V K Krishna Menon; A Votary of Poorna Swaraj

V K Krishna Menon; A Votary of Poorna Swaraj

The Indian struggle for Independence has continually thrown up, over the course of nearly two-centuries starting from 1847, several exciting heroes, unflinching in their cause, fighting with the weapons of ideology, people’s participation and selfless fervour. They are an inspiration not only to their countrymen, but are globally celebrated figures.

One towering story and personality in this struggle is that of V K Krishna Menon, who waged the battle for Indian Independence from within the heart of the British Empire, by mobilising the support of the British political and middle class, and its students for India’s freedom struggle. His lobbying with the British Labour Party is believed to have been a major influence in finally winning India’s Independence.

The academically brilliant, young native of Kozhikode, first courted trouble for the cause of independence, when as a student at the Madras Presidency College he hoisted the red and green Home Rule flag on the college dome. He was let off with a warning; but for Krishna Menon, it was more of an initiation.

He graduated in 1917 and joined the Madras Law College a year later as his lawyer father wanted, but more importantly, this was when he had joined Dr Annie Beasant’s Theosophical Society. Dr Beasant started the Home Rule Movement in India similar to the Home Rule Movement in Ireland, and joined the Indian National Congress (INC), adding political heft to the Theosophical Society.

Influenced by her, he openly flouted the Law College rules by donning the dhoti and kurta, which would continue to be his mode of dress in India till the end of his days. The college authorities threatened him with dismissal, but he refused to yield.

While a fiery speaker even as a college student, Krishna Menon’s talents as an orator was honed by Dr Beasant. It was one of the many distinguishing skills of his political career. Dr Beasant felt an English educational experience would further develop his skills and send him to England in 1924. Here, he got a teacher’s degree, and joined the Commonwealth Rule for India League, founded by Dr Beasant in 1916.

The Commonwealth Rule for India League held meetings, issued newsletters and lobbied various bodies, editors, eminent personalities and Members of Parliament, spreading the demands of Indian nationalism. 

For the next two decades, Krishna Menon campaigned tirelessly alongside key British political figures such as philosopher Bertrand Russell, and Harold Laski, who was his London School of Economics tutor and later Labour Party chairman, as well as other Indians in Britain. Financing most of the activities himself, he held meetings, organised events, addressed groups, produced articles and pamphlets, and lobbied relentlessly.

Meanwhile, he got first class degrees in Political Science under Professor Harold J. Laski, who considered Menon his most brilliant student, from the London School of Economics and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University College.

Beasant’s Commonwealth of India League closed down to gave way to India League, with the 'complete Independence' demand by the Indian National Congress (INC). While the older members were not willing to think beyond Dominion Status, Menon wholeheartedly supported famous 'Pooma Swaraj' resolution taken at the Lahore Session (1930) of the Congress presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Menon also enjoyed a close working relationship and friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru, helping to put forward the INC’s position in Britain and coordinating Nehru's visit to England in 1935 and to Europe in 1938, which grew the future Prime Minister’s status as an leader of international stature, explaining India’s stand to the world.

The newly formed India League, with Krishna Menon as its honorary secretary, called for self-governance and an Indian constitution drawn up by the Indian people. It brought to the attention of the British people atrocities such as lathi charges, imprisonments without trial, the deportations and confiscation of property. Though not formally affiliated to the INC, the India League became the limb of the Congress in England and Krishna Menon its unofficial representative.

Menon arranged skits, shadow plays and film shows on India. Indian dancers and singers were invited to perform. There were readings of Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru. Birthdays of leaders like Gandhiji, Nehru and Tagore were celebrated.

One of its highlights was perhaps the National Independence Demonstration in Trafalgar Square on January 3, 1938, to encourage solidarity for the Indian situation. People belonging to different nations joined the demonstration. Other organisations representing the peoples of China, Africa and Abyssinia had also participated in the first of its kind demonstration.

The INC sent Krishna Menon as its representative to the World Peace Conference at Geneva and also to the International Peace Conference at Brussels next year in 1935, to convey India’s demand for sovereignty.

Eventually, the Labour Party's stand on India's participation in the war resulted in Menon having to withdraw from the party, even sacrificing a safe parliamentary seat in Dundee in 1939. But nothing deflated Menon and he continued to seize every opportunity to lobby towards the Indian cause, even trying to influence the Allied Powers to pressurise Britain to make a favourable decision on India.

