Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya- The Man, The Spirit, The Vision

The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumously) and to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has expressed delight at the Bharat Ratna being conferred on Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Bharat Ratna being conferred on Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a matter of great delight. Country`s highest honour to these illustrious stalwarts is a fitting recognition of their service to the Nation. Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya is remembered as a phenomenal scholar and freedom fighter who lit the spark of national consciousness among people. Atal ji means so much to everyone. A guide, inspiration and giant among giants. His contribution to India is invaluable," the Prime Minister said.

Born in an educated orthodox Hindu family at Prayaga (Allahabad) in 1861 on December 25, Madan Mohan Malaviya is recognized as an outstanding and noble son of India.

His multifaceted personality made him, at the same time, a great patriot, an educationist with a vision, a social reformer, an ardent journalist, reluctant but effective lawyer, a successful parliamentarian and an outstanding statesman. Among Malaviyaji's many achievements, the most monumental was the establishment of the Banaras Hindu University or Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalaya. In the course of his lifetime Banaras Hindu University came to be known as a Capital of Knowledge acknowledged across India and the World.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya created history in Indian education with this institution - the first of its kind in the country. He chose Banaras as the site, because of the centuries old tradition of learning, wisdom and spirituality inherent to the place. His vision was to blend the best of Indian education called from the ancient centres of learning - Takshashila and Nalanda and other hallowed institutions, with the best tradition of modern universities of the west

Great minds and personalities like Annie Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Shyama Charan De and many others joined hand with him in his quest for knowledge, arousing the national spirit in India and winning freedom with the power of education and righteousness.

Malaviya passed away in 1946. But his spirit still lives and there are many who bear the torch that he lit, Many more stand ready to shoulder the mantle of his responsibility.

Malaviya Bhavan

Malaviya Bhavan, the former residence of the founder of the university, was opened for public in 1961 during Malaviya Centenary Year. This memorial building serves as the centre of studies and research on the life and teaching of Mahamanaji. It consists of five main constituents - Geeta-Yoga Library, Yoga Sadhana Kendra, Geeta Samiti, Malaviya Adhyayan Sansthan, and Malaviya Centre for Value Studies. The Centre for Yoga runs Diploma and Certificate Courses in Yoga. The Geeta Samiti organises morning lectures on religious-philosophical topics. Every Sunday Geeta discourses by eminent persons are held. The Centre for Value Studies offers a short-term course on Value Education for Integrated Personality Development. Malaviya Bhavan has a beautiful garden with a variety of plants. Every year the Flower Show of the University is held here. The Central Assembly Hall of the Malaviya Bhavan is often used for important cultural and religious events and lectures.

Biography of Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviyaji (1861-1946)

An embodiment of Indian culture and wisdom, Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was born on Dec. 25th, 1861 i.e. as per Hindu Calendar "Paush krishna Ashtami, Wednesday Sanvat 1918 vikramai" in the locality named Lal diggi in Prayaga (Bharati Bhavan, Allahabad). His father was Pt. Braj Nath ji and mother was Smt. Moone Devi. Both of them were spiritually awakened and had firm faith in Sanatan Dharma. It is said that the grandfather of Pt. Braj Nath was Pt. Premdhar, who was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and belonged to the family of Pt. Vishnu Prasad ji of Malava, a state in Central India. The grandfather, Pt. Premdhar came to Prayaga to settle down there, while other members of his family came to a nearby city named Mirzapur of Uttar Pradesh. Pt. Premdhar was famous for his fine and heart touching speeches on the Bhagavat Purana. Among all his siblings, Madan Mohan was most talented and genius and had visionary aptitudes. This, 'Madan Mohan' by dint of his vision and dreams significantly contributed to the building of New India. He became a guide to mankind in the sense of giving a new kind of leadership not only in the political field but more so in the field of Education, which was for him, the backbone for arousing people from ignorance to wisdom, from imperfection to the perfect man. This is how he was regarded as 'Mahamana'.

Education:-

The early education of Mahamana was completed in Allahabad. Started at the age of five in Mahajani Pathshala, Madan Mohan imbibed the real Hindu Sanskaras and while going to school, he used to visit the temple of Hanuman and recite the prayer every day.

मनोजवं मारूत तुल्य वेगं जितेन्द्रिय बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् ।

वातात्मजं वानरयूथ मुख्यं श्री रामदूतं सिरसा नमामि ।।

On the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, he used to celebrate it whole heartedly. He started composing poetry at the age of fifteen with the pen name 'Makarand'. He passed matriculation examination in the year 1868 from Prayaga Govt. High school. Then He joined Myore Central College. He used to participate in several cultural events in the school as well as in the college. He established "Hindu Samaj" in 1880.

Marriage:-

He was married with Kundan Devi daughter of Pt. Nand Lal ji of Mirzapur at the age of sixteen.

