Sept 2 Current Affairs

1.

To align efforts towards skilling and entrepreneurship in the northeastern region of India, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics and Information Technology, and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education and External Affairs today inaugurated the North-Eastern Skill & Entrepreneurship Conclave being held from 1st September to 3rd September 2023, “Manthan2023” at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati, Assam embodying a dynamic bidirectional platform, aimed at convergence and collaboration. 

The Conclave is a confluence designed to channel the energies of stakeholders to bring together ministries, state governments, academia, industry associations, institutions, policymakers, corporations, and most crucially, beneficiaries to deliberate on Skill and Entrepreneurship in North-East India. Over the next few days, the event will embody the spirit of collaboration, sharing best practices, and aligning efforts in the domains of skilling and entrepreneurship. 

The event looks forward to a more detailed understanding of the following:

– Disseminate the vision of MSDE for the North-Eastern region on the development of entrepreneurship and skill and strengthen the overall ecosystem.

-Deliberate upon the benefits of MSDE’s special package for NER.

– Reinforce regional networks, and stimulate innovative strategies and roadmap for fostering entrepreneurship and skill development eco-system of NER.

The event will reiterate MSDE’s vision of augmenting skill development and entrepreneurship with a special focus on building the capacity of the youth of the region through a comprehensive package. Secondly, the focus shifts to the overall entrepreneurship ecosystem, the financial support available in the North-East, livelihood opportunities offered by different stakeholders, and the startup culture fostered in the region; eventually fostering synergy and cooperation among stakeholders to nurture a robust entrepreneurial environment.

On day 1 of the Conclave, MSDE launched three residential skill training programs for electric vehicle service technicians, solar panel installation technicians, and electrical technicians. These programs are a part of the strategic partnership between the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and IIT Guwahati. Further, a millet range of products developed by tribal candidates under TRISSAM has also been launched. The event brings together a group of participants, including representatives from Central Ministries, state governments, industry associations, academia, policymakers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and grassroots organizations, among others.

2.

 Assam is on the path to becoming a central hub for medical education in India. With a vision of fostering accessible healthcare and expanding job opportunities, Assam is rapidly increasing its capacity in the medical field.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Assam is on track to have 2,000 MBBS seats and over 1,000 postgraduate (PG) seats. The recent addition of three newly constructed medical colleges in Assam has allowed them to initiate academic sessions simultaneously, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s journey towards medical excellence.

The Chief Minister shared his participation in the oath-taking ceremony for medical professionals in Nagaon stating the state’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of healthcare experts.

This ambitious endeavor began taking shape on June 27 when CM Sarma declared Assam’s intention to evolve into a healthcare hub for South East Asia. Speaking at the third convocation of Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, he articulated the government’s vision to establish a cutting-edge health education ecosystem.

3.

The United Nations Biodiversity has initiated a campaign urging the global community to incorporate the term “funga” alongside “flora and fauna” to emphasize the significance of fungi. Recognizing fungi’s essential role in ecosystems, the UN aims to elevate fungi’s importance to the same level as plants and animals in conservation efforts. This initiative highlights the impact of language on shaping perceptions and policy decisions.

Two years ago, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also endorsed “mycologically inclusive” language in its communications. Fungi are integral to life on Earth, supporting processes such as decomposition, forest regeneration, and nutrient cycling. By integrating “funga” into everyday discourse and educational materials, the UN Biodiversity aims to promote awareness and protection of fungi in the global web of life.

4.

Kolkata Metro Railway, a lifeline for the city since 1984, is embracing change by shifting from steel Third Rail to composite Aluminium Third Rail. The upgrade aims to boost efficiency and reduce costs. This transformation aligns Kolkata with renowned metros like London, Moscow, and Berlin.

The project involves gradual replacement across multiple phases, covering key corridors. The shift to Aluminium Third Rail offers multiple advantages: decreased resistive current loss, improved traction voltage, reduced need for substations, accelerated acceleration, lower maintenance costs, and diminished environmental impact. The move is anticipated to save around ₹210 Crores in capital investment for a 35 km corridor. This advancement showcases Kolkata’s commitment to modernize its metro system and enhance its performance.

5.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is set to host the Global IndiaAI 2023 conference in October. The event aims to bring together prominent players in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including researchers, startups, and investors from India and worldwide. Topics to be covered include Next Generation Learning, Foundational AI models, AI’s applications in healthcare, governance, electric vehicles, research trends, computing systems, investment prospects, and nurturing AI talent.

The conference is steered by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Electronics & IT, with the goal of shaping the future of AI across sectors. The event will highlight India’s AI initiatives such as DI Bhashini, India Datasets Program, and FutureSkills program. It is poised to become a significant annual fixture for the global AI industry.