With the induction of Harold Laski as the chairman of the Labour Party, Krishna Menon could influence it to a greater degree and a couple of years after the Clement Attlee Labour government came to power in 1945, India gained her independence.

Liberating a new India through skill development

Over the last 70 years of India’s independence, the definition of freedom has constantly evolved for our country. From making ourselves free from the “British Raj” to a more economic liberated India, we have continuously made a headway in the journey of progress and growth. The country has worked in the areas of privatisation, self-sustainability and globalisation throughout these years. And in the last two years of governance, India’s role on an international level has dramatically transformed into a global economic power vying for a seat at its highest table.

This accelerated economic growth has increased the demand for skilled workers that has highlighted the shortage of skilled workforce in the country. With a challenge of this scale, also what comes to us now, is the opportunity to create a new free India where acquiring professional skills will give you the liberty and freedom to choose a life and respect that one has always aspired for.

The time has come where India has to now fight and bring about the silent revolution through its focus on skill development. While the demographic effect will increase or lower gross domestic product (GDP) by barely one percentage point in 2035, GDP levels can increase by about 3 percentage points in 2035 if India improves significantly on skill training. Skill development is fundamental for improving productivity. And productivity leads to improved living standards and growth. When we talk about improving living standards it reflects on maximizing opportunities for pro-poor employment growth, enabling environment for sustainable enterprise development, an open social dialogue where there is respect for all and planned investments in basic education, health and physical infrastructure.

Vocational education and training (VET) initiatives, both in the public and private space, have become more focused and outcome-driven, aligned to the needs of industry and linked to jobs and employability. Capacity building and quality standards have started receiving greater attention. Industry has also been given a bigger role in shaping the skills story through its involvement not just with curriculum development and setting of standards but also in the assessment and certification processes. Moreover, measures have been taken to increase financial accessibility to skill-training initiatives.

The current target of skill development program in India in itself is quite an ambitious number. In 2015-16, we trained 1.04 crore youth in the country which was 37 per cent more than what was achieved in the previous year. The comprehensive reforms in the Apprentice Act can be a game changer in itself and as it can be one most successful skill development scheme. Also the overhaul in the ITI ecosystem which was not capitalised on till now, will extend opportunities for all in multiple trades where human resource is required in the country. But the real analysis or breakup of this number lies in the exercise where we do a district-level mapping — if you take a district, what are the kind of skills required? You will find there are so many jobs we are yet to include in our skill program. Similarly, take a newer areas such as water energy, waste management etc. As the economy grow, you will see new kinds of jobs evolving. So there is enough demand and there are means to meet the demand – the only thing we need is to ensure the supply is aligned to the demand. The problem is not as simple as it seems – it has its own complexities and dynamics and it is imperative that we make collective effort to address these incremental human resource requirements right at the local level.

On the other hand there are variety of reasons for the youth’s inability to fill jobs that are made available to them, ranging from geographical mobility to low wages which may not help them meet their ends. Overall, it’s a huge task.

But we as citizens of a nation which is building a huge brand for itself in the global market with our initiatives like Make in India and Digital India, we have to be cognizant of the fact that there is no other way than to skill, re-skill and up-skill ourselves and keep ourselves abreast with the latest around the globe. Weather is a skill set that increases productivity of a farmer with the help of technological means or by following the latest in mechatronics and robotics and being the hub for innovation in the world.

A young mind has to not only dream of success but has to work for it. The youth of our country has to work towards this intellectual freedom and skills can be his tool to success then. All that we have to think after this is:

I can

I will.

Government Committed to Comprehensive Development and Empowerment of Minorities

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led NDA Government is committed to the inclusive growth of minorities following the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, and has continuously increased the Plan Budget of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. In 2016-17, Rs. 3800 Crore have been earmarked which is a significant increase of more than Rs. 168 Crore over the 2015-16 expenditure level. In the last year 2015-16, the Modi Government has spent 20% higher than was spent in 2013-14 in the last year of the earlier Government, which is a substantial hike.

Ministry of Minority Affairs has made intensive efforts to promote education and employment among minority communities and taken important initiatives in last two years. A new scheme “Nai Manzil” has been launched in 2015 as an integrated education and livelihood initiative. This scheme has been approved with Rs. 650 Crore and it will benefit about 1 lakh minority youth. This is for the first time in the history of minority welfare programmes when World Bank has agreed to support such programme with 50% funding. Rs. 155 Crore has been earmarked for 2016-17 for implementation of programme. This scheme is also significant as it combines the formal education as well as skill development for school dropouts which will significantly enhance their career growth.