Social Works:

Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of several organisation and edited magazines of high standard in order to promote Hindu ideals of Sanatan Dharma, and to build India as a strong and developed country in the world. For this purpose, he founded "Prayaga Hindu Samaj", and wrote served articles on the Contemporary issues and problems of the country. In 1884, he became the member of 'Hindi Uddharini Pratinidhi Sabha'. In 1885, he edited 'Indian Union' English weekly. In 1887, he established "Bharata Dharma Mahamandal", to propagate Sanatan Dharma and Hindu culture. He was editor of 'Hindustan'. In 1889, he edited 'Indian Opinion'. In 1891, he become barrister and started practicing at Allahabad High Court. He pleaded successfully for many significant cases during these days.

He left the law practice in 1913 and decided to serve the nation for attaining freedom from British rule. Mahamana was keenly interested to help the students for better learning and living and for this sake he arranged to build a Hostel named 'MacDonnell Hindu Hostel' at Allahabad, and in 1889, he also established there a library.

He remained a member of municipality at Allahabad till 1916 and he was also an honoured member of Indian National Congress for several years.

In 1907, on the day of "Vasanta Panchami" he started a weekly in Hindi, entitled 'Abhyudaya'. He was also instrumental in bringing out an English Daily called 'Leader' in 1909.

After the death of his father, he decided to serve the nation in more than one way. In 1919, at the auspicious "Kumbha" fair at Prayaga, he started "Prayaga Seva Samiti" to serve the pilgrims. He admitted himself to the selfless action as inspired by 'Mahabharata', the great Epic, making the following famous shloka his mantra:

न त्वहं कामये राज्यं, न स्वर्गं न पुनर्भवम् ।

कामये दुःख तप्तानाम् प्राणिनामार्तनाशनम् ।।

This goal became an ideal slogan later on. 

Making of the Banaras Hindu University:-

          Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was greatly inspired by Dr. Annie Besant, an Irish lady, who came to India with motive of spreading Educational Programmes. She started Central Hindu College at Kamachha in the city of Varanasi in 1889, which became the nexus of the Banaras Hindu University later on. Pandit ji, with help of the then Maharaja of Banaras, Sri Prabhu Narain Singh ji, proposed to establish the University named the Banaras Hindu University in 1904. In the year 1905, this proposal got the sanction of several Hindu organizations. On 31st Dec. 1905, in the Town Hall of Varanasi, under the chairmanship of Sri D. N. Mahajan, the proposal was finally approved.

          In 1911, in the association of Dr. Annie Besant, a resolution was passed to establish "Kashi Vishva Vidyalaya", and on 28 Nov. 1911, a society was formed to begin the work for the Banaras Hindu University. On March, 25, 1915, Sir Hurcourt Butler proposed a bill in the Imperial legislation Council for the establishment of the University. On Oct. 01, 1915, the B.H.U. Act was passed.

            On Feb. 4th, 1916, i.e. Magh Shukla Pratipada, samvat 1972, the foundation of the Banaras Hindu University was laid down. A grand ceremony was organised to celebrate the occasion in which several eminent personalities of India, were present.

Brief Summary of the Malaviya Ji’s Life
25.12.1861	Born in Allahabad
1878	Marriage with Kundan Devi in Mirzapur
1884	B.A. from Calcutta University
July 1884	Teacher in Allahabad District School
December 1886	2nd Congress in Calcutta under chairmanship of Dadabhai Nouroji. Speech on the issue of representation in Councils
July 1887	Editorship of the Hindosthan in Kalakankar. Founding conference of Bharat Dharma Mandal
July 1889	Leaving editorship joins LL.B. in Allahabad
1891	Passing LL.B. starts practice in Allahabad District Court
December 1893	Practice at Allahabad High Court
March 1898	Submits memorandum about Hindi to U.P. Lt. Governor
1902-1903	Construction of Hindu Boarding House in Allahabad
1903-1912	Service to province as member of Provincial Council
1904	Proposal of establishing university under chairmanship of Kashi Naresh
January 1906	Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha on Kumbha in Allahabad. Propagation of liberal Sanatan Dharma. Decision to open university in Banaras
1907	Editorship of the Abhyudaya. Propagation of Sanatan Dharma and democratic principles
1909	Editorship of the English daily Leader. Chaired the Lahore Congress
October 1910	Presidential address in 1st Conference of Hindi Sahitya Sammelan
22.11.1911	Formation of the Hindu University Society
December 1911	At 50 gave up practice. Decision to serve country and work for establishing the university
February 1915	Formation of Prayaga Seva Samiti under his chairmanship
October 1915	The Banaras Hindu University Bill passed
04 Feb- 1916	Foundation ceremony of the university
March 1916	Bill against Indentured Labour system in Councils
1916-18	Member, Industrial Commission
1918	Formation of Scout Association by Seva Samiti
December 1918	Chaired Annual Congress Conference in Delhi
February 1919	Debate on the Rowlett Bill in Council. Resignation from Council
Nov. 1919-Sep. 1939	Vice Chancellor, B.H.U.
19 April 1919	Chaired Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Bombay
January 1922	Convened all party conference
16 December 1922	Speech on Hindu Muslim goodwill in Lahore
1924	Formation of Independent Party in District and Assembly. Satyagraha on Sangam [Confluence of rivers] in Allahabad. Debate on the Steel Conservation Bill
August 1926	Formation of Congress Independent Party with Lala Lajpat Rai
February 1927	Statement before Agriculture Commission
December 1929	Convocation address in BHU. Asked students to serve nation and be patriot
1930	Resigns from Assembly. Arrested in Delhi. Six months sentence
5 April 1931	Speech on Hindu Muslim Unity in Kanpur
1931	Took part with Gandhi in the London Round Table Conference
March 1932	Formation of All India Swadeshi Union in Banaras
20 April 1932	Nominated President of Delhi Congress. Arrested
September 1932	Chaired meeting on emancipation of outcasts in Bombay
April 1932	As Calcutta Congress President arrested in Asansole
August 1934	Speech on emancipation of the outcasts in Gandhi's meeting in Banaras
January 1936	Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha Conference in Allahabad. Proposal for emancipation of outcasts
1938	Kalpa [Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy]
November 1939	Appointed life Rector of BHU
1941	Founded Goraksha Mandal
January 1942	Gandhi's convocation address on Silver Jubilee of BHU
12 November -1946	Passed Away

