Tribal Affairs
Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the programme for digital transformation of schools + about Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) +about Ashram school + Mains ( GS II Social issues + government initiatives for vulnerable section of population)
What's the NEWS

• With a vision to build an inclusive, skills-based economy, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft to support the digital transformation of schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools, among others under the Ministry at an online event ‘Empowering Youth For Success'.
• Under affirmative action initiative, Microsoft will make AI curriculum available to tribal students in both English and Hindi at all EMRS schools under the Ministry to skill educators and students in next-generation technologies including Artificial Intelligence.

Know! all about the programme

• This program will prove beneficial in terms of readiness, preparedness of our students at various international forums.
• Though these programs students would get the required skill set through digital transformation and this would open a new chapter with AI and coding being a part of the curriculum
• In this program not only the students, but 5000 teachers nominated by the ministry across these schools would be provided with professional training
• Under this program in the first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained in the first phase.
• Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching, helping them deliver blended or remote learning experiences to students in a more personalized, productive and secure manner.
• Teacher trainings will introduce them to the world of virtual collaboration and how teaching can be augmented with virtual field trips or remote sessions with experts.
• The program will also offer opportunities for teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates from the Microsoft Education Centre.
• This program will ensure that tribal students get chance to change their future, their environment, their village, and overall community.
• The active partnership by Microsoft will help in creating the talent pool that will be an asset to the country in the future
• Under the partnership, students from schools under the Ministry will be mentored on projects that involve AI applications for societal good and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will also be trained and exposed to gamified environments on Minecraft to help build design thinking skills.
• To enable inclusion and access, Microsoft will make AI curriculum available to the schools and students in both English and Hindi.
• The initiative will also enable the professional development of educators, enabling them to use technology in classrooms.
• Microsoft will work closely with schools across states under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to accelerate digital transformation.
• These schools will be equipped with the technology, training and tools required to transform them into Microsoft Showcase Schools, which embody technological innovation in teaching, use productivity insights for decision making and create accessible and personalized learning experiences for every student.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

• EMRS started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas in order to enable them to avail of opportunities in high and professional educational courses and get employment in various sectors.
• The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students. Each school has a capacity of 480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.
• Hitherto, grants were given for construction of schools and recurring expenses to the State Governments under Grants under Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.
• In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it has been decided that by the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, will have an EMRS.
• Eklavya schools will be on par with Navodaya Vidyalaya and will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
• Across the country, as per census 2011 figures, there are 564 such sub-districts out of which there is an EMRS in 102 sub-districts. Thus, 462 new schools have to be opened by the year 2022.

Know! about Ashram Schools

• Ashram Schools are residential schools imparting primary, middle and secondary education to ST boys and girls.
• The Ashram Schools which are run by State Governments have been an important tool to give formal education to ST children at the elementary level.
• The National Policy of Education (NPE) 1986 and the Programme for Action Plan, 1992 accord priority for establishment of Ashram schools on a large scale.
• In a query about the number of Ashram Schools in the country, State-wise, the Ministry of Human Resource Development informed that Ashram Schools are not operated by them.
• However, with the notification of RTE Act, Ashram Schools have come under its purview and have to follow the prescribed norms and standards.
• On the same issue, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs apprised the Committee that information on the number of Ashram Schools functioning in the Tribal areas and funded entirely by the State Governments is being collected.
• Central scheme of 'Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas'
• To supplement the efforts of State Governments, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been implementing a scheme 'Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas' under which grant-in-aid is given to States for construction of school buildings.
• The Scheme is in operation since 1990-91 and has been revised with effect from the financial year 2008-09.
• The scheme allows for construction of Ashram Schools for the primary, middle, secondary and senior secondary stages of education as well as upgradation of existing Ashram Schools for Scheduled Tribe boys and girls including PTGs.
• 100% funding for establishment of Ashram Schools i.e. school buildings, hostels, kitchen and staff quarters for girls in TSP areas.
• In addition, 100% funding for establishment of Ashram Schools for boys in only the TSP areas, (if any), of the Naxal affected districts identified by Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time.
• All other Ashram Schools for boys in TSP States continue to be funded on 50:50 basis. 100% funding will be provided to UTs.
• Financial assistance on 50:50 basis given for other non-recurring items of expenditure i.e. purchase of equipment, furniture and furnishing, purchase of a few sets of books for a small library for use of inmates of the hostels, etc.
• While the Ministry of Tribal Affairs administers the scheme and releases grant-in-aid for construction of buildings and procuring equipment, furniture, books etc., the maintenance and running of Ashram Schools is the responsibility of the State Government/UT Administration concerned.
• The Ashram Schools are required to be completed within a period of 2 years from the date of release of the Central assistance. However, for the extension of existing Ashram Schools period of construction is 12 months.
• The State Governments/UT Administrations are required to submit their proposals to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs annually.

Prelims Factoids
51^st IHGF -Delhi Fair-2021 Opens Virtually

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about IHGF +about EPCH)
What's the NEWS

• The 51^st edition of virtual IHGF of Delhi fair (19^th -23^rd May, 2021) was inaugurated

• The 51^st IHGF Delhi Fair 2021 is India's largest Virtual Fair in the Home, Fashion, Lifestyle, Textiles and Furniture sector and an exclusive B2B online platform is developed to assist the buyers from all across the globe to source from India.
• The Fair organised by the EPCH will see participation of 1500 plus manufacturers and exporters showcasing 2000 plus product expressions.
• The overseas buyers from over 85 countries from across the globe have already registered to visit the show.
• The estimated figures for exports of handicrafts for the period April-March of the financial year 2020-21 which stands at Rs. 25558.94 crores (USD 3443.45 million) registering a growth of 1.14 % (Rupee terms) and decline (-)3.39 % (dollar terms) over the same period last year.