In conformity with priority of the Government for “Skill India” and “Make in India”, the skill development initiative for minorities “Seekho aur Kamao", has been strengthened and expanded and the outlay in 2015-16 has been increased by almost 11 times (over the level of 2013-14 of Rs. 17 Crore) by the Modi Government and Rs. 191.96 Crore has been sanctioned for training of about 1.23 lakh minority youths. Altogether in 2014-15 and 2015-16, 1.43 lakh minority youth have been trained. In 2016-17, the budget has been further increased to Rs. 210 Crore for training of 1.25 lakh minority youth.

Ministry implements an exclusive scheme “Nai Roshni” for Leadership Development of Minority Women with an aim to empower and instill confidence in women by providing knowledge for interacting with Government systems, banks and intermediaries at all levels. In last two years of the NDA Government (2014-15 and 2015-16), Minority Affairs Ministry has trained more than 1.30 lakh women with Rs.28.98 Crore in 24 States. Recently, the implementation of the scheme has been independently evaluated by the NITI Aayog and they observed that the programme has been appreciated by most of the segments of the population of the society and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and developing leadership spirit in them.

The Government is aware of the problem being faced by the traditional craftsmen/ artisans. Due to poverty and non-updation in the skills to match global trends, many craftsmen/artisans are leaving their skills in search of other occupations. The Government cannot afford this huge loss of heritage of the country. Therefore, Ministry of Minority Affairs launched another new scheme “USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development)”.

The scheme aims at setting standards of traditional skills, design development, capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans, documentation and preservation. It also aims to engage the trained master craftsmen/artisans in training of minority youths in various specific traditional arts/crafts. Ministry has engaged National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID) and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to work in various craft clusters for design intervention; product range development; packaging; exhibitions, tying up with e-marketing portals to enhance sales; and brand building. Ministry has also signed MoUs with e-commerce portal to establish linkages with National and International market.

Ministry established Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS), a special purpose vehicle, in 2014-15 to address skill development needs of minority communities and its linkage with concessional credit to provide sustainable livelihood through self-employment and entrepreneurship. MANAS has made special efforts on skill training of students of Madarsas and other traditional educational institutions. So far, MANAS has collaborated with 39 traditional educational institutions of various minority communities including 31 Madarsas. The efforts for Madarsas have particularly been made to provide door step skill development facility for Muslim girls in minority concentration areas. If no such Madarsa for Muslim girls are available, MANAS arranges the training facility in the neighbourhood. Since inception, MANAS has covered about 65,000 minority youths for skill training.

For disbursal of scholarship in the students’ bank accounts, Ministry has completely shifted to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on National Scholarship Portal (NSP) in 2015-16. The step has minimized the tiers involved in fund flow and thus reduced the delays in payment. Moreover, DBT mode and linking bank accounts with "Aadhaar" has helped the Ministry in accurate targeting of beneficiaries and curbing pilferage and duplications.

Under Free Coaching Scheme, the financial assistance is provided to prepare the minority students for competitive examinations for medical, engineering, Government jobs, etc. In the last two years of the Modi Government, the fund flow has been doubled from Rs. 23.00 Crore to Rs. 45.00 Crore and coverage of minority candidates has also increased from 9997 to 16,427 candidates.

Ministry, in its endeavour to preserve rich cultural heritage of minorities under “Hamari Dharohar” scheme, curated “The Everlasting Flame International Programme”, a programme which was one of its kind,  involving 3 travelling exhibitions on Parsi Culture namely ‘The Everlasting Flame’, ‘Painted Encounters, Parsi Traders and the Community & No Parsi is an Island’, and ‘Threads of Continuity’ during March-May, 2016 at the National Museum (NM), National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) respectively. For the first time, the articles for Exhibitions have been brought from British Museum, London; Hermitage, Russia; Iran, Uzbekistan etc. to showcase Parsi culture.   

Ministry is also taking steps for protection and management of Waqf properties. Therefore, Ministry has taken initiative for GIS mapping of Waqf properties with the help of IIT Kanpur, Roorkee, Mumbai and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). It will enable Waqf Boards to detect and prevent encroachments on precious land resource.

