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45 countries commit to advance women’s rights

Bangkok (NVI): At least 45 countries of the Asia-Pacific region have committed to intensify priority actions towards realizing women’s rights and fundamental freedoms for an equal future.

Ministers and senior officials of these countries affirmed the commitment through the ‘Asia-Pacific Declaration on Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+25 Review’, adopted after intense negotiations at a three-day conference here.

The conference was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

The Declaration recognizes women as key contributors and vital agents in combating poverty and inequalities, and calls upon governments to ensure inclusive social protection systems, public services and infrastructure.

With its adoption, countries also committed to ensure women’s economic empowerment and the integration of women into the formal economy.

Governments agreed to take appropriate measures and extend legal and social protections to ensure that all women and girls have equal opportunities for education, decent work, favourable conditions of work and financial inclusion.

Countries further committed to work together with key stakeholders to transform negative gender norms, discriminatory social attitudes and to eliminate structurally unequal power relations that persist between women and men.

They additionally highlighted the need to strengthen gender-responsive national statistical systems and data collection for an enhanced understanding of gender gaps in the region.

Governments also called upon ESCAP to continue serving as a regional and sub-regional platform to promote greater dialogue and cooperation among countries.

The Declaration mandates ESCAP, in collaboration with other UN agencies, to support relevant national institutions in monitoring and implementing the global Beijing Platform for Action commitments.

The Declaration will serve as the regional input to the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women on the global review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in New York next March.

“The 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is an opportunity for us to take stock of our progress and accelerate efforts. I am delighted member States from across Asia-Pacific have seized it and agreed an ambitious forward-looking Declaration which strengthens the region’s commitment to action on gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Alisjahbana.

“The significance of this region being able to adopt this Declaration today, articulates clear and strategic actions to be taken to address the gender agenda, cannot be overstated,” highlighted United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Anita Bhatia.

While Asia and the Pacific have made remarkable advancements so far, the Declaration notes several emerging megatrends slowing the progress of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region, such as climate change, intensifying disaster risks, growing digital divide, rapid urbanization, rising inequalities within and between countries, and increasing acts of violence and extremism against women and girls.

Delhi sees more respite from chill

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi witnessed further respite from chill today as the minimum temperature rose to 7.6 degrees celsius from 5.8 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 23.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman stated that the flow of chilly northwesterly winds stopped due to the easterlies which are comparatively warm and humid in nature.

It also forecast that there are chances of rainfall in Delhi in the next 72 hours due to which mercury may fall further. It may also lead to a slight reduction in pollution.

“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.

‘Cold day’ conditions are declared when the day’s maximum temperature is below normal by more than 4.4°C. A ‘severe cold day’ is when mercury remains more than 6.4°C below normal through the day.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today improved a notch from“severe”to “very poor” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 393 which falls in the “very poor” category.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

‘Measures underway to catalyze industrial scenario of J&K’

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated several measures which would effectively catalyze the industrial scenario in the newly-formed Union Territory, the Lt Governor’s Advisor KK Sharma said here today.

He asked officers to undertake a comprehensive marketing strategy for competing at national and global level so that the pristine glory of the UT’s heritage units and the products being manufactured here is restored.

Sharma made the comments during his visit to Raj Bagh Silk factory, Solina Silk Filature and Shoddy plants to get a first hand input about the interventions done in order to carry out the revival of these historical units.

While inspecting the revival measures being undertaken by the government, the Advisor was informed about the role of these units in contributing to economy as well as employment generation since last so many decades.

It was also given out that the silk produced in these units is of world class quality and has created a niche for itself in markets both at national and global level.

Sharma was also informed that the Solina Silk Factory revival has been done under the World Bank-aided project.

He was also told that Jammu & Kashmir is one of the leading producers of wool in the country and now the wool processing is being done at Bemina Woolen Mill which was otherwise being done in other states.

He also visited the showrooms of JK Silk Factory, Bemina Woolen Mills and inspected the different items of silk, tweed and wool being produced by these units.

Militancy victims in J&K get Rs 1000 per month as pension etc

Jammu (NVI): Militancy victims in Jammu and Kashmir receive Rs 1000 per month in the form of old age pension, pension for disabled person and assistance for studies.

