Quote of the Day February 10, 2023

 

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
Theodore Roosevelt

“लोगों के साथ सामंजस्य स्थापित कर पाना ही सफ़लता का एक अति महत्त्वपूर्ण सूत्र है।”
थियोडोर रूसवेल्ट

Report: WhatsApp is India’s most accessible app for PWDs

 The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is a think tank that does legal research. The organization recently released a report on the popularity of software applications in India. The title of the report is “Making the Digital Ecosystem Disabled Friendly”. The organization has found that WhatsApp is the most accessible app for disabled persons.

About the report

The organization evaluated applications in different categories such as e-commerce, online payments, transport, food delivery, etc. The report was generated based on the web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

What is WCAG?

The WCAG was created by Web Accessibility Initiative. It was launched by W3C, World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is the main key to WWW (World Wide Web). The headquarters of the org is in the USA. The main objective of W3C is to create web standards.

Other apps audited

The think tank also audited other apps such as OLA, UBER, TELEGRAM, FLIPKART, AMAZON, ZOMATO, SWIGGY, PAYTM, PHONE PE, etc.

After auditing, the apps were categorized as “highly accessible”, “moderately accessible”, and “less accessible”. WhatsApp was highly accessible.

ASI Keeladi Report: Sangam Age pushed to 800 BCE

 Keeladi is a hamlet located near Madurai city in Tamil Nadu. It is along the banks of River Vaigai. The ASI started its excavations in Keeladi in 2014. Evidence was found that the civilization at Keeladi, that is, the Sangam Age civilization is older than thought before. Earlier it was believed that Sangam Era was 300 BCE. But the excavations at Keeladi revealed that Sangam Era was older and dated 800 BCE. Controversies arose with the new findings. Today, the ASI has put an end to the controversies finalizing that Sangam Age dates from 800 BCE.

What is the issue?

ASI conducts excavations in four to five phases. During the Keeladi excavations, consecutive phases did not receive funds on time. Also, the Tamil archaeologists working with ASI performing the excavations were transferred to Assam and other states. This created controversies. The issue was politicized. Criticisms were made that the BJP government is doing Hindutva politics. If the excavations proved that the Sangam era dated 800 BCE, there is an established fact that the civilization in the south was secular and modern. And the modernization occurred earlier than in other parts of India. The Sangam era had excellent trade connections with the world. The women’s literacy rate of the era was high and equal to men.

The criticism made: Hindutva politicians associated with the central government are not liking the fact that Tamil culture was older than thought before.

Current Affairs- February 10, 2023.

 

INDIA

• Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurates Mission Antyodaya Survey 2022-23
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow
• India’s national accreditation system ranked 5th in the world in the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021.
• 14th Aero India event will be held in Bengaluru between 13th and 17^th of February.
• Around 60 lakh cases are pending in High Courts across the country: Over 69 thousand cases are pending in the Supreme Court: Government Data
• External Affairs Ministry: Two lakh 25 thousand 620 people renounced Indian citizenship in 2022.
• 25 Addiction Treatment Facilities launched under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

ECONOMY

• Pakistan signs deal with International Monetary Fund (IMF) over stalled bailout package.
• US Fed introduces Wall Street bank stress-test scenarios
• PM Modi to inaugurate three-day UP Global Investors Summit 2023

WORLD

• Australia to remove Chinese-made cameras from its offices over spying concerns
• Death toll surpasses 21,000 in massive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
• North Korea unveils ‘record’ number of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

SPORTS

• The third edition of Khelo India Winter Games will begin at Gulmarg in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• ICC T-20 Women’s World Cup kick starts in South Africa.

Swiss education provides students with a strong foundation for success in their future careers

 

Christophe Clivaz, Founder and Director of Swiss Learning, in an exclusive chat with Education Times, talks about the group’s aim of providing students with a broad and diverse education to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century

In 2006 Christophe Clivaz founded Swiss Learning in order to promote the excellence of Swiss education throughout the world. Today, Swiss Learning operates in multiple continents, delivering a personalised service to families who seek schools in Switzerland. For details visit: www.swisslearning.com

Where do you see Swiss Learning in the next 10 years and what is your vision for it?
Swiss Learning has a long history of providing high-quality education to students from around the world, and it is likely that this trend will continue in the future.

In the next 10 years, Swiss Learning aims to further expand its reach and provide access to its educational programmes to an even larger number of students. The schools may also focus on incorporating new technologies and innovative teaching methods to enhance the student experience and ensure that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.

The Swiss Learning schools aim to better prepare students for success in an increasingly globalised world.

The vision for Swiss Learning is to continue providing high-quality education that prepares students for success in their future careers and lives, and to continue to be a leading provider of international education in Switzerland.

