Teachers' Day 2022: UGC To Launch New Research Grants & Fellowship Schemes

 The University Grants Commission is set to launch three new research grants and two fellowship schemes today on the occasion of Teachers Day 2022. The event will begin at 3 pm today and it will be telecasted live on the official Twitter and YouTube channels of UGC. According to the official information, there are 100 available slots for this fellowship, and selected candidates will get Rs 50,000 per month and Rs 50,000 per year as a contingency. 

UGC fellowship schemes: Know Eligibility Criteria

Only candidates under the age of 67 are eligible for the aforementioned scheme. Also, candidates must have successfully supervised the Ph.D. dissertations of ten full-time candidates, three of whom graduated during the previous ten years. The candidate must have prior experience handling the post of principal investigator on at least three sponsored research projects financed by national or international agencies. In addition, candidates should not carry any administrative responsibilities throughout the fellowship, which begins on the day of superannuation.

Here's the list of UGC fellowship and research grant programmes

• Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for a Single Girl Child 
• Dr. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship 
• Fellowship for Superannuated Faculty Members 
• Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members 
• Dr. DS Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members

About UGC fellowship schemes

Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for a Single Girl Child

• The aim of this fellowship is to provide the right education to single girl children and encourage them to pursue research work leading to the award of a Ph.D. degree. There is no fixed age limit on this fellowship. This fellowship has a total tenure of five years.

Dr. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship

• This fellowship will provide opportunities to as many as 900 candidates to carry out advanced studies and research in sciences, engineering and technology, humanities, and social sciences, including languages, in Indian universities and institutions. Notably, 30% of seats are reserved for female candidates. Selected candidates will be given Rs 50,000 per month as part of the fellowship and Rs 50,000 per annum as a contingency.

Fellowship for Superannuated Faculty Members

• This fellowship will provide research opportunities to retired teachers. A total of 100 slots are available within this fellowship, and the selected candidates will be given Rs 50,000 per month as part of the fellowship, with Rs 50,000 per annum as a contingency.

Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members

• This fellowship will provide research opportunities to regularly appointed faculty members. A total of 200 candidates will receive Rs 10 lakh for a two-year period.

Dr DS Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members 

• This fellowship seeks to offer research opportunities to regularly appointed faculty members. As per the official information, the quantum of support under the scheme is Rs 10 lakh, which will be provided to 132 selected candidates for a tenure of two years.

Source: Republicworld.com, 5/09/22

Quote of the Day

 

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean itself does not become dirty.”
Mohandas Gandhi

“आपको मानवता में विश्वास नहीं खोना चाहिए। मानवता एक सागर की तरह है, यदि सागर की कुछ बूंदे खराब हैं तो पूरा सागर गंदा नहीं हो जाता है।”
मोहनदास गांधी

All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022

 Recently, the 50th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022 began at Iboyama Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound, Imphal.

Key Points

• Shumang Leela is a traditional form of theatre in Manipur and the roles of female artists are all played by male actors and male characters are played by female artists in case of female theatre groups. The activities are done in the open air.

• During the festival, the Governor also distributed medals to the winners of the 49th All Manipur Shumang Leela Mahotsav 2020-21.

Background of Shumang Leela Festival

Originally Shumang Leela began as a comedy genre presented to kings and nobles, which evolved into the present form of courtyard drama. The Shumang Leela of those days tried to preserve and promote humanity, tolerance, self-confidence, devotion, truth and justice through its performances.

In the present day Shumang Leela is trying to focus on issues of moral values, unity and integrity. It is also striving to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and friendship between different communities in the state.

Current Affairs- August 31, 2022

 

INDIA

– Supreme Court closes contempt proceedings, arising out of the demolition of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992, against the state of Uttar Pradesh and others
– Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Victor Godoy in New Delhi
– MoS Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh visits ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia
– Economist and former Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen passes away at 72

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister releases Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100
– Public sector contributes 20% to national income, 40% of total wages: India Ratings and Research
– Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal Chairs progress review of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
– MoU signed between PCIM&H (Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy) and IPC (Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission) for Inter-Ministerial cooperation for promotion and facilitation of “One Herb, One Standard”
– NHPC inks MoU with PTC India Limited for sale of power to be generated from upcoming West Seti & Seti River-6 Projects in Nepal

WORLD

– Angola: Ruling MPLA (Movement for the Liberation of Angola) wins election; President Joao Lourenco gets 2nd term
– Solomon Islands bans US Navy’s ships from entering its ports; had signed security pact with China in May
– International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed on August 30

Flood protection calls for a comprehensive approach

 Should we build embankments so close to rivers that they do not have the space needed to deposit silt and replenish ponds or recharge groundwater?