National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) provides concessional loans for self-employment to minorities. Since 2012-13, Equity Infusion to NMDFC was disturbed because the then Government had not increased the Authorized Share Capital. During the period of earlier Government in 2013-14, no Central Government Equity could be contributed. For the first time in history of NMDFC, the Modi Government on 10.02.2015, has doubled the Authorized Share Capital of NMDFC in one go i.e. from Rs. 1500 crore to Rs. 3000 crore. Since then, Ministry has already contributed Rs.290 Crore as equity to the NMDFC. This has enabled NMDFC to leverage more loans to minorities.

Transparency in Governance being high on the agenda of the Modi Government, Ministry has launched online portals of Seekho aur Kamao, MANAS, Nai Roshni (a women empowerment programme), and Nai Udaan (a scheme to support candidates who clear Preliminary examination of UPSC, etc. for preparation of Mains). Vital information have been kept in public domain on these portals. 

Ministry of Minority Affairs will leave no stone unturned for realizing the objectives of each programme and outcomes on the ground. Ministry is also focusing on the simplified mechanism to achieve the goals. The people friendly procedures are being adopted to ensure Good Governance and effective and timely delivery of services and benefits to the minority groups targeted by our welfare schemes.

six initiatives of his Directorate namely TALGO Trials, TRINATRA and MAGLEV Technology, EoTT, bio-toilets and new train products

six initiatives of his Directorate namely TALGO Trials, TRINATRA and MAGLEV Technology, EoTT, bio-toilets and new train products

            Member, Rolling Stock(earlier called Member Mechanical), Railway Board Shri Hemant Kumar gave details of six initiatives of Indian Railways pertaining to his Directorate at a press conference held in Rail Bhawan today i.e. 09.08.2016. The briefs of these six initiatives are given as below : -

Ø  Brief about bio-toilets and green train corridor : -

In order to contribute to mission ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Ministry of Railways have taken up a mammoth task of providing human discharge free bio-toilets in all its coaches and the same would be completed by September 2019. With provision of bio-toilets in all its coaches discharge of human waste from trains on to the ground would be completely stopped which in turn would help in improving cleanliness and hygiene. Ministry of Railways have already provided 43,000 bio-toilets in its coaches till 31^st July, 2016 and in the current financial year, it is planned to fit additional 27,500 bio-toilets.

Indian Railways in its commitment to provide hygienic environment to passengers and to keep station premises/tracks clean, have developed environment-friendly Bio-toilets for its passenger coaches. The technology has been developed jointly by Indian Railways (IR) and Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) for railway passenger coaches through an MoU. This environment friendly, low cost and robust technology, is the first of its kind in Railway Systems in the world. In the bio-toilet fitted coaches, human waste is collected in tanks below the toilets and the same is decomposed by a consortium of bacteria.

In order to have visible benefits in terms of cleaner environment owing to provision of bio-toilets in coaches, Rameswarm-Manamadurai (114 Kms) was indentified to make it Green Train Corridors- free from human waste discharge from trains. Accordingly, 10 passenger trains consisting of 286 coaches moving over this section have been provided with bio-toilets. This section was formally inaugurated as Green Train Corridor on 24.07.2016. After Rameswarm-Manamadurai, Okha-Kanalas Junction(141 Kms), Porbandar-Wansjaliya (34 Kms) and Jammu-Katra(78 Kms) would also be taken up for making them free from human waste discharge from trains. For this around 35 trains consisting of nearly 1110 coaches would be further provided with bio toilets and the work is underway. These sections and stations were chosen, because the number of trains originating and terminating at these stations and sections are few, thus making it operationally easier and faster to make them human-discharge free.

Okha-Kanalas section is targeted for conversion to Green Train Corridor by the end of September 2016, whereas Porbandar-Wansjaliya is targeted for conversion by October 2016. For Jammu-Katra section, a total of 24 rakes of 14 trains consisting of around 450 coaches need to be provided with Bio-toilets and the same would be targeted for completion by March 2017.

Ø  Brief about new types of train products : -

In order to make train journeys a more delightful experience, Indian Railways have been taking numerous initiatives. Minister of Railways, in his Budget Speech 2016-17, had announced a number of new categories of train services or coach such as Tejas, Humsafar, Antyodaya and Deen Dayalu coaches.  Introduction of these train services/coaches is being followed up in mission mode.

