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India Records 2,503 Fresh Cases of Covid-19 in last 24 hours

/ Health & Wellness Community

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday, India continues to see a steep decline in the number of Covid-19 cases, with the country reporting 2,503 new infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 42.99 million. India saw a sharp drop in Covid-19 deaths on Monday, with 27 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 515,877. The active caseload in the country now stands at 36, 168, and the daily positive rate in the country is 0.47 %, according to Health Ministry data. India’s current active caseload, at 36,168, is the lowest in 675 days, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Sunday that more than 17.42 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses had remained unused and are still available with the states and union territories. “More than 182.65 crore (1,82,65,14,930) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category. More than 17.42Cr (17,42,45,896) balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered,” said the Ministry. On January 16, 2021, the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme began. The new phase of Covid-19 vaccine universalization began on June 21, 2021. More vaccines have been made available, and States and UTs have been given advance notice of vaccine availability, allowing them to plan ahead of time and streamlining the vaccine supply chain. The Union Government has been helping the States and UTs by providing them with free Covid vaccinations as part of the nationwide vaccination drive. The Union Government would acquire and supply (free of cost) to States and UTs 75 percent of the vaccines produced by vaccine manufacturers in the country in the new phase of the Covid-19 vaccination effort.

India Records 2,503 Fresh Cases of Covid-19 in last 24 hours Read More »

UGC mulling to invite industry experts to teach at Central Universities

/ Education Community

According to an official, the University Grants Commission (UGC) aims to develop a system in which industry specialists can teach as full-time or part-time faculty members in central universities. It has also been advocated that specialists without a Ph.D. or NET qualification be permitted to teach in institutions. Special posts — professor of practise and associate professor of practise — will be created, according to the official. As per the proposal, experts who are willing to teach can be hired as full-time or part-time faculty members, depending on the needs of the university, according to the official, who also added that those who have retired at the age of 60 will be eligible for these positions and will be able to work until the age of 65. This was discussed at the UGC chairman’s meeting with the vice-chancellors of central universities on Thursday. According to the source, the UGC will organise a committee to investigate how this might be accomplished and will present its findings. There are also plans to create a portal that would serve as a single point of entry for those interested in applying to universities. Professor Abha Dev Habib of Delhi University slammed the action, claiming that the government is “freeing itself from the pressure of providing permanent posts to qualified teachers.” “Teachers who have been teaching for several years are not “experts,” and so cannot be hired on a permanent basis or even be considered for permanent interviews” (as is the case in many Delhi University departments). “However, those labelled “experts” by the BJP-RSS may be inserted into any system,” she wrote on Facebook. “A step towards dismantling higher education,” tweeted Aishe Ghosh, president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. A Ph.D. is required to get into a university as a professor or associate professor, according to the UGC minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academics. Source: PTI

UGC mulling to invite industry experts to teach at Central Universities Read More »

BJP wins four out of five states, while the AAP achieves a historic victory in Punjab.

/ Governance Community

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was victorious in four of the five states after a high-octane electoral battle. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won a historic victory in Punjab, receiving the state’s largest mandate in recent years. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also written history by returning to power. Since 1985, the BJP has been the first party to retain power in the state. In Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa, the party is returning to power. Despite the fact that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami lost his seat, the party was able to overcome anti-incumbency. Three Independent candidates and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, which extended its support to the saffron party despite a pre-poll arrangement with the TMC, helped the BJP gain a majority in Goa. “The overwhelming majority voted against the BJP, but their votes were split among many parties, which gave the BJP the opportunity to win 20 seats,” said Congress leader P Chidambaram. Congress is in the midst of its worst crisis ever, following a resounding rejection in every state: The Congress, which ruled the country in 2004 and even nine states in 2014, today governs only two states: Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Many veterans, including those represented by the G-23, felt this was a case of “we told you so.” Ghulam Nabi Azad, a member of the CWC, remarked, “I am shocked, my heart is bleeding to see our defeat in state after state.”

