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125 crore Indians have Aadhaar now

New Delhi (NVI): The Aadhaar project has crossed the 125 crore mark, according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which is involved in the project to provide the key identity number to the Indian nationals.

This means that over 1.25 billion residents of India have the 12-digit unique identity required for all purposes of identification now.

The milestone comes along with the rapidly increasing use of Aadhaar as the primary identity document. This is evident from the fact that Aadhaar-based authentication services have been used close to 37,000 crore times since inception, an official statement said.

Renewable power should be preferred at refugee settlements: Report

New Delhi (NVI): Renewable power can be a vital source of clean, low-cost and reliable energy solutions to refugee settlements across the globe, which mostly rely on sources that are unsustainable and harmful, according to a new study.

There are currently 26 million refugees in the world.

The report titled, “Renewables for refugee settlements: Sustainable energy access in humanitarian situations” has been prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

The report, released at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, examines the energy needs at refugee camps and identifies renewables-based solutions for four sites in Iraq and Ethiopia. The report highlights, in particular, solar mini-grids as being able to boost the efficiency of humanitarian operations, avoid costly diesel consumption, and support recently arrived refugees with immediate, reliable electricity access.

The two global developmental agencies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their existing cooperation in addressing the need for efficient, clean, affordable and reliable energy in humanitarian situations, an official statement said.

“In line with our Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy, we aim to ensure that refugees can meet their basic energy needs in exile while also minimizing environmental degradation. Sustainable energy access will bridge this gap, enabling refugees to pursue education, supporting businesses and social enterprises, spurring innovation and exponentially enhancing the safety and well-being of people and communities, until such time that they can return home,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi was quoted in the statement.

“Off-grid and grid connected small and medium sized solar installations are available, affordable and can bring reliable power to millions of displaced people around the world,” the statement quoted IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera as saying.

Findings of the report conclude that most refugees lack any reliable access to electric lighting. Larger solar parks could provide electricity in and around settlements, as well as creating an enduring asset for host communities.

Temperature dips further in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI):  The cold wave conditions worsened in Delhi today, with the minimum temperature dipping to 4.2 degrees Celsius from 5.8 degree Celsius recorded yesterday.

The minimum temperature of 4.2 degree Celsius is three degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 14.0 degree Celsius, it said.

The weather forecast department said Delhi and its neighbouring cities have been facing a severe winter chill this December.

“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 air quality in national capital today remained in the “very poor” category for the fifth consecutive day.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  347 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.

1400 cr earmarked for development of East Delhi Hub: Shah 

New Delh(NVI): An amount of Rs 1400 crore and 30 hectares of land have been dedicated for Integrated Development of East Delhi Hub scheme, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today and assured that the scheme would be completed well in time.

Speaking on the occasion of foundation stone laying ceremony of Integrated Development of East Delhi Hub as Chief Guest here, Shah announced a slew of developmental projects for the overall development of Delhi and welfare of its people.

“Creation of riverfronts on both banks of Yamuna and its beautification, a dedicated cycle track in Delhi to promote green transportation and reduce road accidents, development of JJ clusters are some of the works would be taken on Priority basis,” he said.

“The Integrated Development of East Delhi Hub scheme would be a mixed use scheme, with 70% land earmarked for residential purposes, 20% for commercial purposes and 10% land for public facilities,” he said.
“The scheme would include housing for poor as well as stations for pink and violet Metro lines,” he said.
“The housing would include 4526 units for middle class and 288 for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS),” he added.
The Minister also promised that 30% area would be marked as green open public space, which would help mitigate pollution.
He further noted that public facilities in the hub would include a Harit Bhawan, a cultural centre, a skywalk and basement parking facilities, among other things.

 

“116 kilometers of new Metro lines out of which work on 70 kilometers route already started. Moreover, 18 projects worth 802 crore rupees had been completed under the AMRUT scheme in the city,” he said.

“Rapid Transport Rail between Delhi and Meerut, Panipat and Alwar was being developed by the Union Government on a fast track basis,” he said.
“A new paradigm of Development for urban areas like Delhi has been established by Puri under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
“Union Government’s decision to regularize 1731 unauthorized colonies and conferring ownership rights at a nominal cost has ensured a dignified life for 40 lakh poor people living in these colonies,” he said.
Shah also informed that 13 laws that were a hindrance to this decision were bypassed with a single cabinet decision by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Union Government had ensured justice for the victims of anti Sikh riots by forming an SIT and punishing the culprits,” he said.
“The opening up of Kartarpur corridor was a major step by the Union Government for Sikh Pilgrims on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji,” he added.
He further added that in a departure from earlier practice, this Government is more efficient and tends to complete projects within time limited, and thus the Government that lays down the foundation stone of a project is the same one that inaugurates it.