While the need for evolving a comprehensive and balanced flood protection policy has always been there, this need has become pressing in times of climate change when much heavier rain spells and higher flood flows are being seen. A balanced flood policy can contribute both in the short run and in the long run to considerably reduce the damage from floods and reduce their more destructive impacts. Sometimes a line is drawn between the ecological and engineering approaches to flood control. However, while drawing up a comprehensive policy, we need to look at both aspects. Coming to ecological aspects, there is no doubt that we need to considerably increase the green cover, particularly in the hilly and catchment areas. The Himalayan region is of the greatest importance. We should not make the mistake of confusing the commercial plantations and monocultures as forests.

We should try to protect all remaining natural forests and revive natural forests in degraded areas, all this with the cooperation and involvement of locals. Where new forests are being created, we should try to imitate native natural forests to the extent possible. We human beings may not be able to equal the ingenuity of nature, but we can try to come close to it. Flood waters have been generally best handled in the past by allowing them to spread considerably in the flood plains in such a way that large parts of them find their way to ponds, lakes, tanks, and wetlands. This way depleted water sources are filled up and there is significant recharge of groundwater which will help us during the dry months, while at the same time the immediate danger is reduced. For this to happen, these water bodies must be safe and secure, free from encroachments, ready to welcome and absorb the flood water.

In all construction and development works, drainage should get adequate attention and no final approval or final payments should be granted till the drainage component has been properly completed. More problems arise if the flood waters stay on for a long time due to drainage obstruction and fewer problems are seen if the flood waters leave quickly. A guest is considered a good guest if she or he does not overstay and leaves behind a gift or two. If a flood leaves rather quickly after depositing some fertile silt and replenishing the drying water bodies, then it is a good flood. It is therefore important that we create the conditions in which a flood can become relatively good, or at least not such a bad flood. The most common way of controlling floods has been to build embankments. But we cannot go on building embankments along all rivers. We must be selective and learn from experience which can warn us of several possible mistakes. Should we build embankments so close to rivers that they do not have the space needed to deposit silt and replenish ponds or recharge groundwater?

The answer must be in the negative. But if the embankments are to be built some distance away, we must have the will and the resources for the proper care and rehabilitation of people in areas between the river and the embankment. At best embankments have only a limited role and a wise engineer will learn to be selective, knowing where to build and where not to build. We cannot look only at immediate protection. We must consider what happens after five or ten years. We should not forget that when breaches occur in embankments, the floods unleashed can be much more destructive. What we should always remember is that in several areas where many embankments have been built, flood damage is still heavy and perhaps heavier than before. Without resolving this contradiction, we cannot go on building more embankments. A lot of money in the name of flood control has been spent on dams, but again we must reckon with the difficult fact that many destructive floods are being caused by very heavy release of dam waters.

To reduce such possibilities, flood reduction should receive more importance in dam management. Secondly, steps to check rapid siltation of dam reservoirs should be taken. Dam safety and safe management practices should get more attention. Beyond this, there is a need to reconsider several adverse impacts of damming rivers as adequate caution has not always been exercised by quickly approving hazardous projects that may pass the scrutiny of an honest cost-benefit appraisal. In urban areas, the tendency to encroach on riverbeds, and/or on natural waterways, for various construction activities must be checked. The clearing of drains must be better, and garbage which clogs drains and obstructs water flow must be minimized.

We must realize that floods have always been with us and will always be with us, particularly in those countries where rain tends to be concentrated in a relatively short season of three or four months. The challenge is to handle them in ways which will make them less destructive while enjoying their bounty of water recharge and fertile silt deposition.

