30th National Child Science Congress Organized in Ahmedabad

Why In News

The 30th National Child Science Congress was inaugurated on 27th January 2023 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The National Child Science Congress is a five-day event.

Key Points

The 30th National Child Science Congress was inaugurated on 27th January 2023 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The National Child Science Congress is a five-day event that was held at Science City. The event was concluded on 31st January 2023.

The National Child Science Congress was organized by the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), the Gujarat Council of Science City, and SAL Education.

The 30th National Child Science Congress was inaugurated on 27th January 2023 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The National Child Science Congress was attended by 1400 delegates including Child Scientists, escort teachers, evaluators, and government officials.

The advisor of GUJCOST, Narottam Sahoo informed that nearly 850 students from all over the country were present their project at the congress.

About National Child Congress

The Children’s Science Congress, an important event of the Indian Science Congress is organized to provide a unique opportunity to children of the age group of 10-17 years to use their scientific temperament and knowledge and to quench their thirst for creativity by conducting scientific experiments to solve problems identified by them.

‘Jeevan Vidya Shivir’ Organized for Delhi Govt School Teachers

Why In News

Delhi State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has organized a 5-day ‘Jeevan Vidya Shivir’ for the teachers of Delhi government schools.

Key Points

Delhi State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has organized a 5-day ‘Jeevan Vidya Shivir’ for the teachers of Delhi government schools at Thyagaraja stadium. About 4,000 teachers from Delhi government schools are expected to participate in this workshop between 28th January 2023 to 1st February 2023.

Jeevan Vidya Shivir is a co-existence workshop based on the Coexistential philosophy of A Nagraj.

It is a proposal to understand all of Life and provides comprehensive clarity on all aspects of Reality and the Human Being.

It provides resolutions for our multidimensional dichotomies and problems -via awareness and consciousness development. It offers a new direction for humans to live wholesome, coherent, and meaningful lives.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia participated in the workshop on Saturday and addressed the participant teachers.

While addressing the teachers Sisodia informed the gathering that many good things are being done in the current education system, but there are still many flaws in it.

These 5-day Jeevan Vidya Shivir, he said will help teachers in building their capacity to find those gaps present in the education system and fill them.

Sisodia further noted the education system has started guaranteeing that department will make children excellent professionals but cannot guarantee that they will be better human beings who will do good to society.

It is also an opportunity for the teachers to assess how the education they have received has helped them become good professionals as well as good human beings.

If teachers will be able to do this, then they will get successful in connecting the dots and guiding the students better. They will be able to help their students to become better human beings who will then serve the nation as well as society wholeheartedly.

UP Government Launched ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’ Campaign

Why In News

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a campaign to empower girls from the underprivileged class.

Key Points

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a campaign to empower girls from the underprivileged class. The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan will work under the Aarohini Initiative Training Programme for the safety and security of girls in 746 Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls Schools in Uttar Pradesh.

Director General of School Education Vijay Kiran Anand informed that the main objective of the Aarohini program, which will be implemented in three phases, is gender sensitization.

In the first phase, teachers will be trained, which will start on 1st February 2023.

Two teachers of every Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School will receive the training, who will then educate the students of their respective schools.

Along with the teachers, the institution will also groom the girls through debates and other activities.

Objectives of the Aarohini Initiative Training Programme

The major goal of this scheme is Gender sensitization which is intended to address gender inequality concerns in the city. The campaign will be executed in three different phases, according to the announcement made by the Director General of School Education Vijay Kiran Anand.

Aarohini Campaign’s main objective is to make all female students studying in schools independent and confident.

The girls coming from the underprivileged section will be made capable and self-reliant, according to an official press release.

This training program will enable the girls to raise their voices for their exclusive rights, as declared in the Indian Constitution.

Union Budget 2023: Top 10 Key Highlights

Why In News

FM Sitharaman says Indian economy heading towards bright future

While presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 in Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Indian economy is on a "right track and heading towards a bright future".

Key Points

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Budget Speech, Union Budget 2023 Top 10 Key Highlights :

While presenting the Union Budget 2023 in Lok Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Indian economy is on a “right track and heading towards a bright future”. “Our focus on reforms and sound policies resulting in Jan Bhagidari helped us in trying times, our rising global profile is due to several accomplishments,” she said.

1.    Union Budget 2023 Key Highlights: Saptrishi(7 Priorities):

Sitharaman highlighted seven priorities of Budget 2023(Saptrishi) saying “they compliment each other and act as Saptarishi guiding us through the Amrit Kaal.” Budget Priorities highlighted by FM Sitharaman include, inclusive development, reaching last mile infrastructure and investment, unleashing potential, Green Growth, youth power, Financial Sector.