Eat right to reduce disease burden in the country: Health Minister

New Delhi (NVI): The right kind of diet will help in reducing the disease burden in the country, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan said today.
Vardhan highlighted that India, on one side, is suffering from under-nourishment resulting in infirmities such as wasting and stunting and on the other side, there is another critical area of concern to be addressed that is obesity, which is apparently the result of excessive consumption of junk food, wrong choices of food, overeating and lack of exercise.
Speaking while inaugurating the second edition of the ‘Eat Right Mela’ here, Vardhan, a qualified doctor, stressed upon the importance of having a peoples’ movement to encourage people to have healthier diets which will help in reduction of the disease burden in the country.
He said the Eat Right Mela of FSSAI is a commendable effort and outreach activity for citizens to nudge them towards eating right.
“Let the ‘Eat Right Melas’ be part of public gatherings like local melas, community programmes etc., so that the citizens would learn about health and nutrition benefits of different types of food, dietary advice by experts, engage in dialogues and conversations with food visionaries and experts, relish the delicious street food, live demonstration of food recipes and have fun and entertainment,” he said.
“The rise of diet related diseases suggests that people are eating less healthy food than they were eating a decade ago. In this context, the movement of ‘Eat Right India’ started by FSSAI is a timely initiative, ” he added.
At the event the union minister  launched ‘The PURPLE Book’ a handbook on diets for diseases.
The book provides general guidelines for hospitals on suitable diets for common medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gut disorders and so on in a simple format. This book is available for free download on www.fssai.gov.in.
The minister also launched NetSCoFAN (Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition), a network of research & academic institutions working in the area of food & nutrition along with the NetSCoFAN directory, covering detailed information of various heads and Directors and lead scientists of lead and associated partnering institutions.
FSSAI has identified eight Nodal Institutions who would develop a ‘Ready Reckoner’ that will have inventory of all research work, experts and institutions and would carry out and facilitate research, survey and related activities. It would identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities.
“The need for identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities, will be addressed by NetSCoFAN (Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition)”, Dr Harsh Vardhan added.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan also handed over 3 mobile food testing vans (CNG enabled) to  the Commissioner of Food Safety, Government of NCT, Delhi D N Singh during the inaugural ceremony.

Dedicate the next decade to make India healthier: VP

New Delhi (NVI): Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu today stressed the need for dedicating the next decade — from 2020 to 2030 — to make India healthier by promoting healthy lifestyle, improving healthcare facilities, making healthcare affordable and accessible to all.
Speaking while inaugurating Delta Hospitals in Rajahmundry today, Naidu expressed concern over the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases owing to the change in lifestyle and dietary habits and stressed the need for following healthy lifestyle practices.
Quoting the WHO report, the Vice President said around 61 percent of deaths in India were attributed to non-communicable diseases, including heart disorders, cancer, and diabetes.
He also suggested launching a national movement against the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases and wanted hospitals, the Indian Medical Association and the medical fraternity to take the lead in creating awareness among people, especially the youth.
Highlighting the importance of creating awareness among children and the youth of the hazards caused by unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, the Vice President said students in schools must be encouraged to take part in at least one physical activity or yoga every day to stay fit and healthy.
Pointing out that achieving universal healthcare has many challenges including bridging the urban-rural divide in providing quality healthcare facilities, Naidu urged the private sector to expand its footprint to the villages and remote rural areas and reach out to people with affordable healthcare.
“It is important for the private sector to complement the efforts of the government in reaching modern healthcare facilities to people living in rural areas,” he added.
Stating that the government  has launched several initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat to increase citizens’ access to good quality, affordable healthcare with an aim to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030, he called upon the private sector to supplement government’s efforts in achieving the 2030 target.
Naidu urged doctors to show empathy and compassion towards the patients and treat their profession as a mission to serve the people and not as a commercial vocation.
While referring to the high stature given to professionals such as Doctors and Teachers in Indian culture asked them to keep service as their motto. He urged them to show empathy and compassion towards the patients and treat their profession as a mission to serve the people and not as a commercial vocation.
He also stressed the need to innovate and adopt the best practices from world over to improve healthcare services and treatment protocols.