For General Second Class passengers, potable water through Water filtration system, cushioned luggage racks, additional hand holds in doorway area, J hooks near longitudinal luggage racks for hanging carry bags, bio-toilets, water level indicator, Toilet occupation indication display board, Enhanced mobile charging facility, Fire extinguishers etc. are some of the amenities added in Deen Dayalu and Antyodaya train coaches. Besides, for the first time, Indian Railways would try out operation of Antyodaya trains with Locos at both ends for faster acceleration and deceleration and for expeditious turnaround at terminals. 5 Antyodaya rakes have been planned for introduction in the current year and the first rake is expected by October 2016. Around 700 Deen Dayalu coaches are planned for introduction in various trains in the current year. First Deen Dayalu coach has already been launched by Hon’ble MR  on 19.07.16 at NDLS station.

Similarly, Humsafar trains consisting of AC 3-Tier coaches only would have additional facilities such as GPS based Passenger information display system to inform passengers about arriving station, Passenger announcement system, Fire and Smoke detection system for enhanced fire safety, Mobile/ laptop charging points, Integrated Braille displays for the aid of visually impaired passengers, Improved aesthetics with new interior and exterior colour scheme etc. While 10 Humsafar rakes are planned for introduction in the current year, first such rake is expected by September 2016.

Tejas train coaches would be the future of train travel in India with modern amenities and gadgets provided to make train travel not only comfortable but delightful too. Tejas coaches would have ergonomic seating with improved cushioning and upholstery, Automatic doors, Infotainment system, GPS based Passenger information display system, Dust sealed gangways,  Fire and Smoke detection system , CCTV system, concealed LED lighting, adjustable reading lights, Passenger announce ment system,. Vending machine, Mobile laptop charging points, enabling provision for on-board Wi-Fi facility, Integrated Braille displays, individual Magazine bags, bottle holders, snack table, Bio-Vacuum toilets, Sensorised taps, flushing system, hand driers, tissue paper dispenser and soap dispenser for touch less experience of toilet use, water level indicators, Accessible dustbins with higher capacity, Digital Destination Boards outside the coach for train and coach information to the boarding passengers etc.. 3 Tejas AC Chair Car rakes have been planned for introduction and the first rake is expected by February 2017.

One Uday train service is planned for introduction in the current year with LHB AC Double Decker coaches.

Ø  Brief on Trials of Spanish Train TALGO : -

Talgo is a Spanish firm manufacturing Semi high speed (160-250 kmph) and high speed (350 kmph) passengers trains. Talgo trains have been successfully running in many countries with high safety records.

Talgo coaches are light weight aluminum bodied coaches with special features like articulated coupling between coaches, wheel sets located between adjacent coaches, independent wheel system, short guide axles with neutral tilting. These features make these coaches to travel faster on curves with approximately 20% higher speed in comparison to conventional coaches. Because of low weight faster acceleration and deceleration is also possible thereby reducing the travel time and increasing the average speed.

With an objective to increase the speed of Mail/Express trains on its networks, IR decided to conduct trials of Talgo coaches to validate their speed potential and access saving in time between New Delhi and Mumbai without any investment on the fixed infrastructure. M/s. Talgo has brought 9 coaches for free of cost trials with no commitment from Indian Railways. Speed trials were conducted between Barailey and Moradabad section of Northern Railway upto speed of 115 kmph. 

After successful completion of these trials high speed trials upto a test speed of 180 kmph were conducted between Mathura and Palwal section of NCR. The trials were found successful.

After the speed trials time saving trials have been started to validate the simulation done by M/s. Talgo. Total four runs were planned at a speed of 130, 130, 140 and 150 kmph. Two runs have already been conducted on 1.8.2016 and 5.8.2016. The trials have been successful and actual running results were better than the simulation results. In first run train could not run as per schedule due to heavy rain between Surat and Mumbai due to wash out of tracks. 3^rd run has started today and 4^th run will be on 14.08.2016. It is expected that time saving of 4 hours will be achieved between New Delhi and Mumbai over the existing Rajdhani Express.

Ø  Brief about Safety Device -  TRI-NETRA  - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers INfra-red, Enhanced opTical & Radar Assisted system

Ministry of Railways, Railway Board has initiated a proposal to install TRI-NETRA systems on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather. TRI-NETRA stands for - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers INfra-red, Enhanced opTical &Radar Assisted system.

