Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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A ‘Super 5000’ goal of India for poor tribal girls! Second phase launched

New Delhi (NVI): Heard of ‘Super 5000’ joint GOAL of India and the Facebook for uplift of underprivileged tribal girls? If not, here is an update. The Government has announced GOAL (Going Online as Leaders), a Facebook programme, which aims at inspiring, guiding and encouraging tribal girls to become village-level digital young leaders for their communities.

Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda on October 16 announced second phase of GOAL, launched in March this year. The unique programme connects underprivileged young tribal women with senior expert mentors in the areas of business, fashion and arts to learn digital and life skills. Under the programme, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Facebook together will digitally mentor 5000 young women in India’s tribal dominated districts.

Speaking at an event to commence the next expanded phase of the programme, Munda said, “through this partnership the GOAL programme will provide economically and socially marginalized young women with the tools and guidance they need to succeed, using technology they may otherwise have not had access to.

The Minister was joined by Ms. Anna Roy -Senior Advisor Data Management & Analysis and Chairperson, Women Entrepreneurship Platform NITI Aayog, and Facebook India leadership team including Mr. Ajit Mohan- Vice President & Managing Director and Ms. Ankhi Das, Director of Public Policy. Participants from the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, who are enrolled in the current program were also present at the event.

The programme will include weekly one-to-one mentoring sessions, focused on a range of skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship and online safety. In total, more than 200,000 hours of guidance will be provided using Facebook family of apps including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Following the program, the participants will graduate to the GOAL alumni and will continue to receive support and guidance from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Facebook.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs will also work with district administration and other government agencies to help secure qualified participants with a fellowship, so they can put their newly learned skills to work.

More than 125 young women have enrolled in the program. Most of them are now using the Internet to highlight issues their communities face and have expressed a desire to set up their own business.

“Facebook is committed to closing the digital gender gap by enabling more women to get online and access digital services. This programme is important because it actively supports these young women to build leadership qualities and encourages them to be champions and help share their learnings with others.” added Ms. Ankhi Das, Director of Public Policy, Facebook India.

-nad

Naushin takes a lead on importance of Kids’ immunization

India gifts second pair of Mi-24V helicopters to Afghanistan

Mi-24V helicopter gifted to Afghanistan by India in Kabul on October 15.

Kabul (NVI): Taking forward its strategic defence and bilateral ties with Afghanistan, India gifted second pair of Mi-24V Helicopters to Kabul at a ceremony here on October 15.

These helicopters are the second batch, which are a replacement for the four helicopters gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015 and 2016.

The second pair of helicopters were handed over to Defence Minister of Afghanistan Asadullah Khalid by the Indian Ambassador to the country Vinay Kumar.

Congratulating the Afghan Air force (AFF) on the new induction, the Ambassador said that it would ensure the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) maintains an agile and robust counter terrorism capability.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister of Afghanistan has thanked India for its support.

The Embassy of India, Kabul tweeted, “ H.E. Vinay Kumar, Indian Ambassador @vkumar1969 handed over the 2nd pair of Mi-24V helicopters to Afg MinDef Asadullah Khalid at a ceremony today. These helicopters are a replacement for the four helicopters gifted by India to Afg in 2015/2016.”

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar with Defence Minister, Afghanistan Asadullah Khalid in Kabul on October 15.

“Amb Vinay Kumar @vkumar1969 congratulated the AAF on the Mi-24V induction and wished them success. H.E Asadullah Khalid thanked India for its support”.

The Ambassador also reiterated India’s commitment to supporting peace and harmony in Afghanistan and to assist all Afghans in securing a better future. He cited numerous high impact community developmental programmes partnered by India to further this cause.

He also highlighted Indians cholarship that are given each year to deserving Afghan students and the newly introduced special scholarships exclusively for kin of martyrs of ANDSF,India’s role as a trade partner for Afghan produce and the importance of the Kabul-Delhi air corridor was also highlighted.

He commended the ANDSF on their stellar effort to provide an umbrella of security to achieve these shared and common values against cross-border terrorism and internal threats.

— RB

A journey of girl educating about menstrual hygiene

Pak under pressure at FATF to rein in terror: Doval

ajit doval
Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA)

New Delhi (NVI): National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval has said Pakistan is under a lot of pressure at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to rein in terror groups operating from its soil. The meeting of FATF, which is an inter-governmental body to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system, is currently underway in Paris. He said the biggest pressure on Pakistan comes from the functionaries of the FATF.  

Doval was addressing the National Investigation Agency’s national conference of Chiefs of Anti-Terrorism Squad and Special Task Force here recently. He said, no country can afford to go for a war in the present context as the financial and human costs are huge. The NSA added that  Pakistan has been using terrorism as the instrument of state policy and everyone knows the neighbouring country supports and finances terror.

He said, terrorism is a low-cost sustainable option which bleeds the enemy more than war. Speaking on the occasion, NIA IG Alok Mittal said, there have been continuous efforts from across the border to revive terror activities in Punjab.

The inaugural session was attended by DGs & other senior officers of CAPFs, CPOs, other central agencies and State/UT police.