DRDO conducts maiden test-flight of Panchi

The wheeled version of UAV Nishant can take off from and land on small airstrips

Panchi, the wheeled version of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Nishant, capable of taking off from and landing on small airstrips, had its maiden flight on December 24 from an airfield at Kolar in Karnataka.

The aim of the flight, which lasted 25 minutes, was “to demonstrate that Panchi can take off and land on its wheels. It was a textbook flight,” said Anil Kumar Agarwal, Project Director, Panchi. The flight was preceded by high-speed taxi trials that began at the Kolar airfield on November 22.

Panchi was designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) facility at Bengaluru.

K. Tamilmani, Director-General (Aeronautical Systems) of the DRDO, lauded “the aggressive efforts in the past eight months by the ADE team, which led to the creation of this version.”

Nishant, which has an underbelly airbag, is launched by a catapult, and lands with the help of an onboard parachute. Panchi has all the surveillance capabilities of Nishant, but it can stay in the air longer because it does not have to carry the airbag and the parachute systems of the other. It is also a light vehicle with its body made of composites, and has a high degree of stealth because it has a low radar cross-section signature.

Mr. Agarwal said that since the Army wanted a wheeled version of Nishant, the ADE quickly developed it with modifications to the hardware and software.

Ravi Kumar Gupta, Director of Public Interface, DRDO, said Nishant which had already been with the Army, was designed for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, tracking of targets and artillery fire correction. A sophisticated image processing system was used for analysing the images transmitted by it.

China readies sea-based nuclear deterrent against U.S

So far, China could strike the U.S. only with land-based missiles.

China is set to reinforce its nuclear second-strike capability by mounting on some of its submarines long-range ballistic missiles, which could target the U.S.

So far, China could strike the U.S. only with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. But with western advancements in surveillance that could track their location and movements, these weapons had become vulnerable to a U.S. first strike, gravely undermining Beijing’s nuclear deterrence.

However, China is on the verge of a course correction, says a report submitted in November to Congress by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The commission has concluded that the Chinese are set to acquire a reliable, hard-to-destroy sea-based deterrent. A cluster of 12 JL-2 missiles, with a strike range of around 7,350 km, are being mounted on its JIN class of submarines.

China has three JIN-class nuclear-powered submarines, which began entering service in 2007. Despite their fairly high noise level, their lethality has now multiplied, following the integration of the new missiles, giving China a credible second-strike capability.

Alaska within reach

The JL-2 missiles will have an array of strike options, depending on whether the submarine chooses to fire its weapons close to Chinese shores or from areas deeper in the sea.

Alaska will fall within their ambit if the missiles are fired from waters near China. Hawaii can be targeted if these weapons are launched from waters south of Japan. Western continental U.S. and all the 50 U.S. states are endangered if waters west or east of Hawaii are chosen as the launch pads.

The impending addition of a third dimension of deterrence by China is a vast improvement over the past. The Chinese deterrent had so far depended on the liquid-fuelled DF-5A missiles, which can be fired from fixed silos.

However, China’s nuclear armoury was beefed up in 2007, when the mobile, solid-fuelled D-31A missiles were inducted into its arsenal. But both these weapons have their limitations.