What do you think are the qualities/expertise that students from India will be able to bring to your institutions?
Indian students can bring a lot of qualities such as:

- Cultural diversity

- Entrepreneurial spirit

- Language skills

- Global perspective: India is a rapidly growing and changing country, and Indian students can bring a unique global perspective to Swiss learning institutions, helping to bridge cultural and educational gaps and promoting greater understanding and collaboration between different cultures.

What makes Switzerland a preferred destination for education, especially for children of comparatively young age?
Switzerland is a preferred destination for education, especially for children of a young age, for several reasons, including:

- High-quality education: Swiss education has a strong reputation for academic rigour and quality, with a focus on hands-on learning and practical experience. Swiss schools are known for their commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in their future careers and lives.

- Safe and stable environment: Switzerland is known for being a safe and stable country, with a high quality of life and a strong social safety net. This can be especially appealing for parents looking to provide their children with a secure and supportive environment in which to learn and grow.

- Multilingualism: Switzerland is a multilingual country, with four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), and a high level of language proficiency is considered an essential part of a Swiss education. This multilingualism can help students develop a broad range of language skills and a global perspective that will be valuable in their future careers.

- Outdoor and adventure opportunities: Switzerland is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, including skiing, hiking, and water sports. This can be especially appealing for families looking to provide their children with a well-rounded education that includes a healthy and active lifestyle.

- Experienced teachers: Swiss teachers are highly trained and experienced, and they are committed to providing students with the best possible education. This, combined with small class sizes and individual attention, can help ensure that each student receives the support and guidance they need to succeed.

What are the most common/popular courses that students come to Switzerland to study? Any noticeable trend?
Switzerland is known for its high-quality education, particularly in technical and scientific fields, and attracts students from around the world to study a variety of subjects. Here are some of the most common and popular courses that students come to Switzerland to study:

- Engineering and technology: Switzerland is a hub for innovation and technology, and attracts students to study subjects like Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

- Medicine and health sciences: Switzerland has a strong reputation for medical research and innovation and attracts students from around the world to study subjects like Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Science.

- Hospitality and tourism: Switzerland is known for its tourism and hospitality industry and attracts students from around the world to study subjects like Hotel Management and Culinary Arts.

Can you tell us a little more about your new initiative #GoOutandPlay and why it specifically targets Indian Students? For example, the benefits they will be able to derive from it?

Binding it all together with an aim to promote the excellence of Swiss Education, Swiss Learning, has also released a video campaign #GoOutAndPlay, to underline the ardour of this activity. Targeted at Indian students aged 12 to 17, this visual essay narrates the multicultural exposure through summer camps and holistic growth via boarding schools that Swiss Learning brings to the fore.

By the end of their education, what kind of individuals do the schools that are a part of Swiss Learning strive to produce/prepare?
Swiss Learning schools aim to produce well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in their future careers and lives. By the end of their education, the schools strive to produce students with the following qualities:

- Academic excellence: Swiss Learning schools aim to provide a rigorous and challenging education that prepares students for success in their future academic and professional careers.

- Independent thinking: These schools encourage students to think critically and independently, and to develop their own unique perspectives and ideas.

- Global perspective: They aim to provide students with a broad and diverse education that prepares them for success in a globalized world. This includes a focus on multilingualism, cultural awareness, and an understanding of different perspectives and worldviews.

- Entrepreneurial spirit: Students are encouraged by the schools to develop an entrepreneurial spirit, and to take initiative and take risks in order to achieve their goals.

- Respect for others: The schools promote a culture of respect and understanding and aim to prepare students to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Overall, Swiss Learning schools aim to produce individuals who are well-prepared for success in their future careers and lives, and who have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to make a positive impact on the world.

After completing their education, do students usually move to other countries for further education or do they stay back in Switzerland itself?
After completing their education in Switzerland, some students choose to stay in Switzerland and pursue further education or start their careers, while others choose to move to other countries for further education or work opportunities.

Swiss education is highly valued around the world and provides students with a strong foundation for success in their future careers, regardless of where they choose to pursue their studies or work.

Source: educationtimes.com, 7/02/23

AICTE introduces new online SWAYAM credit courses to increase innovation

 

By pursuing SWAYAM online credit courses Engineering students will be able to expand their horizons in terms of their knowledge domain

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has recently introduced SWAYAM online credit courses on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Remote Sensing to increase high-tech culture among students. Non-engineering students can also pursue these online credit courses, which will be taught by professors of eminent institutes in the country.
While pursuing the two online credit courses on IPR and Remote Sensing, students will study the introductory aspects of IPR and the basics of Remote Sensing and applications related to Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, respectively. The duration of the online credit courses would be of 15-16 weeks. AICTE is focusing on educating more students living in the rural belt.