A version of this story appears in the print edition of the September 1, 2022, issue.

BHARAT DOGRA

Source: The Statesman, 1/09/22

Top 5 subjects to take up for your graduation that will boost your career growth in 2022

 After the completion of your +2, your professional journey actually starts to take shape right from your bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is often called the first stepping stone to success. So it is of immense importance to get onto the right track as soon as possible. Once you decide on your subject interest, the next step is to choose your graduation course.

A person who may have taken up a bachelor’s subject without conducting any research on the job prospects or the demand of the subject is highly likely to find themselves in a difficult situation. The choice may come down to settling for a career they do not like or going back a few years in their career journey and completing another course.

To avoid being in the same situation, here’s taking a look at the top 5 subjects you can think of pursuing during your bachelor’s for the best career prospects.

1. Computer Science Engineering

Look around you, and everything you see is virtual these days from ordering food to buying tickets for your favorite destination. The world is undoubtedly advancing in terms of technologies and this is where the perks of studying Computer Science Engineering comes in.

The rising demand of Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is a direct result of the exponential growth that digital technology is seeing now. A good course in this area will be a blend of Computer Engineering and Computer Science. These are considered to be advancement courses and are quite popular among engineering students.

These courses cover a wide range of topics in addition to the fundamentals of computer programming. Algorithms, computability, logic, abstraction are a few of the concepts covered in detail. You also get a chance to learn and practice various programming languages like Python, Java etc.

The job prospects for this course are unmatched and hence its rising demand across India. Various sectors like education, banking, trading, science, health, manufacturing are hiring Computer Science engineers these days. Top MNC’s and IT companies like Amazon, Deloitte, HCL, Google also recruit students right at the campusing stage and offer competitive pay packages as well.

Some of the job roles that Computer Science Engineers can make a mark in are:

• UX Analyst,
• Software Support Analyst,
• Software Engineer,
• Website Designer,
• Mobile App Development,
• Database Designer

2. Actuarial Science

Students who love mathematics and numbers should definitely consider this subject. It is a blend of economics, business, mathematics and statistics, and particularly helps to improve your analytical skills. A lot of students pursue this subject because it gives them a gate pass to a number of booming IT companies, corporates, MNC’s, insurance companies and other niche financial institutions.

Actuarial Mathematics is, to some extent, theoretical and requires application of logical sense and ideas to data and figures. However, the other skills that you learn in this course include knowledge of finance and business, interpersonal skills, risk assessment and of course, the basics of the software to be used.

If you’re looking for a rewarding career option, then Actuarial Science can be your go to subject. Some of the reputed companies that hire students from this course are PwC, IDBI, Max Bupa Insurance, E&Y and many more.

Job roles and areas include:

• Investment Advisors,
• Cost estimators,
• Financial analysts and planners,
• Risk assessors and managers,
• Auditors
• Budget analysts
• Economists

3. Graphic Design

Do you love being creative? Do designs you see make you constantly envision how you could do it differently and better? Then Graphic Designing can just be the career for you. As part of any good graphic design course, you will learn animation, motion graphics, project management, portfolio development, design theory, among other things.

When you consider the growth of the virtual space today, it is no surprise that the demand for graphic design courses and graphic designers are constantly on the rise.

To know more about the job profiles and job prospects of graphic design in India, read more here.

4. Law/LLB

Law can be another great professional course to take up at the undergraduate level. A BA-LLB is a comprehensive 5-year integrated course in Law which you can opt for if that is what you want to pursue. Today, lawyers and legal professionals are in demand across various industries and the course offers a wide range of future prospects.

To know more about the pursuing Law during your bachelor’s, click here.

5. Forensic Science

If you have a nose for crime related stories or enjoy analysing crime scenes, then Forensic Science is exactly what you need to study. It is actually the application of advanced scientific technologies in crime related scenes. You will need to carefully analyse and observe the crime scene, collect evidence from the scene and also interpret the criminal data record.

Forensic Science can be summed up as a mix of physics, chemistry and biology. You will need to have a science background in your +2 to pursue this course. You could look forward to a career in various sectors like CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), IB (Intelligence Bureau), Private Investigation Agencies, Police Forces, Defence Forces, Banks among others.

