TIFAC Has launched Vigyan Jyoti scheme for Women
Context :
Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) has launched the Vigyan Jyoti scheme on 8 March 2020. The scheme aims to encourage women to pursue science. Under the scheme, selected qualified women from more than 500 women are to be provided opportunities to attend science camps at NITs, IITS and other leading institutions in the country.
Vigyan Jyoti :
Vigyan Jyoti is an initiative that will create a level-playing field for the meritorious girls in high school to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in their higher education.
Under the scheme, Selected women from more than 500 districts will be given opportunities to attend science camps at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), NITs, and other leading institutions of science and technology education where women are not adequately represented.
TIFAC :
TIFAC was set up in 1988. It functions under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology. It foresees the technological innovation in select technology areas that were of national importance.
Poshan Abhiyaan celebrates its second anniversary
Context :
The second anniversary of the Centre’s “Poshan Abhiyaan”.
Highlights :
- NITI Aayog’s data states that Andhra Pradesh ranked first in the overall implementation of Poshan Abhiyan. As part of the program, the State has trained all Angan Wadi Workers on modules created based on lifecycle approach with the support of incremental learning Approach (ILA).
- Tamil Nadu State has topped the list of the states in terms of the number of participants in the program.
- The Integrated Child Development Scheme has been rejuvenated with the Centre’s Poshan Abhiyaan mission. The program is revitalizing India by reaching out to the children and mothers across the nation.
POSHAN Abhiyaan :
Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission is the Government of India’s flagship program.
It improves nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.Additionally, The scheme reduces malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergized and result oriented approach.
The program was launched by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2018. The scheme will address the problem of malnutrition and addresses it in a mission-mode. Moreover, The goals of Poshan Abhiyan are to achieve improvement in the Nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in a time-bound manner.
Unutilised Budgetary Funds in Education
Context :
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD) has presented a report on the 2020-2021 demand for grants for school education in the Rajya Sabha.
Further, Parliamentary panel identifies shortfalls in budgetary funding and utilisation, resulting in critical infrastructure gaps.
Highlights :
- The budgetary allocations saw a 27% cut from proposals made by the School Education department.
- Similarly, 27% of reductions have been observed in the fund needed for the implementation of Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- Also, the government has spent only 71% of allotted funds for the core Samagra Shiksha Scheme until December 31, 2019.
- Almost half of government schools in the country don’t have any electricity or playgrounds.
- Only 56% of schools have electricity, with the lowest rates in Manipur and Madhya Pradesh, where less than 20% have access to power.
- Less than 57% of schools have playgrounds, including less than 30% of schools in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2017-18 survey.
Infrastructure :
- A dismal rate of progress has been observed in building classrooms, labs and libraries to strengthen government higher secondary schools.
- Almost 40% of schools did not have a boundary wall, endangering the safety of students and school property.
- The higher secondary schools experienced greater infrastructural gaps compared to secondary schools and primary schools.
Recommendations :
The panel recommended that the HRD Ministry collaborate with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to construct boundary walls, and work with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to provide solar energy and other renewable energy sources so that schools have access to power.
Nari Shakti Puraskar
Context :
To acknowledge Women’s achievements, the Government of India confers Nari Shakti Puraskars on eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment.
Key facts :
- It is Initiated in the year 1999.
- The awards are given away by the President of India every year .
- The Nari Shakti Puraskar, instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, are “National Award in recognition of exceptional work for women empowerment” conferred every year on March 8.
- As a mark of respect and recognition for those who have demonstrated exemplary courage and stellar contribution towards empowerment of women.
- The Nari Shakti Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs.1 Lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to individuals, groups and institutions for outstanding work towards empowerment of women.
- Individual applicant must be at least 25 years of age.
- Institutions must have at least 5 years of relevant experience.
KIRAN Scheme
Context :
The Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme is one of the several pioneering initiatives started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for promoting women in science.
Key Points :
- The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing ‘Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN)’ Scheme to provide various career opportunities to women scientists and technologists.
- It is primarily aimed to bring gender parity in the Science & Technology sector by inducting more women talent in the research & development domain through various programmes.
- It also provides fellowship support ranging from Rs 25000 to 55000 to women ranging in the age group 27 to 57 years for continuing higher education in Science and Technology after a break in career.