Certification of boilers simplified

DPIIT
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
New Delhi (NVI): Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has permitted self-certification and third party inspection and certification of boilers with State Governments.
 Specimen notification under section-34(3) of the Boilers Act 1923 have been forwarded to them to ensure safety of boilers and improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
This will benefit a broad spectrum of industries both in the large and small scale sector like power plants, chemical plans, refineries, paper plants, steel mills, sugar mills and other process industries.
Rules and regulations are already in place for third party inspection.
This has resulted in a simplified and more accessible, user – friendly framework for the administration of the Boilers Act and has also protected manufacturers/users’ interests without sacrificing the safety of boilers.
DPIIT has also taken a number of measures to simplify the procedure of inspection of boilers like eleven third party inspecting authorities have been recognized by the Central Boilers Board (CBB) to work in the country employing competent persons to carry out inspection of boilers and boiler components during manufacture and use, in addition to Chief Inspector and Director of Boilers.
Independent Competent Persons have also been authorized to work in individual capacity under section-8 of the Boilers Act, for in-service inspection of boilers.
Simplified registration of boilers including facility for on-line registration and prescribed time limits for all approvals/clearances under the Boilers Act/IBR has also been implemented.
Self-certification of Boilers has been implemented in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Goa, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
National and Regional Level Boiler Workshops are continuously being conducted by DPIIT through the National Productivity Council (NPC) to apprise the owners of boilers and of the steps that may be taken to optimize the efficiency of boilers and to popularize the measures for energy conservation.
In the current year nine workshops have been organized and another four workshops will be organized in future.
A 5thExamination was conducted through NPC in December, 2018 for recognition of Competent Persons (CPs) for undertaking inspection of boilers.
Passing certificates were issued to 61 candidates. 172 CPs have so far qualified for Inspection and Certification of Boilers, on the basis of the 5th examination.
A 6th Examination is proposed to be conducted in February.
DPIIT is the Department responsible for administration of the Boilers Act 1923. Boiler division is headed by the Technical Advisor (Boiler) and its functions are to advice the Central Government in all matters relating to administration of the Boilers Act, 1923 and the Indian Boiler regulations that have been framed under the Act.
 It deals with matters on which direction is to be given to State Governments by the Central Government for carrying out execution of the provisions of the Boilers Act, 1923.
 Apart from that it also deals with work relating to framing or amendment of regulations for laying down the standards for materials, design and construction of boilers and also for regulating the inspection and examination of boilers.
 It also evaluates quality management systems and production facilities of various firms in India and foreign countries as Competent Authorities (CAs).
Steel makers, foundries, forges, tube and pipe makers and material testing laboratories make use of the CAs in order to cut down inspection delays and increased availability of boiler components without sacrificing safety and quality of boilers and its components.
The Boilers Act was enacted in 1923 to provide for safety of life and property from the danger of explosion of boilers and for achieving uniformity in registration and inspection during operation and maintenance of boilers throughout the country.
Up to the year 2007 there had been no major amendments to the Act.
The Indian Boilers (Amendment) Act, 2007 introduced improvements in the provisions of the law to enhance safety norms to keep pace with developments and changes in the technology of fabrication, testing, inspection and operation of boilers and also ensure uniformity in standards of inspection, expediting inspection and reducing bureaucratic delays by decentralization of inspection of boilers during their manufacture, erection and use by allowing inspection and certification by the independent inspecting authorities.
Secretary DPIIT is the Ex-Officio Chairman and Technical Advisor (Boilers) is the Ex-Officio Member Secretary of the Board.

J&K govt asks Bollywood to revive its romance with Kashmir

Mumbai (NVI) : The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked Bollywood to renew its decades-old romance with Kashmir by exploring it with new dynamism and thus help promote it as a cherished tourist destination globally.

Farooq Khan, Advisor to J&K Lieutenant Governor, while addressing a gathering of some top Bollywood stars, producers, directors and singers, said a negative perception has been created about Kashmir.
He invited them to visit Kashmir to see the reality on ground and said, “I am sure you will find it as peaceful as any other part of the country.”
Khan, who was the chief guest at the function organised to present 11th Mohammed Rafi Awards, said that Jammu and Kashmir is a place known not only for its hospitality but also for its serene and picturesque locations.
“It is the right time for reviving that age-old link between Bollywood and Kashmir,” he said.
“This is not a place of terrorism, but a paradise of tourism,” he said and added that unfortunately a negative perception has been created about Kashmir to the outside world while the ground reality is entirely different.
Khan reminded the audience that the film industry had a very cherished and affectionate relationship with Kashmir in eighties and early nineties, adding that due to various reasons that connection was lost from past few years.
“It takes time to change people’s perception. What our government intends to do is to change it,” he said and added that J&K is ideal for high-end tourism with varied areas and products for which the relevant infrastructure is continuously being upgraded.
Khan also appealed media to play their role in presenting a true picture of Kashmir in order to promote it as safe tourist destination to the outside world.
He said the government of the recently-created Union Territory is committed in its endeavour to promote J&K as safest place for tourism and investment.
In this regard, the Advisor said a three-day global Investors Summit is being held next year for the first time in the Union Territory.
He added that the hosting of the JK Investor Summit will provide JK with an opportunity to showcase its strengths, strategies and potential.
He also urged the event organisers that the next edition of Mohammed Rafi Awards should be hosted in J&K in order to promote the place as secure and safe for visitors.

