’ (1839), ‘Fluctuations of currency’ (1840) and ‘Capital, currency and banking’ (1847).

He entered the House of Commons as a Liberal member of Parliament from Westbury in 1847. Given his economic expertise, Wilson was appointed Secretary of the Board of Control, which oversaw the activities of the EIC in British India. Incidentally, he played a leading role in the organisation of railway construction in India during this period. He also served as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1853 to 1858.
In August 1859, Wilson resigned from his seat in the Parliament as he was sent off to India, to remodel the country’s financial system which remained battered after the Mutiny.

What were the changes brought about by Wilson’s budget of 1860?

The crisis being faced by the British empire post the Mutiny is well evidenced by the enormous increase in annual military expenses. “The annual expenditure for the army, military police, new levies, police, and military public works went up from R. 13.2 crores (1856-57), to Rs. 17.2 crores (1857-58) and Rs. 24.7 crores (1858-59) and in the same period the debts of the government of India increased by 36 percent,” writes historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharya in his book, ‘The Financial foundations of the British Raj: Ideas and interests in the reconstruction of Indian public finance (1858-1872).Reacting to the needs of the time, Wilson wrote, “reforms become possible only when an emergency arises. Such an emergency has now arisen and reform and changes are now possible that have not been possible in our day.”

As the Indian Finance Member, the man appointed to solve the Mutiny crisis, Wilson resolved to introduce major institutional changes and hoped to ensure the influence of economic principles in the financial management of India. The major proposals made by Wilson included taxing the trading classes, a government paper currency, reform of the financial system with budgets, estimates and auditing, creation of a civil police, and a department for public works and roads. He is also credited for having set up a military finance commission and a civil finance commission.

Wilson presented his budget on February 18, 1860. He introduced three kinds of taxes- income tax, license tax and tobacco duty. However, only the first one went through, as the other two were dropped on the demand of the governor-general of India, Charles Canning.

The budget did receive some criticism, chief among them being from the governor of Madras, Charles Trevelyan, found Wilson to be too ‘theoretical’ with a tendency to ignore ‘Indian conditions’. Wilson’s biographer, Walter Bagehot, however, acknowledged the thought put by him in formulating the budget: “Although the people had to be gently led towards the path of economic science, yet he wished to show the kindest consideration towards the thought and sentiments springing from their historical antecedents.” Bhattacharya in his book notes that Wilson “took enormous care to establish the view that income tax was in consonance with the ancient Hindu laws codified in Manusmriti.”Wilson died the same year he presented the budget, having contracted dysentery in the scorching heat of Calcutta. Despite the prominent public role he played in the economic history of India, he was buried inconspicuously at the Scottish cemetery in Mullick Bazaar in Calcutta. It was only in 2007 that the grave happened to be discovered by C P Bhatia, a joint commissioner of income tax who was researching for a book on India’s taxation history.

Source: Indian Express, 1/02/21