Some of the job roles for those who have a degree in forensic science are:

• Forensic Scientist
• Forensics Manager
• Forensic Investigator
• Forensic Specialist
• Forensic Analyst

While these are the top 5, the list is in no way exhaustive. When choosing your Bachelor’s subject, in addition to considering the future prospects, do not forget to give equal weightage to your interest in the area. Ultimately, what you need is to make the right choice now so that your graduation degree can pave the road to success for you.

Suparna Ghosh

Source: The Telegraph, 27/08/22

On the margins

 Seventy-five years of planned development have not helped in the betterment of the adivasi community

Adivasis living in Central India make up one of the most marginalised sections in the country. But they live in the most resource-rich areas that attract industrialists and the State. Although scheduled tribes constitute 8.6% of the total population, they make up 50% of the people who have been displaced or dispossessed from their land for the extraction of minerals, construction of large dams or establishing wildlife sanctuaries after Independence.

In spite of work by the government and non-governmental organisations, development has eluded adivasis. Continuous dispossession and displacement is one reason for this. Development programmes have been imposed from above and executed without taking into account the distinct economic, social and cultural needs of these people.

Recently, Professional Assistance for Development Action brought out the Status of Adivasi Livelihoods Report 2021, covering two tribal-dominated states — Jharkhand and Odisha. SAL 2021 shows the overwhelming deprivation of adivasis in terms of income, food security and child nutrition as well as in access to public service, education and landholding. This influences their livelihood outcomes.

In Jharkhand, the average annual income of adivasi households is Rs 75,378 and in Odisha, it is Rs 61,263. A National Sample Survey report puts the average income of agriculture households in India in the year 2018-19 at Rs 122,616. Adivasi households thus earn at least 60% less. There are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India — around 16% of its total population. SAL 2021 finds that 53% of adivasi households in Jharkhand and 55% of those in Odisha are food-insecure in varying degrees. A staggering 50% of children under the age of five in the adivasi households in both states have head circumferences outside the 3-97 percentile, indicating that they are malnourished.

Roads and telecommunication are crucial to livelihood. The SAL 2021 shows that 74% of adivasi villages in Jharkhand and 72% in Odisha were connected with all-weather roads. Of these, 63% and 80%, respectively, are motorable. This figure is much worse than the national average. The situation of public transport is also poor in adivasi villages. In Jharkhand and Odisha, only 46% and 57% of villages, respectively, are linked to their block headquarters through public transport. Mobile network was available for only around 70% of adivasi villages in both the states.

Education is an important factor influencing livelihood outcomes. Literacy data show that in 53% of adivasi households in Jharkhand and58.6% in Odisha, the head of the household had no school education; 43.7% female members in Jharkhand and 50.3%in Odisha had no school education either. A functional literacy test showed that around 45% of males and 63% of females from adivasi households in Jharkhand can not read or write at all; the figures were 55% and 75%, respectively, in Odisha. This cannot be compared with the national literacy rate, which considers all members of the household above age seven. But one may infer that adivasi regions in Jharkhand and Odisha are far behind the national average.

Insignificant landholding is another contributor to the poor livelihood outcomes of adivasis. As many as 89% of respondents in both Jharkhand and Odisha reported landholdings that classify them as marginal farmers or landless. NSS data show that nationally 2.6%of agricultural households are landless and 70.4% are marginal holders. Land ownership of adivasis is thus quite low.

Although more than 90% of the families in both the states report farming as the primary source of livelihood, in the case of Jharkhand, wage is the highest contributor to the total household income (42%)followed by agriculture (34%); in Odisha, agriculture is the highest source (38%) followed by wage. Wage work, non-farm activities, remittances and pensions together dominate on-farm activities as a majorsource of income for adivasis.

Even though India now has an adivasi president, the community seems to be lagging almost in all aspects of development and its economic status is lower than all other social groups. Seventy-five years of planned development have not narrowed these gaps.

Dibyendu Chaudhuri and Parijat Ghosh work in the research unit of PRADAN, a non-profit working in India

Source: The Telegraph, 31/08/22