TRI-NETRA system shall be made up of high-resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra-red video camera and additionally a radar-based terrain mapping system.

These three components of the system shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.

TRI-NETRA is designed to “see” the terrain ahead of the running locomotive during inclement weather by combining the images captured by the three sub-systems and to create a composite video image which shall be displayed in front of the Loco Pilot on a computer monitor.

During fog, heavy rain and also during night, the locomotive pilots face serious challenges in looking out ahead to spot any obstruction on the track such as vehicles which get stuck while crossing the track or trees or boulders which have fallen across the track etc. Because of the heavy momentum of the running train, the train driver has to always adjust the speed of the train such that he or she can stop the train on visually seeing the obstruction.  In fair weather and in daytime, this is not a problem since train driver has a clear view of the track ahead.  But in poor visibility, he has to reduce the speed suitably so that the brakes can be applied in time to stop the train without hitting the obstructions.

This is where TRI-NETRA will come into picture and give the locomotive pilot a clear view of the track ahead in bad visibility conditions so that he can apply brakes well in time. Conversely, he can speed up the train even in poor visibility if the TRI-NETRA system shows that the track ahead is clear of obstruction. The system shall also map the terrain ahead so that the driver knows when he is approaching a station or a signal. TRI-NETRA will enable the Locomotive Pilot to “see” objects from upto one kilometer away on straight track during inclement weather.

The concept of TRI-NETRA was developed by Development Cell under the guidance of Member Mechanical, Railway Board while brainstorming on how to use the technology employed by fighter aircrafts to see through clouds and operate in pitch darkness and the technology used by naval ships in mapping the ocean floor and navigating in the night. Such an “assisted vision” system is not available readily in any of the advanced railway systems but the manufacturers and technology partners who develop components of such systems for defence are very excited with the concept. “Such systems have not been used  for peacetime applications and we are excited that Indian Railways have thrown such a challenge at us” said one of the foreign specialists who develops such systems for fighter aircrafts. There has been very enthusiastic response to this Expression of Interest (EoI) published by Railway Board and number of companies from Israel, Finland, USA and Austria have expressed interest in developing such a system.

Ø  Brief On Communication Equipment  - End Of Train Telemetry (Eott)

·        

Fig:1 Transmitter/Receiver Radio on Locomotive

The EoTT equipment is used to establish communication between Locomotive driver and the last vehicle of the train to see that the train is running with all coaches/wagons as a “complete” train.

·         There is a transmitter fitted on a locomotive and a receiver that is fitted on the end of the last vehicle.

·         The transmitter and the last vehicle receiver exchange signals periodically at regular intervals to ensure that the complete train is running as “Ïntact train”.

·         If there is a break in the communication between the two units, the driver gets a signal that the train has parted.

·         The transmitter unit which is fitted at the end of the train’s last wagon is connected to the brakes and it bleeds the Brake Pipe air and applies brakes to the broken away portion of wagons of the train so that they do not collide with the front portion.

·         A project has been sanctioned for purchase of 1000 systems at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 Crores.

·         Specifications of the equipment have been prepared and tenders shall be called shortly.

Ø  Brief on Levitation based Trains (MAGLEV)

·         Levitation Technology is being used in the world in many different ways – Hovercraft that levitates on air-cushion, Maglev etc.

·          “MAGLEV “stands for  MAGnetic LEVitation.

·         The MAGLEV floats above the track on a “Cushion” of magnetic field.

·         Magnets on the track push and lift the MAGLEV up in air by about 1 inch to 6 inches.

·         These “track” magnets are controlled by a computers which keep shifting  forward the magnetic force of the “track” magnets so that the MAGLEV is pulled forward.

·         Maximum speed achieved is 500 km/h.

·         One commercial installation is in China in Shanghai (appx 38 km of MAGLEV) and is currently running commercially.

·         New technologies are coming up to decrease the power consumption of magnets that lift the MAGLEV by using liquid nitrogen or similar gases..

·         Holy Grail of Maglev magnets is superconducting magnets which consume very little current. Currently, super conductive magnets requires very low temperatures to be maintained in the magnet, however rapid research is going on to make high temperature superconductors.

·         EoI document has been floated on 4^th August 2016 and shall open on 6^th September 2016.

