2 November: International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was observed globally on 2 November 2016.
The Day is celebrated to spread awareness against the violence and crimes done to journalists and media workers and to bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies.
It aims to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.
Vigilance Awareness Week observes
Vigilance Awareness Week was observed across India beginning from 31 October 2016 to promote probity in public life and achieve a corruption free society.
Vigilance Awareness Week is from October 31 to November 5.
The theme of the Vigilance Awareness Week 2016 was Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption.
The Week is organized every year by the Central Vigilance Commission as part of its efforts to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption free society.
The significance of 31 October is that it is the birthday of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.
He integrated the country and also was a shining example of probity in public life.
Kerala becomes 3rd Open Defecation Free state
Kerala has become the third Open Defecation Free state in the country after Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) (Gramin).
The announcement in this regard was made by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer in New Delhi on the occasion of foundation day of Kerala (1 November).
With this Kerala becomes first high density populated state in the country to achieve Open Defecation Free status.
International Forum on adopting ICT Perspective to Education and Learning begins in New Delhi
The International Forum on adopting ICT Perspective to Education and Learning has begun in New Delhi.
It will be held from 31th October to 4th November 2016.
It has been organised by the International Bureau of Education (IBE), UNESCO in partnership with Google and the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The forum targets mainly countries which are implementing the UNESCO developed General Education Quality Analysis Framework (GEQAF).
Participating countries include Egypt, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Gabon, India, Lithuania, Oman, Seychelles, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mauritius, US and Swaziland.
India ranks 133rd in 2016 Global Youth Development Index
India has been ranked 133rd out of 183 countries in the 2016 Global Youth Development Index (YDI) compiled by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Global Youth Development Index report measures countries’ prospects for young people in employment, education, health, civic and political spheres.
The 2016 Index was topped by Germany followed by Denmark, Australia, Switzerland and UK.
India accounts for nearly 20% of the global youth population, with nearly 345 million young people between the ages of 15 and 30 living in the country.
India is currently experiencing the most significant “youth bulge” – with nearly 27% of its total population made up of young people.
NHPC commissions 50 MW wind power project in Rajasthan
State-run NHPC announced commissioning of a 50 MW wind power project in Rajasthan.
NHPC has commissioned its 50 MW wind power project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
The project consist of 25 nos wind turbine generators each of 2 MW capacity, which has been successfully synchronised with grid in October 2016.
FinMin releases Rs 1,093 cr for restoration of infra in Jammu and Kashmir
The finance ministry released first installment of special assistance of Rs 1,093.34 crore for repair and permanent restoration of damaged public buildings in Jammu and Kashmir in pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister last November.
A total sum of Rs 2,000 crore has been provided for permanent restoration of damaged Infrastructure such as schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stations and other critical public infrastructure under Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan for J&K.
The central government gave its approval on October 27 to one-time relaxation of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) cost norms for restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture in the state.
A total sum of Rs 500 crore has been provided under this head as part of PM Reconstruction Plan for J&K.
Odisha govt has launched Madhubabu Aain Sahayata Sibir’ (MASS) scheme to provide legal assistance to deprived sections of the society at the grassroots level.
The scheme has been named after great Odia lawyer Madhu Babu, who is considered as the first lawyer of Odisha.
State govt will provide free legal consultations to deprived sections of the society by setting up legal assistance cells in all 6,812 gram panchayats across the state.
Legal assistance will be given in shape of free legal aid in order to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen for economic and other reasons.
A practicing lawyer with minimum three years of experience would head the legal cells.
The lawyer who will give legal assistance will receive Rs 500 per sitting as remuneration.
It will help people especially the women, senior citizens, children, SC, ST and socially and educationally backward to resolve long pending litigations.