2.    Union Budget 2023 Key Highlights: Key Numbers:

FY23 growth estimated at 7%

To spend Rs 2200 crore for high value horticulture

Agri credit target incresed to Rs 20 lk cr

To spend Rs 2200 crore for high value horticulture

Proposed capital expenditure of Rs 10 lk cr for FY24, up 33%

Plan to increase PM Housing outlay to Rs 79000 crore

Plan to spend Rs 15000 cr vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) over 3 years.

3.    Union Budget 2023 Key Highlights: Another year of big jump in capex:

The Indian government will spend 10 Lakh Crore($122.3 billion) on longer term capital expenditure in 2023/24, extending a strategy adopted to revive growth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The allocation is higher than the 7.5 trillion rupees budgeted for in the previous year and the highest on record. The year-on-year increase of 33% is only marginally lower than last year’s 35% jump. The ratio of capex-to-GDP, which rose to 2.7% in 2022/23, is estimated at 3.3% in the new financial year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. The government will also continue a 1.3 trillion rupees long-term loan to states for longer term investments, the minister said.

4.    Union Budget 2023: 33% increase in Capex:

India ups capex by 33%, to focus on growth in last full budget before elections. India will focus on economic growth and job creation, the Finance Minister said, presenting the government’s last full budget in parliament before elections due next year, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is projected to win. The aim is to have strong public finances and a robust financial sector for the benefit of all sections of society, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

5.    Union Budget 2023: Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana:

Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana outlay hiked by 66% to Rs 79,000 cr Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a 66 percent hike in the outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY) to Rs 79,000 crore.

6.    Union Budget 2023: Affordable housing:

India has Increased its, budget allocations to Rs 790 billion for affordable housing in 2023/24. Finance Minister says increase in public capex key to crowding in private investments. Says Indian economy has become the fifth-largest economy in the world in last nine years.

7. Union Budget 2023: Agri-startups:

Budget to encourage agri-startups by youngsters, an agriculture accelerator fund will be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Budget 2023 speech. While presenting the Budget 2023-24 before the Parliament, the minister said, “Digital public infrastructure of agriculture to be built as open source, opened standard, interoperable public good”.

8.    Union Budget 2023: Personal income tax rate:

0-3 lakh- nil

3-6 lakh -5%

6-9 lakh – 10%

9-12 lakh-15%

12-15 lakh -20%

Above 15 lakh – 30%.

9.    Union Budget 2023: Rural focus :

FM announces that the centre will spend Rs 2lakh cr on free food grains for all priority households under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana. The Centre will provide free food grains to all antyodaya and priority households until December 2023.

10. Union Budget 2023 Highlights: “Green Growth”:

Green hydrogen, clean energy storage and transmission are the key drivers of the government’s “Green Growth” priority sector.

Battery energy storage systems with capacity of 4,000 MWh will be supported with viability gap funding.

 A detailed framework for pumped storage will also be formulated.

The inter-state transmission system for evacuation and grid integration of 13 GW renewable energy from Ladakh will be constructed with an investment of Rs 20,700 crore including Central support of Rs 8,300 crore.

A green credit programme for encouraging behavioural change will be notified under the Environment Protection Act.

Indian Army carries out military exercise “Trishakri Prahar” in North Bengal

     Why In News

Exercise Trishakri Prahar: A joint training exercise “Exercise Trishakri Prahar” was conducted in North Bengal from 21 January to 31 January 2023.

      Key Points

A joint training exercise “Exercise Trishakri Prahar” was conducted in North Bengal from 21 January to 31 January 2023. The aim of the exercise was to practice battle preparedness of the Security Forces using the latest weapons and equipment in a networked, integrated environment, involving all arms and services of the Army, the Indian Air Force and CAPFs. Exercise culminated on 31 January 2023 with an Integrated Fire Power Exercise in Teesta Field Firing Ranges.

As part of the exercise, swift mobilization and deployment practices were carried out in various locations across North Bengal. Efforts of all agencies including the Civil Administration, Civil Defence Organisations, Police and CAPFs were coordinated to ensure efficient move and quick mobilization.

The exercise showcased the joint application of ground and aerial assets to include the latest generation Fighter Aircraft, helicopters, Tanks, Infantry Combat Vehicles, Medium & Field Artillery Guns, Infantry Mortars, and various New Generation Infantry weapons and equipment in a networked environment. The exercise also witnessed the participation of newly inducted weapons and equipment made in India as part of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.

The firepower exercise was reviewed by Lt Gen RP Kalita, Army Commander, Eastern Command. Senior officers of BSF, ITBP, SSB, and civil administration dignitaries also witnessed the exercise. On termination of the firepower exercise, a display of the major weapons and equipment was also organised.

The conduct of “Exercise TRISHAKTI PRAHAR” enabled rehearsal and coordination amongst various agencies for quick movement and employment of forces across North Bengal. The Integrated Fire Power Exercise showcased the Indian Armed Forces’ capability in the synergised application of Indian Air Force assets, Airborne Special Forces and the Security Forces in a networked environment.