The DF-5A is vulnerable in its pre-launch phase because it takes a lot of time to fuel its liquid engines, giving ample scope for detection and consequent destruction. The induction of the D-31A was a significant improvement over its predecessor, but with breakthroughs in surveillance, including the arrival of RQ-4 Global Hawk drones, hiding them has become more difficult, notwithstanding their mobility.

China’s anxieties are fuelled by the presence of 3,60,000 personnel in the theatre under the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM). Besides, PACOM has positioned 200 ships, which include five aircraft carrier strike groups, concentrating enormous capacity to project power in the region, with China and North Korea as the prime concerns. Nearly 60 per cent of U.S. forces will deploy under the PACOM’s wings, as the “Asia Pivot” unfolds.

In their response to the amassing of forces on its periphery, China is locking in weapons that can strike U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups.

In 2010, China became the first country to develop an anti-ship ballistic missile. The DF-21D’s range of 1,500 km and enhanced lethality imparted by its manoeuvrable warhead makes it ideal for attacking U.S. aircraft carriers east of Taiwan.

The Chinese have also invested heavily in the CJ-10 land attack cruise missiles, capable of striking U.S. forces in South Korea and Japan.

But the Americans can still block the sea lanes radiating towards the Strait of Malacca, which are China’s economic and energy lifelines. Consequently, the Chinese, under President Xi Jinping, are relentlessly pursuing the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt — a land corridor that would establish trade linkages with Europe — to lessen dependence on the more vulnerable sea routes.

Many Chinese scholars are of the view that the acquisition of a sea-based deterrent has finally insulated China from a U.S. nuclear strike. Despite going up the nuclear ladder, analysts point out, the Chinese doctrinal orientation remains essentially defensive, and its accelerated weaponisation is largely a response to Washington’s “Asia Pivot” strategy — a move that Beijing resents and interprets as an expression of Washington’s China-containment policy.

The tech route to safety

Driving around the city of Mumbai - or any major metro city in India - is becoming such a pain. Every time I step out, I'm usually on full alert, trying to dodge reckless drivers hell-bent on grazing or bumping into our car. And since predicting the time it takes to get from one place to another is an arduous task, I now invariably budget for almost twice as much as time as I would normally keep aside, all to avoid suffering the embarrassment-not to forget the stress--of being late for meetings. As a result, I've begun consciously avoiding packing in more than three meetings in any given day. Imagine the loss of productivity that we suffer collectively every single working day. Now, what if there was a smarter way to reduce congestion on the streets?

If you were a business leader in the automotive industrytoday, what would your major priorities be? The chances are that it would be to sell more cars, launch new ones, appoint new dealers, become more efficient at manufacturing, plan strategic alliances to enter new markets, etc. These are all laudable objectives that have driven the automotive industry for over a century. But here's the moot point: is the automotive industry doing enough to address the realities that its users face every single day? How far are all of them willing to go to educate customers, for instance, on the need to pay for additional safety features like an airbag?

In India, where safety regulations are invariably behind the curve, original equipment manufacturers(OEM) are still under no obligation to put basic safety features like airbags in every car. As a result, about nine per cent of all cars today have them. In a recent interview, the chairman of India's leading carmaker was quite candid about his views: why should I take the lead in upping safety standards and risk losing my price advantage, unless all car makers are compelled to do so by regulation, he asked. The industry regulators and the entire automotive industry would be advised to take another look at our safety record: India has the worst safety record in the world, with as many as 1.4 million serious road accidents every year. Many of those deaths arising out of these accidents could perhaps have been prevented, if airbags and anti-lock braking systems had been made compulsory.

If enlightened self-interest alone won't force OEMs to invest in safety, the relentless march of new technologies may eventually force them to join the search for new ways to tackle the growing customer concerns. Or else, carmakers run the risk of losing a significant part of the new profit pool that is likely to emerge, say, thanks to the introduction of the smart, connected product revolution that is on the verge of becoming more mainstream over the next decade. Want to know how? Simply put, much of the technology that went into our cars was either electrical or mechanical. Increasingly, it will be devices, sensors and software that track and report back the vehicle's progress.

The sheer range of tech interventions being tested are mind-boggling: sensors that can alert users about possible car thefts, make emergency service calls in case of an accident or breakdown, set up software upgrades to fix any errant part on its own, help you navigate traffic relative to how other cars alongside you are being driven. Not to forget, the concept of driverless cars and the growing influence of the sharing economy - where apps like the one Uber pioneered help bring any car to your doorstep when you need it, thereby obviating the need to own your own vehicle. In many ways, it is a completely different world. And it requires significantly different ways of working that some carmakers are likely to find challenging.

The mobile and tech industries are already jumping on to this smart, connected product bandwagon. And they're habituated to an ongoing customer relationship, backed by an innovation cycle of rapid prototyping, regular upgrades. The car industry, on the other hand, has been largely transactional, and followed a development cycle measured in years. Now, just who is able to architect the winning business model and grab maximum value will be worth watching.