This was stated during a meeting held by the Lt Governor’s Advisor Farooq Khan to review functioning of J&K Rehabilitation Council (RC) of the Social Welfare Department here today.

The objective of the Council is to ensure physical, psychological and economic rehabilitation of the victims of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir with special focus on widows, orphans, handicapped and aged persons whose bread winner is killed or incapacitated as a result of militancy, the meeting was told.

Khan was told that Rs 5000 is being provided as tuition fees per annum to militancy victims while as Rs 7000 per annum is being given as hostel assistance for the same.

The meeting was also informed that the Council provides scooties to the disabled persons who have lost their lower limbs.

The Council also organizes All India tours for militancy victims where they are taken to famous cities and historical places across the country, the meeting was told.

Khan directed the Council to carry out a survey of people affected by militancy who need scooties and start the process of providing them same in due time.

He underlined the importance of mass awareness about several schemes so that the people at grass root level could get benefitted from these.

Khan asked the officials to launch mass awareness campaigns through print and electronic media so that the schemes and programmes would reach to the deserving lot.

Internet to be restored in Kashmir in phased manner: Lt Gov

Jammu (NVI): Internet service will be restored in Kashmir in a phased manner, Lt Governor G C Murmu said today as trade representatives of the valley voiced demand in this regard, saying it is required for the economic growth of the region.

Murmu said the government is aware of the difficulties faced by the trade community as well as the general public due to the internet ban and is actively considering the modalities to restore the internet service, an official spokesman said.

He stated this when a joint trade delegation of Kashmir met him and demanded restoration of internet.

The delegation members said internet is necessary to help the trade fraternity of Kashmir in timely filing of GST returns and updation of records, licenses and permits.

The Lt Governor said steps like restoration of internet in Hospitals and SMS service were already being taken.

The members of the delegation also voiced demands related to reduction of one-time token tax on vehicles, freight transport subsidy for raw material, designated parking slots, rehabilitation of house boat owners, industry status to Hotels and Restaurant units, establishment of custom office facilities in Srinagar and minimum two direct flights per week for the pilgrims going to Umrah.

They also highlighted the issue of high air fares charged by the Airlines especially during the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and grant of status of National Highway to Mughal Road for better and enhanced connectivity.

The Lt Governor assured the delegation that all the genuine issues raised by them would be looked into meticulously by the government and redressed at the earliest.

The delegation comprised representatives from several trade associations of Kashmir, including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Hotel & Restaurant Owners Federation, J&K Tourism Alliance, Kashmir Automobile Dealers Association, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir, House Boat Owners Association, Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association and Information and Technology Association.

 Child deaths in Rajasthan hospital: Centre rushes team of experts

cooling proize
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
New Delhi (NVI): Concerned over the death of a large number of children at the J K Lon Hospital of Kota Medical College in Rajasthan, the Centre is rushing a multi-disciplinary team of experts, including top paediatricians, which will reach there tomorrow.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said he has asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to take proactive steps to avoid these preventable casualties.
In the letter to the Chief Minister, Vardhan said the Central government is ready to provide any technical assistance in the matter.
Requesting the Chief Minister to assess the situation properly, Vardhan wrote, “We look forward to your continued support and cooperation for improving child survival in the country, so as to ensure that no child succumbs to preventable causes or due to lack of our health system capacity.”
He told reporters here that a multi-disciplinary team of experts is being sent by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to support the state government for gap analysis and quick measures to be taken.
The team of experts will carry out a joint gap analysis along with the state Government in terms of clinical protocols, service delivery, manpower availability and equipment for maternal, newborn and paediatric care services in the Medical College Kota, Rajasthan.
A joint action plan will be developed based on gap analysis for providing required technical and financial support to Kota Medical College through National Health Mission and State Medical Education Department.
Vardhan said available information from Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) under the National Health Mission, and the state government have showed higher mortality rate of 20.2 per cent in J. K. Lon Hospital, Kota, during 2019 in comparison to the preceding two years — 14.3 per cent in 2018 and 4.3 per cent in 2017.