Know! about IHGF

• IHGF Delhi Fair is organized twice every year in Spring and Autumn editions, by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the apex organization representing handicraft manufacturers & exporters in India.
• EPCH is having very strong supplier network of manufacturer exporters of Home, Lifestyle, Fashion, Textiles and Furniture.
• Buyers may contact them for their requirements. EPCH facilitates its 10,000+ members to customize and offer unique styles and quality products to the global sourcing community.
• Beyond providing unparalleled business platforms to buyers & sellers, EPCH also provides comprehensive information about the sector to international buyers and ensures optimal interface between the Indian handicrafts industry and international buyers, facilitating harmonious business.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)

• It was established under Companies Act in the year 1986-87 and is a non-profit organisation, with an object to promote, support, protect, maintain and increase the export of handicrafts.
• It is an apex body of handicrafts exporters for promotion of exports of Handicrafts from country and projected India's image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality of handicrafts goods & services and ensured various meausres keeping in view of of observance of international standards and specification.
• The Council has created necessary infrastructure as well as marketing and information facilities, which are availed both by the members exporters and importers.
• The Council is engaged in promotion of handicrafts from India and project India's image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts.
• The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts has a rarest distinction of being considered as MODEL COUNCIL that is self-sustaining and where all the promotional activities are self-financed.

Prelims Factoids
GI certified Gholvad Sapota (chikoo)
Relevance IN - Prelims (about Ghovad Sapota Banganapalli & Survarnarekh amangoes
What's the NEWS

• In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota from Palghar district of Maharashtra was shipped to the United Kingdom.

GI certification of Ghovad Sapota

• GI certification of Ghovad Sapota is held by Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh and the fruit is known for its sweet and unique taste.
• It is believed that the unique taste is derived from calcium rich soil of Gholvad village.
• Currently in the Palgahr district, around 5000 hectares of land is under sapota or plantation. Out of 5000 farmers who grow Sapota, 147 farmers are authorized GI users.
• The Dahanu Gholvad Sapota, sourced from the authorized GI users, were sorted and graded from the APEDA assisted and registered packhouse
• APEDA has been thrust on promotion of exports of GI products. GI products with its uniqueness, intrinsic value and practically no competition from outsiders, offers good potential for export.
• Sapota is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed by Maharashtra.
• It can be used in fruit salads, blended into milk or yogurt, as a smoothie or processed to make a jam out of it.

Banganapalli & Survarnarekh amangoes

• Earlier this month, a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne of GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekh amangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna & Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.
• The mangoes were treated, cleaned & shipped from the APEDA supported packhouse & vapor heat treatment facilities at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and exported by IFFCO Kisan SEZ (IKSEZ)
• This was the first export consignment sent by IKSEZ, which is a subsidiary of IFFCO, a multi-state cooperative with a membership of 36,000 societies.
• There is possibility of more exports of mangoes to South Korea this season. IFFCO Kisan SEZ has an agreement with Meejaim, South Korea for supplying 66 MTs of mango this season.
• Andhra Pradesh horticulture department also collaborated in this endeavour.

Know! about APEDA

• APEDA promotes exports of agricultural & processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. In addition,
• APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets (BSM), Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote agricultural & processed food products.
• Apart from this the Department of Commerce (DOC) also support exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI) etc.

Geographical indication or GI

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• Geographical Indications are part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
• Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.

Defence
Oxygen Recycling System

Social Justice
Six- Month CBID Program on Rehabilitation of Divyangjan

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CBID Program) + Mains ( GS II Social justice - government initiatives for the welfare of vulnerable section of population)
What's the NEWS

• Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment virtually launched a 6- month Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Program on rehabilitation of Divyangjan
• It is with this in mind that the course has been developed in collaboration with Melbourne University.
• This would enable our country to develop trained manpower for rehabilitation and development of Divyangjan to ensure their empowerment and inclusiveness in the society, the
• Due to the pandemic situation, the requirement of first hand counsellor/guide for Divyangjan has become further relevant and there is a need to roll out this program as early as possible.

Know! about the CBID programme.

• This program will be first of its kind which will create trained manpower in identifying risk cases, apprising the parents/guardians about the nearest early intervention centres, and guiding them for availing Government benefits for Divyangjan.
• The Government is open to sharing best practices with other countries and the MoU signed with the Government of Australia for cooperation in disability sector is a step in this direction.
• The Rehabilitation Council of India and University of Melbourne have been working on this program since last two years.
• The Department will involve all the States/UTs in future expansion of this program
• The program aims to create a pool of grass-root rehabilitation workers at community level who can work alongside ASHA and Anganwadi workers to handle cross disability issues and facilitate inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.
• The program has been designed to provide competency based knowledge and skills among these workers to enhance their ability for successfully discharging their duties. These workers will be called 'Divyang Mitra' i.e. friends of persons with disabilities.
• The Rehabilitation Council of India intends to roll out the course initially on a pilot basis for two batches in 7 National Institutes of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and 7-9 voluntary organisations having experience in Community Based Rehabilitation programme.
• This CBID course has been co-designed by Rehabilitation Council of India and University of Melbourne as a joint initiative under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Australia and the Government of India on 22nd November, 2018 for cooperation in disability sector.
• Content and curriculum of the course has been developed by an Expert Committee comprising experts drawn from India and Australia.
• The National Board of Examination in Rehabilitation under the Rehabilitation Council of India will conduct examinations and award certificates to pass-out candidates.

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