Speaking to Education Times, Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE, says, “The latest SWAYAM online credit courses on IPR and Basics of Remote Sensing that has been introduced by us can even be opted by the non-engineering students. However, students from an engineering and Science background would be more inclined to take up these online credit courses as they are interrelated with Science and engineering streams. Remote Sensing is an emerging technology, which is taught by professors from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun, while professors from IIT Kharagpur will teach the course on IPR.” Students can register on the SWAYAM portal.

Buddha Chandrasekhar, chief coordinating officer, AICTE, Ministry of Education, says, “The new online credit courses that are introduced have been conceived and designed to provide engineering students with an opportunity to learn beyond their technical curriculum. By pursuing these online credit courses, students will be able to expand their higher-order thinking skills. The online credit course on IPR is crucial for innovators and research-oriented engineers who intend to deep dive into product development and establish start-ups. Courses on Remote Sensing and Geospatial technologies are specialised technical areas with a multidisciplinary target audience. It would help all engineering students to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals and diverse future practical applications like IoT, 5G, etc. In the IPR online credit course, students will be given an introduction to understanding the significance of Intellectual Property Rights in the global business domain. While studying the course on Remote Sensing, students will get to study the basics of Remote Sensing and the applications related to GIS and GNSS technology. The duration of the newly introduced online credit courses would be of 15-16 hours.”

Source: educationtimes.com, 8/02/23

Sustainability is a key focus area for India at G20

 

India is leading the world in transitioning to a low-carbon economy and is well-poised to take forward PM Modi’s LiFE initiative. India’s presidency will share, collaborate, and build on the sense of trusteeship among the member-countries to build a sustainable future for all.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, marked by hope, dreams, and aspirations. The world is facing several challenges, such as Covid-19, the threat of recession, and the climate crisis and is seeking answers to some of these pressing issues. The Indian presidency aims to build upon the efforts and outcomes of earlier presidencies while foraying into newer areas of global cooperation to build a sustainable future for all. As the theme of the presidency — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) suggests — we are committed to working towards healing our one world, creating harmony within our one family, and giving hope for our one future. India remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Even though it supports almost 17% of the world’s population, we have managed growth while tackling the climate crisis. India’s per capita emission of 2.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is well below the global average of 6.3 tonnes of CO2e in 2020. In the 2022 Climate Change Performance Index, we have been ranked among the top five performing countries.

India is also leading the world in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. We have achieved our commitment to non-fossil fuel capacity addition (made in the Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) ahead of the target year (2030) and also updated our targets. As per the new NDC, India is committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45% by 2030 from the 2005 level and achieving about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. With a young population, growing urbanisation, digitalisation and adaptation of technology, and mushrooming of startups, India’s primary focus has been to provide universal access to affordable power in a sustainable manner. We are now a power-surplus nation. We have established an integrated national grid, strengthened the distribution network, emerged as a significant renewable energy (RE) player, and achieved universal household electrification.

India’s energy mix is diversified. Power generation happens through several sources, including coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear, to increased the contribution of RE sources (solar, wind and biomass). The government is focused on increasing India’s capacity to produce clean electricity through new technology and innovation.

RE usage is growing faster, with new capacity additions to double by 2026. The share of solar and wind in India’s energy mix has grown phenomenally. The country is also one of the world’s largest producers of bioenergy. Green hydrogen will play a vital role in decarbonising the economy, and the country aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports. India has emerged as a country with the fastest-growing RE capacity globally. This has also made it the most attractive investment destination. These efforts are helping India meet its own needs while contributing to global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

The challenge now lies in making energy affordable even as commodity prices are rising, and tight market conditions are increasing energy security risks. While focusing on policy measures and mitigation is important, it is imperative to focus on individuals and communities is imperative to bring about concrete and measurable change. India has demonstrated significant successes in driving development and societal and behavioural changes through large-scale collective action in initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala scheme or Give It Up campaign. India is well-poised to take forward the global initiative — Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) – introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. LiFE calls upon individuals and communities to drive and build it as an international mass movement towards mindful and deliberate utilisation, instead of mindless and destructive consumption to protect and preserve the environment. LiFE puts individual and collective duty on everyone to live a life that is in tune with the earth and does not harm it.

As a large developing economy with over 1.4 billion people, India’s climate adaptation and mitigation ambitions are transformational for India and the planet. Moreover, India’s impressive progress in transitioning toward RE shows that countries can succeed by making smart choices about using resources to meet their needs. India’s G20 presidency will share, collaborate, and build on the sense of trusteeship among the member-countries to build a sustainable future for all.

Source: Hindustan Times, 3/02/23