BJP wins four out of five states, while the AAP achieves a historic victory in Punjab. Read More »

Imagicaaworld Entertainment is being acquired by Malpani Group in a joint venture with Aditya Birla ARC.

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

According to two people familiar with the development, the Malpani Group has partnered with Varda Capital-backed Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Company to jointly acquire the distressed loans of Manmohan Shetty’s Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd, in a deal that will bring lenders Rs 575 crore. After three years of negotiations, the Malpani Group has proposed to buy Imagicaaworld in an out-of-court settlement negotiated between banks and the company. The Malpani Group will receive a preferential issuance of shares worth Rs 500 crore under the proposed structure, giving it a 70 percent ownership in the distressed theme-park operator. According to the people, the Malpani Group, as the largest stakeholder, would then offer Rs 500 crore as a one-time settlement to Imagicaaworld’s lenders. Lenders would receive a 13 percent ownership stake in the company, valued at Rs 75 crore, as part of the arrangement. The Rs 575 crore settlement offer translates to a 40% recovery for the lenders. Despite a cut from lenders, Manmohan Shetty, the producer of Bollywood films, will own 5% of Imagicaaworld. Shetty currently owns 31.08 percent of the listed firm through related entities. As of March 31, 2021, Imagicaaworld, formerly Adlabs Entertainment, had a total debt of Rs 1,417 crore. As previously reported, Union Bank of India rejected promoter Shetty’s Rs 575 crore one-time settlement offer in 2019 in anticipation of larger bids. Because lenders have still to obtain board clearance and then hold a Swiss auction inviting counteroffers, the transaction is expected to finalise in the June quarter, according to one of the lenders. Under the Imagica brand, Imagicaaworld owns and runs a theme park and a water park, as well as a hotel under the Novotel Imagicaa brand. The theme park is located in Khopoli, off the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, and spans 130 acres, including 30 acres of unutilised land and with a surplus land area of 203 acres. The lead bank, Union Bank of India, has the largest outstanding loan to the company, at Rs 429 crore, followed by Bank of Baroda at Rs 320 crore. Canara Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, J&K Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Life Insurance Corporation, and Ares SSG Capital-backed Assets Care & Reconstruction Company are among the other lenders. Source: Economic Times

Imagicaaworld Entertainment is being acquired by Malpani Group in a joint venture with Aditya Birla ARC. Read More »

Live Updates on Election Results 2022: BJP Makes History in Uttar Pradesh, Moves Ahead in Goa; AAP celebrates in Punjab

/ Governance Community

In Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Admi Party won by a landslide, while the BJP bucked the trend in Uttar Pradesh, where it faced a tough fight from Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party. In Goa, Manipur, and Uttarakhand, the BJP is also leading. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party has a significant lead, with close to 90 seats in the 117-seat assembly. With 13 members, the ruling Congress is in second place. As the counting of votes began the third hour on Thursday, both the Congress’s top leaders in Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state unit boss Navjot Singh Sidhu, were trailing. Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh loses his seat in the Patiala Urban constituency. The BJP appears to have successfully combated anti-incumbency in Uttar Pradesh, winning over 250 seats. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are tied for second place. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Gorakhpur and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of Karhal were among the leaders. In the 403-member legislative assembly, 202 votes are required for a majority. The BJP has extended its lead in Uttarakhand, with the Congress trailing in the hill state, according to election trends. As per the latest trends as of 10:57 a.m., the BJP is leading in 44 seats and the Congress in 21 in the Uttarakhand assembly elections. According to the most recent trends available, the BJP was leading in 19 of Goa’s 40 Assembly seats, while the Congress was leading in 11. So far, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has a 448-vote lead in the Sanquelim Assembly seat. In Manipur, polls reveal that the BJP is in the lead. In the Manipur elections, the BJP is leading in 24 seats, while the Congress is leading in 12.