Meanwhile, connectivity looks all set to become a norm in vehicles over the next 10 years, according to a forecast done by Machina Research. While aftermarket devices dominate the scene today, by 2022 almost 90 per cent of new cars will feature such a platform, up from 10 per cent today. And this machine-to-machine market in the automotive sector is likely to generate a staggering $422 billion in 2022, up from $22 billion in 2012. Today, 59 per cent of this revenue is accounted for by services, including both the connectivity and the applications supported by it. By 2022 that will grow to 88 per cent.

Remember what happened to the IT hardware makers, once Microsoft, Apple and Google strode in to focus on software and services? Those that continued selling a box were relegated to the garbage heap. Today, if incumbent car makers that don't heed the opportunity, expect a similar upheaval as new players like Tesla or new connected car platforms to fill the breach.

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment

YEAR END REVIEW-2014 Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Young and Start-Up Entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes Swachhta Udyami Yojana’ for financing viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to collect garbage The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014 passed Draft National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction formulated Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse revised w.e.f. 1.1.2015 (Department of Social Justice & Empowerment) The Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment (Department of Social Justice & Empowerment) is entrusted with the empowerment of the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of the society. The Target groups of the Department are: (i) Scheduled Castes (SCs), (ii) Other Backward Classes (OBCs), (iii) Senior Citizens and (iv) Victims of Substance Abuse.     Enhancement in Plan Outlay in 2013-14 There was an increase of 1.65 % in the Plan outlay of the Ministry from Rs.6065 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6165 crore in 2014-15 The Plan Outlay allocated to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment) has been enhanced from Rs 11655.20 core in the 11th Five Year Plan to Rs 29400 crore for 12th Five Year Plan. In 2014, many initiatives were taken to empower these weaker sections as summarized below: I. Scheduled Castes Development                Amendments in the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2014, to amend the PoA Act, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 16.07.2014. The Bill was listed for consideration by the Lok Sabha on 17.07.2014 and on directions of Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, the Bill has been referred to the Departmental Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment for examination and report. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014: The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in relation to the states of Kerala (inclusion of two synonymous castes), Madhya Pradesh (inclusion of one synonymous caste), Odisha (inclusion of four synonymous castes), Tripura (inclusion of three synonymous castes) and Sikkim (exclusion of one caste) was introduced in Lok Sabha on11.08.2014. The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 27.11.2014 and 8.12.14 respectively.  The bill has been sent for assent of the President. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which proposes to include eight castes as synonym to Scheduled Castes in relation to the States/UT of Haryana(one), Karnataka(one), Odisha (six), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (one) and substitution of the name of the State from ‘Uttaranchal’ to ‘Uttarakhand’ was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 11.02.2014. The said Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment for examination and report. The committee in its sitting held on 26.11.2014 heard  views of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes , besides evidence of the Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Registrar General of India. Revision of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995: The Rules notified in 1995, were revised on 23.12.2011. Further amendment in the PoA Rules for enhancing the relief amount by 50% i.e. between Rs. 75,000/- to Rs. 7,50,000/- depending upon the nature of offences has been approved on 23.06.2014, and is under notification in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary. Upward revision of financial norms under the Scheme of Grant-in-aid to voluntary organizations working for the SCs (last fixed in 1998): The Scheme has been revised and informed to the States/UTs vide letter dated 15th July, 2014. Following revisions have been made in the financial norms: ·                     Generally 100% enhancement ·                     Honorarium of teachers has been revised upward at par with the salary of teachers in Kasturba Gandhi Vidhyalaya. Swachhta Udyami Yojana: As an integral part of `Swachh Bharat Abhiyan` launched by the Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment launched a new Scheme ‘Swachhta Udyami Yojana’ of NSKFDC on 2nd October, 2014 for financing viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to collect garbage. Setting up ‘‘Dr. Ambedkar International Centre for Social Justice’ at 15, Janpath New Delhi: The Government has approved setting up of the Centre at an approximate cost of Rs.195 crore at Janpath.  The architectural plan and design of Dr. Ambedkar International Centre has been approved by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on 20.11.2014. The Government has also taken a decision to fully develop the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial at 26, Alipure Road, Delhi. The CPWD has already started preliminary work.  The architectural Plan has been approved by the Hon`ble Minister (SJ&E) on 27.11.2014. Creation of ‘Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Caste Entrepreneurs’ Scheme: The Government has decided to set up a new Venture Capital Fund for SCs.  An allocation of Rs.200 crore has been provided for the Fund.  A scheme has been finalized in consultation with the IFCI.   The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) under the chairmanship of Secretary (SJ&E) was held on 03.12.2014 for appraisal of the proposed Scheme. Competent Authority has approved the Scheme. The fund would be operationalised during remaining part of the year 2014-15 onwards. Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Young and Start-Up Entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes: The Finance Minister in his Union Budget Speech for FY 2014-15 made on 10th July 2014, inter-alia, announced that a sum of Rs.200 crores will be allocated towards Credit Enhancement Gurantee for Young and start-up entrepreneurs, belonging to Scheduled Castes, who aspire to be part of neo middle class category, with an objective to encourage entrepreneurship in the lower strata of the Society resulting in job creation besides creating confidence in Scheduled Castes.                                     The said allocation is under Social Sector Initiatives in order to promote entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes and to facilitate concessional finance to them. The proposed Scheme and Standing Finance Committee (SFC) memo has been concurred on 17.10.2014 by the IFD M/o SJ&E. However, due to non allocation of budget under the Scheme SFC memo has not been circulated for inter-Ministerial consultation.  Implementation of Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) Scheme:       Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) vide ID dated 26.3.13 provided the list of 121 districts across the country selected for implementation of DBT. The necessary proformae in this regard were uploaded on the Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS) portal in mid February 2014. Having received the digitally signed digitized lists of beneficiaries forwarded by 8 States/ UTs and 15 Top Class Institutions, in respect of the 3 Scholarship Schemes of the Department in the Financial Year 3013-14, the Department of SJE could disburse Rs 1062.37 lakhs directly into the bank accounts of 45184 beneficiaries. For the Financial Year 2014-15, till date the Department has been able to credit an amount of Rs 6.43 lakhs directly into the bank accounts of 9 beneficiaries. Around 15 proposals are in the pipeline where scholarships would be disbursed shortly through DBT. Depository of the Scheduled Caste Certificates: The persons belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) are entitled to admissible benefits under various Schemes of the Government.  Production of the SC Certificate is an essential requirement to avail the benefits meant for the SCs. It is thus a key document.  Complaints of fake certificates are also received from time to time. It would be a good idea to have a digitised data base of all the SC certificates, which could be linked with the Aadhar number for easy accessibility by the SC beneficiaries/Scheme implementing agencies. It would be very helpful to the genuine SC beneficiaries on one hand and also help to check the problem of fake certificates on the other.                    Issuance of SC certificates falls within the domain of the States/UTs.  The department of Social Justice & Empowerment proposes to formulate a Scheme to provide technical and financial assistance to the States/UTs for preparing depository of Scheduled Castes Certificate. II. Backward Classes Development ·         For the first time significant release of more than 90% of the budget amounting to over RS 1000 crore for the welfare of OBCs done before the end of third quarter. ·         National Fellowship for 300 OBC students (NF-OBC) launched. The rates revised from Rs 18000 per month for JRF to Rs 25000 per month and for SRF from Rs 20000 per month to Rs 28000 per month. ·         New scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for 25 OBCs (NOS-OBC) launched to enable the OBC students to pursue higher education abroad. ·         The norms for the “Construction of Hostels for the OBC Boys and Girls” revised with unit cost enhanced from Rs 1.40 lakhs per hostel seat to Rs 3.50 lakhs for North-east, Rs 3.25 lakh for Himalayan states and Rs 3.00 for rest of country. This will improve the quality of construction of hostels. ·         The scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organisations working for the Welfare of the OBCs” revised with focus on Skill Development. ·         The Ministry is forging partnership with Central Universities/Institutions to invite proposals and ideas for effective and innovative methods for monitoring, evaluating, creating databases and preparing reports for the welfare schemes. ·         E-tracking of loans in order to improve recovery initiated by the NBCFDC. ·         Skill Development training provided to 6460 beneficiaries. Further, stipend at the rate of Rs 1000 per month provided to the trainees for the first time. ·         The Recruitment Rules for strengthening the functioning of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) framed and notified. ·         A new website which is interactive has been launched by the NBCFDC. Proposed Activities/Initiatives ·         The National Overseas Scholarship for OBCs will be revised to our 100 students in place of 25 students. ·         New Schemes for DNTs namely, Dr Ambedkar Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for the DNTs,  Dr Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for the DNTs and Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels to be launched for welfare of these sections of the society. ·         For Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), the Dr Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and Dr Ambedkar National Overseas Scholarship are to be launched. ·          The DNT Commission will be made operational by appointing the Chairperson, Member and Member Secretary.  ·         National Fellowship for OBCs will be made available to 60 more    students. ·         100% release of fund under BC Schemes by January, 2014. ·         Development of e-Scholarship Portal for scholarships in order to avoid duplicity and increase the efficiency. ·         E-marketing of the products of the artisans to provide market value to them.                                                        III. Social Defence Senior Citizens Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons  (IPOP) : The Ministry has been implementing the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons  since 1992, with the objective of  improving the quality of life of Senior Citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing through providing support to NGOs/ Panchayati Raj Institutions etc.  The Scheme was last revised with effect from 1.4.2008. The Cost Norms of the scheme have been revised which will be effective from 1.4.2015.  Under the Scheme of IPOP, online processing of proposals of NGOs has been initiated from the current financial year (2014-15).   