On the occasion of National Press Day, the Vice President 0of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naiduawarded the winners of ‘National Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2019' at New Delhi today. The journalists in different areas werehonoured for their outstanding and exemplary work in journalism at an event organized by Press Council of India.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President highlighted the significance and the role of media. He emphasized that ever since the launch of the first newspaper in India-‘The Bengal Gazette’ by James Augustus Hickey in 1780, the press has been playing an outstanding role in empowering the people.
In his address, the Vice President said “The cardinal principle of journalism is to present fair, objective, accurate and balanced information to the reader and viewer without journalists assuming the role of the gatekeepers”.
Shri Naidu also spoke of the evils of fake news and urged media to always maintain objectivity, fairness and accuracy, “ With the electronic and social media providing news by the minute with alerts and flashes on smart phones, journalists will have to exercise greater caution and guard against ‘fake news’, disinformation and misinformation”.
The Vice President also appealed to media to provide greater space to development news and important sectors such as agriculture.Shri Naidu further lauded the efforts of the Press Council of India for its role in promoting responsible journalism in the country.
The Vice President of India also released the Norms of Journalistic Conduct Edition -2019, the Directory of Press Council of India and a souvenir at the award function.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, ShriPrakashJavadekaraddressed the key issues that the media fraternity faced, “Today there is a crisis of fake news more than paid news. Fake news has a higher TRP and this is not good for the society and the country. Media must understand the important responsibility they have to shoulder and cater towards delivering the right news to the end-users”, stated ShriJavadekar.
The recipients of today’s prestigious awards are: ShriGulab Kothari, eminent Journalist and chairman of Rajasthan Patrika Private Limited,has been selected under the prestigious category of “Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award” for his outstanding contribution towards Journalism and will be venerated with citation.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at a colorful function at Dilli Haat, INA, today. The 15 days’ festival (16th to 30th November, 2019) is the celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine and Commerce. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Smt. Renuka Singh; Tribal Affairs Minister of Nagaland, Shri Temjen Imna Along; Members of Parliament, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi, Shri Jual Oram and Smt M. C. Mary Kom; Chairman, TRIFED, Shri R.C. Meena; Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Shri Deepak Khandekar and MD, TRIFED, Shri Praveen Krishna were present on the occasion.
In his inaugural address, Shri Amit Shah dwelt upon many new transformational initiatives of the Union Government over the last five years for the overall development and welfare of tribal population in country. He particularly highlighted measures like expansion of Eklavya Model Schools, extending benefits to large number of tribals under Forest Rights Act, increasing the budget manifold of several important schemes of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, opening Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums and expansion of Tribal Research Institutes among others. The Home Minister emphasized upon the significant contribution of tribal people in protection of environment and culture. He explained that the tribals in the country have benefitted from the people friendly initiatives of the Government like Ujjawala, Ayushman, construction of toilets under Swachhata Abhiyan and construction of homes among others. He assured that the government will continue to work incessantly for the development and empowerment of the tribal population.
The Home Minister and other dignitaries paid homage to the great tribal freedom fighter, Bhagwan Birsa Munda whose birth anniversary was observed yesterday. He also launched some new tribal products under the Van Dhan Scheme on the occasion.
Shri Arjun Munda is his address, said that the need of the hour is to connect with the tribals who are true lovers of nature and want to live with nature. If urban people start using tribal products, they will be able to avoid several physical ailments. Adivasi way of life is guided by primal truths, eternal values and a natural simplicity, the Minister explained. The greatness of the tribes lies in this that they have managed to retain the primal skills and the natural simplicity. Their creations issue from the depths of time. This quality gives their arts and crafts a timeless appeal. He said that the Van Dhan Scheme has been started by the government to empower the tribals and the endeavour of the Ministry is to connect with the unique culture, arts and crafts of the tribals to the international market.