Climate change likely to affect 175 mn children every year: UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

New Delhi (NVI): Climate change poses a threat to child survival and development, with around 175 million children estimated to be affected every year due to the weather extremes over the next 10 years, according to the UNICEF.

Pointing out that chronic crises and sudden disasters disproportionately affect children, it says that children are at greater risk of injury and especially susceptible to disease when water, sanitation and food security are threatened.

It notes that water and climate change are inextricably linked, as the effects of climate change are first felt through water — through droughts, floods and storms.

“These disasters can destroy water supplies and toilet, or leaving behind contaminated water and putting the lives of millions of children at risk. Without clean water, children are at risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, which already kills over 800 children under five every day,” the UNICEF says.

Many of the regions most at risk of droughts and floods already have very low levels of access to water and sanitation, and the 60 million children living in these areas are extremely vulnerable, it says.

“To tackle climate change, we need to increase equitable access to sustainable water sources and improved sanitation, so that in times of crisis and times of stability, every child is given a chance to survive and grow,” it says.

Quoting the new WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report, it says that 2.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe, readily available water at home and 4.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation.

“Clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices are essential for the survival and development of children. Today, there are around 2.4 billion people who do not use improved sanitation, and 663 million who do not have access to improved water sources,” it says.

“Without these basic needs, the lives of millions of children are at risk. For children under five, water- and sanitation-related diseases are one of the leading causes of death. Every day, over 800 children die from preventable diseases caused by poor water, and a lack of sanitation and hygiene,” the global body says.

UNICEF’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme is already using innovative solutions, such as solar power water pumps and rainwater harvesting, to reduce the impact of climate change on children and help protect their future.

WASH team works in over 100 countries worldwide to improve water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices.

 Last year, UNICEF’s efforts provided nearly 14 million people with clean water and over 11 million with basic toilets.

“We continue to promote behavior changes toward water conservation and support the creation of environmentally enabling environments. Using new technologies to map water sources, UNICEF is able to drill more effectively for water and adapt to the impacts of climate change,” the UNICEF says.

When animals celebrate Christmas

New Delhi(NVI): In the festivities of Christmas, why should animals be left behind?
This seemed to be the intent of NGO Wildlife SOS which cooked up something really special for the rescued animals at Agra Bear Rescue Facility and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre.
The NGO staff dressed up in shades of bright red and constructed special, innovative enrichments and structures inspired by the colors of Christmas.
Both the centers were decorated with streaming festoons of stars and ribbons.
Christmas stockings were filled with loads of popcorn, a favourite with our pachyderms and sloth bears, and were hung atop platforms and high trees to lure the animals to explore these structures.
Many Christmas ‘gifts’ were also filled with other treats and placed at strategic points to encourage the elephants and bears to sniff around and try to figure out which box held the treats they enjoyed most.
A snow man was also made from gunny bags and stuffed with dates and treats was kept within the bear enclosures and hung atop swings made from tyres.
CEO and Co-founder of Wildlife SOS Kartick Satyanarayan said, “We celebrate Christmas every year with great enthusiasm, especially for our rescued animals.”
Talking about the latest celebration, he said while some animals hurried away with the treats to devour them individually, the others were seen constructively demolishing the gunny snow man and stockings.
“I can safely say that the staff enjoys building these enrichments as much as the animals enjoy digging into them,” he added.
Director Conservation Projects  for Wildlife SOS Baiju Raj M.V said it took the elephants absolutely no time to figure out the enrichments and get their treats out.
“The bears were much more entertaining to watch as they were engaged in a stiff competition with each other,” he said.
“It was educating to notice how each animal tackled its enrichment in a different manner and employed different tactics to get the treats. All of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the whole event.”he added.
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