The details of physical and financial performance of the Scheme during the current year (upto 30.11.2014)  are as given below : Notional Allocation                                     :              Rs. 50.00 Crores Funds released                                             :              Rs. 7.36 Crores Beneficiaries covered                                     :              8945 Projects assisted                                           :                167 NGOs assisted                                             :                133 National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 : The National Policy on Older Persons(NPOP), 1999  was announced in January 1999 to reaffirm the commitment to ensure the well-being of the older persons.  The policy envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, healthcare, shelter and other needs of older persons, equitable share in development, protection against abuse and exploitation and availability of services to improve the quality of  life of the senior citizens.  The Policy is being revised keeping in view the changes in demographic pattern, socio-economic needs of senior citizens, social value system and advancement in the field of science and technology.  The draft of the new National Policy for Senior Citizens is being finalized. Celebration of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) : Every year, 1st October is celebrated as International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) by organizing a series of events.  In order to recognize the efforts made by eminent senior citizens and institutions involved in rendering distinguished services for the cause of the elderly persons, especially, the indigent elderly, the Ministry has notified a Scheme of National Awards (VAYOSHRESHTHA SAMMAN) in January, 2013. On 1st October, 2014, the Vayoshreshtha Samman – National Awards for Senior Citizens under different categories were conferred by the Hon`ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha on eminent senior citizens and Institutions in recognition for their contribution towards the cause of the elderly.             Inter-generational Walkathon was organized in the morning of 1st October 2014 in New Delhi and 20 other State Capitals ie., Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Shimla, Jaipur, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Chennai, Kochi, Patna, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Agartala, Bhopal, Raipur, Shillong, Bengaluru and Puducherry.              A Review and improvement of the Scheme of Vayoshreshtha Samman ie., National Award for Senior Citizens is being undertaken. Seminars and Conferences:             A two days` Conference of State Ministers and Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of Social Welfare was held on 22-23 August, 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.  The Hon’ble Minister addressed the gathering.             The Ministry supported the 12th Global Conference International Federation on Ageing (IFA) on 10-13th June, 2014 at Hyderabad.  The Hon’ble Minister of SJE addressed the gathering.             The Ministry supported the Multi Activity Event on “Jeevaema Sharadaha Shatam”  (May we live for 100 years)” Active & Healthy Ageing” organized by RRTC, Anugraha Delhi at Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on 16.10.2014.  The Hon’ble Minister inaugurated the workshop and addressed the gathering.             The Ministry co-sponsored the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on  "India`s Elderly: Dignity, Health and Security"  held on 4th and 5th December, 2014 at New Delhi.    The Conference was addressed by Hon`ble Minister (SJ&E) and the Secretary, SJ&E    Drug Abuse Prevention                         The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse under which financial assistance is provided to Non Government Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institution, Urban Local Bodies etc. for, inter-alia, running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for addicts (IRCAs). Under this scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the approval expenditure is given to the voluntary organizations and other eligible agencies for setting up/ running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs). In the case of North-Eastern States, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, the quantum of assistance is 95 % of the total admissible expenditure. So far an amount of Rs 17.89 upto 22.12.2014 in the financial year 2014-15  crore has been released under the Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse against the BE of Rs 50 crore. Extent Pattern and Trend of Drug Abuse:                      In a National Survey conducted by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, for the year 2000-2001(report published in 2004) it was estimated that about 732 lakh persons in India were user of alcohol and drugs. Of these 87 lakh used Cannabis, 20 lakh used opiates and 625 lakh were users of Alcohol. About 26%, 22% and 17% of the users of the three types respectively were found to be dependent on/addicted to them. The survey also indicated that other drugs such as Sedatives/Hypnotics, volatile substances, Hallucinogens, Stimulants and pharmaceutical preparations were also abused. It revealed that most users were in their early thirties, most had not sought treatment and very few were currently undergoing treatment.  In addition, regions of high prevalence of Opiate use were Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Western Rajasthan.  However the sample size being small (40,697 males within the age group of 12-60 years both in rural and urban areas) vis-a -vis the country’s population, the estimates can at best be taken as indicative only.                      With a view to build a reliable data base and in view of the changing situation, it  was decided to take up another detailed round of National Survey, through a professional organization, like the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), to capture recent trends, patterns and extent of drug use in the country.  Accordingly, the NSSO had conducted a Pilot Survey in the cities of Amritsar, Imphal and Mumbai in March 2010. The NSSO brought out the report of the survey in January, 2011. After examining the report of the pilot survey, certain issues relating to under-estimates, non-coverage of certain age groups, limitation of pilot survey being confined to cities of Amritsar, Mumbai and Imphal instead of entire States of Punjab/ Maharashtra/ Manipur and non-coverage of other potential selection units such as, homeless/ pavement dwellers, street children, rag pickers, university/ college/ school campuses/ surroundings, highways/ roadside eateries, liquor vendors, etc. were raised. Therefore, a more comprehensive and extended pilot survey was suggested.                       