Smt. Renuka Singh in her address said over 1000 tribal artisans and artists from 27 states are participating in the Mahotsav. The concept of organizing Aadi Mahotsav in major cities has proved to be a boon for tribal artisans by eliminating the middle man and providing direct access to large markets, otherwise impossible to reach for them. Tribal artisans are very creative and enterprising and we need to promote them through such tribal festivals. She called upon people to purchase tribal products which are of good quality and will strengthen the tribal people. Tribal products are linked with traditional Indian culture.
Chairman TRIFED, Shri R. C. Meena, in his speech said that TRIFED is doing significant work for the overall development and welfare of tribal people and events like Aadi Mahotsav are very important in this regard. The tribes of India have a wide range of handicrafts and the government seeks to promote interaction between tribal artisans and the people.
The theme of the Mahotsav is: “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce”. The festival features exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric, jewellery and much more through 220 stalls. Over 1000 tribal artisans and artists from different States creating a Mini-India are participating in the festival.
Post inauguration of event on 16th November 2019, the balance 14 days of the festival have been dedicated to Parliamentarian’s Day, All India Service Day, Diplomats Day, Tourism Day, Defence Day, Sports Day, Textile Day, IAS Officers Wive’s Association, Media Day, Cooperative Day, North East Day, TRIFED Partner/Tribal Entrepreneur Day with Closing Ceremony on last day i.e. 30th November 2019.
The tribal textiles manufactured by Master tribal Craftsmen from Jammu & Kashmir in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South and from Gujarat in the West to Nagaland/Sikkim in the East are the main attractions. For the first time, this AADI MAHOTSAV is showcasing a wide range of products from the tribal artisan from Leh (Ladaakh). Apart from this special attraction a wide range of products from North Easter States are on display and sale. The Tribal handicrafts are sold through more than 220 Stalls under the Tribes Banner by tribal Artisans.
In line with the national aspiration to go cashless, the tribal artisans are accepting payment through major credit/debit cards for which Point of Sale (POS) machines have been provided in each stall. A special training has been conducted by State Bank of India for smooth operations of this. The Mahotsav is displaying the rich digital commerce and e-commerce being promoted by Tribes India.
TRIBES India proudly informs the signing of MOUs with Amazon, Amazon.com, Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and GEM, a Government of India Portal for e-commerce of the tribal products. Besides TRIBES India has also has its own e-com portal www.tribesindia.com. The Aadi Mahotsav is an effort to take tribal commerce to the next level of digital and electronic transactions. The Mahotsav apart from exotic handicrafts is also showcasing the electronic and digital skills of the tribals as a special attraction.
Background: The State registered 94.59% of online free medicine distribution at counters in public health facilities and 84.76% use of the drugs and vaccine distribution management system at primary health centres.
About the Scheme: Rajasthan Mukhyamantri Nishulk Dava Yojana was launched on 2nd October 2011. It has 2 components: Free Medicines: To provide commonly-used essential medicines free of cost to patients visiting government healthcare institutions (introduced on 2nd October 2011), and
Free Tests: To provide free tests (introduced on 7th April 2013). For the successful implementation of the same, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) was incorporated as a Public Limited Company.
Since 2011, it has benefitted around 67 crore patients, and a record number of 712 medicines are covered under it.
How are these schemes ranked? National Health Mission under its Free Drug Service Initiative, started giving rankings to the states, in order to encourage them to provide free drugs to their patients coming to public health facilities.
Aim: to reduce out of pocket expenditure of patients suffering from cancer, heart and kidney-related diseases, and other severe ailments. Implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in order to support the states.
The performance of the states was assessed by NHM on the basis of 10 parameters including: The stock of drugs, Value of drugs about to expire, and Effective compliance with the Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS), etc.
Need: Rewarding the states will act as a catalyst for ensuring the inclusive accessibility and affordability of health care services to the most downtrodden and the poorest sections of our society. This will also promote the spirit of co-operative and competitive federalism, whereby other states can take the lead and follow similar successful initiatives.