Live Updates on Election Results 2022: BJP Makes History in Uttar Pradesh, Moves Ahead in Goa; AAP celebrates in Punjab Read More »

Professor Ram Kumar Kakani took charge as Director of IIM Raipur

/ Education Community

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani took over charge as Director of the Indian Institute of Management Raipur from Prof. Bharat Bhasker. During his tenure, Prof. Bharat Bhasker was influential in the growth of IIM Raipur, which ascended to 15th place in the NIRF ranking of B-schools in India. Prof. Kakani was previously the Head of the Center for Governance at IIM Kozhikode, and he was contacted by India’s premier public administration institution, LBSNAA Mussoorie, for an assessment of IAS officials’ training needs. Prof. Kakani taught at XLRI Jamshedpur and has worked as a professor in Denmark, Nigeria, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Prof. Kakani has also served as the Director of the National Center for Leadership Development and Competency Assessment of the Indian government. Prof. Kakani provided the following thoughts on the future expansion and developments in management education: Enhance the quality of management education, elevating it and delivering it as a premium model, Enhance international linkages, attracting highly talented faculty of international standing and administrative colleagues to the Institute, Work closely with the Government towards strengthening its governance efficiency as well as effectiveness and also its various development as well as welfare programmes, Work closely with the Small and Medium Enterprises in Chhattisgarh towards turning them around and their reengineering; Launch new programmes on hitherto unexplored areas such as Mining Management, as Chhattisgarh is a mineral rich state and accounts for a large share in country’s mineral production. Prof. Kakani began his professional career as a corporate technocrat before transitioning to higher education, where he specialised in Finance-Performance-Strategy. With publishers such as Cambridge, Sage, Routledge, and McGraw-Hill, he has co-authored a number of works in the fields of finance and public administration. He is an active case writer and researcher.

Professor Ram Kumar Kakani took charge as Director of IIM Raipur Read More »

Citi Commercial Bank is to hire 900 individuals worldwide.

/ Human Resource Community

Citi Commercial Bank (CCB), which serves mid-sized businesses in more than 60 countries, has announced plans to add 900 workers over the next three years, including over 400 commercial bankers. According to a press release from the company, the commercial bank would attain growth by hiring more people in developed and major emerging markets and using existing institutional infrastructure. “Citi Commercial Bank anticipates that the financial needs of this critical client segment will evolve, requiring the sophisticated banking solutions…” says the release. As a result, the bank is substantially investing in this sector, with the majority of new hiring centred in places where commercial activity is expected to go up, such as the United States, China, Brazil, India, and Western European countries. “In today’s interconnected world, mid-sized companies quickly outgrow the capabilities of a local or even a regional bank. They are going global faster and reaching scale sooner than ever before,” comments Tasnim Ghiawadwala, Global Head, Citi Commercial Bank. The commercial bank is focusing on deepening penetration in developing, high-growth disruptor sectors by recruiting industry specialist senior bankers and improving training and development for existing bankers, in addition to entering new markets and expanding its digital capabilities. “CCB will focus on deepening client relationships through investment in our bankers and digital channels and by providing multiple client touchpoints into the rest of Citi. My priority is to unleash the power of Citi to this client set with market share gains to follow,” Ghiawadwala mentioned.    

Citi Commercial Bank is to hire 900 individuals worldwide. Read More »