Six months maternity leave gets cabinet nod

The amendment in Maternity Benefits Act aims to raise maternity leave for women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks 

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal that seeks to grant six months’ maternity leave to women employees—double the time off they get now after childbirth.

The cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved 12 weeks’ maternity benefits to a “commissioning mother” and “adopting mother”. A commissioning mother is one who gets a baby via surrogate mothers. This is a completely new provision that forms part of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which the labour ministry wants tabled and passed during the current session of Parliament.
“Maternal care to the Child during early childhood (is) crucial for growth and development of the child,” a cabinet statement said. The ministry of women and child development had suggested enhancing maternity benefits to eight months, but during consultations, all stakeholders including government departments, employees and employer representatives agreed on six months’ benefits.
The aim, labour ministry officials said, is twofold—to help women devote time to take care of their babies and enable an increase in the women’s labour force participation (WLFPR) rate in India. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) in India is around 40%, but for females, it is only 22.5%. The gap in male-female labour force participation is such that the LFPR for rural women above 15 years is only 35.8%, while for rural males it is more than double at 81.3%, according to a 2015 research paper by the government policy think tank NITI Aayog.
Once approved by the Parliament, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will mandate opening crèches in all companies having 50 employees or 30 women employees whichever is lower. The cabinet said that the bill also seeks to “facilitate work from home”.
The cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for amendment of the Factories Act, 1948 by introducing the Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament. The amendments relates to increase in overtime hours from the existing 50 hours per quarter to 100 hours (Section 64) and existing 75 hours per quarter to 125 hours (Section 65) in some urgent situations. The Lok Sabha passed the bill on Wednesday.

Long Term Ecological Observatories for Climate Change

Long Term Ecological Observatories for Climate Change

Long Term Ecological Observatories (LTEO) for Climate Change Studies are one of the components under the ‘Climate Change Action Programme’ with an outlay of Rs. 40 crores in the 12th Plan Period. A Science Plan of LTEO was released during the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at Paris in December 2015. First phase of the LTEO Programme includes creating a network of field sites to assess the health of eight different biomes of the country namely; Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya, North-Western Arid Zone, Central Indian Forests, Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir and Sundarbans.

LTEO Programme aims to understand the biophysical and anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change in the selected biomes and their effects on social- ecological responses through a network of scientific institutions. Activities include experimental work to assess the change of structure and function in the natural ecosystems, identification of patterns and drivers of change in the natural ecosystems by monitoring populations of fresh water fish, birds, mammals, herbivores & carnivores, animal movements, soil processes in forests & grasslands, biophysical climatic variables, etc.

Endangered Species

Endangered Species

The Government has established a Protected Area (PA) Network (730 PAs including 103 National Parks, 535 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 26 Community Reserves, and 66 Conservation Reserves in different biogeographic regions) towards conservation of threatened (including endangered and vulnerable) species, which primarily covers habitats of threatened megafauna, such as tiger, rhino, elephant, etc.

Biological Diversity Act, 2002, was inter-alia enacted to ensure protection of threatened species and their habitats. Under the provisions of Section 38 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002, the species which are on the verge of extinction or likely to become extinct in near future as threatened species, are notified. Ministry has already issued notifications for 14 states to this effect.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' has been modified in 2008-09 by including a new component namely 'Recovery of Endangered Species' and 17 species have been identified for recovery viz. Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), River Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong & Coral reefs, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.

The periodic assessments carried out in respect of identified species, rhinoceros, Manipur Brow-antlered deer, Edible-nest Swiftlets and lion, have indicated improvement in their population status.

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been enacted for protection of wild animals, birds and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.

The Assistance to Botanic Gardens scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is also mandated for conservation of endemic/ threatened plant species of the country; through this scheme the MoEF&CC has supported many botanic gardens for conservation of threatened plants in various institutions.

Botanical Survey of India has brought a number of threatened plants under cultivation in its Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah, Botanic Garden Indian Republic, Noida and other associated botanic gardens of its regional centres for their ex-situ conservation, thereby complementing the in-situ conservation of such species in protected areas established in different bio-geographical regions of the country.

Concurrent to India’s Presidency(2012-2014) of the Conference of the Parties(COP) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Indian Companies have come together to address the critical issue of biodiversity loss under a national initiative. The India Business & Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI) serves as a national platform for businesses and its stakeholders for dialogue sharing and learning, ultimately leading to mainstreaming sustainable management of biological diversity into businesses.