Broadband internet services restored in 80 govt hospitals of J&K

Srinagar (NVI): Broadband internet services have been fully restored in 80 government hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir, the government said of the Union Territory said today.
The government has also directed restoration of internet broadband services in respect of all other government hospitals as well where local bottlenecks like connectivity status, billing problem etc are being worked out and fixed on priority, an official spokesman said.
Telecommunication and internet services have remained disrupted in J&K since August when the Centre revoked its special status granted under Article 370.
These services are being relaxed in a gradual manner and in the meanwhile, the government had established internet points at various places to enable people to use these.
“Around 6 lakh persons like students, tour operators, businessmen, contractors, etc were facilitated at 900 internet touch points established by the government at various places in each district headquarters of the valley,”  Principal Secretary Planning Rohit Kansal, who is also the government spokesperson, said recently.

Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans set to improve disaster response of Railways

New Delhi (NVI): In an effort to improve response during disaster, Indian Railways is gradually replacing locomotive hauled Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) with Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (SPARMVs).

Specification of high speed Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains (HS-SPARTs) with speed of 160 kmph has been finalized and it is planned to be procured in addition to existing 110 kmph SPART.

Further, to improve the capacity during restoration, 175 Tonnes cranes are under procurement which is an upgradation over existing 140 T cranes available with Indian Railways.

The concept of golden hour has also been recognised to expedite response time during disaster.

The main areas of focus on disaster management like faster response better facilities and equipment, expanding resources to meet requirements in major accidents, coordination with other agencies of central and state governments training and preparedness

Indian Railways has an organized system of relief for managing accidents with its own resources.

It consists of more than 6 thousand trained breakdown staff, 176 Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and 86 Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) made using passenger coaches.

All Accident Relief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Vans have pre-defined beats, inspection schedules and response time.

In addition, there are 90 break down cranes of various capacities over Indian Railway system.

All equipments in Accident Relief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Equipments have been standardized based on High Level Committee recommendations.

Some of the items being imported for rescue, relief and restoration are as follows:

Medical equipments like Augmented first aid box, body bags, foldable chairs, portable fire extinguishers, operation theatre equipments, etc.

Hydraulic re-railing equipments (HRE) emergency pneumatic air bags for lifting generators & electrical equipment, hydraulic rescue device (HRD)Wire rope sling & shackles, fire fighting equipments abrasive cutting tools, signaling & communication equipments

Indian Railways also conducts periodic mock drills with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for training and ensuring preparedness during disaster.

Government gives Swarna Jayanti Fellowship to 14 scientists

New Delhi (NVI): Fourteen scientists were today awarded the Swarna Jayanti fellowships by the government for projects containing innovative research ideas with potential of making impact on R&D in the respective disciplines.

They were selected from among 443 applicants.

 

The scientists, selected for the award through a rigorous three-tier process, will be allowed to pursue unfettered research with freedom and flexibility.

 

Under the Swarna Jayanti Fellowship scheme, a selected number of young scientists, with proven track record, are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.

 

The awardees are supported by department of science and technology, for fellowship and research.

 

This will cover all the requirements for performing the research and include a fellowship of Rs 25,000/- per month as well as a research grant of 5 lakh Rupees for 5 years in addition to their salary.

 

22 tableaux to participate in main R-Day parade this time

New Delhi (NVI): A total of 22 tableaux from 16 states and Union Territories and 6 central ministries and departments will participate in this year’s main Republic Day parade to be held here.

The 22 tableaux were selected from among 56 proposals — 32 from states and UTs and 24 from ministries and departments – received by the Defence Ministry.

The country’s main Republic Day parade is witnessed by the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and a host of other dignitaries, which includes a foreign leader.

The tableaux proposals received from various states and UTs, central ministries and departments are evaluated in a series of meetings of the expert committee comprising of eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc.

The expert committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations, according to the Defence Ministry.

The selection process in vogue, leads to participation of the best tableaux in the parade.

The tableau proposal of West Bengal government was examined by the Expert Committee in two rounds of meetings but was not taken forward for further consideration by the expert committee after deliberations in the second meeting, the ministry said.

West Bengal’s proposal was shortlisted for participation in Republic Day parade last year as an outcome of the same process, it said.

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