Government making relentless efforts for decentralised governance

/ Governance Community

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan stated on Monday that the state government has been working tirelessly for the past three years to ensure decentralised and inclusive governance, adding that in line with that goal, the state government has begun restructuring districts. On the first day of the budget session, the Governor told the joint session of the AP State Legislative Assembly and Council that in addition to the existing 13 districts, 13 more are being constructed, and the new system will begin functioning on April 2 in Ugadi. The Governor noted the country and the state have gone through a difficult period in the last two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic in his one-hour speech, which began at 11 a.m. Bifurcation-related stress, five years of policy paralysis from 2014 to 2019, an economic slowdown from 2014 to 2019, a year of economic depression from 2019 to 2020, and two years of Covid-19 pandemic have all had a significant impact on the state’s budget, according to him. “The government’s steadfast commitment for extending support to farmers, women, underprivileged, marginalised and vulnerable groups has ensured, even during these excruciatingly difficult times, rural consumption and spending and the economy as a whole does not take a nosedive,” he said. Because of the government’s effective intervention, the state’s GSDP increased by 0.22 percent in the fiscal year 2020-21. In contrast, the country’s GDP fell by 7.3 percent over the same period. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the State GSDP increased by 9.91 percent at constant prices over the previous year. According to him, the State economy is expected to rebound to pre-Covid levels following a year of sluggish growth. At current prices, the state economy is expected to increase 16.82 percent in 2021-22, according to advanced estimates. With a growth rate of 15.87 percent, per capita income has risen to Rs 2,04,758 from Rs 1,76,707 last year. The government has adopted the 11th PRC, reaffirming the state’s commitment to the welfare of government employees. He mentioned how the proper implementation of Navarathnalu was made possible by directly providing cash support to beneficiaries’ bank accounts without any leakages. It made a big difference in the lives of the citizens of the state. The Governor went on to describe how the village and ward secretariats, as well as the volunteer system, are paying off handsomely. He went into detail about the state’s efforts to raise educational standards through the Nadu-Nedu programme, for which the government is spending Rs 15,000 crore. The Governor discussed the government’s efforts to help farmers and improve the farm sector through a variety of programmes including YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan, free crop insurance, zero-interest loans, e-cropping, and in-time input subsidies. According to the Governor, the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative fiscal impact. “While revenues were constrained, the expenditure had gone up due to Covid mitigation measures,” he said.

Government making relentless efforts for decentralised governance Read More »

20 govt schools in Delhi will have health clinics to ensure mental and physical well-being.

/ Health & Wellness Community

The Delhi government set up 20 health clinics named Aam Aadmi School Clinics on Monday as part of a pilot project to focus on students’ emotional and physical wellness. The programme aims to provide healthcare to children in their respective Delhi schools. One of these health clinics was opened by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Moti Bagh. “These clinics will provide routine health check-ups as well as counselling to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the children,” he said at the inauguration. The clinics will be located in porta cabins on the campuses of the 20 institutions. Students will receive counselling, and the clinic’s doctors and personnel will focus on safeguarding the students’ mental health. One ‘School Health Clinic Assistant’ or nurse, one psychologist, and one multi-task worker will work in each clinic. A doctor will be assigned to each of the five clinics and will visit them once a week. Every day, 30 students will be tested, and there will be enough medicine for them. This list of medications has been compiled with an emphasis on the specific needs of adolescents, with a major focus on anaemia, malnutrition, refractive errors, worm infestation, and menstrual hygiene. “I have seen schools in various countries, this concept is not there anywhere. Besides providing routine health check-ups to students, the clinics will also offer counselling services to address issues related to the mental well-being of children. Every six months, the students will undergo a health check-up,” Manish Sisodia said, as reported by PTI. Source: PTI  

20 govt schools in Delhi will have health clinics to ensure mental and physical well-being. Read More »