-sb

India launches host of schemes to mark World Food Day

WORLD FOOD DAY
World Food Day

New Delhi (NVI): India joined the global community in observing World Food Day on October 16 with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launching a host of Schemes to mark the occasion. Consumer Affairs,Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan also expressed commitment for a complete and nutritious diet for every Indian.

eat right india

Dr  Vardhan launched ‘Food Safety Mitra (FSM)’ scheme along with  ‘Eat Right Jacket’, and ‘Eat Right Jhola’. The FSM will support small and medium scale food businesses to comply with the food safety laws, the ‘Eat Right Jacket’, and ‘Eat Right Jhola’ will strengthen food safety administration.

On the occasion, the Paswan tweeted “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you on World Food Day. It is our first duty to ensure a complete and nutritious diet to every citizen of the society. We are committed to this. There is a bigger challenge than the system of food grains all over the world, preventing its waste.”

“Today, due to the tireless hard work of our crores of farmer brothers, the country is self-sufficient in the matter of food grains. The government is providing cheap food grains to 82 crore beneficiaries. The destruction of one grain of grain is not only an insult to crores of farmers but is also a social crime.” he added.

Dr Vardhan emphasized that the Eat Right India movement is a crucial trigger for the much needed social and behavioural change. This campaign along with the ‘Fit India’ Movement’ can achieve huge success if the right strategy is adopted and efforts are made to reach out to every section of the society.

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. This day generates awareness globally for those who suffer from hunger and to ensure the need for food security and nutritious diets for all. The main focus of this day is that food is a basic and fundamental human right.

This year the theme of World Food Day 2019 is not only focused on Zero Hunger but is also about nourishing people, while nurturing the planet. The theme is ‘Our Actions Are Our Future Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World’. According to FAO, ‘This year, World Food Day calls for action across sectors to make healthy and sustainable diets affordable and accessible to everyone. At the same time, it calls on everyone to start thinking about what we eat’.

 -sb/nad

PRATeK transforms Aman who now speaks of Child’s Right

Air quality in national capital plunges into ‘Very Poor’ category

New Delhi (NVI): With the onset of post-harvest season that traditionally involves stubble burning, the air quality of the national capital has yet again plunged into “Very Poor” category touching PM2.5 level. On October 15, it stood at 270. at 4 pm. The story is the same in the areas adjoining New Delhi, like Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.

As per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), a government entity, deterioration in Delhi’s AQI may further accentuate from fourth week of October, indicating that the late monsoon withdrawal will have severe repercussions for air quality in North India.

According to data of the Central Pollution Control Board, Seventeen of the thirty seven air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded the overall AQI in the “very poor” category.

An AQI ranging from 0 to 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’; 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’; 201 to 300 is ‘poor’; 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 is ‘severe’.

On October 15, Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gehlot had written to Union Minister for Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan, requesting access to SAFAR’s data so that the administration could take immediate corrective measures to curb pollution.

-bp/nad

J&K, Ladakh are moving on the path of development: Modi

modi in ballabhgarh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing his first election rally in Haryana

Ballabgarh (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the J&K and Ladakh have embarked on path of development with renewed vigour ever since the abrogation of special status granted under Article 370. He was addressing his first election rally in Haryana on October 14. 

“J&K and Ladakh are fast moving on the path of development,” the prime minister said and dared the opposition on his decision to reorganise J&K. He asserted that India is now taking big decisions like on Article 370 which were unthinkable earlier. Mr Modi said the massive mandate given by the people gave him the strength to take the step. 

He challenged the Congress to show courage and declare in their manifesto that they will restore Article 370 and 35A if voted to power. 

-sb

Indian polity hails Abhijit, wife for winning Nobel Prize For Economics

NOBLE
Nobel Prize winners for Economics: Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer,

Stockholm/New Delhi (NVI): Indian polity, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has hailed Indian-American Abhijit Banerjee, his wife, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer of the United States for winning the 2019 Nobel Prize for Economics for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty on 14 th October in here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Indian-American economist Abhijit Banerjee for his contribution in alleviation of global poverty.

“Congratulations to Abhijit Banerjee on being conferred the 2019 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. He has made notable contributions in the field of poverty alleviation,” PM Modi tweeted.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, also congratulated Banerjee on Twitter.

“Congratulations Abhijit Banerjee on being awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize for your contribution for easing poverty. #JNU also wishing Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer,” she said.

58-year-old Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee was educated at the University of Calcutta, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Harvard University, where he received his PhD in 1988. He is currently the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2003 he founded the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), along with Esther Duflo and Sendhil Mullainathan, and he remains one of the lab’s directors. 

Banerjee is a past president of the Bureau for the Research in the Economic Analysis of Development, a Research Associate of the NBER, a CEPR research fellow, International Research Fellow of the Kiel Institute, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Econometric Society, and has been a Guggenheim Fellow and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and a winner of the Infosys Prize. 

He is the author of a large number of articles and four books, including Poor Economics which won the Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year. He is the editor of three more books and has two documentary films. He also served on the U.N. Secretary-General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The Nobel committee in a statement said the research conducted by this year’s laureates has considerably improved the ability to fight global poverty. In just two decades, their new experiment-based approach has transformed development economics, which is now a flourishing field of research.

The President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister have extended their congratulations to Abhijeet Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer on winning the Nobel Prize in Economics for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. 

In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind said their research has helped economists better understand how to fight poverty in India and the world.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said he is sure that Mr Banerjee’s experimental approach to alleviating global poverty will help the world community to understand and address the formidable challenge of poverty.

-sb

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