Key features of the scheme: It is a Mission aimed at improving learning outcomes at Elementary level through integrated Teacher Trainings.
This Mission aims to build the capacities of 42 lakh participants covering all teachers and Heads of Schools at elementary level in all Government Schools across the country, faculty members of SIEs/SCERTs, DIETs etc.
The verdict: The Supreme Court quashed the earlier NCLAT order which brought parity between financial and operational creditors of Essar Steel in matters of distribution of proceeds.
The two set of creditors will be treated differently during the insolvency proceedings and taking over of a debt-ridden firm by another company.
There is no principal of equality between secured and unsecured creditors.
The Court has done away with the 330-day mandatory deadline for the resolution of insolvency and bankruptcy cases after which liquidation will be invoked. The mandatory nature of the 330-day mark as a violation of Article 14 (right to equal treatment) of the Constitution and an “excessive and unreasonable restriction on the litigant’s right to carry on business under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution”.
What was the issue? In its judgment in July this year, the NCLAT placed financial (secured and unsecured) and operational creditors on the same footing, setting aside the categorisation by the resolution plan.
Peeved with the NCLAT ruling, the financial creditors had approached the apex court saying that the NCLAT order exceeds the scope of the IBC. They also argued that secured creditors have the first right over funds.
Way ahead: The order will finally pave the way for resolution of Essar Steel, one of the oldest cases in the IBC process. It was one of the original Dirty Dozen referred by the RBI to NCLT for Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under the IBC Code.
With the Supreme Court finally upholding CoC’s primacy over distribution of funds, a major area of concern has been addressed.
Basics: What is the purpose of enactment of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016? To consolidate and amend the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of value of assets of such persons, to promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders including alteration in the order of priority of payment of Government dues and to establish an Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, as a regulatory body for Insolvency and Bankruptcy law.
Who shall be termed as creditor under the Code? A Creditor means any person to whom a debt is owed and includes a financial creditor, an operational creditor, a secured creditor, an unsecured creditor and a decree holder.
What is the difference between Financial Creditor and Operational Creditor? Financial creditor is any person to whom a financial debt is owned and includes a person to whom such debt has been legally assigned or transferred to.
Operational creditor is any person to whom operational debt is owned and includes a person to whom such debt has been legally assigned or transferred to. They are suppliers of good or services to any company or operational debtor.
Chile has announced that it will stage a referendum to replace the country’s Constitution.
Need: The current charter, in force since 1980 and enacted by the military dictatorship, does not establish the State’s responsibility to provide education and healthcare — two demands made by millions of Chileans who have taken to the streets.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has set up an Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) Prevention/Investigation Unit.
The unit, which will function under the agency’s Special Crime Zone in Delhi, will collect and disseminate information on online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
It will also probe such offences covered under the IPC, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Information Technology Act, apart from other relevant laws.
The European Investment Bank is to stop funding oil and coal projects at the end of 2021.
The EIB’s new policy demands that the energy projects applying for funding must prove that they can produce 1 Kilo watt hour of energy emitting less than 250 grams of carbon dioxide.
The new rules being adopted are not applicable to gas-based energy projects.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently renamed farthest cosmic body, earlier known as ‘Ultima Thule’ to ‘Arrokoth’ or Sky.
The old name attracted controversy because the word ‘Thule’has been associated with Nazis in the past.
Located in the Kuiper belt in the outermost regions of the Solar system. Measures approximately 30 km in diameter, and is irregularly shaped. It has a reddish color, probably caused by exposure of hydrocarbons to sunlight over billions of years.
It belongs to a class of Kuiper belt objects called the “cold classicals”, which have nearly circular orbits with low inclinations to the solar plane.
Recently, the Defence Minister inaugurated the Sisseri River Bridgelocated at lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
The 200m long bridge provides connectivity between Dibang Valley and Siang. The bridge was constructed by ‘Project Brahmank’ of Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
This bridge is strategically important from the military viewpoint and will be a part of Trans Arunachal Highway.