Speakers stress on embracing technology in a big way at Satluj Career Fest 2022

/ Press Release

5000+ students from 300+ schools gained knowledge from over 300 Indian & International Universities   Technology is just a tool to empower us and not overpower us, but we must embrace technology in a big way. This is what the pandemic has taught us in the last two years. Key speakers at the Satluj Career Fest 2022 stressed on the need to imbibe technology and also on the need to develop entrepreneurial skills.   Region’s largest career fest ‘Satluj Career Fest’ was organised by Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula (a part of Satluj Group of Schools—Satluj Public Schools, Little Satluj Pre-Schools with 15 branches and 30,000 students across India), with an aim of guiding the students of class 9th to 12th and their parents about various career opportunities. This was the second year that the event was hosted virtually, leading to not only a pan-India, but international reach with student registrations from all over the world.   Counsellors and foreign representatives from more than 300 universities, foreign and Indian, took part. Over 5,000 students represented 300+ schools from India (including metros, tier 2 and tier 3 towns) and around the world during the career fest.   The prominent universities included, University of New Castle, Australia; Bradley University; Amity University, Australia; Teesside University, UK; Leeds Beckett University, UK; Florida Atlantic University USA; Simon Fraser University, Canada, among several others. Among the prominent Indian ones were, SRM University, Amity University, Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University, to name a few.   Reekrit Serai, Managing Director, Satluj Group of Schools, said “After brainstorming internally, we realised that students in non-metro cities and smaller towns face a lack of opportunities when it comes to quality higher education options. Also, there’s a lack of awareness about jobs and skills of the future. Thus, we decided to organise Satluj Career Fest to spread awareness. In the last two years we have seen a complete change in the education of students because of the pandemic which has led to online teaching. It has been hard on students also as they have not been able to go to the schools but learning hasn’t stopped though. Virtual education has become a norm this year which was not there till the last year and has changed the way we educate our children.”, said.   Krit Serai, Co-Chairman of Satluj Group of Schools, said, a lot of hard work went into the planning of Career Fest, which is one of the biggest career shows. He said, 20 plus panellists deliberated on various aspects which helped the youth to choose proper careers. “Career planning is very important in our lives and for a proper career choice planning must start at plus two stage or even Class X. We have a variety of jobs for the youth available now”, he added.   The inaugural session was on jobs and skills of future – pre and post COVID. Mr Vijai Vardhan, Ex-Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana; Dr Biswajit Saha, Director CBSE; Tejveer Singh, Principal Secretary – Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab and Maj. Harsh Kumar, Secretary NCERT participated in the session.   Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director CBSE while speaking on the occasion said it was indeed praiseworthy that the school group is organising this event so that decision making capability is enhanced to upper level so that there are a lot of options available. Dynamics are going to change as we are targeting 2030 and 2040.  He added, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Nano Technology, development in Genetics and Space Tourism are also getting popular in the last few months. All these are trying to amplify the bandwidth of capability which todays generations must aim for. “There is a need for understanding of technology and its positive use case. We must introduce multi-disciplinary bouquet of subjects and based on the student interest to make education journey more conducive”, he added.   Mr. Vijay Vardhan, Ex-Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, said, “There is something which I have observed living in Chandigarh for so many years that there is a lot of pressure on children from parents and peers to join a foreign university after they finish Class XII. It is good as children get to see new culture but not all parents can afford to send their children abroad.  If you see the see the success stories in the last 3-4 decades of countries like Singapore, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam or Hong Kong, these are the nations who have developed their own education pattern, based on their intrinsic value system and language. The Japanese competed with the whole world and have revolutionised the manufacturing, the IT and the automobile industry without even reading English. Likewise have the Chinese. Local is global the essential qualities which endure and transcend human excellence and all schools should be focussing on this. It’s good to interact with foreign universities but that is something parents should not fret about and should focus on what values and skills they can give children and there is no bigger learning place than your home.”   Mr. Harsh Kumar, Secretary NCERT, while addressing the inaugural session said career fest was a good platform for exchange of ideas. “Our focus should be on how to educate our children in this changing phase and difficult times of pandemic. These two years have taught us a lot in education and we must understand the change in the system and has given us a lot of opportunities to search ourselves. The basic thing of education is to be a good human being. Attitude determines how well you do in life so attitude decides your altitude in life. Technology is just tool for us to empower us and not overpower us. Last two years we have adapted to the situation. We are rediscovering ourselves in National Education Policy and policymakers have thought about use of technology which was done much before the pandemic. He stressed on the use of local language to grow and we have to understand

Speakers stress on embracing technology in a big way at Satluj Career Fest 2022 Read More »