At present, a Working Group has been constituted by National Statistical Commission with National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) as nodal organisation to devise the modalities of advanced pilot survey in the states of Punjab and Manipur and to conduct the same. The matter is also being pursued with National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) to expedite the survey proceedings. It is proposed to conduct a nationwide survey, based on the experiences gained during the advanced pilot survey.                       As the survey has been delayed and the problem is acute in Punjab and Manipur, the Ministry has also initiated survey work in these two States through Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC), Punjab & RRTC Manipur respectively involving All India Institute of Medical Science & Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. Awareness  Generation Programmes: Earlier, in the year 2011-12, the Ministry had conducted an awareness generation programme in two states namely Punjab and Manipur which covered 3000 villages in ten districts of Punjab and 750 villages in seven districts of Manipur. This programme was conducted through the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. The addicts were identified and de-addiction camps were organized for these addicts. The total project cost was Rs 3.5 crore. Due to high rate of prevalence of addiction in Punjab, the Ministry has again assigned, in October 2014, an awareness generation programme in the State through Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan. Celebration of International Day against Drug Abuse Illicit Trafficking on 26th June, 2014. This Ministry celebrates 26th June as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Govt. of India has instituted a Scheme of the National Awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drug) Abuse from the year 2013. This year also, National Award function was successfully conducted on 26th June 2014 and awards were conferred by the Hon’ble President of India. National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction The draft National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction has been formulated and was uploaded in November, 2014 on the Ministry`s Website seeking comments/suggestions from all the stakeholders. Priority Areas of Intervention in the National policy for Drug Demand Reduction: Education & Awareness Building at all levels. Ø   Treatment and Rehabilitation (whole person recovery). Ø   Networking of Service Providers. Ø   Capacity Building & Training of service providers in the field of drug with a view to          build up skilled manpower. Ø   Data Collection and Management. Ø   Inter-Sectoral Collaboration and International Cooperation. Ø   The policy also proposes a system of accreditation of de-addiction Centres in order to standardise the treatment /facilities provided in coordination with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other stakeholders. Revision of the cost norms of the Scheme of Prevention for Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse          The present Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse has been revised w.e.f. 1.1.2015. Issues Relating to Transgender Persons M/o Social Justice & Empowerment has been designated as the Nodal Ministry for Transgender with effect from July 2012. An Expert Committee was constituted to make an in-depth study of the problems being faced by the Transgender Community. The Committee has submitted its report on 27th January 2014, suggesting various measures to ameliorate the condition of the transgender persons. The concerned Central Ministries and the State/ UT Governments are being consulted for their suggestions/views on the recommendations made by the Expert Committee and also confirm what action can be taken at their end.          The Expert Committee has recommended that “Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment may set up a Standing Coordination Mechanism in the form of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for coordinating the welfare activities being undertaken by the various Ministries and State/UT Governments for transgender community comprising representatives of concerned Central Govt. Ministries and representatives of State Governments.” Accordingly, an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted to discuss these issues.          On 15th April, 2014, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has, in a Writ Petition No. 400/2012 filed by National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) delivered its judgement on the issues of Transgender Persons directing the Central and State Governments to take various steps for the welfare of the transgender community and also to examine the recommendations of the Expert Committee based on the Legal declaration made in the above said judgment. Till date three Inter Ministerial meetings have been conducted.            The Expert Committee, inter alia, recommended formulating an Umbrella Scheme for empowerment of the transgender community. Accordingly, the Ministry is in the process of formulating an Umbrella Scheme for the welfare of transgender persons. Scheme for Rehabilitation of Beggars/Destitutes          The word beggar or beggary is not mentioned in any of the lists of the Constitution. However, as per entry-9 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, Relief of the disable and unemployable is a State subject. As per entry-15 of the Concurrent List,`` Vagrancy`` is a concurrent Subject. As information available, at present, 20 States and 2 UTs have either enacted their own Anti Beggary Legislation or adopted the legislation enacted by other States. Despite the fact that many States/ UTs have enacted laws relating to beggary, however, the provisions of these of these legislations differ across the Sates and their status of implementation including the measures taken for rehabilitation of beggars, are also not uniform.                      A draft Scheme for Protection, Care, and Rehabilitation of Destitute is under consideration. Skill development Training to youths               Ministry of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Sport Authority of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi-110003 and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) is monitoring the progress in regard to the persons being provided skill development training to Youths vis-à-vis the annual target set for the Department for the year 2014-15. The target for the year 2014-15 was fixed at 82,750 for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Department has provided the skill development training to 36480 youths till November, 2014 which is 44.08% through the training providers identified by National Institutes/ Corporation and State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. All out efforts are being made to achieve the target till the end of the current financial year 2014-15.